Patents Examined by Casandra Davis
  • Patent number: 8857085
    Abstract: A vehicle identification card having a multi-segmental sheet is disclosed. The sheet includes a first, second, and third segment having the same vehicle identification number thereon. The first segment has a front and back side. The back side of the first segment includes a layer of adhesive material and a removable liner covering the adhesive. The second segment has a removable key tag and a vehicle identification claim ticket. The key tag has an elongated tail with a first slit extending along a longitudinal dimension of the tail and a body for inclusion of vehicle identification information. The third segment is positioned between the first segment and the second segment and includes an upper portion and a lower portion with an opening therebetween. The upper portion and the lower portion are joined by a securing strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Mark W. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8844178
    Abstract: The application is directed to check presenters having contrasting colors/tones on the exterior sides thereof. The contrast permits a restaurant server to determine whether payment has yet been enclosed or not, so that payment may be processed in a timely manner and yet without the need to interrupt a customer to determine whether or not payment has yet been enclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: John G. Myers
  • Patent number: 8839539
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a notification boards. Specifically, this invention relates to a notification board configured to organize and display papers, photographs and other documents for viewing. Embodiments of the present invention may include a labeling apparatus configured to describe or otherwise detail the displayed contents of the notification board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: Travis Michael Killian
  • Patent number: 8840146
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an element comprising a surface area with a specific, optically effective surface relief microstructure (12). The surface relief microstructure has a surface modulation of top regions (13) and bottom regions (14), wherein in a first lateral direction of the surface area there is in average at least one transition from a top to a bottom region or vice versa within every 20 micrometer, and in a second lateral direction of the mask, which is perpendicular to the first direction, there is in average at least one transition from a first to a second zone or vice versa within every 200 micrometer. In the microstructure, (i) in the first direction the lateral arrangement of the transitions is non-periodic, and (ii) the top regions substantially lie in the same top relief plateau (15) and the bottom regions substantially lie in the same bottom relief plateau (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Rolic AG
    Inventor: Martin Stalder
  • Patent number: 8839537
    Abstract: A support component comprises a tab configured to be coupled to a bar (as comprises a part of an item to be suspended), the tab including a plurality of openings disposed therethrough and configured to receive an overhead support interface (such as a corresponding flexible link) to thereby provide overhead support to the bar. These openings can be laterally offset from one another to facilitate selecting a particular pitch orientation for the bar. The tab can have a non-circular hole disposed therethrough sized and configured to receive the bar. This hole can include a surface that is configured to key with respect to a corresponding bar surface to thereby prevent the bar from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: ILight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Glenn Kirschner, Sean Edward Callahan, Mark Joseph Cleaver, Qiusheng Chen, Zhiping Zhang
  • Patent number: 8813403
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for an information card holder. A base is formed in a rectangular shape with a front side and a back side. The front side has a first edge opposite a second edge. A card retainer mechanism including a first lip adjacent to the first edge of the front side of the base and a second lip is adjacent to the second edge of the front side of the base. The first and second lips may be configured to receive an edge of an information card therein (e.g. a business card). A depression is formed into the base that forms a storage compartment configured to house electronic memory storage devices (e.g. an SD card). The storage compartment is configured such that an information card retained by the first lip and second lip spans the storage compartment and retains an electronic memory storage device housed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: Tyson Weinert
  • Patent number: 8806787
    Abstract: A collation of printed marketing signs for delivery or distribution to a retail store includes at least a first group of marketing signs and a second group of marketing signs. Each group has at least one stack of marketing signs for altering product display structures in a retail store and each marketing sign in each stack has a same non-rectangular shape. The first group of signs includes a first level of priority and the second group of signs includes a second level of priority. The first level of priority indicates that the first group of signs be set in the store before the second group of signs, which have the second level of priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Engelby, Christopher H. Kaye
  • Patent number: 8800184
    Abstract: A mouth guard system for displaying a message using interchangeable tiles resembling teeth features an upper mouth guard. A plurality of tile channels, tile openings, and tile insertion apertures is located in the upper mouth guard. The system features a lower mouth guard. A plurality of tile channels, tile openings, and tile insertion apertures is located in the upper mouth guard. Each tile opening features a shape resembling a tooth. The system features a plurality of tiles designed to snuggly slide into the tile channel via the tile insertion aperture. The tile is visible via the tile opening. A tile cutout of a symbol, a character, or a picture is located throughout a cross-section of the tile from a tile front surface to a tile rear surface. A back wall of the tile channel is visible through the tile cutout. Each tile features rounded edges and rounded corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventors: Roy Lerman, Frank DeLeo, Edward Jasinski, Steven Jasinski
  • Patent number: 8793913
    Abstract: A label holder includes a main panel having a top portion that is oriented at an angle from a substantially planar portion, a first sign sleeve and a second sign sleeve. The first sign sleeve is defined by the substantially planar portion of the main panel and a return flange coupled to the main panel at a joined end. The return flange extends upward from the joined end and terminates along and is biased against the substantially planar portion of the main panel. The second sign sleeve is defined by a front that extends from the top portion of the main panel and a back that is coupled to the front by the top portion of the main panel. The back extends from the top portion of the main panel and terminates along and is biased against the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Erin L. Zobel, Timothy J. Martell, Jennifer A. Theisen, William Y. Stafford
  • Patent number: 8789299
    Abstract: An internally illuminated sign includes a case at least partially lined with highly reflective layer and a display surface. The sign also includes light sources that emit light in directions approximately parallel to the display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph A. Hoffman, Ellen O. Aeling, Michael A. Meis
  • Patent number: 8763292
    Abstract: An improved wet floor caution sign where the two panels of the sign are attached along a pair of adjacent sidewalls rather than at the top of the panels where conventional wet floor sign panels are attached. As a result, the two panels are ninety (90) degrees to each other and are therefore much more stabile. In addition, the ninety (90) degrees panel configuration facilitates having four panels on which advertisements can be placed as opposed to only two panels as in conventional signs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Worldwide Integrated Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred I. Morad, William P. Camp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8763215
    Abstract: A structure for quickly clipping an advertising curtain includes a first frame, a second frame secured to the first frame so as to form a guide-groove space and a clipping space and at least a fastener arranged in the guide-groove space, wherein the fastener includes a first connecting part and a second connecting part pivoted with the first connecting part, wherein the second connecting part includes a compressible portion laterally extending from two sides thereof at an end of the second connecting part, wherein the compressible portion of the second connecting part has two ends abutting against sidewalls of the guide-groove space such that the first and second frames can be quickly assembled or disassembled due to the guide-groove space being pushed to expand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Ruei-Hsing Lin
  • Patent number: 8756842
    Abstract: A sign holder in the form of individual parts which, upon assembly, provides for the support and display of signage in a plurality of orientations. The sign holder includes a base configured to receive and support a first end to the stem, the stem having a first end and second end, the first end configured to be releasably retained by the base and the second end configured to retain a sign frame. The second end of the stem is provided with a C-shaped extremity sized to frictionally capture the sign frame such that the sign frame is releasable from the stem by providing a lateral force to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Clamp Swing Pricing Company
    Inventors: Manu B. Makhija, Benjamin Garfinkle
  • Patent number: 8733001
    Abstract: A safety sign that has a front panel with cut out letters or numbers that form the word or message of the sign. Behind the front panel a predetermined distance can be a reflective panel or other surface. Light from an oncoming vehicle can reflect from this reflective panel through the cut out letters causing the sign to function like any other safety sign when not lighted. One or more light sources like LEDs can be mounted facing the reflective panel at angles so that light from these sources is reflected from the reflective panel and out through the cut out letters causing the sign to increase significantly in visibility at night or in other low light conditions. Further light sources can be located around the periphery of the sign or around the word or words on the sign. All or part of the light sources can be made to blink, and the system can optionally be made to turn off during the daytime. The sign can be run from AC power or battery power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Ray Gallet
  • Patent number: 8732999
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting a pair of banners between upright members wherein the banners includes a flexing mechanism so that the banners can withstand high wind situations. Upper, intermediate and lower collars are mounted onto the upright members so that the intermediate collar can slide up and down along the column to allow the banner to flex. Each collar has a pair of cylindrical receptacles for receiving horizontal members so that upper, intermediate and lower horizontal members are provided so that the intermediate horizontal member slides up and down along the members in high wind situations. Elastic members connecting the intermediate and lower horizontal members stretch in high wind situations to allow the banners to flex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Gerald W. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8733000
    Abstract: An advertisement display formed with two side columns with at least one advertisement module provided therebetween. The module consists of a top unit and a pivoting lower unit. The top unit is slidable within the side columns. A longitudinal wall is spaced from a bottom wall of the top unit defining a utility space therebetween. The lower unit is locked and prevented from pivoting when the top unit with the longitudinal wall is slid into a downward position, and is allowed to pivot when the top unit with the longitudinal wall is slid upwardly unlocking the bottom unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Sanjay Thakker
  • Patent number: 8732997
    Abstract: This utility model relates in general to Advertising medium but more particularly to an Automated Rotating Billboards structures. The billboard structure comprising a billboard frame having lighting facility consisting of plurality of lighting fixtures secured thereto and being provided with a covering for securing advertisement thereon, the frame being supported by an upstanding post fixedly attached on its bottom portion thereof. The upstanding post comprising of a lower stationary post member and upper rotating post member. The upper post member is being adapted to rotate using an electric motor wherein the billboard is connected. With rotating billboard, it can be seen from all angles thus more efficient and convenient to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Glenn R. Gatuslao
  • Patent number: 8726548
    Abstract: An integral greeting card/game is disclosed wherein a multi-panel greeting card also serves as a game board and is combined with a game piece and launch mechanism to create a novel, interactive greeting card. The multi-panel greeting card contains a sound module therein and a magnetic trigger is contained and concealed below one or more of the multiple greeting card panels. The game piece contains a magnet therein so that when the game piece comes into contact with the area of the greeting card above or proximate to the magnetic trigger, playback of an audio file is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: American Greetings Corp.
    Inventors: Seth Larson, Tony Begin, David Mayer, John Talbot, Sharon Bogdanski, Mike Gali
  • Patent number: 8726546
    Abstract: A medal mounting apparatus comprises a mounting plate and a backing plate. The mounting plate has at least one hole through the plate. The hole is adapted to allow a medal to be secured to the plate by a tie or stitch through the plate. The backing plate is adapted to be secured to a garment and to be releasably secured to the mounting plate such that when secured, the backing plate is spaced from the mounting plate to create a cavity between the mounting plate and the backing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Gregory James Hopper
  • Patent number: 8726547
    Abstract: An interactive greeting card having a multi-panel greeting card body, a sound module and a molded track contained between two or more panels of the multi-panel greeting card body, and a moveable object which is attached to the molded track through an opening in one or more of the greeting card panels. The moveable object is operative to move from one end of the molded track to the opposite end of the molded track whereby playback of a pre-recorded digital audio file is initiated. The interactive greeting card may additionally contain a small motor which causes movement of a second moveable object and an object launcher which is operative to launch an object along the track and into the air. Other special effects may be included such as lights, additional sounds or movement, or any other special effects which can be incorporated into a greeting card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Sharon Bogdanski, John Talbot, Lauren Budzar, Mary McClain, Brent Cottrell, Melissa Cornet, Dave McPeek, Brian Cleary, Melissa Flesher, Beth Dinvald, Tiger Qiao, Jerry Guo