Patents by Inventor John Gebka

John Gebka 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: 6189247
    Abstract: A product identification and information tag of sheet material for overlying an elongated support hook, wherein the mounting portion of the tag is frictionally engaged over projections on a saddle member carried by the hook itself. The length of the tag can be readily adjusted without the need for extraneous tools such as scissors or the like. The mounting portion of the tag is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced mounting apertures with alternating fold and tear lines spaced midway between adjacent apertures whereby the mounting portion may be folded onto itself to align adjacent apertures, transversely tom, or even transversely tom and then folded on itself to provide the tag with different effective lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Fast Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: John Gebka
  • Patent number: 6163996
    Abstract: A transparent sheet material sign holder having upper and lower reverted flaps to slidably receive a paper, cardboard or plastic sign behind a transparent main body panel. The upper flap is adapted for engagement between the upper and lower lips of a C-channel on the front of a merchandise shelf. Independent portions of the upper flap are of a reduced height so as to retain the upper edge portions of the sign in the event the sign holder is flexed forwardly at its bottom edge. The C-channel-engaging flap portions can be centrally located, with independent side portions of a smaller height. Alternatively, the sign-retaining portions of a smaller height can be simply defined by a U-shaped cut in the upper flap. Similar sign-retaining portions can be provided on upper and lower flaps of different dimensions so that the sign holder can be inverted for engagement in C-channel of different heights while independently retaining a sign in the sign holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Fast Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: John Gebka
  • Patent number: 6128843
    Abstract: A universal two-piece label holder system for hooks of various sizes and configurations, including single and double rod or U-shaped loop hooks, comprises a versatile ring-shaped saddle having a plurality of peripherally spaced clasps of different dimensions, at least one of which will grippingly engage a single rod hook, with an adjacent clasp slidingly engaging the second rod of a double rod or loop hook at a selected position along the length of the hook. An elongated plastic tag or overlay, preferably having a label holder at its distal end, is adapted to overlie the hook, with side edge portions of the tag engaged by flanges on the saddle and a selected one of a plurality of spaced openings along the intermediate portion of the tag engaged over a projection on the saddle to thereby limit movement of the tag relative to the saddle both laterally and longitudinally and to arcuately flex the tag to rigidify the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Fast Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: John Gebka
  • Patent number: 5836097
    Abstract: A shelf divider, label and sign holder system comprising an elongated universal support element formed with a relatively rigid channel-shaped shell adapted to be adhesively mounted on a vertically or horizontally extending surface. The support element includes an extended cover portion with flexible fingers co-extruded therewith and adapted to engage the mounting surface itself to removably capture therebetween portions of an item to be supported by the support element. When used as a vertical surface sign holder system, the support element is generally horizontally secured to the vertical surface, with the channel opening downwardly and a paper, cardboard or plastic indicia-containing label or sign securely held at its upper edges between the flexible fingers and the vertical mounting surface. The same support element may be adhesively secured to the undersurface of a shelf juxtapositioned to the front edge thereof, for reception of a perpendicular mounting flange of an adhesive or non-adhesive label holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: FEMC Ltd.
    Inventors: Kirk Lewis, John Gebka, Michael Brinkman, Neil Speed
  • Patent number: 5683003
    Abstract: A molded plastic display device adapted to be removably secured to a generally horizontally extending shelf perpendicularly to the front edge thereof, with a central upstanding label holder, both surfaces of which can be provided with merchandising indicia. A transparent label cover enables the label holder to carry adhesive or non-adhesive labels or signs. A pair spaced hooks are provided below each label-receiving surface to support, in depending fashion, strip merchandisers carrying a multiplicity of products. Depending upon the width of the products being carried by the strip merchandisers, they may be selectively hung from whichever hook is closest to the shelf to minimize projection of the products into the aisle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Fast Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Gebka
  • Patent number: 5678699
    Abstract: A molded plastic display device adapted to be removably secured to a generally horizontally extending shelf perpendicularly to the front edge thereof, with a central upstanding label holder, both surfaces of which can be provided with merchandising indicia. A transparent label cover enables the label holder to carry adhesive or non-adhesive labels or signs. A pair of spaced hooks are provided below each label-receiving surface to support, in depending fashion, strip merchandisers carrying a multiplicity of products. Depending upon the width of the products being carried by the strip merchandisers, they may be selectively hung from whichever hook is closest to the shelf to minimize projection of the products into the aisle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Fast Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Gebka
  • Patent number: 5553721
    Abstract: A strip merchandiser made of plastic sheet has W-shaped slits defining central fingers pointing towards one end of the strip for suspending apertured products and outer fingers pointing towards the opposite end of the slip for suspending slotted products. Mounting panels for hanging the strip from a merchandise display shelf are provided at both ends of the strip so that it can be used reversibly depending on the type of products to be displayed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Fast Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Gebka
  • Patent number: 5515632
    Abstract: A plastic price channel for attachment along the front edge of a merchandise display shelf to carry labelling pertaining to articles on the shelf has a main body panel and a see-through cover joined to the body panel along its bottom edge so that non-adhesive labels can be fitted between the body panel and the cover. The top edge of the cover can be engaged behind a resilient top lip on the body panel to releasably lock the cover in place and a forwardly extending channel-shaped formation is provided along the top edge of the cover in which the top lip is received. The channel-shaped formation has an upwardly extending outer limb forming a gripping element by which the top edge of the cover can be disengaged from behind the top lip by finger pressure exerted downwardly on the gripping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: FEMC Ltd.
    Inventors: John Gebka, James Murray
  • Patent number: 5509634
    Abstract: An extruded PVC clip-on label holder for use on glass shelves such as merchandise shelves in retail outlets has a label holder panel and a pair of resilient rearwardly extending arms forming a channel between which a shelf is gripped. The holder is suitable for use on both thinner and thicker glass shelves by virtue of a step which extends along the base of the channel in one corner. A thinner shelf is gripped between the arms with its front edge fitting over the step and abutting the rear surface of the label holder panel. A thicker shelf is gripped between the arms with its front edge abutting the step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Femc Ltd.
    Inventors: John Gebka, Michael E. Brinkman
  • Patent number: 5488793
    Abstract: An extruded plastic price channel can be fitted in a C-channel at the front of a merchandise shelf to provide a mounting for merchandise labelling. The price channel includes a label panel and a leg extending from the back of the label panel. A top edge of the label panel and a free end of the leg snap behind upper and lower lips of the C-channel to retain the price channel in place with the label panel angled to the vertical. The top edge of the label panel has an improved design to enhance its grip in the C-channel. The price channel may also include a transparent co-extruded cover for the front of the label panel to retain non-adhesive labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: FEMC Ltd.
    Inventors: John Gebka, Michael E. Brinkman
  • Patent number: 5458307
    Abstract: A ribbed plastic price channel for use on a product display shelf to receive product labels has a high friction coating on the ribs to reduce the tendency for an inserted label to slide along the channel and out of position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: FEMC Ltd.
    Inventor: John Gebka
  • Patent number: 5456034
    Abstract: An extruded plastic label holder is provided to clip onto a metal plate at the forward end of a scanner hook on which products are displayed. The holder has a pocket to receive a non-adhesive label in place of an adhesive label which would otherwise need to be used on the plate. The holder has a body panel and a clip element between which the plate is gripped and the clip element has a layer of flexible plastic to improve its grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Femc Ltd.
    Inventors: Kirk Lewis, John Gebka
  • Patent number: 5421113
    Abstract: A product information display tag for providing product information at the forward end of a horizontal product support hook has a mounting portion for attaching the tag to the rearward end of the hook, an elongate intermediate portion to extend over and along the hook and a label holder at the forward end of the intermediate portion. The mounting portion and intermediate portion are formed together as an integral plastic extrusion with a female grip at the forward end of the intermediate portion to attach the label holder. The label holder is formed as a coextrusion of a label holder panel in a rigid plastic material and a bead along one edge of the panel in a flexible plastic to fit in the grip at the forward end of the intermediate portion. The bead forms a hinge at the front end of the tag enabling the label holding panel to be raised and facilitate removal of articles from the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: FEMC Ltd.
    Inventors: John Gebka, James M. Murray
  • Patent number: 5394632
    Abstract: An extruded plastic price channel can be fitted in a C-channel at the front of a merchandise shelf to provide a mounting for merchandise labelling. The price channel includes a label panel and a leg extending from the back of the label panel. A top edge of the label panel and a free end of the leg snap behind upper and lower lips of the C-channel to retain the price channel in place with the label panel angled to the vertical. The top edge of the label panel has an improved design to enhance its grip in the C-channel. The price channel may also include a transparent co-extruded cover for the front of the label panel to retain non-adhesive labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: FEMC Ltd.
    Inventors: John Gebka, Michael E. Brinkman
  • Patent number: 5261175
    Abstract: An elongate produce information display tag for presenting product information at the distal end of a product support hook is useful on both wire-back hooks and plate-back hooks. The tag has a mounting portion with selective apertures by which the tab is engaged on the hook. One of the apertures is associated with a strip of contact adhesive extending across the mounting portion by which the tag can be adhered to the front surface of a back plate of a plate-back hook. The other aperture merges into a keyhole-type slot which can be used to embrace over the depending leg at the back of a hook by which the hook is welded to a back plate or rod-like bracket. The intermediate portion of the tag which extends over the hook has a fold down stabilizing tab which engages the hook and provides lateral stabilization of the tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Fast Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Gebka
  • Patent number: 5235766
    Abstract: A product information and display tag of plastic sheet material for a product support hook of the type having a proximal end bracket with upper and lower prongs which snap fit onto a flat horizontal support bar is herein disclosed. The tag has a mounting portion with a transverse slot which hooks over the upper prong of the bracket before it is fitted to the support bar, so that when the hook is fitted to the bar, the mounting portion is trapped between the bar and the bracket. Adjacent the mounting portion is an elongate portion of the tag which extends over the hook to its distal end and there is a turned-down label holder portion of the tag at the distal end of the hook for product information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Fast Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Fast, John Gebka
  • Patent number: 5148927
    Abstract: A shelf divider is designed for use on a shelf having rows of apertures extending along the front and back of the shelf. The divider is made of plastic sheet with a vertical divider panel and a horizontal attachment panel. A tongue at the front end of the attachment panel is inserted in a selected aperture at the front of the shelf. A perforation in the attachment panel aligned with the tongue is positioned to overlie a corresponding aperture at the back of the shelf. To releasably attach the divider to the shelf, a push-in plastic pin is inserted in the perforation and corresponding aperture. The divider is formed with tongues and perforations at both ends to make it reversible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Fast Industries Inc.
    Inventor: John Gebka