Patents by Inventor Grant D. Dicke
Grant D. Dicke 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).
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Patent number: 7849618Abstract: A sign system is disclosed in which a flexible sign panel is supported by light weight frame numbers such as fiberglass ribs joined together with a pivot connection. A sign panel of flexible material has a center section disposed between a pair of opposed sign panel portions. The center portion of the sign panel engages a cross member with the sign panel portions being folded over on either side of an upright support member. Free ends of the sign panel member are secured with a stretchable elastic cord, ribbon or the like, to a mounting member having a socket for receiving one end of the vertical support member. By engaging the mounting member and stretching the elastic cords, the mounting member is disposed over one end of the vertical support and one released, engages the vertical support holding the sign panel portions in a display position.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2008Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Dicke Tool CompanyInventor: Grant D. Dicke
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Patent number: 7686264Abstract: A sign stand assembly includes a support base with a plate portion defining a locking recess, an upright mast joined to the support base, and at least one leg having a wall defining a hollow interior of the leg. The leg is pivotally attached to the plate portion, and a locking pin carried on the leg, is provided for movement toward and away from the locking recess defined by the plate portion of the support base. An actuator is movable between lock and unlock positions and has a first end portion engaging the locking pin, and an opposed second end portion with a hollow bail member defining a hollow interior for receiving the leg. A fulcrum portion is located adjacent the first end portion and engages the leg, whereby, upon pressing the bail member, the locking pin is retracted to the unlock position.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Dicke Tool CompanyInventor: Grant D. Dicke
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Patent number: 7681349Abstract: A hand-held ground-supported display device for warning passersby is disclosed. Included is a self-supporting sign panel and a plurality of at least three mast sections telescopically interfittable, one within the other. A coupler is attached to the sign panel, with a socket for releasably engaging the top mast section. The mast sections have progressively smaller internal diameters and progressively shorter lengths, with the outermost mast section having the largest internal diameter and the longest length. Middle mast upper and middle mast lower stop members are attached to upper and lower ends of the middle mast section, respectively. In one example, the middle mast upper stop member has an end wall with first and second sidewalls extending downwardly therefrom with lower free ends for interfering with stop members associated with the top and the bottom mast sections. A kit including the display device is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2008Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Dicke Tool CompanyInventors: Grant D. Dicke, Richard Norman Dunbar
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Patent number: 7637046Abstract: A mounting system is provided for flexible message panel assemblies. An end cap is secured to the panel assembly with an elastic flexible tether which allows the end cap to be fitted over an end of a rib supporting the panel. Stored force in the elastic tether holds the corner of the message panel in position.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Dicke Tool CompanyInventors: Grant D. Dicke, Jeffrey A. Williams
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Publication number: 20090199446Abstract: A sign stand assembly includes a support base with a plate portion defining a locking recess, an upright mast joined to the support base, and at least one leg having a wall defining a hollow interior of the leg. The leg is pivotally attached to the plate portion, and a locking pin carried on the leg, is provided for movement toward and away from the locking recess defined by the plate portion of the support base. An actuator is movable between lock and unlock positions and has a first end portion engaging the locking pin, and an opposed second end portion with a hollow bail member defining a hollow interior for receiving the leg. A fulcrum portion is located adjacent the first end portion and engages the leg, whereby, upon pressing the bail member, the locking pin is retracted to the unlock position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2008Publication date: August 13, 2009Inventor: Grant D. Dicke
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Publication number: 20090183408Abstract: A sign system is disclosed in which a flexible sign panel is supported by light weight frame numbers such as fiberglass ribs joined together with a pivot connection. A sign panel of flexible material has a center section disposed between a pair of opposed sign panel portions. The center portion of the sign panel engages a cross member with the sign panel portions being folded over on either side of an upright support member. Free ends of the sign panel member are secured with a stretchable elastic cord, ribbon or the like, to a mounting member having a socket for receiving one end of the vertical support member. By engaging the mounting member and stretching the elastic cords, the mounting member is disposed over one end of the vertical support and one released, engages the vertical support holding the sign panel portions in a display position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2008Publication date: July 23, 2009Inventor: Grant D. Dicke
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Patent number: 7509921Abstract: A display system for use with a sign panel includes a bracket with a securement for attachment to a sign panel structure such as a support rib, to receive support therefrom. The bracket includes pairs of diagonally spaced apart support surfaces with each pair of support surfaces defining a channel for receiving a respective flag staff, to support opposite sides of a flag staff at spaced apart locations. A pivot connection pivotally attaches the flag staffs to the bracket, bringing the flag staffs into alignment with the support surfaces as the flags are rotated between an open or display position and a closed or storage position.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2007Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Dicke Tool CompanyInventor: Grant D. Dicke
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Publication number: 20090078192Abstract: A hand-held ground-supported display device for warning passersby is disclosed. Included is a self-supporting sign panel and a plurality of at least three mast sections telescopically interfittable, one within the other. A coupler is attached to the sign panel, with a socket for releasably engaging the top mast section. The mast sections have progressively smaller internal diameters and progressively shorter lengths, with the outermost mast section having the largest internal diameter and the longest length. Middle mast upper and middle mast lower stop members are attached to upper and lower ends of the middle mast section, respectively. In one example, the middle mast upper stop member has an end wall with first and second sidewalls extending downwardly therefrom with lower free ends for interfering with stop members associated with the top and the bottom mast sections. A kit including the display device is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Grant D. Dicke, Richard Norman Dunbar
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Publication number: 20090077848Abstract: A hand-held display device such as a stop/slow paddle is provided for warning passing motorists. Included is a self-supporting sign panel having opposed major surfaces for displaying warning information. A first mast section has a first end receiving the sign panel and an opposed second end. A second mast section is releasably joined to the first mast section with a coupler providing end-to-end joinder, with the coupler keyed to the first and the second mast sections. At least one of the first and the second mast sections have a tactile indication of the angular position of the sign panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventor: Grant D. Dicke
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Publication number: 20090013920Abstract: A display system for use with a sign panel includes a bracket with a securement for attachment to a sign panel structure such as a support rib, to receive support therefrom. The bracket includes pairs of diagonally spaced apart support surfaces with each pair of support surfaces defining a channel for receiving a respective flag staff, to support opposite sides of a flag staff at spaced apart locations. A pivot connection pivotally attaches the flag staffs to the bracket, bringing the flag staffs into alignment with the support surfaces as the flags are rotated between an open or display position and a closed or storage position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2007Publication date: January 15, 2009Inventor: Grant D. Dicke
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Publication number: 20080202006Abstract: A mounting system is provided for flexible message panel assemblies. An end cap is secured to the panel assembly with an elastic flexible tether which allows the end cap to be fitted over an end of a rib supporting the panel. Stored force in the elastic tether holds the corner of the message panel in position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Grant D. Dicke, Jeffrey A. Williams
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Patent number: 7243450Abstract: A base is provided for use with warning signs and the like. A metal structural framework is fitted to the underside of an elastomeric body in the form of a monolithic slab. Forces from the sign panel are transmitted through the structural framework, which includes a plurality of outwardly radiating legs. Forces are transmitted to the ends of the legs, which preferably are fitted with outwardly extending feet. Force loadings are transmitted through the structural framework rather than the elastomeric body, which provide a ballast for the structural framework.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Dicke Tool CompanyInventors: Grant D. Dicke, James G. Kokenes, Jeffrey A. Williams
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Patent number: 7062872Abstract: A collapsible signaling device bearing a pair of opposed message panels is convertible between a display configuration and a compact linear storage configuration. The message panels are joined together at spaced apart points along their periphery using spacers to form a pocket having an internal cavity. A mast is insertable within the pocket and is joined to the panel members at its upper end. A pair of struts of spring material are joined at one end to the upper end of the mast and are joined at their lower ends to a slider member which is slidably movable with respect to the mast. As the slider member is advanced toward the upper end of the mast, the struts are outwardly bowed imparting outwardly directed tension to the periphery of the message panels.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Inventors: Jeffrey A. Williams, Grant D. Dicke
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Patent number: 6793191Abstract: A sign stand assembly includes a sign panel, support base and an upright mast between the two. The support base defines a locking recess and a hollow leg is pivotally connected to a plate portion and extending from the support base. A locking pin and actuator are carried within the hollow leg with the actuator including an outward protruding tab. The actuator includes a clevis portion defining an opening to receive the locking pin in interlocking engagement therewith.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Dicke Tool CompanyInventors: Jeffrey A. Williams, Grant D. Dicke
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Patent number: 6792708Abstract: The invention provides a portable, collapsible sign stand assembly in which a sign is suspended from a support tube. The support tube is connected to a support base through a connecting member which includes a plurality of weakening members which cause the connecting member to fail upon impact. In other embodiments, the support tube is weakened by weakening members so as to fail upon impact. In one embodiment, the weakened portions are placed under tension.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2003Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Dicke Tool CompanyInventors: Grant D. Dicke, James G. Kokenas, Donald E. Hans
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Patent number: 6769833Abstract: A vehicular barrier post includes an upper tubular portion and a lower tubular stand-off. The upper portion is joined to a rocking base having a tubular bottom portion telescopically received in the stand-off. The upper end of a tension spring is secured to the upper body portion by a pin. The lower end of the spring is attached to a tension member, such as a chain, which passes through the stand-off so as to be received in a hole in a suitable external support. The chain is pulled past the external support and when the spring is appropriately tensioned, a locking pin is passed through the chain, preventing its reverse travel through the external support. The upper body portion is allowed to freely rock about the stand-off.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2003Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Dicke Tool CompanyInventors: Grant D. Dicke, James Kokenes
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Patent number: 6685156Abstract: The sign stand assembly includes a sign panel, support base and an upright mast between the two. The support base defines a locking recess and a hollow leg is pivotally connected to a plate portion and extending from the support base. The locking pin and actuator are carried within the hollow leg with the actuator carrying an outward protruding button. The actuator includes a medial portion defining an opening to receive the locking pin in interlocking engagement therewith.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Dicke Tool CompanyInventors: Grant D. Dicke, James G. Kokenes, Jeffrey A. Williams
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Publication number: 20030217496Abstract: The invention provides a portable, collapsible sign stand assembly in which a sign is suspended from a support tube. The support tube is connected to a support base through a connecting member which includes a plurality of weakening members which cause the connecting member to fail upon impact. In other embodiments, the support tube is weakened by weakening members so as to fail upon impact. In one embodiment, the weakened portions are placed under tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2003Publication date: November 27, 2003Applicant: DICKE TOOL COMPANYInventors: Grant D. Dicke, James G. Kokenas, Donald E. Hans
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Publication number: 20030213888Abstract: The sign stand assembly includes a sign panel, support base and an upright mast between the two. The support base defines a locking recess and a hollow leg is pivotally connected to a plate portion and extending from the support base. The locking pin and actuator are carried within the hollow leg with the actuator carrying an outward protruding button. The actuator includes a medial portion defining an opening to receive the locking pin in interlocking engagement therewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2002Publication date: November 20, 2003Applicant: Dicke Tool CompanyInventors: Grant D. Dicke, James G. Kokenes, Jeffrey A. Williams
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Patent number: 6625912Abstract: The invention provides a portable, collapsible sign stand assembly in which a sign is suspended from a support tube. The support tube is connected to a support base through a connecting member which includes a plurality of weakening members which cause the connecting member to fail upon impact. In other embodiments, the support tube is weakened by weakening members so as to fail upon impact. In one embodiment, the weakened portions are placed under tension.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2001Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Dicke Tool CompanyInventors: Grant D. Dicke, James G. Kokenas, Donald E. Hans