Patents by Inventor N. Eric Knudsen

N. Eric Knudsen 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: 10167653
    Abstract: A fence panel is provided having a plurality of sub-panel assemblies positioned in a linear arrangement and coupled together via panel rails extending between opposing lateral ends of the fence panel. Each sub-panel assembly may include a plurality of fence boards coupled together by sub-panel rails that extend between opposing lateral ends of the sub-panel assembly. The panel rails may insertably receive a respective linear arrangement of the sub-panel rails. In addition, a respective sub-panel assembly spacer may be positioned between adjacent ones of the sub-panel assemblies to separate the sub-panel assemblies from each other. The fence panel may be provided in a kit consisting of a single packaged arrangement of fence panel components comprising or consisting of the sub-panel assemblies, sub-panel assembly spacers and the panel rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Publication number: 20180363321
    Abstract: A fence panel is provided having a plurality of sub-panel assemblies positioned in a linear arrangement and coupled together via panel rails extending between opposing lateral ends of the fence panel. Each sub-panel assembly may include a plurality of fence boards coupled together by sub-panel rails that extend between opposing lateral ends of the sub-panel assembly. The panel rails may insertably receive a respective linear arrangement of the sub-panel rails. In addition, a respective sub-panel assembly spacer may be positioned between adjacent ones of the sub-panel assemblies to separate the sub-panel assemblies from each other. The fence panel may be provided in a kit consisting of a single packaged arrangement of fence panel components comprising or consisting of the sub-panel assemblies, sub-panel assembly spacers and the panel rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Publication number: 20180347223
    Abstract: A post sleeve includes a reinforced concrete body preformed around a liner that defines a cavity extending longitudinally within the body, sized to receive a post. Standoff ribs run lengthwise within the cavity and extend inward from inner walls of the cavity. A post in the cavity is supported laterally by the standoff ribs. Drain channels between the ribs permit water to flow past the post and exit the cavity via a lower aperture. A drain tube is coupled to the lower aperture, and extends downward where it is covered with gravel at the bottom of a post hole. Concrete is poured around the post sleeve in the hole. The cavity is adaptable to receive posts of varying sizes, and at various depths. A collar closes a space between the post and the top of the cavity, permitting air circulation within the cavity while shedding water and substantially preventing insects from entering the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Patent number: 10145109
    Abstract: A post sleeve provides a substantially permanent base for supporting a post for a fence or sign, and from which one post can be removed and replaced with another post. The sleeve includes a concrete body that is poured on site, using a sleeve core prepositioned in the post hole, and around which wet concrete is poured. After the concrete is cured, the core is removed, leaving a post sleeve cavity configured to receive a post. The core can be rigid, or can include a flexible shell and stiffener. A preformed post sleeve top can be attached to the sleeve core and positioned therewith in the post hole, to become a permanent part of the post sleeve, once the concrete cures. A drain is attached to the core, and remains in the sleeve when the core is removed, and can be a percolation chamber, or passage extending below the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Patent number: 10132099
    Abstract: A method of forming a post sleeve within a post hole in the ground to include a post receiving cavity to insertably receive and support a post is provided. The method includes positioning a post sleeve core within the post hole with the aid of an elongate installation member and depositing uncured material into the post hole to at least partially surround the post sleeve core while the post sleeve core is attached to the elongate installation member. The method further includes allowing the uncured material to harden around the post sleeve core to form at least a portion of the post-receiving cavity of the post sleeve and removing the post sleeve core from the hardened material to expose the post receiving cavity to receive and support the post. Other related methods of forming post sleeves are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Publication number: 20180320406
    Abstract: A system for positioning post sleeves is provided including a plurality of post sleeve positioning devices and a spacing mechanism. Each post sleeve positioning device is configured to receive a respective post sleeve and to enable selective adjustment of a position and orientation of the respective post sleeve. The spacing mechanism is coupleable between the pair of post sleeve positioning devices to determine or control the position and orientation of the post sleeve received by one of the pair of post sleeves positioning devices relative to the post sleeve received by the other one of the pair of post sleeve positioning devices. Related systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Patent number: 10104988
    Abstract: Fence panel display systems can include a unitary foundation including a plurality of steps, at least one rail extending along the width of one of the steps, and at least two clamp assemblies adjustably coupled to the rail. A fence panel can be clamped to the foundation using the clamp assemblies by adjusting the clamp assemblies along the width of the step and by adjusting protrusions extending from main bodies of the clamp assemblies in a direction perpendicular to the width of the step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Publication number: 20180298634
    Abstract: A fence panel construction device includes a structural member and a pair of post members coupled to the structural member. Each post member includes a pair of attachment devices configured to removably attach a pair of fence stringers to the pair of post members. A pair of actuator mechanisms are coupled to a respective one of the pair of post members to position the pair of post members corresponding to a pair of fence posts on a property. A finishing assembly is coupled to the structural member and includes at least one fastening device and at least one trimming device both operable to move vertically. The finishing assembly is operable to move horizontally while the at least one fastening device fastens fence boards to the pair of fence stringers and at least one trimming device trims the fence boards. A method of making a fence panel is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Patent number: 10093433
    Abstract: A rocket landing stabilization system can include one or more upright support structures such as posts, columns, or walls, from which one or more stabilizing elements can be supported. The stabilizing elements can be used to stabilize a rocket as it lands at a landing site. The rocket landing stabilization system can also include a cradle, funnel, or cone to catch or otherwise support a rocket as it lands at the landing site. The rocket landing stabilization system can be located on land or at sea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Inventors: N. Eric Knudsen, Matthew Niels Knudsen, Andrew Niels Knudsen, Jacob Niels Knudsen
  • Patent number: 9982454
    Abstract: A post sleeve includes a reinforced concrete body preformed around a liner that defines a cavity extending longitudinally within the body, sized to receive a post. Standoff ribs run lengthwise within the cavity and extend inward from inner walls of the cavity. A post in the cavity is supported laterally by the standoff ribs. Drain channels between the ribs permit water to flow past the post and exit the cavity via a lower aperture. A drain tube is coupled to the lower aperture, and extends downward where it is covered with gravel at the bottom of a post hole. Concrete is poured around the post sleeve in the hole. The cavity is adaptable to receive posts of varying sizes, and at various depths. A collar closes a space between the post and the top of the cavity, permitting air circulation within the cavity while shedding water and substantially preventing insects from entering the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Patent number: 9945149
    Abstract: A fence panel construction device includes a structural member and a pair of post members coupled to the structural member. Each post member includes a pair of attachment devices configured to removably attach a pair of fence stringers to the pair of post members. A pair of actuator mechanisms are coupled to a respective one of the pair of post members to position the pair of post members corresponding to a pair of fence posts on a property. A finishing assembly is coupled to the structural member and includes at least one fastening device and at least one trimming device both operable to move vertically. The finishing assembly is operable to move horizontally while the at least one fastening device fastens fence boards to the pair of fence stringers and at least one trimming device trims the fence boards. A method of making a fence panel is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Patent number: 9938749
    Abstract: A system for positioning post sleeves is provided including a plurality of post sleeve positioning devices and a spacing mechanism. Each post sleeve positioning device is configured to receive a respective post sleeve and to enable selective adjustment of a position and orientation of the respective post sleeve. The spacing mechanism is coupleable between the pair of post sleeve positioning devices to determine or control the position and orientation of the post sleeve received by one of the pair of post sleeves positioning devices relative to the post sleeve received by the other one of the pair of post sleeve positioning devices. Related systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Patent number: 9932753
    Abstract: A fence panel is provided having a plurality of sub-panel assemblies positioned in a linear arrangement and coupled together via panel rails extending between opposing lateral ends of the fence panel. Each sub-panel assembly may include a plurality of fence boards coupled together by sub-panel rails that extend between opposing lateral ends of the sub-panel assembly. The panel rails may insertably receive a respective linear arrangement of the sub-panel rails. In addition, a respective sub-panel assembly spacer may be positioned between adjacent ones of the sub-panel assemblies to separate the sub-panel assemblies from each other. The fence panel may be provided in a kit consisting of a single packaged arrangement of fence panel components comprising or consisting of the sub-panel assemblies, sub-panel assembly spacers and the panel rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Patent number: 9850683
    Abstract: A post cap assembly for covering an upper end of a post is provided. The post cap assembly may include a post cap body having an internal post cavity that is sized and shaped to receive the upper end of the post and having a topper receiving aperture extending at least partially through the post cap body. An interchangeable topper may be positioned within the topper receiving aperture and projecting from the top side of the post cap body. Other post caps and related systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Publication number: 20170350157
    Abstract: A system of fence components includes fence posts, fence rails having cavities formed in their ends, and fence rail inserts sized to be positioned within the fence rail cavities. The fence rail inserts and the fence rail cavities include corresponding mating features to allow the fence rail inserts to be positioned and locked within the fence rail cavities. The fence rail inserts also include fastener guides that allow a fastener to pass through to couple the fence rail inserts to the fence posts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Publication number: 20170260771
    Abstract: A post sleeve installation system can include a plurality of post sleeve installation devices and at least one spacing beam or mechanism. The spacing beam or mechanism can include end portions that rotate about multiple independent axes and can be coupled to a pair of post sleeve installation devices to determine or control the relative locations and orientations between two post sleeves. The post sleeve installation system can be used to install post sleeves for posts for a fence, a rail or other structure supported by posts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Publication number: 20170247900
    Abstract: A method of forming a post sleeve within a post hole in the ground to include a post receiving cavity to insertably receive and support a post is provided. The method includes positioning a post sleeve core within the post hole with the aid of an elongate installation member and depositing uncured material into the post hole to at least partially surround the post sleeve core while the post sleeve core is attached to the elongate installation member. The method further includes allowing the uncured material to harden around the post sleeve core to form at least a portion of the post-receiving cavity of the post sleeve and removing the post sleeve core from the hardened material to expose the post receiving cavity to receive and support the post. Other related methods of forming post sleeves are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Publication number: 20170138086
    Abstract: A fence panel can include a plurality of modular fence panel components that can be assembled modularly to form the fence panel. The fence panel components can include a system of keys and keyways that allow the components to interlock with one another when the fence panel is assembled to lock the components to one another to simplify the assembly process and to minimize the number of mechanical fasteners needed to assemble the fence panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Publication number: 20170044790
    Abstract: A post sleeve includes a reinforced concrete body preformed around a liner that defines a cavity extending longitudinally within the body, sized to receive a post. Standoff ribs run lengthwise within the cavity and extend inward from inner walls of the cavity. A post in the cavity is supported laterally by the standoff ribs. Drain channels between the ribs permit water to flow past the post and exit the cavity via a lower aperture. A drain tube is coupled to the lower aperture, and extends downward where it is covered with gravel at the bottom of a post hole. Concrete is poured around the post sleeve in the hole. The cavity is adaptable to receive posts of varying sizes, and at various depths. A collar closes a space between the post and the top of the cavity, permitting air circulation within the cavity while shedding water and substantially preventing insects from entering the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
  • Patent number: D797308
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen