Patents Examined by James Hakomaki
  • Patent number: 4473963
    Abstract: Apparatus for releasably attaching a sign to a display stand. The sign comprises a sheet of material folded into a central section and a pair of upstanding display sections. The sign support inludes a pair of pivotally connected support members. One support member is releasably attached to the support surface and supports the central section of the sign. The other support member engages the display sections of the sign and maintains them in an upright orientation relative to the support surface. Mating catches on the support members secure the support members to each other in order to securely engage the sign. The engagement between the mating catches may be released in order to pivot the support members relative to each other so that the sign may be removed from the sign support, without removing the sign support from the support surface. The sign support is preferably formed as a unitary, molded plastic article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hardy, John A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4467556
    Abstract: A toy vehicle which is capable of changing both its size and shape has a compound vehicle chassis having a first and a second chassis member. The chassis members are movable with respect to one another. The chassis members are connected together such that they can be moved with respect to one another reversibly between a first position and a second position. The body of the vehicle includes at least one movable member which is movably associated with one of the chassis members and is movable with respect to the chassis member with which it is associated with between two positions. The spatial relationship between parts of the body of the vehicle is changeable in conjunction with movement of the chassis members and the movable member between their respective positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: Tomy Kogyo Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Noriaki Iwao, Akira Abe
  • Patent number: 4466207
    Abstract: A stationary matrix panel has magnetic display elements arranged in vertical and horizontal rows, each element having two stable states of contrasting appearance. Electromagnetic actuator heads are mechanically coupled together by resilient couplings so as to move in unison and actuate selected display elements. The couplings are arranged to allow limited movement in a direction normal to that of the travel of the actuator heads across the matrix panel, thereby allowing for slight misalignment in the panel. Each actuator head contains a number of individual electromagnets and is responsive to a respective indexing track which provides signals indicative of the actual position of the actuation of the electromagnets in the head. The matrix panel has a plurality of guide rails arranged to provide accurate vertical registration of the heads, each guide rail being slotted to provide the indexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Unisplay S.A.
    Inventor: Hassan P. A. Salam
  • Patent number: 4462175
    Abstract: A safety tag holder for high voltage and other types of hazardous equipment. A flat holder, transparent on both sides with an intervening space between covers for insertion of a flat card, is constructed completely of electrical insulating material. A hook at one end of the holder is located in the same plane as the card and has a holding clip so the holder can not be accidentally removed from cables or rod upon which it is hung. A ring in the plane of the holder permits handling the holder with a pole which has a matching hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Inventor: Mark W. Romberger
  • Patent number: 4462176
    Abstract: Article for forming picture frames and molding and the picture frame and molding made thereby, wherein the picture frame molding includes a fusible strip running the entire length thereof and wherein the abutting sections of molding at the corners of the frame are held together by the abutting fusible strips being fused together at the corners. The frame is preferably wood and the fusible strip is preferably a thermoplastic material that can be fused or otherwise bonded to itself by for example ultrasonic welding, gluing or other adhesive bonding. Also, the dust cover or backing for the picture is fusible to the back of the picture frame sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Inventor: John R. Schovee
  • Patent number: 4461105
    Abstract: A single-piece transparency frame for holding a film therein comprising: a window-shaped opening, the width and length of which on the front face are greater than the useful length and width of the film to be inserted, and on the rear face are less than that length and width; two horizontal grooves provided in the plane of the film in the lengthwise direction of the film; two narrow sides located on the front face of the opening which are extended by parallel slots which in turn open into said horizontal grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: Kis France
    Inventor: Claude Thebault
  • Patent number: 4461106
    Abstract: A dynamic display comprising a multiplicity of presentation units such as solid blocks (as shown), containers, stands or shelves arranged for rotation as at least two groups about respective parallel axes. At least one of the groups being contra rotatable with respect to the or at least one of the adjacent groups, and each of the presentation units being shaped and located to avoid interference with any of the other presentation units, with the groups being arranged in a straight line (as shown), cyclically or in a pattern, even though the paths of movement of the presentation units of adjacent ones of the groups overlap, when viewed in a direction parallel to said axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Inventor: David A. Lawson
  • Patent number: 4459773
    Abstract: A tensioned mounting device is disclosed. The device is designed to apply a gentle tensioning force along the attached edges of a mounted thin, planar device, such as a poster. The device is comprised of two variable-length bar mechanisms. Each mechanism includes at least two frames slidably joined by a connector bar. A tensioning device, such as a spring, exerts an outward force between a frame and the connector bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Inventors: Jane M. Sandlin, William C. Sandlin
  • Patent number: 4458387
    Abstract: A panel nail construction adapted to be assembled on a backing material used in making shaped, upholstered panels employed in the making of furniture, and the like. The panel nail construction is provided with backing material-retaining means which enable it to be attached on a backing material. The panel nail construction advantageously is used in the form of a strip comprised of panel nails integrally, but separably, interconnected along the adjacent transverse margins of the head portion of each of the panel nails. In this form, the panel nail construction can be rapidly, and selectively, assembled on a backing material with an automatic machine or tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Hartco Company
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Pearson
  • Patent number: 4457090
    Abstract: An incremental sheet advertising sign assembly includes a plurality of substantially identical panels to be mounted on a rail frame. Grooved wheels are attached to the back of each panel in such a manner as to engage the uppermost rail of said frame. At least one locking track is mounted vertically along the back surface of each panel, and locking elements slide along the tracks and lock the panel to a lower rail of the rail frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Inventor: Paul F. McDonough
  • Patent number: 4457051
    Abstract: A slider to be applied to ribbons for clothing articles comprising a first portion and a second portion integral with the first portion. The first portion on a surface thereof is provided with projections for ultrasonic welding to a ribbon. The second portion has two slots that slidingly receive a ribbon, these slots being separated by two confronting, resiliently flexible arms. In the assembling process the slider is first secured to the end of a ribbon by welding, generally ultrasonic welding; then a punch moving transversely of the arms pushes a length of the ribbon beyond the arms, simultaneously flexing the arms. When the punch retracts, the arms spring back to their undeformed condition and the ribbon is left astride the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: Lovable Industriale S.p.A.
    Inventor: Dario Bartolini
  • Patent number: 4453326
    Abstract: A document holding and segregating device includes a generally cylindrical body member having radially projecting partitions forming a plurality of compartments for holding documents such as communication memos, etc. The body member includes a central hub having a hollow axial bore and a thrust bearing surface at one end of the bore. The body member is mounted on a cylindrical base member having an upstanding bearing post insertable in the bore in the hub of the body member whereby the body member may be mounted for rotation on the base to enhance its use in receiving and dispensing documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: Dynamic Resources Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Hoffman, William D. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 4453324
    Abstract: This invention relates to a display device having a self storing changeable message appearing on a display element that may be folded for insertion into a mounting member having two opposing flanges defining a channel and when the display element is engaged with the channel a selected portion of message printed thereon is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: The Hopp Press, Inc.
    Inventor: William Greenberger
  • Patent number: 4453293
    Abstract: A clamping arrangement for clamping a corona discharge wire in electrophotographic copying apparatuses has a bush member with an inner surface provided with a plurality of teeth, a clamping member located inside the bush and having an outer surface provided with a plurality of teeth, so that one end portion of the corona discharge wire can be clamped between the teeth of the bush and the clamping member, a sliding member displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the corona discharge wire so as to support at least the clamping member therein, and a spring member engaging the sliding member and acting in a direction which is opposite to the pulling direction of the corona discharge wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert AG
    Inventors: Konrad Bruckl, Georg Fryda
  • Patent number: 4453328
    Abstract: A bumper sticker holder for automobiles and the like has a mounting element adapted for attachment to a bumper by adhesive and mounting a holder element in adjustable pivotal position for receiving and retaining bumper sticker or signs with a transparent front face exposing the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Inventor: Jack Connolly
  • Patent number: 4451957
    Abstract: A slide apparatus for joining ends of a belt of the type having a plurality of transverse interlocked spiral elements. The slide apparatus includes two tapered overlapping channels for the reception of the overlapping belt ends so that upon movement of the slide apparatus the overlap of the belt ends will be reduced. The tapered channels terminate in a common narrow channel having a width equal to the overlapped end spiral elements so that upon passage of the two belt ends from the narrow channel a spring biased pusher element will force the overlapped spiral elements into meshing engagement, wherein a pintle wire, inserted into the passage defined by the intermeshed spiral elements, connects the belt ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Steg Siebtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Lefferts, Roelof Roelofs
  • Patent number: 4450637
    Abstract: This invention consists of four separate frame pieces or moldings held together with appropriate pivot pins and springs. By simply rotating any two opposing frame pieces, the remaining frame pieces at ninety degrees are simultaneously rotated in the same direction and held open ready for mounting in logical order the various items which constitute a completely framed photo, diploma, painting, etc. After assembling the required items, the frame pieces are again grasped and rotated in the opposite direction, forcing complete closure of the four frame pieces around the items mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Inventor: Norman Russ
  • Patent number: 4450640
    Abstract: An illuminated sign letter structure made up of an extruded plastic strip having a metal foil encased therein. One end of the strip is enlarged and has a ledge projecting outwardly from the strip. The opposite sides of the ledge are parallel and smooth for receiving the edges of a letter-form. The extruded plastic strip is formed into a letter shape and a letter-form of the letter shape is fixed in the frame to engage either the inner or the outer parallel, smooth ledge side. The metal foil may be straight or the end of the foil at the enlarged end of the extruded strip may be bent inwardly into the enlarged end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Inventors: Jay B. Shapiro, Willaim Bank
  • Patent number: 4445254
    Abstract: Hose band clip with a tightening strap and a turnbuckle which is secured to one end of the tightening strap and to which a turnbuckle worm, that cooperates with gearing of the tightening strap in order to adjust the strap, is pivoted. Narrow openings are formed in longitudinal sidewalls of the housing of the turnbuckle which, when the tightening strap is tightened, are deformed by a predetermined large tension force transmitted from the worm to the housing of the turnbuckle to provide an optical indication that the tension force should not be increased any further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Inventor: Kurt Allert
  • Patent number: 4441270
    Abstract: A multi-page folder having a staggered array of interleaved pages successively flipped by manual actuation of a drawstrip. The folder includes a back cover panel bounded by a right fold line joining it to an overlying contiguous base panel, a central slot formed near the fold line joining the back panel and the base panel, a distal segmented tab extending from the base panel away from the right fold line, a plurality of substantially parallel fold lines traversing and subdividing the tab into plural segments, an elongated drawstrip joined to the last tab segment most remote from the right fold line and extending between the back cover panel and the base panel through the central slot longitudinally movable from a retracted position substantially flattening the segmented tab to an extended position protruding through the central slot beyond the right fold line and curling the segmented tab under the base panel toward the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Structural Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Crowell, Warren Dennison