Patents by Inventor Reinhard H. Plank

Reinhard H. Plank 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: 10106970
    Abstract: A tile installation comprises a plurality of surface tiles installed upon a surface, the plurality of surface tiles defining a perimeter area that at least partially circumscribes a drain area. A drain fitting is installed within the drain area. A frame is in fluid communication with the drain fitting, the frame including: i) an at least partially horizontal support surface; and ii) installation block receiving structure, with which an installation block can be mated. A drain tile support is removably fittable within the frame, the drain tile support including an upper surface to which a drain tile can be attached, and at least one support feature extending away from the upper surface and restable upon the support surface of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Schluter Systems L.P.
    Inventors: Reinhard H. Plank, Sean P. Gerolimatos
  • Patent number: 8925123
    Abstract: A segmented drain system comprises a drain body, operable to mate with a drain fitting installed in a bath or shower area, and a bonding flange body, adjustable relative to the drain body. An integrated bonding flange extends from the bonding flange body, the integrated bonding flange being operable to be sealably attached to a bondable waterproof membrane to provide a substantially water-tight seal between the membrane and the bonding flange body. A seal is oriented between the integrated bonding flange body and the drain body, the seal being operable to provide a slidable, substantially water-tight interface between the integrated bonding flange body and the drain body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Schluter Systems, L.P.
    Inventors: Lonnie C. DeGooyer, Reinhard H. Plank, Peter B. Plank, Sean P Gerolimatos, Michelangelo Ricci, Annunziata Ricci
  • Publication number: 20130318704
    Abstract: A tile installation comprises a plurality of surface tiles installed upon a surface, the plurality of surface tiles defining a perimeter area that adjoins a drain area. An elongate drain pan is installed within the drain area and is fluidly coupled via at least one outlet to a drainage system to allow flow of liquid to the drainage system. The drain pan includes: an at least partially horizontal support surface; and ii) a drain pan wall having an interior face. An elongate drain tile support is removably fittable within the drain pan, the drain tile support including an upper surface to which one or more drain tiles are attached, and at least one support leg extending downwardly from the upper surface and being restable upon the support surface of the drain pan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Schluter Systems L.P.
    Inventor: Reinhard H. Plank
  • Publication number: 20130318705
    Abstract: A tile installation comprises a plurality of surface tiles installed upon a surface, the plurality of surface tiles defining a perimeter area that at least partially circumscribes a drain area. A drain fitting is installed within the drain area. A frame is in fluid communication with the drain fitting, the frame including: i) an at least partially horizontal support surface; and ii) installation block receiving structure, with which an installation block can be mated. A drain tile support is removably fittable within the frame, the drain tile support including an upper surface to which a drain tile can be attached, and at least one support feature extending away from the upper surface and restable upon the support surface of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Schluter Systems L.P.
    Inventors: Reinhard H. Plank, Sean P. Gerolimatos
  • Publication number: 20130160203
    Abstract: A segmented drain system comprises a drain body, operable to mate with a drain fitting installed in a bath or shower area, and a bonding flange body, adjustable relative to the drain body. An integrated bonding flange extends from the bonding flange body, the integrated bonding flange being operable to be sealably attached to a bondable waterproof membrane to provide a substantially water-tight seal between the membrane and the bonding flange body. A seal is oriented between the integrated bonding flange body and the drain body, the seal being operable to provide a slidable, substantially water-tight interface between the integrated bonding flange body and the drain body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Lonnie C. DeGooyer, Reinhard H. Plank, Peter B. Plank, Sean P. Gerolimatos, Peter A. Nielsen, Michelangelo Ricci, Annunziata Ricci
  • Patent number: 8112827
    Abstract: A shower drain adapter system configured to allow use of a bondable waterproof membrane with a shower pan drain system comprises a drain body and an integrated bonding flange extending upwardly from the drain body. The integrated bonding flange is operable to be sealably attached to a bondable waterproof membrane to provide a substantially waterproof seal between the membrane and the adapter. A lower mating flange is separable from the drain body, the lower mating flange operable to mate with a component of a shower pan drain system installable on a waste pipe. The lower mating flange includes a substantially rigid frame; and a pliable gasket disposed at least partially about the frame, the pliable gasket having an inner diameter sized to correspond to an outer diameter of a portion of the drain body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Schluter Systems L.P.
    Inventors: Lonnie C. DeGooyer, Reinhard H. Plank, Peter B. Plank, Peter A. Nielsen, Sean P. Gerolimatos, Fernando Ricci, Michelangelo Ricci
  • Publication number: 20090113621
    Abstract: A segmented drain system comprises a drain body, operable to mate with a drain fitting installed in a bath or shower area, and a bonding flange body, adjustable relative to the drain body. An integrated bonding flange extends from the bonding flange body, the integrated bonding flange being operable to be sealably attached to a bondable waterproof membrane to provide a substantially water-tight seal between the membrane and the bonding flange body. A seal is oriented between the integrated bonding flange body and the drain body, the seal being operable to provide a slidable, substantially water-tight interface between the integrated bonding flange body and the drain body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Lonnie C. DeGooyer, Reinhard H. Plank, Peter B. Plank, Peter A. Nielsen, Sean P. Gerolimatos, Fernando Ricci, Nancy Ricci, Michelangelo Ricci
  • Publication number: 20080229494
    Abstract: A shower drain adapter system configured to allow use of a bondable waterproof membrane with a shower pan drain system comprises a drain body and an integrated bonding flange extending upwardly from the drain body. The integrated bonding flange is operable to be sealably attached to a bondable waterproof membrane to provide a substantially waterproof seal between the membrane and the adapter. A lower mating flange is separable from the drain body, the lower mating flange operable to mate with a component of a shower pan drain system installable on a waste pipe. The lower mating flange includes a substantially rigid frame; and a pliable gasket disposed at least partially about the frame, the pliable gasket having an inner diameter sized to correspond to an outer diameter of a portion of the drain body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Lonnie C. DeGooyer, Reinhard H. Plank, Peter B. Plank, Peter A. Nielsen, Sean P. Gerolimatos, Fernando Ricci, Michelangelo Ricci
  • Patent number: D593641
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Schluler Systems L.P.
    Inventors: Reinhard H. Plank, Peter B. Plank, Peter A. Nielsen, Sean P. Gerolimatos, Fernando Ricci, Michelangelo Ricci