Patents Examined by Branon Painter
  • Patent number: 8733040
    Abstract: A device for shuttering an opening (31) in a constructional component (30), includes at least one sheeting element (11) at least one attachment element for securing the sheeting element on the constructional component (30) and having at least one expansion band (13, 14) securable to the sheeting element (11) and a locking element (15), and a complementary locking element (17) extendable through the through-opening in the locking element (15), with a distance between the locking element (17) and the sheeting element (11) along the complementary locking element (17) being reduceable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mario Paetow, Sabine Heimerl
  • Patent number: 8726604
    Abstract: A floor panel having a backing of a plastics material that is pliable and flexible at the temperature at which a floor is used. A decorative layer disposed above the backing. Complementary mechanical locking profiles are provided on at least two edges of the panel and interact in the locked state of two floor panels. The locking profiles counteract movement apart of the floor panels. At least one of the locking profiles is provided, at least in certain regions, with at least one adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Akzenta Paneele + Profile GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Juergen Hannig
  • Patent number: 8720138
    Abstract: A fire barrier operable to be placed within a gap formed between two surfaces. The fire barrier may generally include a first intumescent section, a first foam section coupled with the first intumescent section, and a second intumescent section coupled with the first foam section generally opposite the first intumescent section. In some embodiments, the fire barrier may include a plurality of intumescent sections and a plurality of foam sections with each foam section being positioned between at least two of the intumescent sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Balco, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnnie Daniel Hilburn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8720136
    Abstract: A glass element including at least two glass slabs arranged in facing relationship with a peripheral spacer frame arranged between each pair of glass slabs, and holders for anchorage at selective points to a supporting structure. The holders, each one of which includes two clamping plates which are joined together via connectors, are mounted exclusively in apertures formed in the glass element slab that faces the supporting structure. One of the clamping plates of each holder fitting is formed with anchorage attachment points that are accessible from the outside, and the inner clamping plates are placed in abutment against the inner face of the inner glass slab prior to the assembly of the inner glass slab and the next glass slab, in such a manner that their connecting parts extend at most up to the outer mouth of the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Vida International AB
    Inventor: Bo Stenvall
  • Patent number: 8701374
    Abstract: A refrigerator door includes an outer wall and an inner wall which surround an intermediate space as well as vertical bars that protrude from the inner wall and are provided with catching steps for door shelves. The bars are formed at least in part by a vertical profiled part while the catching steps are embodied on the vertical profiled part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Becke, Alexander Görz, Karl-Friedrich Laible
  • Patent number: 8689506
    Abstract: A foundation system is disclosed that is used when building a structure on expansive soils. The foundation system includes a vertical wall that prevents moisture from migrating beyond the vertical wall into the zone of influence under the foundation. The prevention of the moisture migration into the zone of influence precludes damage to the foundation and structure caused by expansive soils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Amil Fornatora, Philip Coppola
  • Patent number: 8683758
    Abstract: A yielding fuse device is provided for use in association with a brace member in a bracing assembly for a structural frame. The device includes arms or elements that yield flexurally when a bracing member moves in an axial direction, with the bracing assembly under either tension or compression loading conditions. The device of the present invention is particularly useful as a mass customized cast device. The device is well suited for seismic bracing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventors: Constantin Christopoulos, Jeffrey Alan Packer, Michael Gray
  • Patent number: 8671643
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine including a foundation and a tower positioned on the foundation where the tower includes more than one modules, where the modules each include a separate strengthening structure defining the outer edges of the module and wind turbine equipment, and where the more than one module are positioned substantially vertically on top of each other in an upright position within the tower. The modules are connected directly and/or indirectly through the strengthening structure, to the foundation. The invention further relates to a method for assembling a wind turbine at a wind turbine site and a method for handling more than one wind turbine modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Jonas Kristensen
  • Patent number: 8667749
    Abstract: A building closure for mounting within an opening in a building wall structure includes a frame for mounting within the wall structure opening and at least one closure unit for mounting within the frame. The frame has at least one interior chamber extending entirely around the frame and a nailing flange for securement to the building wall structure such that at least a portion of the frame is disposed within the building wall opening. There is a cavity between at least one exterior surface of the frame and the inner periphery of the building wall opening, with the cavity extending along at least a top portion of the frame. A barrier extends along at least the top portion of the frame to retard passage of moisture from the cavity to the building interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Milgard Manufacturing Incorporated
    Inventors: David Furgerson, Julian Giggs, Nirav D. Parikh
  • Patent number: 8650814
    Abstract: A multi-storied garage having an energy efficient ventilation system that incorporates a unique window array and vertically mounted energy producing wind turbines located in a corner of the garage structure that would otherwise be unusable for vehicle parking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Greenway Self Park, LLC
    Inventor: Todd D. Halamka
  • Patent number: 8640414
    Abstract: A large opening rolling door of the articulating type has multiple horizontally and vertically distributed insulative glass panes supported by a plurality of vertically disposed and horizontally disposed heat transmitting metal frame members arranged in vertical and horizontal regions respectively between adjacent glass panes. The horizontal frame members have opposed and closed or open and recessed edge volumes in the closed condition of the door; preformed, self-supporting, self-camming and self-compressing and cooperating male and female insulator bands that interfit with the open and recessed edge volumes, or insulation filled beams, in the closed condition of the door define insulation in the horizontal regions. Vertical frame members define a substantially enclosed volume in which a preformed, self-supporting insulator band is inserted into the volume to insulate the vertical regions and thus substantially the entire door against heat transmission therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Robert A. Reyes, II
  • Patent number: 8640404
    Abstract: A stair tread overlay and a riser overlay made from solid wood for fitting over a conventional, exposed wooden stair having a generally rounded nose like those found in most residential general construction staircases and prefabricated staircases. The tread overlay and riser overlay cover the exterior surface of a conventional wooden stair from stringer to stringer to hide a construction grade stair tread and riser below that are made from a composite material or unsalvageable hardwood to present an attractive, solid wood surface that is finishable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: James M. McCool
  • Patent number: 8627618
    Abstract: Closure assemblies for movable partitions may include a leading end assembly having a first side and a second side and a latching assembly coupled thereto. The latching assembly may include a first latching member having a portion thereof positioned proximate to the first side and a second latching member having a portion thereof positioned proximate to the second side. Movable partition systems may include a plurality of hingedly coupled panels movably coupled to a track, and a leading end assembly coupled to at least one panel of the plurality of hingedly coupled panels. The leading end assembly may include at least two latching features positioned on the leading end assembly. Methods of securing a movable partition may include retaining a first latching member and a second latching member in a retracted position and extending the first latching member and the second latching member to an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventors: Tracy M. Knight, Michael D. George, William Michael Coleman, John G. Garrett, III
  • Patent number: 8601760
    Abstract: A fire barrier operable to be placed within a gap formed between two surfaces. The fire barrier may generally include a first intumescent section, a first foam section coupled with the first intumescent section, and a second intumescent section coupled with the first foam section generally opposite the first intumescent section. In some embodiments, the fire barrier may include a plurality of intumescent sections and a plurality of foam sections with each foam section being positioned between at least two of the intumescent sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Balco, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnnie Daniel Hilburn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8601762
    Abstract: An adjustable attachment system is provided for attaching a unit to a base. The adjustable attachment system comprises an embed, a bridging clip and a locking strip. The bridging clip is adapted for receiving an attachment piece, to which the unit may be attached. The embed is positioned in an outward facing surface of the base. The bridging clip is positioned in the embed at a desired in/out position. The position of the bridging clip may be adjusted in two orthogonal directions. The locking strip is inserted between the bridging clip and the embed to fix the bridging clip in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Enclos Corporation
    Inventor: John Robert Walker, III
  • Patent number: 8596018
    Abstract: A blast resistant coated wood member includes a wood member having a compression side and a tension side. A coating layer of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) is adhered to the tension side of the wood member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Habib J. Dagher, Eric D. Cassidy, Laurent R. Parent, Anthony J. Dumais, Edwin N. Nagy, Robert T. O'Neil, Richard F. Nye
  • Patent number: 8590233
    Abstract: A wall panel system and method of installation and use are provided, in which wall panels are suspended from trolleys along a track system. The trolleys include guide devices that interact with diverters coupled to the tracks to allow the trolley to be directed as desired at intersections of the tracks, and to follow a predetermined path along the track system. The wall panel system is configurable to allow the wall panels to be aligned serially, such as for dividing the space within a room, or may be stacked, such as suitable for compact storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Patent number: 8590226
    Abstract: A glass element includes at least two glass slabs arranged in facing relationship with a peripheral spacer frame arranged between each pair of glass slabs, and holders for anchorage at selective points to a supporting structure. The holders, each one of which includes two clamping plates joined together via connectors, are mounted exclusively in apertures formed in the glass element slab that faces the supporting structure, i.e. the inner glass slab. One of the clamping plates of each holder fitting is formed with anchorage attachment points that are accessible from the outside, and the inner clamping plates are placed in abutment against the inner face of the inner glass slab prior to the assembly of the inner glass slab and the next glass slab, in such a manner that their connecting parts extend at most up to the outer mouth of the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Vida International AB
    Inventor: Bo Stenvall
  • 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: 8567144
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is low cost roofing system. The system includes a roof deck, a sealant material disposed only at all locations on the roof deck that would otherwise be gas and liquid transmissive, insulation upwardly adjacent the roof deck, weight board upwardly adjacent the insulation, and a waterproofing membrane upwardly adjacent the weight board. Further disclosed herein is method for constructing the low cost rapidly installed roof system. The method includes sealing all openings in a roof deck, which without said sealing would allow migration of fluid therethrough, disposing insulation upwardly adjacent the roof deck, disposing weight board upwardly adjacent the insulation, applying sealing compound at a roof edge or penetration extending from the roof deck to a top surface of the weight board, and installing a waterproofing membrane upwardly adjacent the weight board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas L. Kelly