Patents Examined by Cassandra H. Davis
  • Patent number: 10051981
    Abstract: A picture frame is constructed using a system and method wherein a pair of cooperating profile extrusion lengths are cut to size to form a frame to accommodate a piece of artwork. A continuous spacer is provided to be locatable between a cover sheet and backing sheet. The profile lengths are fastened together at the edges of the frame, thereby compressing the spacer between the cover sheet and backing sheet. As such an isolated volume is created that can be evacuated of oxygen for preservation of the artwork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: CONSERVATION BY DESIGN LIMITED
    Inventor: Stuart Welch
  • Patent number: 10039393
    Abstract: A calendar frame assembly includes a frame that may positioned on a support surface thereby facilitating the frame to surround a calendar. A plurality of pockets is provided and each of the pockets is coupled to the frame. Additionally, each of the pockets may insertably receive a photo. Each of the pockets is comprised of a translucent material such that the photo in each of the pockets is visible. A plurality of strips is provided and each of the strips is selectively written on. Each of the strips is removably positioned in the frame and each of the strips is visible through said frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Inventor: Cynthia Beale
  • Patent number: 10040307
    Abstract: Interactive greeting card and gift card holders with a hinged mechanism which provide fun user interaction and triggers audio playback. Each greeting card and gift card holder includes portion thereof which hinges or pivots about an axis. When the greeting card or gift card holder is hinged, or pivoted about the hinge, one or more special effects are triggered. Special effects may include audio, emergence or ejection of a gift card holder (w/gift card) or gift card, the appearance of a thought or word bubble, or any other special effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Dove, Sean Higgins
  • Patent number: 10037718
    Abstract: A sign post and sign system comprising a base may be connected to a vertical post. A four-way connector may attach horizontal stems to the vertical post. Rotatable or non-rotatable fasteners may be positioned on the upper or lower side of the horizontal stems. Rotatable fasteners may be connected to the horizontal stems to support rotation of a connected sign in an axis parallel to the horizontal stems. A one piece or two-piece cap design may be connected to the four-way connector. Lights, wiring, batteries, and/or a solar panel may be integrated into the sign system. A sign may be attached between the vertical post and the horizontal post to support rotation of the connected sign in an axis parallel to the vertical post. Rotatable fasteners may be connected to the horizontal stems to support rotation of a connected sign in an axis parallel to the horizontal stems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Spring Steel Stands Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey K. Hartman
  • Patent number: 10019917
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sign holder to carry a sign and be connected to a chair. The sign which displays information about the chair is removable from the sign holder to be replaced by a different sign having different information. The sign holder includes a vertically upstanding shaft that extends between the seat and the back of the chair. A chair attachment bracket which extends horizontally from the bottom of the vertically upstanding shaft is detachably connected to the bottom of the chair seat. A sign carrying bracket which extends horizontally from the top of the vertically upstanding shaft holds the sign adjacent one side of the chair back. The sign has a front which contains the information to be displayed, a back, and a closed top extending between the front and the back to be supported by the sign carrying bracket at the top of the shaft of the sign holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: Marcelo Mezzera
  • Patent number: 10013898
    Abstract: The presently disclosed multi-position biased rotating logo components permit an electronic device to display a logo associated with the device in a variety of positions with reference to a device housing while the device is re-positioned in different orientations. This allows the logo to maintain a desired orientation with reference to a support surface or a direction of gravity as the device is re-positioned in the different orientation. Further, the rotating logo is biased to achieve and maintain two or more preselected orientations within the housing that correspond to two or more intended orientations of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Jacobs, Jesse Staub, Perry Q. Anderson, Craig K. Black, Jonathan B. Hadley
  • Patent number: 10002552
    Abstract: A light panel display apparatus includes an upright panel assembly with a translucent primary panel having a substantially smooth primacy panel first face and a primary panel second face with a series of light distributing grooves; a translucent diffusing panel, having substantially smooth diffusing panel inward face and substantially smooth a diffusing panel outward face, the diffusing panel being positioned substantially parallel and adjacent to with the primary panel second face; a translucent first image sheet having a first image and positioned substantially parallel and adjacent to the primary panel first face and a translucent second image sheet having a second image and being substantially parallel and adjacent to the diffusing panel outward face; and a base assembly comprising a generally horizontally extending base member with a panel assembly receiving slot into which the panel assembly is removably fitted so that the panel assembly is retained in, a lighting circuit including a light source positi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Inventor: Alex Gologursky
  • Patent number: 9990870
    Abstract: An outdoor art-post assembly includes an elongate support pole, an art post, and at least one mounting mechanism. The elongate support pole has a lower portion and an auger disposed at the lower portion. The auger allows for vertical installation of the support pole in soil in response to manual rotation of the support pole. The art post has an inner surface defining a bore. The bore is capable of receiving at least a portion of the elongate support pole. The art post also has an outer surface including decorative indicia thereon. The mounting mechanism is located on the support pole and has protruding portions extending away from the support pole. The protruding portions are configured to contact the inner surface of the art post and affix the art post relative to the support pole. Methods of assembling the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Magnet Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Curtis L. Todd
  • Patent number: 9987871
    Abstract: A greeting card having a gift card holder attached thereto with motor module which is operative to cause movement to the gift card holder. The greeting card may additionally contain a mobile object attached to the gift card holder which moves out of synch with the gift card holder. The gift card holder may contain a first portion and a second portion which separate to reveal a gift card therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Seth Larson, Dave Sapp, Nicole Forrester
  • Patent number: 9968129
    Abstract: A product including a package is provided. One or more tobacco-containing articles may be received in the package. A power producer may be configured to produce an electrical current. An output mechanism may be configured to receive the electrical current from the power producer and output a perceptible effect. The perceptible effect may, for example, increase a consumer's interest in the product. A related method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian, Percy D. Phillips, Pankaj Patel, Stephanie Whittington, Bruce Alan Bengtsson, Wesley Steven Jones, Ercilia Hernandez Garcia
  • Patent number: 9962018
    Abstract: A frame apparatus for displaying a flat article and a combined frame apparatus and flat article. In one aspect, the frame apparatus comprises an annular display frame, a transparent front panel, a rear panel, and an annular spacer frame. The annular display frame comprises a rabbet defined by a floor and a wall, the wall comprising a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. The annular spacer frame is coupled to the first and second engagement portions of the annular display frame by interaction between a first and second locking member of the annular spacer frame and the first and second engagement portions of the annular display frame. The first and second locking members extend into the first and second engagement portions and apply a compression force to retain a flat article between the transparent front panel and the rear panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventors: Brad William Huff, Matthew Scott Kressin, Weisha Yu
  • Patent number: 9965980
    Abstract: Deployable display with an expansion system comprising a traction elastic element. The elastic element is basically formed by an elastic band which is annular or is cord-type with engaging elements, and optionally by at least one extension for extending the length of a said band, formed by a plate made of flexible or semi-flexible sheet material provided with engaging elements for said elastic band, the assembly in turn being engaged to side projections of the display. The limiting system is implemented by the reduction in the elastic force and/or by the own resting length of the elastic band in cooperation, where appropriate, with the length of the extension element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: FASTER DISPLAYS LLC
    Inventor: Francisco López Fernández
  • Patent number: 9956836
    Abstract: A flexible decorative display device for attachment to a hitch receiver. The flexible display device is formed from a bendable sheet having a distal front surface, a proximal rear surface, an outer shaped outline, and interior shaped edges. The interior shaped edges form both a central opening to accommodate the trailer hitch receiver and a tongue. The tongue has tongue alignment cavity edges that define an interior tongue pin-receiving cavity. The tongue bends backwardly at a flexure line to fold back over the outside of the receiver tube, aligning the tongue pin-receiving cavity with the pin-receiving hole of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Rene Carl Batiste
  • Patent number: 9949578
    Abstract: A unique beverage holder is adapted to be mounted on a vertical wall surface, and includes a cantilevered beverage holder platform and an advertising display, preferably including a slot or other arrangement for receiving an advertising media and an outwardly facing window for viewing the advertisement. The device is preferably installed in bathrooms, and the like, such as above urinals to provide bathroom users with a place to set their beverage, and at the same time attracting attention to the advertisement while the user is captive. In one embodiment, the beverage holder is adapted to be reversibly mounted on a wall bracket such that the shelf unit may alternately be at the top or bottom of the device. The reversible beverage holder is preferably secured to the wall bracket by release tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Matthew F Williams
  • Patent number: 9947249
    Abstract: A sign frame incorporates a plurality of segments each selected from straight, curved or hinged segments that are interchangeable and are telescopically connected to adjacent segments. The selection of curved and straight segments may provide for customization of the sign size, while selection of hinge segments can be integrated with other segments to provide a hinge support for the sign and sign frame and for convenient attachment to a pole or post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: Timothy Mark Baldwin
  • Patent number: 9936686
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the management of a soil pest is disclosed and which includes a source of high voltage electricity; at least one capacitor for storing the high voltage electricity; a multiplicity of electrodes inserted into a soil location having a soil pest to be managed, and an electrical switch which is controllably opened and closed so as to form a pulse of electricity which is passed through the soil location and between the electrodes so as to effect the management of the soil pest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Lisi Globa, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Crisp, Ekaterini Riga, Gordon J. McComb
  • Patent number: 9934702
    Abstract: A magnetic cardette for removably holding a card or sign. The cardette includes a stem insertable into a floral arrangement container. The top of the stem includes a plate of material that is attractable to the card, in turn, having a magnet thereon removably holding the card to the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Syndicate Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Trent Harshman
  • Patent number: 9916779
    Abstract: A multi-position illuminated signage panel comprising a mounting assembly anchored to a vehicle, a display assembly, and an intermediate assembly. The display assembly comprises an illumination panel and a sign insert for displaying a visual element. The intermediate assembly comprises a control unit for controlling the operation of the illumination panel, the control unit having a solar panel, rechargeable battery, motion sensor, light sensor, and control module. The illumination panel is positioned behind the sign insert and produces a back-light effect by emitting light which passes through the sign insert. The illumination panel can be activated when the motion sensor detects the vehicle's motion, and deactivated when the photosensor is exposed to light. The display assembly is hingedly connected to the intermediate assembly, which is in turn hingedly connected to the mounting assembly, allowing the multi-position signage panel to be configured in multiple display positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Sherry Parnell
  • Patent number: 9898940
    Abstract: A track and cleat system includes a track attached by suction cups or other means to a window or other vertical surface. The track has a projection onto which a cleat is attached. The cleat includes a track receiving opening that fits onto the track. A banner holder is provided adjacent to the track receiving opening. The banner holder may use friction grips or magnets to hold a banner, sign or display. The cleat has an offset grip portion in a T-shape that is spaced from the banner holder and gripped by a gripper on a pole to move the banner and cleat to a display position on the track and to remove the banner and cleat from the display position by removing the cleat from the track. Various banner holding devices are provided, as well as various track and cleat shapes and various means of attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: K-International, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. White
  • Patent number: 9897234
    Abstract: A tube support assembly for a steam generator system is disclosed herein, including a sheet or support bar configured to support a plurality of heat transfer tubes of the steam generator system and a set of projections extending from a surface of the sheet or support bar. A distance that the set of projections extend from the surface of the sheet or support bar may be greater than, or equal to, an external diameter of a heat transfer tube. The adjacent tubes of the plurality of tubes may be separated from each other by one or more projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: NUSCALE POWER, LLC
    Inventors: William Koski, Tamas Liszkai, Alex Kruskamp, Seth Cadell, Weston Pollock