Patents by Inventor Martin E. Likozar

Martin E. Likozar 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: 8266860
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a roll-formed sheet metal tee for grid type suspended ceilings with the face of its flange integral with the stem and the layers of the stem fixed together for improved torsional strength. An upper region of the stem can have one or more of its layers folded to increase suspension wire breakout strength. A stiffening bulb is below suspension wire receiving holes so that a loop of the suspension wire through the tee has a narrow profile and thereby avoids interference with ceiling panels during their installation or removal. Other embodiments of a tee share the feature of a narrow, suspension wire receiving upper stem portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: James J. Lehane, Jr., Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Martin E. Likozar
  • Patent number: 7832168
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a roll-formed sheet metal tee for grid type suspended ceilings with the face of its flange integral with the stem and the layers of the stem fixed together for improved torsional strength. An upper region of the stem can have one or more of its layers folded to increase suspension wire breakout strength. A stiffening bulb is below suspension wire receiving holes so that a loop of the suspension wire through the tee has a narrow profile and thereby avoids interference with ceiling panels during their installation or removal. Other embodiments of a tee share the feature of a narrow, suspension wire receiving upper stem portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Lehane, Jr., Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Martin E. Likozar
  • Patent number: 7578106
    Abstract: A seismic wall molding for suspended ceiling systems that, although sufficiently wide across its horizontal ceiling supporting leg, is visually unobtrusive by virtue of a stepped, shadow style configuration. The stepped horizontal leg configuration allows the wall molding to resist buckling or bending deformation in the horizontal leg when a vertical leg of the molding is tightly secured against a non-flat wall surface. Factory ends on the wall molding are at parallel 45 degree planes to facilitate making inside and outside corners at the job site. A factory supplied template simplifies corner construction. A splice piece fits tightly on the upper sides of the horizontal legs at a straight-line joint between abutting lengths of the wall molding to maintain these elements in alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: Garry W. Burns, Alan C. Wendt, Martin E. Likozar
  • Publication number: 20090158684
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a roll-formed sheet metal tee for grid type suspended ceilings with the face of its flange integral with the stem and the layers of the stem fixed together for improved torsional strength. An upper region of the stem can have one or more of its layers folded to increase suspension wire breakout strength. A stiffening bulb is below suspension wire receiving holes so that a loop of the suspension wire through the tee has a narrow profile and thereby avoids interference with ceiling panels during their installation or removal. Other embodiments of a tee share the feature of a narrow, suspension wire receiving upper stem portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: USG INTERIORS, INC.
    Inventors: James J. Lehane, JR., Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Martin E. Likozar
  • Patent number: 7516585
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a roll formed sheet metal tee for grid type suspended ceilings with the face of its flange integral with the stem and the layers of the stem fixed together for improved torsional strength. An upper region of the stem can have one or more of its layers folded to increase suspension wire breakout strength. A stiffening bulb is below suspension wire receiving holes so that a loop of the suspension wire through the tee has a narrow profile and thereby avoids interference with ceiling panels during their installation or removal. Other embodiments of a tee share the feature of a narrow, suspension wire receiving upper stem portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Lehane, Jr., Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Martin E. Likozar
  • Patent number: 7478506
    Abstract: An adaptor clip, for converting a standard tee grid ceiling to a snap-up panel system, comprising an injection-molded plastic body that includes gripping elements for engaging the tops of the flanges of the tee grid and support elements for mating with the upstanding peripheral flanges of the snap-up panels. The clip is arranged to be quickly and easily installed without tools by simply positioning it against the lower faces of intersecting tee grid members so that its center underlies the center of the intersection and rotating it about a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan C. Wendt, Martin E. Likozar, James J. Lehane
  • Publication number: 20080134611
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a roll-formed sheet metal tee for grid type suspended ceilings with the face of its flange integral with the stem and the layers of the stem fixed together for improved torsional strength. An upper region of the stem can have one or more of its layers folded to increase suspension wire breakout strength. A stiffening bulb is below suspension wire receiving holes so that a loop of the suspension wire through the tee has a narrow profile and thereby avoids interference with ceiling panels during their installation or removal. Other embodiments of a tee share the feature of a narrow, suspension wire receiving upper stem portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: USG INTERIORS, INC.
    Inventors: James J. Lehane, Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Martin E. Likozar
  • Patent number: 6748712
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a scalable suspension system for domed shaped ceilings that includes a framework of suspension members interconnected to a central hub. The framework of suspension members are used to support a domed shaped ceiling fabricated from plaster or gypsum wallboard. The suspension members include primary spoke members, secondary spoke members, intercostal members and cross tees. The primary spoke members are attached to the central hub component. The intercostal members are spanned between the primary spoke members. The secondary spoke members are connected to the intercostal members, and extend between the primary spoke members. The primary and secondary spoke members are interconnected by the cross tees to create a unified structure. The hub includes radially indexed integral tabs that facilitate the attachment of the hanger wires and allows for the rigid attachment of the primary spoke members in a precise radial pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin E. Likozar, James A. Fletterick, Alan C. Wendt, David B. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20030230043
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a scalable suspension system for domed shaped ceilings that includes a framework of suspension members interconnected to a central hub. The framework of suspension members are used to support a domed shaped ceiling fabricated from plaster or gypsum wallboard. The suspension members include primary spoke members, secondary spoke members, intercostal members and cross tees. The primary spoke members are attached to the central hub component. The intercostal members are spanned between the primary spoke members. The secondary spoke members are connected to the intercostal members, and extend between the primary spoke members. The primary and secondary spoke members are interconnected by the cross tees to create a unified structure. The hub includes radially indexed integral tabs that facilitate the attachment of the hanger wires and allows for the rigid attachment of the primary spoke members in a precise radial pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Martin E. Likozar, James A. Fletterick, Alan C. Wendt, David B. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6374564
    Abstract: A suspended three-dimensional ceiling system of improved appearance and performance that includes closely dimensioned main tees and lay-in panels. The main tees have opposed vertical surfaces adapted to abut the edges of the panels to avoid any noticeable non-parallelism between the main tees and/or panels. The vertical surfaces are provided by a protrusion at the juncture between a panel supporting flange and a vertical stem of the main tee. The protrusion allows the panels to be dimensioned to avoid undue interference with a stiffening bulb on the upper part of the stem and provides an attractive reveal on the visible face of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Fletterick, Martin E. Likozar
  • Patent number: 4621468
    Abstract: A composite access floor panel is disclosed which provides a sheet metal pan filled with a lightweight concrete material. The bottom wall of the pan is contoured so that the thickness of the concrete varies from one location to another. The illustrated panel provides a border of uniform maximum thickness and a central portion of reduced intermediate thickness. In addition, the panel produces concrete oval corner portions and circular side portions spaced in from the centers of the panel sides, both of which provide a uniform minimum thickness. The contours of the panel create a panel in which a substantially uniform amount of deflection results when the panel is supported at its corners and a given load is applied anywhere along the load surface thereof spaced from the panel corners. Shear ties are provided along the interface between the pan and the concrete to cause the pan and concrete to coact in supporting loads applied to such load surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Donn Incorporated
    Inventor: Martin E. Likozar