Patents by Inventor Brian Bortz

Brian Bortz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11008764
    Abstract: A foldable quad-chord truss which can be connected end-to-end with like trusses. The chords of each pair of chords are rigidly attached, and connector members intermediate the ends are each swivelly attached to each of the chords of each chord pair to effect the folding into a compact shape for transport and storage. The connector members are adapted for attachment to beams or connector members thereof which beams may extend between a parallel pair of the trusses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Paul Kristen, Inc.
    Inventors: Lambros Apostolopoulos, Davy E. Passucci, Brian Bortz
  • Patent number: 10968644
    Abstract: A kit for erecting a platform. The kit comprises a plurality of quad-chord trusses. Each truss is attachable to others of the truss by eyelets on the ends of the chords. When the chords are spaced horizontally, the eyelet apertures are vertical for receiving pins, which allows a single pin to be inserted in eyelet apertures on one side of the truss so that one truss is swingable horizontally into position for rigid attachment end-to-end by inserting another pin in eyelet apertures on the other side of the truss. Each truss comprises a plurality of connector members for attachment to the trusses along their lengths. The kit further comprises a plurality of cross beams having connector members at their ends to mate with and attach to the truss connector members, and a plurality of tie-up mechanisms attachable to the trusses and to which a supporting line from an overhead structure is attachable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Paul Kristen, Inc.
    Inventors: Lambros Apostolopoulos, Paul Apostolopoulos, Davy E. Passucci, Brian Bortz
  • Publication number: 20200224436
    Abstract: A foldable quad-chord truss which can be connected end-to-end with like trusses. The chords of each pair of chords are rigidly attached, and connector members intermediate the ends are each swivelly attached to each of the chords of each chord pair to effect the folding into a compact shape for transport and storage. The connector members are adapted for attachment to beams or connector members thereof which beams may extend between a parallel pair of the trusses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Lambros Apostolopoulos, Davy E. Passucci, Brian Bortz
  • Publication number: 20200224435
    Abstract: An erected platform which contains parallel lines of trusses connected end-to-end and method of erecting thereof, as illustrated in FIGS. 20 to 23. Each truss has two sides for chords respectively, with apertures or eyelets at the ends. First and second other trusses for a pair of parallel lines respectively are connected by positioning a first other truss adjacent the decking laid on an existing platform portion. Apertures on first respective sides of the first other truss and one of the existing trusses are connected by a first pin and the first other truss swung into an end-to-end position with the one existing truss and a second pin inserted in apertures on second respective sides of the first other truss and the one existing truss. The first pin is removed and the first other truss swung out of the way so that the second other truss may be attached. The second other truss is positioned adjacent the existing decking and similarly connected end-to-end with the other existing truss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Lambros Apostolopoulos, Davy E. Passucci, Brian Bortz
  • Publication number: 20200123791
    Abstract: A kit for erecting a platform. The kit comprises a plurality of quad-chord trusses. Each truss is attachable to others of the truss by eyelets on the ends of the chords. When the chords are spaced horizontally, the eyelet apertures are vertical for receiving pins, which allows a single pin to be inserted in eyelet apertures on one side of the truss so that one truss is swingable horizontally into position for rigid attachment end-to-end by inserting another pin in eyelet apertures on the other side of the truss. Each truss comprises a plurality of connector members for attachment to the trusses along their lengths. The kit further comprises a plurality of cross beams having connector members at their ends to mate with and attach to the truss connector members, and a plurality of tie-up mechanisms attachable to the trusses and to which a a supporting line from an overhead structure is attachable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Lambros Apostolopoulos, Paul Apostolopoulos, Davy E. Passucci, Brian Bortz
  • Patent number: 10533328
    Abstract: A foldable quad-chord truss which can be connected end-to-end with like trusses. Each pair of chords are rigidly attached, and connector members intermediate the ends are swivelly attached to the chord pairs to effect the folding into a compact shape for transport and storage. The connector members are adapted for attachment to connector members of beams which may extend perpendicular to a parallel pair of the trusses and attached thereto. The laid trusses and beams is overlaid with sheets of corrugated sheet metal which overlap each other along their adjacent edges. While standing on a sheet of laid sheet metal adjacent ends of an already laid pair of trusses, another truss can be held adjacent the edge of the sheet metal for attaching an end of the other truss along only one side so that it can then be swung outwardly into a position wherein the other end of the other truss can also be attached to rigidly connect the trusses end-to-end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Paul Kristen, Inc.
    Inventors: Lambros Apostolopoulos, Davy E. Passucci, Brian Bortz
  • Patent number: 10465396
    Abstract: A platform and a kit therefor. The platform and the kit comprises quad-chord trusses attachable end-to-end and having connector members intermediate thereof, and further comprising beams attachable at their ends to the connector members so that a beam attaches two parallel trusses. A truss comprises first and second pairs of chords which are foldable for storage and transport and unfoldable to use for erection of the platform. A track lies between the upper chords to allow movement of bolts along the track into position to attach for insertion into decking apertures for attachment of the decking. The kit also includes a sturdy and reliable and easy to use tie-up mechanism and railing along the platform perimeter which is quickly and easily attachable and reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Inventors: Lambros Apostolopoulos, Paul Apostolopoulos, Davy E. Passucci, Brian Bortz
  • Patent number: 10267349
    Abstract: A fastener which comprises a tubular member, a sleeve, a spring, a shank, and an elongate head. A lower end portion of the shank extends through the tubular member to threadedly engage a lower part. The elongate head rotates within a slot in the upper end of the shank between a first position extending longitudinally of the shank so that it can receive an upper part to be attached to the lower part and a second position extending radially of the shank to prevent removal of the upper part. The shank is received within the sleeve and has a pair of slots in its upper end which are alignable with the shank slot. The sleeve is biased to an upper position by the spring, which is in the tubular member. When the sleeve is in a position wherein it is biased upwardly, the sleeve partially covers the shank slot to prevent rotation of the elongate head between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: PAUL KRISTEN, Inc.
    Inventors: Lambros Apostolopoulos, Brian Bortz
  • Publication number: 20180148941
    Abstract: A foldable quad-chord truss which can be connected end-to-end with like trusses. Each pair of chords are rigidly attached, and connector members intermediate the ends are swivelly attached to the chord pairs to effect the folding into a compact shape for transport and storage. The connector members are adapted for attachment to connector members of beams which may extend perpendicular to a parallel pair of the trusses and attached thereto. The laid trusses and beams is overlaid with sheets of corrugated sheet metal which overlap each other along their adjacent edges. While standing on a sheet of laid sheet metal adjacent ends of an already laid pair of trusses, another truss can be held adjacent the edge of the sheet metal for attaching an end of the other truss along only one side so that it can then be swung outwardly into a position wherein the other end of the other truss can also be attached to rigidly connect the trusses end-to-end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Lambros Apostolopoulos, Davy E. Passucci, Brian Bortz
  • Publication number: 20180135316
    Abstract: A platform and a kit therefor. The platform and the kit comprises quad-chord trusses attachable end-to-end and having connector members intermediate thereof, and further comprising beams attachable at their ends to the connector members so that a beam attaches two parallel trusses. A truss comprises first and second pairs of chords which are foldable for storage and transport and unfoldable to use for erection of the platform. A track lies between the upper chords to allow movement of bolts along the track into position to attach for insertion into decking apertures for attachment of the decking. The kit also includes a sturdy and reliable and easy to use tie-up mechanism and railing along the platform perimeter which is quickly and easily attachable and reliable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Lambros Apostolopoulos, Paul Apostolopoulos, Davy E. Passucci, Brian Bortz
  • Patent number: 9896852
    Abstract: A foldable quad-chord truss which can be connected end-to-end with like trusses. Each pair of chords are rigidly attached, and connector members intermediate the ends are swivelly attached to the chord pairs to effect the folding into a compact shape for transport and storage. The connector members are adapted for attachment to connector members of beams which may extend perpendicular to a parallel pair of the trusses and attached thereto. The laid trusses and beams is overlaid with sheets of corrugated sheet metal which overlap each other along their adjacent edges. While standing on a sheet of laid sheet metal adjacent ends of an already laid pair of trusses, another truss can be held adjacent the edge of the sheet metal for attaching an end of the other truss along only one side so that it can then be swung outwardly into a position wherein the other end of the other truss can also be attached to rigidly connect the trusses end-to-end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Paul Kristen, Inc.
    Inventors: Lambros Apostolopoulos, Davy E. Passucci, Brian Bortz
  • Publication number: 20170363135
    Abstract: A fastener which comprises a tubular member, a sleeve, a spring, a shank, and an elongate head. A lower end portion of the shank extends through the tubular member to threadedly engage a lower part. The elongate head rotates within a slot in the upper end of the shank between a first position extending longitudinally of the shank so that it can receive an upper part to be attached to the lower part and a second position extending radially of the shank to prevent removal of the upper part. The shank is received within the sleeve and has a pair of slots in its upper end which are alignable with the shank slot. The sleeve is biased to an upper position by the spring, which is in the tubular member. When the sleeve is in a position wherein it is biased upwardly, the sleeve partially covers the shank slot to prevent rotation of the elongate head between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Lambros Apostolopoulos, Brian Bortz
  • Publication number: 20170096823
    Abstract: A foldable quad-chord truss which can be connected end-to-end with like trusses. Each pair of chords are rigidly attached, and connector members intermediate the ends are swivelly attached to the chord pairs to effect the folding into a compact shape for transport and storage. The connector members are adapted for attachment to connector members of beams which may extend perpendicular to a parallel pair of the trusses and attached thereto. The laid trusses and beams is overlaid with sheets of corrugated sheet metal which overlap each other along their adjacent edges. While standing on a sheet of laid sheet metal adjacent ends of an already laid pair of trusses, another truss can be held adjacent the edge of the sheet metal for attaching an end of the other truss along only one side so that it can then be swung outwardly into a position wherein the other end of the other truss can also be attached to rigidly connect the trusses end-to-end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Lambros Apostolopoulos, Davy E. Passucci, Brian Bortz