Patents Examined by William Gilbert
  • Patent number: 8950158
    Abstract: An antenna tower structure for wireless communication antennas includes an antenna cupola mounted on a tower based on at least one standardized ISBU shipping container that has been modified and erected to stand upright on a foundation. The modifications may include longitudinal reinforcements along at least two longitudinal edges of the container, mounting hardware at the two ends of the container, an access door on a side of the container, an access hatch in the upper end of the container, a ladder extending longitudinally inside the container, and a floor extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container. The container provides a weather-protected climate-controlled interior space for sheltering electronics equipment. The cupola has antennas installed on at least one level, and may include shutters, a clock, a bell etc. to hide the antennas and disguise the tower. The exterior of the structure may be finished to match surrounding buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Chadwick J. Walton
  • Patent number: 8943769
    Abstract: The pane module is adapted to be installed in a window frame and comprises a pane element and a border element (91). The pane element includes at least two sheet elements (92, 94), such as sheets of glass, separated by one or more spacer members (93). The border element (91) is made by moulding and surrounds the pane element, at least partially encasing the edge of at least one sheet element. In order to provide the pane module with a number of functionalities traditionally performed by the frame, the pane module comprises at least one functional face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventors: Peter Sønderkær, Kristian Ørnsvig Nielsen, Lars Kristensen
  • Patent number: 8943770
    Abstract: An insulated panel including first and second walls (5.004, 5.024) spaced apart by a predetermined distance, each wall including an internal peripheral channel formed by first and second bends, the second bend forming an internal peripheral flange (5.025, 5.056), the panel including an intermediate joining member (5.042) adapted to connect to the internal peripheral flanges of the first and second walls. The connection to a first flange can be via a slot (6.046), and the connection to the second flange can be by adhesive (5.044).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products PTY Limited
    Inventors: Philip Sanders, Rohit Chitre, Mohammed Anwar
  • Patent number: 8943763
    Abstract: Damping arrangement for low, medium and high-rise structures (1) using bidirectional damping means (5) such as visco-elastic Gensui damping devices, placed between two parallel elements of the structure (1), such as a core (2) and a perimeter column (3), or between two cores. Oscillatory or other flexural or shear deformations of the structure (1) are damped by damping axial movements between the two elements (2, 3), and simultaneously damping orthogonal movements between the two elements (2, 3). Outriggers (6, 7, 8) are used to enhance the axial damping moment, and the bidirectional damping means (5) may be installed in pairs, working in opposition to each other to damp dynamic shear or flexural forces in the orthogonal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: VSL International AG
    Inventor: Koi Kee Lim
  • Patent number: 8943765
    Abstract: A brace for connecting the frames of adjacent solar modules can include one or more lower lips and one or more upper lips configured to capture an outer edge of a solar module frame. The brace can include a removable top so as to facilitate connection and disconnection of the couplers and solar modules. Additionally, the brace can be configured to allow a solar module to be engaged and disengaged by hooking the frame onto the brace then tilting the frame relative to the brace. The brace can include features for achieving a snap fit with solar module frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew G. Danning, Wayman Lee
  • Patent number: 8943774
    Abstract: Methods are provided for repairing an existing structure to cover at least a portion of the existing structure with a repair structure. Such methods comprise mounting one or more standoff retainers to the existing structure; coupling one or more standoffs to the standoff retainers such that the standoffs extend away from the existing structure; coupling one or more cladding panels to the standoffs such that the panels are spaced apart from the structure to provide a space therebetween; and introducing a curable material to the space between the panels and the existing structure, the panels acting as at least a portion of a formwork for containing the curable material until the curable material cures to provide a repair structure cladded, at least in part, by the panels. Corresponding apparatus for effecting such methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: CFS Concrete Forming Systems Inc.
    Inventors: George David Richardson, Semion Krivulin, Jorge Ricardo Rosas-Gracida, Zi Li Fang
  • Patent number: 8938919
    Abstract: A solar module is disclosed that has one or more integrated electrical connectors. In addition, a solar module electrical connector holder is disclosed that has resilient wing portions and axial portions that mate with a first connector window in a frame of a solar module and allow the position of an electrical connector to be moved one of vertically, horizontally and angularly with respect to the frame. In addition, a solar module frame is disclosed that has a first connector window in one of the side frame members that is capable of accepting an electrical connection so that the electrical connection is integrated into the frame of the solar module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Andalay Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Cinnamon, David Baker, Wilson W. Leong, Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 8938933
    Abstract: A wall section for a tower of a wind turbine is provided. The wall section includes an inner edge surrounding an opening of the wall section and a protrusion protruding in a thickness direction of the wall section and extending transverse to the thickness direction. Further a wind turbine tower is provided. The wind turbine tower includes a tower wall portion and a wall section as described above. The wall section is connected to the tower wall portion at least at a portion of an outer edge of the wall section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Abderrahim Amdaa, Jan Jacobsen, Steen Kirkegaard Jensen
  • Patent number: 8935894
    Abstract: A concrete step has a trough with a base and two side walls. The side walls project upwardly from the base and are positioned at opposite ends of the base. At least one of the sidewalls has an inwardly projecting flange spaced away from the base by approximately the height of the step. Concrete fills the trough at least up to the inwardly projecting flange, and together a top surface of the concrete and at least a portion of the inwardly projecting flange form a top surface/tread of the step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: David William Classen
  • Patent number: 8931219
    Abstract: A foundation system includes a security boot selectively coupled to a pier having a notched upper end. The security boot includes first, second, and third portions complementary to the pier upper end. The security boot third portion includes a configuration complementary to a foundation sill plate and is selectively coupled thereto. The foundation system includes a sleeve configured to be received on a pier, the security boot configured to surround the sleeve and be slidable therealong. The system includes at least one lifting device having a base member and rod configured to engage the sill plate and is movable between a retracted configuration not urging movement of the sill plate and an extended configuration urging the sill plate upwardly. In a method of using the foundation system, the lifting devices may be actuated to lift an entire foundation upwardly from the piers, the security sliding upwardly along an associated sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Russell E. Benet
  • Patent number: 8931237
    Abstract: An abutment device, in particular for laying floor elements, is proposed, comprising a first abutment element with a first abutment face and a second abutment face, which is oriented transversely to the first abutment face, and a second abutment element with a third abutment face, which is oriented transversely to the first abutment face, and which second abutment element is slidingly displaceably guided in a fixable manner on the first abutment element, a spacing between the first abutment face and the third abutment face being fixably adjustable, the first abutment element, on a side opposite to the first abutment face, having a recess, which is limited by an edge and in which the second abutment element is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: BESSEY Tool GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Kloepfer, Hans Roesch, Thomas Klein, Roger Zampolli, Michael Duss
  • Patent number: 8925264
    Abstract: A floor tile system for protecting a substrate is described. The system includes two tiles or mats that interlock with one another along numerous axes to provide a tight, high-strength seam. Specifically, the tiles include teeth that interlock with teeth of the other tile in a side-by-side manner. The tiles also include male and female portions that interlock when the tile edges overlap with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Parallax Group International, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Thrush, John Grimm
  • Patent number: 8925272
    Abstract: A roofing shingle includes a shingle body having a buttlap portion with a butt edge and a headlap portion with a head edge. The shingle body also has a first side edge, a second side edge, and an exposure zone extending from the butt edge toward the headlap portion that is configured to be exposed to the environment when the shingle is installed on a roof. A water impermeable sheet is attached to the shingle body. The sheet has a width, length, first end and second end. The width extends from approximately the head edge to approximately the butt edge of the shingle body. The length extends from the first end to the second end. At least a portion of the length extends beyond the first side edge of the shingle body by at least about 2 inches. The sheet is formed from a different material than the shingle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Certainteed Corporation
    Inventors: Anna M. Amatruda, Peter Chihlas, Robert L. Jenkins, Stephen A. Koch, Jennifer A. Millberg, Richard A. Snyder, Dale H. Walton
  • Patent number: 8925283
    Abstract: A modular house building system has floor module supports; floor modules; wall modules; window panel modules; door panel modules; and fasteners, wherein the modules are connected to one another in any of a number of configurations using the fasteners to form a chosen modular house configuration; wherein the wall, window panel, and door panel modules each include horizontal planks, vertical planks that define an outer perimeter of each the module, and interstitial planks connected between the vertical planks that are used to increase the strength of each the module, and are connected together in any one of a plurality of configurations to form each respective module in a pre-chosen dimension and configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Luc Lemieux
  • Patent number: 8925285
    Abstract: A pressure resisting barrier wall resistant to accidental explosions and fires or hydrostatic pressure comprising a corrugated wall member (100) having a series of side by side corrugation which viewed in transverse section each comprise spaced first and second base portions (102, 102?) by a polygonal arch having at least three sides (106, 106?, 108, 108?) within said archacurved or polygonal arch reinforcement wall (124, 124?, 124?, 125) springing from side portions of said polygonal arch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Inoventech Limited
    Inventor: Robert Walter Brewerton
  • Patent number: 8925274
    Abstract: Building panels (1, 1?) are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system having tongue (30) of magnetic material that could be locked vertically by a magnetic field. And, a tongue including magnetic material and adapted for being received in a sidewardly open groove of a floor panel, wherein the tongue includes magnetic powder or particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Pervan Darko, Peterson Jan
  • Patent number: 8919062
    Abstract: Prefabricated exterior wall panel systems that incorporate one or more drainage features are disclosed. The drainage feature can include a channel formed in the panel body in fluid communication with an interior portion of the panel body and an opening in the front face of the panel. The drainage feature also can include a wedge having a sloped surface thereon on which the channel can be aligned. The exterior wall panel systems having these drainage features can be used in the exterior cladding of buildings and other structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: STO Corp.
    Inventors: Terry L Viness, Christopher M Romano, Thomas E Remmele
  • Patent number: 8919068
    Abstract: Novel devices, systems, and methods for providing exterior flooring that can be installed over existing exterior surfaces, such as surfaces of an outdoor deck, are provided herein. In some aspects, a joint device or joint member for an exterior floor covering can include a body portion and at least one tongue portion extending from the body portion. The joint device can be adapted to connect adjacent floor panels and secure the floor panels to an underlying surface. The joint device can, but is not required to pass liquid therebetween. The joint device and adjacent floor panels can be made of water resistant materials. The joint device can further include an optional opening adapted to receive an attachment member for attaching portions of the joint member to an underlying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wright, Patrick George Smith, Marc Schultze
  • Patent number: 8915040
    Abstract: A temporary plastic barrier section includes a plastic shell having first and second plastic connection portions integrally formed on opposite ends thereof; and a rigid straight elongate member, wherein the rigid straight elongate member lies substantially adjacent to at least a portion of each of the first and second connection portions, and wherein the rigid straight elongate member includes connection points at the distal ends thereof which are configured to align substantially with the first and second connection portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Valmont Highway Technology Limited
    Inventor: Dallas Rex James
  • Patent number: 8915038
    Abstract: A dynamic concrete form includes a sleeve defining a passage extending between first and second open ends. A first attachment feature extends outwardly in a first direction from the sleeve at the first open end and a second attachment feature extends outwardly in a second direction that is opposite the first direction at the second open end. In a first position, the passage has a first axial length, the first open end lies in a first plane, and the second open end lies in a second plane. In a second position, the passage has a second axial length that is greater than the first axial length, the first open end lies in the first plane or a first new plane that is parallel to the first plane, and the second open end lies in the second plane or a second new plane that is parallel to the second plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventors: Lex A. Whitcomb, Sr., John D. Crane, Kerry L. Kinser