Patents by Inventor Rodney I. Smith

Rodney I. Smith 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).

  • Publication number: 20110131906
    Abstract: A unitary, composite wall foundation and floor slab structure and system is provided by a pre-stressed cast concrete structure having a wall foundation region, a floor slab region and a transitional region therebetween and strands passing through all of those regions. One or more such structures are also post-tensioned using cables passing through tube embedded in the cast concrete structure and, when a plurality of such structures are employed in a modular manner, such post-tensioning draws all such modules into a larger unitary composite wall foundation and floor slab structure. The transition region may be further reinforced by angular reinforcing elements. Intermediate and end sections of varied shape may be used to complete the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Rodney I. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110076098
    Abstract: Increased resistance to displacement of a barrier or barrier sections thereof in response to a lateral force without anchoring or bolting barrier sections together is achieved by providing an attachment arrangement near the top of an end of barrier sections which is capable of carrying a tensile force and developing that tensile force using a tightening bolt/nut arrangement located at deflection stops at lower corners of the barrier sections to develop a compressive force. The barrier sections are thus rigidly attached together such that a lateral force applied to one or more barrier sections is partially transferred to additional attached barrier sections effectively increasing the mass against which the lateral force is applied. The tightening bolt/nut arrangements are retained by and are captive to the respective barrier sections when barrier sections are disassembled from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Rodney I. Smith
  • Patent number: 7661232
    Abstract: A system and method for a secondary water drainage system with street level leak detection positioned between spaced apart prefabricated building panels is disclosed herein. In the space between two adjacent prefabricated building panels, an inner line of caulk is formed from the top to the bottom of the panels. Next, a porous drain strip is positioned adjacent to a first side of the inner line of caulk, also extending vertically from the top to the bottom of the panels. Lastly, an exterior line of caulk if formed adjacent to the porous drain strip extending vertically from the top of the panels to a point just above the bottom of the panels. The porous drain strip is extended through this space formed in the exterior line of caulk and allows the water collected to exit through the same space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Easi-Set Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney I. Smith
  • Patent number: 6216405
    Abstract: A mounting and drainage system of a prefabricated building panel. The mounting system includes a first mounting plate mounted to a vertical stud of a frame and a second mounting plate mounted to an adjacent vertical stud of the frame. The first and second mounting plates face one another. A landing pad extends between the first and second mounting plates and is mounted on a landing hook that extends outward from a floor of a building. The landing pad is retained on the landing hook by a retaining plate extending from the landing hook. Welding plates having a slot therein are also provided on other mounting plates and are welded to an edge of the floor. The landing pad is removable once the prefabricated building panel is mounted on the building. A drainage system is also provided. The drainage system includes a drain aperture positioned on a lower track between an inner wall of building and the wall of the prefabricated building panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Easi-Set Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney I. Smith
  • Patent number: 6123888
    Abstract: An improved post tensioning system for prefabricated building panels in which a concentric uniform radial compression is maintained in the slab. A post tensioning cable is placed in the concrete slab to form a perimeter loop starting from one corner of the slab to a point where the cable entered the slab and at a point turning 90.degree. to follow that portion of the cable in the periphery to a point midway up the Y axis and then turning 90.degree. across the X axis to bisect the slab and cross the opposite parallel portion of the cable to exit out the adjacent side of the slab. This creates a cable pattern with no less than 2.5 parallel cables in any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Easi-Set Industries
    Inventor: Rodney I. Smith
  • Patent number: 5875595
    Abstract: An improved post tensioning system for prefabricated building panels in which a concentric uniform radial compression is maintained in the slab. A post tensioning cable is placed in the concrete slab to form a perimeter loop starting from one corner of the slab to a point where the cable entered the slab and at a point turning 90.degree. to follow that portion of the cable in the periphery to a point midway up the Y axis and then turning 90.degree. across the X axis to bisect the slab and cross the opposite parallel portion of the cable to exit out the adjacent side of the slab. This creates a cable pattern with no less than 2.5 parallel cables in any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Easi-Set Industries
    Inventor: Rodney I. Smith
  • Patent number: 5699644
    Abstract: A prefabricated, reinforced construction panel consisting of a cast, concrete slab which is reinforced by rigid channels or studs. The studs are attached to the slab by thermally non-conductive connectors imbedded in the slab and joined to the reinforcing channels or studs to create an energy efficient light weight and durable panel. An insulation layer may be placed between the channels or studs and the concrete slab. The space between the reinforcing channels or studs may also be filled with insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Rodney I. Smith
  • Patent number: 5149224
    Abstract: A interlocking highway barrier structure and system are described in which rigid upright barrier sections are disposed end to end in interlocking relationship with one another. Each of the sections of the system can have a grooved end to accommodate and engage with a similar adjacent end of the section next to it. The ends of each section of the system are provided with interlock plates for connecting together the adjacent sections. Each interlock plate is attached to its respective section and has an extending vertical edge which is bent into a "U" shaped cross-section to engage a similar edge or lip on the interlock plate of the adjacent section such that lateral movement of the respective plates and sections is prevented. The respective sections of the system can, however, be easily implaced or removed by vertically displacing the sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Inventor: Rodney I. Smith
  • Patent number: 4432175
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for post-tensioning a concrete slab. A tendon member is pre-formed to define an enclosed area yet fit within a form. The tendon member has ends which extend past the form. Concrete is poured around the tendon with the tendon being positioned within the periphery of the concrete structure to form a large central area bounded by the tendon and an exterior portion which surrounds the enclosed area of the tendon. The tendon is anchored within said concrete by anchors secured to the ends of the said tendon and placed under an original tension of around 28,000 p.s.i.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Inventor: Rodney I. Smith
  • Patent number: 4384566
    Abstract: A prefabricated fireplace comprises a firebox and flue enclosed by concrete cast as a unit. The firebox has inner walls defining a fuel box in which combustion occurs and outer walls which define a circulation space around the fuel box for room air to be heated. The fuel box is sealed from the room by glass doors which open to supply fuel and, when closed, allow light and heat to pass, and oxygen reaches the fire through an outdoor duct. The prefabricated fireplace has around its base edges a plurality of weldplates which allow quick installation by welding to metal base plates cast in the foundation. The prefabricated fireplace may also include means to interface with home forced-air and water heating systems for heating of air and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Inventor: Rodney I. Smith
  • Patent number: 4113400
    Abstract: The vertical tongue-and-groove arrangement which is integrally molded on the ends of a concrete traffic barricade includes an impact resistant insert to protect the coupling against chipping, cracking or breaking caused by repeated use when the barricade is moved from place to place for temporary service at different locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Inventor: Rodney I. Smith
  • Patent number: 4059362
    Abstract: A highway traffic lane barrier is composed of precast, reinforced concrete barricades which are joined together in alignment with each other by a horizontally and vertically tapered, vertical tongue-and-groove arrangement which is integrally molded on the ends of each barricade, with the wider portion of the taper at the bottom to facilitate the removal of one piece of barrier within an installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1977
    Inventor: Rodney I. Smith