Patents Examined by W. Glenn Edwards
  • Patent number: 6021619
    Abstract: Molding (11), such as floor base, dressing of a door, cornice, wainscot or the like, which is provided with a channel (13) extending in longitudinal direction of the molding, designed for receiving and hiding cables (12), wires or the like. The channel (13) at least along one edge of the moulding is provided with a longitudinal opening of the channel, which is closable by means of a cap fillet (15), which is at least partly insertable in the opening, and which includes at least a compressible and/or elastic yielding part (18 and 22, respectively).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Lars-Eric M.ang.nsson
  • Patent number: 6017011
    Abstract: A collapsible music stand with optional multiple desks having dual-angular and vertical adjustability is provided. A music stand includes a height adjustment mechanism comprising a guide wire which frictionally engages a groove rendering the mechanism one with continuous height and frictional force adjustability. A music stand further includes a plurality of arrangements of single and multiple desks, dowels with tapered ends for ensuring the firm coupling of its components, a optional tray with a further optional candelabra, an optional bracket for coupling a lamp to the stand, pivotably adjustable tabs to accommodate wide pieces of sheet music, and detachable legs facilitating portability. A versatile music stand can be adjusted to support music at a variety of angles and is configurable as a larger and more stable conductor's stand, or to hold a musical instrument, or as a lectern. A durable and high-quality music stand includes a desk manufactured using a bookmatching method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Alden Lee Comapny, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Lee
  • Patent number: 5996304
    Abstract: A blend of bonding polyester with an acid resistant polyester and heat dispersant filler providing a liner especially suitable for concrete structure subjected to acidic environments. The blend can also be used in combination with aggregate or fibers to be extruded or molded into articles which are substitutes for conventional concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Infraliner Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Keith Barker, Richard Henry Butler
  • Patent number: 5953876
    Abstract: A wall frame has C-shaped vertical studs each with a web having vertically spaced openings with an outline conforming to the cross-sectional shape of a short channel member. The two legs depending from the web have a plurality of depending tabs punched therefrom. These tabs extend into vertical registration with the top and bottom edges of each opening such that when a short channel member is inserted through the stud it is supported by the opening and by the tabs and is thereby stabilized in position. The short channel members have plastic spring clips snapped thereto. A gypsum board panel with clips attached thereto may then be mounted to the wall frame by clipping the clips to the horizontal channel members. The spring fingers of the plastic clips on the short channel members abut the gypsum board panel to dampen vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: Robert S. Agar
  • Patent number: 5953862
    Abstract: A plastic shim or other work piece useful in the construction industry is provided and is an elongated tapered hard plastic body incorporating qualities of a shim lacking in wooden shims. Each shim has transverse breakable lines so that segments can be broken off to adjust its length. For handling, a plurality of such shims are molded in a sheet with adjacent shims being spaced along their thinner sections but separably joined by longitudinal, manually breakable lines extending along their thicker sections, whereby the shims can be detached from the sheet either individually or in multiples. The shims have pockets defining nailing portions of reduced thickness which minimize the grasp of nails by the shim and allow removal of nails without damage to the shim or adjacent wood and etching to avoid uncontrolled slippage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: EZ-SHIN, INC., a California corporation
    Inventors: Levitt D. Earhart, Robert C. Hawley, Joseph S. Suiter, deceased
  • Patent number: 5946866
    Abstract: A modular damper which comprises one or more individual damper elements which are mounted into the damper structure. The dampers are useful in damping structures such as buildings, bridges, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James T. Weglewski, Ming-Lai Lai
  • Patent number: 5937609
    Abstract: A concrete insert with a C-shape and having a flat bottom plate and a top plate connected by a side plate with the planes of the top and bottom plates being parallel, each of the top plate and bottom plate containing a hole with centers of those holes lying on the same axis, and means associated with the top and bottom holes to engage a threaded support rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Steven A. Roth
  • Patent number: 5927036
    Abstract: A floor joist system for building construction comprising interconnected steel girders and joists. The girders may be castellated I beams having a plurality of large openings and regularly spaced vertical slots through its web, which extend between opposite side walls of a building or its foundation, supported thereby. Joists may be I beams of shorter height than the girders which have tongues formed from their webs which extend from their ends. The tongues of two joists are fitted into a single vertical girder slot from opposite sides of the girder, their tongues overlapping therein. The opposite ends of the joists are similarly fitted into an adjacent girder or rest upon a side wall of the building or its foundation. The girder slot is positioned and the side walls are adapted such that the uppermost surfaces of the joists and the girder(s) are coplanar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Perf-X-Dek, L.L.C.
    Inventors: LeRoy Matthews, Paul R. Vrechek
  • Patent number: 5918434
    Abstract: A simulated panel door structure formed from a flat surface door utilizing an endless groove formed along the flat surface and etched to a uniform depth. The endless groove possesses a base surface and first and second side walls extending outwardly from the base surface. The second side wall of the groove is positioned outside the first side wall toward the periphery of the door. An insert having a lower surface and first and second side walls positions within the endless groove such that the lower surface of the insert lies adjacent the base surface of the groove. The first side wall of the insert lies adjacent a beveled surface of the veneer and extends no further outwardly than the flat surface of the door. The second side wall of the insert lies adjacent the second side wall of the groove. The insert further includes a lateral surface spanning the first and second side walls with a depression therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: American Building Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ballantyne, Grant T. Bennett, Douglas R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5910086
    Abstract: A partition structure is comprised of a plurality of interconnected construction blocks. The partition structure can be formed in any size and shape including, triangular, rectangular, circular, semi-circular, trapezoidal, etc., by cutting away one or more outer edges of the structure. The partition structure can serve as the pane for a window or door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Inventor: Myles Fisher
  • Patent number: 5901514
    Abstract: An apparatus suitable for adaptation and use either as an exterior foundational base shroud or an interior decorative baseboard. In either case, the apparatus may be used to conceal and protect electrical, communications, or other conduit. The apparatus is suitable for use with a variety of standardized structural panels and may be manufactured through the extrusion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Michael J. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 5899030
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the use of a post anchor adaptable to impact insertion into the earthen ground to rigidly support a post extending above ground level. The post anchor is functional without requiring the use of concrete to reinforce the post anchor within the earthen ground. A driveable member and a locking member cooperate to form each post anchor. The driveable member must be formed from at least one piece of a sheet material. The sheet material is subjected to a deforming process to render definable unique panels thereon definable from adjacent panels by a linear juncture. A post engaging channel cooperates with a plurality of ground engaging fins to provide displacement resistance properties to the post anchor. A secure attachment, using the locking member, occurs to secure the post to the driveable member following placement of both the post and the driveable member during the installation procedure. Either a single sheet piece or multiple sheet pieces form the driveable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: David H Barefield
  • Patent number: 5896709
    Abstract: A modular roof assembly adapted to be secured to a generally circular structure consisting of an essentially continuous upstanding wall to which the modular roof assembly may be fastened. The modular roof assembly comprises a predetermined number of roof panels to be positioned in a circular manner to form a generally conical configuration. A prime feature of the modular roof assembly is the uniquely configured, interlocking panel edges that virtually eliminate any concern for leakage through the panel joints or seams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Ralph E. Pope
  • Patent number: 5894706
    Abstract: A recites full view door in which the frame portion is totally molded. It may be molded in a number of processes from polypropylene or other materials, with or without additives, and other plastics suitable for large molded frames. There is an outside section of the frame and an inside section which are modified for securement each to the other. Provision is made in the interior edges of the frame for receiving the pane of glass, and then a holding assembly is provided, primarily four pieces being top, bottom and the two sides which snap-fits into the inside portion of the frame and secures the window in removable engagement to the door. In the method, means are provided on the outer half and the inner half for snap-fittingly or press-fittingly engaging each other. In addition, sonic welding, gluing, and other means for securing the outer half and the inner half of the door are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Walter B. Herbst
  • Patent number: 5893244
    Abstract: A self-sealing framing system is disclosed for curtainwalls, storefronts, and other framing systems for buildings in which frame members are erected in a grid and infill panels set within the openings of the grid. An elastomeric weathering gasket is mounted to a first frame member such that a portion of the weathering gasket overlies a recess formed in a side wall of the frame member. In an undeformed condition the elastomeric weathering gasket normally extends through a plane defined by the side wall of the first frame member. A second frame member oriented substantially perpendicular to the first frame member has an end abutting the side wall of the first frame member. The end of the second frame member contacts the elastomeric weathering gasket and displaces it onto one side of the plane by the contact with the end of the second frame member. A portion of the weathering gasket is displaced into the recess in the side wall of the first frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Kawneer Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Dean Magoon
  • Patent number: 5890327
    Abstract: A method of reinforcing or retrofitting building roof structures against hurricane-force winds which does not require removal of part or all of the roof. The improved method includes directing a thin stream of a liquid polymer foam adhesive under pressure upwardly along the intersections of the rafters or support members and the roof panels, preferably on both sides of the support members. The foam adhesive then creams and foams, forming polymer foam adhesive gussets which firmly adhere to the adjacent surfaces of the support members and roof panels. This method increases the pull-off strength of a roof about seven fold and is able to withstand hurricane-force winds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: ITW Foamseal
    Inventors: N. Keith Merser, Frederick A. Kish
  • Patent number: 5890325
    Abstract: A system for subdividing a building space into work areas includes interconnectable partition panels, each having an internal frame with a plurality of horizontal frame members located at predetermined heights. The horizontal frame members each have at least one horizontal row of slots, and at least one of the horizontal frame members is located slightly above an optimal worksurface height for supporting an interactively used datum shelf. Furniture components are attachable to the horizontal frame members at selected horizontal positions, including the datum shelf, an undershelf storage unit and an upper storage unit. A mobile furniture unit is provided having a worksurface located at an optimal worksurface height, the worksurface having a cantilevered edge section that can be extended partially under the datum shelf at a selected optimal depth for coordinated and efficient use of the datum shelf concurrent with using the worksurface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Sean M. Corcorran, Charles Anthony Seiber, Robert P. Arko, Frank Friedman, Leon D. Segal, Jonathan J. King, Karl J. Mead, Paul B. Siebert
  • Patent number: 5890326
    Abstract: A head wall apparatus includes a support configured to be coupled to a wall, and a front panel coupled to the support to define an interior region of the head wall. The front panel includes an elongated opening. The apparatus also includes a gas block having an inlet and an outlet, and a shield configured to extend over the opening. The shield defines a track for slidably coupling the gas block to the head wall. The shield is configured to block access to the interior region of the head wall. A gas supply line located in the interior region of the head wall is coupled to the inlet of the gas block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Gallant, Linda A. Hillier, Dale A. Nobbe, Ares Marasligiller, Michael Buccieri, Douglas C. Ambach
  • Patent number: 5881504
    Abstract: A temporary frame system includes four masts arranged outside of a building to be constructed. The frame system includes a climbing mechanism mounted on each mast for upward and downward movement thereon, a canopy frame fixed at four corners by respective climbing mechanisms and horizontally covering the entire upper surface of the building, a plurality of overhead traveling cranes arranged on the lower surface of the canopy frame, and a jib crane movable along a guide rail provided on an upper surface of the canopy frame. The overhead traveling crane includes a main rail positioned on a lower surface of the canopy frame and subsidiary rails arranged on both sides of the main rail in parallel thereto. A transporting girder is movably supported on the main rail and subsidiary girders are movably supported on the subsidiary rails. A plurality of hoists are provided on the overhead traveling crane. The transporting girder is a dual type which has two, first and second girders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Obayashi Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Wakisaka, Kyoichi Hishikawa, Noriyuki Furuya, Kyoji Yoshino, Hiroaki Ikeda, Hideo Ono, Kohei Kurita, Toshimitsu Sakai
  • Patent number: 5878546
    Abstract: A concrete reinforcing bar connector is described in which first and second elongated resilient clip members are formed in a substantially semi-circular "C" shaped cross-sectional configuration. The first and second clip members include opposed open ends spaced apart along their respective center axes. Each of the first and second elongated resilient clip members includes a pair of longitudinal edges that are substantially parallel to their associated center axis and are spaced apart from one another to form a reinforcing bar receiving side opening. The longitudinal edges terminate in substantially radially inward projecting flanges. Inwardly projecting yieldable tabs are formed at each end of the first and second clip members. The tabs are angularly inclined toward the respective center axes of the clip members. The tabs are substantially diametrically opposed to the associated reinforcing bar receiving side openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Albert R. Westover