Patents by Inventor William J. Blucher

William J. Blucher 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: 6689449
    Abstract: A roof decking membrane welding system and method comprises first and second roof decking membranes having edge portions thereof welded to each other so as to define a seamed connection therebetween. The edge portion of a first one of the membranes is disposed beneath a seam plate and folded over the top of the seam plate so as to be secured upon itself either at a location adjacent to the seamed connection with the second membrane or between the first membrane and the edge portion of the second membrane. In either case, the folded edge portion of the first membrane forms a closed loop portion which presents multiple regions for load-sharing in resisting uplifting wind load forces. Alternatively, the edge portion of the first membrane is folded over itself but disposed beneath the seam plate so as to present dual plies of the first membrane for engagement with the seam plate so as to again provide load-sharing characteristics under uplifting wind load forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: S. Riaz Hasan, William J. Blucher, Lawrence R. Reinebach
  • Publication number: 20030126816
    Abstract: A roof decking membrane welding system and method comprises first and second roof decking membranes having edge portions thereof welded to each other so as to define a seamed connection therebetween. The edge portion of a first one of the membranes is disposed beneath a seam plate and folded over the top of the seam plate so as to be secured upon itself either at a location adjacent to the seamed connection with the second membrane or between the first membrane and the edge portion of the second membrane. In either case, the folded edge portion of the first membrane forms a closed loop portion which presents multiple regions for load-sharing in resisting uplifting wind load forces. Alternatively, the edge portion of the first membrane is folded over itself but disposed beneath the seam plate so as to present dual plies of the first membrane for engagement with the seam plate so as to again provide load-sharing characteristics under uplifting wind load forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: S. Riaz Hasan, William J. Blucher, Lawrence R. Reinebach
  • Patent number: 5673816
    Abstract: In a washer-dispensing machine, a chute open at a lower end receives a stack of roofing washers of a type having a central aperture to receive a fastener shank and possibly having downwardly extending barbs. A shuttle engages a single washer from the stack, displaces the single washer to a separated position as the shuttle is moved from a displaced position to a normal position, and releases the single washer in the separated position as the shuttle next moves from the normal position to the displaced position. A known mechanism is employed for moving the shuttle between the displaced position and the normal position. A novel mechanism is mounted operatively to the chute for supporting the stack so as to prevent any of the washers in the stack from dropping through the lower end of the chute and for releasing the stack so as to permit a lowermost washer in the stack to drop through the lower end of the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Larson, William J. Blucher, Sigismund G. Paul
  • Patent number: 4856951
    Abstract: A fastening assembly for use in attaching articles to soft materials such as gypsum based and light weight concrete roofing. The assembly includes an anchoring element which has a high thread and an axial bore in one end. The thread has an included angle of less than 45.degree. and terminates in a sharp edge at the free end of the anchoring element. A headed screw is driven into the bore and becomes fixed to the anchoring element. A flange is integrally molded and frangibly connected to the bored end of the anchoring element, and becomes a washer upon breaking away therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Blucher, Richard J. Ernst, Francis C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4642012
    Abstract: A fastening assembly for use in attaching articles to soft materials such as gypsum based and light weight concrete roofing. The assembly includes an anchoring element which has a high thread and an axial bore in one end. The thread has an included angle of less than 45.degree. and terminates in a sharp edge at the free end of the anchoring element. A headed screw is driven into the bore and becomes fixed to the anchoring element. A flange is integrally molded and frangibly connected to the bored end of the anchoring element, and becomes a washer upon breaking away therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Blucher, Richard J. Ernst, Francis C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4581871
    Abstract: A fastener and a nosepiece for use in attaching lath to a support. The fastener includes a screw and a spacing element, in which the spacing element is adapted to threadingly penetrate the lath and abut the support. The lath is retained between the spacing element and the head of the screw and is thereby held away from the support in order to allow plaster to properly extrude through openings in the lath. The nosepiece is attachable to a driving tool and has rigid prongs which reach through openings in the lath. Travel of a bit on the driving tool is limited so that automatic disengagement occurs to prevent over-driving of the screw. The prongs ensure that the lath is held a predetermined distance from the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Blucher, Elbert E. Williams, Jr., Francis C. Peterson, Richard J. Ernst
  • Patent number: 4460300
    Abstract: This invention relates to a screw type fastener having a radially enlarged driving head and a thin walled head conforming cap having a skirt which is designed to be folded inwardly beneath the head in a lapped condition beneath the head to conceal the exposed edge of the skirt between an exposed clamping surface of the cap and the under surface of the head of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Bettini, William J. Blucher