Patents Examined by Joanne Silbermann
  • Circuit breaker identification accessory
    Patent number: 9147545
    Abstract: Identification accessories, circuit breaker caps, and labeling kits for labeling electrical switch devices, such as circuit breakers, are presented herein. An identification accessory is disclosed for identifying an electrical switch device in proximity to its operating mechanism. The identification accessory includes an accessory shell with a lid having first and second endwalls projecting from the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Broghammer
  • Sign guard
    Patent number: 9135836
    Abstract: A sign guard for protecting pedestrians and pets from sharp edges of a sign is disclosed. The sign guard may have a recess within which the sign is received. The recess may be sufficiently deep to cover the sharp edges of the sign to mitigate injury to pedestrians and pets. The sign guard may have a through hole for lightening the weight of the sign guard as well as relieving stress to prevent warpage during certain manufacturing techniques. Additionally, the sign guard may have two (2) mounting pads which protrude inwardly into the through hole for mounting the sign and sign guard to a post. Holes may be drilled or preformed in the mounting pads that line up to the mounting holes of the sign. Alternatively, the sign may be mounted to the sign guard and post by way of a retaining clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin Todd Benumof, Richard Edwin Wilson
  • Providing a rail mounting system for a mobile device case
    Patent number: 9127806
    Abstract: A rail mounting system apparatus and method for a mobile device case and accessory is provided, which includes at least one case rail, at least one case slot configured to receive an accessory rail. The rail mounting system also includes a locking mechanism to secure the mobile device case and the accessory. The locking mechanism may be disengaged through use of a release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Hit Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Brooks Bergreen
  • Portable advertising platform
    Patent number: 9117378
    Abstract: An advertising system and method of use includes a rail car and an advertising billboard mounted thereon. Preferably, the billboard is adjustable so that advertising thereon can be positioned to face desired viewers, such as people traveling on roadways adjacent a railroad track. The billboard may rotate and/or be raised and lowered by a lift, which may include a telescoping post. An onboard electric power source is typically provided to power lights and other electric components. Outriggers may be used to help stabilize the rail car when parked especially for windy conditions. A security fence may be mounted on the rail car to protect various components thereon. The billboard may include one section which can be raised relative to another section for display purposes and lowered to provide a lower height during transport. The rail car may carry an additional billboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Freight Train Media LLC
    Inventors: Raymond P. Sipperley, Donald E. MacCord, Jr.
  • Wood to pipe bracket and a connection utilizing such a bracket
    Patent number: 9115506
    Abstract: A bracket is formed from a front member and a back member. The front member includes a curvilinear portion flanked by first and second wing portions. The back member includes a central portion flanked by first and second end portions. The first and second wing portions of the curvilinear portion are secured by fasteners to the first and second wing portions, respectively, in a manner which forms a clamping area between the curvilinear portion and the central portion to frictionally attach the bracket to a received pipe/pole member. First and second upright members extend from the first and second wing portions, respectively. The first and second upright members support attachment of covering for boxing in of the received pipe/pole member and concealment of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: OZ-POST, INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Mountable sign holding apparatus
    Patent number: 9117381
    Abstract: A mountable sign holding apparatus attaches a sign to a handlebar or a steering wheel of a vehicle to communicate a warning to pedestrians against touching the vehicle. The apparatus includes an elongated tube. A sign is coupled to and extends outwardly from an upper end of the tube. A coupler is attached to a bottom end of the tube and is configured to frictionally engage a steering control of a vehicle and support each of the tube and the sign on the steering control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventors: Henry B. Shaw, IV, Brenda Carr
  • Controllable kinetic flexible member imagery system
    Patent number: 9097316
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving one or multiple flexible members to produce kinetic imagery where the flexible members have two spaced endpoints and are suspended in a curve from the endpoints. A drive mechanism is provided for continuously lengthening and shortening the distance between the endpoints and/or for varying the lengths of the flexible members, and a control unit is present for operating the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph C. Pentland
  • Decorative light display
    Patent number: 9087464
    Abstract: A decorative light display used with a decorative string of lights comprises an inner and an outer flexible circular-shaped substructure, the flexible substructures including a pair of interlocking notches allowing the substructures to be assembled together to form a generally spherically shaped framework; the substructures having inner and outer circumferences, wherein the notches are formed on the inner circumference of the outer flexible substructure and the outer circumference of the inner flexible substructure; further comprising a sinusoidal wave shape formed on the outer circumferences of the flexible substructures for securing the decorative string of lights in contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: BALB, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald G. Presswood, Jr., Selby Sullivan
  • Sign holder bracket and display system
    Patent number: 9082323
    Abstract: A display system includes a bracket and a sign. The bracket includes a base and a reception portion coupled to the base. The reception portion includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an intermediate wall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall each extend from opposing longitudinal sides of the intermediate wall over the base. The sign includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a bottom panel, the rear panel being spaced from the front panel to define a cavity between the front panel and the rear panel. The bottom panel defines an aperture. The reception portion of the bracket slides into the cavity via the aperture, and each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the reception portion abuts an internal surface of a different one of the first panel and the second panel of the sign to frictionally maintain the sign above the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristin A. Dougherty, April D. Jackson
  • Color changing displays
    Patent number: 9064433
    Abstract: A color changing display is provided that includes a frame structure having an inner surface, an outer surface, a front edge defining an open front portion of the frame structure, and a back edge defining an open back portion of the frame structure. A panel, having a front surface and a back surface, is attached to the back edge of the frame structure and covers the open back portion of the frame structure. One or more lights are secured to the inner surface of the frame structure and a light-transmitting substrate is attached to the front edge of the frame structure such that the light-transmitting substrate covers the open front portion of the frame structure. A combined image, comprising two or more images, is affixed to the light-transmitting substrate such that an appearance of the combined image changes in response to different colors of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Jumbie, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Jumblatt, Eric W. Francke
  • Hidden fastener
    Patent number: 9062697
    Abstract: A fastening assembly for fastening an object to a surface or a structure, and/or between structures or objects, includes a plate having a first and second hole. A first fastener extends through the first hole and is adapted for attaching the plate to the surface. A second fastener has a head configured to be received in the second hole to hold the second fastener to the plate and is adapted for connection to the object. Preferably at least one set screw extends from an edge of the plate to lock the plate to the second fastener. The plate is pivotal about both fasteners so that the plate can swivel providing flexibility in installation and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Inventor: Gary T. Nakai
  • LED light module for backlighting
    Patent number: 9057498
    Abstract: An LED light module and a backlit sign using at least one of the LED light modules are described. The LED light module comprises at least two LED light sources that are spaced apart from each other. Each of the LED light sources is covered by a lens and at least two of the lenses have a different shape than each other. The LED light module produces a uniform intensity of light on a backlit surface. The LED light module can include three LED light sources. Two of the lenses covering the LED light sources emit light that is distributed off-axis and a third of the lenses covering the LED light sources emits light that is distributed substantially on-axis. The backlit sign comprises a housing, at least one LED light module disposed in the housing and a backlit surface on the housing extending over the LED modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey Marc Nall, Tyler Rolfes, Brian Spahnie, Suping Wang
  • Self-supporting sign and method of manufacturing same
    Patent number: 9053642
    Abstract: A self-supporting sign of unitary construction comprises a middle portion having a first side, a second side, an upper side, and a lower side. A first foldable flap extends from the first side at a first distance beneath the upper side. A second foldable flap extends from the second side at a second distance beneath the upper side. A front foldable portion having a rounded perimeter extends from the lower side. In a use configuration, the middle portion forms an obtuse angle with respect to the front portion. A first slit is provided adjacent the first side and a second slit is provided adjacent the second side. The first and second slits are configured to aid in the respective folding of the first flap and the second flap with respect to the middle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Ward Kraft, Inc.
    Inventors: Cecil J. Feagins, Cecil Lee Combs, Dustin Engle, Phillip Quick
  • Self-righting, rocking display system
    Patent number: 9038297
    Abstract: A display system that rocks in the wind and is self-righting with a biased anchoring system that is recessed inside of the display and hidden from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: C. J. Theobald, III
  • Illuminable panel frame assembly arrangement
    Patent number: 9038301
    Abstract: A four sided illuminable frame arrangement for the convenient display of a planar article, the frame arrangement comprising an elongated inner rail receivably connected to an elongated outer rail, the outer rail having an elongated cover rail hingedly connected thereto, the three rails comprising a multi-component assembly for each side of the four sided frame arrangement, the elongated inner rail allowing for fastener-free capture of a light-transparent panel having an L-shaped first side which supports an elongated arrangement of LEDs, the inner rail also having a mounting bracket channel on the rear side thereof, and a second alignment bracket channel disposed thereadjacent, the second alignment bracket channels having upstanding panel-support-flanges for even, peripheral support of the aforementioned light-transparent panel thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Rose Displays Ltd.
    Inventors: Erik G. Zelbacher, Rebecca C. Suciu, Thomas P. Burrous, Paul F. Ellsworth, Alan L. Stenfors, Sidney Rose
  • Sliding panel gift card holder
    Patent number: 9021726
    Abstract: A sliding panel gift card holder includes a panel mounted within a sleeve, pouch or bag, the panel being hingedly connected to a draw flap and then to a cover flap. Upon opening the cover flap, the draw flap draws the panel out of the sleeve to reveal a gift card secured upon the panel, thereby presenting the gift card to a recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Gift Card Impressions, LLC
    Inventors: Brett R. Glass, Nicole E. Glass
  • Light guide plate having diffused light printed dot pattern
    Patent number: 8997387
    Abstract: The lighting apparatus 10 includes a light guide plate 11 made of a transparent material and having a pair of faces 12a, 12b opposing each other and an end face adjoining the faces, a silkscreen-printed dot pattern 13 used to diffuse light, provided only on the face 12a of the light guide plate 11 and formed with a special ink, and an LED light source 20 disposed so as to face the end face of the light guide plate 11. The face 12a of the light guide plate 11 provided with the silkscreen-printed pattern 13 serves, as it is, as a light-emitting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Hayamizu Denki Kogyo KabushikiKaisha
    Inventor: Koji Oki
  • Toothbrush identifier
    Patent number: 8978278
    Abstract: A toothbrush has an integral identification system for distinguishing one (1) toothbrush from another. At the bottom of the toothbrush handle is a cylinder and rotating thumb wheel assembly. The cylinder has a plurality of indicia which are visible one (1) at a time through a window on the side of the brush handle. A user rotates the thumb wheel to display an individual indicium. Once selected, a locking pin mechanism prevents the cylinder from being accidentally turned. These features allow multiple users to distinguish their toothbrush from another's by verifying the displayed indicia. Alternative embodiments can be retrofit and/or replaced on a toothbrush handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Martin Rossi
  • Hang tag assembly for holding a gift card backer panel
    Patent number: 8943724
    Abstract: A holder for receiving and holding a gift card includes hang tag panels that project upward from an upper margin of the main body of the holder, one or more of the hang tag panels being attached to and supporting a gift card backer panel for temporarily holding a gift card removably attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Gift Card Impressions, LLC
    Inventors: Brett R. Glass, Nicole E. Glass
  • Frame assembly mountable to an object
    Patent number: RE45475
    Abstract: A picture frame assembly includes a backing plate having a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of parallel grooves in one of the surfaces. The material and thickness of the backing plate are chosen so that the backing plate can be plastically deformed about a bending axis parallel to the grooves. At least one frame element, which can be formed integrally with the backing plate, is for provided for retaining a planar picture element against the front surface of the backing plate. A fastener extends from the rear surface for mounting the assembly to any of various objects, such as a tree, flower stem, a candle, a vase, a basket, a gift wrapping device, a container, a column, and furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Margarete Schymura