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: 7895784Abstract: Some embodiments of sign assembly include a secondary sign that at least partially fits within a side cavity defined by a larger, primary sign. In particular embodiments, the primary sign includes an internal frame that defines a channel to receive a side portion of the secondary sign and thereby retain the secondary sign in a generally parallel, side-by-side configuration relative to the primary sign.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, David Cheney, Michael A. Whittier, Joseph R. Guggenberger
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Publication number: 20100326931Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: Targe BrandsInventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, John Thomas
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Publication number: 20100326939Abstract: 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: June 30, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: TARGET BRANDS, INC.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David Cheney, Justin Werth, Kevin Pittelkow
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Publication number: 20100320164Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2009Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: TARGET BRANDS, INC.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David Cheney, Joseph R. Guggenberger
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Patent number: 7810658Abstract: A method of assembling a merchandising system includes placing a display fixture 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: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, John Thomas
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Patent number: 7805904Abstract: A suspended ceiling fixture for hanging items from a suspended ceiling that is adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom includes a body spanning a distance between adjacent frame members of a suspended ceiling. The fixture also includes brackets for hanging the body from the adjacent frame members. Additionally included is a hanger assembly for hanging an item from the fixture, where the hanger assembly is adjustable along the body of the fixture.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2008Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David H. Cheney
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Patent number: 7757418Abstract: Some embodiments of a display fixture can display a variety of products or images of available products in an appealing manner that draws attention from consumers. In some cases, the display fixture may employ a number of graphic inserts that fit within display windows to show images related to available products.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2009Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David Cheney, Thomas A. Leeds
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Publication number: 20100132182Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2010Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: TARGET BRANDS, INC.Inventors: Jeremy A. CLARK, Michael A. WHITTIER
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Patent number: 7661214Abstract: A retail display article based upon an original photograph of a subject including at least one item of clothing and having visible portions of skin. The display article includes a back panel and a display photograph. The back panel defines a flat surface. The display photograph depicts an edited version of the original photograph such that the visible portions of skin depicted in the display photograph is configured to imitate a general appearance of a mannequin. The display photograph is disposed on the flat surface of the back panel. The display photograph and the back panel are collectively cut about the perimeter of the subject. Retail display systems and methods of construction provide additional advantages.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier
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Patent number: 7644527Abstract: An accordion sign assembly includes a sign holder and an accordion sign. The sign holder has an elongate shape and an upper surface. The accordion sign includes a plurality of sections for displaying indicia, the sections defining a top edge, a bottom edge, and being interconnected at a plurality of pleats. The accordion sign also includes a plurality of tabs connected to the bottom edge of the plurality of sections at a plurality of fold lines that are substantially orthogonal to the plurality of sections. The plurality of tabs are folded relative to the plurality of sections to extend substantially orthogonally from the plurality of sections. A plurality of fasteners secures the plurality of tabs to the sign holder.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2007Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier
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Publication number: 20090250422Abstract: 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 4, 2008Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: TARGET BRANDS, INC.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David H. Cheney, James S. LaRue
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Publication number: 20090250418Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2008Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: TARGET BRANDS, INC.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David H. Cheney, James S. LaRue
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Publication number: 20090229152Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2008Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: TARGET BRANDS, INC.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David H. Cheney
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Patent number: 7584561Abstract: A light box display for use in a retail environment includes a light box, a graphic, and a graphic cover. The light box includes a first member and a second member configured to collectively house a plurality of light sources. The graphic cover is selectively coupled to the light box with at least one of static build up and friction fit to secure the graphic between the light box and the graphic cover such that the graphic is configured to be backlit with light emanating from the plurality of light sources. The first member of the light box includes a first member side wall and the second member of the light box includes a second member side wall. The second member side wall generally fits around and overlaps a substantial entirety of the first member side wall. Associated methods are also disclosed and provide additional advantages.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2008Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Whittier, Jeremy A. Clark, William Y. Stafford
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Patent number: D605349Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David H. Cheney
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Patent number: D606334Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2009Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David Cheney, Joseph R. Guggenberger
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Patent number: D608835Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2009Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David Cheney, Melissa J. McClelland
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Patent number: D613899Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Whittier, David H. Cheney, Jeremy A. Clark, Thomas A. Leeds
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Patent number: D622436Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2010Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Whittier, Jeremy A. Clark, David Cheney
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Patent number: D624768Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier