Patents Examined by Kristina Staley
  • Patent number: 7856745
    Abstract: Information-bearing articles (10,50,100,100?,150, . . . 850) for securing to flexible tubing (38) such as catheters and their extension tubes, to provide important information about the tubing (38) such as flow rating or contraindications on types of cleaning fluid not to be used therewith. The devices are provided with large outwardly facing indicia-bearing surfaces (30,32;70,72;120,122; . . . 834) and may be clipped directly to the tubing (38) at a selected location therealong, or be clipped directly to a clamp member (40,330) that is disposed along and around the tubing for clamping the tubing (38) when desired to occlude fluid flow therethrough. Those devices (10,100,100?,550, . . . 750) clippable to the tubing may have a C-shaped channel (18,20,58,108,554,604) therealong that may be flexed open to be placed about the tubing, which may be temporarily compressed as well to enter the channel, or the devices may be rings (800,850) that clip closed about the tubing (38). Other devices (200,250, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Medical Components Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Schweikert, Kenneth J. Chesnin, John Stephens, Kevin Sanford
  • Patent number: 7849617
    Abstract: A self-righting post assembly includes an elastomeric hinge tube and an elastomeric inner member is disposed in the hinge tube. In one embodiment, an extension post is disposed over the hinge tube. A sign panel can be secured to the extension post. In one embodiment, the inner member is free of any engagement with the hinge tube. In one embodiment, the hinge tube is secured to a base, preferably with a vertically oriented fastener. A method of assembling the post assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Intagliata, Kent A. Kekeis
  • Patent number: 7849616
    Abstract: The lockdown shade is a device for preventing visual access to an area through a window of a door. The device has a shade normally stored on a mounting system that is positioned on a wall surface adjacent to the door window. The shade is fabricated from a solid, opaque material having fastener(s) on its rear surface to effect quick and easy attachment to the door window. The fastener(s) also function to provide attachment to the mounting system. The shade is configured and dimensioned to cover the window in the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Robert E. Bolton
  • Patent number: 7845103
    Abstract: There is provided an illuminated sign mounting system and methods for mounting an illuminated sign to a mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Logan, Paul Pickard, Mark Wedell
  • Patent number: 7818905
    Abstract: A license plate transport mechanism includes a mounting bracket connectable beneath a vehicle support structure, such as a front bumper of a vehicle. The mounting bracket includes an elongate track with a pivot pin for pivotally mounting a license plate mounting plate. When the mounting plate is at a first end of the track, it pivots to a vertical position that is generally perpendicular to a base of the mounting bracket to display the license plate. The mounting plate is pivotable to a horizontal position generally parallel to the mounting bracket base. Once in the horizontal position, the pivot pin and mounting plate can move toward a second end of the track to store the license plate underneath the vehicle support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Altec Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Stahel, Paul H. Plahn
  • Patent number: 7810263
    Abstract: A modular indicator of information relating to an article on display is provided. The indicator is made up of a plurality of display units which can be fixed each to the following other along a longitudinal axis of composition. Each display unit is made of a material translucent to light and configured in a substantially prismatic shape to gather incident tight into a first surface and reflect the incident light toward a front face of the display unit of a second surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to said front face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Lansa SA
    Inventor: Louis Demaurex
  • Patent number: 7810266
    Abstract: A graphic design consists of graphic elements such as text, logos, images and texture. On the front surface of transparent substrate, a white translucent copy in the form of chosen graphic elements in the design (such as text) is applied, so when viewed from front is right-reading. The complete original graphic design is then applied in register onto the front surface, so that the parts of the design that were copied onto the front surface first come directly onto contact with that copy. A white copy in the form of the other areas (the graphic elements that were not copied onto the front) is applied onto the back of the substrate (i.e. the side facing away from the viewer) in register with the rest of the design (in reverse, so when viewed from front is right-reading). Further copies of this one may be applied behind it (i.e. on the back) to increase its opacity. A light-source is placed behind the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Kristjan Freyr Arnthorsson
  • Patent number: 7802388
    Abstract: A label including a lamination, a method of using such label and a method of making such label. The label may include a liner, a face stock having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, disposed over a portion of the liner. In addition, the label may include a laminating material having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and a first edge and a second edge, wherein the laminating material is disposed over a portion of the liner and the second surface is proximate to said liner. Furthermore, the label may include at least two creases in the liner upon which the liner may be folded to locate the second surface of the laminating material over the first surface of the face stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Electronic Imaging Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Henkel, Jason Wilder, Juan Munoz
  • Patent number: 7788833
    Abstract: An animated light source and method are provided. The light source may include a plurality of solid-state emitters and a control circuit for controlling the selective energization of the emitters individually to from a beam of light along an axis. The emitters may be selectively energized to provide the appearance of motion of light within the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventors: Lane T. Hauck, Kevin T. Hauck
  • Patent number: 7788835
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for advertising. The device includes a shaft to be vertically mounted, in use; an upper connection means proximate the upper end of the shaft for connecting to one end of each of at least two resiliently flexible rods; and a lower connection means proximate the lower end of the shaft for connecting to each other end of the resiliently flexible rods, such that with each rod being longer than the distance between the upper and lower connection means a banner of flexible material can, in use, be spanned by each rod in a plane defined by the rod and shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Norman Clifford Venn
  • Patent number: 7739818
    Abstract: There is provided a sign insert that can house the inner components of a sign. The insert can be easily inserted into and removed from signs so that either of the sign housing or the sign insert with inner components can be salvaged and reused if the other becomes inoperable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: ABL IP Lighting, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Logan, Paul Kenneth Pickard, Mark Wedell
  • Patent number: 7730653
    Abstract: An information display system provides an effective device for the storage and display of information. An H-shaped frame provides easy installation and ease of manufacture. An information storage unit is attached to the H-shaped frame and provides a sealed unit that is easy to access but that protects the contents from exposure to the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
  • Patent number: 7726056
    Abstract: There is provided a knock down signpost comprising a post member (6) and a lower body member (10) held together by a spring (3) having a preload when the post is vertical, acting two flat surfaces (8) creating an initial resistance to motion off the horizontal. Two steel cables (114) transmit the force of the spring and are spaced apart which allows the cables to act as a non rotation mechanism. Two round protrusions (16) in the post member (6) locate into two matching clearance holes (14) in the lower body for post alignment. A shock tube (4) is fitted over the cable and internal to the spring to prevent over compression and provides a mechanical stop. As the top assembly is rotated chamfered edges (15) of the post member (6) engage and interlock into an annular groove (13) to act as a pseudo-hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: JMB Manufacturing Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Ian Charles Brodie
  • Patent number: 7726057
    Abstract: A label holder for attachment to, or integrated into, a retail shelf is provided. The label holder includes a deck and an electronic price label holder. The deck has a front deck portion and a back deck portion. The electronic price label holder is supported by the front deck portion. The label holder also has a back wall extending between a top wall and a bottom wall to form a retention channel. The back wall includes a hinge structure such that an entrance opening in the retention channel is expandable and retractable for receipt of electronic price labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Southern Imperial, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Brinkman, Mary Kirby, Thomas E. Valiulis, Patrick J. Barkdoll, Stanley C. Valiulis
  • Patent number: 7694445
    Abstract: By providing a pre-printed promotional system which employs a housing and a cooperating slider panel mounted to each other, with the slider panel being movable for activating a foldable graphic element to move between an open displayed position and a closed, folded position, a unique, hands-on, printed, visually exciting and interest generating advertising/promotional product is attained. Preferably, the promotional system comprises two cooperating components which are cooperatively associated to each other in sliding interengagement. Although two components are required for achieving the basic construction, alternate embodiments of the present invention may incorporate additional components for providing a further enhanced visual impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Structural Graphics, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Robert Kelly
  • Patent number: 7690142
    Abstract: A holder for clamping flexible sheet material includes an extruded plastic, elongated channel member having a base wall having two ends. The base wall is connected at one of the ends to a relatively short, upstanding forward leg having an inner face forming a bearing surface. The forward leg has a free upper end, and the base wall is connected at the other of the ends thereof to a relatively long, upstanding rearward leg having an upper end, and a top wall is joined to the upper end of the rearward leg. The top wall extends down behind the forward leg and has a free end which resiliently engages the bearing surface of the forward leg and it also has a crease or bend line spaced apart from the upper edge of the forward leg so as to define a wedge-shaped opening therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Ronald M. Pollack
  • Patent number: 7690141
    Abstract: An animal tag comprising, a penetrating component (3) having two ear penetrating members (9) joined by a strip of intermediate material (13), a complementary component (15) having a locking portion (17) for each penetrating member, and ramp means (21) for each locking portion, wherein the arrangement is such that the ear penetrating members are designed to be passed through the ear (33) of an animal and to lock onto the locking portions to sandwich the ear in a gap (28) between the penetrating component and complementary component and the ramp means are arranged to co-operate with the skin penetrating members to vary the size of the gap whereby to provide a range of gap sizes to accommodate varying ear thicknesses and/or growth of the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventors: John James Steinfort, Neil Frederick Edney
  • Patent number: 7685754
    Abstract: A wind resistant sign enabled with a release mechanism providing for the sign pivoting from a starting point about an axis when the sign is exposed to a user determined threshold wind speed and a mechanism for returning the sign to its starting point when the wind speed decreases below the threshold. The sign pivot is the sign support and can be horizontal or vertical. The sign release mechanism can be as simple as a frangible locking element which is broken under sufficient wind velocity, a lock requiring a human operator to open, a lock controlled by a sensor, such as an anemometer, or a locking element responsive to a radio signal from a remote location. The return mechanism can be as simple as a spring for small signs, or a torque unit, such as a motor, for signs up to hundreds or thousands of kilograms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Rodrigo Torres
  • Patent number: 7661215
    Abstract: A structure for mounting a marking plate is disclosed hereinafter as follows. A stem of a marking plate is inserted through a plate, and a spring member is provided at the tip end of the stem. Elastic portions of the spring member are elastically deformed so that a projection of each elastic portion is in elastic contact with the back surface of the plate. Accordingly, the engagement of the engaging portions of the marking plate side and the plate side and the engagement of the lock pawls and the engaging recesses are maintained by the elastic force of the elastic portions, thereby maintaining the mounted condition of the marking plate. When the marking plate is pulled away from the front surface of the plate in the mounted condition, the elastic portions are further elastically deformed to allow the disengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7661213
    Abstract: A durable yard sign assembly includes: (a) a central message panel including a lightweight, thermoplastic core, lightweight metallic front and rear face sheets, and a plurality of parallel panel apertures within the core; the front and rear face sheets being attached to opposite, front and rear sides of the core; each panel aperture extending from one end of the central panel to the opposite end; (b) two substantially rectangular side posts, each including an open upper end accessing an upper post hollow, each side post including at least two inside side post apertures on an inside wall, and at least one outside side post aperture on an outside wall; (c) at least two panel support rods, each extending through a different one of the panel apertures; (d) at least one pair of support rod connectors, each being connectable to an end portion of the at least two panel support rods; and (e) two removable upper end caps; wherein the yard sign assembly includes an unassembled position for storage or transport, and an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Brantley K. Gainey