Patents Examined by Terry Lee Melius
  • Patent number: 6256820
    Abstract: A bedding or seating product comprising a spring core made up of a plurality of parallel strings of springs joined to each other. Each of the strings of springs comprises a row of interconnected pocketed coil springs. The pocket of fabric surrounding each of these coil springs is divided into at least two subpockets by at least one line of attachment of opposite sides of the fabric to each other. Each of these subpockets contains one portion of the coil spring, thus resulting in a multilayered product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Terry Moser, Niels S. Mossbeck, Thomas J. Wells
  • Patent number: 6256814
    Abstract: A playyard floor support frame includes a rail mount (32) and at least two floor support rails (36, 40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome J. Drobinski
  • Patent number: 6250006
    Abstract: A device for assisting a shopper includes a substantially rectangular panel having front and rear surfaces. The front surface includes a layer of dry erase material having numerous sets of indicia permanently imprinted thereon. Each set of indicia describes a select household item. Immediately adjacent each set of indicia is a blank box which may be marked with a dry erase marker to signify that the corresponding product has been deplenished. Blank spaces are interspersed among the sets of indicia allowing the user to write additional item descriptions therein. Each blank space also includes a blank box adjacent thereto. A magnetic pad is disposed on the rear surface of the pad allowing it to be conveniently displayed on a refrigerator door. A detachable clamp assembly allows the device to be attached to a shopping cart whereby the box adjacent a product is marked as it becomes deplenished and the mark is erased upon the deplenished item being purchased at the store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventor: Phil Berrier
  • Patent number: 6250004
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recyclable molded exterior cover made of plastic with a plate holder at a back side of the cover. The exterior cover is mounted on the apparatus so as to swing between open and close positions. The exterior cover and the plate holder, which holds an information plate, are integrally molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Kondo
  • Patent number: 6247258
    Abstract: A modular, mobile sign assembly which has the appearance of a permanent installation including a base module formed of a frame with a set of height-adjustable support posts and a pair of wheels on an axle for movement of the unit between locations, and a display module mounted on the base module providing a lighted sign with display panels having a battery of fluorescent lighting tubes within the sign and a message formed of letters or tiles through which the light projects, and an electrical source, either self-contained by the use of batteries or solar panels or by connection to a remote electrical source. The base module is provided with an appearance of permanence by the use of fascia support panels which are mounted to depend from the upper edge of the base frame to adjacent the ground and removable horizontal panel sections which cover the upper surface of the base module and form seating thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: John O'Malley
  • Patent number: 6244599
    Abstract: A seal assembly which cooperates between relatively rotatable members for creating a sealing relationship between areas of high and low pressures. The assembly includes a face seal arrangement nonrotatably associated with one of the relatively rotatable members, which face seal arrangement defines thereon a pair of annular sealing faces, and an annular brush having a plurality of bristles disposed in an annular array. The brush bristles are mounted on the holder such that free ends thereof are in sealing contact with the other member to form a first seal between the areas of high and low pressures, whereby the brush is rotatable along with the other member to minimize wear thereto. The brush defines thereon a pair of annular sealing faces which are disposed in axially adjacent and opposed face-to-face relation with the respective sealing faces of the face seal arrangement to form a second seal between the areas of high and low pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: Minel J. Braun, Fred K. Choy
  • Patent number: 6244601
    Abstract: A sealing system is disclosed having at least one sealing profiled section for the roof frame of the vehicle. The sealing profiled section is formed by a profile strip of at least one elastomer and by a reinforcement. The reinforcement is formed as prefabricated injection-molded plastics material part and, in a molding tool, is provided with the profile strip on at least a part of its external surface. The reinforcement has a substantially U-shaped cross-section over its entire length. The sealing system is three-dimensional and can be fixed to connecting pieces of the roof frame of the vehicle by fastening members. An end cap is formed on at least one end face of each sealing profiled section in the molding tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K.H. Badge GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Hans-Volker Buchholz, Jens Anders
  • Patent number: 6243895
    Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, mattress/hook and loop cover (70) has side panels (72) and (74), and end panels (76) and (78) which correspond and removably attach to crib mattress (44) side panels (46) and (48), and end panels (50) and (52). Crib sheet (22) has side panels (24) and (26), and end panels (28) and (30) which contain loop fasteners (40). Loop fasteners (40) are sized and positioned to removably attach to corresponding mating hook fasteners (96) along the side panels (72) and (74), and along the end panels (76) and (78) of mattress/hook and loop cover (70). Mattress pad (62) has single panel (64) which contains loop fasteners (68). Loop fasteners (68) are sized and positioned to mate with hook fasteners (96) in coordination with loop fasteners (40) of crib sheet (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Armando Amin
  • Patent number: 6243896
    Abstract: An adjustable-warmth bed covering adopted for use inside a duvet cover, either alone or with a comforter that is also inside the duvet cover, and a method for making such a bed covering. Specifically, the bed covering is formed from a base sheet to which are attached fabric strips bounding a plurality of pockets. Each pocket has a closable opening that overlaps the pocket adjacent to it and closer to the head end of the base sheet. Insulator pads may be inserted in the pockets to increase the warmth retention capability of the adjustable-warmth bed covering in the area covered by the pocket. The method involves attaching overlapping fabric strips sequentially to the base sheet and sewing seams parallel to the left and right sides of the base sheet to form pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Warming Trends, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen M. Osuna, Wendy R. Freeman
  • Patent number: 6240666
    Abstract: An information carrier for receiving at least one information data. The information carrier includes an inflatable hollow body made of a flexible, foldable material and a blower for blowing an air flow into the inner part of the hollow body. The blower is arranged in or on the hollow body in such a way that the air flow produced by the blower builds up an overpressure within the hollow body whereby the hollow body adopts a stationary and stable rectangular frame shape over which the information banner may be fastened, more particularly removably fastened, while at least partly covering the open space within the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventors: Raimund Apel, Michael Lazar
  • Patent number: 6241415
    Abstract: A device for holding a container includes an elongated handle. An adjustable band is mounted at one end, and has two sections which project from opposite sides, of the handle. The two sections overlap to form a loop, and each section is provided with a series of openings. A clip receives the overlapping sections and comprises a detent which can be moved into and out of the openings. The band is flexible, and the overlapping sections of the band can be shifted relative to one another to change the diameter of the loop. When the diameter has been adjusted, the detent is passed through registering openings of the overlapping sections to fix the sections with respect to each other. An anchoring bar is also mounted on the handle and is movable radially of the loop between a retracted position inside the handle and an extended position in which the bar projects into the loop. The bar stabilizes a container which is gripped by the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Marvin B. Stark
  • Patent number: 6237171
    Abstract: A bedsheet and blanket combination includes a generally planar undersheet sized to be rested upon an otherwise conventional mattress together with a pocket cover sized to cover approximately half of the undersheet. The pocket cover is joined along three sides to the underlying portion of the undersheet to form a pocket having an open portion. The open portion may be provided at the top, bottom, outer side, or inner side of the pocket cover. A blanket formed of a insulative material is removably received within the pocket by insertion through the pocket opening. During laundering, the blanket is removed from the pocket leaving the pocket cover and undersheet to be easily washed in accordance with conventional laundering techniques. In alternate embodiments shown, a second pocket is provided which facilitates independent blanket support upon the undersheet to accommodate user preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Mardi Allen
  • Patent number: 6237265
    Abstract: By providing a unique, pre-printed housing within which a pair of display members are operatively interconnected to each other to move simultaneously outwardly from the housing in an unexpected and unanticipated manner, a printed, visually exciting and interest generating advertising/promotional product is attained. In the preferred embodiment, the housing incorporates a front panel and a rear panel interconnected to each other and mounted in juxtaposed, spaced relationship defining an interior zone there-between. Each panel preferably comprises an eye-catching, visual display for generating consumer interest. In addition, an interior partition is mounted between the front panel and the rear panel, with the interior partition being affixed to one of said panels. Furthermore, an endless band is mounted about the interior partition in a manner which enables the endless band to freely slide peripherally about the partition in a continuous manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Structural Graphics LLC
    Inventor: Christopher S. Crowell
  • Patent number: 6237267
    Abstract: A display and method for holding printed material, such as advertising, are described for hanging on the back of a vehicle seat with its contents easily visible and accessible to a passenger. A transparent backboard having rear and front surfaces define transparent pockets for holding the advertising. A pair of hook and loop straps and pads secure the display to the back of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Media Services International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven S. Lackomar
  • Patent number: 6237202
    Abstract: In an effort at increasing the quality and styling of the casket interior, and in particular the casket cap dish assembly, and in an effort to increase the quality of the memorialization aspect of the casket and memorial service, the present invention was devised which comprises, in one aspect, a dish assembly for installation into an underside of a casket cap, the assembly comprising a foam dish including an opening therethrough, and a cap panel installed in the opening in the foam dish. In a second aspect, the dish assembly comprises a dish including an opening therethrough and a cap panel removably installed in the opening in the dish, the cap panel being personalized to the deceased and being removable from the dish by a loved one of the deceased subsequent to a memorial service for the deceased and retained by the loved one as a memorial to the deceased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Batesville Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Agee, Rosalie J. Calhoun, Richard A. Colangelo, Donna S. Gould, Brian K. Groemminger, Bryan M. Hankel, Donald R. Maier, Donald D. Maple, William F. Neth, Llija Rojdev, Scott A. Schultz
  • Patent number: 6237269
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for constructing a rotatable label and attaching the rotatable label to a container. The rotatable label system includes an inner label attached to the container and a rotatable outer label. The inner label may have adhesive on a rear surface of a trailing end alone, or it may have adhesive on a rear surface of both the leading and trailing end for fixedly attaching it to a container. The outer label only has adhesive on a rear surface of a trailing end to secure the outer label to itself. A leading end is temporarily affixed to the container while the outer label is wrapped around the container. Once the trailing end is attached to a front surface of the leading end, the outer label can be rotated about the container over the inner label. Longitudinal movement of the outer label relative to the container may be restricted by disposing the outer label between top and bottom label panels formed on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Stephen Key Design, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen M. Key
  • Patent number: 6233859
    Abstract: A frame element assembly suitable for forming the frame of a display holder, the frame element assembly having a base portion and a retaining leaf, the retaining leaf being pivotally mounted with respect to the base portion, the retaining leaf being held in a pivotal arrangement by a bow spring, the assembly being adapted such that in use the retaining leaf can pivot between an “open” position in which display material can be inserted or removed from the display holder and a “closed” position in which display material is retained within the display holder. The assembly is adapted such that the retaining leaf is removably mounted with respect to the pivot arrangement when the display holder is in its assembled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventors: Gary Samuel Kilpatrick, James Cox, Michael George Robson
  • Patent number: 6234909
    Abstract: An improved springless engine compensator comprising a first load bearing flange, a compensator bushing member, an output ring member threadably mounted on the compensator bushing member, a second load bearing flange. The flanges and the compensator bushing are fixedly mounted to an input shaft. The output ring member is mounted between the flanges for limited axial and rotational movement relative to the input shaft. The compensator absorbs rotational shock loads while transferring rotational loads from an input shaft to the output ring member. Compensating rotation is easily and precisely adjustable with the use of shims. Uniquely, the output ring member simultaneously compensatingly rotates and moves; axially on the compensator bushing member, and is captively restrained by the bearing flanges. Buffer members can be provided if desired between the mating faces of the flanges and the output ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Belt Drives, LTD
    Inventor: Steve Yetzke
  • Patent number: 6233761
    Abstract: A system for inexpensively placing an active fall-protection system in a floor is described. The floor is tessellated with large octagonal tiles and smaller square tiles. Each large octagonal tile contains a sodium azide-loaded airbag that expands, upon detonation, to 18 cm tall. Each square tile contains an infrared proximity detector and a differentiation. Upon accelerating approach of a large enough infrared-emitting object (such as a falling human body) the square tile detonates the four adjacent octagonal tiles. In this manner, the airbag tiles are deployed over the area of the floor destined to be impacted. Since the detectors respond to accelerating, large infrared-emitting objects, the floor tiles will not deploy during normal activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Samuel R. Neff
  • Patent number: 6233759
    Abstract: A combination play pen, bassinet and changing table includes a bassinet assembly removably supported on the upper frame assembly of the play pen. The bassinet assembly includes a pair of bassinet frame assemblies, each consisting of a pair of J-tube assemblies joined by a cross tube. The J-tube assemblies include outer ends adapted to overly the upper frame. Bassinet side panels and end panels extend upwardly from the floor panel to form a coffer-like enclosure. An adapter supports the J end of the bassinet tube that overlies a collapsible joint assembly at the midpoint of one upper rail assembly. A changing table assembly includes a tubular frame comprised of paired side tubes and end tubes joined in a rectangular configuration. Two vertices of the changing table frame are adjacent to the adapters of the bassinet assembly. A keyed elbow connector at each vertex includes a T-shaped key received in a key slot of an adapter in supporting fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Warner, Jr., Richard Essex