Patents by Inventor Gregory Kulpa
Gregory Kulpa 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).
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Publication number: 20120118134Abstract: A wall system protects a building structure from pressure caused by explosive blasts. The wall system includes vertical studs. Outer blast wall panels and inner blast wall panels are secured to the opposing sides of the vertical studs. An upper mounting system is attached to the building structure. An upper mounting system includes a fixed track, a movable mounting track, and an energy absorbing system that flexibly couples the movable mounting track to the fixed track. The upper ends of the vertical studs are attached to movable mounting track. A lower mounting system includes a mounting track that aligns the lower ends of the vertical studs. The wall is filled with an energy absorbing material. The lower ends of the vertical studs are connected to a lower track.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: SPECIALTY HARDWARE L.P.Inventors: ALLAN J. SWARTZ, GREGORY KULPA, A. CARLETON ELLIOTT
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Patent number: 8161710Abstract: A wall structure and a method for constructing the wall of a building provide protection for inhabitants of the building against ballistic projectiles impacting the wall. The wall structure includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The inner panel is a composite structure that includes a metal sheet having a first face attached to a wallboard panel. Preferably, a sheet of self-healing material is attached to a second face of the metal sheet. A cavity formed between the outer and inner panels is filled with sand or another granular material. A flexible sheet suspended in the cavity provides additional protection. Preferably, a sheet of woven para-aramid fiber such as Kevlar® brand fiber is loosely attached to the flexible sheet to provide further protection.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Specialty Hardware L.P.Inventors: A. Carleton Elliott, Allan J. Swartz, Gregory Kulpa
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Patent number: 8079188Abstract: A wall system protects a building structure from pressure caused by explosive blasts. The wall system includes vertical studs. Outer blast wall panels and inner blast wall panels are secured to the opposing sides of the vertical studs. An upper mounting system is attached to the building structure. An upper mounting system includes a fixed track, a movable mounting track, and an energy absorbing system that flexibly couples the movable mounting track to the fixed track. The upper ends of the vertical studs are attached to movable mounting track. A lower mounting system includes a mounting track that aligns the lower ends of the vertical studs. A respective attachment clip is attached to a lower portion of vertical stud. Each attachment clip is attached to the building structure with an energy absorption pad that resists vertical and lateral movement of lower end of the respective vertical stud.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Specialty Hardware L.P.Inventors: Allan J. Swartz, Gregory Kulpa, A. Carleton Elliott
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Patent number: 8056301Abstract: A shear wall structure is formed on a building wall or section thereof designed to accommodate anticipated wind or seismic shear loads by initially securing one or more subsurface shear panels on the interior or exterior sides of the wood or steel framing studs. Each shear panel consists of a thin steel sheet (0.015? to 0.060? thick) laminated to a thin rigid sheet material such as medium density fiberboard ( 1/16? to ¼? thick). Subsequently, the shear panels are covered with a conventional interior (e.g., drywall panels) or exterior (e.g., plaster) finishing materials.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Specialty Hardware L.P.Inventors: Albert C. Elliott, Jr., Gregory A. Kulpa, Allan J. Swartz
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Patent number: 8042313Abstract: A compression post for a shear wall includes a plate mounted to the bottom of an end post of a shear wall. The plate is sized to conform to the lower end of each end post. An extended portion (e.g., a cylinder) is positioned perpendicularly to the plate. The extended portion has a cross section sized to fit through a hole in a mudsill of the shear wall and has a length selected to conform with a thickness of the mudsill. When the shear wall is mounted on a structural support (e.g., a footing or foundation), forces applied to the end post pass through the plate and the extended portion to the structural support. The extended portion may be secured to the plate (e.g., by spot welding, press fitting, bolting, or threaded engagement) or the two portions may be independent. The two portions may also be a cast unitary body.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2010Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Specialty Hardware L.P.Inventors: A. Carleton Elliott, Allan J. Swartz, Gregory Kulpa
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Publication number: 20110225915Abstract: A wall system protects a building structure from pressure caused by explosive blasts. The wall system includes vertical studs. Outer blast wall panels and inner blast wall panels are secured to the opposing sides of the vertical studs. An upper mounting system is attached to the building structure. An upper mounting system includes a fixed track, a movable mounting track, and an energy absorbing system that flexibly couples the movable mounting track to the fixed track. The upper ends of the vertical studs are attached to movable mounting track. A lower mounting system includes a mounting track that aligns the lower ends of the vertical studs. The wall are filled with an energy absorbing material. The lower ends of the vertical studs are connected to a lower track.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: SPECIALTY HARDWARE L.P.Inventors: ALLAN J. SWARTZ, GREGORY KULPA, A. CARLETON ELLIOTT
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Publication number: 20110011030Abstract: A compression post for a shear wall includes a plate mounted to the bottom of an end post of a shear wall. The plate is sized to conform to the lower end of each end post. An extended portion (e.g., a cylinder) is positioned perpendicularly to the plate. The extended portion has a cross section sized to fit through a hole in a mudsill of the shear wall and has a length selected to conform with a thickness of the mudsill. When the shear wall is mounted on a structural support (e.g., a footing or foundation), forces applied to the end post pass through the plate and the extended portion to the structural support. The extended portion may be secured to the plate (e.g., by spot welding, press fitting, bolting, or threaded engagement) or the two portions may be independent. The two portions may also be a cast unitary body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: SPECIALTY HARDWARE L.P.Inventors: A. Carleton Elliott, Allan J. Swartz, Gregory Kulpa
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Patent number: 7810290Abstract: A compression post for a shear wall includes a plate mounted to the bottom of an end post of a shear wall. The plate is sized to conform to the lower end of each end post. An extended portion (e.g., a cylinder) is positioned perpendicularly to the plate. The extended portion has a cross section sized to fit through a hole in a mudsill of the shear wall and has a length selected to conform with a thickness of the mudsill. When the shear wall is mounted on a structural support (e.g., a footing or foundation), forces applied to the end post pass through the plate and the extended portion to the structural support. The extended portion may be secured to the plate (e.g., by spot welding, press fitting, bolting, or threaded engagement) or the two portions may be independent. The two portions may also be a cast unitary body.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2010Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Specialty Hardware L.P.Inventors: A. Carleton Elliott, Allan J. Swartz, Gregory Kulpa
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Publication number: 20100199892Abstract: A wall structure and a method for constructing the wall of a building provide protection for inhabitants of the building against ballistic projectiles impacting the wall. The wall structure includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The inner panel is a composite structure that includes a metal sheet having a first face attached to a wallboard panel. Preferably, a sheet of self-healing material is attached to a second face of the metal sheet. A cavity formed between the outer and inner panels is filled with sand or another granular material. A flexible sheet suspended in the cavity provides additional protection. Preferably, a sheet of woven para-aramid fiber such as Kevlar® brand fiber is loosely attached to the flexible sheet to provide further protection.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: SPECIALTY HARDWARE L.P.Inventors: A. Carleton Elliott, Allan J. Swartz, Gregory Kulpa
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Publication number: 20100199581Abstract: A compression post for a shear wall includes a plate mounted to the bottom of an end post of a shear wall. The plate is sized to conform to the lower end of each end post. An extended portion (e.g., a cylinder) is positioned perpendicularly to the plate. The extended portion has a cross section sized to fit through a hole in a mudsill of the shear wall and has a length selected to conform with a thickness of the mudsill. When the shear wall is mounted on a structural support (e.g., a footing or foundation), forces applied to the end post pass through the plate and the extended portion to the structural support. The extended portion may be secured to the plate (e.g., by spot welding, press fitting, bolting, or threaded engagement) or the two portions may be independent. The two portions may also be a cast unitary body.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: SPECIALTY HARDWARE L.P.Inventors: A. Carleton Elliott, Allan J. Swartz, Gregory Kulpa
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Patent number: 7637073Abstract: A wall structure and a method for constructing the wall of a building provide protection for inhabitants of the building against ballistic projectiles impacting the wall. The wall structure includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The inner panel is a composite structure that includes a metal sheet having a first face attached to a wallboard panel. Preferably, a sheet of self-healing material is attached to a second face of the metal sheet. A cavity formed between the outer and inner panels is filled with sand or another granular material. A flexible sheet suspended in the cavity provides additional protection. Preferably, a sheet of woven para-aramid fiber such as Kevlar® brand fiber is loosely attached to the flexible sheet to provide further protection.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Specialty Hardware L.P.Inventors: A. Carleton Elliott, Allan J. Swartz, Gregory Kulpa
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Publication number: 20090158679Abstract: A wall system protects a building structure from pressure caused by explosive blasts. The wall system includes vertical studs. Outer blast wall panels and inner blast wall panels are secured to the opposing sides of the vertical studs. An upper mounting system is attached to the building structure. An upper mounting system includes a fixed track, a movable mounting track, and an energy absorbing system that flexibly couples the movable mounting track to the fixed track. The upper ends of the vertical studs are attached to movable mounting track. A lower mounting system includes a mounting track that aligns the lower ends of the vertical studs. A respective attachment clip is attached to a lower portion of vertical stud. Each attachment clip is attached to the building structure with an energy absorption pad that resists vertical and lateral movement of lower end of the respective vertical stud.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: SPECIALTY HARDWARE L.P.Inventors: ALLAN J. SWARTZ, GREGORY KULPA, A. CARLETON ELLIOTT
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Publication number: 20080010932Abstract: A wall structure and a method for constructing the wall of a building provide protection for inhabitants of the building against ballistic projectiles impacting the wall. The wall structure includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The inner panel is a composite structure that includes a metal sheet having a first face attached to a wallboard panel. Preferably, a sheet of self-healing material is attached to a second face of the metal sheet. A cavity formed between the outer and inner panels is filled with sand or another granular material. A flexible sheet suspended in the cavity provides additional protection. Preferably, a sheet of woven para-aramid fiber such as Kevlar® brand fiber is loosely attached to the flexible sheet to provide further protection.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2007Publication date: January 17, 2008Applicant: SPECIALTY HARDWARE L.P.Inventors: A. Elliott, Allan Swartz, Gregory Kulpa
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Publication number: 20060150573Abstract: A shear wall structure is formed on a building wall or section thereof designed to accommodate anticipated wind or seismic shear loads by initially securing one or more subsurface shear panels on the interior or exterior sides of the wood or steel framing studs. Each shear panel consists of a thin steel sheet (0.015? to 0.060? thick) laminated to a thin rigid sheet material such as medium density fiberboard ( 1/16? to ¼? thick). Subsequently, the shear panels are covered with a conventional interior (e.g., drywall panels) or exterior (e.g., plaster) finishing materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2004Publication date: July 13, 2006Inventors: Albert Elliott, Gregory Kulpa, Allan Swartz
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Publication number: 20050086895Abstract: A compression post for a shear wall includes a plate mounted to the bottom of an end post of a shear wall. The plate is sized to conform to the lower end of each end post. An extended portion (e.g., a cylinder) is positioned perpendicularly to the plate. The extended portion has a cross section sized to fit through a hole in a mudsill of the shear wall and has a length selected to conform with a thickness of the mudsill. When the shear wall is mounted on a structural support (e.g., a footing or foundation), forces applied to the end post pass through the plate and the extended portion to the structural support. The extended portion may be secured to the plate (e.g., by spot welding, press fitting, bolting, or threaded engagement) or the two portions may be independent. The two portions may also be a cast unitary body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2004Publication date: April 28, 2005Inventors: A. Elliot, Allan Swartz, Gregory Kulpa
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Patent number: 5768841Abstract: A wallboard structure is disclosed having a metal sheet attached by means of an adhesive to a wallboard panel, such as a gypsum panel. The wallboard structure is attached to the framing studs of a building with the metal sheet adjacent the studs. The metal sheet resists in-plane or shear loads imposed of the framing structure of the building due to exterior environmental conditions, and thereby helps keep the wallboard panel from cracking.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1996Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: Swartz & Kulpa, Structural Design and EngineeringInventors: Allan J. Swartz, Gregory Kulpa
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Patent number: 5467566Abstract: A curtain wall clip for coupling a curtain wall framing structure to the floor structure or load bearing structure of a building is disclosed. The curtain wall clip includes a flat plate portion with two closely spaced oppositely depending ears, each ear having an elongated slot therein. The plate portion of the curtain wall clip is attached to the floor structure. Spacers are inserted into the slots, and the ears and spacers are attached to the curtain wall frame structure by screws. The spacers and screws hold the curtain wall clip is sliding engagement with the frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1994Date of Patent: November 21, 1995Assignee: Swartz & Kulpa, Structural Design and EngineeringInventors: Allan J. Swartz, Gregory A. Kulpa
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Patent number: 4738054Abstract: This disclosure relates to an access door assembly for a ceiling. The assembly includes a frame adapted to be attached to supports of the ceiling and mounted in a generally horizontal position, and a door which fits within and has one edge hingedly connected to the frame. The hinge enables the door to swing between a generally horizontal closed position within the frame and a lowered open position. A constant-force return spring urges the door to the closed position, and an automatically engageable lock is provided for holding the door in the closed position. The frame and the door have closely adjacent Z-shaped frame members and the door is made of heat-resistant material, to form a fire retardant construction.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1985Date of Patent: April 19, 1988Assignee: Milcor IncorporatedInventors: James C. Muth, Otto E. Kersten, Jr., Gregory A. Kulpa