Patents Examined by Basil Katcheves
  • Support assembly for mounting a solar panel unit
    Patent number: 9444395
    Abstract: A support assembly for mounting a solar panel unit includes a base unit and a supporting unit. The base unit includes a plurality of base tubes that are spaced apart from one another and two connecting tubes that are respectively and detachably connected to opposite end portions of each of the base tubes. The supporting unit includes a plurality of limiting components and a plurality of supporting rods. Each limiting component permits at least two of the base tubes to extend therethrough so as to position the at least two of the base tubes relative to each other. Each supporting rod is detachably connected to and extends upwardly from a corresponding one of the limiting components and is adapted for supporting the solar panel unit thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SUN RISE E & T CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chi-Hsu Tung
  • Modular projector cage and stacked frame using same
    Patent number: 9429825
    Abstract: A modular projector cage for operably supporting an optical projector and for forming a stacked frame using another identical modular projector cage is disclosed. The modular projector cage has a rectangular hexahedral open frame. A mounting plate is connected to a bottom section of the frame by first and second articulated elevation assemblies connected to respective sides of the mounting plate adjacent the mounting plate front end, and by a yaw assembly rotatably connected to the mounting plate adjacent the back end. The first and second articulated elevation assemblies are independently adjustable to adjust the elevation at each side of the plate so that the pitch and roll of the mounting plate can be adjusted. The yaw assembly adjusts the amount of yaw, which causes articulated movement of the first and second articulated elevation assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Revolution Display, LLC
    Inventors: Vincent Dundee, Chris Taylor, Marcus De Luco
  • Modular thermal insulation system for buildings
    Patent number: 9428913
    Abstract: The modular thermal insulating system based on a mixture of organic and inorganic compounds, constituted to reduce the transfer of heat between the interior and the exterior of a building. Said system, based on a mixture of organic and inorganic compounds, consists of a rigid planar container of prismatic form, formed of a plastic or metal material or a combination of both thereof, containing a first layer, in the form of a porous mixture of organic and inorganic compounds, being over a base and anchorage structure composed of at least a sheet of plastic resins installed above a thermal insulant, being the layer in contact with a rigid base, a set of anchorage elements and, a set of elements to increase the separation of the base element from the roof or wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Instituto Tecnologico Y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey
    Inventors: Jose Rodrigo Salmon-Folgueras, Roberto Parra-Saldivar, Pamela del Carmen Duran-Soriano, Miguel Angel de Jesus Flores-Sanchez, Andres Marcelo Cortes-Guerra
  • Furniture docking system
    Patent number: 9427083
    Abstract: A furniture docking system includes a dock and various dock supports, including freestanding and non-freestanding dock supports. The dock includes an upper rail having a primary channel and a pair of auxiliary channels opening upwardly from an upper surface of the upper rail, and a pair of side channels opening outwardly from opposite sides of the upper rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Dame, Michael J. Katje, Sheryl Knoll
  • Combination expansion joint strip
    Patent number: 9428917
    Abstract: Provided is an improved multi-function expansion joint filler which combines the functions of building element spacer, surface finishing screed, masking attachment tape, sealant groove creation, and sealant groove backing material into a single strip for simplified sealing of building cladding joints, intersections or wall penetrations such as windows, doors, or other exterior facade penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: Micah Rodler
  • System for retrofitting local energy modules in rail networks
    Patent number: 9422740
    Abstract: A system for retrofitting energy supply modules in the region of a traffic route is provided. Supporting cables extend transversely over the traffic route and support a plurality of solar panels, which can be mounted on the transverse supporting cables. Elongated mounting elements fastened to each support mast act to reinforce the support masts and accommodate electronic system components. The solar panels are adjusted about a horizontal and/or a vertical axis by means of cable sheaves. The supporting cables are fastened at a lower region of the support masts for instance with micropiles so that they can be tensioned. The forces exerted by the solar panels on the transverse support cables are conducted through the transverse supporting cables via at least one first redirection element and into the lower region of the support mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: S. E. Track AG
    Inventors: Balthasar Meier, Christoph Ott
  • Trim system
    Patent number: 9422730
    Abstract: The trim system is comprised of a J-trim component to be secured onto a surface such as a wall of a home, and a ledge component to be secured within said J-trim component. The ledge component is comprised of a slot along a longitudinal axis of the ledge member in order to mate with a hook portion of the J-trim component, and is also comprised of keyholes on the lower surface of said ledge member in order to secure it to the wall as well. The ledge member has two leader grooves located on opposite extremities of the slot in order to reduce the wear and tear of the ledge member's cast mold and therefore extend the life of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignees: Silverwood Stone Corp., 8906912 Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb Curtis, Barry Curtis
  • Piling extender
    Patent number: 9416556
    Abstract: A method and system for extending a vertical structural member supporting a structure, where a sleeve is coupled to the vertical structural member such that a portion of the sleeve extending from a first end of the sleeve is about the structural member, a cap is coupled to a second end of the sleeve opposite the first end, and a structure attachment device is coupled to the cap to attach the system to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Composite Structural Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Gable, James D. Ralph, III, Thomas N. Troxell, Gary S. Smrtic
  • Self-elevating mast employing drive carriage
    Patent number: 9416595
    Abstract: A method includes attaching a carriage support to a platform, the platform comprising a platform floor having an opening therein, with the carriage support located proximate the opening, attaching a drive carriage to the carriage support, and operably coupling to the drive carriage a first mast section of a mast comprising a plurality of mast sections, and wherein the first mast section is located above the opening. The method also includes arranging a second mast section below the first mast section, lowering, using the drive carriage, the first mast section through the opening, attaching the first mast section to the second mast section, and raising, using the drive carriage, the first mast section and the second mast section through the opening. In an exemplary embodiment, the platform floor is a rig floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling International Limited
    Inventors: Anthony Petrello, Padira Reddy, Ashish Gupta, Sean M. Bailey
  • Indexed support bar
    Patent number: 9416536
    Abstract: A support bar, and method of its manufacture, for suspending grid members of a suspended ceiling, the bar being formed of a length of a sheet metal strip, a lower portion of the bar having regularly spaced holes for receiving and supporting bulbs of grid runners, an upper portion of the bars having longitudinally extending formed ribs, the ribs extending laterally from both sides of a central plane in which the lower portion lies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: USG INTERIORS, LLC
    Inventors: James J. Lehane, Abraham M. Underkofler, Peder J. Gulbrandsen
  • Dual-arch roof tile
    Patent number: 9416540
    Abstract: A tile for attachment to a mounting surface, with a fastener, includes a body defining a longitudinal length and a horizontal width. The body may be movable between an uninstalled position, which defines a first offset along the longitudinal length and a second offset along the transverse width, and an installed position, which substantially closes the first offset and the second offset. In the installed position, the body abuts the mounting surface and an underside of the body is substantially planar. The tile may also include a plurality of first-angle ribs and a plurality of second-angle ribs. The first-angle ribs are offset relative to a forward edge of the body. The second-angle ribs offset relative to the forward edge of the body and also to the first-angle ribs. Furthermore, the first-angle ribs and second-angle ribs do not have shared vertices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Clyde G. Allen, James A. Caldwell, Nathan D. Greenway, Matt M. Jackson, Michael W. Maurer, Matthew Jason Michalski, Dennis J. Paliaga, Jonathan Wierengo
  • Container access control system
    Patent number: 9404278
    Abstract: A portable container is provided which comprises a passing room(s) allowing entry into a second area into a first area, the passing room having at least two openings with a walkway in-between. Barrier device(s) can be located in the walkway but not connected to the first or second opening. A control room(s) can also be provided, the control room being connected to the passing room(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: MODULAR SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Rhett Slagel
  • Impact resistant fenestration unit
    Patent number: 9399885
    Abstract: A fenestration unit includes an outer frame portion, an inner frame portion and a supplemental fixation system that secures the outer frame portion to the inner frame portion. The supplemental fixation system increases a base force required to flex and release a complementary fit between a coupling feature of the outer frame portion and a retaining feature of the inner frame portion to a final force required to decouple the first and second frame portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: PELLA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Hoogland, Travis M. Eisenbarth
  • Articulated floor structure for a mobile stage framework
    Patent number: 9394708
    Abstract: The articulated floor structure is for use in a mobile stage framework having a horizontally-extending elongated base. The floor structure includes at least two pairs of adjacent elongated floor panels forming altogether a set of at least four successive floor panels that are pivotally attached in juxtaposition at corresponding major lateral side edges using a plurality of concealed panel hinges. The floor panels are movable between a vertical transport position and a horizontal working position using actuators and linkage assemblies. The floor structure also includes spaced-apart joists that are positioned underneath the floor panels when the floor structure is in a deployed working configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: STAGELINE SCENE MOBILE INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Doucet, Andre Barrette
  • Stay-in-place concrete form connector
    Patent number: 9388574
    Abstract: A stay-in-place concrete form includes masonry shells layered with rigid insulation tied with plastic cross tie assemblies. The masonry shells can be connected with plastic dovetail connectors that compensate for the variation in height of the shells. This allows for the shells, together with the connectors, to be a consistent height and allows for dry stacking. This dry stacking method can result in labor time and training savings over conventional masonry mortar construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventor: Kevin Patrick Ryan
  • Methods and apparatus for support channel
    Patent number: 9380875
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a support channel according to various aspects of the present technology comprise a support channel having a strengthening ridge positioned along a closed end of an open channel body. The ridge may extend along the length of the channel body to increase a load bearing capacity of the channel body as compared to a similar shaped body without the ridge. The ridge may comprise a rounded protrusion extending outward from the dosed end of the channel, body in a manner that provides additional resistance to loading forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: International Technical Coatings, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnnie Caldwell
  • Truss system with integral channels
    Patent number: 9382714
    Abstract: A truss system designed to simplify the addition of lights, audio equipment, and other stage-related equipment through the use of essentially circular strut channel members. The system is designed to enclose such equipment, be lightweight, and facilitate easy set-up and take-down of truss assemblies. The lightweight truss system includes an open-sided structure with rigid ends, and a strut channel system that facilitates the installation of lights, audio equipment, and other stage-related devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Imagine TF, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Edward Richardson
  • Transportable building and foundation beams therefor
    Patent number: 9376799
    Abstract: The transportable building is made of side-by-side building sections mounted on parallel foundation beams. Each building section has a skate clamp mounted thereto for sequential sliding and clamping engagements to one of two foundation beams. In another aspect, each of the beams has a removable receiving end attached thereto. Each receiving end has a V-shaped trough on an upper surface thereof to facilitate the alignment of building sections onto the foundation beams during the assembly of the transportable building. In yet another aspect, each foundation beam has workable jacks at each end thereof and a series of self-adjusting jacks mounted thereto between the workable jacks for supporting the transportable building on an uneven ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: GESTION OUELLET DEMERS, INC
    Inventor: Martin Ouellet
  • Weighted pusher rolling shelving assembly
    Patent number: 9375098
    Abstract: Disclosed is a weighted pusher assembly for advancing merchandise packages by gravity along an inclined shelf surface. The weighted pusher assembly includes a first end comprised of a weighted member, a second end comprised of a fastener and, disposed between the first and second ends, a collapsible member that is collapsible between a first extended position and a second collapsed position. The weighted member is adapted to be disposed proximal to the merchandise package and a first edge of the shelf and the fastener is adapted to be disposed distal the merchandise package and fastened to a second edge of the shelf. The collapsible member is preferably adapted to collapse substantially completely in a direction substantially perpendicular to the inclined shelf surface. The weighted member may be a hollow structure that is filled with a material to give it mass, but can also be a solid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: SUNGAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yeyang Sun
  • Shatter-resistant, optically-transparent panels and methods of use of the panels for on-site retrofitting and reinforcing of passageways
    Patent number: 9365015
    Abstract: The disclosure includes multi-layered panels (10) including exterior layers of glass (12, 44) and interior layers of urethane (20, 36) and at least one layer of polycarbonate (16) between the urethane layers (20, 36) that result in enhanced shatter resistance within panels that weigh between about 4.1 and 4.6 pounds per square foot. An insertion tab (23) of the polycarbonate layer (16) enhances performance of the panel (10). A method of on-site retrofitting and reinforcing of existing passageway (70) frames (72) without removal of the frames (72) from a building provides for low-cost, highly efficient improvement of intrusion resistance of passageways (70) such as doors and windows of schools, hospitals and other public and private buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Kapiloff, Jeffrey Besse