Patents by Inventor David W. Rillie

David W. Rillie 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: 8082705
    Abstract: A skylight shaft substrate is rendered internally reflected in several ways. To limit the formation of focal points that can lead to hot spots as light travels down the shaft, the shaft substrate is formed with dimples or longitudinal corrugations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Jaster, David W Rillie
  • Publication number: 20110162304
    Abstract: A skylight shaft substrate is rendered internally reflected in several ways. To limit the formation of focal points that can lead to hot spots as light travels down the shaft, the shaft substrate is formed with dimples or longitudinal corrugations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: PAUL JASTER, David W. Rillie
  • Publication number: 20070266652
    Abstract: A skylight shaft substrate is rendered internally reflected in several ways. To limit the formation of focal points that can lead to hot spots as light travels down the shaft, the shaft substrate is formed with dimples or longitudinal corrugations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: Paul Jaster, David W. Rillie
  • Patent number: 7168211
    Abstract: In a tubular skylight, an Aluminum sheet having corrugations that may be in a waffle pattern is formed with a hole that is pressed into a curb which is fastened over the turret of a roof-mounted skylight flashing. Roof tiles above the dome of the skylight are placed onto the sheet, while below the dome the sheet is placed over roof tiles and manually conformed thereto, owing to the corrugations. Any water that leaks past tiles above the dome will be directed by the sheet around the curb and down onto the tops of tiles that are below the dome, thereby providing a water seal for the skylight. Clips can be used to hold the lower edge of the sheet onto the tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Prenn, David W. Rillie, Christian P. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7040061
    Abstract: In a tubular skylight, a corrugated Aluminum sheet is formed with a hole that is pressed into a curb which is fastened over the turret of a roof-mounted skylight flashing. Roof tiles above the dome of the skylight are placed onto the sheet, while below the dome the sheet is placed over roof tiles and manually conformed thereto, owing to the corrugations. Any water that leaks past tiles above the dome will be directed by the sheet around the curb and down onto the tops of tiles that are below the dome, thereby providing a water seal for the skylight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Rillie, Joseph W. Prenn, Michael W. Muhlestein, Christian P. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6438803
    Abstract: Various skylight connectors are disclosed. A sheet is integrally formed with tabs along opposed axial edges of the sheet, and the sheet can be bent into a tubular configuration with the tabs along one edge engaging tab holes along the other edge and vice-versa to hold the sheet in the tubular configuration. Also, a skylight dome fastener adaptor includes a hollow body, and ribs are formed on the outer surface to engage a hole in a skylight dome to impede rotation of the body in the hole when a fastener is disposed in the adaptor and threadably engaged with a dome flashing. Additionally, various quick connect zip ties and clips are disclosed for quickly and easily engaging components of a skylight assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Rillie, Joseph W. Prenn, Philip Edward Warren, Christian P. Stevens, Bing-Ling Chao
  • Patent number: 6415563
    Abstract: Various skylight connectors are disclosed. A sheet is integrally formed with tabs along opposed axial edges of the sheet, and the sheet can be bent into a tubular configuration with the tabs along one edge engaging tab holes along the other edge and vice-versa to hold the sheet in the tubular configuration. Also, a skylight dome fastener adaptor includes a hollow body, and ribs are formed on the outer surface to engage a hole in a skylight dome to impede rotation of the body in the hole when a fastener is disposed in the adaptor and threadably engaged with a dome flashing. Additionally, various quick connect zip ties and clips are disclosed for quickly and easily engaging components of a skylight assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Rillie, Joseph W. Prenn, Philip Edward Warren, Christian P. Stevens, Bing-Ling Chao
  • Patent number: 6412238
    Abstract: Various skylight connectors are disclosed. A sheet is integrally formed with tabs along opposed axial edges of the sheet, and the sheet can be bent into a tubular configuration with the tabs along one edge engaging tab holes along the other edge and vice-versa to hold the sheet in the tubular configuration. Also, a skylight dome fastener adaptor includes a hollow body, and ribs are formed on the outer surface to engage a hole in a skylight dome to impede rotation of the body in the hole when a fastener is disposed in the adaptor and threadably engaged with a dome flashing. Additionally, various quick connect zip ties and clips are disclosed for quickly and easily engaging components of a skylight assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Rillie, Joseph W. Prenn, Philip Edward Warren, Christian P. Stevens, Bing-Ling Chao
  • Patent number: 6363668
    Abstract: Various skylight connectors are disclosed. A sheet is integrally formed with tabs along opposed axial edges of the sheet, and the sheet can be bent into a tubular configuration with the tabs along one edge engaging tab holes along the other edge and vice-versa to hold the sheet in the tubular configuration. Also, a skylight dome fastener adaptor includes a hollow body, and ribs are formed on the outer surface to engage a hole in a skylight dome to impede rotation of the body in the hole when a fastener is disposed in the adaptor and threadably engaged with a dome flashing. Additionally, various quick connect zip ties and clips are disclosed for quickly and easily engaging components of a skylight assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Rillie, Joseph W. Prenn, Philip Edward Warren, Christian P. Stevens, Bing-Ling Chao
  • Publication number: 20010052209
    Abstract: Various skylight connectors are disclosed. A sheet is integrally formed with tabs along opposed axial edges of the sheet, and the sheet can be bent into a tubular configuration with the tabs along one edge engaging tab holes along the other edge and vice-versa to hold the sheet in the tubular configuration. Also, a skylight dome fastener adaptor includes a hollow body, and ribs are formed on the outer surface to engage a hole in a skylight dome to impede rotation of the body in the hole when a fastener is disposed in the adaptor and threadably engaged with a dome flashing. Additionally, various quick connect zip ties and clips are disclosed for quickly and easily engaging components of a skylight assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Rillie, Joseph W. Prenn, Philip Edward Warren, Christian P. Stevens, Bing-Ling Chao
  • Publication number: 20010052208
    Abstract: Various skylight connectors are disclosed. A sheet is integrally formed with tabs along opposed axial edges of the sheet, and the sheet can be bent into a tubular configuration with the tabs along one edge engaging tab holes along the other edge and vice-versa to hold the sheet in the tubular configuration. Also, a skylight dome fastener adaptor includes a hollow body, and ribs are formed on the outer surface to engage a hole in a skylight dome to impede rotation of the body in the hole when a fastener is disposed in the adaptor and threadably engaged with a dome flashing. Additionally, various quick connect zip ties and clips are disclosed for quickly and easily engaging components of a skylight assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Rillie, Joseph W. Prenn, Philip Edward Warren, Christian P. Stevens, Bing-Ling Chao
  • Publication number: 20010049914
    Abstract: Various skylight connectors are disclosed. A sheet is integrally formed with tabs along opposed axial edges of the sheet, and the sheet can be bent into a tubular configuration with the tabs along one edge engaging tab holes along the other edge and vice-versa to hold the sheet in the tubular configuration. Also, a skylight dome fastener adaptor includes a hollow body, and ribs are formed on the outer surface to engage a hole in a skylight dome to impede rotation of the body in the hole when a fastener is disposed in the adaptor and threadably engaged with a dome flashing. Additionally, various quick connect zip ties and clips are disclosed for quickly and easily engaging components of a skylight assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: David W. Rillie, Joseph W. Prenn, Philip Edward Warren, Christian P. Stevens, Bing-Ling Chao
  • Publication number: 20010049916
    Abstract: Various skylight connectors are disclosed. A sheet is integrally formed with tabs along opposed axial edges of the sheet, and the sheet can be bent into a tubular configuration with the tabs along one edge engaging tab holes along the other edge and vice-versa to hold the sheet in the tubular configuration. Also, a skylight dome fastener adaptor includes a hollow body, and ribs are formed on the outer surface to engage a hole in a skylight dome to impede rotation of the body in the hole when a fastener is disposed in the adaptor and threadably engaged with a dome flashing. Additionally, various quick connect zip ties and clips are disclosed for quickly and easily engaging components of a skylight assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Rillie, Joseph W. Prenn, Philip Edward Warren, Christian P. Stevens, Bing-Ling Chao
  • Publication number: 20010049915
    Abstract: Various skylight connectors are disclosed. A sheet is integrally formed with tabs along opposed axial edges of the sheet, and the sheet can be bent into a tubular configuration with the tabs along one edge engaging tab holes along the other edge and vice-versa to hold the sheet in the tubular configuration. Also, a skylight dome fastener adaptor includes a hollow body, and ribs are formed on the outer surface to engage a hole in a skylight dome to impede rotation of the body in the hole when a fastener is disposed in the adaptor and threadably engaged with a dome flashing. Additionally, various quick connect zip ties and clips are disclosed for quickly and easily engaging components of a skylight assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Rillie, Joseph W. Prenn, Philip Edward Warren, Christian P. Stevens, Bing-Ling Chao
  • Patent number: 6321493
    Abstract: Various skylight connectors are disclosed. A sheet is integrally formed with tabs along opposed axial edges of the sheet, and the sheet can be bent into a tubular configuration with the tabs along one edge engaging tab holes along the other edge and vice-versa to hold the sheet in the tubular configuration. Also, a skylight dome fastener adaptor includes a hollow body, and ribs are formed on the outer surface to engage a hole in a skylight dome to impede rotation of the body in the hole when a fastener is disposed in the adaptor and threadably engaged with a dome flashing. Additionally, various quick connect zip ties and clips are disclosed for quickly and easily engaging components of a skylight assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Solatube International Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Rillie, Joseph W. Prenn, Philip Edward Warren, Christian P. Stevens, Bing-Ling Chao
  • Patent number: 6035593
    Abstract: A tube assembly of a tubular skylight is formed with upper and lower notches for respectively snappingly engaging tabs of upper and lower support rings to promote ease of installation. The upper support ring has a flange that overlaps the edge of a roof-mounted flashing such that the upper support ring rests on the flashing with the tube assembly suspended from the upper support ring. A transparent cover covers the tube assembly, and an upper seal is sandwiched between the top edge of the flashing, the cover, and the upper support ring to keep moisture and dust from entering the upper end of the skylight. Screws secure the flashing to the upper support ring, with spacers being disposed around the shanks of the screws between the heads of the screws and the flashing such that thermal expansion can be absorbed. On the lower end of the tube assembly, a dress ring supports a light diffuser, and the dress ring includes spring clips that snappingly engage receptacles on the lower support ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, David W. Rillie, Joseph W. Prenn, Christian P. Stevens
  • Patent number: 5896713
    Abstract: A tubular skylight is supported in a building between the ceiling and the roof of the building by a support ring that is connected to the ceiling joists or to the ceiling dry wall. Specifically, a tube ring is engaged with the tube of the skylight to in turn engage the support ring and thereby support the tube. Also, the skylight includes a cover seal that establishes a seal between the roof dome of the skylight and the tube, and that also spaces the flashing of the skylight from the tube to prevent galvanic corrosion and to inhibit heat transfer between the flashing and the tube. The tube includes an upper segment that receives a lower segment, and an expansion seal is positioned between the segments such that the segments can move relative to each other to absorb thermal stresses, with the expansion seal maintaining a seal between the segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, David W. Rillie, Joseph W. Prenn, Christian P. Stevens