Cylinder Or Polygonal Carrier Patents (Class 40/506)
  • Patent number: 5809674
    Abstract: A container has attached to its surface information fields containing information about the container's contents. A shell partially covered with an additional set of information fields and including a window is movably attached to the container so that when the shell is moved with respect to the container, the window reveals at least one of the information fields attached to the container surface. A method for manufacturing comprises the steps of affixing a first set of information fields to a container, defining a transparent window in a shell, and then disposing the shell around the container so that, in response to movement of the shell, the window reveals a variable subset of the information fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Stephen M. Key
  • Patent number: 5671557
    Abstract: A notice assembly comprising a support portion including a base part adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface, a vertical wall part having a lower edge attached to the base part and a hollow tubular part fixed along an upper edge of the wall part with an axially extending through opening in the tubular part facing the same direction as the front surface of the wall part. A display member has a portion rotatably mounted in the tubular part. That portion of the display member has a peripheral surface bearing a plurality of set of graphic symbols providing information about the location of the person (e.g., AT LUNCH, OUT OF OFFICE, RETURN SOON, IN MEETING). By manual rotation of the display member, any of the sets of graphic symbols can be positioned in the opening of the tubular part where they will be observed by a person looking at the notice assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bruce W. Carlson, Thomas J. Barnidge, Tanya M. Laine, Mary K. Miller-Bruns, Kenneth J. Kirchhoff
  • Patent number: 5517791
    Abstract: A monument comprised of a body, a device for permanently attaching the body to the ground, and a rotatable element rotatably attached to the body. The body contains an exterior surface with an opening; and at least a portion of the rotatable element is disposed within the opening. As the rotatable element is rotated, it displays visual information which varies with the rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Hali J. Weiss
  • Patent number: 5499467
    Abstract: An information stand with a plurality of faces which are successively exposed to a viewer. The stand has a rigid hollow frame within which one or more multi-face information carrier elements are positioned. The frame has a pair of unequal in length parallel vertical sides and inclined upper and lower parts. Each of the information carrier elements is fixedly attached to a rotational shaft. A plurality of lever arms extend in a symmetrical relationship from the shaft, each of the lever arms being fixedly attached, at one end, to the shaft. A free end of each of the lever arms is intermittently received within a shorter side of the frame. A weight descends under gravity within the shorter side and contacts the free end of the lever arm, imparting rotation on the lever arm, the shaft and the information carrier element. A powered drive lifts the weight within the longer side of the frame, from where the weight moves again under gravity to cause rotation of the information carrier element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Inventors: Edward S. Kuznetsov, Maxim E. Kuznetsov
  • Patent number: 5347734
    Abstract: A rotatable display device is described which is intended to improve tabletop and store environments by reducing clutter, increasing product promotion awareness, and freeing-up valuable table space. The display device is also designed in a manner which limits the amount of wear and tear it receives due to handling and food and beverage spillage. The display device includes a frame with multiple display faces and a support member rotatably coupled to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Inventors: Lloyd A. Howell, Peter N. Kurlas
  • Patent number: 5233772
    Abstract: A sign providing for the serial display of three discreet messages is disclosed. The disclosed sign has an array of discrete vertical three sided sign elements provided with an improved sign element mounts and bearings, improved detachable face plates for the display of the three sign messages, and an improved sign element drive for simultaneous rotation of the sign element array in 120.degree. increments for sequential display of the three discrete messages of the sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: 3-Message Display Limited
    Inventors: Paul E. Bergeron, David L. Wood
  • Patent number: 5211399
    Abstract: A reel for a gaming or amusement machine, of the type commonly known as a fruit machine, has a reel strip which has symbols at least partially within sunken regions of the reel strip. The symbols may be formed in relief in the sunken regions but do not project above a frame which surrounds the sunken regions. The surface of the frame may be arcuate, such that the reel is cylindrical in shape, or flat, such that the reel is polygonal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Bell-Fruit Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventor: Terence Howard
  • Patent number: 5185948
    Abstract: A multi-sided display device for displaying selected advertising information corresponding to a particular product on display. The display device is rotatably mounted such that one of a plurality of display faces of the multi-sided display may be selected for viewing. A window opening on each display face is provided such that a customer may interactively select a variety of product information for viewing through the window opening. The device can be slidably mounted to a display shelf, peg board, floor stand, or other support surface such that it may be raised to an upright position in order to facilitate access to inventory codes or UPC codes on the end of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Markson Rosenthal & Company
    Inventor: Richard Markson
  • Patent number: 5144763
    Abstract: A stand for displaying rectangular shaped computer keyboard function key guides. The stand includes a tubular, open ended sheath preferably having three rectangular shaped, transparent sides. The guides may be selectively inserted into or removed from the interior of the sheath such that the function information printed on the key guides may be viewed through the transparent sides. A cardboard backing substantially conforming to the shape of the interior of the sheath is selectively disposed within the sheath and is adapted to maintain each key guide in an abutting relation against the interior surface of an associated one of the sides. Additional key guides may be stored within the interior of the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Inventor: William M. Calhoun
  • Patent number: 5080516
    Abstract: A computer software key guide holder (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) includes an elongated multi-sided display member (16, 116, 216, 316, 416) within a support member (12, 112, 212, 312, 312) for positioning and retaining atop a computer keyboard (KB). The display member (16, 116, 216, 316, 416) is adapted to receive and display a plurality of software key guides (KG1-n) aligned with the function keys for indicating software functions available by depressing a combination of function keys (F1-12) and control keys (CK1-3). The software key guides (KG1-n) include templates made of thin material and having a plurality of columns (C1-12) associated with each function key and a plurality of rows (R1-4) associated with a control key and intersecting the columns (C1-12) providing individual boxes for marking the function thereon. The rows (R1-2) are of uniform color different from an adjacent row (R1-4) such that each box associated with a particular function key is of a different color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Sarasota Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ridley C. Ward
  • Patent number: 4987691
    Abstract: A drive system for a display panel has a plurality of rotary, triangular columns positioned in parallel, juxtaposed relationship and whose corresponding side faces in the different positions of the columns can display a plurality of different images. The columns are supported for rotation at both ends and are each provided at one end with a substantially triangular rotation element. Displacement means driven by a common drive unit rotate the successive rotation elements consecutively through about 120.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Koninklijke Smeets Offset B.V.
    Inventors: Jac H. J. Kessels, Harry J. M. Weekers
  • Patent number: 4637153
    Abstract: A unique multiple configuration display sign system including a selection of a sign unit supporting and interconnecting hardware and standard sign units of special size, shape and construction as to be capable of use in any one of a multiplicity of display configurations through use of such hardware. The sign unit supporting and interconnecting hardware includes top side and bottom side linking brackets, linking plates or wall hanger brackets for abutting together one or more vertical sides of the sign units to form a selected sign configuration. The sign units supporting and interconnecting hardware integrated within an assembled display configuration to conceal such hardware so that the joined sign units appear to be free standing and unsupported by any visible structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Kane Graphical Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Kane, Lawrence R. Hogan
  • Patent number: 4528763
    Abstract: A sign formed from plural trilateral display screen assemblies, each assembly being rotatable to dispose one of three screen sides in a forward position, wherein all corresponding screen sides in such forward position collectively defining and displaying a picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Inventor: Stig B. Ahlgren
  • Patent number: 4506950
    Abstract: The invention is a viewing device suitable as a novelty item or for such other purposes as a teaching or navigational aid. It comprises a compass and in its preferred form has a 360.degree. panoramic photograph wrapped into drum form and affixed to the compass. A viewing device is also provided, so that when the person observing the photograph is facing a given compass direction, he will see essentially the same view that would be seen by another observer facing in the same compass direction at the point at which the photograph was taken. An essential part of the invention is the way the photograph is represented. If the viewing device is arranged to see the outside surface of the drum-shaped photograph, the photograph must be a mirror-image representation. If the viewing means is arranged to see the inside surface of the drum-shaped photograph, a normal representation must be used. In other versions of the invention, the photographs need not have edge-to-edge continuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Inventor: Richard B. Crossman
  • Patent number: 4460244
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a display utilizing a plurality of display prisms in a single device each of which can be separately actuated so that there can be more messages available to a user than surfaces on the prisms due to the interaction of messages on a cooperative basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Carey S. Cole, William B. Noble
  • Patent number: 4329801
    Abstract: The timetable holder is mounted on a post and has a cylindrical element journalled around the post and has at least one tube of transparent material for the housing of a timetable which can be read from outside through the tube side wall, the tube being closed at both ends by a sleeve mounted on the post and securable to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Inventor: Poul J. Clausen
  • Patent number: 4086715
    Abstract: A device for indicating and surveying various types of services includes a housing having printed indicia rotatable drums mounted therewithin which display selected indicia according to the user's selection. Preformed indicia on the exterior of the housing are associated with the drums to provide a correlation therebetween. The device, also, includes an erasable writing surface, a bracket or similar attachment for suspending the device from a wall or the like, as well as means for securing a writing implement to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Inventor: Quentin P. Blonigen
  • Patent number: RE35182
    Abstract: A reel for a gaming or amusement machine, of the type commonly known as a fruit machine, has a reel strip which has symbols at least partially within sunken regions of the .[.reel strip.]..Iadd.reel-strip.Iaddend..The symbols may be formed in relief in the sunken regions but do not project above a frame which surrounds the sunken regions. The surface of the frame may be arcuate, such that the reel is cylindrical in shape, or flat, such that the reel is polygonal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Bell-Fruit Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventor: Terence Howard