Patents Assigned to Vast Enterprises LLC
  • Publication number: 20140186114
    Abstract: A method for installing a paver system includes positioning a first grid substrate adjacent to a second grid substrate, the first and second grid substrates form a paver support surface. At least the first grid substrate includes an integrated boundary ridge extending along the first paver support surface. The first grid substrate is interlocked with the second grid substrate with a first paver piece bridging the first and second grid substrates to form a paver linkage. Movement of at least the first paver piece is arrested beyond the integrated boundary ridge by directly or indirectly engaging at least the first paver piece against the integrated boundary ridge. In another example, movement of the first paver piece is arrested by anchoring at least the first paver piece on the first and second paver support surfaces through distribution of forces incident on at least the first paver piece through the paver linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: VAST Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Steven George Smith, Troy Achterkirch, Steven John Thorkelson
  • Publication number: 20140161527
    Abstract: A method for installing a paver system includes positioning a first grid substrate adjacent to a second grid substrate. The first grid substrate and the second grid substrate are flexibly bridged with a first paver piece. A first portion of the first paver piece is movably coupled with the first grid substrate at a first joint, and a second portion of the first paver piece is movably coupled with the second grid substrate at a second joint, the first and second grid substrates and the first paver piece forming an articulated paver linkage. A second paver piece is coupled with the second grid substrate. A third paver piece is coupled with the first grid substrate. The articulated paver linkage is fit within the specified area by movement of at least one of the first, second and third paver pieces and the first and second grid substrates. The movement is transmitted along the articulated paver linkage to maintain a specified alignment and spacing of the first, second and third paver pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: VAST Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Steven George Smith, Steven John Thorkelson, Troy Matthew Achterkirch
  • Patent number: 8747018
    Abstract: A method for installing a paver system includes positioning a first grid substrate adjacent to a second grid substrate. The first grid substrate and the second grid substrate are flexibly bridged with a first paver piece. A first portion of the first paver piece is movably coupled with the first grid substrate at a first joint, and a second portion of the first paver piece is movably coupled with the second grid substrate at a second joint, the first and second grid substrates and the first paver piece forming an articulated paver linkage. A second paver piece is coupled with the second grid substrate. A third paver piece is coupled with the first grid substrate. The articulated paver linkage is fit within the specified area by movement of at least one of the first, second and third paver pieces and the first and second grid substrates. The movement is transmitted along the articulated paver linkage to maintain a specified alignment and spacing of the first, second and third paver pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: VAST Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Steven George Smith, Steven John Thorkelson, Troy Matthew Achterkirch
  • Patent number: 8696234
    Abstract: A method for installing a paver system includes positioning a first grid substrate adjacent to a second grid substrate, the first and second grid substrates form a paver support surface. At least the first grid substrate includes an integrated boundary ridge extending along the first paver support surface. The first grid substrate is interlocked with the second grid substrate with a first paver piece bridging the first and second grid substrates to form a paver linkage. Movement of at least the first paver piece is arrested beyond the integrated boundary ridge by directly or indirectly engaging at least the first paver piece against the integrated boundary ridge. In another example, movement of the first paver piece is arrested by anchoring at least the first paver piece on the first and second paver support surfaces through distribution of forces incident on at least the first paver piece through the paver linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: VAST Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Steven George Smith, Troy Achterkirch, Steven John Thorkelson
  • Patent number: 8336278
    Abstract: A method for forming a structural paver deck assembly includes fastening structural decking panels across a bare frame structure. One or more of the decking panels includes an upper panel surface having a non-planar contoured decking panel surface. A paver decking surface is seated over the plurality of structural decking panels to form a paver decking surface. Seating includes positioning a plurality of paver pieces on the structural decking panels including interfittingly engaging the paver pieces to the non-planar contoured decking panel surface. Seating further includes aligning the plurality of paver pieces in at least one specified direction, wherein the paver pieces includes paver contour surfaces along a lower surface having a corresponding shape to the non-planar contoured decking panel surface. Interfitting engagement of the paver contour surfaces with the non-planar contoured panel surface orients the one or more paver pieces in the at least one specified direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: VAST Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Steven George Smith, Troy Achterkirch, Steven John Thorkelson
  • Patent number: 8316616
    Abstract: A method for forming a brick façade positioning assembly includes positioning a plurality of bricks in a specified wall pattern. A film is placed over the bricks, and the film is molded over the bricks to form a custom brick film tray. The custom brick film tray includes brick shaped tray recesses in the specified wall pattern. The plurality of bricks are positioned within the brick shaped tray recesses. Optionally, a liquid setting material is poured on the custom brick film tray and the plurality of bricks to form a brick façade wall. The brick façade wall includes the bricks in the specified wall pattern provided by the custom brick film tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: VAST Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Steven George Smith, Troy Achterkirch, Steven John Thorkelson
  • Patent number: 8251052
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, apparatuses and methods for cutting a brick including a base configured to selectively support the brick. An actuating assembly is movable along a cutting line. The actuating assembly is movable by a cutting distance at least equal to a height of the brick. A shear blade is removably attached to the actuating assembly. The shear blade is movable with the actuating assembly along the cutting line. The shear blade is configured to shear the brick along the cutting line when moved toward the base through the brick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: VAST Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Steven George Smith
  • Patent number: 7344334
    Abstract: A paver system comprising a plurality of paver pieces and at least one substrate. Each of the paver pieces has a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the paver pieces is configured for mating with the upper surface of the substrate, whereby paver pieces coupled to the substrate are prevented from moving laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Vast Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Steven Thorkelson
  • Patent number: D581549
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Vast Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Steven Thorkelson