Of Sheet Material Patents (Class 248/152)
  • Patent number: 11612226
    Abstract: A case for a round electronic device may have a device holding portion and an attachment portion for attaching the case to an item such as a suitcase or a key chain. The case may include upper and lower case portions that form a pocket. On a first side of the pocket, the upper and lower case portions may be stitched together or may be integrally formed. On a second side of the pocket, a snap may attach the upper case portion to the lower case portion and may be opened to provide access to the pocket. The attachment portion may have an opening for attaching the case to a key ring, suitcase, or other item. The case may include leather, polymer, and/or fabric. Openings may be surrounded by reinforcement material such as strands of non-elastic material. Snaps may be flush with surrounding portions of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tirshathah A. Hunter, Seul Bi Kim, Nicholas A. Treadwell, Johan E. Lyon, Erik G. de Jong
  • Patent number: 11097235
    Abstract: A flask stand is configured to support a flask and includes a base ring and a plurality of legs. The base ring is configured to support a lower portion of the flask. Each leg is secured to the base ring and extends outward from the base ring. Each leg includes a body, a lattice, and an elastomeric foot. The body includes a first end portion that is secured to the base ring with the foot portion being opposite the first end portion. The lattice is formed within the foot portion and includes a plurality of members that form an open-mesh frame that defines a plurality of voids between adjacent members of the frame. The elastomeric foot is formed of an elastomer and is disposed about the lattice and within the voids of the lattice. The foot is configured to engage a surface to support the body relative to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim North America Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Zumbrum, William Kimmick, Kevin Perdue
  • Patent number: 10959528
    Abstract: An active stool includes a base and a cover. The base defines an interior cavity accessible through an open end of the base. The cover removably mounts to the base to cover the open end. The cover defines a seat for a user. The base is configured to tilt along at least one rocking path. Certain types of bases are configured to tilt along multiple rocking paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: The Prophet Corporation
    Inventors: Laura Ann Fletcher, Ryan William Rasell
  • Patent number: 10144606
    Abstract: A dispenser for pillow napkins is provided that includes a carton having a bottom panel, opposite left and right panels extending vertically from the bottom panel, opposite front and back panels positioned between the left and right panels and extending vertically from the bottom panel, and a top panel extending parallel to the bottom panel. Left and right supports are positioned within a cavity of the carton. A plurality of pillow napkins are wound about a spool. The spool is positioned in the cavity such that the spool rotatably engages the left and right supports and the pillow napkins are spaced apart from the top and bottom panels. Methods of use are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: BEDGEAR, LLC
    Inventor: Eugene Alletto, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9351562
    Abstract: A device to set up on a regular work desk—and to extend such a regular work desk—so that the user can work standing up which is healthier than sitting down for extended periods of time as most the nation's work force does. The device has been especially designed for quick adoption in large corporations. The device is easily removable and foldable into a small volume. The device is composed of a foldable base on which is placed a flat top board, itself foldable. The base is configured in an series of elements articulated to form a multi-pointed star. Height adjusting feet are added. Board and base are made of light materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Orsini
  • Patent number: 9038979
    Abstract: A multifunctional case is configured for receiving or supporting a portable electronic device. The case includes a first layer and a second layer. The second layer is connected to the first layer by the edges. A receiving space is formed between the first and second layers for receiving the portable electronic device. The second layer is provided with a base portion, a main supporting portion, two side supporting portions and two remaining portions are formed on the second layer. The two side supporting portions and the remaining portions are symmetrically positioned at two sides of the main supporting portion. When the case is folded up as a support, the main supporting portion is angled with the base portion. The remaining portions are stacked on the base portion. The side supporting portions are perpendicular to the remaining portions and the main supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Li-Houng Lu, Hsin-Yung Yang, Ching-Min Lin, Tzu-Cheng Yu
  • Patent number: 8979043
    Abstract: This application discloses a bracket device used for mounting outdoor solar lighting on various types of surfaces, including but not limited to block walls, chain link fences, wooden fences and flat walls or for holding outdoor solar lighting devices as stand-alone fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Steven Florman
  • Patent number: 8967745
    Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a bank of storage units in side-by-side relationship above a ground surface includes an elongate member having an elongate top wall, having side edges and at least one leg section extending downwardly from one of the side edges. Each of the at least one leg section includes an elongate flange at a distal end that is contiguous to the ground. The elongate top wall has an elongate dimension between opposed ends for receiving a bank of storage units in side-by-side relationship on an upper surface thereof. The top wall includes attachment members for cooperating with a mounting plate for attaching the bank of storage units in side-by-side relationship to the top wall. The elongate flanges include a plurality of leveling adjuster passages for receiving leveling adjusters therethrough and a plurality of anchor passages for receiving anchoring members therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Penco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Everett Booth
  • Patent number: 8948570
    Abstract: An image capturing system that records on a video recording unit a video captured by an image capturing apparatus and displays the video thus captured on a display unit comprises a change recording unit that records information of the time when, and the region where, a change of status occurs when the change detection unit detects such a change of status, and an extraction unit that extracts a partial region of video from the video thus recorded for displaying on the display unit. The extraction unit switches the video that is displayed on the display unit by extracting a video of the region of the change of status when the imaging time of the video that is displayed on the display unit reaches a time before a time prior to change that is preset, from the time when the change of status occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuhiro Takanezawa
  • Patent number: 8944260
    Abstract: A free-standing display fixture includes a main body having a top edge, a bottom edge, a right side panel, a center panel and a left side panel. Each of the left side panel, the center panel and the right side panel include interior surfaces and the interior surfaces of the left side panel and the right side panel face each other. Located between and coupled to left side panel and right panel are a plurality of uniquely arranged display components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Laura L. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 8714507
    Abstract: A trivet having three or more lobes connected serially to one another by elastomeric connectors, such that each lobe is coupled to an adjacent lobe on each side to form a continuous loop of the three or more lobes, where the trivet can be converted from a closed configuration with the lobes directed inwardly to an open configuration, with the lobes directed outwardly, by rotating the lobes 180° on the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Robinson Home Products Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Harvey Lee, Jenna Marie Edgemon, Phornpavee Saiyavath
  • Patent number: 8579241
    Abstract: A footwear customization kit is disclosed. The kit comprises a container including an article of footwear, a stand, a steaming bag and a set of instructions. The article of footwear includes a customizable portion that can be deformed when heated. The stand and the steaming bag can be used to heat the article of footwear in a steam environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Alexandre Baudouin, William M. Dieter
  • Patent number: 8424829
    Abstract: A holder is for supporting a portable electronic device, including a foldable layer, a supporting assembly attached to the layer. When the holder is unfolded, the supporting assembly can be maintained in a two-dimensional structure. When the holder is folded, the supporting assembly forms a three-dimensional structure that will not collapse under a weight of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Li-Houng Lu, Hsin-Yung Yang, Ching-Min Lin, Tzu-Cheng Yu
  • Patent number: 8322664
    Abstract: A support device is provided for supporting one or more objects above a ground surface. The device includes a QO body portion and location means associated with the body portion to allow location and/or engagement of one or more objects with the device in use. The body portion has at least one compartment defined therein for containing strengthening means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgeshire Packaging Limited
    Inventor: Robert Booth
  • Patent number: 8181936
    Abstract: A jack stand for a vehicle includes a plurality of walls joined together to form a body, the body being hollow. A base is formed by lower edges of the walls and a top surface joins top edges of the walls. One of the walls includes a wall opening and the top includes a top opening, the wall opening and the top opening extending towards one another, meeting proximate the top edge of one of the walls, thereby forming a single, continuous opening extending from the top into one of the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Jackpoint Jackstands LLC
    Inventor: John A. Walton
  • Patent number: 7940023
    Abstract: A geometric end effector system for use on a robot. The system includes a platform and a frame secured to the platform. At least one base is arranged at a predetermined position on the frame. The system also has an anchor mount secured to the base and a component connected to an end of the anchor mount by a collar assembly. A key is arranged between the component and the anchor mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Kniss, Michael J. Goff, Jerry Berendt, Ron Micallef
  • Patent number: 7931157
    Abstract: Display bins for sheet goods which are easily assembled and disassembled are formed of bottom panels, front and rear display panels for holding sheet goods at suitable angles from the vertical for display. The front and rear display panels can be removably attached to both the bottom panel and at least two support brackets for use. All the components can be separated and stacked in a flat package for shipment or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventor: John A. Palumbo
  • Patent number: 7931188
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a combination of a pizza box and leveling device for the pizza box. The pizza box has at least one sidewall that is formed having two adjacent panels with a cavity between the adjacent panels, and, a bottom that has at least one slot. The at least one slot is substantially aligned with and provides access to the cavity. And, the leveling device has at least one portion thereof formed for insertion into the at least one slot and further into the cavity of the sidewall of the pizza box so as to detachably attach the leveling device to the pizza box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventors: Vito Marinelli, Richard J. Macor
  • Patent number: 7739816
    Abstract: A method for stably and easily exhibiting a flat plate-like article such as a flat exhibited article so as to be easily observed and less turned over and the flat plate-like article stably and simply exhibitable so as to be easily observed and less turned over and manufacturable at low cost. The flat plate-like article comprises two or more flat plate-like members and one or more connection parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Ferric Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Kowatari
  • Patent number: 7685751
    Abstract: Generally speaking, this is a card positioning device which maintains a card such as a greeting card or a postcard in a standing position. The card experiences a destabilizing moment. The card positioning device has a moment resisting section to resist the destabilizing moment and maintain the card in a standing position. The moment resisting section connects to the origin end of the longitudinal fold of the card and extends along the card edges from the origin to reinforce the card edges. The moment resisting section has a foot which has a heel and toe to resist the destabilizing moment. An ornament such as a flag, character or emblem can be attached to the base of the moment resisting section. The ornament, moment resisting section and card, may be inserted into an envelope and mailed to a recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Keith Knoernschild
  • Patent number: 7669811
    Abstract: A display holder for a tubular cylindrical roll, such as a lint roller. The holder includes a planar main section constructed of a flexible material as well as a roll support which is pivotally mounted to the lower end of the main body between an operable position and a collapsed position. In its operable position, the roll support extends outwardly from the main body and supports the lower end of a roll inserted over the main body. Conversely, in its collapsed position, the roll support folds flatly against the main body for shipping and high density packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: The Evercare Company
    Inventors: Peter John Williamson, Randall Thomas Garbaty
  • Publication number: 20090020663
    Abstract: A support device is provided for supporting one or more objects above a ground surface. The device includes a body portion and location means associated with the body portion to allow location and/or engagement of one or more objects with the device in use. The body portion has at least one compartment defined therein for containing strengthening means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Booth
  • Patent number: 7417552
    Abstract: A flood alarm is disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment, the flood alarm includes a float assembly and a telephone system interface module connected to the float assembly. A method of indicating a flood in a structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Milan Vaskovic
  • Patent number: 7216837
    Abstract: An inexpensive, lightweight, thin, portable, compact, reusable, easy to clean, holder that can support a container in an upright, inclined, or inverted position on level, non-level, and solid and liquid surfaces or suspended using a means of suspension, such as a wire. The generally star-shaped main body with radially extended arms, and containing a hole therein used to grip a container. The main body is incurvated into a concave shape by the insertion of a container into the hole located near the center of the main body. The incurvation occurs due to the elasticity of the material used for the main body forming a semi-rigid concave shape capable of supporting the weight of the container. The adaptability of the holder enables a wide range of uses for the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Andres Pineda
  • Patent number: 7066362
    Abstract: A carrying device most specifically for carrying a pizza box in a level position when placed on a car seat which slopes downwardly from the front edge of the car seat toward the back rest. A pair of side panels extend from a back panel and are joined together at the ends of the side panels opposite from the back panel. End flaps are located on the ends of the side panels opposite form the back panel and are elevated above the side panels. Likewise, the back panel extends above the height of the side panels. The side panels have a bottom edge which moves closer to the top edge as the side panels extend from the back panel to the end flaps. A pizza box fits between the back panel and the end flaps. If the carrying device is to be used with boxes of varying sizes, perforations are located in the top edge of the side panels to permit a variety of portions of the top edges of the side panels to be turned down to hold pizza boxes of varying sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Michael J. Marnell
  • Patent number: 7048243
    Abstract: A trivet comprises a pad of thermal insulating material having opposite surfaces from each of which a plurality of uniform height projections extends so as to provide a space between a container supported at one side of the body and a space between the body and the surface of an article on which the body is supported. The body has at least one opening therein for the removable accommodation of a retainer having a stem and an enlargement at one end thereof which may be deformed to enable it to pass through the opening in the body. The opposite end of the stem is joined to a coupling strap terminating at its opposite end in a second, similar retainer thereby enabling the coupling strap to join two similar bodies to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: GRM Corporation
    Inventor: Lee E. Steinman
  • Patent number: 6851589
    Abstract: A carrying device most specifically for carrying a pizza box in a level position when placed on a car seat which slopes downwardly from the front edge of the car seat toward the back rest. A pair of side panels extend from a back panel and are joined together at the ends of the side panels opposite from the back panel. End flaps are located on the ends of the side panels opposite form the back panel and are elevated above the side panels. Likewise, the back panel extends above the height of the side panels. The side panels have a bottom edge which moves closer to the top edge as the side panels extend from the back panel to the end flaps. A pizza box fits between the back panel and the end flaps. If the carrying device is to be used with boxes of varying sizes, perforations are located in the top edge of the side panels to permit a variety of portions of the top edges of the side panels to be turned down to hold pizza boxes of varying sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Michael J. Marnell
  • Publication number: 20040238700
    Abstract: A one-piece stand comprised of a rectangular base platform and an inclined backrest with a lip or flange adapted to hold and face a single “Personal” tube type sound pre-amplification (pre-amp) unit, similarly sized sound modification unit (approx' 5½″×5½″×1½″), or the like at an approximate 45 degree angle towards the user to provide for increased visibility and easier control access, formed of materials having sufficient rigidity to retain the intended shape and withstand the weight of the intended sound modification units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Robert J. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 6815036
    Abstract: A protector device for connection to and transport with a paint bucket includes a flexible protector sheet having an interior, a stiffener member disposed in the interior to resist flexing of the protector sheet and a connector for releasably connecting the protector sheet and stiffener member to the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Edward J. Romero
  • Patent number: 6776379
    Abstract: A container with brackets secured thereto, for supporting adjustable legs for pivotal movement between a retracted position and an extended position in which they support the container, is disclosed. The container, especially a five gallon bucket, is provided with a plurality of brackets for supporting at least three legs for pivotal movement between a first, retracted position and a second, extended position, with a lock for locking the legs in the extended position. Preferably, the legs comprise telescoping members with locks for locking the members in a variety of relative positions. The brackets have a container sidewall flange, which is positioned against a sidewall of the container, at least one container bottom flange, which is positioned against a bottom of the container, and two leg support flanges, which extend outwardly from the container sidewall flanges and a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Phillips Mfg. and Tower Co.
    Inventors: Lanny Sherer, Kris Sherer
  • Publication number: 20030234333
    Abstract: A support device for displaying individual objects, such as books in a readable position, comprises a backrest having a substantially planar upper portion having an upper edge and a substantially curved lower portion comprising a cradle having a free edge. A support means is adapted to support the upper portion whereby in operation the upper portion of the backrest is rearwardly inclined from the cradle, and object restraining means are affixed substantially perpendicular to the free edge of the cradle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Paul Gerhard Kind
  • Patent number: 6581785
    Abstract: A display apparatus for displaying an article such as a pneumatic tire includes an elongate base with a substantially planar top surface and article support members projecting from said top surface at opposed ends of the base. Opposed side or lateral article support members are also provided each having an elongate side wall for supporting the article and connection means are provided projecting from opposed ends of each of the side article support members for removable and adjustable inner connection with the article support members on the base to provide a display for displaying an article such as a pneumatic tire in a vertical position and with the ability to accommodate different sizes of tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Albert Screenprint, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Richard Falkenstein
  • Patent number: 6550725
    Abstract: An adjustable fan stand is presented. The fan stand has an essentially parallel-piped upper housing that would be slightly larger than the standard twenty-inch by six-inch box fan. The upper housing is supported by two legs which are also connected at the bottom by a support. The legs have perpendicular feet which allow the entire fan stand to remain in position when a box fan is placed inside the fan housing. The fan housing has a number of vertical holes and is connected to each of the legs by wingnuts. By utilizing the various sets of holes and tightening or loosening the wingnuts, the height of the box fan above the floor may be adjusted as desired. The pitch of the box fan may also be adjusted to direct the cooling air to the upper torso of a worker as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Dale E. Watson
  • Patent number: 6550645
    Abstract: A flexible bladder is enclosed within a plurality of overlapping plastic sheets, with the ends of the sheets being secured in place by the weight of the flexible bladder, when filled. The preferred plastic is an extruded, twin-walled, fluted plastic based upon a polypropylene copolymer. In a alternative embodiment, a pair of hexagonal, coaxial sleeves of the preferred plastic have an internal bladder for shipping materials. With both embodiments, hot chocolate is pumped into the bladder and cooled, in situ, to stop the chocolate from cooking further. The container is shipped, and then the chocolate is heated to facilitate pumping the chocolate out of the container. The cooling and heating processes involve the use of a heat exchange pad located between the bladder and the inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Cortainer Patent Warehouse, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Charles M. Nelson, James D. Patton
  • Patent number: 6488245
    Abstract: A point of sale display stand includes a peg type article display tray having side walls, an end wall forming shelf and a bottom wall which is inclined upright when in use. A tray support has a collapsible state and a deployed state. The support comprises two triangular sidewalls with medial foldlines and spaced upper and lower rear walls connected by foldlines to the sidewalls. A flat sheet material brace is attached to the lowermost support rear wall medially the upper and rear walls by a foldline. The support has two sets of two L-shaped tabs that mate in slots in the tray bottom wall. The bottom wall cooperates with the support three walls to form a four wall support for the tray. The tabs have cantilevered legs wherein an upper pair of tabs have their cantilevered legs facing upwardly and the lower pair of tabs have their cantilevered legs facing in the opposite direction downwardly when the display is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen Thomas Maglione
  • Patent number: 6478268
    Abstract: A display stand for supporting a conventional cooler chest or other product holding container including a first member foldable to form a shell for receiving the cooler chest, a second member positionable within the shell for supporting the cooler chest when positioned thereon, and a third member positionable within the shell providing a floor surface for holding the cooler chest, the third member being located within the shell such that the shell wraps around the side walls of the cooler chest when the cooler chest is positioned on the third member. The third member further includes an extension portion foldable to form a drain spout, the drain spout being positionable through a door assembly associated with the first member for funneling the waste water away from the cooler chest to a suitable container positioned exterior of the display stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Paul Flum Ideas, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher C. Bidwell, Rebecca J. Bidwell, Andrew J. Covault, Keith Harbour
  • Patent number: 6382412
    Abstract: A display easel for displaying literature and holding a blister pack is disclosed. The display easel has a cover flap to cover a literature display panel. Both the literature display panel and the cover flap are connected to a blister pack panel positioned behind the literature display panel. At the opposite end of the display easel from the connection between the cover flap, the literature display panel, and the blister pack panel, a bottom is formed by attaching a base section to the bottoms of the literature display panel and the blister pack panel. There are pockets in the literature display panel and the blister pack panel into which literature and a blister pack, respectively, may be inserted In one aspect of the present invention, all of these sections are formed from a unitary sheet of paperboard material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Cliff Wood
  • Patent number: 6334598
    Abstract: End and side panels, welded together to form a frusto-pyramid, are surmounted by a dished wheel-receiving platform, for supporting a truck etc wheel. The units are wide open underneath, for stacking. Hand holes in the end panels allow the units to be manhandled and stacked. A cross-brace under the platform strengthens the structure, and holds the stacked units apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Safety Supports Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Harry Gutzke, Gordon Roy Burkholder, James Van Kessel
  • Patent number: 6234433
    Abstract: A point of sale display stand includes a peg type article display and a display support that has a collapsible state and a deployed state. The support comprises two triangular sidewalls with medial foldlines and spaced upper and lower rear walls connected by foldlines to the sidewalls. A flat sheet material brace is attached to the lowermost support rear wall by a foldline. An elastomeric member is connected to the brace and display rear wall. The brace and support rear and sidewalls fold in overlying relation in a collapsed state stretching the elastomeric member creating a potential energy tensile load therein. Initial lifting the support lowermost rear wall in the deployment direction automatically snap releases the brace to a deployed locked state deploying the support walls such that the support is in position to support the article display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Stephen Thomas Maglione
  • Patent number: 6149111
    Abstract: A support device includes a flexible sheet material foldable to form a three-dimensional two-sided A-frame structure having at least a pair of substantially aligned predetermined holes, one above the other and a pole-like element insertable through the vertically aligned holes and supported by the three-dimensional folded structure, the pole-like element maintaining the flexible sheet material as the three-dimensional two-sided A-frame structure when folded. The flexible sheet material is preferably a die-cut and scored piece of material such as cardboard. The holes may be formed within corresponding tab-like sections of the flexible sheet material. According to an embodiment, the three-dimensional two-sided a-frame structure is a retail point-of-purchase display sign support and the pole-like element is a support for a display sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Marc I. Epstein
  • Patent number: 6116553
    Abstract: A fireworks display 10 is provided for easy transport to display sites in compact form where it can be unfolded and assembled to place fireworks in an elevated position. The elevated position of the fireworks increase the viewing zone for spectators and allows the fireworks sparks to burn longer as they free fall to the ground. The stand 10 includes first and second vertical panels 30, 40, reinforcing strips 70 for increasing rigidity of the panels 30, 40, and a cap 50 for displaying the fireworks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Scott A. McKee
  • Patent number: 6053462
    Abstract: A supporting frame structure is formed by two oppositely disposed and substantially identically shaped halves made of a bendable elastic material. Each half is made of a foil (1). The foil (1) contains about in the middle a round or square opening (2) and on one side an incision in the shape of a cutting line (3). The cutting line (3) extends radially from the edge of the foil to the opening (2). The two foils (1), disposed opposite to each other in parallel planes, are deformed by rotation of the cutting edges by about 90.degree. out of the original foil plane in the direction of their counterpart. Subsequently, the in each case oppositely disposed cutting edges are connected to each other providing for a common, stable, and support-providing frame structure based on a mutually suspending winding tension of the two structure halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Michael Latzel
  • Patent number: 6015121
    Abstract: A stand for supporting an item in an upright manner and which includes a base portion (1), a plurality of side portions (2) hinged to the base portion (1) so that they can be folded to be substantially flat with the base (1) or orientated at an angle to the base (1) for supporting the item, biasing element (26, 27) responsive to the item being inserted in the stand to bias each side portion into contact with the item for support in the stand, and an element (8) for supporting each side portion at an angle to the base against the bias force direction wherein each side portion supporting element (8) is releasable for folding the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: Martin Shaun Reid
  • Patent number: 5996947
    Abstract: A new hopper stand for holding the hopper of a texturing spraying device in a stable position above a surface. The inventive device includes a main support member and a secondary support member. The main support member has an elongate base portion and a pair of spaced apart elongate leg portions. The secondary support member has a base portion and a leg portion. The base portion of the secondary support member is coupled to the base portion of the main support member. An upper support rail is coupled to the leg portions of the main support member and the secondary support member. A lower support rail is also coupled to the leg portions of the main support member and the secondary support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Salvatore Palmieri, III
  • Patent number: 5850779
    Abstract: A structure is adapted to rest on a top surface of an oven, surrounding a burner of the oven. The structure is adapted to support a pan such that the pan is tilted and positioned above the burner. The structure further comprises a barrier depending outwardly from the structure for keeping the pan from sliding off of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Inventor: John A. R. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5836554
    Abstract: A support base for a gas water heater cylindrical housing is described. The base comprises a circular bottom dish having a flat bottom wall and a circumferential flange. A circumferential rounded edge is provided between the bottom wall and the flange. Air passages are defined about the circumferential flange. A circular housing support bottom wall, of larger diameter, is secured on the circumferential flange and has a central passage formed therein to admit air to a burner chamber supported on the bottom wall and through the air passages of the base wherein air currents are developed to cool the base when the burner is in use. The base therefore provides heat loss and further permits sliding and rolling displacement of the water heater cylindrical housing on a floor surface without damaging the floor surface due to the circumferential rounded edge of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Giant Factories Inc.
    Inventor: Claude Lesage
  • Patent number: 5813638
    Abstract: A supporting assembly for a mixing bowl is provided including a support having first and second opposing edges and at least one open end defining an interior space. First and second holding members are provided, each holding member covering at least a portion of an associated edge of the support. The holding members are constructed and arranged such that when the supporting assembly is disposed with the first holding member in contact with a planar surface and a mixing bowl is at least partially disposed in the interior space with the second holding member contacting a peripheral surface of the mixing bowl, friction between the mixing bowl and the second holding member and between the planar surface and the first holding member holds the bowl stationary with respect to the planar surface when contents of the mixing bowl are mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: David F. Morris
    Inventor: David F. Morris
  • Patent number: 5752599
    Abstract: A can holder for use with a can of smokeless tobacco is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a threaded container for receiving and securing a can of smokeless tobacco. A mirror is connected to the underside of the container to assist a smokeless tobacco user in determining whether or not tobacco particles have become lodged or are adhering to their teeth. A toothpick removably retained within a toothpick housing assists a smokeless tobacco user in removing any detected tobacco particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Stephen J. Veltman
    Inventor: Stephen J. Veltman
  • Patent number: 5716033
    Abstract: A removable internal support for a flexible bag made of flexible material with material memory so that the removable internal support for a flexible bag will attempt to return to a flat configuration when rolled up: Locking apertures constrain the removable internal support for a flexible bag in a rolled-up configuration for insertion into a flexible bag. Rounded corners defined by the intersection of a bottom edge and a top edge with vertical edges, and rounded intersection corners at the intersections of the locking apertures with the vertical edges, prevent the removable internal support for a flexible bag from snagging a flexible bag in which it is installed. The locking apertures are quickly and easily released once the removable internal support for a flexible bag is in position in the flexible bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: David B. Gibson
  • Patent number: 5678701
    Abstract: A retail display with bowls for holding and displaying weighty small parts such as steel bolts, nuts, screwdriver bits, drill bits and the like, having a base portion and an upright portion holding the bowls. The upright portion is resiliently cantilevered to the base portion such that it flexes downwardly toward the base portion under applied weight. The bowls are supported in the upright portion in such location that they gently touch or almost touch each vertically adjacent bowl, and the bottom bowl gently or almost touches the base. When a load is applied, particularly when the bowls are filled with weighty products to be displayed, the upright portion flexes downwardly until the vertically aligned bowls firmly touch each other and the bottom bowl firmly touches the base, thereby providing strong support for the weighted bowls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: Wayne Anderson