Patents Examined by Karen Aftergut
  • Patent number: 6177039
    Abstract: A mold box is flexibly mounted to a product forming machine having upper and lower vertically displaceable beams. A feed drawer dispenses concrete material into the mold box while a vibration system vertically vibrates the mold box while dampening horizontal vibration. The vibration system is driven by a single drive shaft that actuates first and second vibrator rods while at the same rotating a counter-weight in a counter-rotating direction. A set of alignment brackets lock the mold box into a predetermined aligned relationship while being mounted in the product forming machine. The bottom side of each mold box is mounted to the product forming machine in the same relative position to reduce machine readjustments. A set of telescoping legs hold the feed drawer assembly variable distances above the mold box. A unitized pallet feeder quickly moves pallets one at a time from an “on-deck” position to a “receiving” position underneath the mold box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Columbia Machine, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Aaseth, Robert A. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6165398
    Abstract: A method of slip casting using a casting mold provided with a water-absorbent layer that has a self-water-absorbent ability, substantially has a water resistance, and is controlled in the saturated water content thereof, the slip casting being conducted by employing mainly a capillary sucking force as the driving force of the water-absorbent layer of cast formation. An open-cell porous body usable as the water-absorbent layer is produced by agitating a mixture comprising a compound having at least one epoxy ring in its molecule, a curing agent which cures the epoxy compound by reaction, a filler developing for a self-water-absorbent ability and a mold release property, and water to prepare an O/W emulsion slurry and curing the slurry, as such in a hydrous state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Matsumoto, Takeshi Sato, Yoshifumi Misumi, Akira Hirayama, Katsuhiro Hasebe, Yoshinori Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6159399
    Abstract: A spreader pipe for use in erecting concrete walls. The spreader pipe may contain at least one hole in its wall which is then covered with an impermeable cuff to prevent the poured concrete from passing into the spreader pipe. Once the wall has been erected and the boarding plates removed, grout may be injected into the spreader pipe in such a manner that it flows through the at least one hole and passes from the cuff into the hollow spaces and cracks in the concrete wall around the spreader pipe thereby making the concrete wall substantially waterproof. Alternatively, the spreader pipe may contain weak spots, rather than the at least one hole, which are punctured by the pressure of the grout being forced into the spreader pipe, thereby filling the hollow spaces and cracks in the concrete wall around the spreader pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Rascor Spezialbau GmbH
    Inventor: Rene P. Schmid
  • Patent number: 6156248
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying putty and filler material to fill a hole in a surface. The apparatus includes a transparent and flexible plastic template that is impervious to the solvents and chemicals used in construction and painting. The template has an aperture allowing for the insertion of filler material into a hole in a surface without allowing the filler material to come into contact with the surface itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: Larry H. Walling
  • Patent number: 6153130
    Abstract: A spacing tool to be inserted between a form and a foundry furnace during installation of the form in the foundry furnace comprises a first longitudinally extending member to contact the foundry furnace. A second longitudinally extending member is coupled to the first member. The first and second members define opposed surfaces to contact the form and foundry furnace respectively. The second member is moveable relative to the first member to alter the distance between the opposed surfaces and set the spacing between the form and the foundry furnace. During a foundry furnace relining process, a plurality of spacing tools are used at circumferentially spaced locations to center the form within the foundry furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Gradmatic Equipment Inc.
    Inventor: Ayton Grady
  • Patent number: 6139300
    Abstract: A windshield repair apparatus includes a bridge for holding an injector adjacent to a break area of a windshield. The bridge includes a suction cup for mounting the bridge to the windshield. The bridge includes a pivotally mounted arm which allows for pivotal movement of the injector away from the break area, and a registration system which allows for accurate replacement of the injector over the break area following pivotal movement back toward the break area. A ball plunger and detent mounting arrangement between the pivotally mounted arm and a remainder of the bridge allows for registration. The suction cup includes a vacuum pump for withdrawing air from beneath the suction cup. The injector includes a clip securing a stopper to a body of the injector. The stopper includes a peripheral lip seal at a first end of the stopper which is received by the body. The arm also is pivotally moveable toward and away from the windshield and is controlled by a threaded adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: TCG International Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Thomas, Paul E. Syfko, Mark Charles Christian, Paul S. Petersen
  • Patent number: 6139620
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a calcium silicate board having a bulk specific gravity of approximately 0.5 to 0.8, which method achieves a decrease in the bulk specific gravity and an increase in the matrix strength of the board without impairing productivity, and the calcium silicate board obtained by this method. The method is characterized in that a material slurry comprising 5 to 30 wt % of calcium silicate hydrate slurry as a solid component, 17 to 50 wt % of calcareous material, 13 to 45 wt % of silica containing material, 2 to 8 wt % of fiber material, and 5 to 40 wt % of inorganic fillers is formed through conventional processes and the obtained molded body is subjected to a hydrothermal reaction in a pressure container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: ASK Corporation
    Inventors: Seishiro Suzuki, Masato Sakiyama, Takuya Asami, Tomoki Iwanaga, Yasuhide Oshio, Shigemitsu Shiromoto, Toru Sugiyama, Masaaki Oda
  • Patent number: 6129869
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a raised gripping surface along the peripheral edge of poured aggregate swimming pool coping. Utilized therein is a form board including a recess to form a first portion of the gripping surface and an aggregate dispensing mule to form a second portion of the gripping surface in a contiguous relation to the first portion. A finishing tool joins both portions into a combined unitized structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventors: William J. Stegmeier, John M. Stegmeier
  • Patent number: 6126875
    Abstract: A process for producing a concrete product, which includes a step of preparing a primary concrete by mixing a super dry consistency concrete having a unit amount of water of at most 100 kg/cm.sup.3, a step of preparing a secondary concrete by weighing a suitable amount of the primary concrete and adding at least water, a water reducing agent and a setting accelerator thereto, followed by remixing, and a step of molding the secondary concrete in a formwork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignees: Denki Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Haneda Humepipe Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Watanabe, Hirotoshi Hagiwara, Tetsuo Shibata, Takashi Shimamura, Masaru Murase, Hiroyoshi Serizawa
  • Patent number: 6123879
    Abstract: A structural member for reinforcement of asphalt and concrete roadways and other products, and which includes a gridwork of warp strands and weft strands which are disposed at right angles to each other and so as to define an open structure. In one embodiment, the gridwork is impregnated with a thermosettable B-stage resin so as to interlock the strands at their crossover points and maintain the gridwork in a semi-flexible state, and after being applied to the product to be reinforced, the resin is heated to convert the same into a fully cured composite to thereby rigidize the gridwork and reinforce the product. In cases where the product to be reinforced is heated, such as asphalt paving, the heat of the product provides the heat necessary to fully cure the resin in situ. In another embodiment, the resin is fully cured to rigidize the gridwork prior to its being applied to the structure to be reinforced. A method of producing the resin impregnated gridwork is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Hexcel CS Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Hendrix, Gordon L. Brown, Jr., Mansfield H. Creech, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6123888
    Abstract: An improved post tensioning system for prefabricated building panels in which a concentric uniform radial compression is maintained in the slab. A post tensioning cable is placed in the concrete slab to form a perimeter loop starting from one corner of the slab to a point where the cable entered the slab and at a point turning 90.degree. to follow that portion of the cable in the periphery to a point midway up the Y axis and then turning 90.degree. across the X axis to bisect the slab and cross the opposite parallel portion of the cable to exit out the adjacent side of the slab. This creates a cable pattern with no less than 2.5 parallel cables in any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Easi-Set Industries
    Inventor: Rodney I. Smith
  • Patent number: 6117373
    Abstract: A monolithic refractory composition, which can be rapidly dried after being mixed with water and applied to a desired portion by casting or spraying to form a furnace wall, and which comprises refractory aggregates, a refractory powder, an aluminum alloy powder and a dispersant, wherein the aluminum alloy powder is contained in an amount of from 0.04 to 5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the refractory aggregates and the refractory powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Asashi Glass Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Otojiro Kida, Eri Suzuki, Yasushi Ono
  • Patent number: 6113820
    Abstract: A method of repairing polyethylene fuel containment sumps used in underground storage systems in gasoline and diesel service stations without "welding" the polyethylene, using suitable surface preparation, priming of the affected area, and sealing with a two part rubber compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: David Lyzinski, Albert J. Kovach, Paul A. Sivak, Charles M. Daul
  • Patent number: 6105924
    Abstract: A wedge apparatus for use with molds and a mold utilizing at least one wedge apparatus. The wedge apparatus includes a pair of attachment portions, each having an attachment surface and a wedge surface, a wedge portion, and a shaft. The wedge portion is slidably attached to the attachment portions and has a center portion terminating in a pair of center edges disposed at opposite angles to the wedge edges such that the center surface and the wedge surfaces form a substantially continuous mold surface. The shaft is attached to the center portion and extends through an opening through a cross member to maintain the center edges of the wedge portion in alignment with the wedge edges of the attachment portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Dennis E. Carr
  • Patent number: 6103179
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for manufacturing a fiber product. The method and the process are characterized in that a first male mold (6) is immersed in stock in a molding tank (2a). By means of a vacuum, fibers are induced to form a fiber layer of predetermined thickness on the male mold (6). The male mold (6) is thereafter removed from the molding tank (2a) and a female mold (8) is brought under force against the male mold (6) in order to express the stock water, following which the fiber product (P) is transferred to the female mold (8). A second male mold (10) is brought under force against the female mold (8) so that the fiber is subjected to pressing in order to increase the dry solids content of the fiber product and give this a predetermined external structure, following which the fiber product (P) is released and subjected to final drying under the effect of microwave or IR radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Celtec Development AB
    Inventor: Johan Peter Larsson
  • Patent number: 6090329
    Abstract: A method for producing colored concrete bodies, particularly colored concrete roof tiles, whereby pigment is added to the unprocessed concrete mix. In order to provide the production of permanently colored concrete bodies with reasonably priced pigments which are stable in outdoor exposure and are resistant to light, particularly UV, alkalis and heat. A cement compatible aqueous polymer dispersion in which organic pigment is dispersed is added to the unprocessed concrete mix. Suitable cement compatible polymer dispersions are aqueous polymer dispersions based on styrene and/or pure acrylate. Phthalocyanine and quinacridone pigments are particularly suitable as organic pigments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: BRAAS GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Drechsler, Daniel Neupert, Silke Werner
  • Patent number: 6089848
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing rollers covered with layers of elastic silicone-based material, including: a base frame; a hollow box-like cylindrical support-mold rotatably mounted on the base frame about a longitudinal axis,of the support-mold; a device for rotating the support-mold about its longitudinal axis; a hollow prepared and coverable cylindrical perforated supporting structure which is removably insertable coaxially and snugly inside the support-mold so as to provide a perimetric seal between opposite ends of the supporting structure and the support-mold and so as to define a sealed interspace between the outer surface of the supporting structure and the inner surface of the support-mold; slides mounted on the base frame; a device, slidably mounted on the slides, for introducing elastic silicone-based material inside the supporting structure such that upon rotation of the support-mold the elastic silicone-based material travels through the perforated supporting structure from the inside of the supportin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Syfal S.r.l.
    Inventor: Franco Stefani
  • Patent number: 6071458
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system for manufacturing horizontally precast panels of moldable material which panels require shaped surface patterns. More particularly, the invention relates to a system for manufacturing horizontally precast concrete panels formed of concrete, for use in vertical wall systems, with one or more shaped surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Port-O-Wall Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Mossi
  • Patent number: 6071448
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved process for the manufacture of concrete roof tiles having cut-back sidelock portions such that the tiles are flash free. The process involves the moulding of tiles on pallets which are provided with cut-away portions corresponding to the cut-back sidelock portions to be formed on the tiles and cutting the ribbon of mortar formed in a line of pallets with a knife which cuts the ribbon of mortar to form discrete tiles and to cut back the sidelock portions of the tiles at the same time. The tiles are flash free due to the action of the knife with the cut-away portions of the pallets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventors: Bhushan Kumar Oberoi, Jeffery James Palm
  • Patent number: 6054080
    Abstract: An inexpensive, lightweight, strong and durable casting that has a surface appearance simulating carved stone, and is especially adapted for use as a transition between a brick or stone wall and window and door openings. Further, it provides architectural detail to building constructions, especially as a surround for window and door openings. The casting is produced from a mixture of graded aggregates and a resin binder, combined in predetermined proportions to make a soupy mixture that is cast in a mold. The mold is vibrated to cause migration of air bubbles away from the surface of the molded product, and to cause realignment and orientation of the aggregate materials in a way to enhance the structure and surface density of the product. After the casting has set, it is removed from the mold and cured and the surface is sandblasted to erode away some of the resin binder and portions of the aggregate at the surface to produce an appearance that is an accurate simulation of carved stone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventors: John J. Sheahan, Brian W. Sheahan, Kenneth R. Augst, Jr.