Having Continuous Cycle Of Item Or Item Support Patents (Class 40/511)
  • Patent number: 11700926
    Abstract: A mobile device mounted holder includes a body portion, the body portion including a slot for receiving cards. The mobile device mounted holder further includes an attachment mechanism, integrated with the body portion, for attaching to a mobile device. The mobile device mounted holder further includes a clip end located proximate to the slot, such that the clip end prevents the cards, when located in the slot, from sliding out of the slot and the clip end is attached to a flexible arm such that the clip end has a flexed position and in the flexed position the cards are removable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Nite Ize, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Adelman, William R. Brennan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11488496
    Abstract: A collectable card mounting device may include a rear wall, a pair of opposed arcuate side walls extending in a forward and outward direction from the rear wall and having a retaining lip for engaging a front surface of the collectable card. The side walls may further include a respective collectable card support member extending from each side wall at an angle. The mounting device may display a collectable on both vertical and horizontal surfaces. The arcuate side walls may define front and rear support ridges that support the device in a portrait orientation at a desirable viewing angle on a horizontal surface. A cover sheet may be dimensioned to extend beyond the width of the rear wall and support the device in a landscape orientation at a desirable viewing angle on a horizontal surface. The mounting device configuration provides an aesthetically desirable display of the collectable with only minimal visibility of the mounting device components and which may include a floating effect on a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: ComicLock LLC
    Inventors: William L. Zeuch, Thomas J. Lanagan
  • Patent number: 11450241
    Abstract: A holder for holding an electronic label device includes a body; a first coupler including a top horizontal extension and a pressing portion extending from the top horizontal extension in a front direction at a predetermined curvature; a second coupler extending in a horizontal direction and protruding from a top of the body in a front direction, wherein the second coupler is spaced from the pressing portion to define a clipping gap therebetween; and a third coupler including: a bottom horizontal extension extending in a horizontal direction and protruding from a bottom of the body in a front direction; and a guide portion extending from the bottom horizontal extension at a predetermined angle relative to the bottom horizontal extension, such that an upper portion of the guide portion and the bottom horizontal extension define a protrusion receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: RAINUS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun-Hak Kim, Gi-Tae Do, Hyun-Hun Oh, Min-Jae Ryu
  • Patent number: 6658772
    Abstract: A bill board apparatus for displaying multiple messages from a plurality of message segments. A series of message segments are arranged upon an axis so as to form a complete display message by a minimum of two segments. A swing arm or actuator arm that is in conection with the first sign segment of the plurality of segments turns each segment 180° in order to display a different message when the time has come to display a new message. A computer may be used to actuate the actuator and this may be programmed so as to display different messages for different lengths of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Manouchehr Haghighi
  • Patent number: 6295748
    Abstract: In an apparatus for turning over individual sheets assembled to form a stack, preferably for leafing through program tiles of a jukebox, the sheets are arranged to pivot about mutually parallel pivot pins and are provided with projections rising above the pivot pins on which a support engages so that a sheet is turned over to the opposite side. A space-saving design, in which unintentional turning-over of the pages is effectively prevented, is provided in that at least one fixing device and stop device are provided, the fixing device being in contact with the open sheets so that in the turning-over movement of an open sheet it is moved against a force acting on the fixing apparatus, and the stop device being arranged so that the sheets adjoining the open sheets are in contact with the stop device so that their pivoting in the turning-over direction is prevented at least until the projections of the adjacent sheets are in a position of engagement with the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: NSM Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilhelm Menke, Börge Heidersberger
  • Patent number: 5822901
    Abstract: A picture display assembly has a hollow base seat, a main frame coupling with the hollow base seat, a transparent plate covering a front face of the main frame, a rear plate covering a rear face of the main frame, a separation plate disposed in a front interior of the main frame, a display chamber defined between the transparent plate and the separation plate, an elastic plate disposed in a rear interior of the main frame, a storage chamber defined between the separation plate and the elastic plate, an upper plate disposed in an upper interior of the main frame, a slit defined between the separation plate and the upper plate, a switch plate disposed on an upper end of the upper plate, a swivel button disposed on an end of the switch plate, a rolling device disposed in a top interior of the main frame, and a roller set disposed in a middle interior of the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Yu-Jung Fang
  • Patent number: 5276987
    Abstract: A display system for two-dimensional displays wherein images are applied (e.g., photographically, printed or the like) to transparent sheets and transported through a viewing machine, the sheets being sequentially positioned in a back-lighted viewing window. The sheets are suspended from rods and stored behind the back-lighting area. The rods are arranged in a desired sequence in a storage rack having an entrance and exit. A chain is entrained on a circuitous pathway through the machine. The pathway starts at the exit end of the storage rack referred to as a pick-up station, then passes over the back-lighting area, extends downwardly between the back-lighted area and the window, passes under the back-lighting area and behind the stored display sheets to a return station that receives the sheets and directs them to the entrance to the storage rack, and then back to the pick-up station. The images are inverted on the sheets with the sheets suspended from the rods, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Diamond Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Honse
  • Patent number: 5253438
    Abstract: A display apparatus and a display method using this apparatus in which a plurality of circulating members are accommodated in two accommodation chambers formed in a frame. The circulating members are circulated by being moved vertically or laterally by first and second feed devices and first and second transport devices so that the display is successively changed, thereby enabling various information items to be displayed easily and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Inventors: Katsuji Norizuki, Hideo Kudoh
  • Patent number: 5193795
    Abstract: A device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of sheets with a housing having a viewing window, from which housing a slider member can be withdrawn and reinserted, and with elements for removing a sheet from an inserted pile and transferring the same to the other end of the pile on each movement cycle of the slider member. When the slider member is inserted the pile is pressed against the viewing window by a pressing arrangement which comprises rails supported on leaf springs. The rails having integrally moulded function elements, such as anchoring projections, sheet stop members, blocking projections, spacer ribs and guide prongs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 5107611
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square sheets, especially a pile (182) of photographic prints, having a first (12) and a second (14) frame part which may be moved relative to one another and parallel to the main plane of the pile, and having means that, on movement of the frame parts backwards and forwards, remove an individual sheet from one end of the pile and add it to the other end of the pile again, these means comprising(a) a separating means (20,68,71) for separating the individual sheet from the pile,(b) a feeding means (22) for feeding sheets to the separating means,(c) retaining means (26,28,32,80) for holding the individual sheet in the first frame part and the remainder of the pile in the other frame part, and(d) a guide means (79) for guiding the separated individual sheet for the purpose of returning it to the other end of the remainder of the pile,the guide means having a stop member (52) which can be brought up against the transverse e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 5103580
    Abstract: A device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular sheets, especially photographic prints. The device includes first and second frame parts (12, 14), of which one has a viewing window (35) in front of a principal face of the pile. The frame parts can be pulled away from each other and pushed back together again parallel to the plane of this face. A single sheet is removed from one end of the pile when the frame parts are pulled away from each other and returned to the other end of the pile when the frame parts are pushed together. During its movement relative to the window, the sheet facing the window is held spaced from the window by elements on the frame parts which are arranged and designed so that they overlap all edges of the picture but nevertheless render possible the passage of the picture through the gap defined by those elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 5101588
    Abstract: A container for accommodating a pile of pictures, having a picture exchanging mechanism, is provided. The container has a window under which the pile of pictures is held in a viewing and storage position. At least one picture in the pile can be pulled out on a slider member such that when the slider member is pushed back in, the at least one picture is returned to the other end of the pile, so that a different picture can be viewed in the window. A hold-down member which prevents the withdrawn picture from falling out of the slider member while the slider member is pulled out is at least partially retracted when the slider member is pushed back in, so that it is not visible in the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 5060408
    Abstract: A device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of sheets with a housing having a viewing window, from which housing a slider member can be withdrawn and reinserted, and with elements for removing a sheet from an inserted pile and transferring the same to the other end of the pile on each movement cycle of the slider member. When the slider member is inserted the pile is pressed against the viewing window by a pressing arrangement which comprises rails supported on leaf springs. The rails have integrally moulded function elements, such as anchoring projections, sheet stop members, blocking projections, spacer ribs and guide prongs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 5048209
    Abstract: An apparatus for cyclic rearrangement of a stack of sheets includes a transfer system for an individual sheet so as to displace it from one stack end to the other stack end. The transfer system includes at least one pivotable element, namely a bent wire element subjected to spring bias which, in turn is produced by the wire element itself due to its being deformed upon assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignees: Licinvest AG, Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 5044101
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square sheets, especially a pile of photographic prints, having a first and a second frame part which may be moved relative to one another and parallel to the main plane of the pile, and having structure that, on movement of the frame parts backwards and forwards, remove an individual sheet at one end of the pile and add it to the other end of the pile again, this structure comprising:(a) a separating element to separate the individual sheet from the pile,(b) a feeding element to feed sheets to the separating element,(c) a retaining element, to hold the individual sheet in the first frame part and the remainder of the pile in the other frame part, and(d) a guide element, to guide the separated individual sheet for the purpose of returning it to the other end of the remainder of the pile,wherein as the feeding element, there is provided a transporter (22, 404, 420) engaging the sheet to be separated at its rear edge in t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4993178
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square sheets, especially a pile (182) of photographic prints, having a first (12) and a second (14) frame part which may be moved relative to one another and parallel to the main plane of the pile, and having a sheet cycling structure that, on movement of the frame parts backwards and forwards, removes an individual sheet (188) from one end of the pile and adds it to the other end of the pile again, this sheet cycling structure comprising:(a) a separator structure (20, 68, 71) for separating the individual sheet from the pile,(b) a feeder structure (22) for feeding sheets to the separator structure,(c) a retainer structure (26, 28, 32, 80) for holding the individual sheet in the first frame part and the remainder of the pile in the other frame part, and(d) a guiding structure (79) for guiding the separated individual sheet for the purpose of returning it to the other end of the remainder of the pile,wherein the retaine
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4993179
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square sheets, especially a pile (182) of photographic prints, having a first (12) and a second (14) frame part which may be moved relative to one another and parallel to the main plane of the pile, and having means that, on movement of the frame parts backwards and forwards, remove an individual sheet from one end of the pile and add it to the other end of the pile again, these means comprising:(a) a separating means (20, 68, 71) for separating the individual sheet from the pile,(b) a feeding means (22) for feeding sheets to the separating means,(c) retaining means (26, 28, 32, 80) for holding the individual sheet in the first frame part and the remainder of the pile in the other frame part, and(d) a guide means (79) for guiding the separated individual sheet for the purpose of returning it to the other end of the remainder of the pile,wherein the feeding means (22) on the first frame part (12) has a contact face lying
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4986015
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square sheets, especially a pile of photographic prints, having a first (12) and a second (14) frame part which may be moved relative to one another and parallel to the main plane of the pile, and having a mechanism that, on movement of the frame parts backwards and forwards, remove an individual sheet from one end of the pile and add it to the other end of the pile again, this mechanism comprising:(a) a separating device (20/266) for separating the individual sheet (188) from the pile,(b) a feeding device (460) for feeding sheets to the separating device,(c) retaining device (460/20) for holding the individual sheet in the first frame part and the remainder of the pile in the other frame part, and(d) a guide device (386) for guiding the separated individual sheet for the purpose of returning it to the other end of the remainder of the pile,wherein the feeding device and the retaining device for holding the individual
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4970813
    Abstract: The picture changer comprises a housing with a window and a slider member, on the actuation of which a pile of pictures housed in the changer is cyclically rearranged. To simplify construction and give the change-over movement any easy action, the process of separating the individual picture, which takes place under strong spring bias, is restricted to a short partial travel. As the change-over movement continues, the individual sheet is stiffened in the conveying direction so that it holds the remainder of the pile at a distance from the separating gap and itself is held by stop members. The change-over function can be interrupted by displacing the separating gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4970814
    Abstract: A system for exchanging and storing window-display posters (1-6) has two storage areas (11,12) in which the posters are movably stored perpendicularly to their surfaces. Transport of the window-display posters between the storage zones is effected through two planes that border on the storage zones. At least one of the planes is arranged for displaying several posters. A conveyor is provided for carrying the posters into and out of the planes, as well as for guiding the posters within the planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: David Briscoe
  • Patent number: 4928413
    Abstract: A display device having a cabinet for mounting first and second display panels, each having a display surface for a message. The panels are mounted in mutually overlying relationship so that one of the display surfaces can be viewed through an opening in the front of the cabinet. Structure is provided for interchanging the first and second panels so that the other of the first and second display surfaces is exposed to be viewed through the front cabinet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Rapid Mounting & Finishing Company
    Inventor: Robert K. Rutchik
  • Patent number: 4902193
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square pictures, with a first and a second frame part (12, 14), which can be moved back and forth parallel to the principal plane of the pile of pictures held by them, with a separator bar (20), arranged in the second frame part (14), which defines a separating through-gap for a picture and a return through-gap for the picture, with a retaining element in the first frame part (12) for retaining a picture taken from one end of the pile and guided through a separating through-gap, and with a guide element for shifting the retained picture transversely to the pile and returning it through the return through-gap to the other end of the pile, and with a viewing window (35) in one of the frame parts (12), wherein the two frame parts (12, 14) are coupled by way of a free-wheel-type device which, when the two frame parts (12, 14) are in the end position where they are pulled completely apart, frees the return movement and, in t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4899475
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container for a pile of sheets essentially of like format with a housing (12), which has a viewing window (35) exposing to view the uppermost sheet in the pile, and with a slider member (14), which can be pulled out of the housing parallel to the plane of the window, having a front wall (61) essentially flush with one edge of the housing, which wall is joined by side-pieces (44) to a slider member rear wall (20), as well as a grip arrangement (56, 57) that fits-in in the direction of the window (35) from the front wall (61) and comprises a grip top plate or wall part (56) and a grip bottom plate or wall part (57), the outer faces of which are essentially flush with the surrounding outer faces of the housing, and having at least one housing part (627) that extends parallel to the or one of the grip plates and, when the slider member (14) is in the pushed-in state, is covered by this grip plate (57).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4897946
    Abstract: A device for cyclically rearranging a pile of rectangular or square sheets (such as photographic prints) by repeatedly performing the operation of removing one sheet from one end of the pile and returning the removed sheet to the other end of the pile. To facilitate removal of each sheet from the pile, the sheet to be removed is pressed against a frictional surface by a roller on the separator structure which moves relative to the sheet to be removed in order to separate that sheet from the remainder of the pile. The frictional surface moves with the sheet to be removed, and the roller helps ensure that the sheet to be removed stays in contact with the frictional surface and is moved thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4869006
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile (182) of sheets having a housing (12) with a viewing window (35) and a slider member (14) that can be pulled out of the housing (12) and pushed back into the housing again parallel to the latter, and having a sheet-changing mechanism by means of which one sheet in the pile (182) is retained in the housing while the slider member (14) transports the remainder of the pile out of the housing (12), means being provided for removing the sheet remaining in the housing (12) from the housing (12) through the opening provided in the housing for the slider member (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4860473
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square sheets, especially a pile (182) of photographic prints, having a first (12) and a second (14) frame part which may be moved relative to one another and parallel to the main plane of the pile, and having a sheet cycling structure that, on movement of the frame parts backwards and forwards, removes an individual sheet (188) from one end of the pile and adds it to the other end of the pile again, this sheet cycling structure comprising:(a) a separator structure (20, 68, 71) for separating the individual sheet from the pile,(b) a feeder structure (22) for feeding sheets to the separator structure,(c) a retainer structure (26, 28, 32, 80) for holding the individual sheet in the first frame part and the remainder of the pile in the other frame part, and(d) a guiding structure (79) for guiding the separated individual sheet for the purpose of returning it to the other end of the remainder of the pile, wherein the retain
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4860472
    Abstract: The picture viewing device comprises a housing and a slider member, which may be displaced backwards and forwards relative to one another and parallel to a viewing window, in order thereby to rearrange cyclically a pile of pictures. The pile is located in a removable container which has an opening complementary with the window and openings which allow the pile to be changed. Optionally, components of the change-over mechanism are contained in the container. The container may be formed by the slider member itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4801016
    Abstract: A planar element storage and display apparatus is provided having an outer box and a carriage slidably mounted therein. The carriage can be pulled from the outer box and a stack of planar elements such as photographs can be placed face up therein. The carriage box is provided with a display window for viewing the upper most element when the carriage carrying the stack of photographs is pushed into the outer box. The outer box is equipped with a detaching means which holds the upper most element and separates it from the stack when the carriage is withdrawn from the outer box. When the carriage is pulled out of the outer box, the upper most element is separated from the stack and drops to the floor of the outer box. Means is provided for placing the dropped element on the bottom of the stack when the carriage is pushed back into the outer box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Elmer L. Thompson, Jr.
    Inventor: Hans Irrgeher
  • Patent number: 4787162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square sheets, especially a pile (182) of photographic prints, having a first (12) and a second (14) frame part which may be moved relative to one another and parallel to the main plane of the pile, and having means that, on movement of the frame parts backwards and forwards, remove an individual sheet from one end of the pile and add it to the other end of the pile again, these means comprising:(a) a separating means (20, 68, 71) for separating the individual sheet from the pile,(b) a feeding means (22) for feeding sheets to the separating means,(c) retaining means (26, 28, 32, 80) for holding the individual sheet in the first frame part and the remainder of the pile in the other frame part, and(d) a guide means (79) for guiding the separated individual sheet for the purpose of returning it to the other end of the remainder of the pile, wherein the feeding means (22) on the first frame part (12) has a contact face lyin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4783919
    Abstract: A device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular sheets, especially photographic prints. The device includes first and second frame parts (12, 14), of which one has a viewing window (35) in front of a principal face of the pile. The frame parts can be pulled away from each other and pushed back together again parallel to the plane of this face. A single sheet is removed from one end of the pile when the frame parts are pulled away from each other and returned to the other end of the pile when the frame parts are pushed together. During its movement relative to the window, the sheet facing the window is held spaced from the window by elements on the frame parts which are arranged and designed so that they overlap all edges of the picture but nevertheless render possible the passage of the picture through the gap defined by those elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4784556
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square pictures, with a first and a second frame part (12, 14), which can be moved back and forth parallel to the principal plane of the pile of pictures held by them, with a separator bar (20), arranged in the second frame part (14), which defines a separating through-gap for a picture and a return through-gap for the picture, with a retaining element in the first frame part (12) for retaining a picture taken from one end of the pile and guided through a separating through-gap, and with a guide element for shifting the retained picture transversely to the pile and returning it through the return through-gap to the other end of the pile, and with a viewing window (35) in one of the frame parts (12), wherein the two frame parts (12, 14) are coupled by way of a free-wheel-type device which, when the two frame parts (12, 14) are in the end position where they are pulled completely apart, frees the return movement and, in t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4780976
    Abstract: A container for accommodating a pile of pictures, having a picture exchanging mechanism, is provided. The container has a window under which the pile of pictures is held in a viewing and storage position. At least one picture in the pile can be pulled out on a slider member such that when the slider member is pushed back in, the at least one picture is returned to the other end of the pile, so that a different picture can be viewed in the window. A hold-down member which prevents the withdrawn picture or pictures from falling out of the slider member while the slider member is pulled out is at least partially retracted when the slider member is pushed back in, so that it is not visible in the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4777748
    Abstract: A device for cyclically rearranging a pile of rectangular or square sheets (such as photographic prints) by repeatedly performing the operation of removing one sheet from one end of the pile and returning the removed sheet to the other end of the pile. To facilitate removal of each sheet from the pile, the sheet to be removed is pressed against a frictional surface by a roller on the separator structure which moves relative to the sheet to be removed in order to separate that sheet from the remainder of the pile. The frictional surface moves with the sheet to be removed, and the roller helps ensure that the sheet to be removed stays in contact with the frictional surface and is moved thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4776119
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container for a pile of sheets essentially of like format with a housing (12), which has a viewing window (35) exposing to view the uppermost sheet in the pile, and with a slider member (14), which can be pulled out of the housing parallel to the plane of the window, having a front wall (61) essentially flush with one edge of the housing, which wall is joined by side-pieces (44) to a slider member rear wall (20), as well as a grip arrangement (56, 57) that fits-in in the direction of the window (35) from the front wall (61) and comprises a grip top plate or wall part (56) and a grip bottom plate or wall part (57), the outer faces of which are essentially flush with the surrounding outer faces of the housing, and having at least one housing part (627) that extends parallel to the or one of the grip plates and, when the slider member (14) is in the pushed-in state, is covered by this grip plate (57).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4774779
    Abstract: A holder for a stack of a variable number of pictures is disclosed. The holder includes a clamping device whereby a stack of pictures in the holder is held against a window. Pictures can be added or removed at an open end of the window frame or through the back of the frame. Alignment devices are provided, preferably on at least two sides of the frame, to align the uppermost picture in the stack with the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4772168
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square pictures, with a first and a second frame part (12, 14) which can be moved back and forth relative to one another and parallel to the principal plane of the pile of pictures enclosed by the two of them, and with element which, on moving the frame parts (12, 14) back and forth, remove a single picture (188) from one end of the pile and reinsert on the other end of the pile and which have a separator for separating the individual picture (188) from the pile of pictures, a feeder for feeding pictures to the separator a retainer for holding the individual picture (188) in the first frame part and for holding the remainder of the pile in the second frame part (12, 14) and a guide for guiding the separated individual picture (188) for the purpose of returning it to the other end of the remainder of the pile, wherein the separator has a first and a second separating device (68, 20) on the first and on the second frame p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Perer Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4763429
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square sheets, especially a pile of photographic prints, having a first and a second frame part which may be moved relative to one another and parallel to the main plane of the pile, and having means that, on movement of the frame parts backwards and forwards, remove an individual sheet at one end of the pile and add it to the other end of the pile again, these means comprising:(a) a separating means to separate the individual sheet from the pile,(b) a feeding means to feed sheets to the separating means,(c) retaining means to hold the individual sheet in the first frame part and the remainder of the pile in the other frame part, and(d) a guide means to guide the separated individual sheet for the purpose of returning it to the other end of the remainder of the pile, wherein as the feeding means there is provided a transporter (22, 404, 420) engaging the sheet to be separated at its rear edge in the direction of transpo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4759142
    Abstract: Apparatus for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square sheets, especially a pile of photographic prints, is provided. The apparatus has a first and a second frame part which may be moved relative to one another and parallel to the main plane of the pile, and a picture changer which, on movement of the frame parts backwards and forwards, removes an individual sheet at one end of the pile and adds it to the other end of the pile. The picture changer includes a first and a second separating member which, resiliently biased towards each other, define a through-gap which for the entry of the sheet being separated has a spacing greater than the thickness of one sheet and less than the thickness of two sheets, which spacing is, during the outward movement of the frame parts, maintained or reduced to the thickness of the sheet being separated, as appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4688342
    Abstract: A shuttle display apparatus including a base formed with multiple sets of pairs of parallel lateral tracks connected together on their opposite ends by respective longitudinal shuttle tracks. Display panels are racked together for translinear travel progressively in such lateral tracks to selectively display, in coplanar relationship, the respective front sides of a pair of such panels in one direction and to thereafter selectively display the back sides of such panels in coplanar relationship in the opposite direction. A drive is provided for automatically advancing a pair of panels along a pair of lateral tracks and then shuttling one panel of the pairs to an adjacent pair of lateral tracks to dispose such pair of panels abreast of one another in a coplanar displaying position for displaying composite messages in one direction or another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Inventors: William R. Bronaugh, Sr., William B. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 4550516
    Abstract: Disclosed is a picture viewer for viewing a stack of pictures sequentially through a viewing window. The picture viewer comprises a housing member, a slider member, a bias means for urging the stack of pictures against the viewing window, and an exchange means for sequentially changing the picture that is presented at the viewing window. The exchange means comprises: (a) a retentive element to hold one picture in the housing member when the slider member is moved out of the housing member and (b) a separator bar which pushes the remainder of the stack out of the housing when the slider member is moved out of the housing. To permit relatively smooth operation of the picture viewer, the bias means is mounted on the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4546561
    Abstract: Disclosed is a picture viewer for viewing a stack of pictures sequentially through a viewing window. The picture viewer comprises a housing member, a slider member, a bias means for urging the stack of pictures against the viewing window, and an exchange means for sequentially changing the picture that is presented at the viewing window. The exchange means comprises: (a) a retentive element to hold one picture in the housing member when the slider member is moved out of the housing member and (b) a separator bar which pushes the remainder of the stack out of the housing when the slider member is moved out of the housing. Alignment means are provided to maintain the separated picture in alignment with the remainder of the stack so that jamming does not occur when the separated picture is returned to the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4458434
    Abstract: Container for pictures, especially for photopositives, which is constructed to be at the same time a stand-up or hanging frame or a component of an archive. The container has centering elements by means of which the uppermost picture of a stored pile is completely visible in the viewing window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4376348
    Abstract: A picture viewer has a housing for a pile of pictures, a window for viewing the pictures, and a slider which is used to transport a picture from one side of the pile and guided to the other side of the pile again as the slider is operated. A retaining device selectively operates to prevent the remainder of the pile from being transported out of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4334372
    Abstract: A device for displaying price and like information wherein the figures to be displayed are contained on a series of panels folded into two stacks so that the top panel in each stack combines to make a display area and display one complete figure. The outside edge of each stack of folded panels are retained in a frame to dispose the top panel of each stack in the said display area. The outside edges of each stack are retained in the frame as aforesaid in opposed channels and a user can, by depressing the panel on the top of a stack actuate the edge of the depressed panel out of its channel, turn it over and insert it into the other channel whereby to change the panels on the top of each stack and, at the same time, change information conveyed by the top panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Inventor: Jack E. Colmar
  • Patent number: 4291955
    Abstract: A slide projector for projecting slides transferred into and out of registry with a projection aperture solely by the force of gravity. A rotary slide tray is vertically arranged with the slides in a radial orientation, and the rotary slide tray is arranged over a central hub portion having a vertically arranged projection passage formed therein. Upon rotating the rotary slide tray, slides are permitted to radially drop from the tray by the influence of gravity into the projection passage and will be caused to back-up in the passage, since they are falling entirely through the slot and resting upon slides already in the rotary slide tray in diametrically opposed locations. A specialized slide construction, formed as a double planar slide of two individual slides arranged having like horizontal edges arranged adjacent or a single slide with a recess formed in one horizontal edge is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Inventor: Fernando Alvarez-Sabater
  • Patent number: 4259802
    Abstract: A picture viewer having an enclosure including a housing or frame and a slider movable in the housing, the frame and slider defining a compartment for a pile of pictures, a separator bar or pile transporter in the enclosure, an individual picture transporter accomplishing loosening of an individual picture from the pile and transporting the individual picture away from the pile, the loosening being accomplished by surface retentive means engaging the face of the individual picture at an end of the pile, such retentive means taking any of a number of different forms including forms which adhere, apply suction, are magnetically or electrostatically attractive, or otherwise retentively related to the face of the individual picture, the surface retentive means, in several forms of the invention, accomplishing the transporting function as well as loosening function, and in other forms of the invention the transporting being accomplished by separate transporting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4245417
    Abstract: A picture viewer having a housing to confine a pile of pictures, a slider to be withdrawn and returned to the housing, a viewing window, a pressure plate confronting the window, springs urging the plate toward the window, a retention strip to engage and strip off the picture at the end of the pile upon withdrawal of the slides, a separator strip to retain the pile as the one picture is stripped off, a slidable button on the housing to disable the springs and draw the plate away from the window, and a confining ledge on the slider also drawing the plate away from the window and independently of the slidable button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1981
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: RE32528
    Abstract: Container for pictures, especially for photopositives, which is constructed to be at the same time a stand-up or hanging frame or a component of an archive. The container has centering elements by means of which the uppermost picture of a stored pile is completely visible in the viewing window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: RE32738
    Abstract: Disclosed is a picture viewer for viewing a stack of pictures sequentially through a viewing window. The picture viewer comprises a housing member, a slider member, a bias means for urging the stack of pictures against the viewing window, and an exchange means for sequentially changing the picture that is presented at the viewing window. The exchange means comprises: (a) a retentive element to hold one picture in the housing member when the slider member is moved out of the housing member and (b) a separator bar which pushes the remainder of the stack out of the housing when the slider member is moved out of the housing. To permit relatively smooth operation of the picture viewer, the bias means is mounted on the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: RE32766
    Abstract: A picture viewer having a housing to confine a pile of pictures, a slider to be withdrawn and returned to the housing, a viewing window, a pressure plate confronting the window, springs urging the plate toward the window, a retention strip to engage and strip off the picture at the end of the pile upon withdrawal of the slides, a separator strip to retain the pile as the one picture is stripped off, a slidable button on the housing to disable the springs and draw the plate away from the window, and a confining ledge on the slider also drawing the plate away from the window and independently of the slidable button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret