Motor Operated Patents (Class 40/614)
  • Patent number: 9858837
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for forming a visual display, to aid in detection and location by searchers or rescuers, for example. The apparatus includes at least one elongate, flexible strip that produces a visual signal, and at least one support for holding the strip member aloft so that it can be seen at a distance. The strip members are suitably formed of reflective metalized Mylar that can be rolled into a compact form for portability, and produces a vivid reflective pattern. There may also be a single, elongate reflective strip with cords at the end that can be attached to spaced-apart supports, with an elastomeric member being included to maintain tension on the reflective strip. One or more swivels may also be included so as to enable the strip to rotate freely when under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Robert W Cameron
  • Patent number: 9620037
    Abstract: A sign waving apparatus that includes a base, a housing enclosing a motor, a frame support connecting the base and the housing, and a sign mount mechanically connected to a motor. The sign or signs attach to the surfaces of the sign mount. The sign mount moves relative to the housing in a variety of different motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Velocity Signs, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Adams, Josh Faherty
  • Patent number: 9330582
    Abstract: A motive sign apparatus for broadcasting a sign up and down and back and forth to gain attention. The motive sign apparatus includes a mobile cart having a housing with side walls; an actuator assembly disposed inside the housing and including an actuator; and a sign support assembly in communication with the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Jeffrey Michael Spinner
  • Patent number: 9299276
    Abstract: A mobile motionable sign apparatus for supporting and moving a sign relative to the base apparatus. The mobile motionable sign apparatus includes a base assembly including a base member with wheels mounted thereto; a motive support assembly removably coupled to the base member and including a pivot member; and a sign support assembly movably coupled to the pivot member and including a motor support member coupled and movable relative to the pivot member and further including a motor mounted to the motor support member and also including sign support members connectable to the motor support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Richard H. Enrico
  • Patent number: 9257062
    Abstract: A transportable sign (1) is provided which comprises a base portion (3), a support portion (5), and a display portion (7), In the sign, the display portion comprises a carrier (9) configured to carry a display medium (11) to display an image (13), e.g. a board, a cloth or a sail etc. The base portion is configured to position the sign supporting the support portion and the display portion, and the support portion is configured to support the display portion, when mounted to or on the base portion. In the sign, the display portion is mounted or mountable to the support portion to form a transformable assembly such that, when mounted to the base portion, the display portion is positionable in and movable between at least a first, relatively high, position and a second, relatively low, position with respect to the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: IMAGE BUILDING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Stephan Douwe Constantijn Molenaar, Philip Nicolaas Ramondt
  • Patent number: 9171487
    Abstract: A sign waving apparatus that includes a base, a housing enclosing a motor, a frame support connecting the base and the housing, and a sign mount mechanically connected to a motor. The sign or signs attach to the surfaces of the sign mount. The sign mount moves relative to the housing in a variety of different motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Velocity Signs, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Adams, Josh Faherty
  • Patent number: 8887424
    Abstract: A sign waving apparatus that includes a base, a housing enclosing a motor, a frame support connecting the base and the housing, and a sign mount mechanically connected to a motor. The sign or signs attach to the surfaces of the sign mount. The sign mount moves relative to the housing in a variety of different motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Velocity Signs, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Adams, Josh Faherty
  • Patent number: 7971376
    Abstract: A rocking head picture display device includes a casing and a rocking assembly received in the casing. The rocking device includes an electromagnetic device mounted to the bottom of the casing and a rocking device mounted to the top of the casing. The rocking device includes a pivotal shaft supported by the casing and a rocking arm extending downward next to the electromagnetic device. A circular plate shaped connector is eccentrically joined to the outer end of the pivotal shaft in front of the casing. A channel shaped base is joined to bottom of the casing to form a locating groove. A picture has a head portion adhered to the connector and a body portion rested in the locating groove. When the electromagnetic device is powered on, the rocking device is induced to swing with the connector and the head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: Chien-Hsun Tsao
  • Patent number: 7946064
    Abstract: A display apparatus with a scent disperse device includes a display, a stalk-shaped member, at least one leaf-shaped member, a vibrator and a sensor switch, in which the display is composed of a screen and at least one screen cover, the stalk-shaped member is disposed on the display to disperse scent outward, the leaf-shaped members are positioned around the stalk-shaped member and the vibrator is disposed in the stalk-shaped member and used for driving the leaf-shaped members to sway, and the sensor switch controls the opening and closing of the at least one screen cover and transmitting a starting signal. Whereby, a user is allowed to smell a flavor matching the appearance of the display or prefer scent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Hannspree Inc.
    Inventors: Guan-De Liou, Chia-Pine Huang, Li-Li Lai, Stephen Tsai, Ming-Chun Lee
  • Patent number: 7757965
    Abstract: A display apparatus with a scent disperse device comprises a display, a stalk-like member, at least one leaf-like member and a vibrator, in which the stalk-like member is disposed on the display, the leaf-like members are positioned around the stalk-like member and the vibrator is disposed in the stalk-like member and used for driving the leaf-like members to sway. Whereby, a user is allowed to smell a flavor matching the appearance of the display or prefer scent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hannspree, Inc.
    Inventors: Guan-De Liou, Chia-Pine Huang, Li-Li Lai, Stephen Tsai, Ming-Chun Lee
  • Patent number: 5803786
    Abstract: A mobile for a baby's crib or playpen that is operated by a motor. The mobile is mounted to the crib or playpen by means of a resilient shaft that will move under the influence of vibrations from the motor, thereby imparting another type of motion to the mobile. In addition a tape recorder or sound chip is incorporated into the device so parents can play soothing music to the infant. The recorder or sound chip is voice activated and has a mode switch which allows a parent to operate the mobile upon hearing noise, to turn the mobile on manually, or to turn the mobile off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Kathy McCormick
  • Patent number: 5763964
    Abstract: A high frequency power supply for distributed luminous tube signage including a master power unit and one or more slave units. The master unit includes a digital oscillator, controller, and electronic switches to induce a switched high frequency waveform across the primary of an output transformer. This waveform is preferably of a non-symmetrical variety to minimize neon bubble formation and mercury gas migration. The output transformer includes one or more low voltage ancillary power outputs for interconnection through appropriate twisted pairs or other transmission medium to the slave units. A high voltage secondary for direct luminous tube connection may also be provided. Various slave unit topologies are contemplated including remote or moving luminous tube segments; electronic controllers and sequencers, and motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Everbrite, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Rotta
  • Patent number: 5680121
    Abstract: In a direction display device which indicates direction by an arrow, a translucent direction display portion is formed on an outside housing. A rotation roller is disposed within the housing to be rotated by a motor. Inclined stripes are formed on the rotation roller, and therefore, by the drive force of the motor, the rotation roller rotates in the housing. As a result, the inclined stripes on the rotation roller move in the direction display portion of the housing as if the stripes move in the same direction as the arrow direction. By indicating a direction by the arrow of the direction display portion and the direction of a movement direction of the inclined stripes of the rotation roller, visibility of the indicated direction is increased. In the case that the display device has two arrow portions, the arrow portions to be used is reversed from one to the other and the direction of movement of the inclined stripes is reversed also.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Shiozaki, Tatsuo Fukaya
  • Patent number: 5128670
    Abstract: An apparatus is arranged wherein a signal device is positioned in a confronting relationship for visual observation by a vehicle within a primary roadway adjacent to a secondary roadway, wherein the signal device is operative upon breaking of a photo-cell being directed orthogonally across the primary roadway adjacent a secondary roadway. The signal device is defined as a visual alert member and may optionally be formed to include a visual and audible device rotatably mounted for actuation upon breaking of a photo-cell signal directed across a secondary roadway relative to the primary roadway, wherein the visual signal is arranged to include alternating opaque and translucent faces to effect a flickering and enhanced visual alert to an operator of a vehicle in the primary roadway, as well as positioning of a signal device for observation by an operator of the device of the vehicle in a secondary roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Inventors: Leonard C. Jackson, Carl D. Adams
  • Patent number: 5031345
    Abstract: A display scissors having two elongate members which are movable with respect to one another. The first elongate member has one end portion configured to represent a first blade element of a scissors and an opposite end portion configured to represent a first loop element of the scissors. The first loop element is curved in a clockwise direction. The second elongate member has one end portion configured to represent a second blade element of the scissors and an opposite end portion configured to represent a second loop element of the scissors. The second loop element is curved in a counter-clockwise direction. The second blade element is positioned generally parallel to the first blade element and points in a similar direction to that of the first blade element. The display scissors includes mounting means for pivotally moving the first elongate member in one direction and simultaneously and pivotally moving the second elongate member in an opposite direction about a common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: William J. Kinney
  • Patent number: 4793081
    Abstract: A motile sign in which a human face mask is motivated up and down to indicate "yes" in answer to a question on the sign "Are we open?" and in which the mask is oscillated horizontally to indicate "No", The mechanism for operating the mask comprises a pitman drive which is movable to a vertical position to move the face mask up and down and to a horizontal position to oscillate the mask horizontally and wherein the mechanism and mask are fitted into a box shaped frame which is formed to provide a cowling about the mask and cooperates therewith to conduct cooling air being fanned by the mask into the box for cooling a small electrical motor which operates the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Inventors: Ralph N. Andrae, Richard R. Seiberlich
  • Patent number: 4430818
    Abstract: A device for storing and delivering rotational energy for rotation of a mobile is used in combination with a source of rotational energy and a control device adapted for intermittent actuation of the energy source for a predetermined period at predetermined intervals. The energy storage device has at least one multi-filament non-braided cords connected between first and second cap members. The first cap member is detachably connected to the energy source and the second cap member is detachably connected to the mobile. The cords are wound by and in response to actuation of the energy source, and urge the mobile to rotate following deactivation of the source. A method of constructing a plurality of the energy storage devices is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: The Dolly Toy Company
    Inventor: Kenneth N. Marcus
  • Patent number: 4229895
    Abstract: A base supported upright frame supports an electric motor and gear train having a vertically disposed drive shaft. The drive shaft is axially connected by brackets, stub axle and bearings with a nonrotating swash plate. An elongated strand, connected at one end with a radial portion of the plate and entrained over one or more pulleys, is connected at its other end with an element to be animated by the plate moving the strand in a vertical reciprocating action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Inventor: Thomas L. Byers
  • Patent number: 4180932
    Abstract: A housing contains a rotating platform mounted on a shaft which is driven by a motor which can be operated by a battery, flowers plants and bells are mounted on the platform and a butterfly is mounted through a slot in a collar of the housing surrounding the platform, the wire supporting the butterfly is caused to vibrate by a cog wheel mounted on the shaft which causes cogs to press against the wire supporting the butterfly, another cog wheel mounted on the shaft causes a hammer mounted within the housing to gently hit a bell depending from a support within the housing, causing gentle bell like sounds while the butterfly moves around undulatingly as the platform rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Inventor: Irving I. Millard
  • Patent number: 4132021
    Abstract: An upright housing, having a plurality of spaced-apart apertures in its wall arranged in a horizontal plane, supports an electric motor driving a crank member for rotation in the plane of the apertures. An elongated flexible member, connected at one end with the crank member and entrained through a selected one of the apertures, is connected at its other end with an article to be animated by the crank member moving the flexible strand through the selected aperture in a reciprocating action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1979
    Inventor: Thomas L. Byers