Horizontal Axis Patents (Class 312/327)
  • Patent number: 5064256
    Abstract: A lateral file cabinet having at least two drawers and wherein the drawers are mounted for forward and outward tilting movement so as to provide access to the interior of each drawer. A principle feature of the file cabinet is that when one drawer is open, the other drawer of a two drawer file cabinet cannot be opened. An open lower drawer prevents a next upper drawer from being opened and an opened upper drawer prevents a next lower drawer from being opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald A. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 5043846
    Abstract: A pivotable display unit support structure for an electronic apparatus, e.g., a laptop or portable computer, comprises a pivotable display unit pivotally connected to the housing of the apparatus employing an integral frame member connected to the display unit and wherein a first shaft member is coupled to one end portion of the apparatus housing for maintaining a preselected angle of the pivotable display unit with respect to the surface of the apparatus housing and a second shaft member is coupled to an other end of the integral frame member apparatus housing whereby the display unit is rotatably supported relative to the apparatus housing. The frame member has first and second positioning and alignment structure for respectively receiving, positioning and aligning the first and second shaft members in proper aligned and secured relationship relative to the apparatus housing while enhancing the overall strength and support of the display unit support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 4936580
    Abstract: A pinball machine defines a play field pivotally carried by a housing to permit pivoting of the play field upwardly to a repair position from a lower, operating position. The housing carries on its lower side a metal bracket defining a downwardly facing base. A retaining aperture is defined in the base of the metal bracket. The support arm is carried by the housing and is pivotable whereby an outer end of the support arm can engage the retaining aperture when the play field is in its repair position, to reliably hold the play field in the repair position. The support arm preferably defines a longitudinally projecting tab of narrower width than the rest of the support arm, the aperture being proportioned to receive the tab while the outer end of the rest of the support arm bears against the base of the bracket when the play field is in the repair position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Data East Pinball, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph E. Kaminkow
  • Patent number: 4903866
    Abstract: A gravity dispensing bin system includes one or more gravity dispensing bins in which bulk product supplied through an open top of the bin moves under gravity to a lower dispensing opening as product is dispensed, and a frame on which the dispensing bins are mounted. A plurality of bins may be mounted in vertically and/or horizontally aligned arrangement on the frame and the frame with the bin or bins mounted thereon may itself be mounted on any suitable structure, such as a wall, pegboard or column, or alternatively, may be free-standing. Each bin has an open top which is normally covered by the bottom of the next upper adjacent bin or an overlying frame portion in the case of the uppermost bin. The bins are hingedly mounted on the frame so that each can be tilted to provide access to the open top for filling with product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Design Display Group Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathon Loew
  • Patent number: 4865322
    Abstract: A game cabinet for pinball machines including a horizontal and vertical playfield comprises a horizontal case for the horizontal playfield and a vertical case for the vertical playfield. The two cases are pivotably interconnected so the vertical case can be positioned on top of, and parallel to, the horizontal case for transporting the pinball machine. The vertical case also has a pivotable marquee and a removable vertical playfield for service access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Krutsch
  • Patent number: 4859092
    Abstract: A portable typewriter, including keyboard and printer, is disclosed. It has a display pivotable about two axes which can be disposed in a position covering the keyboard. It can be pivoted about a first axis to reveal the keyboard, and can be further raised to reveal the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Sadao Makita
  • Patent number: 4856625
    Abstract: A cylinder type damper device for damping the opening and closing movement of a storage box includes a cylinder member enclosing air therein, an end cap with a filter therein and a rod reciprocally movably inserted into the cylinder member and provided at its front end with a piston for dividing the interior of the cylinder member into a head chamber and a rod chamber. The rod is moved in association with an opening or closing movement of the storage box. The piston has an orifice formed throughout its entire length in the axial direction thereof and being for interchanging air in the head and rod chambers by the axial movement thereof and also has air holes formed likewise throughout its entire length in the axial direction thereof and provided with a check valve for blocking the interchanging of air between the head and rod chambers in accordance with one directional movement in the axial direction of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Oshida
  • Patent number: 4843519
    Abstract: This invention relates to a switching panel with a desk-like casing part, the open upper side of which is provided with a peripheral sealing flange and which is inclined downwardly to its forward wall. The casing opening can be closed by a lid, which is supported in a hinged manner in the area of the upper, horizontal side of the casing opening. The lid has a peripheral rounded edge which in the closed position of the lid encloses the sealing flange and extends with the forward and edge sections of the lid over a portion of the forward wall of the casing part. The free end of the forward edge section is bent toward forward wall of the casing part. To avoid injury when closing the lid, the free end of the forward edge section is first bent inwardly at an acute angle forming a first handle section. The free end extends approximately to the free edges of the laterally adjacent edge sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Lothar Lehr
  • Patent number: 4781422
    Abstract: An adjustable clutch mechanism for fixing the relative position of two objects rotationally coupled relative to each other. The pressure resisting the change of rotational position submits to adjustment to permit facile movement but yet resists change from the selected position. The mechanism finds particular utility for holding a portable computer terminal's cover containing a display at a desired position relative to the base containing the keys. The clutch mechanism itself includes two sets of annular rings held against each other by a nut and bolt pressing against a spring which in turn presses against one of the rings. Tightening the screw applies greater pressure to the rings and prevents the relative rotation. The first set of the rings moves with the cover while the second set of rings has a fixed rotational orientation relative to the base. A tubular shaft, affixed to the base, passes through the center of the rings engaging tabs of the second set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: Random Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas E. Kimble
  • Patent number: 4736996
    Abstract: A shoe display and storage cabinet includes a wall array having a first shoe compartment with a plurality of vertically arranged, substantially horizontal shelves displaying a plurality of half-pairs of shoes. The first compartment includes an open display side exposing the shelves and shoes to view. Also provided is a selectively closable, second shoe compartment horizontally adjacent the first shoe compartment, the second shoe compartment having a plurality of vertically arranged, substantially horizontal shelves corresponding to the shelves of the first compartment. The shelves of the second compartment hold a plurality of shoes that correspond to the shoes of the first compartment and together with the shoes of the first compartment form matching pairs of shoes. The second compartment includes a selectively openable door for covering a side of the second compartment corresponding to the open display side of the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Inventor: Norman K. Zeichner
  • Patent number: 4677924
    Abstract: A housing for a sewing machine which has a base portion, an upright portion extending upwardly from the base portion and an arm portion extending outwardly from the upright portion and overlying the base portion comprises a housing construction extending over said portions having flat outer surfaces, and means defined on said surfaces for affixing attachment units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Pfaff Industriemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Diener, Ernst Albrecht, Erich Willenbacher
  • Patent number: 4666219
    Abstract: A display unit has a body including a display screen, and a tilt mechanism including a support mounted on the bottom of the body and composed of two partly cylindrical continuous outer surfaces having spaced center axes of curvature, and a base having a plurality of projections on which the outer surfaces are slidably disposed. When the display unit is tilted to change the angle of the display screen with respect to the vertical direction, any point on the display screen is moved back and forth only for a small distance because the center axes of curvature are moved with turning movement of the outer surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Higuchi, Hitoshi Someya
  • Patent number: 4647043
    Abstract: A pinball machine has an upper display cabinet pivotally movable with respect to a lower playfield cabinet between an upright use position spaced well above the lower cabinet with the rear walls of the upper and lower cabinets substantially coplanar and a forwardly folded-down position closely overlying the lower cabinet. The upper cabinet is supported on a support assembly which includes upper and lower pairs of support posts, respectively mounted inside the upper and lower cabinets on the rear walls thereof, with each post having a forwardly projecting pivot portion, the upper and lower pivot portions being pivotally interconnected at their forward ends. The lower posts project well above the lower cabinet, and the pivot portions and the pivot pin are all disposed entirely within the upper cabinet. The upper cabinet is supported by the support assembly in both its upright and folded positions and, in its upright position permits a clear view of the entire playfield by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Wico Corporation
    Inventor: Max Wiczer
  • Patent number: 4616891
    Abstract: The storage cabinet comprises a plurality of superposed storage compartments pivoting about horizontal axes to pass from an open position to a closed position, and vice-versa.Each compartment is in the shape of a trough with a bottom part constituted by a portion of cylinder and two lateral end walls.Each trough is provided at its rear part with a tongue piece which extends inwardly substantially perpendicularly to the bottom wall of the trough and ensures, in the trough closed position, a continuity with the bottom wall of the lower adjacent trough, so that in the closed position, each trough is entirely closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Inventor: Eric Jantzen
  • Patent number: 4571456
    Abstract: A portable computer is contained within an outer metal case which physically encapsulates and protects the working components of the computer in the closed, portable configuration. The metal case includes a base which serves as a heat sink for transferring waste heat from heat producing electrical components to the surroundings in the open, operating configuration of the computer. The heat producing components are mounted and located in the base to maximize the transfer of heat to the base. A display housing is pivotally mounted on the base by hinge assemblies for swinging movement between a closed and latched position on the base and an upward and rearwardly inclined angle for viewing by an operator positioned in front of the computer. Stop pins coact with the hinge assemblies for holding the display housing at the desired angle of view, and torsion springs are associated with the hinge assemblies for preventing inadvertent slamming of the display housing against the base during closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Grid Systems Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Paulsen, Glenn T. Edens, Karl S. Nakamura, David M. Gallatin, Stephen R. Hobson, William G. Moggridge
  • Patent number: 4546947
    Abstract: A cover and copyholder for a keyboard housing includes a planar cover body pivotally attached by one edge to a rear edge of the keyboard housing, and movable between a first position in which the cover body protectively overlies the keyboard as a dust cover, and a second position in which the cover body is supported in an upright position. A receptacle for supporting a paper is mounted on the underside of the cover body, the paper being placed in plain view when the cover is lifted into the second position. The cover mount is easily removed from the keyboard housing. A paper supporting extension may be raised from the free edge of the cover to support longer sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Inventor: Jeffrey Gesten
  • Patent number: 4516333
    Abstract: The device comprises a swivel joint coupling, connecting the top plate of the product carrying plate stack to the rod of the flacon sealing cylinder-piston assembly and adapted to allow a given inclination of the top plate and hence of all the other plates operatively associated therewith, an engagement member being provided acting laterally on at least one plate of the stack and adapted to interlock the plates on one side to forcibly tilt them as the rod is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Edwards Alto Vuoto S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianrico Rossi
  • Patent number: 4478005
    Abstract: A substantially planar closure for a cabinet compartment is disclosed having two resiliently retractable pivot hinges disposed in cantilivered fashion approximately co-axial with the rear edge of the door. This closure can be deployed in a housing opening having a cross-sectional area approximately equal to the planar dimension of the door. A front edge of the door includes an integral retractable latch which can lockingly engage a catch receiving recess disposed on the housing. The latch mechanism is co-axial with the forward edge of the door. A support means integrally formed with the undersurface of the door, provides the rear portion of the closure panel with additional support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Glenn R. Mundschenk
  • Patent number: 4474291
    Abstract: A tackle box with a plurality of independently pivotal trays oriented in a tiered arrangement and provided with a side closure for each side of the box. In one embodiment, the tackle box housing includes a bottom member, a pair of end members upstanding from the bottom member connected by connecting walls to form a U-shaped structure, a generally U-shaped flanged end receiver coupling pairs of the end members, a top support channel bridging the tackle box housing and supported at its ends by a top support adapter connected to the U-shaped end receiver, a carrying handle on the top support channel, a central divider secured to the bottom member and fastened to the top support channel and handle, a series of bait trays having opposite ends pivoted to the end member and a side cover assembly including a guide bar and an interlocking lip disposed to be received within an adjacent space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Inventor: Warren D. Fortson
  • Patent number: 4472008
    Abstract: A portable carrying case for toy cars includes an outer housing connected to a handle. Within the outer housing is a turntable having several open-ended vehicle compartments which can hold a toy car in each. Between the outer housing and the handle is a movable gate adjacent to one compartment. Within the handle is a control shift lever, which not only causes the gate to open and to close the housing, but simultaneously also causes the turntable to rotate. There is also provided an indexing means which cooperates with the turntable, in order to limit the rotation of the turntable. Thus as the lever is shifted back and forth, one compartment at a time is rotated into position, and held there, adjacent to the movable gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Tara Toy Corp.
    Inventor: Donald Pearlstein
  • Patent number: 4441769
    Abstract: A lens disinfecting unit comprises a housing with adjacent compartments separated by a barrier wall. One compartment is adapted to receive the lens case for heating while the other compartment contains the heater and related circuitry. The barrier wall includes a heat sink which is insert-molded into the barrier wall to provide a water-tight seal such spilled liquid cannot leak from the lens case compartment to the heater compartment. The casing for the unit is made up of sections permitting sequential assembly, namely, two members are employed, one being a lid pivotally mounted over the heating well and the other being snap-fitted over the compartment containing the circuitry; and a third member serves to maintain the other two members in captive relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Ryder International Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Thomas, Francis E. Ryder
  • Patent number: 4441771
    Abstract: A drawer which is to be readily mounted to the undersurface of a shelf, cabinet or table, which is to be movable between a closed position and an open position. With the drawer in the open position, it assumes an inclined position to facilitate access into the internal compartment of a drawer. Secured to the exterior surface of each side wall of the drawer is a protruding member. Each protruding member is to fall within a recess, when in the open position, which is formed within a side rail assembly which mounts the drawer to the undersurface of the shelf, cabinet or table. With the drawer in the closed position, a separate locking means is engaged which prevents unauthorized movement of the drawer from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Inventor: Layton S. Roesler
  • Patent number: 4266853
    Abstract: A device for organizing optical fibers and the like at splice or slack points is provided. The device comprises a plurality of stacked tray-like supports having partially turned-up edges, with each separately hinged at one side thereof to a carrier. Each tray-like support is adapted to retain a looped fiber portion without damage by having a width at least equal to twice the minimum bending radius specified for that fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Terence N. Hutchins, Francois C. Meunier
  • Patent number: 4219248
    Abstract: A piece of furniture possibly provided with shelves and usable for the storage of various goods. This piece of furniture comprises at least one storage unit consisting of an upper tray and a lower tray both secured at right angles to a vertical support element, which forms either a part of the door or the door itself of the furniture frame; the storage unit being pivotally mounted on bottom and top wall portions of the frame, respectively, at location areas which are decentralized with respect to the axis of the frame; the trays having a peripheral edge so irregularly curved as to enable the furniture doors to be swung about the decentralized location areas without any shock between two adjacent storage pivoting units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Inventor: Adolphe Goldberg
  • Patent number: 4168871
    Abstract: A shoe rack or cabinet is provided with at least one flap door. A first shoe receiving compartment is journalled to pivot within the rack about a horizontal axis. A second shoe receiving compartment is secured to the inside of the flap door and is connected by control levers to pivot with the first shoe receiving compartment secured to the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1979
    Assignee: Firma Erwin Dierkes Kleinmobelfabrik
    Inventor: Erwin Dierkes
  • Patent number: 4160571
    Abstract: Inner and outer shelves, having wooden dowels for holding shoes thereon, are vertically disposed within a cabinet frame with the upper end of the inner shelf being hingedly connected to the rear of the frame and with the lower end thereof being hingedly connected to the lower end of the outer shelf. The lower end of the outer shelf is also hingedly connected to the front of the frame such that the outer shelf can be pivoted to a substantially horizontal position, thereby causing pivoting of the inner shelf to a diagonal position, with ready access to the shoes on either shelf. Preferably, two pairs of inner and outer shelves are employed, in separate compartments one above the other, with a storage compartment disposed above the shelf compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1979
    Inventor: Alberto Bigotti
  • Patent number: 4096602
    Abstract: An arcuate door stop for use in limiting the opening of the door on a clothes dryer or other appliance having a similar type of downwardly pivoting access door, has an arcuate link pivotally secured, near one end, to the door and a plurality of detents spaced from the end secured to the door, which cooperate with a transverse roller mounted on the appliance to support the door in a like plurality of different open positions including a position in which the door is displaced substantially 180.degree. from its closed position and in spaced relationship to the face of the cabinet appliance to permit unobstructed access to the interior of the appliance. A spring serves to both bias the link into engagement with the roller and to counterbalance the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Assignee: Fedders Corporation
    Inventor: James K. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4026616
    Abstract: A cabinet having a front opening therein and into which a roll out drawer is fitted. The opening in the cabinet extends upwardly from the foundation which supports the cabinet with the roll out drawer including wheels to facilitate its removal from the cabinet opening and its replacement into the opening. The roll out drawer may include a plurality of open shelves or carry several individual drawers which are supported within the roll out drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Inventor: Wilbert F. Kuehl
  • Patent number: 3958659
    Abstract: According to the preferred embodiment of this invention, a cab of a tilt cab truck is mounted on a chassis frame by suspension springs. A hydraulic ram is arranged to move the cab from a riding position to a tilted position. The means connecting the ram to the cab permits free movement of the cab on its suspension springs when the cab is in its riding position and provides a restraint against movement between the ram and cab when the cab is in its tilted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1976
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Alan Albert Selman