Arthur L Torrence

US Patent:

RE38463, Mar 16, 2004

Filed:

Jun 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/103260

Inventors:

Christopher S. Anderson - Stamford CT
Louis J. Falcone - East Norwalk CT
Arthur L. Torrence - Newtown CT
Cary A. Cieciuch - Stratford CT
Anthony C. Squitieri - Monroe CT
Donna M. Stearns - Woonsocket RI 02053

Assignee:

Mechtronics Corporation - White Plains NY
Donna M. Stearns - Medway MA

International Classification:

A47H 110

US Classification:

248329, 40601, 248332, 254 46

Abstract:

A remote-controlled motor-driven drum is provided to wind and unwind a cord which holds a self-balancing sign carrier. The sign carrier, which has telescoping rails, is adjustable in width. Its center rail includes two sheaves to receive the cord and lead it from the drum back to an end secured to the ceiling. Thus, rotation of the drum serves to raise and lower the sign carrier and a sign carried by it. The sheaves on the carrier not only allow it to be raised and lowered, but also serve to make the unit self-balancing The user attaches a sign to the carrier when it is in its lowered position and then raises the sign and carrier to the ceiling. The motor, which is reversible, is remotely controlled either by wires leading between the motor and a switch or by radio control (with a control similar to that used on a garage door).

US Patent:

52916740, Mar 8, 1994

Filed:

Feb 25, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/022294

Inventors:

Arthur L. Torrence - Newtown CT

Assignee:

Mechtronics Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

C09F 1900
A63H 352
A63H 3340
A63H 3326

US Classification:

40410

Abstract:

A display formed of two colorless, transparent plastic cylinders mounted concentrically with a vertical axis upon a base. The space between the two cylinders forms a tank which is filled with liquid and some plastic snowflakes having a slightly greater specific gravity than the liquid. An object to be displayed is positioned within the inner cylinder and, so, is not in contact with the liquid. The object and the liquid are illuminated by a light within the base. A motor operates a pump having an uncased spiral rotor projecting vertically downwardly into the liquid. Rotation of the pump causes a diffuse upward flow of the liquid and the snowflakes in the vicinity of the pump. Though this causes the snowflakes to move upwardly in a gentle and diffuse manner, this motion isn't particularly noticed by an observer. When the snowflakes reach the top of the liquid, they are diffused sidewardly and begin dropping, creating a snowfall effect.

US Patent:

53970160, Mar 14, 1995

Filed:

Feb 28, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/202778

Inventors:

Arthur L. Torrence - Newtown CT
William A. Lush - Stamford CT

Assignee:

Mechtronics Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G07F 1112

US Classification:

221 11

Abstract:

A package merchandiser providing for front and rear stacks of packages resting on a common sloping surface, with a rotating gate positioned between the two stacks to prevent the rear stack to slide to the position of the front stack while packages remain in the front stack. The rotating gate releases when no packages remain in the front stack, allowing the packages in the rear stack to move forward. A control cam associated with the rotating gate to additionally control motion of the rotating gate.

US Patent:

44675240, Aug 28, 1984

Filed:

Jan 24, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/460496

Inventors:

Stanley Ruff - New York NY
Alphonse F. Wolter - Wheatley Heights NY
Arthur Torrence - Newtown CT

International Classification:

B26B 308

US Classification:

30 2

Abstract:

A cutting tool for cutting open corrugated shipping cartons includes a cutting blade and a holding arrangement for the cutting blade. The holding arrangement includes a holding member on which the cutting blade is held in its cutting position by being accommodated in a recess and having a stationary pin extend into a slot thereof. The holding arrangement includes a contact surface which engages the edge region of the respective carton at the side wall thereof, and a distancing surface which engages the top wall of the carton during the cutting operation to determine the distance of the cutting blade from the top wall, while the contact surface determines the degree of penetration of the cutting edge of the cutting blade into the interior of the shipping carton. These surfaces are so positioned as to avoid any damage to the contents of the shipping carton. A cover for the cutting blade is hingedly mounted on the holding arrangement by a reduced-thickness hinge portion integral with the holding member and the cover.

US Patent:

51597535, Nov 3, 1992

Filed:

Feb 21, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/658690

Inventors:

Arthur L. Torrence - Newtown CT

Assignee:

Mechtronics Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B65G 1300

US Classification:

2989522

Abstract:

The method of making a roller shelf for the display and dispensing of wares which includes molding a plurality of groups of molded parallel axles and rollers as a unit and with a common mold runner, the groups each having the same number of axles, providing a pair of side rails having opposed complementary bearing recesses, the number of the bearing recesses being an integral multiple of the number of axles in the groups, simultaneously inserting the axles of a group into the bearing recesses, fixing the axles in the recesses, and breaking off the runner. The roller shelf can have spaced rollers or interleaved and overlapping rollers.

US Patent:

49223844, May 1, 1990

Filed:

Jun 8, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/363129

Inventors:

Arthur L. Torrence - Newtown CT

Assignee:

Mechtronics Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

F21V 800

US Classification:

362 31

Abstract:

An illuminated picture display having a surrounding scintilating show of lights, including a housing holding a front half-silvered mirror and a rear mirror, the mirrors being proximate to one another and at a small angle to one another, congruent openings in the mirrors to receive a transparency for display, a light within the housing for illuminating the transparency, a plurality of lamps between the mirrors along the periphery, and a programmed timer causing the lamps to blink on and off in predetermined sequence, and a refraction plate mounted in front of the front half-silvered mirror proximate to the opening in the front mirror, so that the transparency is displayed surrounded by a flashing light display. A fiber optics system may be used instead of the plurality of lamps.

US Patent:

47936665, Dec 27, 1988

Filed:

Dec 24, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/137708

Inventors:

Arthur Torrence - Newtown CT

Assignee:

Timex Corporation - Middlebury CT

International Classification:

A47F 308

US Classification:

312134

Abstract:

An improved motion display for articles inside a showcase comprises a base member having longitudinally spaced walls, and a moving set of shelves each having receptacles for articles to be displayed. A continuous loop chain conveyor traverses the walls in a substantially rectangular pattern. Stationary guide rails cooperate with the shelves to periodically pivot or rotate them into various orientations as they travel. A photoelectric sensor stops the travel of the shelves when a customer interrupts light striking the sensor.

US Patent:

51096200, May 5, 1992

Filed:

Aug 19, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/746736

Inventors:

Arthur L. Torrence - Newtown CT

Assignee:

Mechtronics Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G09F 1900

US Classification:

40406

Abstract:

A display providing the illusion of a stream of liquid coming from an unconnected spigot, the stream flowing into a receptacle. A transparent tube, hidden within the stream, runs from the receptacle to the spigot to carry the liquid upwardly to the spigot. A second tube, colorless and transparent, surrounds the stream of water, to prevent evaporation and accidental spillage on a person. A small colorless and transparent air tube runs from the receptacle upwardly between the inner and outer tubes to a mixing chamber at the top of the tubes. Air is drawn upwardly through the tube by a Venturi effect within the mixing chamber and mixes with the water. As a result, the downwardly flowing water is filled with bubbles and can be seen.