Linear Operator Patents (Class 312/319.8)
  • Patent number: 10081951
    Abstract: A storage structure is provided in which an outside surface panel can be attached and removed regardless of where the storage structure is installed. The storage structure has a plurality of columns, an outside surface panel configured to be located between two mutually adjacent columns to form a part of an outer wall, and an outward-side pressing member and an inward-side pressing member each of which can be removably attached to a column. The outside surface panel has a width which is less than a distance between the two mutually adjacent columns. The outward-side pressing member and the inward-side pressing member cooperate with each other to assist in holding the outside surface panel from both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Omori, Takeshi Abe
  • Patent number: 9323208
    Abstract: An electric motor system includes a brushless direct-current motor, a driver circuit, a position sensor, and a control circuit. The motor has an output shaft for transmitting torque. The driver circuit supplies power to the motor according to a control signal input thereto. The position sensor measures an angular, rotational position of the motor shaft. The control circuit controls operation of the motor. The control circuit includes a position sensor terminal, a reference terminal, a differential calculator, a controller, and a gain adjuster. The position sensor terminal receives a feedback signal. The reference terminal receives a reference signal. The differential calculator generates an error signal representing a difference between the measured and targeted rotational positions. The controller generates the control signal based on the error signal through a combination of control actions. The gain adjuster is connected to the controller to adjust a gain of each control action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shogo Sakamoto, Takuya Murata, Takeo Seki, Hiroyuki Kiguchi
  • Patent number: 9289061
    Abstract: A controlled access file cabinet permits an authorized user access only to one file drawer or one locked compartment at a time. The cabinet has at least one pull-out drawer with a lock mechanism that self-locks when the drawer is pushed in and closed, and has an electro-mechanical servo to release the drawer for authorized access. One or more drawers may be divided into a row of locked compartments. Slide bar lock mechanisms interact with with lock pins on hinged lids or covers for the compartments. Only one compartment can be opened at a time. A control board within the cabinet ensures that all drawers are closed and latched before any can be released. The secure cabinet may be connected with a network, or by i2c or daisy chain to other secure file cabinets, including cabinets retro-fitted with a bolt-on lock mechanism. Computer software limits access to certain areas of the cabinet to specific authorized users, and maintains inventory and audit trail over multiple cabinets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: S&S X-Ray Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman A. Shoenfeld
  • Patent number: 9018813
    Abstract: A linear actuator, especially for telescopic lifting columns (7) comprising a reversible electric motor (16) and a transmission (17) located in a box-shaped housing (14). A Linear movable activation element (18), preferably a spindle unit (19-21) connected to the transmission (17) is secured to the housing (14)). The activation element is intended for moving an adjustable element, e.g. a table top in the structure into which the actuator should be incorporated. The housing (14) is equipped with internal reinforcements (32) for strengthening said housing in its longitudinal direction and possibly also in its transverse direction. Thus a linear actuator with sufficient rigidity for use in sitting/standing tables without cross member is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventor: Michael Lindekilde Randløv
  • Publication number: 20150108891
    Abstract: A drive device includes an ejection element, a housing, a locking element for the ejection element, which locking element is disposed in or on the housing and is movable relative thereto, and a detent element, which is connected to the ejection element and, in the closed position, abuts the locking element. In the locking position, the locking element can block the path of the detent element in the opening direction. The ejection element can be released both when a movable piece of furniture is subjected to increased pressure from a closed position in the closure direction and when the movable piece of furniture is pulled from the closure position in the opening direction. A detection system detects the position of the movable piece of furniture, and a transmission device transmits the position of the movable piece of furniture detected by the detection system to the locking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Harald BRUNNMAYR
  • Patent number: 8991948
    Abstract: A high cabinet may be mechanically lowered to within reach of a disabled user. In the second exemplary embodiment, a scissor-jack type mechanism pushes an outer cabinet out from the wall and a sliding mechanism allows an inner cabinet to drop down from within the outer cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventors: Monti Marsters, Everett Larry Marsters, Don Marsters
  • Patent number: 8951033
    Abstract: The invention relates to a construction box (200) comprising a front wall (220), a rear wall and two side walls (224, 226), which delimit a construction box interior that houses a height-adjustable construction platform (210). The construction box (200) has dedicated travelling gear (250) integrated in to the construction box for propelling said box (2000 between a construction position, in which the construction box (2000 is positioned within the frame (150) of the system (100) to allow the shaped body to be built up and an additional construction box position, such as a construction box unpacking position, in which the construction box (200) is propelled out of the frame (150) of the system (100) to permit the unpacking of the built-up shaped body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: ExOne GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Höchsmann, Alexander Müller, Herbert Ludl, Bernd Krabler, Thomas Leinauer
  • Patent number: 8944535
    Abstract: A system (10, 110) includes an engagement element (11) mounted on a household appliance (W) door (D). A supporting body (12) is releasably held by a retaining element (16) mounted on a cabinet (C). A striker (14, 114) releasably couples to the retaining element (16) and moves between retracted and extracted positions. When the striker (14; 114) is retracted the door (D) is fully closed, and when extracted the door is pre-opened relative to the cabinet (C). An actuator (20) controls a locking mechanism (18) that tends to switch from an unlocked condition, allowing the striker (14,114) to move from the retracted to the extracted position, to a locked condition, holding the striker (14, 114) in the retracted position. A thrust member (19, 119) exerts thrust on the door (D), facilitating switching to pre-opened when the striker (14) couples to the retaining element (16), locking the locking mechanism (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Elbi International SpA
    Inventors: Marco Becchio, Paolo Da Pont, Michele Farano, Paolo Ravedati
  • Publication number: 20140346938
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) wherein the door (3) is opened automatically by means of the door opening mechanism (13) at the end of the washing and drying processes and a fast drying is performed by discharging the vapor accumulated in the body (2) at the end of the washing and drying processes to the outside and wherein by means of the adjustment means (8), the door opening mechanism (13) applies pressure on the door (3) after being actuated and the opening/closing force of the bolt (5) of the locking mechanism (4) is decreased at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Arcelik Anonim Sirket
    Inventors: Uygar Unverdi, Serkan Tarcin, Tuna Balkan, Erhan Ilhan Konukseven
  • Patent number: 8840203
    Abstract: An ejecting device for a movable furniture part includes an ejector, which can be moved between a first and a second position, for ejecting the movable furniture part, a drive train having an electrical drive unit that drives the ejector and a gear mechanism arranged between the drive unit and the ejector and which has an output that acts on the ejector, and an open-loop or closed-loop control device for controlling the drive unit in an open-loop or closed-loop manner. A force accumulator is integrated in the gear mechanism between the drive unit and the output, and a monitoring device connected to the drive train can detect an unloading of the force accumulator and report the unloading to the open-loop or closed-loop control device. The open-loop or closed-loop control device activates the electrical drive unit to move the ejector back to the first position after detection of the unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Bohle
  • Patent number: 8827390
    Abstract: An appliance is provided. The appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chamber. A container is received within the chamber. A biasing member is configured for urging the container upwardly along a vertical direction. By urging the container upwardly, the biasing member can lift the container and facilitate access to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ross Benson Wehner, Ronald Scott Tarr, Raymond James VanAssche, Joseph Emil Gormley
  • Publication number: 20140217873
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an enclosure and a cover comprising a shape-memory alloy is provided. The enclosure has at least one void that facilitates access to a component of the apparatus. The cover has at least an opened shape and closed shape, wherein the cover allows access to the component via the void in the opened shape and covers at least part of the void in the closed shape, wherein the cover transitions from the closed shape to the opened shape in response to the apparatus being accessed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: NOKIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Markku Rouvala
  • Patent number: 8777541
    Abstract: A conveyor control apparatus of liquid crystal panel substrates and a control method thereof is disclosed. The apparatus has multiple first side pillars and multiple second side pillars mounted opposite to the first side pillars. A movement control assembly is mounted outside the first side pillars and the second side pillars. The movement control assembly is used to move to a slot where the liquid crystal panel substrate is to move is inserted, and control the certain liquid crystal panel substrate inserted in the slot to move out from the conveyor control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-da Cheng
  • Patent number: 8636330
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an installation configuration of a freezing compartment door to be opened or closed in a semi-automatic manner. The refrigerator includes a body having a storage compartment, a door to open or close the storage compartment, and a door control device to complete an opening/closing operation of the door by providing the door with a thrust force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Man Nam, In Yong Hwang
  • Patent number: 8608260
    Abstract: The workstation includes a cabinet 100 having a worktop 101 and a compartment 3 for tool storage, a compartment containing a paper towel dispenser, a compartment 7 which contains a waste bin, and compartments 6, 9 housing self-retracting hose reels for air and water. The hose reel compartments are recessed behind the front face of the cabinet to accommodate hose end fittings, and may occupy a lower portion of the cabinet. The space above may be occupied by a panel containing electrical and/or data connectors, the paper towel dispenser, and a dispenser for latex gloves. A further compartment 8 houses a personal computer carried by a drawer mounted on runners. An upstanding pegboard 30 is mounted on vertical sliders and operated by pneumatic cylinders or an electric motor allowing it to be stowed behind the rear of the cabinet when not in use. A flat screen monitor 40 is mounted on the pegboard, and a keyboard holder 42 may be provided for storing a computer keyboard in a vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Dura Limited
    Inventor: Dominic Robert Wishlade
  • Publication number: 20130278122
    Abstract: A point-of-sale system includes a stand that supports a tablet computer. The tablet computer can run a merchant application to provide the typical functionality for a point-of-sale system. The stand can be rotatable to face either the merchant or the customer. The stand can incorporate a card reader. The tablet computer can be connected through a hub to other peripheral components, such as a controllable cash drawer, a printer and/or a bar code reader. The cash drawer can include a slidable drawer having sliding rails that are hidden from a top view of the drawer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Edwards, Lukas Skoog, Amish Babu, Jesse Dorogusker, David Craig
  • Publication number: 20130264926
    Abstract: An automated drawer slide integrates a linear motor drive system into a drawer slide mechanism. The drawer slide chassis comprises: a case rail of channel profile, a drawer rail of channel profile, and some extension slide. A linear motor unit having a primary (a stator) and a secondary (a mover) provided for the slide and away from the primary (a stator) with a gap interposed there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Fengdong Zhao
  • Publication number: 20130257246
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a baggage compartment 1 for an aircraft, wherein the baggage compartment 1 includes a housing 2 and a baggage container 3, wherein the baggage container 3 is mounted in the housing 2 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis S, wherein, with a pivoting movement, the baggage container 3 is transferable from an open position into a closed position, having a pulling arrangement 8, wherein the pulling arrangement 8 includes at least one pulling means 9a, b for transferring a pulling force to the baggage container 3 in order to transfer the baggage container 3 from the open position into the closed position, having a drive arrangement 13, wherein the drive arrangement 13 is realized to transfer the pulling force to the pulling means, wherein the drive arrangement 13 has a linear drive 14 with a sliding device 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Oleg GRAF, Michael ZINKE, Andreas HANFT
  • Publication number: 20130154461
    Abstract: An ejecting device for a movable furniture part includes an ejector, which can be moved between a first and a second position, for ejecting the movable furniture part, a drive train having an electrical drive unit that drives the ejector and a gear mechanism arranged between the drive unit and the ejector and which has an output that acts on the ejector, and an open-loop or closed-loop control device for controlling the drive unit in an open-loop or closed-loop manner. A force accumulator is integrated in the gear mechanism between the drive unit and the output, and a monitoring device connected to the drive train can detect an unloading of the force accumulator and report the unloading to the open-loop or closed-loop control device. The open-loop or closed-loop control device activates the electrical drive unit to move the ejector back to the first position after detection of the unloading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventor: Julius Blum GmbH
  • Publication number: 20130057134
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2), a door (3) which provides access into the body (2) and opens from the top downwards by rotating around the horizontal axis, a door latch (4) which provides the door (3) to be locked, and a door opening mechanism (6) having a linear actuator (5) that provides the door (3) to be opened automatically at the end of the washing and drying processes such that some gap remains between the door (3) and the body (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Osman Kilic
  • Patent number: 8336940
    Abstract: A lifting system can be used to move an item between a use position and a stowed position in a structure such as a vehicle or home. The item may be an article of furniture, an appliance, a storage unit, a platform, workbench, or the like. The lifting system may be motorized and/or utilize a flexible drive to move the item. The lifting system may be used to reciprocally move the item between the use position and the stowed position in the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Lippert Components, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Martin Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8109583
    Abstract: A device for ejecting a movable furniture part from a closed end position in or on a furniture body, includes an ejector with a motor-driven ejector lever. A power transmission device interacting with the ejector lever is provided such that the force exerted on the movable furniture part by the ejector lever can be transferred in the mounted state of the device in a furniture body, in which the movable furniture part in the closed end position is at a distance from the ejector lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Bruestle
  • Patent number: 8067915
    Abstract: An appliance, such as a refrigerator, includes a drawer mounted within a cabinet for movement between an opened position and a closed position. A driving mechanism, including an electric motor connects to the drawer for driving the drawer between the opened position and the closed position. A control circuit connected to the electric motor and the transmission assembly of the driving mechanism commands the transmission assembly to connect or disconnect the electric motor and the drawer, and further commands the electric motor to drive the drawer to one of the opened position and the closed position when the electric motor is connected to the drawer. The control circuit also senses obstructions and adjusts the movement of the drawer accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John K. Hooker, Konstantin Grigoryan, Arti Shah
  • Patent number: 8052230
    Abstract: A lifting system for lifting a floor mounted cabinet from a stored position located on a floor to a raised position where a centerline of the cabinet would be between 38-40 inches above the floor and approximately eye level to a person seated in a wheelchair. A pneumatic power source and a low voltage electric power system coupled with inner and outer frames enables movement of the cabinet between the stored and raised positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Richard Antony Vicek
  • Patent number: 8047619
    Abstract: A security display case including an enclosure having a security portion and a display portion, a platform moveable from the security portion to the display portion, a security member that secures the security portion, a gas spring that moves the platform from the security portion to the display portion, and a stabilizing assembly that stabilizes the moving platform. Optionally, the gas spring is paired with another gas spring so that the lateral forces of the springs are substantially cancelled, and the vertical forces are combined to move the platform. The stabilizing assembly can be a rack and pinion gear including at least two pinion gears engaged by a common member which synchronizes rotation of the gears to prevent binding of the platform as it is moved. The security member can include doors that fold over the security portion and which are engaged at their edges by a common locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Edward J. Bacheller, Richard J. Yager
  • Publication number: 20110254418
    Abstract: A trigger sensor for triggering an electric furniture drive depending on a movement of the furniture part to be driven by the furniture drive caused by a user, wherein the trigger sensor comprises at least one actuator which can be moved by the furniture part into an assembly position, wherein the trigger sensor can capture movements of the furniture part along at least two directions which are orthogonal to each other, wherein the trigger sensor has at least one actuator which captures each of the at least two directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Christian HAUER
  • Patent number: 8033620
    Abstract: A toolbox with drawers for holding tools and the like and a display rack for holding and displaying such tools. The display rack is movable vertically relative to the toolbox and may assume a first tool accessible and tool visible position and a second position where the tools are not accessible and are not visible. A locking mechanism maintains the inaccessible tool position of the display rack. Preloaded struts operate to extend the display rack to its tool accessible and tool visible condition when the retaining force on the display rack is released. A retaining mechanism is used to hold the display rack in its elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Barry Kane Retchloff
  • Patent number: 8006440
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for coupling to a wall in a healthcare facility, such as a hospital. The apparatus comprises a housing configured to support at least one service outlet, a cover and a linkage for mounting the cover to the housing for pivoting movement between a closed position in which the cover blocks access to the at least one service outlet and an open position in which the cover allows access to the at least one service outlet. The cover remains substantially parallel to the wall as it travels between the closed and open positions. The cover may comprise a wall accessory, such as a picture frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jody A. Thomas, Dallas J. Suding, Steven R. Westerfeld, Gilbert R. Walker
  • Publication number: 20110193454
    Abstract: The invention relates to a carrier element that can be attached to a furniture body of a piece of furniture, wherein a current consumer is disposed in or on a furniture part movable in the piece of furniture, particularly a drawer, wherein at least one power supply unit for the current consumer is disposed—preferably releaseably—on the carrier element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: David KARG
  • Patent number: 7874445
    Abstract: An interchangeable container for a system for building a mold body by forming superimposed layers of granular material, the granular material locally and selectively hardened layer by layer. The container includes a bottom structure that is displaceable in the interior of the container in a direction in parallel with the container side walls and at least one spindle drive having a vertical screw spindle rotatably mounted in a container side of the container, and a spindle screw nut on which the bottom structure is supported. The bottom structure can be lowered step by step in the interior of the container by the spindle drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: ProMetal RCT GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Höchsmann, Alexander Müller, Uli Schrupp, Stefan Hühn, Udo Marschner, Martin Stachulla
  • Patent number: 7810891
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body having cooling chambers for keeping food items therein, a base frame disposed to be movable in outward and inward directions in a lower cooling chamber disposed at a lower portion of the main body, and having a basket door at its front side, a lift frame disposed on the base frame, on which the basket is put, a fluid pressure cylinder mounted at the base frame and connected to the lift frame to lift the lift frame, and an fluid compressor connected to the fluid pressure cylinder by an fluid supply pipe and supplying compressed fluid to the fluid pressure cylinder. Accordingly, as the basket is lifted when being drawn out, a user can take out food items kept in the basket without bending his/her back, which enhances user's convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung-Ryul Lee, Seong-Jae Kim, Seung-Hwan Oh
  • Patent number: 7723943
    Abstract: A receiving method is provided comprising the following steps. First, a receiving device is provided, wherein the receiving device comprises a chamber, a plurality of spacers, a spacer moving module, a first cover unit, a second cover unit, a control unit and an input interface. Then, an order is inputted to the input surface, wherein the input surface sends a control signal according to the order, and the control unit controls movements of the first cover unit, the second cover unit and the spacer moving module according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Chung-Yang Fu, Wei-Chen Lee
  • Patent number: 7690317
    Abstract: A computer workstation includes a worksurface moveable a first distance between first and second worksurface positions and a monitor support coupled to the worksurface. At least one of the worksurface and the monitor support is automatically moveable in response to a movement of the other of the worksurface and the monitor support. The monitor support is moveable a second distance between first and second monitor positions as the worksurface is moved the first distance between the first and second worksurface positions, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. A method of adjusting the position of a monitor support on a computer workstation is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Beck, Joel R. Dral, John C. Groelsma, Jeffrey A. Weber
  • Publication number: 20090206715
    Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly comprising at least two electric drive units (4) for respectively driving one of at least two drawers (2) which are movably mounted within a common furniture carcass (3). A measuring instrument (10) is assigned to each drive unit (4) in order to detect a force (F) that a user applies to the respective drawer (2). The inventive assembly further comprises at least one control or regulation device (9) for controlling or regulating the drive units (4). The measuring signals of the measuring instrument (10) can be fed to the control or regulation device (9) while the control or regulation device (9) can trigger the associated drive unit (4) after receiving a predetermined measuring signal from one of the measuring instruments (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Uwe Scheffknecht, Edgar Huber
  • Publication number: 20090134754
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piece of furniture and to a device for controlling the movement of furniture parts which can be moved with respect to one another, having a drive unit by means of which a first furniture part can be moved relative to a second furniture part, in a driven manner, via a monitoring unit for monitoring the movement of said first furniture part. According to the invention, the monitoring unit is designed such that, after an initiating action by the monitoring unit, the first furniture part is moved to a predetermined position and is stopped there, with the predetermined position differing from a final position of the first furniture part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicants: Grass GmbH, Kuster Automotive Door Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Holger WENZEL, Peter KROPF, Helmut WETSCHKO
  • Publication number: 20090096337
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piece of furniture and to a device for influencing the movement of furniture parts which can be moved with respect to one another, having a guide unit for guidance of a first furniture part on a second furniture part, and having a drive unit by means of which the first furniture part can be moved, in a driven manner, relative to the second furniture part, with the guide unit having a fixed rail, which is associated with the second furniture part, and a moving rail, which is associated with the first furniture part. A pulling-pushing element is provided in order to apply a drive effect from the drive unit to the first furniture part, guided on the fixed rail via guide means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicants: Grass GmbH, Kuster Automotive Door Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Langguth, Thomas Nussbaumer, Martin Bluecher
  • Publication number: 20090072688
    Abstract: A receiving device is provided, comprising a chamber, a first cover unit and a second cover unit. The chamber has an opening and a plurality of receiving spaces. The first cover unit comprises a first cover element. The second cover unit comprises a second cover element, wherein the opening is closed when the first cover element and the second cover element contact each other, and the opening is opened when the first cover element and the second cover element separate from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chung-Yang Fu, Wei-Chen Lee
  • Patent number: 6851770
    Abstract: A display case security apparatus comprises a housing, 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 that is at least partially transparent. The platform is disposed within the housing and includes a generally horizontal portion for supporting articles to be displayed. The platform is selectively movable in the vertical direction between a first position, wherein any articles supported on the platform are in the display section of the housing, and a second position, wherein any articles supported on the platform are in the storage section of the housing. The elevating mechanism is mounted within the housing and includes a linear actuator that is selectively extendable along a straight line axis between a retracted position and an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Fausion Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Canedy, Leo Faubion
  • Patent number: 6789860
    Abstract: A deal drawer apparatus (16) is used in carrying out transactions by transporting items between a service provider on a service provider side (34) of a wall (14) and a customer side (12) of the wall. The deal drawer apparatus includes a drawer assembly (76) with a movable drawer (92). The drawer may be moved by a mechanical drive (114) through a releasable connector (116). The drawer may be moved alternatively by connection of a handle (154) to the drawer such as through a releasable coupling (152). The drawer assembly is releasably mounted in a housing (36) through interengaging projections and recesses (82, 80). Movement of the drawer is operative to open and close a door (22). When the drawer is extended a customer is enabled to access the interior area of the drawer. When the drawer is retracted, a service provider accesses the interior area of the drawer through an opening (40), access through which is controlled by at least one movable panel (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark DePietro, Robert V. Artino, Steven R. Davis
  • Patent number: 6783198
    Abstract: A mobile display case for housing and supporting a display. The display case includes a stand mounted to the interior of the case for a flat panel video or other display. The display stand can be raised to a deployed position or lowered to a stowed position within the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventors: Brandon K. Rudd, Marion Lawrence Jovanovich
  • Patent number: 6682157
    Abstract: A panel driving device turns an openable panel inside out by rotating the openable panel by 180° about a rotation center shaft and moving the rotation center shaft upward or downward during a specific period while the openable panel is rotated. The panel driving device is provided with a rotating mechanism for supporting the openable panel on a rotatable end of a rotary arm and rotating the openable panel, and a torque converting mechanism for converting part of a driving force of the rotating mechanism into a rotating force for rotating the rotary arm only during the specific period to rotate the rotary arm upward or downward. The openable panel can be turned inside out by a simple construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Ito
  • Patent number: 6604797
    Abstract: A rotary storage unit includes a cabinet defining an interior within which a rotary storage member is located. A latch mechanism is mounted to the cabinet, and selectively engages the rotary storage member for maintaining the storage member in either an open position or a closed position. A motorized actuator arrangement is interconnected with the latch mechanism, for selectively moving the latch mechanism between a latching position and a release position. The motorized actuator arrangement includes a motor which imparts movement to an actuator rod interconnected with the latch mechanism, for moving the latch mechanism between its latching and release positions in response to axial movement of the actuator rod. The motor moves the actuator rod so as to return the latch mechanism to its latching position after expiration of a predetermined time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Spacesaver Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Lehmann, Robert A. Housh
  • Patent number: 6572209
    Abstract: A drive for opening and closing a cover member in a motor vehicle has a lever which includes a detent device, for example a spring-loaded pin, which is pressed into a detent notch by force of a spring and is disengageable when a predetermined force is exceed and as a result disconnects an electric motor for opening and closing said cover member. It is therefore possible to open the cover member even when the electric motor fails, by disengaging the lever by hand, and the lever forms an overload safety device for the electric motor in the event of the cover member becoming jammed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignees: Fishcherwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co., KG, DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Ralf Koepff, Steffen Breunig
  • Patent number: 6533375
    Abstract: A motorized pull-out device for a tall cupboard and including a motor for pulling out the pull-out rail connected with the pull-out section of the tall cupboard and for driving the pull-out rail in a switch for actuating the motor, and an arrangement for actuating the switch and including a light reflector for reflecting the light emitted by the light source onto the light receiver and associated with the pull-out section of the tall cupboard, and an actuation member for displacing the light reflector between a first and second positions, in which the light emitted by the light source is either reflected or not reflected by the light reflector, onto the light receiver, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Fulterer Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Manfred Fulterer, Augustin Rauch
  • Patent number: 6523919
    Abstract: A filing cabinet has at least one drawer or file hangers associated with the drawer that can be selectively lifted from a first elevation to a second elevation when the drawer has been moved to an open position with respect to the frame of the filing cabinet. The filing cabinet includes the frame; drawers, including the drawer that can be lifted; and a drawer-opening assembly that movably connects the drawer to the frame. When the drawer is opened, it can be disengaged from the drawer-opening assembly and lifted to a position that is more accessible to users of the filing cabinet. The drawer can be lifted by force supplied by the user, by mechanical or electrical devices, or by a combination of the foregoing. Examples of the mechanical or electrical devices include pneumatic pistons, hydraulic pistons, spring-activated structures, and electric motors. The bottom drawer or a number of bottom drawers of the filing cabinet can experience the lifting motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Switchboard
    Inventors: L. Dwight Israelsen, R. Burns Israelsen
  • Publication number: 20030001471
    Abstract: A refrigerator door mounted on a main body for pivotal movement about a vertical axis at one side is opened by the foot of a user by a bracket on the door wherein the bracket is coupled to the door at a bottom corner of the door remote from the pivot axis and wherein the bracket provides an attachment plate bonded to the door edge and an abutment element which is arched outwardly and downwardly from the front face of the door such that the element can be engaged and pulled by the user's foot when the hands are otherwise engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: William W. Libby, Dianne N. L. Libby
  • Patent number: 6213575
    Abstract: A kitchen countertop assembly includes multiple, integrated work spaces having associated surfaces which can be adjusted vertically. At least two of the work surfaces can be individually, vertically adjusted relative to the remainder of the work surfaces. In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, first, second and third work surfaces are defined by an overall kitchen island, with the first work surface being defined by a main countertop, the second work surface being defined by a tabletop supported above a portion of the first work surface by a pair of spaced pillars which project through the countertop and into a base of the assembly, and a third work surface is constituted by a table which projects from the base at a position offset from the countertop. With this arrangement, each of the countertop, tabletop and table member can be raised or lowered, either simultaneously or individually, in order to customize the overall kitchen countertop assembly to a particular user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: George G. Brin, Jr., Luke W. Michas, Marc S. Harrison, Michael T. Lye, Edgar L. Laguinia, Elizabeth Akers