Patents by Inventor Kraig A. Kirschner

Kraig A. Kirschner 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: 9435465
    Abstract: A bracket for utilities hangers and sway braces suspended below a fluted deck includes a bracket plate having attachment holes therethrough spaced apart by the known pitch of the fluting on the deck. A mount is positioned in the plate. One or more flute keys extend perpendicular to the mounting plate and have two sides which are tapered away from the plate toward one another to fit within one or more flutes in the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Automatic Fire Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Kraig Kirschner
  • Patent number: 9010697
    Abstract: A hanger for utility pipe includes a base having a channel with a pivot at one end and a mounting hole at the other. An arcuate strap is pivotally mounted to the base at the pivot and includes a fastening hole extendible into the channel in alignment with the mounting hole. The strap includes a circular cylindrical segment between two straight parallel segments to receive a pipe between the strap and the base. A fastener is employed through the fastening hole and the mounting hole to attach the hanger to a supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner
  • Patent number: 8726607
    Abstract: A building structure includes a web joist having a beam element with a laterally extending flange and a depending flange. A sway brace is attached to the laterally extending flange using a plate clamp with fixed and opposed screw jaws to grip the flange. A pipe clamp having a circumferential body which can tighten to retain a pipe is arranged so that the axis of the pipe extends beneath the depending flange of the beam element. A link, pivotally mounted at each end, extends between an upper portion of the plate clamp and the pipe clamp. The plate clamp is locked in place, the pipe is moved to the proximity of the depending flange and the pipe clamp is locked as far from the plate clamp as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Automatic Fire Control Incorporated
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner
  • Patent number: 8070113
    Abstract: A sway brace including a U-shaped sling with flanges at each end. The flanges are mounted to two mounting fixtures including block bodies and passages therethrough. Mounting surfaces on the fixtures receive the flanges of the U-shaped sling. Threaded members affix the flanges to the mounting surfaces of the mounting fixtures. The sling includes metal strapping formed in a U-shaped curve about an axis perpendicular to the width of the strapping in a manner to create rigidity and strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Automatic Fire Control, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner
  • Patent number: 7806375
    Abstract: A clamp assembly including a C-type clamp having an anvil, an opposed screw and a body therebetween is employed in securing a load to a flange of a structural beam. A plate includes a first portion having a locking texture on each side and a second portion offset from the first portion and having a mounting hole therethrough. The mounting hole receives the body of the C-type clamp with a clearance fit and with the locking texture in juxtaposition with the anvil of the C-type clamp. This plate provides a retaining key of hard steel to engage the anvil of the C-type clamp and the flange of a beam structure to enhance retention of the C-type clamp on the beam flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Automatic Fire Control, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner
  • Patent number: 7523895
    Abstract: A sway brace including a U-shaped strap with flanges at each end. The flanges are mounted to two mounting fixtures including block bodies and passages therethrough. Mounting surfaces on the fixtures are parallel to the centerline of the passage to receive the flanges of the U-shaped strap. Threaded members affix the flanges to the mounting surfaces of the mounting fixtures. The threads are placed symmetrically of the centerline of the passage and displaced from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Automatic Fire Control, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner
  • Patent number: 7516922
    Abstract: A sway brace including a U-shaped strap with flanges at each end. The flanges are mounted to two mounting fixtures including block bodies and passages therethrough. Mounting surfaces on the fixtures receive the flanges of the U-shaped strap. Threaded members affix the flanges to the mounting surfaces of the mounting fixtures. The passages each have a cross section which is bounded by a locus of points defined by a first circle having a first diameter, a second circle having a second, smaller diameter and partially overlapping the first circle and a common tangent to the first and second circles. The smaller circle extends away from a setscrew which is perpendicular to the plane of the U-shaped strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Automatic Fire Control, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner
  • Publication number: 20080277535
    Abstract: A riser assembly comprising a CPVC standpipe of specified outside diameter receives a riser clamp defined by two identical bars. Each bar has a substantially hemicylindrical section, a long straight section and a short straight section with the hemicylindrical section in the middle. Each straight section has a through hole closely spaced equidistant with the hemicylindrical section to receive fasteners. The long section of each bar is mated with the short section of the other bar. The inside surface of the hemicylindrical section may be radiused a bit to relieve the edges. The resulting riser clamp 12 is designed to receive a riser pipe of specified outside diameter such that the inside diameter of the resulting hole through the riser clamp when fully tightened by the fasteners is smaller than the specified outside diameter of the riser pipe by not to exceed 5%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: KRAIG A. KIRSCHNER
  • Patent number: 7140579
    Abstract: A sway brace clamp supporting pipe of specified outside diameter with mill tolerance includes two elongate bars with each bar having an arcuate section and two straight sections on either end of the arcuate section. Each straight section has an attachment surface which can be placed against the corresponding surface on the other elongate bar. The fasteners retain the two bars together at the attachment surfaces. The arcuate section of each bar is such that when employed with the attachment surfaces of the two bars engaged about a pipe, the center of curvature of each section is substantially co-incident with the center of curvature of the other section. In a relaxed state, each center of curvature extends a bit beyond the attachment surface in order that a predictable amount of mounting force can be applied by the clamp. A sway brace of known design mounts the clamp to a building structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Automatic Fire Control, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner
  • Publication number: 20060233604
    Abstract: A seismic adapter for attachment to a steel web joist. The joist includes a pair of angled elements which extend parallel to one another with a cord space therebetween. The adapter includes an anchor plate juxtaposed with the upper surface of the element pair and an engagement plate engaging the parallel edges of the legs of the element pair. A threaded stud attaches to the anchor plate and extends through the engagement plate. The extension of the stud provides for the attachment to a hanger adapter brought together by a nut on the stud. The engagement plate includes a flat anchor portion and upstanding engagement portions having distal edges with interlocking engagement profiles including a tongue and outwardly extending shoulders to receive the parallel edges of the angle element pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventor: Kraig Kirschner
  • Patent number: 7017868
    Abstract: A fire sprinkler mount including a base (26), a bracket (46) and a rod (60) mounting the bracket (46) to the base (26). The base (26) includes a body (28) attachable to a beam (10) with two arms (38, 40) extending therefrom. Support holes (42, 44) extend through the arms (38, 40). The bracket (46) includes a plate (48) with a retaining hole (58) to receive a standard sprinkler fitting (16, 20). The rod (60) is able to rotate within the support holes (42, 44) and is threaded to a mounting hole (56) in the bracket (46) for vertical adjustment of the bracket (46) retaining the sprinkler fitting (16, 20). The base (26) also includes a support having a body (28) and attachment wings (30, 32). The body (28) can be in a displaced parallel plane to that of the attachment wings (30, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Automatic Fire Control Incorporated
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner
  • Publication number: 20050230569
    Abstract: A sway brace clamp supporting pipe of specified outside diameter with mill tolerance includes two elongate bars with each bar having an arcuate section and two straight sections on either end of the arcuate section. Each straight section has an attachment surface which can be placed against the corresponding surface on the other elongate bar. The fasteners retain the two bars together at the attachment surfaces. The arcuate section of each bar is such that when employed with the attachment surfaces of the two bars engaged about a pipe, the center of curvature of each section is substantially co-incident with the center of curvature of the other section. In a relaxed state, each center of curvature extends a bit beyond the attachment surface in order that a predictable amount of mounting force can be applied by the clamp. A sway brace of known design mounts the clamp to a building structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventor: Kraig Kirschner
  • Patent number: 6898905
    Abstract: An offset beam clamp having a deep channel including two legs, a hole in the channel bottom, and a slot having two sides and a slot bottom and extending transversely through the legs. The slot receives the first of two angle iron members that comprise the upper cord of a web joist. A J-bolt is anchored to the second angle iron member and extends through the hole in the channel bottom where an angle bracket is secured on the bolt. A threaded mounting shaft is attached to the angle bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Automatic Fire Control, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner
  • Publication number: 20050061925
    Abstract: A riser assembly comprising a CPVC standpipe of specified outside diameter receives a riser clamp defined by two identical bars. Each bar has a substantially hemicylindrical section, a long straight section and a short straight section with the hemicylindrical section in the middle. Each straight section has a through hole closely spaced equidistant with the hemicylindrical section to receive fasteners. The long section of each bar is mated with the short section of the other bar. The inside surface of the hemicylindrical section may be radiused a bit to relieve the edges. The resulting riser clamp 12 is designed to receive a riser pipe of specified outside diameter such that the inside diameter of the resulting hole through the riser clamp when fully tightened by the fasteners is smaller than the specified outside diameter of the riser pipe by not to exceed 5%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventor: Kraig Kirschner
  • Patent number: 6783102
    Abstract: A fire sprinkler mount including a base, a bracket and a screw mounting the bracket to the base. The base includes a support attachable to a beam with two arms extending therefrom. Support holes extend through the arms. The bracket includes two parallel plates spaced to receive a standard sprinkler fitting. A cradle is provided at one of the plates while a retaining hole is provided on the other. The screw is able to rotate within the support holes and is threaded to a mounting hole in the bracket for vertical adjustment of the bracket retaining the sprinkler fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Automatic Fire Control, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner
  • Publication number: 20040146343
    Abstract: A seismic adapter for attachment to a steel web joist. The joist includes a pair of angled elements which extend parallel to one another with a cord space therebetween. The adapter includes an anchor plate juxtaposed with the upper surface of the element pair and an engagement plate engaging the parallel edges of the legs of the element pair. A threaded stud attaches to the anchor plate and extends through the engagement plate. The extension of the stud provides for the attachment to a hanger adapter brought together by a nut on the stud. The engagement plate includes a flat anchor portion and upstanding engagement portions having distal edges with interlocking engagement profiles including a tongue and outwardly extending shoulders to receive the parallel edges of the angle element pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: AUTOMATIC FIRE CONTROL, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner
  • Patent number: 6755379
    Abstract: A fire sprinkler mount including a base, a bracket and a screw mounting the bracket to the base. The base includes a support attachable to a beam with two arms extending therefrom. Support holes extend through the arms. The bracket includes two parallel plates spaced to receive a standard sprinkler fitting. A cradle is provided at one of the plates while a retaining hole is provided on the other. The screw is able to rotate within the support holes and is threaded to a mounting hole in the bracket for vertical adjustment of the bracket retaining the sprinkler fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Automatic Fire Control, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner
  • Publication number: 20040117053
    Abstract: A fire sprinkler mount including a base (26), a bracket (46) and a rod (60) mounting the bracket (46) to the base (26). The base (26) includes a body (28) attachable to a beam (10) with two arms (38, 40) extending therefrom. Support holes (42, 44) extend through the arms (38, 40). The bracket (46) includes a plate (48) with a retaining hole (58) to receive a standard sprinkler fitting (16, 20). The rod (60) is able to rotate within the support holes (42, 44) and is threaded to a mounting hole (56) in the bracket (46) for vertical adjustment of the bracket (46) retaining the sprinkler fitting (16, 20). The base (26) also includes a support having a body (28) and attachment wings (30, 32). The body (28) can be in a displaced parallel plane to that of the attachment wings (30, 32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: AUTOMATIC FIRE CONTROL, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner
  • Patent number: 6749359
    Abstract: A seismic adapter for attachment to a steel web joist. The joist includes a pair of angled elements which extend parallel to one another with a cord space therebetween. The adapter includes an anchor plate juxtaposed with the upper surface of the element pair and an engagement plate engaging the parallel edges of the legs of the element pair. A threaded stud attaches to the anchor plate and extends through the engagement plate. The extension of the stud provides for the attachment to a hanger adapter brought together by a nut on the stud. The engagement plate includes a flat anchor portion and upstanding engagement portions having distal edges with interlocking engagement profiles including a tongue and outwardly extending shoulders to receive the parallel edges of the angle element pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Automated Fire Control, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner
  • Publication number: 20040065788
    Abstract: A fire sprinkler mount including a base, a bracket and a screw mounting the bracket to the base. The base includes a support attachable to a beam with two arms extending therefrom. Support holes extend through the arms. The bracket includes two parallel plates spaced to receive a standard sprinkler fitting. A cradle is provided at one of the plates while a retaining hole is provided on the other. The screw is able to rotate within the support holes and is threaded to a mounting hole in the bracket for vertical adjustment of the bracket retaining the sprinkler fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: AUTOMATIC FIRE CONTROL, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner