Patents Examined by Brian K. Green
  • Calendar cube apparatus
    Patent number: 6467205
    Abstract: A calendar cube is made of eight individual cubes, each cube having six equal cube sides. Single pliable sheet material covers selected individual cube sides. Double pliable sheet material covers selected adjacent cube sides, forming a hinge portion oriented therebetween. Twelve individual cube faces are provided by a first set of six cube faces and a second set of six cube faces. Each month of the year is selectively positioned upon a selected one of the twelve cube faces, so that the user may selectively display a monthly calendar and advertising indicia thereon, which provides the current month and date. Manipulation of selected cubes, positions the current month on the top face of the cube. This is a challenge which changes month to month, and provides entertainment to the user of the calendar cube apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventors: Cristopher Hastings Flagg, Timothy D. Flagg
  • Collapsible safety sign
    Patent number: 6463687
    Abstract: A safety sign is provided which includes a collapsible tripod base that removably supports a hollow tube therein. The hollow tube stores a foldable fabric sign therein which includes pockets at the upper, left and right corners thereof and defines a mast for the sign. The sign is supported on the base by a vertical support rod and includes a horizontal cross member. The horizontal cross member is twistable independently of the base and mast wherein this free-floating arrangement facilitates assembly of the sign while also permitting the sign to twist during windy conditions and allow the wind to spill around the sign in order to prevent the sign from toppling over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Edward J. Dorstewitz
  • Promotional products
    Patent number: 6460277
    Abstract: Disclosed are promotional products such as buttons, badges, toys, signs, and displays, and in particular promotional products that display inscriptions vertically, no matter the orientation of the product, more particularly words or phrases spelled the same forwards as backwards, as for example BOB or MOM or WWW. The products each have a rotatable shaft connected to a base member, and a plurality of sheets imprinted with inscriptions and attached by pins onto the base member so that the sheets hang vertically. As the shaft rotates, the base member rotates but the sheets continue to maintain a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Tower
  • Universal emergency sign
    Patent number: 6457270
    Abstract: An emergency sign including a vertically extending sign body having a lower panel portion and an upper container portion. The panel portion includes laterally spaced right and left panels where at least one of the panels has a stencil forming the sign display. The upper container portion is in optical communication with the display and forms a longitudinally extending container. A light module disposed within the container portion of the housing has multiple light emitting diodes for illuminating the display. A swivel mounting assembly pivotally connects the container portion of the housing to a mounting plate assembly which receives a mechanical mounting member of the external electrical supply to mount the sign to a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventors: Frederick W. Stark, III, Willfred Goldschmidt, Kurt P. Kowal, Jeff M. Mullally, Irving Schaffer
  • Portable emblem
    Patent number: 6453590
    Abstract: Lightweight advertising emblems that are readily knocked down into compact packages are mounted upon light standards or upon free-standing masts which use bases that incorporate local ballasting agents such as paving stones, gravel, sand, stones or water. The emblems have a display surface which may be planar, or may be wrapped to form a three-dimensional object, such as a giant sized paper drinking cup, complete with straw, an olympic style torch or other representation. The display surface is preferably of knitted material such as a polyester fabric, that may be printed upon by a silk-screen process, and is highly resistant to creasing. In the case of planar, banner-like displays, the mounting may include a rotary bearing, to permit weathervaning of the banner, for minimum wind resistance and dynamic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventor: Edward Allen Burke
  • Display frame
    Patent number: 6449888
    Abstract: A device for displaying signs, posters and the like for promotional and informational purposes. More particularly, adjustable display devices for holding and displaying changing signs for showing merchandise information in business establishments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Rodier Advertising (1986) Limited
    Inventor: Graham Rodier Gibbs
  • Automobile window message display device
    Patent number: 6446375
    Abstract: A durable lightweight rigid transparent envelope that is slightly curved in shape from top to bottom and attaches to automobile windows via suction cups in order to hold and display a variety of double-sided thin flexible lightweight message sheets, which are highly color-contrasted, light-reflective and contain large font character size messages in order to facilitate visual communication between automobile operators, passengers and pedestrians at distances normally encountered on streets and highways. A selected message can be displayed in the envelope through the envelope's transparent front side when it is attached to the inside of an automobile window, or a selected message can be displayed through the envelope's transparent back side while the envelope is attached to the outside of an automobile window by the same means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: Michael C. Davis
  • Lighted flexible display device having a battery supply mount
    Patent number: 6438882
    Abstract: A lighted flexible display device or sign, useful for advertising purposes, and having a battery supply mount. The display device herein is a lighted display and is constructed to be flexible in the presence of inadvertent bumping or deflection thereof. The mounting is resilient such that, when the deflecting force is removed, the sign springs back to its normal lateral position. The mount for the display device includes a battery supply, with such supply being electrically connected to the electrical circuit of the sign proper. This is accomplished by means of electrical leads passing through a deflection restoration spring, by such leads passing through a resilient tongue, or with connectors used in a spring-biased pivotal construction for connecting the battery supply to the electrical lighting circuit of the sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Randy B. Reynolds
  • Corner arrangement for frame sections
    Patent number: 6438884
    Abstract: A corner arrangement for frame sections for securing together two frame sections (1, 2) located at an angle with respect to each other by means of a comer piece (3) comprising two legs (3a, 3b) located at a desired angle with respect to each other, the legs being arranged to be received by axial grooves (5) in the frame sections (1, 2) and both being equipped with at least one locking screw (4) in order to lock the corner piece (3) with respect to the frame sections. A point (6) of the locking screw (4) is of the shape of a cone or a truncated cone, and a counter surface (8) of the 10 locking screw in the frame section (1, 2) is correspondingly inclined with respect to the shape of the point of the locking screw such that the screw (4) subjects the profile (1, 2) to a force which forces the profile in the direction of the inner corner defined by the profiles therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Teknoware Oy
    Inventors: Jouni Saarnia, Kalevi Ruuhijoki
  • Photo frame
    Patent number: 6439520
    Abstract: A mounting device for attaching an object to a surface comprising: a base, the base having a first face and a second face opposite to the first face, the first face secured to the object to be attached; a hinge including two portions, a first portion of the hinge fixedly connected to the second face of the base and a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion; at least one spike for penetrating the surface, the spike fixedly connected to the second portion of the hinge and for pivoting with the second portion of the hinge from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the spike lies substantially parallel to the second face of the base and wherein in the second position the spike forms an angle not greater than 90° with the second face of the base; and a detent attached to the base for locking the spike and the second portion of the hinge in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Wet Puppy Products, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Johnson
  • Weather-proof readerboard signage system
    Patent number: 6438880
    Abstract: A weather-proof changeable-type readerboard signage system comprising a signboard having a substantially planar surface, and supportable above the Earth's surface at a predetermined viewing height. A pair of upper and lower character holding tracks are attached to the substantially planar surface of the signboard and extend in a parallel manner relative to each other by a predetermined distance. A plurality of character substrates of rectangular geometry, bearing a graphical character, and having a height dimension slightly less than the predetermined distance, are front loadable into the pair of upper and lower character holding tracks, and releasably retained therewithin so as to form a string of characters displaying a readable message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: David M. Dundorf
  • Mailable assemblage with flexible appendages and method of fabrication
    Patent number: 6434867
    Abstract: A method and apparatus designed to facilitate sending items via the mail or other package delivery system in a uniquely designed container. The invention consists of three subassembly layers that are combined via adhesive to form the mailer. One of the unique aspects of the invention is the center subassembly that is not only sandwiched between but also protrudes from the front and back exterior assemblies. The center subassembly, or graphical composite, may be made from variously shaped and colored materials to produce a recognizable or fanciful sign, symbol or picture. The container subassembly houses the item being transported and may be a postcard, envelope, CD sleeve, book cover, or other type of container or communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: MediaGarden, Inc.
    Inventor: Melvin H. Ristau
  • End clip and related sign apparatus
    Patent number: 6421940
    Abstract: A directory sign assembled from individual modular sign plates, and an improved mounting clip for supporting the sign plates in assembly. The mounting clips have multiple sets of prongs spaced so that prongs of separate sets engage mounting flanges of one or more sign plates. The mounting flanges extend back from the front face of the sign plates to conceal the prongs and related attachment structure, and the end mounting clips have bases that conceal the ends of the sign plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: APCO Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Cobb, Benjamin H. Bell
  • Guardrail system
    Patent number: 6416041
    Abstract: To reduce the tendency for high center of mass vehicles to roll, or vault over a guardrail barrier or dive under it, the guardrail barrier has outer curved portions selected to adjust the moment of inertia of the guardrail barrier by providing a sufficiently high moment of inertia to slow the vehicle but sufficiently low to avoid excessive force against the occupant compartment. A central portion connecting the outer curves sized to provide an effective depth of 12.25 inches to capture high bumper vehicles and small vehicles and an area of 1.99 inches to provide rigidity enough to the curved portions to avoid flattening and penetration. The outer curves are asymmetrical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Dean Leo Sicking, John Douglass Reid, Ronald Keith Faller, Brian George Pfeifer, Barry Thomas Rosson, John Robert Rohde
  • Magnetically mounted board for displaying flat articles
    Patent number: 6405465
    Abstract: A magnetically mounted display board has a rear surface providing magnetic support, a display panel which removably holds flat articles for display, and a transparent protectant for viewing and protection of the displayed articles. The display panel and the transparent protectant are bound together with a binding tape. This allows one to display photos, childrens artwork, calendars, post cards and other flat articles on a refrigerator in a creative, organized and protected fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Fridge Frame Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Harry Dwyer, Kollin Ignatius Schammel, Sheila Gerette Dwyer
  • Desktop pen, eyeglass and picture frame holder
    Patent number: 6401371
    Abstract: An eyeglass holder and desk frame which provides an area to hold eyeglasses as well as hollow tubes to store pens, a storage cup, and a frame to hold pictures. More specifically, the eyeglass holder and desk organizer provides a hook and frame on which to place an eyeglass as well as clear plastic sections held within the wire frame in which to place pictures. There is also a slot, attached to the base, wherein the slot is designed to hold a series of business cards within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Rudolph Martorella
  • Business card holder and storage and retrieval system and method
    Patent number: 6401372
    Abstract: Disclosed is a holder for business cards with a rectangular area having holes at its corners into which the corner of a business card are inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Spencer Kovner
  • Plant tag
    Patent number: 6401375
    Abstract: A polymeric tag has a body and an integral insertion leg which is tapered to facilitate insertion either into the soil or into a slot formed in the edge of a pot. The extending leg includes a plurality of spaced indentations for strengthening the leg as well as a trapezoidal locking tab extending outwardly from the plane of the leg to permit easy insertion into either the soil or pot and resist removal therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: The John Henry Company
    Inventor: Robert C. Hickmott
  • Display media back pack and method of visual display
    Patent number: 6393745
    Abstract: A device for containing a play back device for displaying and/or advertising commercial material and wherein the device is carried on the back or chest of a person to uniquely advertise or a fashion item or, in an eye-catching manner, one's goods, philosophies and/or services, particularly useful in close quarters as would be found at trade shows and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Emiko Miki
  • Opening/closing apparatus of petals of artificial flowers
    Patent number: 6389718
    Abstract: An opening/closing apparatus of petals of artificial flowers adapted to unfold and fold petal members like a natural flower. The apparatus has an expansion member internally disposed underneath a body to expand during absorption of liquid or to shrink during evaporation of the liquid; a medium member disposed above the expansion member to upwardly move according to expanding force of the expansion member; a restoring member coupled to an upper side of the medium member to downwardly move the medium member according to resilience; and a plurality of petal members respectively hinged to periphery of the body, each at a predetermined height to unfold outwardly when the medium member descends or to fold inwardly when the medium member ascends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Soon-Suk Joo