Patents Issued in June 9, 1998
  • Patent number: 5761825
    Abstract: A hands free hair dryer and holder (10) comprising a portable hair dryer (12). A structure (14) is for supporting the portable hair dryer (12) in a stationary adjustable manner, so that a person (16) can position the portable hair dryer (12) towards the hair (18), so that both hands (20) are free to do other things while drying the hair (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventors: Linda K. Ammon, Edward A. Ammon
  • Patent number: 5761826
    Abstract: Drying unit for filled, band-shaped foil hoses with a filling, shaping, cooling, sealing, drying, and cutting station as well as a stacking and final packaging unit, where the drying station is designed as a cold or warm compressed air drying unit. In the area of the drying unit, the roller brushes are working in opposite directions and the band-shaped foil hose is being guided through the roller gap, which makes the roller brushes run in the opposite direction of the transport direction of the foil hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Natec, Reich, Summer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wilhelm Baur
  • Patent number: 5761827
    Abstract: Air flow in a hollow wall, ceiling, or floor is created by forcing air into or drawing air out of the wall, ceiling, or floor through a hole around a pipe through which the pipe extends from the wall, ceiling, or floor. The apparatus of the invention includes a body that fits around the pipe to position an end against the wall, ceiling, or floor surrounding the pipe and hole and provides for the connection of an air flow hose thereto. The air flow hose provides a source of pressurized air or a source of vacuum to force air into the wall, ceiling, or floor or draw air therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: James A. Guasch
  • Patent number: 5761828
    Abstract: The gas flow and ignition of gas in a gas fired clothes dryer is controlled by coupling a soft ferrite material radiatively to an igniter element and non-radiatively to a heat sink. The temperature assumed by the ferrite material is above its curie point when the igniter element is hot enough to ignite the gas and below its curie temperature when the igniter is insufficient to ignite the gas. The change in the permeability of the ferrite material moves a magnet which controls the heating of the igniter element and the flow of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Eric K. Larson
  • Patent number: 5761829
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high yield apparatus for drying rigid or flexible printed circuit boards. The apparatus comprises a box-like structure which defines a drying tunnel, having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The apparatus comprises moreover heated air circulating means for circulating heated air inside the tunnel as well as driving means for driving the printed circuit boards along the tunnel. The driving means comprise at least a pair of chains which are arranged parallel to one another and are entrained about a first pinion and a second pinion, having parallel axes, and respectively located near the inlet opening and near the outlet opening. The chains are provided with gripping means for supporting the printed circuit boards along the tunnel. The gripping means are suitable to automatically engage the printed circuit boards near the inlet opening and to automatically release the printed circuit boards near the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Pietro Dallera
  • Patent number: 5761830
    Abstract: An inner boot has a part (1) which is intended to surround the foot and the heel and has an instep tongue (9). The inner boot has, at the rear, a vertical cut-out whose bottom lies substantially above the calcaneum, in the region of the Achilles tendon, at a height of 8 to 15 cm above the sole of the inner boot. The inner boot preferably has a tongue (8) extending over the cut-out. This inner boot provides good heel support while also making it easy to put a boot on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Lange International S.A.
    Inventor: Alessandro Condini
  • Patent number: 5761831
    Abstract: A shoe sole for use in training for improving the muscular strength of the lower extremities when jogging, running or just walking casually, has at least one contractible cavity formed in a heel portion thereof for supporting the heel, and small holes in left and right side walls for communicating with the cavity. The shoe sole promotes walking or running with the wearer's weight positioned forward, and thus, is effective for strengthening the muscles of the lower extremities. Shoes adopting such a shoe sole can be worn safely, since the impact from the ground is alleviated by a cushioning effect according to the contraction of the cavity when the wearer's weight is loaded onto the heel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Myeong-eon Cho
  • Patent number: 5761832
    Abstract: An athletic shoe has an upper and a sole extending along the bottom of the upper. The sole has a ball portion along the front of the sole and a heel portion along the rear of the sole as well as a lower surface which lies in a substantially predetermined plane. A plurality of elongated recesses are provided in the sole so that the recesses extend radially outwardly from a preset point in the central part of the ball of the sole and so that the recesses are circumferentially spaced from each other. An elongated resilient member is positioned in each recess and each resilient member is dimensioned so that it is spaced inwardly from the sides of its associated recess and also so that the resilient member depends downwardly from the predetermined plane of the sole. In practice, when the person wearing the athletic sole pivots around the preset point in the ball of the sole, the resilient member collapses to one side of its associated recess depending upon the direction of the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Gary F. George
  • Patent number: 5761833
    Abstract: An athletic shoe traction system which uses a plurality of miniature spikes is provided. The miniature spikes are preferably removably mounted so that they can be replaced when worn out. The miniature spikes can be formed on removable cleats similar to conventional removable cleats, or they can be provided on pads that attach to the underside of an athletic shoe, preferably in a recess provided for that purpose. Hook-and-loop type fasteners or other releasable fasteners, such as a releasable adhesive, can be used to attach the pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Softspikes, Inc.
    Inventor: Faris W. McMullin
  • Patent number: 5761834
    Abstract: Footgear with an inner sole (66) having a grid of removable resilient elements to permit removal of selected elements (68) to provide relief to ulcerated or injured areas of the foot. An air bladder (64) may underlie sole (66), preferably with additional cushioning material (40) within the air bladder. A walker (12) with a soft support (20) may be provided with the inner sole within the support. Some of the removal resilient elements may have a higher density or height than others. The footgear may include an adhesively-backed resilient pad (212) to provide additional support to a region. The footgear may include means for reducing shear stress on a bottom surface of the foot. An edema patch (240) may be provided for covering an open space (248) left after a user has removed a removable section from the grid. The edema patch applies pressure to the afflicted zone of the foot (250) preventing fluids from building up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Royce Medical Company
    Inventors: Tracy E. Grim, Kevin Richard O'Donnell, Eric Gerard Montag
  • Patent number: 5761835
    Abstract: A counter mounting within a snowboard boot having a sole and an upper having a rear side, an inner side and an outer side attached to the sole. The counter includes a lower counter portion for fixing to the boot in close proximity to the sole and an upper counter portion for fixing to the lower counter portion. The upper counter portion includes an inner side upper counter portion for extending along the inner side of the upper and an outer side upper counter portion for extending along the outer side of the upper. A length of the outer side upper counter portion which extends along the outer side of the upper is greater than a length of the inner side upper counter portion which extends along the inner side of the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
  • Patent number: 5761836
    Abstract: A greeting or other card plays an appropriate aural message and serves as a presentation vehicle for a gift or other article such as a lottery ticket. The card includes a device for playing a tune or verbal message and has mounting slots for the article. When seated in the slots, the article interrupts the electrical circuit of the device, preventing playback of the tune or message. On removal of the article, a switch of the device closes to complete an electrical circuit which causes the aural greeting to sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: PEM Promotions Limited
    Inventor: Michael Dawson
  • Patent number: 5761837
    Abstract: A panel assembly including a translucent panel and a fiber-optic strip disposed on the back of the translucent panel for imparting illumination to at least part of the translucent panel where the illumination of the fiber-optic strip by a light source results in illumination of the fiber-optic strip and at least part of the translucent panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: John Frederick Tryon, Ralph Robert Buoniconti, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5761838
    Abstract: An ornament for displaying a standard 35 mm slide mount including removable planar frame member to hold the transparency, a body member with integral device for attaching the ornament to a decorative string of lights, a reflector within the body member for reflecting light toward the 35 mm slide to be viewed, and a diffuser within the body member to diffuse the light directed toward the 35 mm slide to be viewed. The removable planar frame may be rectangular in shape to simulate a picture frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: CubeWorks, Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian J. Chisholm, Lori Ann Melchiorre, Kathleen Kendra
  • Patent number: 5761839
    Abstract: An advertising device or sign that has a plastic frame having a front that contains advertising. The advertisement is on a plastic laminate with holes around its periphery that engage pins on the back of the frame. The back further has receptacles that engage a holder that forms an optional pocket. The optional pocket contains items that can be handed out or mailed. The frames can be joined together to form a larger display than can be accommodated on a single frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Unto A. Heikkila
  • Patent number: 5761840
    Abstract: A gun is provided with a loader and toggle link assembly for providing repeater action. The gun includes a frame, a barrel on the frame, and a forearm which is pivotally mounted on the frame. The loader is slidably mounted on the frame for movement between firing and loading positions. The toggle link is pivotally mounted on the frame and includes a first end portion which is connected to the loader and a second end portion which is engageable with the forearm. When the forearm closes, the toggle link pivots to move the loader to the firing position. When the forearm opens, a spring pivots the toggle link to move the loader to the loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Crosman Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Martin, Casey Cerretani
  • Patent number: 5761841
    Abstract: A firearm magazine is disclosed for use with a rifle. The magazine includes a housing defining an interior chamber therewithin. The interior chamber is adapted for holding a plurality of cartridges oriented in stacked abutting fashion with respect to one another. The housing has a rear side having an outwardly extending vertically oriented protrusion. The protrusion forms a channel on an interior side of the rear side in communication with the interior chamber. The channel is sized for receiving a rear portion of each of the plurality of cartridges therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: John W. Snick
  • Patent number: 5761842
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wrist support for a handgun. According to the invention, a support (1, 2, 3) is attached to a grip projecting from the bottom portion of the grip substantially away from the gun in the direction of the barrel (44), so that the support (1, 2, 3) settles in the part between the hand holding the gun and the armpit or at least at some point of the lower part of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Timo Teijo Tapio Mantymaa
  • Patent number: 5761843
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for tagging fish for identification, and collecting from those caught a chosen number of fish which are the heaviest in weight. To collect the heaviest fish, they are weighed as they are caught, and tagged with a clip-on colored identification tag which is attached to the fish's dorsal fin. The weight and color of the tag are recorded. Subsequently caught fish are weighed and tagged or released as necessary, so that the pre-selected number of fish kept are also the heaviest fish which were caught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: William A. Lynch
    Inventors: Thomas A. Lynch, William A. Lynch
  • Patent number: 5761844
    Abstract: A fishing rod holder having a base, a fishing rod holding tube pivotally mounted on the base, a one-way movable connection located between the base and the fishing rod holding tube for holding the fishing rod holding tube against movement to a more horizontal position while permitting the fishing rod holding tube to be swung to a more upright position by merely manually grasping the holding tube and pivoting it on its base, a disengagement member for disengaging the one-way movable connection to permit the fishing rod holding tube to be swung manually to a more horizontal position, with the one-way movable connection consisting of engaged serrated discs having relatively small serrations to permit the holding tube to be oriented at a plurality of relatively small angular positions between its horizontal and vertical limits of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Horschel Brothers Precision LLC
    Inventor: Louis A. Horschel
  • Patent number: 5761845
    Abstract: A fish hook lure and leader carrier is formed from plastic. It has a basic configuration having a tubular structure with two caps, one on each end. The interior of the tubular structure houses the hooks and/or lures in the interior cavities. The leader extends through slots in the interior cavity and wraps around the outside of the tubular structure. When the two caps are snapped onto the ends the leader is held firmly in place. The interior cavity may contain a septum separating it into two cavities. These cavities may have end walls that occlude half the opening at each end of the tubular structure. The end walls are not opposite providing access to the two cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Mark Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5761846
    Abstract: An underground irrigation device comprises a chamber dimensioned to accept a quantity of pesticide, insecticide or fertilizer, a cap secured to the chamber and having a fitting for receiving a garden hose, and a removable accelerator conduit depending from the cap and positioned within the interior of the chamber. The accelerator conduit has at least one hole in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber, which causes the acceleration of water into the chamber interior. A portion of the chamber's perimeter is fitted with a plurality of throughholes, while the chamber's interior is lined with a filter material to prevent the ingrowth of grass and roots and the intrusion of dirt as well as allowing for diffusion of pesticides and fertilizers and pressure nitigated effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Richard F. Marz
  • Patent number: 5761847
    Abstract: A plant-growing system includes a covering material filled with a substrate for growing plants. The covering material has a bag form or a tubular form and is made of a water-impermeable resin sheet of woven or nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of 20 to 100 g/m.sup.2, a visible-ray reflectance of more than 60%, and an air-permeability of 10 to 200 sec/100 cc. Thus, the substrate does not suffer oxygen shortage, thereby promoting healthy growth of plant roots. Excellent air-permeability prevents an excessive rise in moisture and temperature within the plant-growing system. Further, since excess water is drained from the substrate to maintain a constant water level within the substrate, watering is easy to perform, and excess watering does not cause root rot. In a plant-growing method, the plant-growing system is placed on a ground surface while the covering material is held by a metallic part at its bottom as well as at its both side walls or single side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Mikado Chemical M.F.G. Co.
    Inventors: Tadashi Ito, Shoichi Ishimoto
  • Patent number: 5761848
    Abstract: A nursery container that provides an improved root structure for plants intended to be transplanted into the ground. This container is characterized by a base that is constructed to direct initial root growth towards an elevated opening that is centrally located in the base. It is through this opening where initial root growth is air pruned thus encouraging the early development of secondary lateral roots. The base design also serves to aerate the growing medium in the center of the container thus aiding in the reduction of medium compacting and drainage. This container is also characterized by a plurality of vertical indentations that protrude towards the periphery of the container, each one being open at the bottom. Because of these indentations the root tips are encouraged to grow down towards the openings for air pruning thus continuing the development of lateral roots. The indentations also serve to aerate the growing medium in the sidewall area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Steve Manlove
  • Patent number: 5761849
    Abstract: A structure for opening doors of vehicles at upper and lower sides of the doors, provided for opening a door of a vehicle, which covers an opening formed on a vehicle, at and about the upper side or the lower side of the opening to open and close the opening, comprising a hinge assembly including a pair of a female hinges and a male hinges, the female hinges having a cylindrical body with an insertion part extending through the periphery of the cylindrical body in its axial direction, the male hinges having a rotation member inserted into each female hinge through the insertion part to be rotatable on the inner peripheral surface of the female hinge and a support supporting the rotation member, the hinge assembly being disposed between near the opening and the door at their upper and the lower sides, and a locking mechanism provided between near the opening and the door at their upper and lower sides and having a rotation axle extending in the direction of a rotation axis of the hinge assemblies at the upper
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Toshiaki Tokuno
  • Patent number: 5761850
    Abstract: A garage door operator having reduced noise output during operation includes a head unit having a housing. A motor mount is connected to the housing to support an electric motor. A vibration damper is interposed between the motor mount and the electric motor to reduce noise radiated from the housing when the electric motor is energized to drive a garage door up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Lhotak, Kenneth J. Dombrowski
  • Patent number: 5761851
    Abstract: A vehicle door is designed so that it contains no internal wiring, even though some of the door functions are electrically operated. In particular, a window operating motor can he positioned so that its electrical connections to the vehicle power supply are accessible from the hinge shut face of the door, without needing to enter into the interior cavity of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David Biddlecombe
  • Patent number: 5761852
    Abstract: A shielding device including an inflatable frame structure, and a covering covered over the inflatable frame structure, the inflatable frame structure including a plurality of inflatable purlins, and a plurality of inflatable rafters connected in parallel by the inflatable purlins, the inflatable purlins and the inflatable rafters having a respective air valve, each inflatable rafter having a plurality of coupling portions adapted for coupling to the inflatable purlins, each coupling portion defining a coupling hole through which one inflatable purlin is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Chang Hsiung Liu
  • Patent number: 5761853
    Abstract: An easily and quickly deployable device for protecting against soiling of non-workpiece items during painting of a workpiece is provided by a device having at least one rigid section and at least one flexible section. The rigid section also acts as a housing for the flexible section. The device is folded open to protect non-workpiece items during the painting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Stephen Trosper
    Inventors: Stephen Trosper, Frederick Taylor
  • Patent number: 5761854
    Abstract: Currently portable industrial camp shelters will be either wood frame construction or fabric tents. The former have restriction on size and require special skills and equipment to install on site. The latter require plumbing and electrical installation to be installed on site. The present invention combines the advantages of frame structures and tents in a portable collapsible shelter by modifying standard shipping container structures to provide fold-down side walls which extend the floor space of the container and are provided with a retractable fabric cover to enclose the extended space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Weatherhaven Resources, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian D. Johnson, Glen V. Thorne
  • Patent number: 5761855
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for implementing a supplementary column structure for supporting a raised floor. The apparatus includes a number of fixed supporting columns above a lower floor to support at least one raised floor. Each fixed supporting, column has two ends, one of which is attached to a base block fixed to the lower floor while the other end is attached to all upper connecting block supporting the raised floor. The method of adding the supplementary columns includes first choosing two fixed supporting columns and installing a horizontal beam with a U-shaped groove between the two fixed columns. At least one supplementary column is then provided, each supplementary column being attached to an I-shaped slidable base block enclosed by the grooved horizontal beam at its one end, and to an upper connecting, block supporting the raised floor at its other end. The supplementary column can then slide along the groove of the horizontal beam until a desired location is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Vanguard Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Horng-Jong Uang
  • Patent number: 5761856
    Abstract: A vibration isolating apparatus (5) includes: an elastic body (3) in which elastic material layers and rigid material layers are alternately superposed one on top of another; and a cylindrical lead member (4) which is disposed in a hollow portion (12) defined by an inner peripheral surface (9) of the elastic body (3), wherein a ratio Vp/Ve between a volume V.sub.p of the cylindrical lead member (4) and a capacity Ve of the hollow portion (12) in a state in which the cylindrical lead member (4) is not inserted and a load is applied to the elastic body (3) is 1.02 to 1.12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Oiles Corporation
    Inventors: Tsukasa Kishizono, Ikuo Shimoda, William Henry Robinson
  • Patent number: 5761857
    Abstract: A residential subdivision having plural adjacent building lots is provided with common property lines between lots which may have laterally offset portions extending between front and rear property lines. Residential dwelling units and vehicle garages or carports for each lot are placed a predetermined distance from the respective property lines to conform to regulatory requirements and to provide access to all sides of the dwelling units and garages or carports, respectively, for maintenance and repair without requiring access to adjacent properties. A dwelling unit on one lot and a garage, carport or other structure on an adjacent lot are aligned along a construction reference line placed in a predetermined position extending between front and rear property lines to provide error-free placement of structures on the respective lots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventors: Mark I. Kaufman, Donald J. Meeks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5761858
    Abstract: A permanent form for placing a basement concrete wall includes a percolation layer and a water-conduit channel for discharging water leakage or the like from a basement concrete wall. If the basement concrete wall is placed using the form, the percolation layer is impregnated with cement paste of concrete, whereby the form and the basement concrete wall are joined to each other. Redundant water before hardening the concrete, water leakage after hardening or the like flows into the water-conduit channel through the percolation layer, flows downward through the water-conduit channel, and is discharged from the bottom of the form. In addition, heat from the basement concrete wall is cut off by a heat insulating layer provided on the side of the interior as viewed from the water-conduit channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Muramoto Corporation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Watanabe, Kasutaka Takada, Hiromasa Kawamura, Shunji Horinaka, Hideaki Iwatake, Ryoichi Takesako, Shinichiro Takai
  • Patent number: 5761859
    Abstract: Refractory door jamb assemblies for high temperature furnaces. The door jamb assemblies include alternating courses of refractory brick shapes, selected ones of which are fitted with apertures that are aligned as by drilling, when the bricks are installed. One or more steel rods are inserted through the aligned apertures to fasten and retain the bricks in the desired position so as to cooperatively act with the bricks and prevent them from moving when subjected to thermal and mechanical forces encountered in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Harbison-Walker Refractories Company
    Inventor: Kevin J. Duda
  • Patent number: 5761860
    Abstract: A structure for mounting a panel in a panel mounting frame to form a door, window, or the like comprises bilateral vertical frame elements, an upper transverse frame element and a lower transverse frame element assembled to form a quadrangular panel mounting frame. Each of the bilateral vertical frame elements has a recessed groove and a receiving means. A first bead member is attached to each of the vertical frame elements by an attachment means inserted in the recessed groove. A second bead member is also attached to each of the vertical frame elements by an engaging means engaged with a receiving means. A panel is mounted so that each of its bilateral vertical edge portions is disposed between the first bead member and the second bead member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: YKK Architectural Products Inc.
    Inventors: Sou Koike, Masao Hirano
  • Patent number: 5761861
    Abstract: A lightweight stone-work column apparatus (20) including a side wall assembly (20) formed from a plurality of stone-work pieces (32) in side-by-side relation. A mortar material (31) is adhesively mounted to the collective backsides and joints (20) of and between the stone-work pieces (32). This mortar material (31) is supplied in a relatively thin radial depth dimension, relative the longitudinal axis (30), while being sufficient thick to support and bond together the plurality of stone-work pieces (32) together as a unit. A tube member (45) is positioned in a cavity (46), formed by the stone-work pieces (32) and the mortar material (31), in an orientation extending from the first opening (47) to the second opening (48). A polymer backing (20) positioned in a gap between an outer surface of the tube (45) and the backside of the mortar material (31) for strengthening of the collective stone-work pieces (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Charles Mark Brackett
  • Patent number: 5761862
    Abstract: The building system employs precast corners (16) and elongated walls (12) with integral footings (14 and 18) to construct a foundation and basement. Precast first elongated wall sections (50) and corner sections (52) and floor slabs form a first level. Upper level wall sections (74), corner sections (76) and floor slabs (72) form an upper level. Gable sections (90), a ridge beam (92) and roof slabs (94) form a roof. The precast members all include a steel mesh reinforcement (102, 104 and 106). Sections are rigidly connected together at their ends (58 and 68) by connector assemblies (108 and 160) that are connected directly to the reinforcement (102). The sections are secured together by sheebolts (120) that extend vertically from a lower section into an upper section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventors: Gary L. Hendershot, Gregory E. Cook
  • Patent number: 5761863
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to structural molding members and to a structural molding system designed to retroactively connect together walls, the roof, floors, and the foundation of a preexisting house or building. The structural members are for reinforcing a building so that all external forces applied to the building are transferred to the foundation. The structural molding members are particularly useful for preventing damage to the building when the building is exposed to high winds and seismic activity. In general, the structural molding members include a support bracket that is mounted directly to the exterior surfaces of a building and connected to internal frame components. The support bracket can then be covered with a molding member, a light fixture, or the like to provide an aesthetic appeal to the reinforcing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Clemson University
    Inventors: Edward G. Sutt, Jr., Timothy A. Reinhold
  • Patent number: 5761864
    Abstract: A building comprising an exterior wall having an outer air convection layer provided therein with an lower opening communicating with an atmosphere and an upper opening communicating with an atmosphere and an inner air convection layer provided therein with a lower opening communicating with an atmosphere and an upper opening communicating with a garret space, which in turn communicates through a ridge venting hood with an atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Tadamichi Nonoshita
  • Patent number: 5761865
    Abstract: A component shutter assembly and method of forming same. The assembly comprises a one-piece molded plastic, integrally formed shutter panel. The shutter panel may be molded in a small plurality of standard lengths and then one or both ends thereof cut to shorten the shutter panel to a specific, desired length once it is determined what-specific length of shutter is needed for a particular application. An independent, integrally formed end panel may then be secured to one or both ends of the cut shutter panel and ultrasonically welded thereto to form a finished component shutter assembly having a particular desired length and the appearance of a one-piece, integrally formed shutter. Embodiments directed to raised panel and louvered shutters are disclosed, as is a removable center panel section which may be used in connection with the louvered shutter panels if it is desired to provide a mid-panel section which is offset from the mid-point of the overall length of the shutter panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Tapco International
    Inventors: Charles E. Schiedegger, Nicholas Gerald Ward, Clyde George Allen
  • Patent number: 5761866
    Abstract: An intersection assembly for use with an architectural stucco reveal system. The stucco reveal system generally includes elongated strips of material which can be attached to an underlying structure. The strips include a base portion and generally two spaced-apart walls extending from a front side of said base portion defining a channel therebetween. Flanges extend away from outside surfaces of the walls and the channel. The intersection assembly includes at least two intersecting portions which have edges which are placed in abutment to define a desired angular configuration of the intersection assembly. A support plate of a generally rigid material compatible for welding to the intersecting portions is welded to a rear side of the intersecting portions. The support plate provides structural support to retain the intersecting portions in the desired angular configuration with the edges thereof in abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Alabama Metal Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Joseph Maylon
  • Patent number: 5761867
    Abstract: A tile support insert of the present invention is used with a conventional tile having an upper portion formed by a plurality of intersecting cross members, and a lower portion formed by a plurality of spaced support legs. The tile support insert has a core plate with a plurality of openings formed therein for receiving support legs of a conventional tile. The insert prevents the support legs from deforming when a heavy, localized load is placed on the tile. The tile support insert will typically extend upwardly a sufficient distance also to support the interconnecting cross members which form the upper surface of tile. When nested together, the tile and the tile support insert can form a generally contiguous tile which dramatically increases the load bearing capacity of the tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Sport Court, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Carling
  • Patent number: 5761868
    Abstract: An end connector for a ceiling grid runner that interlocks with an identical connector when assembled in a common slot of a through runner. Problems associated with interference between a lock lance stamped laterally out of the plane of the connector and the opposing connector when the second connector is being inserted in the slot are reduced by a relief zone in the forward portion of the connector that is in the form of a concave area that clears the opposing lock lance until the second connector is nearly fully received in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. LaLonde, Gerald L. Koski, James J. Lehane
  • Patent number: 5761869
    Abstract: A suspension ceiling grid for supporting rectangular panels. The grid members are elongated runners with a generally inverted T-shaped cross-section. Flanges on the lower side of the runners have inclined exposed portions and vertical portions concealed by rabbeted edges of the panels. The flange portions are configured with respect to the proportions of the rabbeted panels, to appear as beveled edges of the panels whereby the finished ceiling appears to be gridless. The runners are specially notched and trimmed to provide a strong but attractive faux miter joint at their intersections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Tinen, William E. Kirsop, James J. Lehane, Paul D. LaLonde
  • Patent number: 5761870
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connecting structure of concrete blocks and a method for connecting the concrete blocks in which a special structure for use in connecting the concrete blocks is not required, a rigid connection can be carried out with a simple connecting structure, a removal of the connector is eliminated, a workability is remarkably improved, a productivity of buildings is improved and at the same time it has a superior anti-disaster effect. The connecting structure is comprised of either a hollow rod-like connection member, a plurality of concrete blocks, a pair of connecting holes bored at abutting surfaces between concrete blocks, and adhesive agent poured at one end of the connector flowed out the opposite end and thus filled between the exterior surface of said connector and circumferential walls of said connecting holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Home Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuo Goto
  • Patent number: 5761871
    Abstract: A framework structure comprises three or more primary constituent units each including two rigid diagonal members constituting the diagonals of a quadrangular lateral face of a solid and coupled together for relative rotation about a first rotation axis passing through the intersection of the diagonals. The primary constituent units are coupled to one another via second and third rotation axes into a ring-like form. A more complicated framework structure can be obtained by using a plurality of these framework structures as secondary constituent units which are coupled to one another with a coupler or a primary constituent unit used in common between adjacent ones of the secondary constituent units. The framework structure can provide one which is capable of being expanded and contracted in three-dimensional directions and which has rigidity in any directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Aleph Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhito Atake
  • Patent number: 5761872
    Abstract: An open web beam composed of wooden top chord and an open web central structure terminated on at least one end by wooden members in the form of a closed web wherein the closed web is reinforced by insertion of a portion of the closed web into a strut and the two chords which have been slotted or grooved for this purpose. The closed be being oriented strand board using structural adhesive without interfering mechanical fasteners in the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventors: Emmett Barry Sanford, Emmett Cecil Sanford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5761873
    Abstract: A self-jigging web for fastening two steel chords together to form a beam. There are different sizes of webs for assembly of beams of different depths. A web has several holes for locating screws for fastening the web to a pair of chords parallel to each other. Chords having the same outer cross-section but of different steel gauges are used to obtain beams of different strengths. Assembled beams are used in a frame of a building structure such as a wall, floor or ceiling. A system is provided such that a building designer, given the wind bearing (bending) and axial loads required to be borne by the structure, can determine beam spacing and beam depth required for the structure to bear the loads. Beams are then assembled to meet the determined requirements according to a standard set of instructions which detail the chord steel gauge, size of web, number and spacing of webs lengthwise along a beam, and a number and placement of screws for fastening each web to a pair of chords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Jack Slater
  • Patent number: 5761874
    Abstract: A concrete form spacing fixture comprises a bar type separator having a prescribed length which is provided with a male screw on its end portion, an attachment which is provided with a concave part having an open end and so formed that the open end of the concave part defines an end surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the separator in a state fixed to the end portion of the separator, and a fastening member having a female screw forming part provided with a female screw to be fitted with the male screw of the separator with an outer diameter smaller than an opening diameter of the open end of the concave part of the attachment on an end thereof so that a flange type stop part is provided on a base portion of the female screw forming part. According to this structure, no male screw is inserted in a hole of a form panel, whereby the form panel is prevented from breakage caused by a bite of a thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Hayakawa