Patents Examined by Kristina Staley
  • Patent number: 8117775
    Abstract: A sign attachment device including a body portion for attaching a sign and an attachment portion whereby, the sign attachment device provides a means for enabling a sign to be secured to at least one support member. The body portion preferably has provided two parallel side walls which are adapted to be spaced apart by a prescribed distance to receive and hold the edge of a sign therebetween. The side wails preferably have provided at least one aperture which Is adapted to receive a securing member therethrough In order to secure a sign to the attachment device. It Is preferred that the side walls have at least one crest portion which Is adapted to accommodate the presence of a prong member positioned between said side walls. The attachment portion consists of two side portions divided by a living hinge so that the device can be attached to any shaped support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Tracy Hedditch
  • Patent number: 8065827
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a single-use beverage container assembly having a beverage container which includes an inner surface defining a chamber capable of receiving a liquid, an opening configured to provide access to the chamber and an outer surface comprising a receiving cavity. In certain embodiments, the beverage container further includes an informational attachment including promotional information. The receiving cavity can be configured to receive the informational attachment such that the informational attachment can be stowed in the receiving cavity. The beverage container assembly can also be configured to permit the informational attachment to be at least partially removed from the receiving cavity such that the informational attachment can be separated from the beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: John P. Regas
  • Patent number: 8051592
    Abstract: A rotatable graphic assembly includes an outer barrel including an inner surface and a plurality of inner teeth formed thereon with an inner bevel formed at an end of each inner tooth; an inner barrel received within the outer barrel, the inner barrel including an outer surface and a plurality of outer teeth formed on the outer surface with an outer bevel formed at an end of each outer tooth and movably engaged with the inner teeth, the inner barrel defining a first crown gear portion at one end thereof; a spring sleeved in the inner barrel; a base sealing one end of the outer barrel, and the spring biased between the other end of the outer barrel away from the base and the base; and the base defines a second crown gear facing the first crown gear portion; and a button disposed on the end of the second barrel away from the base and showing a graphic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 8046943
    Abstract: A safety kick plate device and improved manufacturing thereof, wherein the safety kick plate device includes a base component including a communication element through which a light emission component is visible. A communication protection element provides reinforcement and strength to the communication element as well as mitigates damage to the light emission component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Ronald J. Kay
  • Patent number: 8028447
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a decorative block comprising an open celled constructing block and a support rod suspending one or more ornaments such as art, logos and/or other decorative images or designs as part of a wall is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Ann Holford Dunham
  • Patent number: 8020326
    Abstract: Composite magneto-optical elements with unique shapes and architectures comprising a magnetic component and a colored component. These magneto-optical elements can also be manufactured by a small variety of low-cost processes resulting in their use in a variety of applications including low-cost, large-format, reflective display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: TRED Displays Corporation
    Inventors: Charles O. Edwards, James Caruso
  • Patent number: 8015738
    Abstract: The advertising display stand includes a planar base with two opposed mounting brackets secured on an upper surface of the base. A collapsible support post of a rectangular configuration is secured atop the base due to engagement with the brackets. The collapsible support post in a non-collapsed state includes opposed slots that receive and engage upwardly extending portions of the mounting brackets. An advertising media is provided on or supported by the support post. In one embodiment the support post is formed from stacked elements of a known segmented wall advertising system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Accenta Display Corp.
    Inventor: Ulf Ernetoft
  • Patent number: 8006420
    Abstract: A retractable banner stand includes a canister with an extendable banner having an ad and/or message thereon viewable when the banner is extended. A kit comprised of a pair of end caps with foldable legs and a pole support are releasably engaged to the canister and can be removed without tools. The kit can be releasably engaged to a second canister, without tools, with the second canister containing a second banner with a different (or new) ad and/or message to thus facilitate changing banners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignees: The Portables Exhibit Systems Limited, Downing Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Lyle D. Merner, Gabriela P. Merner, legal representative, James T. I. Landecker
  • Patent number: 8006418
    Abstract: A plurality of patterns 40a through 40e comprising a plurality of plotting lines 41a to 41e of a predetermined width drawn parallel to each other at predetermined intervals and drawn inclined with respect to the axial direction of a can 3 are provided in staggered positions at intervals corresponding to the width of the plotting lines 2. Meanwhile, a plurality of linear opaque portions 21 of a predetermined width alternating with a plurality of linear transparent portions 22 of a predetermined width are provided parallel to each other on a cylindrical heat-shrink film 1 at an inclination angle corresponding to the angle of the plotting lines 41a through 41e on the can 3. This cylindrical heat-shrink film 1 is then mounted on the outside of the can 3. In this way, a container with screen part on which the pattern can be changed is provided in a way not possible before.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Suntory Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Toshiya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7980012
    Abstract: An identification badge for placement within a pocket of a garment. The identification badge includes a first portion shaped to be received within the pocket, the first portion having a coupling member in the form of a magnet. The identification badge also includes a second portion coupled to the first portion by a flexible member, the second member having indicia printed thereon. The second portion is moveable with respect to the first portion between an open position and a closed position and in some embodiments is ferro-magnetic such that the magnetic coupling member secures the second portion in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Contemporary, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Peterson, Arnold M. Kapitz
  • Patent number: 7971378
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic advertising panel for playing fields. The inventive panel is formed by modules consisting of a functional sandwich-type assembly comprising a metal plate (3), at least one polycarbonate sheet (4) and at least one PCB plate (5) which is equipped with LEDs (5.1). The components of the aforementioned assembly are joined using bolts (6) which are inserted into the metal plate (3) and which extend through the polycarbonate sheet(s) (4) and the PCB plate(s) (5). Said functional assembly is housed in a casing which is equipped with coupling means for joining modules and with support feet which can be rotated between a folded position and a use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Odeco Electronica, S.A.
    Inventor: Sergio Campoy Odena
  • Patent number: 7966757
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for supporting a banner. The apparatus includes a plurality of frames, each being formed by stacking a plurality of plates, a connection unit having an interior cover and an exterior cover connected to each other by inserting the plurality of frames into the interior and exterior covers, respectively, a supporter provided to each end of the plurality of frames to support the banner, and a support frame connected to one side of the connection unit to support the plurality of frames. In the apparatus, the plurality of environmentally friendly bamboo plates are adhered to each other and integrated into a single body, thereby obtaining both elasticity and rigidity of bamboo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Cho Hyung-Chul
  • Patent number: 7963060
    Abstract: A product display device includes a support frame, a plurality of placard devices, a pair of carousel display devices and a messaging unit disposed between the pair of carousel display devices. The placard devices, the carousel display devices and the messaging unit providing an integrated display of products to prospective consumers. The messaging unit including a removable interactive display for providing at least one of textual, graphic, image, pictorial and visual illustrations and representations of product information and promotional information to prospective customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Mechtronics Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Arndt, John A. Kwap, Tim Malley, Kurt Haldin
  • Patent number: 7926210
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying luggage and promotional advertising for use by hotels, casinos and the like are disclosed. The apparatus includes a tag having a first side having a scratch surface covering promotional material and a second side having a portion for printing identifying information. The tag and the promotional material can be used by a hotel, casino or the like to encourage guests to attend shows or dine at restaurants being promoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Freddy Versteeg
  • Patent number: 7905038
    Abstract: A container having an integrated media display includes a base having a storage compartment for holding contents and an orifice for receiving the contents into the storage compartment. A cover is adapted for coupling to the base and closing the orifice and enclosing the storage compartment. A cavity is integrated in an outer surface of the container and has an opening. The cavity is configured for receiving a media insert having at least one visual display and holding the media insert for displaying the visual display through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: Brian R. Coff
  • Patent number: 7895776
    Abstract: In a tag for identifying and marking animals, the tag associates a receiver button (1) by irreversible fitting of a finger (2). The button (1) includes a head (13) wherein is provided a cavity (8) for receiving a punch (3) of the finger (2). The head (13) is secured to a shell (5) retaining the punch (3) which is provided with an opening (6) for introducing the punch (3) inside the button (1). The axial wall (7) of the retaining shell (5) delimiting the opening (6) is radially deformable. A chamber (11) is arranged between the head (13) and the axial wall (7) for receiving the latter (7) deformed under the effect of the punch (3) passing through the opening (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Allflex Europe SAS
    Inventors: Anne Costantini, Jean-Jacques Hilpert
  • Patent number: 7895785
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a tag includes a substantially flat portion having two faces and a length and a height, wherein the length is between about 1 inch and about 2½ inches. The height is between about ? inch and about 1 inch. The tag also includes at least one first member coupled to the flat portion and extending away therefrom at an angle of between about 45° and about 135° to a plane normal to a plane of the flat portion, the at least one first member being adapted for mounting in an opening of a surface of an electronics system thereby creating a removable coupling between the at least one first member and the surface of an electronics system when mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Nathan Hail, Michael David Herring, Jason Aaron Matteson, Timothy Andreas Meserth
  • Patent number: 7877909
    Abstract: Implementations of pet tags and related protective and alignment features. A pet tag may comprise a raised edge of a concave design, a recessed design or a bordered design. Single or multiple piece implementations may be used to protect an image to be marked on one or both sides of a pet tag. Implementations may comprise multiple pet tags pre-assembled or assembled after marking to further protect one or more images marked on the tags. Other implementations may comprise removable brackets to adapt the pet tags to particular marking kiosks. Still other implementations may comprise crystals embedded in the marking substrate with an additional substrate coupled to a rear side of the marking substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: TagWorks, LLC
    Inventors: George Lynn Hagen, Kenneth C. Booth
  • Patent number: 7877907
    Abstract: A thin backing first support plate, for use with one or more retention pins that attach a display decoration to a shirt or jacket fabric, comprising the plate having one or more through openings to pass the pin or pins that are also passed through the uniform fabric, the plate having an edge notch or notches engageable by fabric under a user's finger or fingers, whereby the user can from the front side of the fabric sidewardly orient the plate relative to the decoration located at the front side of the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Harry B. Hudick
  • Patent number: 7861442
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to food-product preparation kits and food-product preparation apparatuses. In one embodiment, a food-product preparation kit includes at least one support including a plurality of support slots, a food-product preparation apparatus, and at least one recipe card. The food-product preparation apparatus includes a base and walls attached to the base. The base and walls define receiving spaces for receiving food product. The food-product preparation apparatus includes at least one flange portion extending from the base. The at least one flange is configured to be received by at least one support slot and cooperate therewith so that the food-product preparation apparatus is supported in an upward fashion at a convenient viewing angle. The at least one recipe card is configured to be received by at least one of the support slots and cooperate therewith so that the at least one recipe card is oriented in an upward fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ravensforge Coneg, LLC.
    Inventors: Russell H. Ford, Marion L. Ford, Larry A. Balley, Jr.