Patents Examined by Christopher E Veraa
  • Patent number: 9554661
    Abstract: A modular framing assembly is provided. Each individual module comprises one or more retractable slats that may be extendable to connect with another individual module. The individual modules may be arranged in a plurality of angles and configurations to create frames of varying sizes, shapes and that are capable of bending around corners, where two wall meet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Jason B. Teuscher
  • Patent number: 9463724
    Abstract: A headrest structure and a headrest device, including a bottom plate provided at a lower face of a headrest, and provided with an elongated hole extending in a seat front-rear direction through which a stay is inserted, a guide sheet having the same width as that of the elongated hole, that is longer in length than the elongated hole, whose both end portions are slidably supported by the bottom plate, and that is provided with an elongated guide hole smaller than the elongated hole, a concealing sheet provided with an attachment hole to which the stay is attached, and that is overlapped slidably on an upper face of the guide sheet so as to cover the elongated guide hole, and a wall portion that is formed at the bottom plate, and that restricts movement of the guide sheet and the concealing sheet in a seat width direction, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sunaga, Takahiro Yajima
  • Patent number: 9449540
    Abstract: An upper frame and a lower frame are prevented from coming close to each other within a predetermined distance by a push-in preventing pawl and an abutting part, while preventing the upper and lower frames from coming off by a come-off preventing pawl and an engagement part. In this manner, it becomes possible to prevent the load which causes deterioration of the display quality from being applied to a liquid crystal display panel, so that the reliability can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventor: Masahito Nozue
  • Patent number: 9420903
    Abstract: The commemorative plaque frame supports and displays a commemorative plaque on a funerary crypt or niche shutter. The commemorative plaque frame comprises a frame support for attachment to the shutter and a cover pivotally attached to the frame support in non-removable fashion so as to be pivotable between an opened position in which the cover is pivoted away from the shutter; and a closed position in which the cover is pivoted against the shutter. A plaque enclosure is defined on an inner side of the cover when the cover is in the closed position, the plaque enclosure sized for housing the commemorative plaque therein such that the commemorative plaque is at least partly visible through a window provided on the cover. A plaque support member is carried by one of the cover and the frame support, for supporting the commemorative plaque in the plaque enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Carrier Mausoleums Construction Inc.
    Inventor: Sebastien Litalien
  • Patent number: 9375090
    Abstract: A chair comprises a seat, a back, a pivotal connection between the back and the seat, a pair of arms, each in a pivotal connection with the seat and the back, plurality of legs, a rotational connection between the seat, the back and the pair of arms relative to the plurality of legs and a pivotal connection between one end of each leg and the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Inventor: Carlo Gambino
  • Patent number: 9368050
    Abstract: A detachable vehicle-mounted banner assembly is provided, comprising a banner panel defining two opposing and at least semi-rigid surfaces, the surfaces comprising at least a leading edge; a banner mast comprising a base portion and a flanged portion, the flanged portion comprising an angled leading edge and a trailing slot, the trailing slot being configured to selectively engage at least the leading edge; and a base assembly having a first portion configured for attachment to a vehicle and a second portion configured to attachment relative to the base portion. The base portion is elongate and has a base longitudinal axis about which the banner mast and the banner panel pivot; and the flanged portion of the banner mast extends away from the base portion and has a flange longitudinal axis oriented at an acute angle relative to the base longitudinal axis. A method of mounting the assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: HardFlags, LLC
    Inventors: Shannon Harold Bigham, Jason Sloane Bigham, Lance Nicholas Covert, James Hansford Ward, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9320359
    Abstract: A backrest translation mechanism includes a holder mounted on a sofa seat, a swing locating member, a backrest mount, a slider, and a positioning pin. The swing locating member has a first end pivoted on the holder, several locking slots with downward openings arranged at regular intervals along its length direction. The locking slots are adapted for engaging with and unidirectionally locking up the positioning pin, one side of each locking slots is provided with an inclined surface inclined towards an opposite direction of the first end. The slider is slidably set on the swing locating member and has a retaining slot and a limiting slot. The positioning pin is accepted by the retaining slot and the locking slot jointly, and the positioning pin is restricted to be out of the locking slot by the limiting slot. The mechanism has multiple using positions for adjusting the translation of the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: DONGGUAN WEIHONG HARDWARE AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei Lu
  • Patent number: 9192143
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cattle marking and identification ear tag of the type that combines a male part and a female part, including a tag (2) and an essentially cylindrical or frusto-conical button (3) which is secured to an eyelet (4) in the tag, such that the base (5) of the button abuts against the edge of the eyelet, the contact surfaces having a complementary shape. The ear tag is characterized in that the base of the button includes at least one reinforcing rib (6). The button is provided with reinforcing elements such that the tag cannot be detached from the button at the eyelet using a cutting instrument without leaving visible traces of attempted forgery of the tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: ALL FLEX EUROPE SAS
    Inventor: Jean Jacques Hilpert
  • Patent number: 9153147
    Abstract: A rolling information display system includes a heated roller grill having at least a first coated, heated roller positioned adjacent a second coated, heated roller, said at least first and second coated, heated rollers rotating together; and a tube comprising a plastic material resistant to temperatures at which the heater roller grill operates, the tube being open on both ends and further comprising rolling surfaces at opposing ends of the tube for rolling in contact with heated rolling surfaces of the heated roller grill and one or more recessed surfaces for bearing information about products provided on the heated roller grill. Information is printed in the one or more recessed surfaces, or is applied directly to or molded directly into the recessed surfaces. The rolling surface at opposing ends of the tube are integral with the tube. The products provided on the heated roller grill are food items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: 7-Eleven, Inc.
    Inventor: Paula Sanders Fenton
  • Patent number: 9117378
    Abstract: An advertising system and method of use includes a rail car and an advertising billboard mounted thereon. Preferably, the billboard is adjustable so that advertising thereon can be positioned to face desired viewers, such as people traveling on roadways adjacent a railroad track. The billboard may rotate and/or be raised and lowered by a lift, which may include a telescoping post. An onboard electric power source is typically provided to power lights and other electric components. Outriggers may be used to help stabilize the rail car when parked especially for windy conditions. A security fence may be mounted on the rail car to protect various components thereon. The billboard may include one section which can be raised relative to another section for display purposes and lowered to provide a lower height during transport. The rail car may carry an additional billboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Freight Train Media LLC
    Inventors: Raymond P. Sipperley, Donald E. MacCord, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9105205
    Abstract: A unitary sheet-like merchandise labeling article that has a labeling tag flatly conjoined along a unifying flat bond zone with a flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag and includes an elastic fastening loop. The loop sides that define the loop are wider than the thickness of the elastic layer. Further, the flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag has a thickness greater than the thickness of the tag and has a dispersion zone adjacent the unifying flat bond zone. The dispersion zone allows dissipation of elastic loop in-line stretching forces sufficiently to reduce transmission of such forces into the bond zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Bedford Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Ludlow, John B. Linquist, Colin M. O'Donnell, Ryan M. Korpela
  • Patent number: 9087461
    Abstract: The biodegradable badge has a paper name tag placed within a translucent envelope carried by a lanyard secured to the envelope by at least one clamp. The paper name tag degrades readily. The translucent envelope shows the name tag but upon disposing of the envelope, it degrades in the waste stream and at a landfill. The envelope has a material that degrades rapidly by solar, thermal, and chemical action with minimal release of toxic and volatile organic compounds. The lanyard also degrades readily in the waste stream with material such as textile blends or that of the envelope. The clamp joins the lanyard to the envelope. Designed for single use, the clamp strongly grips the lanyard and then the envelope, and then the clamp degrades when placed in the waste stream. The entire biodegradable badge poses no long-term pollution of the environment as it uses formulations, such as polyethylene terephthalate (g) and poly lactic acid, along with natural fibers such as cotton and wool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Technical Sales & Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott McKye
  • Patent number: 9015977
    Abstract: A framing system having a base panel assembly configured so that an ornamental/informational object can be incorporated into the base panel assembly so as to be viewable from in front thereof. A frame extends around a peripheral region of the base panel assembly. Connectors on the base panel assembly and frame cooperate so as to allow the base panel assembly and frame to be: a) moved from a separated relationship relative to each other into an operatively joined relationship; and b) releasably maintained in the operatively joined relationship as an incident of the base panel assembly and frame changing from the separated relationship into the operatively joined relationship, without requiring use of any separate fasteners, once the operatively joined relationship is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Cassandra J. Mason
  • Patent number: 8997385
    Abstract: A rotatable fountain display device rotatably displays an indicia, such as advertisement over a fountain. The device comprises a plurality of spheres immediately adjacent and sequentially connected to each other to rotatably display an indicia, such as an advertisement. The device works in conjunction with a fluid source, such as a fountain, to receive a fluid carrying a fluid pressure. A lower sphere contains a rotation mechanism that harnesses the fluid pressure from the fluid source to generate rotational energy on the lower sphere, which then rotates sequentially connected middle and upper spheres. A central channel runs through the spheres. A nylon elastic member and a rubber band interconnect the spheres and enables multidirectional movement by the spheres. A guide wire passes through the spheres to help counterbalance the movement. An annular bearing apparatus restricts rotation of the central channel and reduces friction during rotation of the rotation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Julio Antonio Decastro
  • Patent number: 8978280
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an arched display unit is provided. The unit includes a pair of display mounts, and a display support attached to each of the pair of display mounts. A side header is attached to each of the display supports, and a center header is located between the pair of side headers. In another embodiment, each of the display mounts, display supports, side headers, and center header are formed from a single blank of corrugated material, such as cardboard or plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Menasha Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Holt, William J. Mertz, II, Christopher Norman
  • Patent number: 8904686
    Abstract: A thermal printer processible combination wristband/label form has a top portion comprising a wristband which occupies substantially the entirety of thereof and a bottom portion comprising one of several alternative embodiments of labels. The label embodiments include a plurality of individually formed labels, a plurality of labels occupying substantially the entirety of the bottom portion, and a die cut defining a label portion with pairs of nicks spaced along an upper and lower border of the die cut and between which a user may tear off labels of a desired length including different lengths. The form is produced in quantity and joined together into a fan fold strip having an overall width of a nominal two inches so as to be capable of being printed by relatively older thermal printers having a nominal two inch throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Laser Band, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Greer
  • Patent number: 8898938
    Abstract: The present invention relates to articles having die cut portions that form a window or a frame-like structure. Set into the window or frame-like structure is an object, affixed or mounted in transparent material, such that the object is visible from both the front and the rear of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Carol Mary Stone
  • Patent number: 8875427
    Abstract: A rail for supporting hanging signage is provided. The rail includes a magnetic strip. The magnetic strip includes first and second end portions and a middle portion. When the rail is in an uncoupled configuration, the first and second end portions are offset from a horizontal reference plane including the middle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Southern Imperial, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Valiulis
  • Patent number: 8844180
    Abstract: An electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets whereby each slotted frame cabinet can conveniently be attached to one or more vertically or horizontally positioned adjacent slotted frame cabinets by using connecting components which are generally located around the periphery of one or more slotted frame cabinets. Connecting components, including splice bars, splice plates, and mounting clamps, are aligned in, positioned along and secured to backing bars which are co-located in backing bar slots in one or more of the slotted frame cabinets. Lift eyes can be variably located in one or more lift eye slots. The use of externally located connecting components, which do not extend through the cabinetry, minimize the entry of environmental elements into the interior of the electronic sign. Multiple slotted frame cabinets can be connected without the removal of LED display panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Daktronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kory D. Kludt, Russell Jon Neyens, Jon M. Mammenga
  • Patent number: 8839538
    Abstract: A tube container with an integral accessory panel includes a tube container formed from a selected tube material. The tube container includes a product dispensing end, an intermediate sealing portion, and a filling end opposite the product dispensing end. The sealing portion is adapted to be sealed subsequent to filling the tube container with a selected product. An accessory panel, integrally formed from the selected tube material, is provided between the intermediate sealing portion and the filling end of the tube container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Quality Assured Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. Franko, Sr., Joseph D. Franko, Jr.