Patents Examined by Joanne Silbermann
  • Patent number: 8533985
    Abstract: The invention provides a simple, yet flexible mechanism for affixing items to a magnetic board such that they are accurately aligned to the board and to one another. Such mechanism allows positioning and repositioning of the items as desired by the user, including stacked configurations. Contact between the items and the board is aesthetically pleasing, and provides a bearing surface that allows for repositioning of items using a sliding motion. Further, aligning the items is convenient for the user and does not distract from the primary task at hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Minds, LLC
    Inventor: W. Daniel Hillis
  • Patent number: 8533981
    Abstract: A method to remind an individual of an appointment scheduled in advance for the distant future requires that an oversized calendar be provided with a plurality of overlain separable discardable sheets each depicting a month of the year, that the calendar be mounted on a vertically oriented surface in a high traffic area, that during a current month an appointment be scheduled in advance for a date in a month in the distant future, that a sleeve be manually mounted in the calendar on the date in the distant future, that information concerning the appointment be manually integrated in the sleeve, that at least one of the separable discardable sheets be removed to expose the month in the distant future, and that the information concerning the appointment be viewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: William L White
  • Patent number: 8533984
    Abstract: A display apparatus that can be positioned within a file cabinet, a file drawer, a hanging file and/or any other suitable file index system. A container is formed by the sheet material. The container has an edge panel forming at least one releasable tab. The at least one releasable tab includes a flap extending from the tab. The flap allows for engaging the corresponding tab, and each tab can be released or positioned away from an outer surface of the edge panel. A label sheet or label assembly has printable labels and at least one identification label. The identification label has or displays an identifier that corresponds to a particular design parameter of the label sheet. The identification label can be attached to the tab. The container can house one or more label sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Timothy J. Flynn
  • Patent number: 8510978
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an RFID tag holder, which comprises an RFID tag carrier used to carry an RFID tag, and a base having a circular surface, a holding portion and at least one magnetic component disposed therein. The shape of the circular surface matches that of the disposing hole, the magnetic component is used to make the disposing hole magnetically attachable to combine the base with the disposing hole, and two clip arms of a holding unit grip the holding portion and hold the RFID tag carrier after passing through two through holes of a metal substrate. The RFID tag holder has the following advantages: fast installation, low cost and reusability; is suitable for disposing holes with any depth and size; reduced interference and improved reading effect; no extra processing cost; dust-proof, water-proof and oil-resistant; and better composability, extensibility and flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: China Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Sung-Lin Chen, Chang-Tsun Lin, Lien-Kuei Chiang
  • Patent number: 8499478
    Abstract: A card holder including a pop-up element for holding and presenting a card when the card holder is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Gift Card Impressions, LLC
    Inventors: Brett R. Glass, Nicole E. Glass
  • Patent number: 8499480
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods involve a system to electrostatically mount a display system with a number of visible indicators that define regions and magnetically mount a number of tokens that correspond to the defined regions. In an illustrative example, the display system may include a flexible vinyl carrier of between 0.004 and 0.010 inches which may be sufficient thickness to facilitate removal of air bubbles but sufficiently thin to support magnetic tokens on a wide variety of target surfaces. One surface of the carrier may provide a retention force generated by electrostatic forces between the first surface and a target surface. In an example implementation, the target surface may be the exterior of a residential appliance. An opposite surface of the carrier may include visible indicia, for example, of a map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: MGI Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Annette Schlasinger
  • Patent number: 8499479
    Abstract: A portable advertising system well suited for outdoor advertising at night includes a body adapted to be secured to a transportation vehicle and may include a universal attachment system for that purpose. An advertisement may be displayed on an advertising surface mounted on the body. An illumination source is directed towards the advertising surface and may be integrated into an electronic display unit or may be directed at an advertising sheet such as a vinyl sheet. When the advertising sheet is used, a sheet tension system typically maintains tension on the sheet, and an openable protective cover may protect the sheet when not in use. The illumination source may be controlled based on environmental light conditions, sheet tension and/or position of the protective cover. The body may be part of a cargo container such as an ISO container suited for securing to a railroad car or other vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Freight Train Media LLC
    Inventor: Theodore C. Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8495830
    Abstract: A quick exchange framing system having two frames that are assembled together via a quick-release means such as a magnetic or friction force to provide easy access to a display, such as a picture or document, for ease in exchanging the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Rodney Price
  • Patent number: 8495829
    Abstract: A printable wristband form includes a plurality of wristbands cut into a multi-layer sheet of the form. Each wristband includes a release tab formed at an end thereof. A release liner is disposed between layers of the sheet in a single region defined by the release tabs. The form preferably includes adult sized wristbands and infant sized wristbands arranged on the same sheet for use in hospital maternity settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Precision Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Bekker, Shane Taghavi
  • Patent number: 8484873
    Abstract: The subject matter of the current invention is directed to a front-loading display system adapted for safe, frequent, and rapid change of displayed objects. The display system includes a base and an object-holding assembly. The object-holding assembly can be releasably attached to the base through the use of a fastener, which allows the base to remain mounted to a mounting surface when changing display objects. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener employs magnetic force to connect the base and the object-holding assembly. The display object is retained between a resting plate and a cover plate, the two plates being releasably attached to each other by the use of at least one holding device, which may be selected from clips, clasps, hinges and elastic bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Ute Splittgerber
  • Patent number: 8484870
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to display content in a transparent vessel. The transparent vessel has a transparent vessel wall, transparent vessel floor, and transparent vessel mouth. Content having a content display surface is rolled up and inserted through the transparent vessel mouth, unrolled inside the transparent vessel, and held flat against a transparent vessel wall inside surface, optionally with the aid of a prod having a non-slip prod tip attached to a rigid prod shaft. Stabilization media such as glass beads or seashells is poured into the transparent vessel and serves to hold the content in a desired display position inside the transparent vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Debra L. Burns
  • Patent number: 8479425
    Abstract: The present technology provides an illustrative display post that includes a first side, a second side, and a third side. The third side of the display post has a concave portion extending along a length of the third side such that the concave portion is configured to receive a convex surface. The third side also has a first flat portion along a side of the concave portion and extending along the length of the third side and a second flat portion along an opposite side of the concave portion as the first flat portion and extending along the length of the third side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: 3D Post, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Glesinger, Bradley Christopher Hegg
  • Patent number: 8479423
    Abstract: A photoluminescent device and a photoluminescent exit sign. The photoluminescent device includes a polymer matrix having a light-emitting exterior surface for emission of photoluminescent light therefrom. The photoluminescent device has a plurality of UV or visible-light excited phosphor particles included in the polymer matrix. The phosphor particles have a concentration greater in an exterior region of the polymer matrix proximate the light-emitting exterior surface than in an interior region of the polymer matrix. The exit sign includes at least two plates interlocked together with at least one typographical character disposed on the plates. The typographical character is formed from the polymer matrix containing the phosphor particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Afterglow, LLC.
    Inventors: Richard James Martin, Gregory Louis Bender, Thomas Wells Brignall, Jr., Herbert George Jones
  • Patent number: 8479422
    Abstract: An electronic shelf label with internal information which may be used all locations, including wet locations. The electronic shelf label includes a housing including a substantially transparent portion containing an aperture and an inner surface, a display in the housing for displaying information about an item associated with the electronic shelf label, wherein the display is visible through the aperture, and a layer of material adjacent the inner surface for conveying information about the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Syuzoh Kato, Yoshitaka Utsumi, John Peter Roquemore, III
  • Patent number: 8479426
    Abstract: A wearable band with an adjustable size or length. The band includes a first band element with a raised center or identification member. The band includes a second band element with a body having a loop or lasso at one end defined by an inner surface of a sidewall. The outer sidewall of the raised center member is detachably coupled to the inner surface of the loop-defining sidewall when the center member is received within and captured by the loop such as by a snap detent arrangement. To allow sizing, the second band element includes both an inner band sizing element including the loop-defining sidewall at one of its ends and an outer band sizing element that is detachably coupled to the inner band sizing element. The length of the second band element is defined by the combined length of the inner and outer band sizing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Padgett, Michael G. Jungen, John David Worrall, Maximillian Philip Burton, Carson Lau, Adam D. Leonards
  • Patent number: 8479424
    Abstract: A sign for the displaying of a number of characters in either a first orientation or at least one additional orientation. The sign includes a frame and a series of characters, including at least one variable position character, mounted to the frame. The variable position character is movable relative to the frame such that it may be read in different positions, to display a message when the variable position character is either in a first orientation or a second orientation. The variable position character may be interconnected with the frame via a pivoting mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the variable position character. The pivoting mechanism may include a latching mechanism that secures the variable position character in a selected orientation. The characters may each include a source of illumination, such as LEDs, that are interconnected with a power supply for selectively illuminating the LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: C-M GLO, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Martin, Aaron W. Smith, Chamy Chiachen Lutz, Lisa M. Small
  • Patent number: 8474168
    Abstract: An adjustable sign frame and a method of using the same are provided. The adjustable sign frame has a main support rod and an adjustable hanging bar. During use, the main support rod and hanging bar are substantially parallel with respect to one another. Further, the main support rod and hanging bar are substantially identical in length. A plurality of wires may be used to hang the main support rod to the ceiling. A plurality of support clamps attached to the main support rod may temporarily hold the hanging bar which may have a retail sign attached thereto. Pegs on the hanging bar may allow a user to adjust the overall location of the retail sign hanging from the main support rod with respect to the ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Melinda Jean Wick
  • Patent number: 8474166
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of assembling a tensile fabric arrangement comprising engaging an end of a carrier member having a tensile fabric attached thereto with a first support member attached to a surface, engaging a second end of the carrier member with a locking member, extending the tensile fabric from the carrier member, engaging an end of a second carrier member for the tensile fabric with a second support member attached to the surface, engaging a second end of the second carrier member with a securing member; and applying a tension to the tensile fabric, wherein the tensile fabric is supported at its top edge only by the first and second support members but may optionally be further tensioned using a tensile structural assembly including a surface, guide hook, loop, and tie, which is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Cestrian Imaging Limited
    Inventor: Phillip John Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8474798
    Abstract: An air spring has at least one working space which is filled with compressed air and which is delimited at least partially by a rolling bellows which is fastened at its ends to connecting parts. At least one of its ends, the air spring has a wall which is thicker in relation to the rest of the rolling bellows body, wherein the rolling bellows has, at least one of its thickened ends, a continuously vulcanized layer cover which is folded back to such a length that, after the assembly of the air spring, at least one region of the rolling bellows which is highly loaded by chassis forces falls into the region of the layer cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Joachim Jeischik
  • Patent number: 8474167
    Abstract: There is disclosed an information display device, which comprises a ground attachment structure having a convex upper face, and a cooperating convex removable, transparent top cover, between which an information display support is arranged. The structure is hollowed-out on its upper face with channels enabling water to flow towards openings for discharging water to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Ludovic Bertrand