Patents by Inventor Don A. Pilz

Don A. Pilz 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).

  • Publication number: 20230120594
    Abstract: A vent member includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a first portion, a second portion offset from the first portion and a first transverse panel extending transversely from the second portion. The second member includes a third portion for being received behind the second portion of the first member, a fourth portion extending below the third portion, a second transverse panel, and a third transverse panel above the second transverse panel. The vent member may be mounted over upper and lower walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Angelberto Torres, Thomas Arthur Anderberg, Don Pilz
  • Publication number: 20230122577
    Abstract: A ventilation member includes a base panel for mounting onto a substrate, an upper panel extending transversely from the base panel, a lower panel spaced apart from the upper panel, and an inner panel extending transversely from the lower panel. A passageway is defined having a first portion defined between the base panel and the inner panel and a second portion extending transversely from the first portion and being defined between the upper and the lower panel. When used as part of a system, the ventilation member may be an upper ventilation member and the system may include a second lower ventilation member including a base panel and a leg extending transversely thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Angelberto Torres, Thomas Arthur Anderberg, Don Pilz
  • Patent number: 9879421
    Abstract: A fire-resistance angle piece and related assemblies include at least one multi-layer portion, which can provide an insulation space and/or a sacrificial layer of the angle piece. The angle piece can comprise vent openings to a space between adjacent layers of the angle piece. In some configurations, adjacent layers of the angle piece can be sealed to one another, such as along an edge portion that can be opposite the vent openings (if present) and/or a fold of the angle piece or other closed end that creates adjacent layers. Intumescent may or may not be included on the angle piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventor: Don A. Pilz
  • Patent number: 9752318
    Abstract: A fire-rated reveal piece and wall assemblies or other assemblies that incorporate the fire-rated reveal piece, in which the reveal piece can include an intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The reveal can be attached adjacent to a corner, flange or leg of a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed between the framing member and a wall board member at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. A fire spray material can be applied over a portion of the reveal piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventor: Don A. Pilz
  • Patent number: 9458628
    Abstract: A fire-rated angle piece and wall assemblies or other assemblies that incorporate the fire-rated angle piece, in which the angle piece can include an intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The angle can be attached adjacent to a corner of a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed between the framing member and a wall board member at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. A fire spray material can be applied over a portion of the angle piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Don A. Pilz, Raymond E. Poliquin, Thomas Porter
  • Publication number: 20160208484
    Abstract: A fire-rated reveal piece and wall assemblies or other assemblies that incorporate the fire-rated reveal piece, in which the reveal piece can include an intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The reveal can be attached adjacent to a corner, flange or leg of a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed between the framing member and a wall board member at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. A fire spray material can be applied over a portion of the reveal piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventor: Don A. Pilz
  • Publication number: 20160201319
    Abstract: A fire-rated angle piece and wall assemblies or other assemblies that incorporate the fire-rated angle piece, in which the angle piece can include an intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The angle can be attached adjacent to a corner of a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed between the framing member and a wall board member at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. A fire spray material can be applied over a portion of the angle piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventor: Don A. Pilz
  • Publication number: 20160097197
    Abstract: A fire-resistance angle piece and related assemblies include at least one multi-layer portion, which can provide an insulation space and/or a sacrificial layer of the angle piece. The angle piece can comprise vent openings to a space between adjacent layers of the angle piece. In some configurations, adjacent layers of the angle piece can be sealed to one another, such as along an edge portion that can be opposite the vent openings (if present) and/or a fold of the angle piece or other closed end that creates adjacent layers. Intumescent may or may not be included on the angle piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Don A. Pilz
  • Publication number: 20150337530
    Abstract: A fire-rated angle piece and wall assemblies or other assemblies that incorporate the fire-rated angle piece, in which the angle piece can include an intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The angle can be attached adjacent to a corner of a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed between the framing member and a wall board member at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. A fire spray material can be applied over a portion of the angle piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Don A. Pilz, Raymond E. Poliquin, Thomas Porter
  • Patent number: 9045899
    Abstract: A fire-rated angle piece and wall assemblies or other assemblies that incorporate the fire-rated angle piece, in which the angle piece can include an intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The angle can be attached adjacent to a corner of a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed between the framing member and a wall board member at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. A fire spray material can be applied over a portion of the angle piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Don A. Pilz, Raymond E. Poliquin, Thomas Porter
  • Publication number: 20140075865
    Abstract: A fire-rated angle piece and wall assemblies or other assemblies that incorporate the fire-rated angle piece, in which the angle piece can include an intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The angle can be attached adjacent to a corner of a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed between the framing member and a wall board member at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. A fire spray material can be applied over a portion of the angle piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Don A. Pilz, Raymond E. Poliquin, Thomas Porter
  • Patent number: 8640415
    Abstract: The present application is directed toward fire-rated wall construction components and wall systems for use in building construction. Embodiments can include tracks for holding studs which incorporate various geometries capable of receiving fire-retardant material, including but not limited to intumescent material. The fire-retardant material can be attached to the tracks such that the fire-retardant material expands and seals gaps and/or areas between the tracks and wall components such as ceilings, floors, and drywall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Don A. Pilz, Raymond E. Poliquin, Fernando Hernandez Sesma
  • Patent number: 8595999
    Abstract: A fire-rated angle piece and wall assemblies or other assemblies that incorporate the fire-rated angle piece, in which the angle piece can include an intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The angle can be attached adjacent to a corner of a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed between the framing member and a wall board member at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. A fire spray material can be applied over a portion of the angle piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Don A. Pilz, Raymond E. Poliquin, Thomas Porter
  • Patent number: 8590231
    Abstract: A fire-rated angle piece and wall assemblies or other assemblies that incorporate the fire-rated angle piece, in which the angle piece includes an intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The angle can be attached adjacent to a corner of a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed between the framing member and a wall board member at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventor: Don A. Pilz
  • Patent number: 8499512
    Abstract: The present application is directed toward slotted tracks, in particular slotted tracks for an exterior wall application. Embodiments can include tracks with elongate reinforcing ribs on the tracks' flanges and/or web, tabs and/or protruding ribs for supporting and positioning exterior sheathing elements, second slot patterns along the length of the web of the track to allow for attachment and drift movement of the track with another wall component, and guide marks to identify proper locations for attachment of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Don A. Pilz, Raymond E. Poliquin, Fernando Hernandez Sesma
  • Publication number: 20130186020
    Abstract: A fire-rated angle piece and wall assemblies or other assemblies that incorporate the fire-rated angle piece, in which the angle piece includes an intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The angle can be attached adjacent to a corner of a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed between the framing member and a wall board member at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: CALIFORNIA EXPANDED METAL PRODUCTS COMPANY
    Inventor: Don A. Pilz
  • Patent number: 8413394
    Abstract: A fire-rated receiver channel includes at least one intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The receiver channel can nest with a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. In other arrangements, a track assembly includes two nested tracks, an inner track and outer track. The assembly is designed so that the outside width of the outer track is equal to or less than the outside width of the inner track to present a substantially flush external surface for attachment of exterior sheathing elements when the assembly is used in an external wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Don A. Pilz, Raymond E. Poliquin, Fernando Hernandez Sesma
  • Patent number: 8353139
    Abstract: Fire block devices for application to a wall component. The fire block device can be a strip that includes a fire-resistant material strip comprised of a material that expands in response to sufficient heat to create a fire-resistant barrier. An optional foam strip comprised of a foam material can be placed side-by-side with the fire-resistant material strip. A cover layer covers the fire-resistant material strip and the optional foam strip, if present. The cover layer includes opposing side portions positioned on opposing sides of the fire-resistant material strip and foam strip, if present. The cover layer is comprised of a tape having an adhesive on an underneath surface thereof such that adhesive on the side portions are capable of securing the fire block strip to a wall component. The fire block strip can be applied to a header track, footer track or wall stud, among other possible components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Don A. Pilz, Raymond E. Poliquin
  • Patent number: 8322094
    Abstract: The present application is directed toward fire-rated wall construction components and wall systems for use in building construction. Embodiments can include tracks for holding studs which incorporate various geometries capable of receiving fire-retardant material, flat straps for use between tracks and fluted wall components, fire sponges for use in fluted wall components, and tracks with protruding grooves or other structures which prevent unwanted air movement between a wallboard component and the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Don A. Pilz, Raymond E. Poliquin, Fernando Hernandez Sesma
  • Patent number: 8281552
    Abstract: Slotted header tracks for exterior wall applications. In exterior wall framing, the exterior wall sheathing is required to have a horizontal gap at or near the floor line for anticipated vertical movement between the floors. To accommodate orthogonal movement of the studs relative to the track, a plurality of slots are located along the flanges of the header track. An area for exterior sheathing attachment is created by leaving the upper portion of the flange solid for sheathing attachment and providing slots on the lower portion of the flange. Embodiments may include elongate reinforcing grooves on the slotted track's flanges and/or web, tabs for supporting and positioning exterior sheathing elements, connector elements for connecting the track to another surface, and second slots along the length of the web of the track to allow for limited drift movement of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Don A. Pilz, Raymond E. Poliquin, Fernando Hernandez Sesma