Patents Examined by G. Lee Skillington
  • Patent number: 4322904
    Abstract: An indicia display device including an outer casing having at least one opening or window. A non-planar guideway is provided within the casing and a sheet of flexible material is mounted for rotation within the guideway and conforms to the non-planar configuration of the guideway. The sheet carries indicia, such as numerals, words, or the like, which is disposed in a generally circular pattern about the axis of rotation of the sheet, and the window is located in alignment with the pattern of indicia. By rotating the sheet within the guideway, the indicia can be successively exposed through the window to the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: KCS Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Muderlak
  • Patent number: 4314417
    Abstract: This invention relates to a holder for motor vehicle registration plates and consists of a backing member which is adapted for attachment to a motor vehicle and a frame made from a plastics material which covers the periphery of the registration plate when located on the holder and includes a first formation adapted to bear on the periphery of the plate and a plurality of second formations which by resilient transverse deformation of the frame are engageable with the underside of the backing member to lock the plate between the backing member and frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1982
    Assignee: JNPC Investments (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: James T. Cain
  • Patent number: 4310978
    Abstract: An article for displaying advertising or promotional materials. In the preferred form, the article comprises a mounting portion including a body of an elastomeric material having embedded therein a plurality of magnetic particles, thereby rendering the mounting portion capable of being adhered to a magnetically permeable substrate. The body has a rear surface portion adapted to be received over the substrate, an oppositely directed front surface portion, and an intermediate opaque sheet of a thermoplastic material bonded by a pressure-sensitive adhesive to said front surface portion of the body. A cover sheet closely overlies the intermediate sheet, and the intermediate sheet and the outer sheet have their respective peripheral edges bonded to each other by a fused, adhesiveless bond about at least a substantial portion of the periphery of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Assignee: American Printers & Lithographers, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Stern
  • Patent number: 4309835
    Abstract: A product premium (20) includes a foldable frame (22) having a four-sided base (36) with a wall portion (80, 82, 84, 86) extending from each side of the base. An extension (24, 26, 28, 30) is detachably secured to the end of each wall portion along the edge of the wall portion remote from the attachment of the wall portion to the base. The extension and wall portion are substantially equal in dimension to the base (36) such that each extension and wall portion may be folded to substantially overlie the base with the extensions providing area (115, 150, 182, 230, 292) for promotional information thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Inventor: Don A. Naeve
  • Patent number: 4308680
    Abstract: A scintillating display device comprising a plurality of unit panels mounted on a base panel. Each unit panel has an integral projecting support member of inverted (human) noselike profile, the frontal portion of which is constituted by a vertical ridge and two slightly bevelled side surfaces. The frontal surface is slanted downwardly and rearwardly and merges into the base panel at its bottom. A rivet, with a rivet head, is embedded in the upper part of the support member from which a reflecting disk is freely suspended so as to move and swivel freely in a breeze, whereby a scintillating effect is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1982
    Inventor: Aharon Aboudi
  • Patent number: 4307526
    Abstract: A label strip with easily removable self-adhesive labels adhering in series to one side of a carrier strip for use in label printing and dispensing apparatuses which are equipped with a pull-off device gradually feeding the labels, the improvement wherein the carrier strip is continuous with respect to the length and width thereof, the carrier strip covering at least the greater part of the self-adhesive layer on the labels and a continuous backing strip disposed adjacent the side of the carrier strip opposite the one side thereof in a plane separate from and parallel to the carrier strip, the backing strip being bonded with the combination of the carrier strip and the self-adhesive labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1981
    Assignee: Esselte Pendaflex Corp.
    Inventor: Gerhard Wippern
  • Patent number: 4305217
    Abstract: A partitioned structure comprising an open topped container and a plurality of dividers having sides positioned within the container. The container has horizontal interior side channels on either side thereof so that each divider having at least one tab disposed on each side thereof slides within one of the horizontal channels and permits movement of the divider relative to the container. Each divider has a projection extending above its top on which information is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Inventors: Lorna A. Green, Joseph C. Green
  • Patent number: 4300300
    Abstract: A display board comprises a frame, two longitudinally displaceable legs extending in the plane of the board, a support articulated to the top of the display board and arranged to be swung at an angle to the plane of the board and a pair of struts between the board and the support to secure the latter in a swung-out position. Each of the struts is articulated to a respective leg of the board and to a component which is axially displaceable to a limited extent on the support. When the support is swung-in to a position in which it extends substantially parallel to the plane of the frame, the articulation points of the struts on the respective legs are located above the said axially displaceable component and therefore above the articulation points of the struts on the support. An extension member is telescopically arranged in the support and can be secured in position by a clamping member mounted on the support. The clamping member also serves to limit axial movement of the axially displaceable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Inventors: Erich Neuland, Rudolf L. Neuland
  • Patent number: 4300298
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating and displaying moving pictures in which a combination of a number of locally displaceable picture elements have positions that are variable and/or selectable by a number of adjustable outer or final control elements. At least part of individual final control elements have associated with them an inner control element. The position of the final control elements is variable in response to the action of the control elements, and these inner control elements are arranged on a movable inner control element carrier. The control elements constitute mechanical information storages in which the information has a total of at least two mechanical states and can be transmitted by mechanical contact to the associated final control elements, and hence to the picture elements. The information of the inner control elements is made variable by moving the control element carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Inventor: Kurt Ehrat
  • Patent number: 4299042
    Abstract: A frame construction for an illuminated sign comprises a metal sheathing on both top and bottom frame members of the frame, the sheathing being bent at its longitudinal edges to form longitudinally extending grooves, wherein both the top and the bottom frame members having longitudinally extending flanges inserted in the sheathing, while the longitudinal grooves of the sheathing are employed for mounting partly translucent front sheets, end frame members of the frame including tongues extending perpendicular thereto which are insertable into cavities formed by the longitudinal bent portions of the sheathing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Assignee: Colorlux a-s
    Inventor: Paul Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 4299041
    Abstract: A device in the form of a greeting card, display card, or the like, for producing a visual and/or a sound effect which includes a panel member or the like onto which is applied pictorial and/or printed matter in association with an effects generator, an electronic circuit mounted on the panel member but not visible to the reader of the matter but to which the effects generator is connected, and an activator on the panel member which, when actuated, causes triggering of the electronic circuit to energize the effects generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Inventor: Stephen H. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4296562
    Abstract: A multiplicity of optic fibers are secured at their outer ends in a spaced-apart pattern at the front surface of a viewing panel and at their inner ends in a concentrated, spaced-apart pattern at the rear, input surface of a reader panel for registry with correspondingly spaced holes arranged in an elongated tape in patterns of letters, numbers and/or other desired indicia to be displayed for viewing in greatly enlarged form. A source of light is positioned on the side of the tape opposite the inner ends of the optic fibers for illuminating those fibers which register with holes in the tape. Drive mechanism is provided for moving the tape past the inner ends of the optic fibers for producing a traveling light display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Inventor: George A. Sanborn
  • Patent number: 4292752
    Abstract: A back-lighted display sign having a protective outer face panel, a copy frame positioned behind the face panel, and a number of retaining members affixed to the rear of the copy frame to receive and retain replaceable copy inserts and color filters behind the copy frame. In one disclosed embodiment, the copy inserts include a number of transparent overlays bearing characters defined by regions of contrasting transparency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Inventor: William D. Clark
  • Patent number: 4291487
    Abstract: An inflatable article having a thin outer wall formed from a flexible, gas impervious, resilient material forming a closed surface. At least one hollow protrusion provided with a sealed end and an open end is associated with the wall, and at least one movable internal object is contained within the closed surface. A non-elastic connection member is attached on one side to the sealed end of the hollow protrusion and attached on the other side to the internal movable object. The article further includes an external control member connected to the sealed end of the hollow protrusion for imparting and controlling movement to the internal object through the connection member and extending from the protrusion externally of the closed surface so that the movable internal object will be moved when the user pulls the external control with the article in a restrained condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Inventor: Sidney H. Magid
  • Patent number: 4291475
    Abstract: A device for labelling a telephone set or the like. A flexible transparent shield covers a paper label in a receiving area in the handset housing of a telephone set. Lips at the opening of a pair of notches disposed in tangs in the transparent shield wrap around posts in the housing to retain the transparent shield and paper label in the receiving area of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans L. Schoemer
  • Patent number: 4290217
    Abstract: A list finder, for example, a telephone index, is provided in which all of the main parts can be integrally moulded of plastic mostly by simple moulds which do not require undercut moulding; the only essential non-plastic parts being a hinge pin pivotally connecting a base and a cover, and a spring. The base has two spaced apart pedestals each of which has laterally spaced upwardly facing and downwardly facing hinge pin seats, with a clear space being provided below the downwardly facing hinge pin seat so that this can be moulded by a unitary mould member which also moulds the underside of the base. The cover includes a planar portion and two downwards projections having a central web and a cylindrically curved flange, the flanges being engageable in T-shaped slots in the sheets of the index. The web member has an upwardly facing hinge pin seat, and an aperture is provided above this seat and the flanges so that these can be moulded by a unitary mould member which also forms the top of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1981
    Assignee: Swedish Industrial Corporation of Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Henry Finkel
  • Patent number: 4288937
    Abstract: A plurality of generally rectangular frames (21) releasably hinged together and having display panels (36) mounted in display areas defined by the frames. Each frame is of tubular metal of rectangular cross section and includes a horizontal top frame member (19), having downturned end portions, and a U-shaped bottom frame member (21), having laterally spaced vertical tubular side frame portions with longitudinal slots. Connector pins (26) make sliding connection between the top frame member and the bottom frame member. Display panels in the display areas are formed with laterally projecting mounting tabs (37) that are received in the slots of the side frame members, and of the connection pins if necessary, to hold the panels in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Inventor: Gary R. Virsen
  • Patent number: 4288936
    Abstract: A magnetic displaying device adapted for hanging on a wall including a displaying panel made of a hanging panel and a parallel disposed magnetic displaying panel between which is disposed a liquid containing magnetic particles. A translatable erasing magnet is arranged perpendicular to the downward direction of the device and coupled to a magnet lifting mechanism. The erasing magnet rests at either the upper or lower end of the panel and moves up and down through guiding means such as rails. A string or the like coupled to the lifting mechanism is pulled downwardly to move the erasing magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Assignee: Pilot Man-Nen-Hitsu Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Okutsu
  • Patent number: 4283869
    Abstract: A portable chartholder and table, particularly adapted to provide a readily viewable chart for sailing, his two rigid, flat and transparent members secured together by manually operable securing means having a release mechanism, one or more flexible grab handles extending from the perimeter of said members and multiple cushioning-supporting means secured on the perimeter of said members whereby said chartholder is protected against injury and/or displacement from a supporting surface during heavy weather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Inventor: Leonard F. Rappa
  • Patent number: 4281469
    Abstract: A device such as an earring card having a main panel adapted to display jewelry articles while oriented in a generally vertical position by suspension from a rod or the like. Preferably, the upper portion of the main panel adjacent to a centrally disposed display area includes a pair of vertically spaced, parallel, outwardly extending flanges, which in combination with that portion of the main panel disposed therebetween form a slot or groove adapted to receive a secondary panel on which advertising or other identifying material may be placed. Accordingly, the secondary panel is removable such that the indicia may be changed without modifying the package. Means for preventing the lateral movement of the second panel with respect to the first is provided either in the form of an upwardly extending tab adapted for receipt in an opening in one of the flanges or by means of a plurality of serrations provided on opposite edges of the second panel for frictional engagement with the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: A & H Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Feibelman