Patents by Inventor Benjamin F. Astell

Benjamin F. Astell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6484996
    Abstract: A device for removably fastening a picture to a board or the like is disclosed. The device includes a frame which defines an opening for holding the picture, the frame having a front and a back face, a top and a bottom edge and a first and a second side. A fastener is disposed between the back face of the frame and the board, the fastener having a first and a second end, the first end of the fastener defining a board engaging portion for pressing into the board. The second end of the fastener includes a head which removably cooperates with the back face of the frame. The arrangement is such that in use of the device, when the picture has been inserted into the opening in the frame, the frame is fastened to the board by pressing the board engaging portion of the fastener into the board and fastening the head of the fastener to the back face of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Benjamin F. Astell
  • Publication number: 20010038061
    Abstract: A device for removably fastening a picture to a board or the like is disclosed. The device includes a frame which defines an opening for holding the picture, the frame having a front and a back face, a top and a bottom edge and a first and a second side. A fastener is disposed between the back face of the frame and the board, the fastener having a first and a second end, the first end of the fastener defining a board engaging portion for pressing into the board. The second end of the fastener includes a head which removably cooperates with the back face of the frame. The arrangement is such that in use of the device, when the picture has been inserted into the opening in the frame, the frame is fastened to the board by pressing the board engaging portion of the fastener into the board and fastening the head of the fastener to the back face of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: Benjamin F. Astell
  • Patent number: 6114948
    Abstract: A safety apparatus is disclosed for providing information to a fire fighter concerning the number of occupants of each room of a dwelling in the event of a fire. The apparatus includes an activator disposed externally relative to the dwelling, the activator being activated by the fire fighter in the event of a fire. A transmitter is electrically connected to the activator such that when the activator is activated, a signal is sent to the transmitter, the signal triggering a secondary signal which is transmitted by the transmitter. A receiver is located in each room of the dwelling, each receiver receiving the secondary signal from the transmitter, the receiver generating a pulse corresponding to the secondary signal. A strobe light is located within the same room of the dwelling as the receiver, the strobe light being electrically connected to the receiver so that the strobe light is energized by the pulse from the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Benjamin F. Astell