Patents Assigned to 3-Form
  • Publication number: 20130214107
    Abstract: Panel mounting components and systems for mounting objects, such as decorative architectural resin panels, can include a melt-bondable panel mounting bracket. Melt-bondable panel mounting brackets can include one or more bonding features configured to be pressed or rotated into a resin-based panel, thereby allowing additional components, such as a twist-lock mounting assembly, to be secured directly to a single side of a panel. Methods of securing melt-bondable panel mounting brackets to a resin panel can include rotating the melt-bondable panel mounting brackets at high speeds of rotation to cause a portion of the resin panel to melt and bond about the melt-bondable panel mounting brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: 3FORM, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Hillstrom, A. Chase Norton, Bryan K. Harris
  • Patent number: 8512505
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate aesthetically pleasing decorative architectural resin panels having a thin or brittle veneer layer, such as thinly sliced natural wood or stone. In particular, at least one implementation includes a flat or curved decorative resin panel made with a natural wood veneer layer whose structural integrity has been maintained despite being subject to various heats and pressures. The resulting resin panel is at least partially translucent, and allows for a unique display both of the resin sheets used to form the panel and of the thin wood materials encapsulated therein. Additional implementations relate to the use of other brittle veneer layers, such as translucent stone, translucent metals, or the like, which also provide unique, decorative architectural, aesthetic features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruben Suare, Kriby V. Rea, Raymond L. Goodson, R. Talley Goodson
  • Publication number: 20130192772
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to devices, systems, and methods related to mounting decorative slats. In particular, the present invention facilitates accurate mounting and installation of a decorative multi-slat system, which can provide aesthetic enhancement for a particular space. Furthermore, the method of installing the decorative multi-slat system can allow an installer to reduce likelihood of errors and misalignments of the system, which can occur during the installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: 3FORM, INC.
    Inventor: 3FORM, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130149484
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for embedding objects within thermoplastic resin material and decorative thermoplastic panels resulting therefrom. Implementations include fusing thermoplastic resin particles together to form a decorative resin panel. Furthermore, a manufacturer can place decorative objects within the bed of thermoplastic resin particles to fabricate a decorative resin panel that encapsulates the decorative objects therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: 3form, Inc.
    Inventor: 3form, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8438809
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods configured for installing a decorative feature having a wave-like appearance. For example, a system for installing the decorative feature can include one or more mounts configured to attach to a support structure and support one or more decorative panels. The system can also include a plurality of decorative panels configured to be disposed within or supported by the mounts. Each decorative panel can have a concave or convex configuration to produce a wave-like appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan R. Ismay, Richard C. Perrior
  • Publication number: 20130100649
    Abstract: Resin-based lighting fixtures provide both light and a desirable aesthetic. The resin-based lighting fixtures include a plurality of propellers having curved resin strips that at least partially conceal a light source. The resin strips can form any number of aesthetically pleasing configurations, such as, for example, a blossom. The resin strips can be transparent or translucent. When lit, the light source can illuminate the resin strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: 3FORM, INC.
    Inventor: Ahna C. Holder
  • Patent number: 8418418
    Abstract: A method of making a photovoltaic panel includes previously preparing one or more pre-formed substrates with a first temperature and pressure to be non-planar, textured, embossed, colored, or combinations thereof. A manufacturer can then prepare a laminate assembly comprising one or more organic photovoltaic components one or more pre-formed substrates, and a barrier layer with one or more thermally-activated thermoplastic tie layers there between. The manufacturer can then finish the photovoltaic panel lamination by subjecting the assembly to a second set of temperatures and pressures sufficient to activate and bond the pre-formed substrate, barrier layer, and photovoltaic components without significantly softening the pre-formed substrates or otherwise degrading/damaging the organic photovoltaic components. A non-planar panel made by this method can be used in both exterior and interior decorative and/or structural applications where electrical generation is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. C. Willham, M. Hoyt Brewster
  • Patent number: 8419236
    Abstract: Light boxes for uniformly illuminating panels include a frame that supports one or more translucent panels. The light boxes further include a light source positioned within the light box. Example light sources can include fluorescent bulbs, incandescent lights, and/or light-emitting-diodes. In at least one implementation, a manufacturer positions a relatively limited number of light sources aimed and/or positioned in a particular way to uniformly distribute light throughout the light box and evenly across the translucent panels such that there are no shadows, hot spots or other non-uniform light patterns on the translucent panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Fisher, Mark Howard Raissen, Esteban D. Hernandez, Guillaume Martin, Michael Damen, Brian Hillstrom
  • Patent number: 8413398
    Abstract: Ball pivot assemblies for mounting panels to a cable regardless of panel geometry or orientation include a ball pivot. The ball pivot includes geometry configured to enable a panel to pivot about the ball pivot in a plurality of orientations in a plurality of planes with respect to the cable. One or more implementations of the present invention can include a ball socket configured to receive the ball pivot, and provide a secure interface between the ball pivot assembly and the panel. Also, systems of at least one implementation of the present invention include a plurality of panels mounted to one or more cables using one or more ball pivot assemblies. In addition, one or more implementations of the present invention include methods of mounting panels using one or more ball pivot assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Allred, Brian Hillstrom, Guillaume Martin, Jeremy Porter
  • Patent number: D679851
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Grey Smith
  • Patent number: D684294
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Talley Goodson, Caleb L. Patterson, Ryan Grey Smith
  • Patent number: D685114
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Damen, Guillaume Martin
  • Patent number: D686348
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventors: Guillaume Martin, Ryan Grey Smith
  • Patent number: D686758
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventor: Elizabeth Egan Metcalf
  • Patent number: D687573
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventor: Elizabeth Egan Metcalf
  • Patent number: D687574
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventor: Elizabeth Egan Metcalf
  • Patent number: D680675
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventor: James Andrew Coury
  • Patent number: D681252
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventor: Meghan Elizabeth Graham
  • Patent number: D681257
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Van Strander
  • Patent number: D686363
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Grey Smith