Patents Examined by J. R. Hakomaki
  • Patent number: 5058300
    Abstract: A signholder subassembly for use with a retaining bracket and a pair of clear, relatively flexible planar pieces. Each of the planar pieces has a face surface and is substantially identical to one another and adapted to be mated to one another and mounted along a bottom edge in the retaining bracket by the subassembly. The subassembly includes an insert capable of holding the planar pieces and is mountable within the retaining bracket. A member is included for biasing the planar pieces toward one another to form a bearing surface therebetween and create a gripping action between the face surfaces of the planar pieces when they are mounted within the insert and the retaining bracket. A member also is included for restraining the insert within the retaining bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Crown Metal Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Ernest, P. Paul Retzinger
  • Patent number: 5031347
    Abstract: A sheet of polyethylene stock material is die cut to form an elongated display board with mounting tabs at opposite ends thereof. A central hinge is heat scored on the display board to form a transverse midline, and outlying hinges are heat scored between the opposing ends of the display board and adjoining mounting tabs. A reflective background is applied to reversible surfaces of the display board, and separate messages are silk screened on each surface. One message includes a triangular "hazard" symbol on each side of the central hinge. The other message includes the word "HELP" on each side of the central hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: Douglas C. Berg
  • Patent number: 5012601
    Abstract: A picture frame assembly comprising an outer frame member and an inner frame member which is releasably secured to the outer frame member so that it can be snapped in and out of engagement for quickly and easily changing a framed picture unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Inventors: John R. Garland, Melvin L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4965947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the display of advertising messages which comprises two rollers 7, 8 for winding and unwinding a flexible member (9), such as a sheet which bears advertising messages which can be seen through a front screen, within a body (1) with a transparent front screen (3) which is illuminated from the rear. Each roller (7,8) is driven by a transmission which includes an idling wheel (15, 16, 25, 26) so that when one roller winds up the flexible member the other roller idles thus permitting unwinding of the said member (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventor: Franco Zanetti
  • Patent number: 4949487
    Abstract: A modular illuminated display has individual symbol elements each with small electric ampules spaced apart therein and selectively mounted on a U-section rail so that terminals of the symbol elements can mechanically support them on the rail and effect electrical connection between conductors and the inner walls of the rail with the lamp ampules of the mounted symbol elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: Fadil Kibarer
  • Patent number: 4949490
    Abstract: This invention is concerned with a reinforced panel device which is useful in the display and furniture arts. The reinforced panel device consist of a base and a header. By placement of the header on the base the various panel sections which make up the base are locked into a plumar relationship with each other. the base section of the reinforced panel device comprises a plurality of panel sections which are pivotly connected to each other. The header may comprise a single panel section or a plurality of panel sections which are pivotly connected to each other. The header may be permanently or detachably attached to the base. In accordance with the preferred embodiment the header is attached to the base via a connector plug having a camming end and a hook end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Channel-Kor Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Melvin M. Miller
  • Patent number: 4949484
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved system whereby a business card can be immediately placed onto a card holding means which permits the card to be immediately stored in a card carrying means which can be carried in a coat pocket or purse and further upon return to one's office permits the business card to be immediately removed from the card carrying means and placed in a desk card retaining means such as a card file or rotary file without any need for physical alteration of the business card to transcription of the information from the business card to the filing card. In addition, the present invention further permits the business card to be removed from the desk card holder and placed in the carrying case for use when the individual is going to a meeting with that person, thereby eliminating the necessity of once again transcribing the information from the card in the desk card holder onto a piece of paper to be taken by the individual to the meeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: Julie Finger
  • Patent number: 4936302
    Abstract: A clamp to be used during the performance of cerebrovascular thermography wherein said clamp compresses superficial temporal arteries without introducing heat artifacts is disclosed. The clamp is provided with two oppositely disposed contact members, the distance between which is adjustable. Also, one contact member is provided with resiliency means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventor: Margaret Abernathy
  • Patent number: 4936033
    Abstract: A unitary poster assembly molded of flexible synthetic plastic material, the assembly including a rectangular backing plate whose dimensions are slightly smaller than those of the poster. The plate is bordered by an integrated frame formed of top, bottom and left and right side branches, the top branch being spaced from the upper edge of the plate to form an inlet gap. The inner walls of the branches, save for the top branch, are slotted to define a U-shaped socket for receiving the corresponding margins of a poster supported on the backing plate. To install a poster, the top branch is momentarily bent back to admit the lower end of the poster into the inlet gap and to permit insertion of the side margins thereof into the slots of the side branches, the poster then being pushed down until its bottom margin lies in the slot of the bottom branch, at which point the poster is properly mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Index Industrial Design & Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Lacko
  • Patent number: 4932147
    Abstract: Method of forming various versions of an apparatus for displaying diverse types of artistic creations in which the shapes and the colors of the art piece change continuously. The changes have both a temporal and a spatial nature, and may occur according to a set programmed schedule or at random. The art objects so formed may have a flat surface, curved surfaces and/or combinations of flat and curved surfaces. The color range extends over the whole spectrum of white light components. The art object does not emit light but reflects incident light. Under set conditions, the incident white light is either not reflected at all or a spatial combination of quasi monochromatic light rays is reflected. In some specially constructed configurations, the wave length of the reflected light is not affected by the observer's viewing angle. In other specially constructed configurations, the viewing position of the observer affects the wave length of the reflected light rays and the color which such observer perceives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Inventor: Constant V. David
  • Patent number: 4930237
    Abstract: A poster board wall display system comprising a foamed polystyrene board, smaller than the poster board to be hung to the wall, with an opening having a tapered or slanted upper edge to engage a fastener (e.g., nail or hook) protruding from the wall. The outer face of the foamed polystyrene board is equipped with a fastener means (e.g., VELCRO strip) that reversibly engages to the backside of the poster board. In this manner, a poster board can be suspended away from the wall during display and the particular poster boards being displayed can be readily repositioned or changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: Eric B. Oliphant
  • Patent number: 4928630
    Abstract: An improved shipping container for laboratory animals such as mice and rats including inner and outer container elements both of which are provided with openings for adequate ventilation. The inner element is formed from a single blank of wire cloth or netting and includes a rectangular box-like element having a cover. The outer element is formed from a unitary blank of single wall corrugated fibrous material, and has openings inside, and upper walls communicating with the inner element, as well as spacing tabs to maintain stacked outer containers in mutually spaced relation, so that ambient air may enter through openings in said side and end walls, and exit through openings in the upper wall of each of the outer elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Inventor: Julius B. Kupersmit
  • Patent number: 4922895
    Abstract: A brace made of rigid thermoplastic material that retains the corrective features of a corrective cast without the disadvantages of a cast. The brace securely encloses the heel and the medial portion of the foot up to or slightly beyond the tip of the big toe on the medial side only. A strap, adjustably secured to the brace, directs a corrective force on the apex of the deformity on the lateral aspect of the foot, thus effecting correction. The brace has a leg-embracing component which includes a strap for preventing the heel from pulling away from the brace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Inventor: Andrew Chong
  • Patent number: 4897946
    Abstract: A device for cyclically rearranging a pile of rectangular or square sheets (such as photographic prints) by repeatedly performing the operation of removing one sheet from one end of the pile and returning the removed sheet to the other end of the pile. To facilitate removal of each sheet from the pile, the sheet to be removed is pressed against a frictional surface by a roller on the separator structure which moves relative to the sheet to be removed in order to separate that sheet from the remainder of the pile. The frictional surface moves with the sheet to be removed, and the roller helps ensure that the sheet to be removed stays in contact with the frictional surface and is moved thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4897947
    Abstract: An identification member adapted to be secured to shoes having laces or straps includes an integrally formed carrier of synthetic resin having a base and a cover which are hingedly connected along one side margin thereof. The base provides a cavity in which is seated an identification element, and the cover and base have interfitting side walls which engage in the closed position. Depending from the bottom wall of the base is a U-shaped engagement loop through which a shoelace or strap passes to secure the carrier to the top of the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Inventor: Stephanie Kass-Pious
  • Patent number: 4866866
    Abstract: A collapsible portable sign is described having a pair of vertically disposed parallel laterally spaced apart legs connected together at their upper ends by means of a center piece, all of which can be formed from metal or plastic tubing. The legs are releasably connected to the center piece as by means of pivots or removable socket connections enabling the legs to be folded parallel to the center piece for compact storage. A movable support bar extends between the legs when the sign is erect and a flexible sheet of cloth (e.g., nylon cloth) or plastic is supported between the center piece and the support bar to provide a display surface having information printed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventors: Bernard J. Rotter, Timothy M. Whitten, Silas A. Brown
  • Patent number: 4805329
    Abstract: A self-powered computerized advertisement board is disclosed which utilizes a plurality of wind-driven illuminating units to provide the requisite electrical power. The invention includes an electrical power handling circuit and a control circuit to store and distribute the electrical power and to control the illumination of the bulbs associated with the wind-driven illuminating units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Inventor: Hung-Chie Tsai
  • Patent number: 4793083
    Abstract: A sign panel holding system of the type used by real estate agents or the like, comprising a normally upright post and two holding members securable to a post at virtually any point of the overall length thereof. The holders are each provided with at least one but preferably two parallel transverse members defining a pair of parallel slots. The lower holder has the slots turned upwardly to engage lowermost edges of a pair of normally generally rectangular panels. The upper holder is positioned upside down and is slideably adjusted along the post to grip the top edges of the panel to thus secure the panels fixedly to the associated post. The advance in the art is particularly in structural simplicity of the device and in its versatile use with panels of different size. The invention also allows the placement of the panels at selectively different levels of the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Inventor: Angus E. McDonald
  • Patent number: 4783918
    Abstract: A system for the vertical display of information provided on a plurality of cards or similar display members includes an extended heads on each display member. The extended heads are supported on each side by a pair of parallel slideways. Each slideway includes a plurality of vertical supports spaced therealong and paired with a support on the other slideway. Thus, a respective pair of supports serves to support an extended head of a display member and a series of display members so supported is created. A cascading mechanism is also provided for sequentially moving each display member in a cascade to a lower pair of supports when a new display member is introduced into the pair of slideways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Inventor: Rene Valery
  • Patent number: 4776119
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container for a pile of sheets essentially of like format with a housing (12), which has a viewing window (35) exposing to view the uppermost sheet in the pile, and with a slider member (14), which can be pulled out of the housing parallel to the plane of the window, having a front wall (61) essentially flush with one edge of the housing, which wall is joined by side-pieces (44) to a slider member rear wall (20), as well as a grip arrangement (56, 57) that fits-in in the direction of the window (35) from the front wall (61) and comprises a grip top plate or wall part (56) and a grip bottom plate or wall part (57), the outer faces of which are essentially flush with the surrounding outer faces of the housing, and having at least one housing part (627) that extends parallel to the or one of the grip plates and, when the slider member (14) is in the pushed-in state, is covered by this grip plate (57).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret