Patents Examined by Gary Hoge
  • System for segregating and identifying contained material in a cooler and process for using the same
    Patent number: 9205962
    Abstract: A system configured to segregate and identify contained materials in a cooler having a cooler lid. The system has a long panel with a long panel slot connected to a short panel slot on a short panel configured within the cooler and dividing the cooler into a four sections. A map is detachably coupled to the cooler lid and comprises map sections which coordinate with the cooler sections. The map sections are then marked to identify the contents in the cooler sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventor: William Guy Holderby
  • Hybrid self illuminated and actively back lit signage for printed graphics
    Patent number: 9208704
    Abstract: Hybrid signage capable of self illumination and having an active backlight. The signage includes a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light in order to passively illuminate a printed graphic or shaped sign when the backlight is off. In the shaped sign, the shape provides the content, such as letters, to be conveyed to the viewer instead of a graphic. The signage can be actively illuminated when the backlight is on to supplemental the passive illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Erik A. Aho, Audrey A. Sherman, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Patrick A. Thomas, John C. Schultz, Michael H. Hansberry, William J. Bryan, David A. Harper
  • Musical chair greeting card
    Patent number: 9202391
    Abstract: The present disclosure and related inventions is directed to a three-dimensional (3D) greeting card. The greeting card is shaped like a chair which folds and unfolds and which plays audio upon interaction with the greeting card by a user. It also contains a miniature greeting card attached to the seat portion of the chair to provide a user with space for writing a message or adding his/her signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Nelson
  • Faux glowing firewood log suitable for outdoor use
    Patent number: 9200810
    Abstract: A faux glowing firewood log has an appearance simulating that of a burning or glowing log of natural firewood, and is suitable for outdoor use. The simulated log includes an integral power source comprising a rechargeable battery and a solar panel for charging the battery. A plurality of light emitting diodes, powered by the integral power source, are disposed in spaced relationship within a body of the simulated log. The faux glowing log's body includes a translucent region, and an outer surface including crevices or grooves, simulated knots, simulated tree rings, and simulated tree bark. Light emitted by the diodes is transmitted through the translucent region, including the crevices, giving the appearance simulating that the log is on fire or glowing with heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Coleman Cable, LLC
    Inventor: Tina M. Fulkerson
  • Can ends having machine readable information
    Patent number: 9187221
    Abstract: A system and method for laser marking can end, including a can end center panel and/or pull tab. The decorated can end and/or tabs may have a machine readable image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Ramsey, Laura Jane Vaughan
  • Display ads for door handles with coupon book holder
    Patent number: 9189983
    Abstract: A complementary coupon assembly affixed to a door handle assembly is described. The coupon assembly comprises a seat rail and pad base post, whereby a paper-based or electronic coupon book resides on the surface of the pad base post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Wild August LLC
    Inventor: Larry English
  • Device to store and display messages
    Patent number: 9186000
    Abstract: A keepsake device that is capable storing and displaying fortune cookie papers and printed messages. The device has an outer sleeve that is at least partially transparent and is attachable to and detachable from an inner sleeve to allow insertion and removal of the contents. The device also has a compartment which acts as a storage area for fortune cookie papers and printed messages. The device is shaped so that it can be displayed on a flat surface such as a table top and contains a magnet for attaching the device to a magnetizable surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Malibu Design Studio, LLC
    Inventor: Dianne Parry Dominguez
  • Support for use with computer devices
    Patent number: 9175802
    Abstract: A support is provided for use with computer devices. The support is made of a flexible material and incorporates an oval axial cross-section along with curved inner walls to provide a cushion. The support may be placed adjacent to a computer keyboard or mouse to function as a wrist rest. Additionally, the support may be used as supporting legs on a lap desk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: FELLOWES, INC.
    Inventor: Marcus Hudd
  • Wheel apparatus
    Patent number: 9175801
    Abstract: A mobile support structure for a display device includes a cross bar having a first end and a second end, a display, a first pair of legs, and a second pair of legs. A first coupling defines a first transverse cavity receiving the cross bar and a first pair of axial cavities receiving the first pair of legs. A second coupling defines a second transverse cavity receiving the cross bar and a second pair of axial cavities receiving the second pair of legs. A locking mechanism is disposed in at least one of the cross bar and the first pair of legs. A wheel coupling includes a wheel and is engaged with at least one of the first coupling and the second coupling such that when in a moving position, the wheel contacts a ground surface and rolls the display from a first location to a second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Adilman, Gregory James Kenyon, Michael John Hurley
  • Built-in retractable ventilation hood assembly
    Patent number: 9175862
    Abstract: A built-in ventilation hood assembly is designed for installation into a kitchen cabinet immediately above a built-in cooking device. The assembly includes a housing and a retractable hood unit, which may include at least one air intake into which air is drawn; and the housing may include at least one opening for exhaustion of the air taken into the housing. The assembly may also include at least one telescoping linear actuator configured to slide the retractable hood unit out from the housing and back into the housing when needed. The assembly may also include an air blower installed within a rear end of the housing. The air blower includes one, two, or more cross flow fans for uniform exhausting the air out of the housing. The housing may also include an external rectangular duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Inventor: Mikhail Chtchetinin
  • Adjustable display apparatus
    Patent number: 9167917
    Abstract: An adjustable display brochure holder component comprising opposed spaced apart front and rear surfaces, opposed spaced apart first and second side surfaces and a supporting base surface. The rear surface is formed or oriented in a single plane and the rear surface includes a plurality of attachment points therein. Each one of the attachment points is located at or near side edge portions of the rear surface. Each of the attachment points is adapted to engage with a clip, thereby enabling the display brochure holder component to be clipped to, and secured with, an adjacent like display brochure holder component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Plastics Tooling and Marketing Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen Dennis Taylor
  • Self illuminated signage for printed graphics
    Patent number: 9171489
    Abstract: Self illuminated back and front lit signage for a printed graphic. The signage includes a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light, a diffuser providing for diffusion, and a printed graphic. The turning film receives light from an ambient light source and directs the light via the structured surface toward a viewer of the graphic in order to passively illuminate the signage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Erik A. Aho
  • Mechanical sign waving device
    Patent number: 9171487
    Abstract: A sign waving apparatus that includes a base, a housing enclosing a motor, a frame support connecting the base and the housing, and a sign mount mechanically connected to a motor. The sign or signs attach to the surfaces of the sign mount. The sign mount moves relative to the housing in a variety of different motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Velocity Signs, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Adams, Josh Faherty
  • Greeting card with scrolling scene
    Patent number: 9156300
    Abstract: The greeting card of the present invention includes a sound and motor module which enable the greeting card to play audio and activate a scroll mechanism which displays a scrolling scene across a window or screen located on at least one panel of the greeting card. The scroll mechanism contains a piece of thin paper or paper-like material which is attached end-to-end, forming a loop. The material is then placed between two rotating spindles or rollers which rotate the material in a loop across the greeting card page as a moving picture, scene or message. The scroll may contain a greeting, message or simply contain artwork or a funny or entertaining scene. The information on the scroll may be coordinated with the theme of the music or audio clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Michelle Parkinson, Erin Dennis, Seth Larson
  • Passive, metal mount, UHF, RFID tag capable of a long read range
    Patent number: 9159017
    Abstract: A passive, metal mount, UHF RFID tag with a high antenna efficiency is provided. The passive, metal mount, UHF RFID tag has a first securing surface and second securing surface which are both hinged at sides of a main body of the tag and which allow the tag to be secured to flat objects, round objects having various circumferences or to objects having unusual exterior surfaces. A pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape secures the tag to the object. The tag allows the main body (or “form factor”) to be offset from a metallic asset which is tracked without the metallic object negatively interfering with the RFID. The metallic surface of the asset being tracked is used to activate the Patch antenna duality of the custom design inlay, thus increasing the radiation efficiency of the driven element (integrated circuit) and ultimately the read range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: William Frick and Company
    Inventors: John Poplawski, Benn Stutrud
  • Advertising cycling device
    Patent number: 9153153
    Abstract: An advertising cycling device provides a mobile way for displaying advertisements. The device includes a cycling frame. A plurality of wheels is rotatably coupled to the cycling frame. A crankset is coupled to the cycling frame. The crankset includes a pair of pedals. The pedals are mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels such that rotation of the pedals causes at least one of the wheels to rotate. An advertising frame is coupled to the cycling frame. A panel is selectively couplable to the advertising frame. The panel has advertisement indicia positioned thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventor: Gene A. Rothstein
  • Robotic smart sign system and methods
    Patent number: 9142151
    Abstract: Described are robotic signs comprising: a sign post; an arm movably attached to the sign post, the arm having a positioning apparatus configured to allow the arm to rotate independently and contiguously around the sign post, the arm having at least one face comprising an electronic display configured to present display items; and a communication element configured to receive display item information from a remote administration application, the display item information comprising a direction and a description; wherein upon presenting a display item, an arm rotates to indicate the direction and displays the description. Also described are software applications for configuring the robotic signs, networks of the robotic signs, and advertising systems utilizing the robotic signs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: POINTS LAB CO.
    Inventors: Michael William Lipton, Mattias Hans Gunneras, Andrew Stephen Zolty
  • Scrolling backlit display with superimposed background and foregoing graphics, multi-color LED backlit panel, and illuminated housing
    Patent number: 9135839
    Abstract: A unique scrolling backlit display used for advertising or the like features two sets of spools carrying separate webs thereon that respectively contain background and foreground imagery, whereby scrolling of one web relative the other increases the number of distinct visuals that can be attained with the device, and also allows dynamic animation-like displays in which foreground images change over a maintained background, or vice-versa. Multi-color LED light sources in the backlighting device are operable to create vibrant, dynamic lighting effects, while illumination of the display housing further increases the visual appeal of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventor: Tobin Remenda
  • Business card holder and dispenser
    Patent number: 9125466
    Abstract: A business card holder includes a support for containing a number of business cards permitting vertical extraction of one card from the set by grasping the card along its narrower upper edge. The lower surface of the support is bevelled so as to cause the set of cards to be presented at the upper end of the support at differing heights for ease of extraction. The upper edge of at least one wall containing the cards is lower than the top edge of all of the cards in the set, providing an edge that will permit the uppermost card to be bent slightly outward over this top edge for extraction. The vertical height of the card support when positioned within a pocket may be established by providing a downwardly extending leg that will rest against the bottom of the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventor: David J French
  • Modular changeable inserts for signs
    Patent number: 9123263
    Abstract: A modular sign inserts system that comprises a back panel onto which at least two insert panels are adjacently arranged is provided. Each insert panel has a front side and a back side wherein the back side is placed onto the back panel and the front side displays information. The system further comprises at least one partition to be removably placed between two adjacent insert panels wherein the back side of the insert panels is removably connected to the back panel. The system can also be provided with a plurality of connectors attached to the back side for connecting the insert panels to the back panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Inventors: Israel Maman, Reuven Maman