Patents Assigned to Worthington Armstrong Venture
  • Patent number: 9476201
    Abstract: A saddle connector, having an inverted channel, engages a bulb of a beam in the grid of a suspended ceiling. The channel has hardened teeth staggered along the opposing walls of the channel. The teeth are forced into the bulb of the beam, one at a time, by the full force exerted by hand operated pliers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventor: Brett W. Sareyka
  • Patent number: 9469988
    Abstract: A grid framework including a conductive support grid member having uncontrolled conductivity and including an I-shaped bulb having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a central portion which is narrower than the top portion and the bottom portion; a first conductor disposed on a first side of the I-shaped bulb, the conductivity of the first conductor being controllable; a second conductor disposed on a second side of the I-shaped bulb opposite the first side, the conductivity of the second conductor being controllable, and a non-conductive insulative layer applied to the I-shaped bulb of the conductive support grid member which fully covers the top portion of the I-shaped bulb, the non-conductive insulative layer interposing the I-shaped bulb of the conductive grid support member and the first conductor and interposing the I-shaped bulb of the conductive grid support member and the second conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventors: Jere W. Myers, Todd M. Bergman, Brian T. Patterson, Jae A. Eisenhower, Brett Sareyka
  • Patent number: 9255402
    Abstract: A system for supporting loads from a support structure. The load is supported with threaded rods that are connected from above and below a suspended ceiling of roll-formed sheet metal beams. Clips on the rods connected to the beams pass the load through the suspended ceiling grid without bending or twisting the grid, so that the suspended ceiling remains level, balanced, and intact above the suspended load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventors: Brett Wayne Sareyka, Joshua Lee Neal
  • Publication number: 20150308617
    Abstract: A system for supporting loads from a support structure. The load is supported with threaded rods that are connected from above and below a suspended ceiling of roll-formed sheet metal beams. Clips on the rods connected to the beams pass the load through the suspended ceiling grid without bending or twisting the grid, so that the suspended ceiling remains level, balanced, and intact above the suspended load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: WORTHINGTON ARMSTRONG VENTURE
    Inventors: Brett Wayne Sareyka, Joshua Lee Neal
  • Patent number: 8938926
    Abstract: Prior art rolled T-beams used in horizontal grids in suspended ceilings, serve as vertical studs in a grid that supports wallboard in a liner for a structural wall. A horizontal strut extends along, and is connected to, the studs, to unite the studs and the strut to form the vertical grid. The grid is braced from the structural wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventors: Brett W. Sareyka, William J. Platt
  • Publication number: 20140341640
    Abstract: An L-shaped adapter that secures a single cross beam to a main beam, in a suspended ceiling. The adapter is applied to a prior art connection designed to connect opposing cross beams to each other and to a main beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: WORTHINGTON ARMSTRONG VENTURE
    Inventors: Brett Wayne Sareyka, Joshua Lee Neal
  • Patent number: 8881481
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to accessories which are attached to the support grid members of a grid framework system. The accessories insulate electrified conductors attached to the support grid members from other conductive items located proximate thereto, a management device for cables and wires, and a retention device for fixedly attaching a component to the grid framework system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventors: Jere W. Myers, Todd M. Bergman, Brian T. Patterson, Jae A. Eisenhower, Brett Sareyka
  • Publication number: 20140329395
    Abstract: A connector for electrical connection to an electrified grid element having first and second conductors disposed on a top portion of the grid element. In one embodiment, the connector comprises a single-piece insulator housing; a fastening means on the insulator housing for attaching the connector to a device; and first and second contacts within the insulator housing, the insulator housing configured to align the first and second contacts with the first and second conductors of the electrified grid element; wherein a base of the insulator housing comprises a recess that corresponds to the shape of the top portion of the grid element such that the housing can be mounted over the top portion of the grid member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: WORTHINGTON ARMSTRONG VENTURE
    Inventors: Jere W. MYERS, Brian T. PATTERSON, Jae A. EISENHOWER, Randy M. MANNING, Charles E. REYNOLDS, William J. GARVER, Jon A. FORTUNA, Ronald P. LOCATI
  • Patent number: 8839583
    Abstract: An L-shaped adapter that secures a single cross beam to a main beam, in a suspended ceiling. The adapter is applied to a prior art connection designed to connect opposing cross beams to each other and to a main beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventors: Brett W. Sareyka, Joshua L. Neal
  • Patent number: 8740636
    Abstract: The invention includes an electrified framework system having a plurality of grid members which form a grid framework. A conductive material is disposed on a surface of at least one of the plurality of grid members as shown throughout the drawings. The system includes connectors which provide low voltage power connections. For example, the connectors bring power from a power supply to the conductive material disposed on the grid framework and/or the connectors provide electrical connections between the conductive material on the grid framework and various devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventors: Jere W. Myers, Brian T. Patterson, Jae A. Eisenhower, Randy M. Manning, Charles E. Reynolds, William J. Garver, Jon A. Fortuna, Ronald P. Locati
  • Patent number: 8667756
    Abstract: Noise dampers of sound absorbent material are inserted on the metal grid beams in a suspended ceiling. Hangers, embedded in a structural ceiling, that support the beams, are insulated from the beams by the noise dampers. Sound vibrations generated in the structural ceiling, which is often a floor, are not transmitted through the hangers, to the suspended ceiling, or to the room, below, but are absorbed in the dampers before reaching the grid beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventors: Brett W. Sareyka, Joshua L. Neal
  • Patent number: 8590274
    Abstract: A balanced, single-layered web beam for a grid in a suspended ceiling, wherein opposing flanges at the bottom of the web are cantilevered directly from the bottom of the web. When the flanges are equally loaded, the resultant load on the beam passes through the vertical plane of the web, so the beam does not twist or bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventor: William J. Platt
  • Patent number: 8590275
    Abstract: A balanced, single-layered web beam for a grid in a panel suspended ceiling, wherein opposing flanges at the bottom of the web are cantilevered directly from the bottom of the web. When the flanges are equally loaded by the panels, the resultant load on the beam passes through the vertical plane of the web, so the beam does not twist or bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventor: William J. Platt
  • Patent number: 8584412
    Abstract: An electrically powerable grid element having first and second conductive members of opposing polarity. The grid element includes first and second electrical access slots which expose the conductive members. The grid element includes a tap which has a conductor engaging means which forms an electrical connection with the first and second conductors via the first and second electrical access slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventors: Sandor A. Frecska, Brian T. Patterson, William E. Beakes, Jere W. Myers, Joseph R. Woelfling
  • Patent number: 8578673
    Abstract: The space above a suspended ceiling grid that extends along a corridor is kept open and free of hang wires by creating a truss at each end of a beam in the grid. The truss includes the beam itself, an opposing wall along one side of the space, and a gusset stay that extends from the wall to the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventors: Joseph J. Kelly, William J. Platt
  • Patent number: 8572930
    Abstract: A balanced, single-layered web beam for a grid in a drywall suspended ceiling, wherein opposing flanges at the bottom of the web are cantilevered directly from the bottom of the web. When the flanges are equally loaded by the drywall sheets, the resultant load on the beam passes through the vertical plane of the web, so the beam does not twist or bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventor: William J. Platt
  • Patent number: 8413402
    Abstract: A saddle connector, having an inverted channel, engages a bulb of a beam in the grid of a suspended ceiling. The channel has hardened teeth staggered along the opposing walls of the channel. The teeth are forced into the bulb of the beam, one at a time, by the full force exerted by hand operated pliers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventor: Brett W. Sareyka
  • Patent number: 8209931
    Abstract: In a panel suspended ceiling for seismic prone areas, a superstructure extends from and above the ceiling grid. The superstructure is engaged within a lateral support bar that slidably supports the superstructure, and ceiling, during a seismic event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventor: Brett W. Sareyka
  • Patent number: 8096089
    Abstract: In a suspended ceiling segment known as a cloud, lengths of flat, flexible sheets form panels that are held on the main beams of the segment by flexible, plastic tracks adhesively fixed on the panels that engage plastic tracks hooked onto flanges of the main beams of the cloud. The flexible sheets bend to conform to the vertical contour of the main beams when the tracks on the sheets engage the tracks on the beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventor: William J. Platt
  • Patent number: 8062042
    Abstract: An electrified framework system for bringing power and/or signal to electrically powered devices is provided. The system includes at least one longitudinally extending electrified bus bar. The bus bar has a housing which includes a pair of conductors positioned therein. Each conductor has a mating surface which provides a continuous conductive path for attachment of devices. The system also includes a means to bring electricity to the conductors without interfering with the mating surface of the conductors and thereby creating an unavailable point for electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventors: Brian T. Patterson, William J. Garver, Charles E. Reynolds, Rich Flickenger, Jae A. Eisenhower, Jere W. Myers, Todd M. Bergman