Patents Examined by Joanne Silbermann
  • Patent number: 8468728
    Abstract: An outdoor sign resistant to wind damage includes a support column; a display having secured and released positions, a lower edge and a central vertical axis aligned with the axis of the column when the sign is in the secured position; a lower horizontal arm with opposed ends mounted on the upper end of the support column; an upper horizontal arm with opposed ends attached to the display, the upper arm being parallel to the display lower edge and the lower support arm when the display is in the secured position; a pivot mechanism joining the support arms adjacent one end; and a retainer mechanism between the opposite ends of the support arms, the mechanism releasibly securing the support arms to each other when the sign is in the secured position. The retainer mechanism is unlatched when the wind force is greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Robert L. Nabors, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8458938
    Abstract: A bus stop sign and notification device is powered by an electric circuit that includes a solar panel and battery mounted in a battery box on a bus shelter or vertical support pole. The vertical support secures first and second signs and first and second illuminators for information dissemination and visual attraction. Long lasting light-emitting diodes in various colors are mounted on an adjustable or swivel hood that is used to aim the lights. The lights can include a flashing strobe light for attracting the attention of a bus driver at a distance. A reflector shield on the pole can protect wires and reflect different color light when the sign is illuminated and attract attention to the sign at night. The illuminators are activated by a button switch by bus passengers for reading the signs and notifying a driver to stop for passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventors: Aaron J. Tucker, Khadijah Nashid-Tucker
  • Patent number: 8458939
    Abstract: A self-expanding display unit (1) comprising at least one display sheet (3, 5) of a substantially rigid and foldable material having a display face (7,9), a biasing means for bending the display face of the display sheet into a substantially convex shape, and bracing means (2) acting against the biasing means to limit the amount by which the display sheet (3, 5) bends. The display sheet comprises a plurality of panels, delimited from adjacent panels by crease lines. The bracing means (2) comprises a single, substantially rigid and foldable bracing sheet (2) having a plurality of bracing panels (50), each of which is delimited from an adjacent bracing panel by a fold line (52). The fold lines (52) and the crease lines are coincident with each other. Such a device is stable in operation and is efficient to use and manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: L'Hotel, Francois
    Inventors: Jonathan Arthur, Liam McGrath
  • Patent number: 8458940
    Abstract: A garment tag is provided that includes a band having a first opening for attaching to a first fastener of a garment and a second opening for attaching to a second fastener of the garment, the band having a first display portion that displays printed information regarding the garment at a fold in the garment when the garment is in a folded state. The first and second fasteners may be buttons and the first and second openings may be slots. The first display portion may be defined by two creases in the band, the creases being spaced apart by the approximate width of the garment fold. The band may also be pre-folded at the creases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: PVH Corp.
    Inventors: Tyrone Dupree Davidson, Youngju Kim Hampton
  • Patent number: 8458943
    Abstract: A picture frame having an adjustable back assembly enabling vertical, horizontal and rotary adjustment of the frame position on a wall is described. The frame back is sized to fit into a recess in the picture frame back, and includes an inner plate, an outer plate having an opening, an intermediate plate frictionally held between said inner and outer plates and slidable therebetween. The intermediate plate has an outer face and is smaller than the outer plate and larger than the outer plate opening. A first hanger member is secured to the outer face of the intermediate plate and extends outwardly through the opening. A second hanger member is attachable to a wall and can be joined to the first hanger member to mount the picture frame on the wall. The picture frame can be pushed up or down or rotated to adjust the picture frame position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher A Horne
  • Patent number: 8458932
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating a visual display. The apparatus includes a mirror element and a framing element. The mirror element has a curved reflective surface and a printed primary image contacting the reflective surface. The framing element is spaced apart from the mirror element and includes a background image element positioned to face toward the reflective surface. The framing element also includes a transparent view port that is positioned opposite the primary image so as to provide a line of sight through the framing element to the reflective surface and the primary image. The apparatus further includes a lens sandwiched between the mirror and framing elements, such as a lens with a cylindrical body, formed of a transparent or translucent plastic, ceramic, glass, or other material. The apparatus may include a light source that transmits light into the lens or onto the primary image or the background images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Alameda Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Gary Schnuckle
  • Patent number: 8458934
    Abstract: A display unit comprising of at least one display sheet of a substantially rigid and foldable material divided into a plurality of panels by crease and/or score lines that when erected forms a display unit with at least one concave presentation face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Colin O'Donoghue
  • Patent number: 8458936
    Abstract: A collapsible fabric display system comprises a frame and a fabric membrane configured for securement to the frame, which includes a hollow tubular spine and a pair of opposed fabric spreaders attached to the spine—the spreader being located within the spine. The spreaders are movable along the spine under urging of a spreader drive mechanism between a retracted condition of the frame in which the spreaders are located proximate one another, and an extended condition of the frame (illustrated) in which the spreaders are remote from one another. The spreaders each comprise a hub mounted on the spine and a plurality of spreader ribs pivotably connected to each hub, made up of a set of internal ribs and a set of external ribs. The free ends of the ribs are configured for connection to the fabric in use and the use of two sets of three ribs give the display an A-frame configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Sunsmart Products (Pty) Ltd
    Inventors: Hilton Ralph Thorpe, John Walter Bailey
  • Patent number: 8458942
    Abstract: An alignment guide for maintaining perpendicularity between an elongated anchor rail secured to an overhead support and a sign supporting elongated adjustment rail, comprising: a guide housing having an anchor rail receiving channel arranged across an upper surface thereof; an adjustment rail receiving channel arranged across a lower side of the guide housing, wherein the anchor rail receiving channel and the adjustment rail receiving channel are perpendicular to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Rose Displays, Ltd.
    Inventors: David E. Pitcher, Rebecca C. Suciu, Thomas P. Burrous, Alan L. Stenfors, Sidney Rose
  • Patent number: 8458941
    Abstract: Shipment labels and related methods are described. An example method includes printing a return address on a first label layer of the label and printing a delivery address on a second label layer of the label adjacent the first label layer. The example method also includes coupling the first label layer and the second label layer on at least a portion of a container. The second label layer releasably covers at least a portion of the first label layer so that the return address is not fully visible when the second label layer is releasably coupled to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Moore Wallace North America, Inc.
    Inventor: James Harrison Pagones
  • Patent number: 8448360
    Abstract: The interactive flap sensor activated greeting card of the present invention contains an audio module and a series of “window flaps” across the inside of the greeting card. When the greeting card is opened, a short audio prompt instructs the user to open a series of flaps inside the card to hear further audio messages or sound clips that correlate with the art work inside the card. When each flap is opened, a different audio file is played. The sound module is programmed to react to the card opening and then to trigger additional individual sounds each time one of the flaps of the card is opened. In another embodiment, the greeting card contains a series of flaps wherein opening one flap reveals another flap, and so on. Once the last flap is opened, a short audio recording is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry Guo, Tiger Qiao, David Sapp, Beth Laverdiere, Johnathan Talbot
  • Patent number: 8443533
    Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for display and cable management includes a base and a display device. The display device removably attaches to the base. When the display device is attached to the base, an aperture is created or reduced in size. The aperture allows a smaller first portion of a cable to pass through, but prevents a larger second portion of the cable from passing through. When the cable is drawn through the aperture and released, the weight of the cable retracts it through the aperture. The display device and base may include features that cooperate to resist detaching the display device when the cable is drawn through the aperture. The display device may include a graphic insert. The base may be shaped to sit on a horizontal surface and present the display device for viewing by a person standing or sitting nearby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: TXS Industrial Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Terleski, Staci A. Mininger
  • Patent number: 8443534
    Abstract: A tabbing apparatus is provided that includes a pocket and a tab element disposed within the pocket in a retracted position. The tab element includes an indexing segment configured for protruding from the pocket in an extended position as a tab and for being received within the pocket in the retracted position, an anchor portion attached to the pocket, and an intermediate portion connecting the anchor portion and indexing segment and configured for folding to allow the indexing segment to move between the retracted position and the extended position. The indexing segment is configured for displaying writing thereon for indexing a file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Esselte Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Goodfellow, Braden Jones, Brian Causse
  • Patent number: 8443535
    Abstract: An emergency exit indicator includes a housing and a light source received in the housing. The housing includes two first connecting arms at top and bottom thereof and two second connecting arms at lateral sides thereof. The first and second connecting arms are connected with each other by four connecting units located respectively at four corners of the housing. Each connecting unit includes a seat and two engaging tabs extending from the seat. One engaging tab is engaged with a corresponding first connecting arm, and the other is engaged with a neighboring second connecting arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tay-Jian Liu, Ying Xiong, Jian-Bing Qian
  • Patent number: 8438764
    Abstract: A bereavement artifact comprising a molded body of any desired shape simulating a religious ornament comprising an object in the form of a cross, rock or tablet or other configuration having a surface or opening therein upon or within which a degradable piece of paper including printed or written words of endearment is located such that when the artifact is exposed to the atmosphere the degradable paper will substantially dissolve or disintegrate upon contact with water over a relatively short time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Howard Eli Schiffman
  • Patent number: 8439402
    Abstract: An optical structure comprising first and second opposite outside faces, at least a first interface comprising a first screen of microreliefs and arranged in such a manner that travel through the first interface from the first outside face towards the second outside face, passes from a first medium having a first refractive index to a second medium having a second refractive index that is greater than the first, and at least one second interface comprising a second screen of microreliefs and arranged in such a manner that travel through the second interface from the first outside face towards the second outside face, passes from a third medium having a third refractive index to a fourth medium having a fourth refractive index less than the third.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Arjowiggins, Arjowiggins Security
    Inventors: Michel Camus, Henri Rosset
  • Patent number: 8438765
    Abstract: A removable license plate protector 10 has an outer impact plate 12, an impact bumper 14 and at least one permanent magnet 20. The impact plate 12 is the size of a license plate 22 or slightly greater. The impact bumper 14 is made of a resilient material permanently affixed to an inner surface of the impact plate 12. The at least one permanent magnet 20 is permanently affixed to an exterior surface of the impact bumper 14. The at least one permanent magnet 20 is positioned to attach magnetically to a metal license plate 22 thereby providing an easy attachment and detachment of the license plate protector 10 to the license plate 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Laverne Sanders
  • Patent number: 8434249
    Abstract: A marking device for a generally cylindrical conductor of fluids, electricity, light waves and the like includes a hollow shell containing a horizontal longitudinal through passage for receiving one of a plurality of conductors of different diametric sizes, the shell being horizontally divided to define an upper shell section having a lower internal surface provided with a conductor seat, and a lower shell section including an internal resilient support device for biasing the conductor laterally upwardly toward the seat. An indicia-bearing plate is connected with the external surface of the upper shell section directly above the conductor seat. The conductor seat, the indicia-bearing plate, and the biasing device are symmetrically arranged relative to the vertical plane passing longitudinally through the shell, whereby the biasing forces are uniformly balanced for conductors having different diametric sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Wiedmueller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Wieneke
  • Patent number: 8434251
    Abstract: Disclosed is a display apparatus including a first case and a second case coupled to each other to define an external appearance of the display apparatus. A fastening guide extends from an inner surface of the first case, and a fastening member is engaged with the fastening guide. The fastening member is provided with a boss portion for screw-fastening. The first case and second case are coupled to each other using the fastening guide and fastening member having a thin thickness, whereby a reduced thickness of fastening parts and stable inter-coupling of the first case and second case are accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Jin Lee, Sang Hak Kim, Hyun Jun Jung, Jin Jung
  • Patent number: 8429841
    Abstract: A portable and solar powered traffic safety system functioning like a decoy police car. The system features a display panel with a picture of a police car and a light component with red and blue lights. The display panel is mounted on a solar panel frame atop a base and is held in place by a securing means. The base features legs each with a ballast to help support the base and prevent the system from tipping due to high winds. The system of the present invention can be used in a variety of locations, for example in rural or urban settings, residential areas, hospitals, schools, and construction zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: Butch Ernest J. Keller