Horizontal Axis Patents (Class 312/327)
  • Patent number: 7464998
    Abstract: A cover member capable of opening and closing a large opening formed at a bottom wall of a rear member having a cord lead out port is molded integrally with the bottom wall via a resin hinge. The electric cord is led to outside of the cabinet main body via the cord lead out port. The resin hinge is provided with a function of urging the cover member always in an opening direction. The cover member is provided with a projection comprising a rib. A projected piece of the cover member is provided with an attaching screw inserting hole. The cover member is fixed to a chassis by an attaching screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichiro Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7448703
    Abstract: A retaining and adjusting device is provided for displaceable furniture parts, in particular for a leaf that is hinged so that it can pivot horizontally on an item of furniture, e.g. for a leaf of an upper cupboard. The device includes at least one control lever, whose length can be adjusted and which can be hinged on the part, the length of the control level and/or the position of the bearing point of the control lever being adjustable when the furniture part is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: David Küng
  • Patent number: 7418747
    Abstract: A furniture member adapted to act as a versatile headboard is disclosed. The furniture member has a substantially vertical back member, two side members, a substantially vertical, lower front member and an angled front member collectively defining an interior space with the angled front member extending upward at a slope between the front lower member and a top edge of the vertical back member. The furniture member is placed against a mattress and box spring arrangement allowing people on the mattress to sit up by leaning against the angled front member. Adjustment of the angled front member is also disclosed. Use of the furniture member permits people to comfortably read, eat, use a laptop and conduct various other activities while in seated in bed. The furniture member also provides storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Jason D. Myers
  • Publication number: 20080189861
    Abstract: A medical examination table which is movable between a lowered patient entry/exit position and a raised patient examination position. A scissor-lift assembly is provided to raise and lower the examination table. The examination table includes a drawer having a pivotal front panel which is adapted to support instruments or other items thereon when the drawer is folded to a downward position. The examination table further includes a storage pocket located beneath the backrest. The storage pocket and its contents are concealed when the backrest is lowered and are accessible when the backrest is inclined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: MIDMARK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arthur D. Smith, Bart L. Milbourn, Joseph P. Schlater, Leo R. Hanus, Richard L. Turner, Rainer B. Teufel, Jeff T. DeBord
  • Publication number: 20080042535
    Abstract: Provided is a cabinet including an outer shell having a plurality of doors, disposed such that edges of the plurality of doors form a corner of the outer shell when the doors are in a closed position; wherein, if the doors are open, continuous access is obtained to a plurality of working surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: AFL TELECOMMUNICATIONS LLC.
    Inventors: Louis J. GUZZO, Philip TURNER, Wilfred COURCHAINE, Anthony L. NIEVES
  • Patent number: 7240974
    Abstract: A folding lid for a cabinet. The folding lid or cover (8) can be displaced between an opened position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Huwil-Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Hirtsiefer
  • Patent number: 7050295
    Abstract: Embodiments of a bidirectional latch assembly, methods for using same and an electronic apparatus using the same can provide a bidirectional latch assembly whereby both faces of one of two bodies constituting an electronic apparatus can be selectively latched to the other body. A bidirectional latch assembly can include a casing having a seating groove formed with a passage hole, a pressure member in the seating groove and having a seating surface on one side thereof, and a latch insertable into the passage hole and having one surface seated on the seating surface. The latch can include a frame formed with a pair of latching holes on opposite sides therein, and a pair of catching protrusions integrally formed with the frame at opposite edges along the sides (e.g., middle) of the frame. A keeper can selectively engage with either one of the pair of latching holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Lai-O Kang
  • Patent number: 6942098
    Abstract: A storage device for storing and protecting face protection equipment includes a base plate and a cover rotatably mounted to the base plate. The cover and the base plate define a space sized to cover an article of face protection equipment. The cover rotates between an open position whereby the space is accessible and a closed position whereby the space is not accessible. One or more attachment devices are provided for releasably mounting one or more articles of face protection equipment to the base plate in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Charles Dodge
  • Patent number: 6877830
    Abstract: A lifting apparatus for a two-leaf folding flap, whose upper leaf is hinged to a top or partition wall of a cupboard around a horizontal first axle and whose lower leaf is pivotally connected to the upper leaf around a second axle parallel to the first axle, comprises at least one two-armed lever which is pivotally mounted to a side body part around a horizontal pivot axle and whose longer arm is linked to the lower leaf. One end of the compressing spring element is pivotally connected to the body part and the other end is pivotally connected to the lever. To prevent the leaf from coming into contact with the end surfaces of body parts of the cupboard closed by the folding flap, the lever is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner on its pivot axle and the shorter lever arm is guided in a cam guide fixed to the body via a slide block or a roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 6739681
    Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided that address ergonomic problems by providing a support member for adjusting the operating angle of the control panel to optimize the position thereof for personal requirements of individual users. The assembly also provides a robust construction that is even reliable for use on appliances such as laundry appliances that are subject to relatively high vibrations during operation. The assembly provides a recess in the appliance housing that mates to the shape of the control panel to thereby provide a prone setting which minimizes the packaged volume of the machine, with a resulting savings in the cost of packaging and shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Equator Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Sharrow
  • Patent number: 6688710
    Abstract: An electronic device cabinet and an electronic device wherein the rotation of the cover upon opening can be slowed with a simple hinge mechanism. A rotating member provided with a protruding piece is provided on said cover. Said rotating member comes into sliding contact with contact parts provided on an upper case main body and slides together with the rotation of cover. The rotation of cover is slowed by having protruding piece come into contact with contact parts, and the rotation of cover is stopped by said protruding piece engaging a receiving member disposed between said contact parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Kazusato Tagawa
  • Patent number: 6648432
    Abstract: A foldable structure for a main unit and screen for a game machine whose rotation pivot seat contains a base, top cover and axle joint in-between. A short axle is placed in a transverse through-hole and an axle hole is placed in a cylindrical axle of a pivot joint to allow rotation of the screen around the rotational pivot seat. The movable retainers of the positioning fastener are installed outside two ends of an arch plate. A pressure-sustaining device is installed on the pillar to provide elastic recovery for the arch plate. The contact area between the press button and arch plate forms an inclined push edge to enable a stepwise push on the arch plate and further allow the movable retainer to contract inward to facilitate disassembly and assembly of the main unit of the game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Hsien-Chung Huang
  • Publication number: 20030205954
    Abstract: An outer door panel for an appliance door assembly is provided which includes a frame comprising opposite lateral sides, an outer surface extending from the frame and bowed between the lateral sides, and a recessed control mounting surface extending from the outer surface between the lateral sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Max Douglas Oyler, Jeffrey Thomas Kiesler, Deryl Craig York, Lance Alan Wolf
  • Publication number: 20030205952
    Abstract: An escutcheon for an appliance door assembly is provided. The escutcheon includes a control panel mounting surface comprising a lower edge, and a plurality of formations depending from said lower edge and defining a retaining slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: John Joseph DiEnno, Roger Shawn Nelson, Jeffrey Thomas Kiesler, Deryl Craig York, Raymond Edward Yuenger
  • Publication number: 20030193278
    Abstract: A cabinet cover construction for a formed sheet metal cabinet includes a front edge with two angled surfaces that are congruent with compatible angled surfaces of the top edge of the cabinet to ensure alignment of a closed cover on the cabinet and to prevent overbite of the cover upon closing thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: Waterloo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Thomas Hellman, Kevin Michael Kraus, Greg Jon Holcomb, Daniel Lee Jackson
  • Patent number: 6629620
    Abstract: A food service receptacle suited for storing and protecting a variety of prepared food items using efficient and manageable containers to allow easy and efficient food transfer. One embodiment includes a box, a closure unit, specialized containers and support members. The box can be lined with a watertight material such as plastic or galvanized metal. The closure unit is hingedly mounted to said box and has openings covered by a netting material and also has a plurality of collapsible support arms to support an open position. The support members can be detachable and covered with a non-corrosive material at their bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: Christine A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 6557959
    Abstract: A hinge member attached to a cabinet housing and a hinge member attached to a cabinet door are hingedly interconnected by a connector which includes structure for relieving strain on the cabinet housing when the cabinet door is moved further than its normally open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Ron E. King
  • Publication number: 20030052577
    Abstract: A bulk merchandise-vending machine with a base supporting a merchandise storage member, a mechanism plate positioned to form a closure member for the base and removable therefrom by a forward pivotal movement about its bottommost edge while the storage member is tilted slightly upwardly about its rearmost edge, wherein the front of the storage member is provided with a locking element cooperative with a lock carried by the mechanism plate and operable positively to prevent the storage member from tilting about its rear lower edge and separate from the mechanism plate, whereby unauthorized access to the mechanism carried by the mechanism plate and/or a coin receptacle there behind is positively prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Richard K. Bolen
  • Publication number: 20030052578
    Abstract: A pivot axis structure of an industrial computer door guard comprises a big-head screw, two side shells and two washers; wherein a root portion of a screw post of the big-head screw is disposed circularly with a basin-shaped side shell and a washer is disposed therein; another basin-shaped side shell is also disposed with a washer therein; two end portions of the computer door guard protrude outside two sides of a machine face plate; the screw posts of the big-head screws go outwardly through the respective side plates of the door guard and the mentioned side shells from inside; the distal ends thereof are screwed to the machine body to make the two washers attach relatively to the two sides of the side plates of the door guard in a certain tightness to produce a proper resistance so as to enable the door guard to be positioned at any angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Kuo-Chuan Hung
  • Publication number: 20020171336
    Abstract: Apparatus for preventing the removal of control knobs from the control section of a machine. Each knob includes a body section and a radially expanded flange at the lower end of the body section. The knob engages a control shaft of a controllable machine component that passes upwardly through a first panel so that the flange is positioned adjacent to the panel. A second panel having an opening for rotatably containing the body section of the knob is passed over the knob and, when secured in place over the first panel, captures the flange between the panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. Moretti
  • Publication number: 20020117947
    Abstract: A toolbox module comprises a housing and a box received in the housing. The housing includes a number of holes in an upper side thereof and a corresponding number of protrusions on an underside thereof for engaging with the holes of another toolbox module. The housing includes at least one hanging hole in a rear side thereof. The housing may further include a vertical dovetail groove and a vertical dovetail column on the rear side thereof. The housing includes two opposite lateral outer surfaces. A vertical dovetail groove is defined in one of the lateral outer surfaces of the housing and a dovetail column is formed on another lateral outer surface of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Chun-Jung Cheng
  • Publication number: 20010054862
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for carrying and displaying medical articles, wherein the device comprises an upper cabinet with a top transparent lid hinged to a back wall of the cabinet and capable of being opened around the hinged connection, the cabinet housing a plurality of boxes which in turn define corresponding divisions by a plurality of partition walls, for organizing the articles into separate spaces within each box, the cabinet being mounted at an upper end of a supporting stand for mounting the device from the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventor: Antonio Enrique Cinese
  • Patent number: 6234595
    Abstract: A media storage system and method for use in a cabinet in which a rail member is mounted to at least one of the walls of the cabinet. A side panel is pivotally connected to the rail member for pivotal movement relative thereto, and one or more additional panels are connected to the side panel one to form a storage area. The side panel can be pivoted relative to the rail member between a first position in which the storage area is closed and a second position in which the storage area is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: O'Sullivan Industries INC
    Inventors: Wade Andrew Farris Maple, Jeffrey Charles Jensen
  • Patent number: 6158703
    Abstract: A new kick plate arrangement for conventional metal shelving is provided by a support clip which fits into a conventional kick plate holder. The support clip supports the kick plate by means of a horizontal extension. The kick plate can be rotated up and under the horizontal support structure upon which the shelving is mounted. A second embodiment includes a plastic connecting device which fits onto a conventional horizontal shelf support. The plastic connecting device supports the plastic kick plate using a cylindrical horizontal support along the horizontal shoulder of the kick plate. The kick plate can be rotated up and under the conventional horizontal support structure upon which the shelving is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: Ronald N. Kessler, Myron E. Ullman
  • Patent number: 6153857
    Abstract: A portable food and utensil storage device includes a box like base component having a plurality of wheels attached to its bottom surface for rolling the device along a supporting surface. The interior of the base component includes a plurality of segregated compartments each configured and designed to retain hot or cold food items as well as various accessory items therein. The base component includes an opening adjacent its bottom surface in communication with an interior chamber for slidably receiving a gas fueled grill assembly. The top end of the base component is selectively coverable with a lid that pivotably engages the top edge of its rear wall. The inwardly facing side of the lid includes a plurality of bands and loops for retaining silverware, cups and similar items thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Auline J. Gunnels
  • Patent number: 6119678
    Abstract: An appliance, such as a cooking range, a clothes dryer, a clothes washer, an oven or the like, includes a console along a rear edge of the appliance which can pivot between an upright in-use position and a lower shipping, repair and/or servicing position. The console is preferably of a two-part construction including a front housing body having an integrally injection molded encapsulation or frame peripherally retaining a touch sensor control panel which can be readily accessed when the console is in its lower repair position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Gemtron Corporation
    Inventor: Brian F. Marchand
  • Patent number: 6099097
    Abstract: A snap-on hinge assembly (20) for pivotally mounting a door (14) to a base (12) including a pivot saddle or pin (22) and a snap-acting gripping assembly (24) formed to slidably mount over, and resiliently snap into gripping engagement with, pivot pin 22. The gripping assembly (24) and pivot pin (22) are formed for pivoting of the gripping assembly (24) around the pivot pin (22) while in gripping engagement therewith, and the hinge assembly (20) further is formed with over-travel stopping surfaces (15, 38) positioned so that reaction forces between the door (14) and the base (12), upon relative engagement in an open position, urge the gripping assembly (24) and the pivot pin (22) in a direction preventing unsnapping of the gripping assembly (24) from the pivot pin (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hocker, Ron Barnes
  • Patent number: 6039417
    Abstract: An easy to assemble storage unit is disclosed. A method of assembly that utilizes an interlocking scheme of tabs, catches and openings is also disclosed. The connection comprises a catch within a tab extending from a wall of the container that locks into a receiving opening on a top wall or floor panel. The storage unit utilizes similar components for the side walls and similar components for the top wall and floor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: The Stanley Works
    Inventors: Steven R. Snoke, Gary Silvis, Thomas E. Howland
  • Patent number: 5980006
    Abstract: In order to provide a device (10) for balancing the weight of a front door (2), mounted on a casing (1) so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis (3), of a domestic appliance, in particular a domestic dishwasher, which device is connected by a tape or cord-shaped transmission member (11) to a tension spring (5) fastened to the casing (1), said transmission member resting under tension on a deflection roller (17) arranged on a carrier (12) fastened to the casing (1), in which, in a simple manner, simple and rapid adjustment of the spring force is made possible for the user, according to the invention there is a device, for acting on the transmission means (11), which cause a change in the overall length of the assembly of tension spring (5) and transmission member (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Wilhelmstatter, Helmut Jerg, Bernd Schessl, Gerhard Fetzer, Michael Hartmann, Markus Hopfl, Karl-Heinz Rehm, Rudolf Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5954413
    Abstract: Storage container for small articles. A storage container for small articles provides a stationary upright cabinet open at the front, one or more bins received in the cabinet and tiltable between an upright closed position and a forwardly tilting open position, and a latch secured to a front wall of the bin for locking the bin in the closed upright position. The cabinet includes a vertical back wall and vertical side walls which have lower edges that are adapted to rest on a horizontal supporting surface, and a bottom wall between these lower edges and directly above the supporting surface. Each bin includes a front wall and a bottom wall joined by a curved transitional surface, which has the curvature of a right circular cylinder. This curved transitional surface rolls along the upper surface of the bottom wall of the cabinet as a bin is moved from an open position to a closed position or vice versa. This rolling motion takes the place of a structure having a fixed pivot axis for supporting a bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Myers Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerrold G. Brown
  • Patent number: 5845980
    Abstract: An overhead storage cabinet having a housing defined by top and bottom wall rigidly joined by end walls to define an interior storage compartment therein. A door assembly is vertically swingably mounted on the housing and includes a door panel which vertically closes a front access opening of the housing when in an open position, and which swings upwardly into an open position wherein the door panel is stored generally above the top wall. The door assembly includes end panels which exteriorly overlap and are hingedly couple to the end walls. The end panels mount one or more counterweight elements adjacent the ends thereof to counterbalance the door panel weight. The number or position of counterweight elements is selected in accordance with the longitudinal length of the door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Fricano, Scott A. Lang, Richard G. Haworth
  • Patent number: 5836662
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval system, such as a vertical carousel or vertical lift module, and access method provides substantially improved control over access to the contents stored in the system. A desired number of small doors are provided at an access area to limit an operator to obtaining a product from only that compartment on a carrier adjacent the access area. The doors are slidable or pivotable and can be locked and unlocked by a mechanism. The carousel is provided with carriers having compartments which can be divided into desired arrays depending upon product size and mix. The carriers are selectively movable to one of several positions adjacent the access area. Access to the carriers can be obtained through placement of an access area on one side or both sides of the machine. Electronic controls can be provided for each storage system or external computer controls can be used for a group of storage systems to permit more efficient use of the controls as well as remote placement of the storage systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Bellheimer Metallwerk GmbH
    Inventor: Timothy J. Robey
  • Patent number: 5801331
    Abstract: A switchgear cabinet with a door and with a cover secured to its top side. In order to make it easier to mount the cover on the switchgear cabinet, the cover has a bottom part connected to the top side of the switchgear cabinet and a top part that covers the bottom part. The top part is joined at a rear side to the bottom part by plug or hinge joints and has at its front side holding flaps that are hooked and held by a bent border of the switchgear cabinet door when the cover and door are in their closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jurgen Zachrai
  • Patent number: 5762412
    Abstract: A panel opening and closing apparatus comprises a panel part having a rotating axis protruding from a lower part of both sides of the panel part to be opened and closed by rotating the panel part and connected by the rotating axis at a lower part of both sides of a main body. An elastic pressing part is installed in an inner side of the main body to press against the panel part toward an outside of the main body by a force of restoration. A locking part is installed in the inside of the main body and prevents the panel part from being rotated and opened by using the elastic pressing part because of grasping the panel part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-Seob Kim
  • Patent number: 5762411
    Abstract: A tool box with external pivoting bins for a separate storage of working tools and working accessories such that the working tools and the working accessories may each be independently approached, the tool box comprising (a) a main compartment for storage of the working tools, the main compartment being defined by a front wall, a rear wall, a left wall, a right wall and a bottom collectively defining a storage space, at least one of the walls being formed with an outwardly facing recession; (b) a cover for covering the main compartment, the cover being hingedly connected to one of the walls of the compartment; (c) at least one cover-compartment securing mechanism for alternately securing and releasing the cover; (d) at least two outwardly opening pivoting bins pivotaly mounted within the recession, the bins being for storage of the working accessories; and (e) a bins securing mechanism for alternately securing and releasing the bins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Zag Ltd.
    Inventor: Zvi Yemini
  • Patent number: 5743605
    Abstract: A dual-purpose storage and display apparatus includes a storage and dispensing bin, a top cover for the bin, and an information display device mounted on the bin. The storage and dispensing bin defines an interior chamber for storing articles, which can be disposed in boxes and cartons in the bin, and a lower dispensing opening in the front of the bin through which the articles can be removed by users from the boxes and cartons stored in the interior chamber of the bin. The top cover is movable relative to the bin for opening and closing an open top of the bin. The information display device is mounted to the front of the bin above the lower dispensing opening for displaying information targeted to users who remove articles from the bin. The information display device can be a frame mounted to the front of the bin for defining a window and a slot at least partially surrounding the window for receiving the insertion therein of a sheet containing information for viewing through the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: James F. Marino
  • Patent number: 5593203
    Abstract: An door for an overhead rack of a luggage compartment of a bus is hinged on a bracket which extends downwardly from the ceiling of the bus. When the door is opened it rolls around the pivot away from the aisle and into the luggage compartment. The door is held in the open position by a compression spring until closed and latched. The door-hinge combination is particularly suited for retrofitting old busses which were constructed with open luggage racks. The old busses were unsafe because items in the storage racks could fall on passengers in case of accident or emergency movement of the bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: Jay D. Abbott
  • Patent number: 5573319
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant transformer cabinet is provided, comprising: a tank including a front plate, for housing said transformer, said front plate including upper, lower and side edges, a riser extending from said front plate, said riser including two sides and a front, a cabinet door including a rear top edge, two rear side edges, two lower side edges, and a lower front edge, said door including along each of said edges a pair of 90.degree. bends that form a channel, said channel forming a tamper-resistant interface between said door and said tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal Dirk
  • Patent number: 5513910
    Abstract: A storage compartment for a refrigerator door is disclosed which includes a recess formed in the door liner of the refrigerator. The recess is provided with pivot connections and a pivot stop. A rack is provided that is made to allow viewing of the contents. The rack is rotatably insertable into the recess defined by the door liner and can then be rotated forwardly from the door until the rack comes into contact with the stop on the door. In the rotated state, the contents of the rack may be easily accessed and removed. The rack is further designed so that if the door is shut while the rack is in an open position the rack will not contact the cabinet wall, preventing damage to the cabinet and the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Ellingwood, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: 5494285
    Abstract: A pinball machine is provided and includes a game cabinet having disposed therein a playfield movable between open, intermediate, and closed positions. A support assembly is used for maintaining the playfield within the cabinet. The support assembly includes a pair of cabinet brackets mounted one to each side of the cabinet where each of the brackets has a riding surface. A pair of wheels are mounted to the playfield and are provided to ride along the riding surface of a corresponding one of the cabinet brackets. A pair of support arms is further provided each having one end thereof pivotally attached to the cabinet and the other end thereof pivotally attached to the playfield wherein at least one of the support arms has pivotally attached thereto a prop arm which is engageable with the playfield when the playfield is disposed in the intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Gamestar, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Coldebella, Christopher A. Shipman, Robert S. Morrison
  • Patent number: 5480039
    Abstract: A two bin inventory construction to accommodate similar products in different size packaging, or the same shape and size products which sell at different rates. The construction is self-contained and sits on a gondola base, a shelf spaced from the base, or via hooks directly to the gondola uprights, and includes a first lower bin and a second upper bin. The upper front portion of the lower bin is truncated to accommodate the smaller bin. The bins may each have a cradle configuration so that as goods are removed, remaining goods will fall to an accessible location. The smaller bin is pivotally mounted on the sides to the larger bin allowing the small bin to be swung to a lower position allowing greater access to the larger bin. When the smaller bin is in its normal position, its inventory is directly accessible, while the larger bin inventory is accessible by an opening formed between the smaller bin and a forward lip of the larger bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventor: Milton J. Merl
  • Patent number: 5445449
    Abstract: A storage device for thin, flat objects, includes a housing for supporting the device on a support surface, a stationary magazine non-rotatably mounted in said housing, said stationary magazine having a plurality of radially oriented storage spaces, a wall for retaining said objects in said storage spaces, said wall including a wall having an opening, said wall being at least partially rotatable relative to said storage spaces so as to selectively align said opening with a desired storage space for insertion and removal of an object and a removal assembly attached to said wall for removing objects from said storage spaces through said opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Tombo Trading International B.V.
    Inventor: Tom Bokstijn
  • Patent number: 5443348
    Abstract: A cassette input/output unit handles cassettes which contain semiconductor wafers or other substrates that are to be delivered to or withdrawn from a semiconductor processing system. The input/output unit includes a drawer front which rotates 90.degree. about a horizontal axis as it is opened. Thus a cassette containing wafers can easily be placed on the drawer front with the wafers oriented vertically, as they are normally carried, and the cassette will be rotated 90.degree. as the drawer is closed, thereby orienting the wafers horizontally for access by a robot inside the photolithography system. The cassette may also be rotated about a vertical axis within the unit, so that several input/output units may be used with a robot which rotates about a fixed axis. A clamping mechanism grips the cassette firmly when it is placed in the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Semiconductor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Biche, Alexander Lurye
  • Patent number: 5342123
    Abstract: A door forming a part of a closure assembly is attached to the frame of the closure assembly by engaging bifurcated branches of a pivot arm with a pivot shaft. One of the branches is extended to engage a curved leaf spring which is deformed as the door and the extension is pivoted about the shaft. The deformation of the spring is instrumental in exerting a force on the extension to detent the door in the closed position and the extension may disengage from the spring surface when in the open position. To further stabilize the door, a stabilizer is formed on the back of the door and it engages the end of a recessed channel in the assembly, at a point coincident with the pivot axis of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Phill D. Cole, David E. Southworth
  • Patent number: 5324105
    Abstract: A storage device including a lid and a plurality of shelf members, pivotally mounted to a frame member. The lid, the base, and the plurality of shelf members form pairs of opposed cooperating rack assemblies. Each pair of cooperating rack assemblies is adapted to hold articles stored in the storage device in an offset nesting relationship until use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Arlington Rack and Packaging Company
    Inventor: Mark R. Christensen
  • Patent number: 5193807
    Abstract: The playfield is supported on a moving pivot that allows the playfield to move linearly away from the back box as it rotates away from the cabinet such that the playfield can pivot through an angle greater than 90.degree.. The moving pivot includes a pivot pin fixed to the wall of the cabinet which slidably engages a rail fixed to the underside of the playfield. The rail terminates in a locking mechanism that engages the pivot pin when the playfield is moved linearly to thereby fix the playfield to the pivot pin such that the playfield is capable only of pivoting motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Winston H. Schilling, John W. Skalon
  • Patent number: 5130494
    Abstract: The invention is for a furniture article having a panel mounted adjacent to a rear side of a top of the article and adapted for movement toward the front of the furniture article thereby allowing access to space rearward of the furniture article from a position beneath the top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Simonton, Mark G. Stasko, Michael Grant
  • Patent number: 5110120
    Abstract: A latch for securing the hinged back box of a pinball game to a horizontal playfield cabinet engages a self-contained secondary tab when not engaging a locking tab on the back box preventing damage to the locking mechanism of the latch when the game is prepared for shipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Smolucha
  • Patent number: 5088802
    Abstract: A desk apparatus for use as a desk or easel is arranged, wherein the desk plate is mounted upon an underlying rectangular framework, including a forward pivoting of the plate and a rear telescoping leg to orient the desk plate at a predetermined angle. A forward tray is selectively and pivotally mounted relative to a forward end of the desk plate, with container drawers slidably mounted orthogonally relative to opposed side edges of the desk plate. A modification of the invention includes indicator members arranged for indication of desired orientation of each container drawer relative to the desk plate utilizing fiber optical cables selectively alignable relative to the container and desk plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: Daniel E. House
  • Patent number: 5067938
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator which has in the top panel of its case an opening communicating with a rotor chamber and a control panel disposed behind the opening, a lid for covering the opening has a cutaway made in its lower portion for receiving the control panel and the pivot of the lid is extended laterally to the rear of the control panel. The lid is spring biased toward its open position and is opened by depression of a foot pedal that is connected to a lid lock mechanism. The control panel includes an indicator of rotor rotational frequency and rotor chamber temperature, the indicator being supplied with electrical signals produced by sensors within the case of the centrifugal separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kubota Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tadahiro Uchida, Kuniyuki Shimamura, Hayabu Nogawa, Keikichi Saito, Minoru Hara