Patents by Inventor Michael A. Whittier
Michael A. Whittier 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: 9398818Abstract: A merchandise display includes a stand and a hanger. The stand includes a base, a shaft extending upwardly from the base to a top end of the shaft, and an arm extending forwardly from the top end of the shaft. The arm defines a top, a bottom, a cavity open to the top and the bottom, and two notches extending downwardly from the top and being positioned on opposing sides of the cavity. The hanger includes an elongated column, an arm-coupling feature at a first end of the elongated column, and a device-coupling feature at a second end of the elongated column. The device-coupling feature is configured to be coupled with a merchandise support device, and the arm-coupling feature is partially received within and extends between the two notches of the arm such that the elongated column hangs through and below the cavity of the arm to the device-coupling feature.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, Scott Denby
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Publication number: 20140252047Abstract: A merchandise display includes a stand and a hanger. The stand includes a base, a shaft extending upwardly from the base to a top end of the shaft, and an arm extending forwardly from the top end of the shaft. The arm defines a top, a bottom, a cavity open to the top and the bottom, and two notches extending downwardly from the top and being positioned on opposing sides of the cavity. The hanger includes an elongated column, an arm-coupling feature at a first end of the elongated column, and a device-coupling feature at a second end of the elongated column. The device-coupling feature is configured to be coupled with a merchandise support device, and the arm-coupling feature is partially received within and extends between the two notches of the arm such that the elongated column hangs through and below the cavity of the arm to the device-coupling feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: TARGET BRANDS, INC.Inventors: Jeremy A. CLARK, Michael A. WHITTIER, Scott DENBY
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Patent number: 8505753Abstract: Some embodiments of a display apparatus can present a variety of products or images of available products in an appealing manner that draws attention from consumers. In particular circumstances, the display apparatus may be readily changed by a store worker from a first configuration to a second configuration having a different appearance. For example, the display apparatus may include a generally rigid frame that receives a decorative, external sheathing in a toolless manner. Such a configuration can be useful, for example, for endcap display fixtures that are positioned at the end of store aisles, thereby providing an opportunity to promptly change the appearance of one or more endcaps and the products exhibited thereon.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2009Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David Cheney, Joseph R. Guggenberger
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Patent number: 8434630Abstract: A method of assembling a merchandising system includes providing a retail display fixture including first and second ends each supporting the retail display fixture on a floor. The method further includes providing a display fixture accessory releasably secured to the retail display fixture and coupling an accessory sheath to the retail display fixture. The accessory sheath includes two substantially planar panels extending substantially parallel to one another and defining a cavity between the two substantially planar panels, a top panel extending between and coupled to each of the two substantially planar panels, and an open bottom providing access to the cavity. Coupling the accessory sheath to the retail display fixture includes sliding the accessory sheath over the display fixture accessory to substantially enclose the display fixture accessory within the cavity such that the accessory sheath substantially covers an entirety of two opposite sides of the display fixture accessory.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2012Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David H. Cheney, James S. LaRue
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Patent number: 8312610Abstract: A method of constructing a retail display system includes creating a first display article including a support panel and hanging the first display article. Creating the first display article includes editing an original photograph of a clothing product for sale to appear similar to a mannequin wearing the clothing product for sale in an edited photograph. Hanging the first display article includes hanging the first display article in a display area using a mounting bracket secured to a back surface of the support panel. The method further includes positioning a retail good corresponding to the clothing product depicted in the photograph in proximity to the first display article. Retail display systems and methods of construction provide additional advantages.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2010Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier
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Publication number: 20120233843Abstract: A method of assembling a merchandising system includes providing a retail display fixture including first and second ends each configured to support the retail display fixture on a floor. The method further comprises providing a display fixture accessory releasably secured to the retail display fixture and coupling an accessory sheath to the retail display fixture. The accessory sheath comprises two substantially planar panels extending substantially parallel to one another and defining a cavity between the two substantially planar panels, a top panel extending between and coupled to each of the two substantially planar panels, and an open bottom providing access to the cavity. Coupling the accessory sheath to the retail display fixture includes sliding the accessory sheath over the display fixture accessory to substantially enclose the display fixture accessory within the cavity such that the accessory sheath substantially covers an entirety of two opposite sides of the display fixture accessory.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: TARGET BRANDS, INC.Inventors: Jeremy A. CLARK, Michael A. WHITTIER, David H. CHENEY, James S. LaRUE
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Patent number: 8191720Abstract: Assembling a merchandising system includes placing a display fixture on a floor in a retail environment, where the display fixture includes a first end assembly supported on the floor, a second end assembly supported on the floor, a first cross-piece, and a second cross-piece, each of the first and second cross-pieces extending between the first and second end assemblies and substantially parallel to one another. A display fixture accessory is releasably secured to the display fixture and an accessory sheath is slid over the display fixture accessory by sliding an open bottom of the accessory sheath over the display fixture accessory until a top of the accessory sheath abuts a top of the display fixture accessory and the accessory sheath covers a substantial portion of the display fixture accessory. The accessory sheath includes a plurality of substantially horizontal bracket slots.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2011Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David H. Cheney, James S. LaRue
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Patent number: 8123052Abstract: Some embodiments of a product display apparatus may include a plurality of product shelves and a product display sign coupled to a support arm in an elevated position above the product shelves so as to define a viewing gap at a selected height. The viewing gap can provide consumers with see-through visibility toward an adjacent aisle. The product display sign may be releasably secured in an elevated support arm that also receives one or more display containers in a position forward of the display sign and above the product shelves.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David Cheney, Justin Werth, Kevin Pittelkow
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Publication number: 20110266236Abstract: Some embodiments of a product display apparatus may include a plurality of product shelves and a product display sign coupled to a support arm in an elevated position above the product shelves so as to define a viewing gap at a selected height. The viewing gap can provide consumers with see-through visibility toward an adjacent aisle. The product display sign may be releasably secured in an elevated support arm that also receives one or more display containers in a position forward of the display sign and above the product shelves.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David Cheney, Justin Werth, Kevin Pittelkow
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Publication number: 20110209329Abstract: Assembling a merchandising system includes placing a display fixture on a floor in a retail environment, where the display fixture includes a first end assembly supported on the floor, a second end assembly supported on the floor, a first cross-piece, and a second cross-piece, each of the first and second cross-pieces extending between the first and second end assemblies and substantially parallel to one another. A display fixture accessory is releasably secured to the display fixture and an accessory sheath is slid over the display fixture accessory by sliding an open bottom of the accessory sheath over the display fixture accessory until a top of the accessory sheath abuts a top of the display fixture accessory and the accessory sheath covers a substantial portion of the display fixture accessory. The accessory sheath includes a plurality of substantially horizontal bracket slots.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: TARGET BRANDS, INC.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David H. Cheney, James S. LaRue
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Patent number: 7997430Abstract: Some embodiments of a product display apparatus may include a plurality of product shelves and a product display sign coupled to a support arm in an elevated position above the product shelves so as to define a viewing gap at a selected height. The viewing gap can provide consumers with see-through visibility toward an adjacent aisle. The product display sign may be releasably secured in an elevated support arm that also receives one or more display containers in a position forward of the display sign and above the product shelves.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David Cheney, Justin Werth, Kevin Pittelkow
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Patent number: 7988000Abstract: A merchandising system includes a display fixture placed on a floor in a retail environment. The display fixture includes a first end piece resting supported on the floor, a second end piece supported on the floor, a first member, and a second member, each of the first member and the second member being substantially horizontal with the second member extending substantially parallel to, and vertically offset from the first member. A display fixture accessory is releasably secured to the display fixture by receiving the first member in a first bracket of the display fixture accessory and receiving the second member in a second bracket of the display fixture accessory. A display piece is inserted into the display fixture accessory. Additionally, the display piece is maintained with the display fixture accessory in a substantially vertical position with the display fixture accessory extending above the display fixture.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, John Thomas
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Patent number: 7946435Abstract: Assembling a merchandising system includes placing a display fixture on a floor in a retail environment, where the display fixture includes a first end assembly supported on the floor, a second end assembly supported on the floor, a first cross-piece, and a second cross-piece, each of the first and second cross-pieces extending between the first and second end assemblies and being substantially parallel to one another. A display fixture accessory is releasably secured to the display fixture and an accessory sheath is slid over the display fixture accessory by sliding an open bottom of the accessory sheath over the display fixture accessory until a top of the accessory sheath abuts a top of the display fixture accessory and the accessory sheath covers a substantial portion of the display fixture accessory. The accessory sheath includes a plurality of substantially horizontal bracket slots.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David H. Cheney, James S. LaRue
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Patent number: 7934611Abstract: A retail system includes a rack assembly and a cover. The rack assembly has a stand that is adapted to rest on a substantially horizontal surface, where the stand is formed of a plurality of tubular members. The rack assembly also has a mounting frame that is substantially rectangular in shape and supported in a substantially vertical position by the stand. The cover includes a base portion that is formed by a combination of a first shell and a second shell that is complementary to the first shell, the base portion defining a hollow, substantially box-like structure that is supported in a substantially vertically position by the rack assembly and covers at least a portion of the mounting frame. The cover also includes a stack portion defining a hollow, substantially box-like structure that is adapted to slide over the mounting frame and mount atop the base portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David H. Cheney, James S. LaRue
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Patent number: 7909184Abstract: A merchandising system for displaying products in a retail environment includes a panel structure extending upwardly from a floor, the panel structure forming a plurality of regularly, or uniformly, spaced insertion areas. The system also includes an annular cage supported over the floor by the panel structure such that it projects outwardly from the front of the panel structure. The annular cage optionally includes a first loop defining a front and a back with the back facing toward the panel structure and the front facing away from the panel structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier
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Patent number: 7900385Abstract: A retail display system includes a first bracket having a mounting portion defining a substantially arcuate face, a first arm having at least one insertion tab, and a second arm having at least one insertion tab. The first bracket is secured to a back face of a first display article including a backer and an image of a first product. The display article defines a border coterminous with a periphery of the first product. The display article is maintained by the backer by flexing the first display article to shape the first display article to the mounting portion of the first bracket and by securing the flexed, first display article to the first bracket.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David H. Cheney
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Patent number: D634861Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2010Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Whittier, Jeremy A. Clark, David Cheney, William Y. Stafford
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Patent number: D649200Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Whittier, Jeremy A. Clark, David Cheney
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Patent number: D751843Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: TARGET BRANDS, INC.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David Joseph Floersch, David Cheney
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Patent number: D777475Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David Joseph Floersch, David Cheney