Patents Examined by Tara L. Mayo
  • Patent number: 7530765
    Abstract: Disclosed are a structure of an intermediate wall of a three arch excavated tunnel, which effectively exhausts subterranean water from a peripheral ground, and a method for constructing the tunnel. The method comprising the steps of: (a) excavating an upper portion of a central tunnel 10; (b) excavating a lower portion of the central tunnel 10; (c) forming an intermediate wall 20 and grouting a gap formed in the intermediate wall 20; (d) excavating an upper portion of a left main tunnel 30; (e) excavating an upper portion of a right main tunnel 40; (f) excavating a lower portion of the left main tunnel 30; (g) excavating a lower portion of the right main tunnel 40; and (h) installing a drain board 50 and a waterproof layer 60 and casting lining concrete 70 therein so that the tunnel is easily drained through drain pipes 65 and residual water pressure is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventors: Dong-Hyung Seo, Seok-Ryul Yun, Oh-Hyun Kwon
  • Patent number: 7530766
    Abstract: A device for laying pipes from a laying vessel. The pipes convey a fluid within. The device comprises a lower retaining device to retain a pipe and a lower securing device to support the lower retaining device. An upper retaining device retains the pipe and is able to move translationally with respect to the lower retaining device. Both retaining devices retain the pipe from the inside. An upper securing device to which the lower retaining device can be coupled through a pipe section to be connected in order to release the lower securing device and in order to secure thereto the said upper retaining device after the then lower pipe section has been connected and submerged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventor: Philippe Espinasse
  • Patent number: 7527456
    Abstract: A rod-type connecting profiled element (10) for connecting sheet piles to carrier elements comprises a central strip (12) that separates two opposing connecting profiled elements (16, 18), each of which respectively forms a saw (24, 42). One connecting profiled element is embodied as a plug-in profiled element (16) for the carrier element and the other connecting profiled element is embodied as a receiving profiled element (18) for connecting a sheet pile. The central strip (12) comprises, on the side of the receiving profiled element (18), a central section (14) having a straight plane inner wall (30) to which a first short end section (32) is connected on one side, said short end section protruding past the central section (14) at an angle of approximately 90°, and being connected thereto by means of a transition section (36) having an inner wall with a cross-section that follows a quadrant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Pile Pro, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Heindl, Rob R. Wendt, Georg Wall
  • Patent number: 7524142
    Abstract: A tractor attachment for installing tubing beneath the ground includes a frame having a toolbar to which multiple plow assemblies are coupled and spaced apart by rigid spacers. Each plow assembly includes a plow blade and a drop feed tube, mile plow blades extend downwardly in a first direction from the toolbar and the drop feed tubes extend downwardly in a second direction from the toolbar. In operation, the multi-plow attachment is lowered such that the plow blades engage a body of soil at a desired depth. The desired depth at which the plow blades engage the soil is based at least in part on the pitch of the plow blades. The tractor moves forward to cause the plow blades to create trenches in the soil at substantially the desired depth and strands of conduit (e.g., drip irrigation tubing) are fed from the drop feed tubes to the created trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Vern Keith Scott
  • Patent number: 7524143
    Abstract: A loading system for transfer of hydrocarbons between an installation on the sea bed (16) and a floating vessel (10) in areas exposed to drifting ice. The system including a submerged turret buoy (19), a flexible riser (18) extending from the sea bed installation (24) to the buoy (19) intended to be securely connected to a corresponding pipe on board the vessel (10), and a plurality of mooring lines (17) connected to the buoy (19) and extending outwards therefrom. The system further including a riser protection element (20) for protecting the riser (18) from impacts when the riser (18) is in an extended, load transferring mode, and a protective structure (24) located in or on the sea bed (16) for protection of the riser (18) when in a retracted position in a non-operative mode; that the protective structure (24) containing riser reel (28) for storing the riser (18) in a protected position when disconnected and retracted from the vessel (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Statoil Asa
    Inventors: Sveinung Løset, Basile Bonnemaire
  • Patent number: 7517174
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a molded pile (e.g., 17) that includes a unitary elongated body (52) and an elongated tube (142) residing longitudinally within the elongated body (52). The elongated body (52) includes first (151) and second (154) exterior elongated plates that are spaced apart and opposed to each other. The elongated body (52) also includes a plurality of internal ribs (157) interposed between and being continuous with the first (151) and second (154) exterior elongated plates. The internal ribs (157) together define a plurality of apertures (67) and an elongated passage (160) that extends the length of the elongated body (52). The elongated tube (142) resides within the elongated passage (160), and provides fluid communication between upper (145) and lower (148) ends of the elongated body. Passage of a high pressure fluid (e.g., water and/or air) through elongated tube 142 results in fluidization of a penetrable material (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: LRM Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Victor Wolynski, Dale E. Polk, Jr., Dean Higley
  • Patent number: 7510350
    Abstract: A helical anchor capable of use in high load-bearing capacity applications involving extreme drive torque conditions, the anchor having a main drive shaft machine fabricated with an integrally formed hardened alloy steel coupling section that is adapted to mate with a similarly hardened and integrally formed corresponding coupling section of an extension shaft. The coupling sections are formed of seamless high-carbon heat-treated alloy steel which is quenched and tempered to a yield and tensile strength approximating 135,000 psi, and inertia friction welded to the hot-finished seamless alloy steel tubing utilized in the formation of the remainder of the drive and extension shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Ronnkvist
  • Patent number: 7503725
    Abstract: A subsurface water drainage system which includes a high porosity cylinder made of a mixture of Portland cement and activated charcoal, such cylinder disposed vertically in the subsoil to receive water discharge therein and to direct such water through its porous midsection into adjacent subsoil at a rate sufficient for dispersing the water to prevent yard surface flooding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventors: James M. Pratt, A. Charles Wilmot, Anthony P. Nickinello, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7503728
    Abstract: The support (1) includes a working deck (2) and floatation members (3) supporting this deck (2). According to the invention, the spacing between the vertical axes (Z) passing through the centre of the floatation members (3) is such that the sum of the moments, taken in relation to the horizontal axis passing through the centre of the support (1) is perpendicular to the swell direction, of the vertical excitation forces of the swell on the floatation members (3) situated on one side of the vertical plane (P) passing through this horizontal axis is equal to the corresponding sum associated with the floatation members (3) situated on the other side of this plane, when the swell period is equal to the period of a swell having this direction and of which the yearly probability of being encountered on the site or the support where it is installed is 1/100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: D2M Consultants, S.A.
    Inventors: Yves Martin, Jean-François Desplat
  • Patent number: 7503086
    Abstract: A foldable bedding foundation comprising a first section is hingedly secured to a second section so that the bedding foundation may be folded for storage or transportation purposes. Each section has base, a plurality of wire struts pivotally secured to the base, an upper wire grid pivotally secured to the wire struts and braces extending between the base and an outermost wire strut. Plastic sliders help the braces move between raised and lowered positions. Lower connectors are secured to and extend between the section bases. Upper connectors are secured to and extend between border wires of the sections to aid in the collapsing of the foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Brenda Wickstrom, Niels S. Mossbeck
  • Patent number: 7500805
    Abstract: A continuous curve arch shape cross section corrugated injection molded thermoplastic chamber is provided and includes a body having a multiplicity of peak and valley corrugations running along the curve of the arch shape, wherein the multiplicity includes opposing sidewalls, each having a foot, opposing chamber ends connected to the body, the ends shaped to form joints with the ends of like chambers, a multiplicity of sprues, within spaced apart valleys, at elevations intermediate the foot and apex of the chamber, wherein each sprue has a first runner running upwardly alone the valley in direction of the apex, and a second runner running downwardly along the valley toward the foot, a base runner connected to the bottom of the second runner, running lengthwise along the foot of the chamber; and at least one third runner connected to the base runner and running upwardly along a peak adjacent the valley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventors: Ronald P. Brochu, James J Burnes, Roy E. Moore, Jr., Daniel T. Swistak
  • Patent number: 7500806
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing a filter zone of an earthfill dam, in which the filter zone includes adjacent coarse and fine filter layers. The coarse and fine filter materials are discharged simultaneously from an earthmoving vehicle having an ejector body. The ejector body includes a longitudinal divider wall that maintains segregation of the materials during transport, and the materials are discharged through separate chute assemblies so as to place the materials in elongate, side-by-side berms. The ejector vehicle is followed by a dozer or other piece of equipment that grades both berms simultaneously. Each pass of the ejector vehicle and dozer thus forms a stratum of the filter zone. The passes are repeated to form a plurality of strata in overlying relationship such that the coarse particulate material forms the coarse filter portion of the filter zone and the fine material forms the fine filter portion of the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Barnard Construction Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff L. Higgins
  • Patent number: 7497643
    Abstract: An artificial reef comprises at least one bag which is generally configured to define at least a portion of a reef and which is at least partially fillable with air. An anchor is attached to the bag for maintaining the bag at a desired location substantially underwater. A plurality of such bags may be attached to one another and configured so as to define a reef which enhances the suitability of waves for surfing or which mitigates beach erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventors: Richard P. Carnahan, Troy W. Kight, Garrett Johnson
  • Patent number: 7497646
    Abstract: A retaining wall block engagement system comprises a plurality of wall blocks connected with connectors. Each wall block comprises a top surface and opposing bottom surface, a front surface and opposing rear surface and first and second opposing side surfaces. Each side surface includes a shoulder portion and a pair of recesses extending upwardly from bottom surface. The recesses separated by a web portion. A plurality of generally H-shaped or h-shaped connectors are configured to interlock a block in a given course with a block in an adjacent course of blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mortarless Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Brian A. Price
  • Patent number: 7491016
    Abstract: A portable dike and floatation device having a lower partition including a water inlet and an upper partition attached to the lower partition. The lower partition is water-fillable via the water inlet. The upper partition includes an air inlet for inflating the upper partition. The lower partition forms a triangular prism having a floor and two sides. The upper partition has two lobes, the lobes cover the two sides, the lobes have a triangular prism shape, and wherein the inner and upper partition forms a square prism shape when the lower partition and the upper partition inflate. At least one support member is positioned within the portable dike and floatation device to provide added rigidity to the portable dike and floatation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: Bradford G. Baruh
  • Patent number: 7491015
    Abstract: An end plate for closing off the end of an arch shape cross section corrugated storm water chamber, which receives water for dispersal beneath the surface of the earth, has a dished portion which projects outwardly from the end of a chamber to which it is attached, preferably by means of a flange which engages the corrugations of the chamber. Ribs inside the end plate add strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventors: Bryan A Coppes, Jonathan F Smith
  • Patent number: 7484913
    Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus and method for placing an element (14), such as a steel column or concrete section, into a pile shaft (1) during top-down construction techniques. The apparatus is provided with an upper and lower positioning means (2, 3) which allow the plan position of the element at upper and lower levels respectively to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Cementation Foundations Skanska Limited
    Inventors: Peter Gilbert Shotton, Ronald Peter Payne
  • Patent number: 7478975
    Abstract: Methods and systems for transportation and processing of a cryogenic fluid. The system includes a floating liquefaction unit receiving a gas from a source, a shuttle vessel for carrying liquefied gas away from the liquefaction unit, a floating regasification unit for receiving the liquefied gas from the vessel, regasifying the liquefied gas and providing the gas to a distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Wood Group Advanced Parts Manufacture A.G.
    Inventors: Bradford Scott Hubbard, Ned Baudat, W. Scott Worthington
  • Patent number: 7470092
    Abstract: A method for forming a structure includes arranging a plurality of cylindrical segment elements on a surface. Each of the first plurality of cylindrical segment elements defines a cylindrical void therein. Aggregate material may be poured over the plurality of cylindrical segment elements such that the cylindrical voids are substantially filled with aggregate particles. The cylindrical segment elements limit lateral movement of the aggregate particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Inventor: Samuel G. Bonasso
  • Patent number: 7467911
    Abstract: A gate system for an opening through which fluid flows, such as the opening to a storm drain typically found in the curb of an urban street. The system is biased to a closed condition to keep trash out of the drain during dry and low fluid flow situations, then automatically converts to an open condition during heavy fluid flow situations, and then returns to a closed condition when the heavy fluid flow condition abates. The system has a gate portion that rotates between an open position and a closed position adjacent the opening, being biased to the closed position, and a trip plate, which is also biased to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Inventor: Ronald J. Flury