Patents by Inventor Douglas D. Amstutz

Douglas D. Amstutz 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).

  • Patent number: 8047619
    Abstract: A security display case including an enclosure having a security portion and a display portion, a platform moveable from the security portion to the display portion, a security member that secures the security portion, a gas spring that moves the platform from the security portion to the display portion, and a stabilizing assembly that stabilizes the moving platform. Optionally, the gas spring is paired with another gas spring so that the lateral forces of the springs are substantially cancelled, and the vertical forces are combined to move the platform. The stabilizing assembly can be a rack and pinion gear including at least two pinion gears engaged by a common member which synchronizes rotation of the gears to prevent binding of the platform as it is moved. The security member can include doors that fold over the security portion and which are engaged at their edges by a common locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Edward J. Bacheller, Richard J. Yager
  • Publication number: 20080174215
    Abstract: A security display case including an enclosure having a security portion and a display portion, a platform moveable from the security portion to the display portion, a security member that secures the security portion, a gas spring that moves the platform from the security portion to the display portion, and a stabilizing assembly that stabilizes the moving platform. Optionally, the gas spring is paired with another gas spring so that the lateral forces of the springs are substantially cancelled, and the vertical forces are combined to move the platform. The stabilizing assembly can be a rack and pinion gear including at least two pinion gears engaged by a common member which synchronizes rotation of the gears to prevent binding of the platform as it is moved. The security member can include doors that fold over the security portion and which are engaged at their edges by a common locking member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: AMSTORE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Edward J. Bacheller, Richard J. Yager
  • Patent number: 5120116
    Abstract: A display case having a framework and a plurality of panels forming an enclosure for the displaying of merchandise is provided with a light fixture for highlighting the merchandise therein. The light fixture is positively mounted to the framework through fasteners which are accessed from the interior of the enclosure. Furthermore, the panels are mounted upon extruded supports which reduce manufacturing costs and ease reinstallation of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Ronald A. Vanderboegh
  • Patent number: 5054863
    Abstract: A display case having a framework, a plurality of panels, and a unique lighting system includes a releasably mounted light fixture, a releasably mounted backfeed housing, and releasably mounted downfeed channel for feeding the cord through the display case. The light fixture, the backfeed housing and the downfeed channel are all capable of being installed and removed without the use of tools. Secondly, a display case assembly involving a pair of adjacent abutting display cases includes a plurality of clips and latches which securely couple the display cases together in a manner which is generally hidden from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Ronald A. Vanderboegh
  • Patent number: 5022719
    Abstract: A merchandise showcase including transparent side and top windows and illumination means for a display portion of the showcase. A frame for mounting the windows is fabricated from roll-formed stainless steel with very little welding. Frame corner posts are frictionally and adhesively held within a channel in a top frame member by a wedge member inserted into the channel along with a top portion of the corner posts. Side window retention means firmly but flexibly grasp the edge portions of each side window and thereby utilize the windows as structural members to add strength to the showcase. The illumination assembly includes a lighting fixture and a down-feed tube for shielding the electrical feed wires. The tube is joined to the fixture only by the wires extending through both to allow the illumination assembly to be compactly folded for storage or shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Ronald A. Vanderboegh
  • Patent number: 4991368
    Abstract: A wall system for partitioning floor space includes a framework comprising top and bottom horizontal rails interconnected by a plurality of vertical struts. The wall system further includes the use of diagonal support bars for open frame structures and the use of side and septum display panels for closed frame structures. Additionally, various types of snap-on covers are provided for removably covering the vertical struts. Also, anchoring devices including hook and loop type fastener sheets and adhesive are used to secure the bottom rail against lateral shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas D. Amstutz
  • Patent number: 4980998
    Abstract: A wall system for partitioning floor space includes a framework comprising top and bottom horizontal rails interconnected by a plurality of vertical struts. The wall system further includes the use of diagonal support bars for open frame structures and the use of side and septum display panels for closed frame structures.Also, structural inserts may be inserted between adjacent struts to reinforce open framed structures. Such inserts are planar members with an irregular perimeter edge which defines an aesthetic design for use in assembling attractive displays. Additionally, such inserts may be used in conjunction with translucent panels and lighting fixtures to create a silhouette affect for the assembled display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Adrienne Weiss
  • Patent number: 4979078
    Abstract: A display case having a framework and a plurality of panels forming an enclosure for the displaying of merchandise is provided with a light fixture for highlighting the merchandise therein. The light fixture is positively mounted to the framework through fastening means which are accessed from the interior of the enclosure. Furthermore, the panels are mounted upon extruded supports which reduce manufacturing costs and ease reinstallation of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Ronald A. Vanderboegh
  • Patent number: 4955044
    Abstract: A display case having a framework, a plurality of panels, and a unique lighting system includes a releasably mounted light fixture, a releasably mounted backfeed housing, and releasably mounted downfeed channel for feeding the cord through the display case. The light fixture, the backfeed housing and the downfeed channel are all capable of being installed and removed without the use of tools. Secondly, a display case assembly involving a pair of adjacent abutting display cases includes a plurality of clips and latches which securely couple the display cases together in a manner which is generally hidden from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Ronald A. Vanderboegh
  • Patent number: 4948203
    Abstract: A merchandise showcase including transparent side and top windows and illumination means for a display portion of the showcase. A frame for mounting the windows is fabricated from roll-formed stainless steel with very little welding. Frame corner posts are frictionally and adhesively held within a channel in a top frame member by a wedge member inserted into the channel along with a top portion of the corner posts. Side window retention means firmly but flexibly grasp the edge portions of each side window and thereby utilize the windows as structural members to add strength to the showcase. The illumination assembly includes a lighting fixture and a down-feed tube for shielding the electrical feed wires. The tube is joined to the fixture only by the wires extending through both to allow the illumination assembly to be compactly folded for storage or shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Ronald A. Vanderboegh
  • Patent number: 4886327
    Abstract: A merchandise showcase including transparent side and top windows and illumination means for a display portion of the showcase. A frame for mounting the windows is fabricated from roll-formed stainless steel with very little welding. Frame corner posts are frictionally and adhesively held within a channel in a top frame member by a wedge member inserted into the channel along with a top portion of the corner posts. Side window retention means firmly but flexibly grasp the edge portions of each side window and thereby utilize the windows as structural members to add strength to the showcase. The illumination assembly includes a lighting fixture and a down-feed tube for shielding the electrical feed wires. The tube is joined to the fixture only by the wires extending through both to allow the illumination assembly to be compactly folded for storage or shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Ronald A. Vanderboegh
  • Patent number: 4629076
    Abstract: The specification discloses a sandwiched reinforced slatboard assembly including a baseboard, a plurality of C-shaped reinforcing channels arranged on the baseboard, and a plurality of T-shaped slats secured to the baseboard to entrap the channels therebetween. Optionally, the C-shaped channels are omitted and the slats are secured to the baseboard using a colored adhesive which is visible between the slats to provide a decorative appearance. Also disclosed is a modified assembly wherein decor strips are removably received within the slots, and wherein the slots are configured to retain the strips against the back wall of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Donald D. Kelemen
  • Patent number: 4591058
    Abstract: The specification discloses a sandwiched reinforced slatboard assembly including a baseboard, a plurality of C-shaped reinforcing channels arranged on the baseboard, and a plurality of T-shaped slats secured to the baseboard to entrap the channels therebetween. Optionally, the C-shaped channels are omitted and the slats are secured to the baseboard using a colored adhesive which is visible between the slats to provide a decorative appearance. Also disclosed is a modified assembly wherein decor strips are removably received within the slots, and wherein the slots are configured to retain the strips against the back wall of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Donald D. Kelemen
  • Patent number: 4585131
    Abstract: The specification discloses a modular merchandising display system including a plurality of upright members, a plurality of lateral members interconnecting the upright members, and a plurality of decor strips releasably mounted on and encapsulating each upright member. Each decor strip includes two flexible sides, each of which is adjacent an edge of another decor strip on the upright member so that the upright members are hidden. The lateral members extend between adjacent sides, which flex to accommodate the lateral member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Philip E. Crossman, Douglas D. Amstutz, Donald D. Kelemen
  • Patent number: D391471
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Amstore Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Amstutz, Virginia L. Durfey