Patents by Inventor Gary R. Sorenson

Gary R. Sorenson 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: 5944637
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bicycle trainer that permits a bicycle to be used for stationary riding. The bicycle trainer has a modular fluid resistance unit wherein resistance is provided by the rotation of an impeller against a fluid contained in a sealed housing. The resistance unit provides selectively variable resistance, is quiet to use, and simulates bicycle riding on a road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Graber Products, Inc.
    Inventors: George D. Stickler, Gary R. Sorenson, Michael W. Beise, Steve Traut, Jeff Q. Nichols, Tyler Marthaler
  • Patent number: 5327700
    Abstract: A collapsible modular display tower assembly has a three-dimensional, collapsible display panel structure having two opposing pairs of pivotally-connective links with upper and lower ends arranged to form four side faces when erect. A plurality of upper and lower hub assemblies are pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of the links of adjacent side faces. Four vertically-oriented expansible support and attachment braces are provided with each brace being connected to one pair of the vertically-aligned upper and lower hub assemblies. The braces permit the attachment of graphic representations and display accessories to the tower assembly. Releasable hub-connecting means in the form of male and female connectors are provided on the upper and lower hub assemblies for releasably interlocking a multiplicity of display panel structures into a vertical display tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Skyline Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Sorenson, Philip C. Gerberding
  • Patent number: 5203126
    Abstract: A slidable foot assembly for stabilizing a collapsible display structure. Such structures include a network of support rods which form a skeletal frame for the structure and which are pivotally joined together by hub assemblies. The present foot assembly includes a slide which is elongate to extend to each of the sides of the erected structure to stabilize the structure and further includes feet affixed to a lower hub assembly and slidable in the slide to permit the slide to be disposed parallel to the collapsed form of the structure to maintain the compactness of the collapsed form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Skyline Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Sorenson, Philip C. Berberding
  • Patent number: 5203134
    Abstract: A pivotal frame connector or pivotal coupler for pivotally attaching two adjacent display structures wherein each of the display structures includes a skeletal frame formed of a network of elongate support rods joined by hub assemblies which provide for articulation of the support rods. The pivotal frame connector includes ends identical in structure to the ends of the support rods to engage those hub assemblies disposed on the periphery of the display frames. These peripheral hub assemblies have empty unused sockets to which the pivotal frame connector is readily attached. The pivotal frame connector is U-shaped and substantially shorter in length than each of the support rods to remain out of sight and out of the way when the display frame is covered by a skin-like aesthetic covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Skyline Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Sorenson, Philip C. Gerberding
  • Patent number: 5154033
    Abstract: A pivotal frame connector or pivotal coupler for pivotally attaching two adjacent display structures wherein each of the display structures includes a skeletal frame formed of a network of elongate support rods joined by hub assemblies which provide for articulation of the support rods. The pivotal frame connector includes ends identical in structure to the ends of the support rods to engage those hub assemblies disposed on the periphery of the display frames. These peripheral hub assemblies have empty unused sockets to which the pivotal frame connector is readily attached. The pivotal frame connector is U-shaped and substantially shorter in length than each of the support rods to remain out of sight and out of the way when the display frame is covered by a skin-like aesthetic covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Skyline Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Sorenson, Philip C. Gerberding
  • Patent number: 5148648
    Abstract: The invention is a quick-release connector to be used with a collapsible display frame structure as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,560. The invention permits quick coupling and release between a rear and front hub as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,210. During use, the quick-release connector provides a solid lock when mounted in a coupled position with a hub. The release of the connector from a coupled position occurs upon movement of a slidable sleeve. A spring maintains contact between the slidable sleeve and the connector collar during coupling. Engagement of the slidable sleeve separates the sleeve from the collar permitting the connector to be pulled free from the hub. A split housing couples the connector to the hub. A spring-loaded slidable sleeve maintains the split housing in a locked position. The rear end of the connector is releasably mounted to a hub of a collapsible display frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Skyline Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Sorenson, Philip C. Gerberding
  • Patent number: 5078284
    Abstract: A platform frame assembly for attachment to a portable exhibit display, the platform frame assembly having pivotal display frame members which are engageable against the portable exhibit display in an interlocking arrangement; the platform frame assembly having a plurality of horizontal shelves supportable by the frames for providing a projecting platform as an attachment to the portable exhibit display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Skyline Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Pirkl, Gary R. Sorenson, Wesley W. Jones
  • Patent number: 5072212
    Abstract: A self contained alarm is arranged to be attached to a door or near a building opening. One version uses a spring loaded switch held open by a door frame, which closes and sounds an audible alarm when the door is opened. A relay with normally open contacts is energized with the alarm to maintain the alarm until a reset switch is opened by a card or key inserted into a mating slot. Another version uses a rotary trip switch which is operated by a line. The line is placed across a building opening to be guarded and closes the rotary switch if the line is disturbed. A second embodiment uses an arm-disarm switch also operated by a card or key inserted into a mating slot to control a second relay. This arm-disarm switch is placed in a second box on the outside of a door to be guarded to permit arming the alarm after the door is closed. Here contacts of the second relay keep the alarm circuit open until the card or key is withdrawn to provide an arm-disarm function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventor: Gary R. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 4926294
    Abstract: A box-like display header that is foldable to a flat orientation for transportation and storage. The header is mountable to an upper portion of a display frame and may include a fluorescent lamp to illuminate the display frame or provide a back lighting for various graphic symbols which may be imprinted on the display header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Skyline Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Beaulieu, Gary R. Sorenson
  • Patent number: D343420
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Skyline Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Sorenson, Phillip C. Gerberding