Barrier Of Hingedly Connected Sections Patents (Class 52/71)
  • Patent number: 6233879
    Abstract: A double pivotable door, particularly for use with modular office partitions is disclosed. The double pivotable door includes a frame, which is mounted to a partition by at least one hinge having a first axis of rotation. The frame include a door which is mounted to the frame and can rotate about a second axis of rotation, where the second axis of rotation is parallel but spaced from the first axis of rotation. The door can thus be mounted to partitions where there is limited space, and can rotate about the first axis, as a typical door, or rotate about the first and second axes simultaneously, thereby reducing by approximately half the clearance required for opening and closing the door. Preferably, the door includes a mechanism to prevent the door from pivoting about the second axis. Also preferably, the handle for the door is integral therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Groupe Pro-Plus Inc.
    Inventor: Jean Barbeau
  • Patent number: 6226931
    Abstract: A modular display system includes base units angularly positionable relative to one another on a floor area to define a lower edge of a display space. Base units include an elongated body and a pair of detachable end members connectable to the opposed ends of the elongated body at upper or lower positions. An end member connected at a lower position at one end of the body is connectable at a plurality of angles to an end member on an adjacent base unit connected at the upper position. The angular connection allows the display area to be defined and adjusted prior to installation of vertical elements forming walls. Vertical supports, preferably including columns positioned over the end members between the base units and uprights supported in sleeves in the base units are removably connectable to the base units. Crossbars are removably connectable to the upper ends of the vertical supports for defining an upper edge of the display space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Canfield Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Haversat
  • Patent number: 6220265
    Abstract: Collapsible structures include at least first and second panels, each panel having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a material covering portions of the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The first panel has a first retaining mechanism that defines an adjustment space, and the second panel has a second retaining mechanism that is movably received inside the adjustment space of the first retaining mechanism to couple the second panel to the first panel. The second retaining mechanism is movable within the adjustment space to allow the relative positions of the first and second panels to be adjusted. Other collapsible structures include at least first and second panels, each panel having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a material covering portions of the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Patent Category Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 6216398
    Abstract: A selectively reconfigurable wall system for use in a work environment is disclosed. The work environment provides at least a first work space and a second work space. The wall system is configured to control access to the work spaces and is adapted for association with a frame system having a plurality of floorstanding posts and overhead beams. The wall system includes an articulating partition adapted for mounting to a vertical member and for selective positioning between a first position and a second position. The articulating partition in the first position increases the relative level of privacy provided by the first work space, and the articulating partition in the second position increases the relative level of privacy provided by the second work space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: David Allan Shipman, Michael Damien Luyckx, Adam Alan Luedke, Errol Stafford Pearsons
  • Patent number: 6202355
    Abstract: A retractable load-bearing cover includes a plurality of rigid panels hingedly attached one to the other to form a plurality of hinged panel pairs, adjoining hinged panel pairs being hingedly attached to an interconnecting support member. A first hinged panel pair is hingedly attachable at one end to a support structure and hingedly attachable at another end to a first interconnecting support member. A last hinged panel pair includes a distal panel hingedly attached to a terminating support member. In an extended position, upper surfaces of the panels are coplanar to provide a load-bearing surface upon which activities such as dancing and sporting activities can be performed. The cover is retractable in an accordion configuration wherein each hinged panel pair abuts against an adjoining panel pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventors: Scott Uram, Judd Jackson
  • Patent number: 6195943
    Abstract: A collapsible stage (1) is provided which has a first planar wing (3), a second planar wing (5) and an intermediate planar section (7). The respective wings (3 to 5) are hinged to respective sides of the intermediate section (7) so they can both swing upwardly from a plane where they are co-planar with the intermediate section where they collectively form an open stage (1), to a collapsed position where both wings (3 to 5) are generally parallel to one another and extend upright. The intermediate section (7) has ground engaging devices (17) to permit rolling or sliding movement of the collapsed stage. A first pair of retractable legs (11) are connected with an underside of the first wing (3) adjacent one side of the intermediate section (7), and a second pair of retractable legs (13) are connected with an underside of the second wing (5) and the other side of the intermediate section (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ezistage Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Carl Henry Woods, David John Woods, Rushton Carl Woods
  • Patent number: 6178701
    Abstract: In order to provide a portable room suited for human use, the room is provided with a plurality of walls including three solid wall panels and a fourth wall panel defining a door opening for receiving a door therein. The room also includes a door hingedly mounted for movement between opened and closed positions relative to the door opening defined by the fourth wall panel. Each of the wall panels has a wall supporting post operatively associated with at least one of the opposite ends thereof The room also includes hinge means joining each of the wall panels to an adjacent wall panel for collapsible folding movement of the wall panels relative to each other. With this arrangement, a removable ceiling is supported on the wall panels and, in a preferred embodiment, cooperates with the wall panels to maintain adjacent ones in substantially perpendicular relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Sears. Roebuck and Co.
    Inventors: Denice D. De Paepe, Henry E. Schmalen, Russell E. Arnold
  • Patent number: 6175989
    Abstract: A shape memory alloy hinge assembly for deploying at least a first object in a controllable, substantially shockless manner is disclosed. Generally, the hinge assembly includes at least a first flexure member capable of moving from a first, folded configuration to a second, straightened configuration, and a controller for controlling the movement of at least the first flexure member as the first flexure member moves or reconfigures from the folded configuration to the straightened configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventors: Bernie F. Carpenter, Jerry L. Draper, Russell N. Gehling
  • Patent number: 6158175
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a substantially box-shaped cover for enclosing an outdoor air conditioning unit. The cover includes four vertical side walls and a top horizontal wall each constructed with a mesh type, solar screen material which allows air to flow therethrough while refracting sunlight. The box-shaped container is formed of two detachable, foldable components allowing the device to be disassembled and compactly folded for storage. Adjacent one or more bottom peripheral edges of the cover is a latch means for securing the device to the concrete foundation on which the outdoor air conditioner is typically supported. Furthermore, a decorative design element may be embossed or imprinted on the top wall or one or more sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Loretta L. Carter
  • Patent number: 6151835
    Abstract: A cover for an elongated and relatively narrow tank or channel is formed from a series of panels arranged in parallel, edge-to-edge fashion, each panel spanning across the channel and resting on rims of the channel. Each panel is formed of a large plurality of side-by-side, preferably edge-connected deck slats having lengths extending in the longitudinal direction of the channel. At junctions between adjacent panels, structural transverse members have deck slat receiving channels for engaging with and supporting ends of the deck slats. In preferred embodiments the transverse structural members are generally L-shaped, with the L-shaped structural member of one channel nesting into the L-shaped structural channel of an adjacent panel, providing for removal of alternate panels by lifting. Deck slats include special handle slats for inclusion near the two transverse ends of the removable panels to enable lifting of the panels for access to the tank or channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Hallsten Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Hallsten
  • Patent number: 6119410
    Abstract: An adjustable connector assembly for coupling the adjacent lateral edges of construction panels including an intermediate extruded plate in a generally H-shaped configuration having planar interior legs with inwardly extending projections at their ends in a generally cylindrical configuration receivable within the receptors of first and second end components and having exterior arcuate legs extending in opposite directions from the center with centers of curvature coextensive with the projections and having an intermediate coupling member extending perpendicular between centers of the first legs and second legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Michael J. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6108982
    Abstract: A collapsible, folding play structure including wall members which are integrally connected to each other and roof members which are integrally connected to the wall members. Two end roof members lend support to two side roof members which connect to end roof members with tabs. The two side roof members join at the top of the roof with interlocking tabs. The play structure may be folded and stored by folding the roof members outward to the corresponding wall members. The roof and wall members are then folded flat and again folded together to form a flat compact storage state for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Julie McClendon Davison
  • Patent number: 6105324
    Abstract: A panel unit for roof drainage comprises plural panel sections with adjoining ones of the plural panel sections connected to be foldably collapsed on one another into a storage (e.g., transport) unit. In one embodiment, the panel sections are connected together for folding, e.g., by a hinge. Roofing saddles and roofing crickets of the present invention are formed using one or more sets of panel units. Sets of panel units are fabricated to have essentially the same footprint on the roof, although a lastly installed one of the sets of panel units is modified on site. A method of installing a roofing saddle comprised of the panel units is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Atlas Roofing Corporation
    Inventors: Edward R. Krusec, Kimberly M. Larson
  • Patent number: 6103813
    Abstract: The use of a thermoplastic molding composition differing from ABS and comprising, based on a total of 100% by weight of amounts of components A and B, and, if desired, C and/or D,a: as component A, from 1 to 99% by weight, preferably from 15 to 60% by weight, in particular from 25 to 50% by weight, of a particulate emulsion polymer with a glass transition temperature of below 0.degree. C. and with a median particle size of from 50 to 1000 nm, preferably from 50 to 500 nm,b: as component B, from 1 to 99% by weight, preferably from 40 to 85% by weight, in particular from 50 to 75% by weight, of at least one amorphous or partly crystalline polymer,c: as component C, from 0 to 50% by weight of polycarbonates, andd: as component D, from 0 to 50% by weight of fibrous or particulate fillers or mixtures of thesefor producing covering grid plates for ventilator openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Naarmann, Graham Edmund Mc Kee, Alfred Pirker, Hans-Josef Sterzel, Franz Brandstetter, Bernd-Steffen von Bernstorff, Bernhard Rosenau, Ulrich Endemann, Burkhard Straube
  • Patent number: 6085861
    Abstract: The acoustic tower of the present invention is a portable, acoustic tower that has both a performance position and a storage position. In the storage position, a canopy panel lies substantially parallel proximate an upper panel, both of which are hingedly secured to a cross tube assembly that is supported by a lift tube. The upper panel lies substantially parallel to a lower panel that is fixedly secured to a lower panel assembly having side supports and a center shaft which substantially contains the lift tube. To raise the acoustic tower to the performance position, the canopy panel is raised to one of a plurality of preset angles and maintained in position through use of ratchet and pawl assemblies of the cross tube assembly. With the canopy panel at the desired angle, the upper panel and canopy panel are raised vertically by telescopically elevating the lift tube within the center shaft. The lift tube is elevated by virtue of a winch assembly that is connected to the lift tube by a length of webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. Jines
  • Patent number: 6085469
    Abstract: A structural connector system for the assembly of structural panel buildings is provided. The system is adapted for use in association with structural panels including roof and wall panels. The system comprises a pair of adjustable roof ridge structural connectors each having a generally U-shaped side with flat faces receiving adjacent ends of roof panels and with arched adjustable components therebetween. An adjustable eave structural connector is positioned between the upper edges of wall panels and roof panels adjacent to the periphery. The eave structural connectors have generally U-shaped sides with flat faces receiving wall panels adjacent their upper edges and with regions coupled to a roof panel with adjustment components therebetween. The base structural connectors have generally U-shaped sides with flat faces receiving opposed exterior faces of wall panels adjacent to their lower ends. Remote components are fixably positionable with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Michael J. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6082055
    Abstract: An ice rink covering system utilizes a plurality of support mechanisms for sets of non-flexible insulated panels which are interconnected by a hinge mechanism between each pair of adjacent panels. The support mechanisms are connected to the panels by lifting units for selectively moving the panels in an accordion fashion for either edge to edge contact when the panels cover a rink or side to side contact when the panels are in their stored condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Irum Ice, Inc.
    Inventor: L. Patrick Kelly
  • Patent number: 6079174
    Abstract: A vertical movement accommodating apparatus for use with a wall panel includes a cap mounted on a ceiling structure of a room, and a support assembly mounted on a top edge of the wall panel and at least partially disposed within the cap for vertical movement with respect to the cap. The cap is a U-shaped member opening down. The support assembly includes an upper rail, a lower rail, and a truss assembly interconnecting the upper and lower rails. A sealing member is disposed between the upper rail and the cap to provide a sound reducing seal therebetween. The lower rail defines a channel in which a roller mounted on the upper edge of the wall panel is allowed to roll in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Hufcor, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Williams, James M. Durand, Yale Shea
  • Patent number: 6073643
    Abstract: Collapsible structures include at least first and second panels, each panel having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a material covering portions of the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the material assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member. The first panel has a first retaining mechanism that defines an adjustment space, and the second panel has a second retaining mechanism that is movably received inside the adjustment space of the first retaining mechanism to couple the second panel to the first panel. The second retaining mechanism is movable within the adjustment space to allow the relative positions of the first and second panels to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Patent Category Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 6070372
    Abstract: An enclosure with an adjacent auxiliary fold-out room is useful as a utility building for cellular telephone equipment. The auxiliary fold-out room is selectively positionable in a collapsed configuration and alternatively positionable in a expanded configuration. In the collapsed configuration the auxiliary fold-out room lies against the enclosure and in the expanded configuration, panels of the auxiliary fold-out room define an enclosed space adjacent an access opening of the enclosure and provide cover for maintenance personnel while servicing equipment within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Bellsouth Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P. Norman, Alan Wayne Rinderknecht
  • Patent number: 6070371
    Abstract: A large structure enshrouder has a block collector that is secured to the top of the large structure, a plurality of outriggers secured to the top, below the block collector, and a plurality of booms secured to the legs of the large structure. A plurality of first cables are each secured to the shroud, pass through an outrigger, are secured to the block collector and terminate at a collector ring, the collector ring being connected to an appropriate pulling device for lifting the shroud. A plurality of second cables extend between the top and the outrigger for stability of the outrigger, while a plurality of third cables extend between the block collector and the outrigger for further stability. A plurality of fourth cables extend between the booms and the leg of the structure for stability of the booms, the booms also being anchored to the ground. A plurality of fifth cables and sixth cables extend between the outriggers and the booms for stability of the raised shroud during wind load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Jim Myrick
  • Patent number: 6058660
    Abstract: A portable garage assembly includes a floor member formed of three foldable sections having a plurality of peripherally disposed indentions on its upper surface. Received within its indentions are vertical support members that are secured thereto with quick release screws. A side, a rear and a front wall are removably secured to the support members. A plurality of directional and transverse beams are secured to the top ends of the support members for supporting a multi-section, laterally sloping roof. An opening on the front panel defines an entrance. The entrance is selectively enclosable with a garage door movable along a pair of tracks between a vertical, closed position and a horizontal open position. The device is designed to be quickly and easily erected or alternatively disassembled for transport or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Willie F. Melton
  • Patent number: 6052951
    Abstract: A weather hood is disclosed having a housing and a plurality of hood segments each formed from a pair of spaced apart pivot arms joined by a shell portion. The hood segments are pivotally mounted on the housing for rotation about an axis passing through the ends of the pivot arms. The hood segments pivot between a retracted position, wherein the hood segments are nested one within another within the housing, and an extended position, wherein the hood segments extend from the housing and are positioned adjacent to each other. Hooks extend from edges of the shell portions, each hook interengaging a hook on an adjacent hood segment or the housing to interlock the hood segments in the extended position and limit their rotation. A spring is connected between the housing to the lowermost hood segment to bias the hood segments into the retracted or extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bassel H. Daoud
  • Patent number: 6000191
    Abstract: A hinged support structure (30) is employed between a stationary beam of a building structure and a hinged roof portion. The hinged support structure (30) includes two support legs (34, 36) hinged together by a double hinge center bracket (38). The other end of the support legs (34, 36) are each coupled to a respective end bracket (40, 42) that allows pivotal motion of the support legs (34, 36) about two axes. A horizontal force is applied at the double hinged center bracket (38) by a cable to thereby move the support legs (34, 36) vertically apart, thus raising the hinged roof. Each of a plurality of hinged support structures (30) are fixed in the fully deployed position to thereby form a part of the permanent support structure between the hinged roof and the fixed beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Palm Harbor Homes, Inc.
    Inventor: Berthold M. Kessler
  • Patent number: 5996287
    Abstract: A storage partition adapted for partitioning an area proximate a corner or along a flat wall having a partitioning means selectively repositionable between (a) a first position wherein access to the area is prohibited and (b) a second position wherein unimpeded rolling access to the area, via a floor surface, is permissible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Donald H. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5983576
    Abstract: An extendable room comprises accordion type ceiling and wall panels which fold within panel covers when the room is retracted, thereby taking up much less interior space and leaving the interior of the primary structure just as attractive, albeit smaller, as prior to retraction. The wall and ceiling panels are hinged together with tongue and groove connections and are secured in the flat, extended configuration by steel cables running through the panels. The side walls also include windows which may be made clear and opaque electronically. The secondary floor is retractable below the floor of the primary structure when the room is retracted, permitting the room extension floor to become the primary floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: HWH Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Hanser, William G. Reckmeyer, Stacy M. Hanser, Marc E. Frerichs
  • Patent number: 5966956
    Abstract: A portable unit which is foldable to be shipped and transported as a standard cargo shipping container is disclosed. The portable unit may function as a portable shelter which may be easily transported and usable on a variety of terrains and surfaces without a foundation. The portable shelter contains a refrigeration system which provides air conditioning and/or heating for living quarters or for controlled environment storage, such as a portable mortuary used in emergency situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Shelter Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Leland M. Morris, James Rogers
  • Patent number: 5966883
    Abstract: A panel unit for roof drainage comprises plural panel sections with adjoining ones of the plural panel sections connected to be foldably collapsed on one another into a storage (e.g., transport) unit. In one embodiment, the panel sections are connected together for folding, e.g., by a hinge. Roofing saddles and roofing crickets of the present invention are formed using one or more sets of panel units. Sets of panel units are fabricated to have essentially the same footprint on the roof, although a lastly installed one of the sets of panel units is modified on site. A method of installing a roofing saddle comprised of the panel units is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Atlas Roofing Corporation
    Inventors: Edward R. Krusec, Kimberly M. Larson
  • Patent number: 5964065
    Abstract: Advanced vehicle-transportable field emergency medical systems comprising surgical suites deployable from core modules, each expanding to form an enclosed surgical or treatment room with perimeter tenting spaces, supplies and equipment. Two system versions are disclosed, each containing operating rooms, post operative beds, and a twenty plus bed triage capacity with unidirectional patient flow. The first surgical procedure can begin within one hour of delivery with a twenty patient cycle for twenty four hours. The surgical/treatment modules may also be deployed independently. Both system versions are transportable in a single C130 transport aircraft. Version AZ1 has smaller modules deployable by utility helicopter that include two operating suites, two post operative units, and also supply/communications and power units. Version AZ2 includes two modules each forming a combined surgical/post-operative unit, and also supply/communications and power units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: San Jose State University Foundation
    Inventors: Tomasz K. Migurski, Tai Y. Chung, Theekarat Lertphumpanya, Stefano A. Moris, Brian D. Perry, David C. Windham
  • Patent number: 5941027
    Abstract: A deck structure is assembled of a plurality of modular panels including one or more hinged, openable access panels. The panels, comprised of extruded deck planks and framing channels are interconnected at edges. At each access panel a gear hinge connects the panel with the adjacent fixed panel, through the width of the panels. Hinge gears are integrally formed on edges of a hinged plank and a fixed plank of the adjacent hinged and fixed panels, with a keeper member holding the gears enmeshed during opening and closing of the panel. In a preferred embodiment a gas tight seal is formed when the access panel is closed. The gear hinge comprising the hinged and fixed planks is the same width as other planks in the deck structure thereby allowing interchangeability and modularity in building the deck structure and allowing the hinge to be placed anywhere in the deck structure. An articulated, sliding cover using similar gear hinge components is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Hallsten Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Hallsten
  • Patent number: 5927025
    Abstract: The present dock shelter assembly provides, at a given warehouse or building dock, a protective unit that presents a weather-tight seal when extended from the dock against the open sliding door or side of an adjacent rail car. It is desirable that such a dock shelter not only permit complete and unobstructed rail car access, but also provide outstanding weather protection. The shelter herein is mounted along the outer perimeter of the dock opening of the terminal building and permits free access to the rail car whereupon its gap closure may be protected upon its sides and bottom during loading and unloading. The car is also sealed by a head curtain above the shelter components. The unit is sufficiently versatile to accommodate a rail car which may be somewhat out of position, relative to a dock center as defined by the building construction. Likewise, the shelter protection should continue its effectiveness despite rocking motions of the car when loaded and unloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Fairborn USA Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Brockman, Mark Dillon
  • Patent number: 5904005
    Abstract: A modular unit (10) for a building comprises a central frame (12) and four walls (14) arranged in opposing pairs on each side of the central frame (12) to give an I-shaped configuration. At least one of the pairs of opposing walls (14) is foldable towards the central frame (12) to make a unit of ?-shaped or!-shaped configuration. The units (10) can be connected in series to make an extended building. The modular unit (10) is fitted with flooring (16) and a roof (22). Seals are provided between the central frame (12) and the walls (14), and between adjoining walls (14) in a multi-unit structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Kudos 2000 Limited
    Inventors: David Charles Dyer, Nicholas Anthony Lawler
  • Patent number: 5901526
    Abstract: A landscape timber connecting system for use with landscape timber or the like, and includes a first member and a second member. The first member having a bracket that is shaped to engage an end of a first landscape timber, and a first hinge component. The second member having a bracket that is shaped to receive an end of a second landscape timber, and a second hinge component. The second hinge component is adapted to align with the first hinge component along a common, substantially vertical pivot axis. A hinge pin is shaped to engage the first and second hinge components along the common pivot axis and extend downwardly into ground beneath the system such that the first and second members can be pivotally positioned relative to each other about the common pivot axis to position associated engaged landscape timbers at a selected angle relative to each other, and the hinge pin anchors and fixes the system to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Hanover Catalog Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: James Vidmar, Peter Rimback
  • Patent number: 5896710
    Abstract: An acoustic panel system is provided for partially acoustically isolating a portion of a space in, for example, a recording studio. The acoustic panel system is modular in design and includes a plurality of different sized acoustic panels which can be assembled together in various configurations to form complete or partial acoustically isolated areas within a space. The acoustic panel system includes wall mount members, wall panels, floor panels, ceiling panels, transparent viewing panels and door panels. The wall mount members are basically partial members either permanently or removably interconnected with the walls of a space. The wall panels can be interconnected with the wall mount members. The wall panels may include casters for facilitating the movement thereof, and may also include feet for supporting the panels on uneven flooring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Charlie Hoyle
  • Patent number: 5894698
    Abstract: Mobile living quarters, such as manufactured housing or a recreational vehicle, is provided with a structure defining a main living quarters and a slide out room which is extended from the main living quarters when the unit is used, and is retracted into the main living quarters when the unit is to be transported. An actuation mechanism extends and retracts the slide out room, and a pivot mechanism is used to tilt the slide out room slightly in one direction when the slide out room is drawn into the main living area to thereby compress a seal between a sealing area on the slide out room and a sealing surface on the structure defining the main living quarters. When the slide out room is moved to the extended position, the slide out room is tilted in the opposite direction to thereby compress a second seal between another sealing area and a sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventors: James E. Dewald, Jr., Martin P. McManus, Patrick W. McManus
  • Patent number: 5864991
    Abstract: A mobile booth, which is mounted upon a truck, comprising a primary housing and a canopy that is slidably mounted exterior to the primary housing. The canopy is mounted to the primary housing with a roller track. The canopy comprises a top panel, and side panels that are hingeably connected thereto. The side panels have a tri-partite construction, including an upper panel, middle panel, and lower panel which are hingeably connected to allow an enclosure created by canopy to be wider than the truck. To deploy the canopy, the middle panel and lower panel are lowered to the ground, and the truck is pulled forward until the primary housing is forward of substantially all of the canopy. Hydraulic jacks may extend downwardly from the primary housing to selectively engage the ground surface, raise the primary housing slightly, and allow the truck to be driven away to create a semi-permanent installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Gary Burns
  • Patent number: 5857510
    Abstract: A sectional garage door is formed of rectangular door sections which include hollow extruded plastic rail members interconnected by hollow extruded plastic end and intermediate stile members to form a door section. The rail members and stile members may be fitted with internal tubular or channel shaped metal reinforcing members to minimize deflection of the door sections during use. The door sections may each include an externally fitted strut which is secured to a longitudinal side edge of a section and is connected directly to a reinforcing member disposed within one of the rail members without being forcibly connected to the rail member itself to allow for differential thermal expansion between the rail member and the reinforcing members. Rectangular panel inserts may be removably supported on each door section by removable retainer members and may include insulated panel inserts which may be added to the door sections before or after installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: LeRoy G. Krupke, Foad Vafaie, James L. Grisham, David Scott Boucher
  • Patent number: 5833332
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel furniture frame system comprising horizontal and vertical frame members which can be arranged in a variety of configurations to provide at least one continuous concealed channel for cables such as power and/or signal cables, in which the channel is easily accessible for wiring, maintenance, rearrangement and storage of cable without disassembly of the frame system and provides for access to cable outlets at work surface height so that cable devices can be connected to an outlet with minimal interference to the work surface. The frame system itself does not interfere with the work surface. The horizontal frame member has an opening on the top surface which is at work surface height for access to the cable channel, and also has a cover for the opening which has at least one flexible edge to enable cables to pass in and out of the channel when the cover is closed and permits the cable to move freely along the length of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Smed Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Marshall, Rod Vallas, Henry Roemer, Paul Then, Ken Frederick
  • Patent number: 5826380
    Abstract: The invention comprises a ridge beam apparatus which is adjustable to receive roof halves in a variety of roof pitches. Such adjustability results from inner and outer sleeves which may rotate about each other through a reasonable range of pitches. The apparatus is suitable for manufacture through the extrusion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Michael J. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 5819492
    Abstract: The present invention is a collapsible roof truss comprising two elongated wooden structural members consisting of upper and lower chords, the lower chord having a bevel end, the angle of which corresponds to the roof pitch. The hinging mechanism comprises two identical metal disks, each having a rigid annulus at its respective periphery and with an opening in the center therethrough to pivotally connect the disks. Each chord has grooves formed on both sides, the depth of the grooves being equal to the height of the annuli, the grooves on the upper chord being in the form of a semi-circle, the grooves on the lower chord being in the form of an arc corresponding to the angle formed by the bevel, and each chord having a notch therethrough at the center of the radii of the semi-circle and the arc respectively for receiving a fastener therethrough. The grooves, when chords are in assembled relation, form a nearly complete circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Richard R. Konicek
  • Patent number: 5816309
    Abstract: A door edge guard for mounting to the leading edges of a pair of bifold doors has a guard body. The guard body has a rear wall, a front wall spaced apart from the rear wall and resiliently deformable panels extending between the front and rear walls. The front wall, rear wall and side panels define a crush zone therebetween. Weather stripping extends forwardly from the front wall to provide a weather barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: The Stanley Works
    Inventor: Bruce D. Paradise
  • Patent number: 5802778
    Abstract: A self-contained workstation defined by a multi-panel divider wall which defines a workstation area and is closeable by a door assembly hingedly connected thereto. The workstation is readily movable and accessible so as to facilitate repositioning of the workstation as well as opening and closing of the door assembly. The workstation further includes an overhead canopy which is pivotally connected along one edge to the divider wall and extends forwardly therefrom so as to overlie the workstation area which canopy is raisable to adjust vertical clearance within the workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarkson S. Thorp, Thai Q. Tran, Gary R. Ludwig, Steven A. Heyer
  • Patent number: 5778604
    Abstract: A storage shed of a height less than that of an adult person, and which is accessed through a front door or ramp, when the roof portions are in an open supported position. The shed is intended for use in locations where local regulations prevent the placement of buildings that exceed the height of a residential fence. The superstructure of the shed; namely, the walls and roof portion(s) is formed of metal frame members which are covered over with a plywood or vinyl siding. The roof covering may be corrugated galvanized sheeting, or wood optionally covered by shingles as well as transparent or translucent plastic. The roof may be opened and closed by the operation of a series of water operated or electrically operated rams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventor: Guy B. Snow
  • Patent number: 5771639
    Abstract: A shelter (1) comprising an array of substantially rigid panels (2, 3, 4) hingedly joined together, the arrangement being such that a central polygonal roof panel (2) is surrounded by a number of wall panels (3) equal in number to the sides of the polygon, each wall panel having an edge hingedly attached to an edge of the roof panel, and a tension element (20) being arranged to extend along the edges of the wall panels remote from the roof panel in such a way that by applying tension to the tension element, adjacent edges of respective wall panels can be brought together to form a three-dimensional structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventors: Marcus Bennett Wood, Wendy Margaret Wood
  • Patent number: 5737882
    Abstract: A method of attaching to at least one bearing beam of a building. A clip with a blocking tab is attached to the bearing beam, and a roof assembly with two pivotally attached frames is unfolded and lowered. Each frame has a blocking member, and the roof is lowered so that the blocking member contacts the blocking tab and restrains the roof assembly from unfolding further. A roof has two parallel bearing beams, clips attached to each bearing beams, and a roof assembly. Each clip has a ramp and a blocking tab. The roof assembly has two pivotally attached frames, and each frame has a rafter and a blocking member. Each rafter rests on a ramp, and each blocking member is attached to a blocking tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: International Village, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Eckert, Jorge R. de Quesada
  • Patent number: 5716090
    Abstract: A stage structure disposed to a vehicle which includes a head portion and the stage structure has a base connecting to the head portion, two first posts and two second posts respectively disposed to four corners of the base and a top cover mounted to the four posts wherein one side of the top cover is pivotally connected to two of the posts in a longitudinal direction of the base, a lower supporting board connected between each pair of two posts for a first cylinder disposed thereon which connects to a mediate part so as to lift the other side of the top cover, a first frame and a second frame respectively and retractably disposed below an under surface of the top cover, each of the first frame and the second frame respectively connected to a second cylinder and a third cylinder on the top cover, a third frame pivotally connected to the second frame, an extending base respectively pivotally connected to each one of two sides of the base such that a stage can be formed by extending these frames and extending b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventors: Chi-chuan Chang, Sen-fu Yu
  • Patent number: 5715633
    Abstract: A space partition having an inner volume for accommodating electrical wires and the like, and providing convenient access thereto. The space partition is generally formed by a framework having a pair of vertical members with a cross member connecting therebetween. The cross member includes a pair of connectors, each engaging one of the vertical members, and a linking element connecting the connectors to each other, the linking element including a pair of parallel rods. Features are provided for facilitating temporary removal of panels and covers of the space partition, thereby enabling easy access to the inner volume of the space partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Finish Group Ltd.
    Inventors: Dan Raz, Anatoly Konik
  • Patent number: 5711126
    Abstract: An angled roofing shingle for a roof ridge line is made from an organic, resinous material and a filler material. The shingle has a first elongated portion and a separable, second elongated portion. These two portions each have a longitudinal edge provided with a mating edge surface and are joined together at an angle less than 180 degrees so that the shingle can cover and conform to the ridge line. Means are included for moving the first and second elongated portions relative to each other to change the angle of the shingle to accommodate a variety of angles of ridge lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglass Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James Randolph Wells
  • Patent number: 5695842
    Abstract: An entrance grating for office buildings is comprised of a series of closely spaced tread rail elements, forming the upper surface of the grating, and a plurality of support elements underneath the tread rail elements and tightly secured thereto at right angles. The tread rails are of extruded construction and include a hollow, tubular spine section for high strength and rigidity per unit of weight. The underlying support elements, also of extruded construction, are in the form of downwardly opening channel-shaped elements. High strength, expandable wall, blind fasteners are employed to secure the support elements to the tread rail elements at each of the crossing points to provide a strong, rigid assembly. The open bottoms of the channel-shaped supports may be closed by plastic pad strips providing resilient support and noise reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Pawling Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald R. Peck, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5673827
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a self-supporting foldable portable apparatus to transport garments and to function as a self-supporting foldable portable dressing area in remote locations where dressing facilities are not available. The apparatus comprises two foldable back sections, connected by a central support, foldable legs attached to the foldable back sections, wheels attached to each of the foldable back sections in combination with an extendible telescoping pole with locking means and a means to support garments, containers or other items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: John Lamberti