Patents by Inventor William E. Drake

William E. Drake 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).

  • Column structures and methods for supporting compressive loads
    Patent number: 6484469
    Abstract: A column assembly preferably includes a tube member having a wall that defines an interior volume. The column assembly is preferably operable to convert external, axial compressive forces applied to the column assembly into at least tangential stresses within the wall of the tube member. In one embodiment, an external compressive force causes increased pressurization of a filler material located within the volume of the tube member. The pressurized filler material produces tangential, tensile stresses within the wall of the tube member rather than axial compressive forces within the wall of the tube member. In some embodiments, a reinforcing, tension member, e.g., a wire rope, may be helically wound around the outer surface of the tube member along at least a portion of its longitudinal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: William E. Drake
  • Column structures and methods for supporting compressive loads
    Publication number: 20020046530
    Abstract: A column assembly preferably includes a tube member having a wall that defines an interior volume. The column assembly is preferably operable to convert external, axial compressive forces applied to the column assembly into at least tangential stresses within the wall of the tube member. In one embodiment, an external compressive force causes increased pressurization of a filler material located within the volume of the tube member. The pressurized filler material produces tangential, tensile stresses within the wall of the tube member rather than axial compressive forces within the wall of the tube member. In some embodiments, a reinforcing, tension member, e.g., a wire rope, may be helically wound around the outer surface of the tube member along at least a portion of its longitudinal length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: William E. Drake