Vertically Movable, Non-pivoted Patents (Class 312/306)
  • Patent number: 6568770
    Abstract: A climatic cabinet with at least one door, having a storage station with at least one object storage device, which exhibits several storage locations arranged one on top of the other, and having a transport device for feeding objects to the object storage locations, wherein the transport device has an object receiver, wherein the object receiver is secured to a vertical carriage in such a way that it can be moved vertically and horizontally, and wherein the storage station and transport device are arranged on mounting plates. The functionality of the climatic cabinet and its functionality are achieved through improvements in the transport device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Kendro Laboratory Products GmbH
    Inventors: Gernot Gonska, Thorsten Dick, Heiko Reinhardt
  • Publication number: 20030080658
    Abstract: A holding cabinet includes a first side wall and a second side wall positioned opposite the first side wall. The holding cabinet also includes a first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, in which a first support of the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the first side wall and a second support of the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the second side wall. The holding cabinet further includes a second pair of stationary, pivotable supports, which are positioned above the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, in which a first support of the second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the first side wall and a second support of the second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the second side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Peter J. Koopman
  • Publication number: 20030080657
    Abstract: A holding cabinet includes a first side wall and a second side wall positioned opposite the first side wall. The holding cabinet also includes a first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, in which a first support of the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the first side wall and a second support of the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the second side wall. The holding cabinet further includes a second pair of stationary, pivotable supports, which are positioned above the first pair of stationary, pivotable supports, in which a first support of the second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the first side wall and a second support of the second pair of stationary, pivotable supports is operably mounted through the second side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Peter J. Koopman
  • Patent number: 6494669
    Abstract: For a point-of-sales rug selection from a stack thereof, a method of working a raised stack from the bottom up so that a rug assuming successively the bottom position is permitted to descend, each in turn, to a floor display position and, after the first descent using lowering cables, the cables having a length portion in a taut vertical condition to serve as tracking guides for the vertical descent by gravity of successive rugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Inventors: André Bernard, Scott Bernard
  • Patent number: 6450360
    Abstract: A plurality of spring tubes is provided in an assembly to make a worker's practice of “pearl diving” unnecessary. A container has one tube attached in each corner and each tube has an internal coil spring secured at a bottom of an inner chamber but extended by a cable looped over a pulley at a top of the tube. A shelf or false bottom is attached to a quick link at an end of the cable in each tube. Each link is guided in a vertical slot formed in an outer chamber of each extruded plastic tube so that the shelf is spring-loaded and weight-responsive. A key advantage of the adjustable shelf is that it prevents back strain and similar muscular injuries to workers who are constantly leaning and bending over to retrieve or store articles in the container. The ability of the shelf to tilt at any or all corners allows it to float and not bind as product is loaded or removed. These tubes and the shelf can be adapted to any of the presently manufactured containers or racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Ergo Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Hyde
  • Publication number: 20020079788
    Abstract: A display case security apparatus comprises a housing, a plurality of platform guide tracks, a platform, an elevating mechanism, and a closure. The housing includes a lower storage section and an upper display section disposed above the storage section. The storage section has an opaque exterior wall and the display section has an exterior wall which is at least partially transparent. The platform guide tracks are disposed on the interior of the housing. The platform is disposed within the housing and includes a generally horizontal portion for supporting articles to be displayed. The platform is selectively movable between a first position, wherein any articles supported on the platform are displayed in the display section of the housing, and a second position, wherein any articles supported on the platform are stored in the storage section of the housing. The platform interfits with the platform guide tracks so as to constrain the movement of the platform to vertical translation only.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: John F. Canedy, Leo Faubion, Paul Lenox, Larry G. Stanford
  • Patent number: 6336692
    Abstract: A cabinet for mounting to a wall or ceiling with downward extendable and retractable shelving assembly is provided. The cabinet includes a housing having an open bottom. Disposed within the housing is a shelving assembly having a plurality of shelves. A novel combination of a tension gas spring and telescoping drawer glides are used for mounting the shelving assembly to the housing. When items are needed from the cabinet, the shelving is pulled down until all the shelves are exposed. When access is no longer needed, a light tap to the bottom of the shelving assembly causes the tension gas spring to smoothly retract the shelving assembly back into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: David E. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6305765
    Abstract: A slide opening and closing door apparatus for a control box is provided, in which a cover portion of a slide door opens and closes an exposed button portion of the control box which is located in the substantially same vertical surface as that of a front panel. The control box slide opening and closing door apparatus includes a guide unit in which a vertically elongate hole is formed in an inner wall of each side of the control box, a door member which moves up and down along the guide unit in order to open and close the upper portion of the control box, and a power transmission unit for transmitting power to the door member. In this manner, the door which is transferred by the driving of the electric motor ascends and descends in the control box, to thereby cover a button portion in the control box appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Hoo Park
  • Patent number: 6106084
    Abstract: A catering cart whose height is substantially greater than its width and its length, particularly a catering cart for use in confined spaces, such as the aisles of passenger aircraft and railway diners. The cart is provided with four wheels, at least two of which are castor wheels, and the cart is constructed to receive goods that can be stacked vertically in the cart. An insert whose height is substantially equal to half the internal height of the cart is mounted in the cart and can move vertically from a lower position in the bottom half of the cart to an upper position in the upper half of the cart, wherein goods can be inserted into or removed from the insert through an access opening provided in one side of the cart, when the insert is in its upper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Scandinavian Airline System
    Inventors: Lars Hojgaard Thogersen, Nils Toft
  • Patent number: 6062663
    Abstract: A door for a computer case is provided which can be moved to a blocking position for blocking access to bays and/or drives of the case. The door can be attached to the case by a slide connection for sliding it along the front of the case between its blocking and accessing positions. In the preferred form, the case is a vertical tower type of case and the door is preloaded on track guides so that when it is raised such as to the blocking position it will not fall back to the accessing position under the influence of its own weight. A gear drive can be provided between the door and housing to provide for smooth manual sliding of the door to readily allow the door to be pushed to overcome the frictional resistance provided by the preload without hang ups in the track guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: NEC Corporation Japan
    Inventors: Roger You, David Chen, Matthew Herron, Jacques Louis Gagne, Dore Chin Mark, Kevin Christian Coullahan, Tony Hieu Nguyen, Brian Keith Williams
  • Patent number: 6024425
    Abstract: A storage apparatus that includes a storage shelf having a plurality of horizontally and vertically arranged storage sections for storage of articles and a moving body for taking articles in and out of the storage shelf. Conventionally, since an article carrying in and out section for taking articles in and out of such storage apparatus is divided into working sections having substantially the same width as that of storage sections, a space for work is small and a work is made difficult and inefficient when the moving body is used to take articles out of the storage sections or articles are placed on the working sections. Therefore, a working space, which protrudes beyond the article carrying in and out section and is free of partitions is provided. With such arrangement, however, there is a problem that a storage apparatus is extended in a lengthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Imai, Makoto Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6024025
    Abstract: A lift table mechanism has a thread screw secured upright within a support tube; a driven nut threadedly mounted to the screw which is raised and lowered by rotating around the thread screw; a carriage frame attached to the nut and supporting a table surface; a drive engaging a main driver gear connected to the drive; and an idler gear coupled to the main driver gear and in turn engaging the nut. Alternatively, a cross shaft driver is rotatably coupled between the main driver gear and the idler gear; a cross shaft connects cross shaft drivers of multiple table lift mechanisms wherein the cross shaft drivers rotate concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Equipto
    Inventors: Richard L. Koch, Trever L. Barnett
  • Patent number: 6000770
    Abstract: A mobile container or bin is provided with a vertically adjustable floor which is suspended by cables which pass through a plurality of supports or pulleys, and the cables are wound around a single cylindrical drive member coupled to a reversible motor with a power off brake. The cylindrical cable drive member is rotatably disposed about an axle passing through side wall members of the bin. The cylindrical cable drive member includes at least one pair of right hand and left hand spiraling grooves having a depth and width sufficient to wind the cables thereon in a single layer. An object level sensing sensor is mounted to the bin for sensing the presence or absence of objects above the floor at a pre-set access level. The sensor output is provided as an input to a control circuit for maintaining the highest most ones of the objects on the floor at the preset level so as to provide a constant object load and object unload floor level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: Mark R. Frich
  • Patent number: 5924780
    Abstract: A door assembly which includes a door that slides open and closed to alternatively expose and cover components of a computer system. The door assembly includes a rack and pinion system that prevents racking of the door. The non-racking feature allows for the door to be wider than prior art doors such that more components may be easily accessed by a computer user. The door assembly also includes a spring assembly for automatically closing the door, a dampener for moderating the movement of the door, and a latching mechanism that holds the door open. In one embodiment the latch mechanism is a push-push latch and the spring of the spring assembly is a constant force spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Ammon, Bradley Melmon, Brian Boyce, Simon Gatrall, Gregor Berkowitz
  • Patent number: 5913584
    Abstract: A vertically adjustable shelf for a refrigerator includes a mounting assembly which cooperates with a pair of vertically extending tracks to position the adjustable shelf at a plurality of predetermined positions, a support assembly is carried by the mounting assembly and movable relative to the mounting assembly so that the support assembly can be positioned at each position between the plurality of predetermined positions, and an encapsulated shelf carried by the support assembly. The mounting assembly has a pair of vertical rack gears and a pair of track mounting brackets which engage the tracks. The support assembly includes a knob centrally located at a forward end of the shelf and a gear box connecting the knob with the rack gears so that the support assembly moves relative to the mounting assembly when the knob is turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Swindell, Curtis W. Sisson, Daniel James Ocharzak
  • Patent number: 5893615
    Abstract: A self-contained mechanical vending device for displaying and dispensing newspapers by coin activated access. The vending device has a molded synthetic resin one-piece cabinet with an access door and release mechanism insert. A spring-activated newspaper storage elevator shelf and weight assembly stabilizes the device and presents the newspapers for selective removal through the access door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Steel City Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Hendricks
  • Patent number: 5435644
    Abstract: A housing for self-contained, isolated or free-standing automats having a ratio of the floor area dimensions to the height which is relatively small, comprises individual wall elements, which correspond to the height of the housing and which are fabricated from extruded aluminum. Intermediate bases or bottoms are provided which are disposed in planes located transversely to the wall elements to which the wall elements are bolted so as to mutually or respectively overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Mannesmann Kienzle GmbH
    Inventors: Eduard Schuh, Walter Gundel
  • Patent number: 5401089
    Abstract: A lifter particularly usable for an LC display unit includes a slide board bearing the display unit overhead and driven for vertical movement by a lift drive motor associated with a swing arm kept in rolling contact with the slide board, a gear assembly mounted to the slide board for converting rotation of a tilt drive motor into corresponding tilting of the display unit, and various sensors for controlling rotation of the motors on detection of the positions of the display unit. Vertical movement of the display unit requires a quarter rotation of the swing arm which is very small in ambit and, as a consequence, a compact and light design of the entire lifter construction. The rolling contact of the swing arm with the slide board assures reliable fail-safe function when smooth vertical movement of the slide board is hindered by accidental introduction of a foreign matter in its path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Inagaki, Osamu Satsukawa, Yoshihiro Umeda, Shin-ichi Kamo
  • Patent number: 5211460
    Abstract: A shoe closet comprises a compartment for the storage and retrieval of shoes, a number of shoe-plate modules on which shoes are placed, a conveyor assembly for carrying shoes to a desired position, and a driving unit for driving the conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly includes a first conveyor device disposed at an inner edge of the compartment for an upward movement of the shoe-plate module and a second conveyor device disposed at an outer edge of the compartment for a downward movement of the shoe-plate module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventor: Shih-Ying Liu
  • Patent number: 5199778
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shelf appartus for a refrigerator which raises and lowers a refrigerator's food storage shelves in an analog manner, making it possible to determine the positions of the shelves largely in accordance with the size of food items stored inside the refrigerator. More particularly, racks are provided on the left and right sides of the refrigerator's interior, gears which engage these racks are provided on the shelves of the refrigerator, and the food storage shelves are raised and lowered by rotating these gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Matsushita Refrigeration Company
    Inventors: Takashi Aoki, Minoru Yonemura, Hiroji Ito, Akihiro Shigeta, Yasuji Imai, Tatsuo Miyachi, Tomoyuki Nishimura, Naoya Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5169218
    Abstract: A computer mainframe front panel assembly, comprising a front panel which has a hole on a sloping top edge and a diskdrive slot on a vertical front wall, swivel control panel fastened in the hole on said sloping top edge and pivoted to a framework for a computer mainframe, and a lift gate moved to close or open said diskdrive slot. The lift gate comprises a frame attached to the front panel at the back to hold a cover plate which is maintained at any of various level positions by alternatively engaging a plurality of spring pawls on said cover plate into a plurality of recesses on said frame. Power switch is switched on when the control panel is moved to an opened position, or switched off when the control panel is moved to a closed position to block up the hole on the sloping top edge of the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Inventor: Edward Chu
  • Patent number: 5156059
    Abstract: The component mounting plate of a control console for an appliance such as a washer or dryer is retractable so that the console's knobs are flush with the appliance's outer trim panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Amonett, David E. Zink, Jack D. Sanders
  • Patent number: 5152590
    Abstract: An apparatus for the safe keeping and dispensation of sliced bread comprising a vertically disposed upper housing for containing said bread slices, said upper housing having an open upper end equipped with a lid, elongated vertical sides and a closed lower end secured to a lower housing or base of sufficient size and weight to support the upper housing and its contents and having a hollow interior containing a means for activating a lifting shelf surface supported said slices of bread such that upon activation of the moving means the lifting means raises the bread, thus presenting one or more slices to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Inventor: Douglas R. Dukes
  • Patent number: 4953601
    Abstract: Tool-box (1) comprised of a female box (50) and a male box (10) which is retractable in the female box (50) or which may be rigidly set on the female box so as to form a workbench and/or a step-ladder. The male box (10) comprises two series (15, 16) of drawers (17) and, between those two series (15, 16), a tiltable and removable tray (20) having two compartments (25, 26). The tray (20) may be tilted on one side up to a stop and may be removed on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Inventor: Julien Herdies
  • Patent number: 4948207
    Abstract: An adjustable support assembly particularly for use in supporting the bottom shelf in a household refrigerator including a support bracket having a hollow cylindrical sleeve with an interior circumferential surface having a first longitudinal portion with an array of inwardly directed elongated tooth projections along and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve and a second longitudinal smooth portion adjacent the first portion. There is a brace having an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the sleeve and has a circumferential outer surface with a first longitudinal portion with an array of outwardly directed elongated tooth projections along and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the brace and a second longitudinal smooth portion adjacent the first portion, said projections on the first portion being complementary to the tooth projections on the first portion of the interior surface of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joyce A. Rolls, Clarence W. Denham, Nicholas Okruch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4942328
    Abstract: A cabinet for retractably storing audio/video equipment is provided. The cabinet comprises a main body and a flip-up/slide-in top door adapted to rotate from a horizontal to a vertical position, and thereafter descend vertically within the main body. A support shelf is disposed within the main body and adapted to slideably vertically traverse within the main body as the top door descends. Connecting means are provided for elevating the support shelf when the top door descends within the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Inventor: Richard Price
  • Patent number: 4912359
    Abstract: A freeze dry unit having several novel features is the subject of this invention. A plurality of shelves are placed in the drying unit and are coupled with cables which serve to interconnect three points on each shelf. This assures that an upward force applied at any point on the shelf will be distributed over the entire shelf and the shelf will rise in a true horizontal plane. An improved refrigeration system is also provided which incorporates an auxiliary capillary tube that can be bypassed by a solenoid valve or used to reduce the volume of refrigerant flowing through the system thereby decreasing the load on the compressor. The invention also encompasses a closure door that incorporates a novel hinge and mounting assembly which assures that opening and closing of the door will not pinch the door seal thus deteriorating it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Labconco Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley E. Offutt, Larry W. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4828342
    Abstract: Disclosed is a convertible computer desk with a construction that allows it to convert from a conventionally appearing desk into a configuration in which computer equipment, such as a monitor and related equipment, is raised to desktop level from internal storage and a keyboard is exposed. A pair of upright, space-apart support walls extend from the front to the rear of the desk and are provided with tracking means along their upper portions, and a concealable keyboard support shelf extends between forward parts of the support walls. A storage compartment located between the support walls holds an elevatable equipment platform for raising equipment from within the compartment to desktop level. A pair of rectangular desktop panels are mounted to the tracking means in a manner which allows them to be manipulated during conversion from one desk configuration to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Inventor: Alexander Stefan
  • Patent number: 4793664
    Abstract: A shelving apparatus for incorporation in conventional cabinet structures commonly referred to as "lockers" for providing supplementary shelves therein, including a shelf support plate adapted for upstanding disposition on the locker floor to extend along its rear wall in contact therewith and one or more shelves adapted to be engaged by tabs thereon in corresponding slots in the support plate and being of a greater longitudinal dimension than the depth-wise dimension of the locker so as to extend from the support plate at an upward incline and to resting braced engagement with the flanges laterally adjacent the locker door at the forward side of the locker. The apparatus may be retrofit into conventional existing lockers or incorporated in the construction of new lockers to provide greater storage organizational capabilities therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Inventor: Charles Jackson
  • Patent number: 4790611
    Abstract: The invention relates to mechanisms for adjusting the height of horizontal surfaces, particularly adjustable work surfaces. One application of the invention is an adjustable computer work station for physically impaired individuals. The adjustable work surface comprises a work surface, a lever arm having a first end that is in association with the work surface and a second end that is pivotly fixed such that when the lever arm pivots from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position the vertical position of the work surface changes, an adjusting means for pivoting the lever arm, and a stabilizing means for retaining the work surface in a substantially horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Inventor: Steven F. Craner
  • Patent number: 4735471
    Abstract: A library type bookcase having a base with a generally U-shaped slot thereon for slideably receiving an upper shelving section therein to adjust the height of the bookcase to meet the aesthetics of the owner or the height of the room that it is placed in. The same pins which support the shelves between the sides of the shelving section also serve to fixedly position the shelving section with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Inventor: Caryl W. Riggsby
  • Patent number: 4714305
    Abstract: A spice rack assembly is provided comprising three sections, a hollow outer cabinet open on one side, a hollow inner receptacle member open at the top and adapted to slide laterally through the side opening of the outer cabinet, and a spice rack member adapted to slide vertically through the top opening of the inner receptacle member. The spice rack assembly is sized to fit behind or along side a major appliance, such as a range or refrigerator, and to position the spice rack at approximately eye level in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Inventor: Robert S. Service
  • Patent number: 4700993
    Abstract: An auxiliary drawer structure on top surface of a desk, it relates to the effective utilization of spaces for a desk, in particular, those spaces which are below the top face and by the rear side of a desk. Of which, the desk surface at the location said above is furnished with comparatively larger rectangular openings for receiving the longitudinally inserted box-shaped drawer, and the top surfaces of each lid on each of this box-shaped drawers are aligned flatly and evenly with the desk face after drawers are pressed into the rectangular openings. An extension/compression spring is furnished on bottom side of each drawer to serve self-rising purpose of each drawer, also guiding blocks and guided-swinging and positioning devices are furnished to both left and right-side respectively of each drawer for locking up when the drawer is risen up to a certain position or pressed down to its hide out position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Inventor: Chung Fu-Long
  • Patent number: 4697857
    Abstract: A feeder bin having spaced-apart, opposing side walls delimiting a cavity. Disposed in the cavity is a first guide attached to one of the sidewalls delimiting a first guide space and a second guide attached to opposing side wall delimiting a second guide space. Also included are first and second elongated flexible members, a portion of the first elongated flexible member disposed in the first guide space and the second elongated flexible elongated member disposed in the second guide space. Disposed beneath the flexible elongated members are continuous chains having upper and lower portions, the upper portion are affixed to the first terminal portion of the first elongated flexible member and the lower portions are attached to a first terminal portion of the second elongated flexible member; and, a transverse member attached to the second terminal portions of the first and second elongated flexible members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Anteg, Inc.
    Inventors: Dulin L. Annas, Sr., Richard M. Teague
  • Patent number: 4614385
    Abstract: The present invention in its preferred embodiment, is a circuit board storage apparatus (6) including a clamping mechanism (10) having two jaw handle members (12), and a pair of contact jaw portions (18 and 20) which are held in a hinged juxtaposition by a hinge pin (14). The clamping mechanism (10) is adapted to grasp a printed circuit board (8). The apparatus (6) is further provided with a support and protective structure (30) which includes a pair of parallel rails (32), having notches to support the structure (30) on a frame (50), and a pair of protective sheets (38) for preventing physical abrasion and electrical damage to the circuit board (8). The entire apparatus (6) is adapted to be enclosed in a drawer (60) or cabinet for easy storage of multiple boards (8). The primary usage of the apparatus is in situations where an inventory of circuit boards must be maintained for quick retrieval, primarily in the electronic manufacturing and maintenance industries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Inventor: Robert A. Gendernalik
  • Patent number: 4614177
    Abstract: A range hood (2) mounted above a kitchen range (4) includes one or more storage shelves (6, 8) in the hood. An adjustable tilt-out front panel (22) is adaptable to include openable doors (24) for accessing the shelves, and is operated by a user between a position flush with adjacent cabinetry (20) or the like, and an extended position increasing the vapor collection area above the range. A gravity operated baffle (30) maintains integrity of the collection area liner by covering the additional collection area when the front panel is in the tilted-out position or any position inbetween. The housing (14) for the hood has an upper portion (16) and a lower depending portion (18) adjustably mounted to the upper portion to provide an adjustable overall vertical height. A hood mounting system provides built-in three dimensional adjustment and allows an installer to restrict adjustments to a single plane at a time for final fine tuning adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Broan Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Norman A. Buckley, Roland E. Butt, Donald E. Schlegel
  • Patent number: 4548051
    Abstract: A cryostat microtome apparatus comprises a cooling enclosure which can be set to a predetermined internal temperature and a microtome disposed in the enclosure. The enclosure is supported on a support assembly which is vertically adjustable to permit stepless adjustment of the height of the enclosure, for adaptation to operator requirements. A mechanical actuating assembly and/or a gas spring assembly is provided for height adjustment of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Parke, Davis & Company
    Inventor: Gerhard Moessner
  • Patent number: 4447097
    Abstract: Automatic terminal machines for banking transactions utilize a document dispenser for delivering bank notes to a customer. The document dispenser moves the bank notes from a storage bin by means of a picker mechanism that moves along a path profile established by the configuration of a pair of cam tracks and associated cam followers. The picker mechanism includes vacuum cups for lifting the first document from a stack in the storage bin for delivery into a document transport. Connected to the vacuum cups is a vacuum/pressure supply that includes a multiple chamber cylinder that provides both vacuum and pressure synchronized with operation of the picker mechanism. The piston is pivotally mounted to enable swivel action when driving the interconnected pistons in respective chambers. When provided, the document dispenser includes a cassette having a loading door and an unloading door, each separately equipped with a locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Inventors: James O. Lafevers, Richard T. Kushmaul, Ted R. Scott
  • Patent number: 4437714
    Abstract: An ice tub (34) fits through a large opening in the top (20) of a cabinet, down into an interior space within the cabinet, and is supported at its bottom on the floor of such space. At its top, the ice tub (34) is flush with the top of the cabinet. A pair of panels (26, 28) are hinge connected (at 70) to the cabinet for movement between outwardly projecting counter-forming positions (FIG. 2) and closed positions (FIG. 1) in which they overlay the top (20) of the cabinet. A plurality of minor openings (22, 24) are formed in the top of the cabinet along one side and both ends of the tub. The side located openings (22) receive small containers (46) for condiments. The end located openings (24) receive containers (42) for alcohol beverage bottles (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Inventor: Gordon K. Struck
  • Patent number: 4421364
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic apparatus for dispensing or vending food and drink or other products having a rather small volume. The locking mechanism of the apparatus is based on the utilization of gravity. An electromagnetically actuated locking bolt is used to hold a segmented, serially folding door in a desired position, the door being so constructed that whenever the bolt is withdrawn, the door moves downwards due to gravity. As it moves downward, the lower segments of the door serially fold down into a magazine located below the locking mechanism and the upper segment of the door opens a space in which food or drink or other products are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Inventor: Tauno K. Takaniemi
  • Patent number: 4400045
    Abstract: A built-in kitchen system including a baking and roasting oven and a surface cooking unit, which system includes a plurality of cabinet modules disposed adjacent one another and provided with countertops defining a horizontal work surface, a wall cabinet housing integrated into the system and having an upper portion accommodating the oven and a lower portion accommodating the cooking unit, a device mounting the cooking unit in the housing for horizontal displacement between a position within the housing and a position in front of the housing, and a displacement device supporting the wall cabinet housing and arranged to move the housing vertically between raised and lowered positions, the raised position being located to place the bottom of the cooking unit level with the work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Neff-Werke Carl Neff GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Baschin
  • Patent number: 4397508
    Abstract: An installation for a baking and roasting oven in a built-in kitchen composed of cabinet-like modules immediately adjacent one another and covered with tops forming a work surface, which installation includes a wall cabinet housing accommodating the baking and roasting oven and presenting an interior bottom surface, the cabinet being integrated into the built-in kitchen, and a displacement device supporting the wall cabinet housing and arranged to move the housing vertically between a lowered position and a raised position in which the bottom surface is disposed at the level of the portion of the work surface formed by the tops of the modules directly in front of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Inventors: Armin Bohnet, Horst Baschin
  • Patent number: 4345802
    Abstract: An overhead dispenser having vertically telescopic movable shelf units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: AMF, Inc.
    Inventor: Egon Sorensen
  • Patent number: 4338987
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a unique tool chest which combines the convenience of pegboard display with the mobility and security of a locking tool chest. A slideably disposed pegboard is contained within the tool chest and mounted on rails. A winch with a cable is located on the exterior of the tool chest and works in conjunction with the pegboard so that when the top lid of the tool chest is opened and the winch is cranked, the pegboard will extend upwardly out of the top of the tool chest and lock in the desired position. Thus easy access is provided to the tools hung upon pegs on either side of the pegboard. Doors located on the front and the rear of the tool chest allow access from either side. The entire tool chest sits upon a foundation piece provided with casters for easy mobility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Inventor: Frank N. Miles
  • Patent number: 4322118
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a container suitably fashioned to serve as a book shelf which is easily stackable and transportable including a six walled container provided with a front wall slidably disposed on said container, a back wall, and a groove running adjacent the back wall along end walls and the bottom wall thereof so that when the container is to be used as a book shelf, the front wall is placed in the groove approximate to the back wall, and when the book shelf is to be used as a container for transporting the books, the front wall is disposed in grooves approximate to a front area of the container so as to contain objects therewithin. Further, these plural containers are provided with interlocking devices for securely interlinking plural such containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1982
    Inventor: Edward S. Shugart
  • Patent number: 4320935
    Abstract: A horizontal rail assembly (10) on which a plurality of storage components (50) are hung is secured between vertical support members (34). The rail (10) carries hanger clips (24) which secure the rail in place on vertical supports. Flanges (32) on the clips are received by the vertical support members (34) to install the rail 10 at the desired height. The clips (24) are slightly loaded in tension between the rail (10) and the vertical members (34) to provide for a secure fit. The support system is provided with a cam surface (19) and screws (40), (42) for adjusting the angular orientation of the rail to level the storage components (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Nagelkirk
  • Patent number: 4296980
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic apparatus for dispensing or vending food and drink or other products having a rather small volume. The locking mechanism of the apparatus is based on the utilization of gravity. An electromagnetically actuated locking bolt is used to hold a segmented, serially folding door in a desired position, the door being so constructed that whenever the bolt is withdrawn, the door moves downwards due to gravity. As it moves downward, the lower segments of the door serially fold down into a magazine located below the locking mechanism and the upper segment of the door opens a space in which food or drink or other products are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Inventor: Tauno K. Takaniemi
  • Patent number: 4285435
    Abstract: A holder for packaging articles, displaying them and offering them for sale, comprising at least one pallet unit adapted for carrying, a number of articles or layers of articles separated by intermediate trays, the pallet unit having an upwardly and downwardly directed rim flange which may be discontinuous, a levelling device being present by means of which the pallet unit can be moved up and down, said holder further comprising means for the support or easy displacement of the filled holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Inventor: Gerardus C. Brinkers
  • Patent number: 4221443
    Abstract: A refrigerated display cabinet interior shelf system has one piece standards for shelf support. The standards are manually removeable from slotted brackets fixed to mullions in a cabinet structure. The standards have surfaces fully exposed to the cabinet interior. Each standard can maintain two shelf supporting clips on opposite sides at the same vertical dimension. The shelf system is manually disassembleable, and when assembled effectively eliminates protruding threaded fastener elements and multiple components in the shelf support system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1980
    Assignee: Anthony's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Heaney
  • Patent number: 4191438
    Abstract: A visual display rack includes an extension bar vertically slidable in a hollow standard. A one way clutch mechanism allows the bar to be raised but unless released, locks the bar against downward movement in order to support the load placed upon the bar. The clutch mechanism is released by a button inconspicuously located at the top of the bar. The entire clutch mechanism is carried by the extension bar. The standard is not in any manner altered for cooperation with the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1980
    Inventor: Robert H. Day