Patents by Inventor Gale V. Tharp

Gale V. Tharp 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: 5177941
    Abstract: A hand-held flower stripping and thorn dulling implement has a handle portion and comb portion extending outwardly from one end thereof which has a row of generally vertical laterally spaced fingers at its outer end. The implement will strip a whole bundle of flowers at one time. The fingers are smooth and rounded configurations spaced apart sufficient to glide along the stems of the bundle and strip the leaves from the stems while also rounding off the tips of thorns of flowers having thorny stems. The handle portion extends angularly upward and rearward relative to the comb portion to place the fingers of the user above the stems of the bundle of flowers and facilitate a comfortable gripping position. In one embodiment, the comb portion and fingers are formed of length of rigid wire bent into a series of continuous, generally vertical elongate loops defining the laterally spaced fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Inventors: Gale V. Tharp, John F. Ivers