Patents Examined by Cary E. Stone
  • Sliding file tab and compatible file folder
    Patent number: 4905393
    Abstract: The present invention consists of a particular separate identifying tab which is designed to slide or stay put on the edge of a compatible file folder for the purpose of maximizing the visibility of all tabs in a file drawer. Stability of the tab on the folder edge is obtained by means of a tab made of hard laminated cardboard (or any other material with the same properties of friction and lightweight); a fork base whose sides are proximate enough to maintain a grip by friction on the folder edge; and a thin, sturdy, and pliable pressure-sensitive low-tack adhesive flap extending from the fork base, which flap, when applied to the surface of the folder, reinforces the stability of the tab on the edge of the folder. Mobility of the tab on the folder edge is obtained by peeling the flap from the surface of the folder and applying moderate pressure against the side of the tab in the direction desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventor: Charles T. Laurie
  • Display device
    Patent number: 4901460
    Abstract: A display device for displaying a number of indicia one after another has shaped guide plates (44) to positively guide the suspension rods (4) of viewing sheets (3) around a roller (8) when each suspension rod (4) is engaged by cradles (11). A strap (50) that is rendered resilient by the inclusion therein of a spring (53) extends centrally down the rear of the device and prevents successive suspension rods (4) from becoming detached from the cradles (11) in this region. A gate is provided at the foot of ramps (5) upon which the rods (4) are stacked to ensure that the rods will not become bunched or otherwise entangled on the ramps (5) and that the cradles (11) will positively pick up only one suspension rod (4) at each passage past the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Jewell Poster Machines Limited
    Inventor: Maurice Grosse
  • Recognition system for tools insertable into dental treatment instruments
    Patent number: 4900252
    Abstract: A recognition system is provided for tools, such as drill bits and milling bits, which are insertable into dental treatment instruments, each of the tools having an optimum speed at which the tool must be rotated for effective treatment. In the recognition system, each tool is provided with a code corresponding to the speed or speed graduation necessary to effectively use the tool. The system also includes a reader which reads the code on each tool, and generates identifying signals in accordance with the code, which are supplied to an evaluation logic. The logic converts the signal from the reader into control signals for the drive motor used to operate the tool, as well as indicator signals for visually displaying information relating to the tool currently in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johannes Liefke, Bernd Nickel, Josef Pabst, Otto Fleer
  • Picture frame assembly
    Patent number: 4899473
    Abstract: The picture frame assembly includes a frame of injection molded plastic, such as polyethylene, polypropylene or the like, or a laminate of injection molded plastic and film, or aluminum. The frame defines a viewing window which may be covered by a sheet of transparent glass or plastic in the frame. A backboard is used in the frame behind the window, which backboard includes an outer frame-supporting perimeter and an openable, hinged, generally central portion. When closed, the central portion also supports the frame. Preferably, the backboard comprises foldable material such as paperboard, cardboard, stiff cloth or paper, or the like, with the hinged thereof being a fold line at the base of the openable portion, the latter being defined by a cut line separating it from the perimeter. A finger hole may be provided to aid in moving the openable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: Alan Wiener
  • Penile implant with improved pressure relief valve
    Patent number: 4898158
    Abstract: An inflatable penile implant includes a novel compensator which both absorbs any increased pressure to protect the components of the hydraulic system from pressure damage and which permits the implant to be shortened in length without impairing its function. An improved tapered pumping chamber, improved pump valve and an improved pressure relief valve are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Medical Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Daly, James T. Maerzke, Jeffrey R. Gengler, Robert E. Trick
  • Lock box door protector
    Patent number: 4897945
    Abstract: A lock box door protector prevents doors to new or unoccupied homes from being scratched by realtor's lock boxes. The lock box door protector comprises a plastic sleeve or strip that fits over the doorknob and is positioned between the door and the lock box. A pocket on the lock box door protector proffers a supply of business cards to potential buyers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Inventor: Larry R. Webb
  • Photographic display and apparatus for making elemental prints of the same
    Patent number: 4897943
    Abstract: A picture display representing an enlarged image is divided into print portions arranged in predetermined fashion on a display panel to display a complete enlarged picture. A printing apparatus for making the print portions from a single frame of an original film has a printing stage movable in two mutually perpendicular directions sequentially place in printing position each of a plurality of divisions into which the single image of the original film is nominally divided, in order to make enlarged print portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsumi Otake
  • Photographic picture display, apparatus and method of making elemental prints thereof
    Patent number: 4897944
    Abstract: A picture display comprising elemental prints having enlarged divisional images with separation arranged in a matrix on a print holder so as to form a single picture, and a printing method and apparatus for making the picture strips as the elemental prints from a single frame of an original film. The printing apparatus has a printing stage movable in two directions perpendicularly intersecting each other so as sequentially to place divisions into which the image frame of the original film is notionally divided in a matrix in printing position for exposing a photograhpic paper to enlarged divisional images of the divisions in order by column or row, thereby making a picture strip with a row or a column of the enlarged divisional images formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Otake, Kiichiro Sakamoto, Mikio Kogane
  • Torquing auxiliary
    Patent number: 4897036
    Abstract: An improved torquing appliance for use with any orthodontic treatment technique to apply either palatal or labial root torquing forces to any one or more teeth. The auxiliary is in the form of an arcuate wire of highly resilient material such that it will not take a permanent set in the normal range of activation but will tend to return to its passive state, and which includes a generally rectangular in cross section shape with one side shaped to partially receive in recessed relation a main archwire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: TP Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter C. Kesling
  • Sign stake
    Patent number: 4894937
    Abstract: A stake for holding a sign upright and comprising at least two parallel and spaced-apart elongate legs, one end of which legs for being driven into the ground and the other end of which legs for supporting a sign above the ground, and at least two longitudinally spaced-apart cross-members secured to and connecting the legs together. At least one of the cross-members comprises a step for being used to drive the two legs into the ground for supporting a sign on the other end. The other end of the legs comprises thin wire-like members for extending into the open areas of a corrugated sign or for holding a fiberboard sign. The other cross-member supports the sign at a predetermined distance above the cross-member which comprises the step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Inventor: R. P. Stephen Davis
  • Inflatable penile prosthesis with bend release valve
    Patent number: 4895139
    Abstract: An implantable penile prosthesis comprises a tubular body for implantation in a patient's penis and a fluid reservoir for implantation in a patient's body outside the penis. The tubular body and reservoir are in fluid communication with each other. The tubular body comprises a tubular chamber which is inflatable from a flaccid to an erect state when filled substantially to capacity. Fluid flow to and from the chamber is by way of a manually actuatable valve system. The valve system moves between an open position allowing for change from the erect state to the flaccid state, and a closed position allowing for change from the flaccid state to the erect state. The valve system is movable from the second closed position to the first open position by bending of the penis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: American Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney F. Hauschild, Dezso K. Levius
  • Impotence support
    Patent number: 4893616
    Abstract: The invention is an impotence support, horizontally split, made of plastics, to be fitted over the penis (2), for the performance of sexual intercourse with a shortened and slackened penis. The end portion (3) of the impotence support is rounded and tapers anatomically to fit and correspond to the deeper portion of the neck groove of the penis glans (22) with the longitudinal split (14) so located that the frenum (26) of the glans remains free. This ensures that the glans is kept free and makes possible extension of the penis and the retention of this state of extension during intercourse. The support end edges (15,16) lie hidden behind the glans (22) and the support does not protrude outside the ridge of the glans (22). Retention of the support in place can be ensured with a binding which extends over the longitudinal split (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Inventor: Toivo Immonen
  • Method and apparatus for identification of histology samples
    Patent number: 4893424
    Abstract: An identification marker (17) is described for use in permanently identifying an individual histology sample (21), the marker including columnar indicia (18) mounted on a base (19) having a location flange (20). A specially adapted cassette having a slot (16) to receive the identification marker is described together with apparatus and method for moulding the indicia in a protein such as agar agar. The use of the identification marker is described firstly mounted in the cassette (11) during treatment of the sample (21) and later mounted beneath the cassette (11) in the slot (16) for wax embedding of the sample and identification marker. The marker (17) is sectioned simultaneously with the tissue sample (21) by means of a microtome (31), each section taken being identified by a section through the identification marker embedded alongside the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Inventor: William McLean
  • Portable lightweight display board assembly
    Patent number: 4893425
    Abstract: A portable display board assembly, comprising a rigid, foamed plastic (e.g., polystyrene) board covered with a closely fitting cloth or fabric cover, is disclosed. The board is of rectangular shape, having a thickness much less than either the width or height. The cover conforms to the board in shape, and has a pair of side panels which overlie the respective sides of the board, or edges which overlie the respective edges of the board, and an opening closed by a zipper, which permits insertion and removal of the board without bending. The cover is also provided with at least two (and sometimes three) pairs of aligned openings for bolts which are used to hang the board assembly on a vertical wall. These bolts coact with a bracket affixed to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: The McNellis Company
    Inventor: Priscilla M. Ellis
  • Photograph holding greeting card
    Patent number: 4890402
    Abstract: A photograph holding greeting card and kit comprising a jacket, an insert, and a transparent pocket for holding a photograph on the front face of the jacket. The insert includes a preprinted message. A selection of a plurality of inserts are provided for the user to place a message or greeting within the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Inventor: Philip C. Carroll
  • Product identification tag with specialized mounting portion
    Patent number: 4888897
    Abstract: A product information and display tag has a mounting portion particularly designed for use in attaching the tag to a flip lock-type elongate product display hook. The mounting portion of the tag has panels which can be folded into a wedge-like configuration to be trapped between a pivotal hook bracket and an apertured board when mounting prongs on the bracket are inserted through adjacent board apertures. The respective panels forming the wedge are provided with aligned apertures for receipt of the hook prongs and a cut-out is provided at the top of a front panel for accommodating the top shoulder of the hook when attaching the structure to the apertured board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Inventor: Jacob Fast
  • Portable display system
    Patent number: 4888895
    Abstract: The display system of the invention includes a collapsible, rectangular frame which includes plural, rectangular box units. Each box unit includes a top side, a bottom ride, right side, left side, front face and rear face. The top side, bottom side, right side and left side may be shared with adjoining box units. The top, bottom, right and left sides are defined by a pair of arms which are joined to one another by a scissor connection. The top and bottom side arms include at least one telescoping member therein. Connector nodes are located at each corner of the box units. Each of the nodes includes a pivot for securing the arms of the frame thereto and for allowing collapsing of the frame to a compact form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Inventor: Matthias D. Kemeny
  • Stranded motorist distress sign
    Patent number: 4888893
    Abstract: A stranded motorist distress sign assembly includes a thin substantially flat, semi-flexible base member having one or more bosses or protrusions extending from one surface thereof, and a thin, substantially flat, semi-flexible sign plate having letters forming a message embossed thereon. The sign plate is mounted and held on the base member by mating hook and loop strips of material mounted on the protrusions and on the back of the sign plate. The bottom of the base member has magnetic members mounted thereon for attaching the assembly to a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Inventor: Jacqueline Jones
  • Scenic variation systems
    Patent number: 4888892
    Abstract: Scenery subassemblies are rotated around arises of a polyhedron. As the subassemblies are rotated, the scenery above, beneath, and all around an observation point changes. The polyhedron an be an octahedron, cube, or tetrahedron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Inventor: Fernando M. Ortega
  • Two-position signal device
    Patent number: 4885857
    Abstract: The novel two-position signal device comprises a generally rectangular base plate, a pair of substantially parallel flanges upstanding along opposite edges of the base plate, a signal panel pivotally mounted on the flanges and adapted to be rotated between two different signaling positions against the base plate between the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Inventor: David Leflet