Patents by Inventor Cheryl Grate

Cheryl Grate has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20040111937
    Abstract: A channel letter has a rear surface for mounting against a raceway, wall, or a structure for supporting the signage, and sides defining the figuration of the letter of shape to be depicted. A lighting element is positioned against the rear surface of the enclosure, and a lens is retained to the open front of the enclosure. The lens is retained to a shoulder recessed within the walls of the enclosure. As a first alternative, the lens is retained to the shoulder and has a sealing edging is fitted around the perimeter of the lens. As a second alternative a lens having dimensions greater than those of the enclosure may be retained across the forward end thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Anton Grate, Cheryl Grate
  • Patent number: 6748686
    Abstract: A channel letter has a rear surface for mounting against a raceway, wall, or a structure for supporting the signage, and sheet metal sides defining the figuration of the letter of shape to be depicted. A lighting element is positioned against the rear surface of the enclosure, and a lens is retained to the open front of the enclosure. The lens is retained by a plurality of retainer clips to a shoulder recessed within the walls of the enclosure and a cable between opposing walls provides lateral support to the walls. Each of the retainer clips has a first and a second leg extending from a back with the legs spaced a distance sufficient for the legs to fit around the end of the sheet metal of the walls. A partially flexible finger extends from one of the legs into the space between the legs so a to wedge against a surface of the sheet metal wall and thereby retain the retainer clip to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventors: Anton Grate, Cheryl Grate
  • Patent number: 6655060
    Abstract: A channel letter has a rear surface for mounting against a raceway, wall, or a structure for supporting the signage, and sides defining the figuration of the letter of shape to be depicted. A lighting element is positioned against the rear surface of the enclosure, and a lens is retained to the open front of the enclosure. The lens may be retained by a plurality of retainers to a shoulder recessed within the walls of the enclosure. As a first alternative, the retainers may retain a lens without a shoulder where a sealing edging is fitted around the perimeter of the lens. As a second alternative a lens having dimensions greater than those of the enclosure may be retained across the forward end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventors: Anton Grate, Cheryl Grate
  • Patent number: 6481132
    Abstract: A sign has an enclosure including a transparent forward panel. Behind the transparent forward panel are upper and lower tracks for receiving a replaceable partially transparent panel having advertising material printed thereon. The enclosure has a removeable panel through which the replaceable panel of advertising material can be inserted or removed from the tracks. In another embodiment, the panel with advertising material is formed as a cartridge having a mounting portion to which a flexible panel of having advertising material thereon can be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventors: Anton Grate, Cheryl Grate
  • Publication number: 20020104241
    Abstract: A channel letter has a rear surface for mounting against a raceway, wall, or a structure for supporting the signage, and sheet metal sides defining the figuration of the letter of shape to be depicted. A lighting element is positioned against the rear surface of the enclosure, and a lens is retained to the open front of the enclosure. The lens is retained by a plurality of retainer clips to a shoulder recessed within the walls of the enclosure and a cable between opposing walls provides lateral support to the walls. Each of the retainer clips has a first and a second leg extending from a back with the legs spaced a distance sufficient for the legs to fit around the end of the sheet metal of the walls. A partially flexible finger extends from one of the legs into the space between the legs so a to wedge against a surface of the sheet metal wall and thereby retain the retainer clip to the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Anton Grate, Cheryl Grate
  • Publication number: 20010042330
    Abstract: A channel letter has a rear surface for mounting against a raceway, wall, or a structure for supporting the signage, and sides defining the figuration of the letter of shape to be depicted. A lighting element is positioned against the rear surface of the enclosure, and a lens is retained to the open front of the enclosure. The lens may br retained by a plurality of retainers to a shoulder recessed within the walls of the enclosure. As a first alternative, the retainers may retain a lens without a shoulder where a sealing edging is fitted around the perimeter of the lens. As a second alternative a lens having dimensions greater than those of the enclosure may be retained across the forward end thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Anton Grate, Cheryl Grate