Patents by Inventor Vernon L. Thurnau

Vernon L. Thurnau 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: 4873808
    Abstract: Support structure for holding a plurality of roof panels during assembly of a standing seam roof on a prefabricated building including a spacer block having an elongated body with predetermined shaped ends thereon. In one embodiment one end is of square configuration and the other end is of compound tapered configuration. In another embodiment the end of square configuration is provided with a projecting tenon thereon for positive engagement with inside flanges of a roof panel yoke fastening/retainer clip. In a modification of this embodiment, pre-formed notches or recesses are provided for ease in installation of this end with the roof panel fastening/retainer clip. The other end of the spacer block having a pointed configuration may be of compound tapered form, conical form, semi-elliptical or oval form, or a combination of these described shapes. Also, the end may be completely rounded or semi-rounded with a blunt tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Butler Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Raymond K. Heisey, Jr., W. David Barker, Arturo C. Mariano, Vernon L. Thurnau
  • Patent number: 4557098
    Abstract: A deformable sleeve for centering a roof panel mounting tab on a roof panel attachment clip unit prior to installation of the clip unit and the roof panels on a building. The centering sleeve has an elongated body with two sides, one edge of each side being connected together by hinge structure, and the opposite edge of each side having a mounting facilitating flange extending therealong. In order to increase the deformability of the sleeve, cutouts are provided in at least one edge of each side, and preferably in both edges of each side. These cutouts may be of various shapes including semi-elliptical, V-shaped, rectangular shaped, or square shaped. A modification of the mounting facilitating flange includes a thickened portion extending along the non-hinged edge of each sleeve side to facilitate the mounting of the sleeve on a support piece of the roof panel attachment clip unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Butler Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Vernon L. Thurnau, Arturo Mariano