Patents Examined by Jessie Fonseca
  • Patent number: 9719243
    Abstract: A strut connector for use with a hollow strut having at least one a pair of opposed openings formed in the strut. A pair of identical connector portions are rotatably coupled together, with one of the connector portions inverted. Each connector portion is a flat blade having a body portion and an arm portion extending from the body portion. The body portion has a first hole and a second hole. The arm portion has at least one tab extending from the arm portion at an angle. The arm portions are coupled together via the first hole, then rotated to engage respective openings on the strut with the tabs. The second holes are aligned and a fastener secured through the second holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Paul H. Mason
  • Patent number: 9709195
    Abstract: A conduit for an air induction system includes a duct and a flexible sealing cuff. The duct includes a first duct end, is generally cylindrical, and defines a channel. The flexible sealing cuff includes a first cuff end and is generally cylindrical. The flexible sealing cuff is carried at the first duct end of the duct. A bonded joint secures the first cuff end of the flexible sealing cuff to the first duct end of the duct. The flexible sealing cuff may be at least substantially disposed within the channel such that the flexible sealing cuff shields the channel from the bonded joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventor: Bradley Olson
  • Patent number: 9700134
    Abstract: A fold down table mounted in a bathroom is provided. The fold down table includes a base panel and a fold down panel. The base panel includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The base panel is mounted to a wall within the bathroom adjacent to a toilet. The fold down panel includes an inner surface and an outer surface. A bottom portion of the fold down panel is secured to a bottom portion of the base panel by at least one hinge, such as two hinges. The fold down panel includes a closed position and an open position. The closed position includes the fold down panel pivoted towards the base panel and the open position includes the fold down panel pivoted away from the base panel so that the fold down panel is substantially perpendicular relative to the base panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Zavie, Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Darryl Xavier Simpson, II, Darryl Gerard Simpson
  • Patent number: 9694830
    Abstract: A fastening configuration for connecting a roof-side equipment container to the roof of a rail vehicle includes a fastening rail and a clamping device which engages in the fastening rail in order to clamp a retention section of the equipment container. The fastening rail is constructed as a T-rail which has a web associated with the roof and a support plate at the end of the web which runs perpendicular to the web and which is associated with the retention section of the equipment container. The T-rail has a hole which extends through the support plate into the web, and the clamping device can be inserted in the hole and engages under the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Kammler, Daniel Kroell, Gerd Meyer, Klaus Stoll
  • Patent number: 9689166
    Abstract: A gutter protecting apparatus includes a plurality of substantially parallel rods extending in a downward slope from near a roof edge to and beyond the far side of the gutter. The rods extend substantially perpendicular to the gutter's length and to a frame to which the rods connect at the upper edge. Preferably, the lower rod ends are spaced above and slightly beyond the far edge of the gutter to allow debris to pass the gutter without catching. Legs can extend down from some rods to the gutter's far edge to provide support. The apparatus can be pivotably mounted to the roof, the fascia or the gutter, permitting access beneath. The apparatus forms a cage-like covering over the gutter to exclude matter and small creatures, while allowing the liquid to flow past. Sunlight bypassing the rods and movement of air through the gutter make the water exiting the downspout cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: B & J Concepts, LLC
    Inventor: Jerome W. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9683367
    Abstract: Curtain wall mullion anchoring systems for resisting dead load and negative wind load, and that permit three-way construction tolerance adjustments. The mullion anchoring systems include an anchoring device secured to a building structural element and attached to a mullion connection bridge, which is connected to a mullion connection clip, which is connected to a mullion. Uplifting forces on the anchoring device may be significantly reduced or even eliminated by transmitting dead load under negative wind load conditions from the mullion to the anchoring device at a point over the inside of a concrete floor slab, such that the dead load counteracts any uplifting force generated by the negative wind load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Advanced Building Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond M. L. Ting
  • Patent number: 9683371
    Abstract: A gutter screen contemplating a first slip joint and a second slip joint located at a second end of the gutter screen and matable to the first slip joint, the first slip joint being a descending step-stair design; and the second slip joint being an extended beveled edge, the beveled edge matable to each step of the first slip joint such that when pressure is applied the extended beveled edge will ascend the step-stair, and when pressure is reduced the extended beveled edge will descend the step-stair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen J. Nitch
  • Patent number: 9663947
    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: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventors: Brett Wayne Sareyka, Joshua Lee Neal
  • Patent number: 9657484
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate to a rapid deployment communications tile. As opposed to running various data and/or power wires, a construction crew can use set of tiles that have built in data and/or power transmission capabilities. These tiles can be keyed such that they interlock together to form a relatively uniform surface, such that the surface can also be used as a floor. Further, the tiles can have hardware components that enable the data and/or power transmission capabilities. These hardware components can be environmentally protected such that their performance is not subject to environmental factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Matthew Lazzaro, William Toth
  • Patent number: 9650797
    Abstract: A mobile stage which transforms between a first, transport position and a second, deployed position. A number of modular wall panels which act as a barrier between the interior and the exterior of the stage. This barrier is weather resistant by use of weather stripping in between the panels and additionally serves to protect from unauthorized access to any contents stored inside the stage itself when in transportation mode. The wall panels may be selectively remoted and replaced by stairways and other stage components. The upper wall panels are temporarily engaged by a roof of the mobile stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Progressive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard V. Stroud, Todd N. Allison, Jimmie E. Pingree
  • Patent number: 9649484
    Abstract: A medical tube assembly is disclosed, and includes a first tube portion defining a longitudinal axis, a second tube portion, and a coupling member. The coupling member is configured to couple the first tube portion and the second tube portion. The coupling member is configured to circumferentially engage the second tube portion and has a protrusion configured to engage a portion of the first tube portion. The second tube portion is configured to transition the coupling member from a resting condition to a coupling condition. The coupling member is configured to engage the first tube portion in the coupling condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ramiro Cabrera, Anne Nelson
  • Patent number: 9637922
    Abstract: A collapsible truss and method that is particularly suitable for staging and lighting, for shows, performances and other events. This evolved and novel modular truss can be collapsed to a significantly smaller size (i.e. increased density), and consequently requires significantly less space for storage and transportation. Further, in addition to the advantage of rapid assembly from collapsed parts to a full truss, the modular construction of the truss provides cost effective repair of this truss over traditional rigid welded trusses by simple replacement of damaged parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: TomCat USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David Dayne Cook, William Scott Johnson
  • Patent number: 9631359
    Abstract: A prefabricated module has a lateral side to be connected to a plurality of panels and slabs for forming a part of a building. The module includes four walls extending between a floor and a roof to form a rectangular cuboid shape; interior equipment, at least some of which are connected to technical installations arranged within the cuboid shape; and a compartment within the cuboid shape which is provided with waterproof layers on the interior walls and floor for creating a wet area within the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Vastint Hospitality B.V.
    Inventors: Giedrius Malakauskas, Marius Baltramiejunas, Harald Dieter Muller, Erik Roger Andersson, Thomas Hattig, Steen Torben Sodemann, Philip Muller
  • Patent number: 9617732
    Abstract: A wall panel system including a plurality of wall panels that can be positioned adjacent to each other. Each of the individual wall panels includes an attachment slot that is positioned between upper and lower panel sections. The attachment slot allows external components to be mounted to the wall panel. Each individual wall panel includes a height adjustment mechanism having a support block positioned within an open interior of a bottom cross support rail. The support block receives an adjustment rod that is rotatable to adjust the height of the wall panel. The support block of the height adjustment mechanism includes support flanges that support the weight of the wall panel. The top cross support rail includes an attachment slot that receives a door track for supporting a sliding door. The attachment slot that receives the door track corresponds to the attachment slot positioned between upper and lower panel sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Kopish, Robert M. Wittl, Mark D. Dart, Timothy J. LaFleur, Nathan A. Quintal
  • Patent number: 9609960
    Abstract: A merchandiser panel assembly including a panel body at least partially defining a cavity. The merchandiser panel assembly includes a trim base attached to the panel body and partially enclosing the cavity along an edge of the panel body. The trim base is defined by an elongated body and includes an attachment feature positioned along at least one edge of the elongated body. The merchandiser panel assembly includes trim coupled to an exterior surface of the trim base. The merchandiser panel assembly includes insulation disposed within the cavity and captured by the panel body and the trim base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: Mel Aumiller
  • Patent number: 9593485
    Abstract: A deployment system for supported retractable extension of composite booms which interconverts between a retracted reduced volume stowed condition and an extended elongate tubular condition supported to carry a wide variety of mountable objects at an extended tip end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ROCCOR, LLC
    Inventors: Gregg E Freebury, William H Francis, Neal J Beidleman
  • Patent number: 9593483
    Abstract: A panel includes structural studs, each of the structural studs includes a central longitudinal axis, a baseplate, and a sidewall extending from the baseplate, and tabs punched out of the sidewall, each of the tabs including a tab leg that is connected to the sidewall at one end of the tab leg, and that projects outwardly from the sidewall, and a tab foot extending from the tab leg and curving in a direction that is toward a plane extending perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis through the one end of the tab leg, and away from a hole in the sidewall created by the tab being punched out of the sidewall, wherein the hole is defined by a base side and a top side, the base side has a greater length than the top side, and the tab leg the extends from the base side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: HI-TECH TILT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Jose Medina, Kenneth Valls, John Valle, Abdiel Guajardo
  • Patent number: 9580945
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a telescoping hold open rod which is controllably lockable and unlockable for use in holding a panel such as a nacelle open to provide a user access to an opening covered by the panel. The hold open rod is useful in allowing the rod to be unlocked and telescopically collapsed. The rod can be locked into a telescopically extended position to maintain the panel in an open position relative to the opening to facilitate access to the opening without the rod telescoping closed. A retention assembly includes structures and devices to maintain the rod in an open condition although subject to compressive loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hartwell Corporation
    Inventor: Bo D. Artin
  • Patent number: 9574317
    Abstract: A wall block, wall block system and method of making a wall block. The wall block including at least one core extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, the at least one core having opposed front and rear surfaces and first and second side surfaces the wall block also including at least one pin hole opening onto the top surface of the block and extending at least a portion of the distance from the top surface to the bottom surface. The at least one pin hole may open onto at least a portion of at least one surface of the at least one core. The block may be provided with channels; the pin hole, channels and core may all be formed in a mold box by a single forming member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 9574588
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The coupling may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis. The apparatus may further provide a rotating portion and locking portion, mounting brackets for direct connection to a mounting surface, grounding teeth, and a twist-lock engagement means for interlocking and aligning PV modules in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Hans-Christoph Haenlein