Patents by Inventor Nick L. French

Nick L. French 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: 6679190
    Abstract: A fabric holder of the type that attaches to a carriage of an embroidery machine and positions an embroidery frame in position relative to an embroidery platform, including a base, and multiple fabric clamping frame sets, each of the clamping frame sets having a lower clamping member and an upper clamping member mounted for movement between a closed position and an open release position. The lower clamping member and the upper clamping member of a selected set are releasably attached to the fabric holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventors: Nick L. French, Mark E. Mason, Vytenis J. Viltrakis
  • Patent number: 6394012
    Abstract: A fabric frame holder for holding a fabric to be embroidered using automated embroidery equipment having a body portion, multiple sets of adaptor plates, and a multiple fabric mounting frames. The body portion has a central area for releasably receiving the fabric mounting frames, and a pair of attachment arms extending laterally to either side. The attachment arms terminate in attachment ends at which points one set of the adaptor plates, which correspond to the type of embroidery machine being utilized, are attached, and a selected fabric holding frames is mounted to the central body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: Nick L. French, Mark E. Mason, Vytenis J. Viltrakis
  • Patent number: 6336416
    Abstract: An interchangeable and manually operable embroidery frame for holding an article to be embroidered using automated embroidery equipment having a base plate, and upper clamping member pivotally connected to the base plate, a clamping mechanism for biasing the upper clamping member in closed contact with the base, mounting arms extending outwardly from the base plate, and selectively removable adapters attached to each mounting arm, whereby the adapters enable the clamping frame to be mounted on a selected automated embroidery machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventors: Nick L. French, Mark E. Mason
  • Patent number: 6189468
    Abstract: A cap framing gauge for supporting a cap as the cap is mounted on an embroidering cap frame wherein the frame is subsequently mounted on automated embroidery equipment. The cap framing gauge includes a cap tensioning member pivotally attached to the cap framing gauge. The member is biased rearwardly in a direction away from the embroidered portion of the cap held on the frame so as to engage and hold the cap in a taut position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Nick L. French
  • Patent number: 5887534
    Abstract: A frame for holding a cap of the type having a bill and a front crown. The frame includes an inner subframe having an inner band and an outer subframe having an outer band. The inner and outer bands are hingedly joined on one end so that the outer band may be selectively folded between an open position wherein the outer band is spaced from the inner band and a closed position wherein the outer band is disposed adjacent the inner band. Latch mechanisms are provided for selectively securing the outer band in the closed position. Spaced apart support arms extend upwardly from the inner band. Spaced apart clamp arms extend upwardly from the outer band. When the outer band is in the closed position, an outer opening defined between the clamp arms is disposed adjacent an inner opening defined by the support arms, and the clamp arms are disposed adjacent respective support arms for clamping portions of the crown of the cap therebetween. Each of the support arms includes a reinforcing rib integrally formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventors: Nick L. French, Mark D. Mason
  • Patent number: 5819675
    Abstract: A frame for holding a cap of the type having a bill and a front crown. The frame includes an inner subframe having an inner band and an outer subframe having an outer band. The inner and outer bands are hingedly joined on one end so that the outer band may be selectively folded between an open position wherein the outer band is spaced from the inner band and a closed position wherein the outer band is disposed adjacent the inner band. Latch mechanisms are provided for selectively securing the outer band in the closed position. Spaced apart support arms extend upwardly from the inner band. Spaced apart clamp arms extend upwardly from the outer band. When the outer band is in the closed position, an outer opening defined between the clamp arms is disposed adjacent an inner opening defined by the support arms, and the clamp arms are disposed adjacent respective support arms for clamping portions of the crown of the cap therebetween. Each of the support arms includes a reinforcing rib integrally formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventors: Nick L. French, Mark D. Mason