Patents Examined by J. Bonifanti
  • Patent number: 5131175
    Abstract: A water spraying device for a crystal ball containing a decorative item, essentially comprising a pump housing having a water inlet and outlet and fixed at both sides to a rubber plug seat which is mounted below the base for the decorative items within the crystal ball. The device also includes a pump impeller driven by a small type of motor within said pump housing to pump the water entering from the inlet to the outlet for spraying out, thus making the snow within the crystal ball to fluff and tumble and to form a very attractive sight. The pump impeller and pump housing are configured such that it does not require the motor to be mounted before filing the crystal ball with clean water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Inventor: J. H. Liu
  • Patent number: 5129703
    Abstract: The expense required for the assemblage of chair rows consisting of individual chairs is considerably reduced in that legless intermediate members are inserted between chairs with legs, specifically legless seat shells or legless trays. Versatility is additionally increased by means of serial connectors which permit the identical fastening members to be covered or to be directly connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Wiesner-Hager KG
    Inventors: Martin Ballendat, Georg Reinthaler
  • Patent number: 5127706
    Abstract: A fire-resistant seating component. In a first embodiment, seat backs and pans are equipped with an enclosure containing a fire-retardant material which can flow out of early-release openings in the enclosure. The enclosure comprises at least one meltable zone which causes dispensation of the fire-resistant material at a temperature which is below the ignition temperature of the seating component. The enclosure is located at the lower portion of either a seat pan, a seat back, or both, so that burning rubbish such as paper cups and similar flammable debris disposed under a seat can be extinguished by the fire-retardant material as it flows vertically downwardly into the space beneath the seat. In a second embodiment, interior spaces within a seating component are coated or filled with non-combustible material to reduce the transfer of heat and the spread of fire. Such material may completely occupy the interior space within the component, or the material may simply coat the interior surfaces of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Interkal, Inc.
    Inventor: Vaughn L. Clark
  • Patent number: 5125177
    Abstract: A multi-piece inflatable piece is provided. The inflatable has a base portion which contains an inflating blower. A top portion is releasably attached to the base portion permitting a single base portion to be used with variously shaped top portions. In one embodiment the base portion is a pail into which the top portion may be collapsed for storage and shipping purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventor: Hakan Colting
  • Patent number: 5121963
    Abstract: An armrest storage assembly (20) disposed for use with a vehicle seat assembly (22) includes a lower tray (28) and a top closure member (30) generally referred to as substrates (28,30). Each substrate (28,30) includes an upper periphery forming a U-shaped channel (46). A fabric material (20) is wrapped about the substrate (28,30) having an edge (52) disposed within the U-shaped channel (46). The armrest assembly (20) further includes a U-shaped retainer ring (54) for interlocking disposition in the channel (46). The retainer ring (54) includes gripping members (72) for gripping the material (20) as the retainer ring (54) is forcibly inserted in the channel (46) and for retaining the material (20) in the U-shaped channel (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Lear Seating Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Kwasnik, David Harrell
  • Patent number: 5119573
    Abstract: A system for photography easily distributes slides onto a light transparent screen and subsequently regroups the slides into a stack with the same sequence, without need to individually manipulate the slides. The system enables a user to view many slides at the same time minimizing the area needed. The system comprises a transparent screen with a plurality of longitudinally extending rails which define columns for the slides and a slide dispenser box, for use in conjunction with the screen, which dispenses and collects the slides on the screen. The rails have an interior saw-tooth profile and the dispenser has a flexible barrier disposed over the dispensing opening which together allow for one slide at a time to be distributed and collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Inventor: Alessandro Dentella
  • Patent number: 5118161
    Abstract: A device for releasably securing a tray to a chair having two extending arms with a plurality of consecutive recessed grooves on the underside of each arm which comprises a one-piece pivot bar; a pivot element for pivotably connecting the pivot bar to the bottom of the tray; the pivot bar comprising an operable front portion forward of the pivot element, a back portion rearward of the pivot element, and at least two pins extending from the back portion for engaging the grooves; attachment elements proximate the pivot element for rotatably securing the pivot bar to the bottom of the tray; and a biasing element associated with the pivot bar for urging the pins toward the bottom surface of the tray and into corresponding grooves when the tray is positioned on the arms of the chair to secure the tray to said arms, whereby operation of the pivot bar in opposition to the biasing means causes the pins to retreat from the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Kolcraft Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: James Slowe, Stanley Kujawski
  • Patent number: 5115586
    Abstract: A clip-on marker for electrical or optical leads or cables such as petrol engine spark plug leads having an elastomeric outer sheath comprises first and second half-shells that hinge together along one edge and clip together along the other edge to tightly encircle the lead. One half-shell has on its external surface raised or indented regions that are readily perceptible by touch and whose number identifies the marker. The other half-shell may carry a legible identifier. Markers may be moulded in sets, e.g. of six, via a single mold sprue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Development Technology Limited
    Inventor: Michael J. Hawker
  • Patent number: 5113602
    Abstract: A key cover comprises a hinged frame and two removably insertable insignia plates for bearing an identifying mark or logo. The frame has a recess for accommodating the head of the key and a locking means which retains the cover on the key head when the frame is folded over onto itself. The insignia plates include bosses which extend through the key ring hole of the key, for preventing the key from pivoting within the cover. The plates are inserted into openings in the frame, the key blade is inserted between the hinges and the frame is folded over onto itself. Pressure on the frame engages the locking means, which retains the cover on the key head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: General Automotive Specialty Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Levine, George Bellwoar, Douglas A. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5114211
    Abstract: A chair, in particular an office chair, has a vertical column (12) rising from a pedestal (10). From the top end of the column a bracket (16) projects forwards. A seat (20) is connected to the bracket and is supported in the rear region by a generally U-shaped led spring (24) fastened to the column (12). The seat (20) is fixedly connected approximately in the region of its front third to a support plate (18) attached to the bracket, and in the region of its rear third fixedly to a rigid bearing plate (22). On its underside, the bearing plate (22) has sleeves for receiving, in a displaceable manner, two open ends (38, 40) of the leg spring (24). The seat (20) is designed so as to be able to move at least in the region of its middle third.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Inventor: Simon Desanta
  • Patent number: 5113613
    Abstract: A container, especially for photographic prints, comprises a double-shell housing and a drawer which can be pulled out of the latter parallel to a window in the housing. The plane of separation of the housing is approximately flush with the upper edge of the drawer and the contour of the housing tapers, starting from the said plane of separation. For the actuation of the drawer, a grip recess portion enters from below into the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 5111605
    Abstract: This coding band, in particular for electric cables, is provided, proximate o its longitudinal edges, with perforations adapted to be engaged by the traction elements of a computer printer and with a plurality of prepunched strips which extend substantially transversely to the longitudinal extension of the band. The strips delimit regions for printing identification codes for the cables to be tagged, can be individually removed from the band and can be inserted in a seat defined in a supporting element which is associable with at least one cable to be tagged. The strip further defines teeth for its retention in the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Co.E.P.T.E. Costruzioni Elettromec-Caniche per Trazione Elettrica S.r.l.
    Inventor: Daniele Bossi
  • Patent number: 5109619
    Abstract: A picture frame unit comprised of a main front frame together with a one-piece retainer as a backing for the unit. The edges of the retainer snap into the frame causing a number of integral spring biased pads to press against the back of the picture placed within the unit. The snap-in mechanism secures the retainer into the back of the frame while the retainer pads secure the picture into place within the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Southern Plastic Mold, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael K. Noggle
  • Patent number: 5099659
    Abstract: A magnetic clasp having first and second magnetized portions, each with a hole disposed in the center thereof. The two portions are magnetically attractive to each other but are divided with a gap at their interface to permit easy separation thereof. A third magnetic portion is sized to fit within the hole in the first and second rings. The magnetic prevents lateral movement of the two portions at their interface. The male portion has attached to its opposite ends a chain, each end of the chain being further attached to a stop sized larger than the hole in the rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Idylls Ltd.
    Inventors: Victor Carranza, Reinhold M.W. Strnat
  • Patent number: 5099589
    Abstract: A picture frame including a body, a pair of wall members formed along an inner periphery of the body and separated with each other so that a gap is formed between the wall members, a slot formed in the top of the body so that pictures can be inserted into the gap and can be maintained in place by the wall members, a base including a pair of legs pivotally coupled to the bottom of the body and rotatable to either side of the body and arranged such that the body can be maintained in an upstanding position, and so that either side of the body can be shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventor: Hsueh-Chen Lai
  • Patent number: 5099593
    Abstract: A simple, yet well-constructed illuminated sign has characters appearing as glistening ice chunks. The illuminated sign includes a light source which is surrounded by a diffusion member. This illuminated sign also includes a reflecting member disposed on one side of the light source and a diffusion panel disposed on the other side of the light source. This illuminated sign further includes a genrally opaque sign panel with raised transparent characters having a chiseled ice-like configuration whereby the light from the light source, following multiple diffusion and reflection, passes through the raised transparent characters to form a lighted sign with characters which appear as if they were chiseled from blocks of ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Lakeside Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul Hannula
  • Patent number: 5097611
    Abstract: An advertising and information display includes a mounting bracket for attaching the display to a conventional retail shelving unit or other structural support, a fixed carrier for holding a relatively small, continuously displayed information medium, and a flexible, user-operable, automatically-retracting carrier for holding a substantially larger, intermittently displayed information medium. The fixed carrier holds a removable user-enticing placard that does not interfere visually or physically with nearby exhibits or products located on that or adjacent shelves. The flexible carrier is preferably a plastic, cloth, or paper sheet which is mounted behind the fixed carrier on a spring-loaded roller or other automatically retracting storage device. A brake preferably controls retraction speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Marchon, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin Smollar, Richard B. Mazursky, William F. Walter
  • Patent number: 5096256
    Abstract: A motor vehicle having a partition wall includes a seat having a seat cushion and a seatback. The seatback is located immediately adjacent to the partition wall with its back surface facing the partition wall. The seatback is formed at a laterally middle portion thereof with a through opening. An armrest is so sized as to fit into the through opening. A bracket is secured to the seatback laterally and extends across the through opening. The bracket is fastened to the partition wall with bolts and nuts. A covering plate is detachably disposed in the through opening to conceal the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Mouri
  • Patent number: 5094023
    Abstract: A portable, temporary roadway sign stand (10) with a single upright support (11), a first stabilizing means (12), and a horizontal stabilizing means (13), all of which are telescopically extensible to allow for a great range of adjustable features. Such features include, but are not limited to, improved stability, quick and easy assembly and disassembly, compaction, and variable sign display height. Other constituents of sign stand (10) provide essential wind rigidity, adjustment for various sign types and sizes, conformity to uneven, irregular and/or sloping terrains, and break-away joints for safety purposes. The present invention is also designed to conform to federal, state, and local regulations, as well as the "standards of operation and use" established by other groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Meadowlark Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. McVey
  • Patent number: 5090146
    Abstract: Repositionable sign figure which may be adhesively affixed to a sign backboard comprising a sign figure comprised of a flexible, resilient material, and backwardly projecting flanges from the edges of said front surface, whereby a portion of the front surface of said sign figure may be depressed to adhesively affix said sign figure to said sign backboard. The sign figure is best suited for temporarily affixing a sign figure to a backboard by pressing a portion of the surface of the figure against backboard, and permanently affixing the sign figure to the backboard by pressing substantially the entire front surface of the figure against the backboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventor: Dennis L. Sandefur