Patents Assigned to ABT, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8517712
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow for the manufacture of a number of drainage channels of different heights, widths, thicknesses, shapes, and slopes from only one mold or a greatly-reduced number of molds. In one embodiment, the drainage channel mold has an interior mold and an exterior mold. The exterior mold has two opposing sidewalls that can be placed at different distances apart from one another to vary the overall width of the drainage channel. The sidewalls can be independent of each other or they can be coupled to each other yet still allowed to be positioned at different distances apart. In one embodiment, the sidewalls are hingedly coupled to a base support mechanism. The mold also contains mold spacers that can be located between the interior mold and the exterior mold sidewalls to create different heights, widths, shapes, and slopes in the drainage channel walls formed by the adjustable mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: ABT, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Gunter
  • Publication number: 20110110719
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a drainage channel comprising a first barrier for containment and a second barrier for containment. In one embodiment, the second barrier comprises a liner and a support. In a further embodiment, the support substantially secures at least a portion of the second barrier in the first barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: ABT, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Simon
  • Publication number: 20110098139
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for securing a movable soccer goal to a playing surface. When in use, the apparatus functions to prevent the soccer goal from being moved, thereby, making it considerably safer and more sturdy than an unsecured soccer goal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: ABT, INC.
    Inventors: William Kress Query, JR., Timothy Harold Wallace, Larry Theodore Tucker
  • Publication number: 20110091281
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a drainage system for draining surface liquids from a first surface adjacent to one side of a drainage channel and for providing a transition from the first surface on one side of the drainage channel to a synthetic turf surface or other thick surface material on the other side of the drainage channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: ABT, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Charles Cucchiara
  • Patent number: 7703502
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for forming a trench of a predetermined shape. The trench-forming assembly includes a removable longitudinal form body, a pair of frame members and at least one mounting bracket assembly. The form body is capable of shaping a moldable trench forming composition poured around the form. Each frame member includes a support surface, and is in engagement with a respective side surface of the form body. The mounting bracket assemblies, each of which can include a mounting bracket and a pair of hook members, extend laterally across the top surface of the form body. In this regard, each mounting bracket assembly removably engages a downwardly facing side of the support surface of the frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: ABT, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Harold Wallace, Barry Clifton Williams
  • Patent number: 7632042
    Abstract: An alignment device is disclosed use in maintaining the alignment of longitudinal frame members of a trench-forming assembly. The alignment device comprises a cross member. Extending in the same direction from opposite ends of the cross member is at least one pair of first lateral extensions. The pair of lateral extensions is spaced apart so as to contact the respective longitudinal frame members of the trench-forming assembly, and thereby maintain the two frame members at a distance relative to each other. The alignment device may further include at least one interior extension extending from the cross member in the same direction as the pair of first lateral extensions. In this embodiment, the interior extension defines a slot between the interior extension and at least one of the first lateral extensions, where the slot is structured is to receive at least a portion of one of the longitudinal frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: ABT, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Brafford, Jr., Roger J. Morrow, Timothy H. Wallace, Bryan A. Hendrix
  • Publication number: 20090156334
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, apparatus, and method that allow a football goalpost to be rotated about a substantially vertical axis. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the football goalpost has a gooseneck-type post adapted to fit within a sleeve in the ground. The sleeve generally has one or more positioning members positioned near an upper end of the sleeve. A rotation collar is movably coupled to the post and has one or more grooves for cooperating with the one or more positioning members of the sleeve. The rotation collar is configured to move between a secured position, where the at least one groove engages the at least one positioning member to prevent the post from rotating within the sleeve, and a rotating position, where the at least one groove is disengaged from the at least one positioning member to permit the post to rotate within the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: ABT, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Charles Cucchiara, Timothy Harold Wallace
  • Publication number: 20090152419
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for securing a movable soccer goal to a fixed football goal or other vertical post. When in use, the apparatus functions to prevent the soccer goal from being overturned, thereby, making it considerably safer than an unsecured soccer goal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: ABT, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Harold Wallace
  • Publication number: 20080025797
    Abstract: An alignment device is disclosed use in maintaining the alignment of longitudinal frame members of a trench-forming assembly. The alignment device comprises a cross member. Extending in the same direction from opposite ends of the cross member is at least one pair of first lateral extensions. The pair of lateral extensions is spaced apart so as to contact the respective longitudinal frame members of the trench-forming assembly, and thereby maintain the two frame members at a distance relative to each other. The alignment device may further include at least one interior extension extending from the cross member in the same direction as the pair of first lateral extensions. In this embodiment, the interior extension defines a slot between the interior extension and at least one of the first lateral extensions, where the slot is structured is to receive at least a portion of one of the longitudinal frame members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: ABT, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Brafford, Roger Morrow, Timothy Wallace, Bryan Hendrix
  • Patent number: 7172368
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for forming a trench of a predetermined shape. The trench-forming assembly includes a removable longitudinal form body, a pair of frame members and at least one mounting bracket assembly. The form body is capable of shaping a moldable trench forming composition poured around the form. Each frame member includes a support surface, and is in engagement with a respective side surface of the form body. The mounting bracket assemblies, each of which can include a mounting bracket and a pair of hook members, extend laterally across the top surface of the form body. In this regard, each mounting bracket assembly removably engages a downwardly facing side of the support surface of the frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: ABT, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Harold Wallace, Barry Clifton Williams
  • Publication number: 20050238436
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for forming a trench of a predetermined shape. The trench-forming assembly includes a removable longitudinal form body, a pair of frame members and at least one mounting bracket assembly. The form body is capable of shaping a moldable trench forming composition poured around the form. Each frame member includes a support surface, and is in engagement with a respective side surface of the form body. The mounting bracket assemblies, each of which can include a mounting bracket and a pair of hook members, extend laterally across the top surface of the form body. In this regard, each mounting bracket assembly removably engages a downwardly facing side of the support surface of the frame members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Applicant: ABT, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Wallace, Barry Williams
  • Publication number: 20050238435
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for forming a trench of a predetermined shape. The trench-forming assembly includes a removable longitudinal form body, a pair of frame members and at least one mounting bracket assembly. The form body is capable of shaping a moldable trench forming composition poured around the form. Each frame member includes a support surface, and is in engagement with a respective side surface of the form body. The mounting bracket assemblies, each of which can include a mounting bracket and a pair of hook members, extend laterally across the top surface of the form body. In this regard, each mounting bracket assembly removably engages a downwardly facing side of the support surface of the frame members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Applicant: ABT, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Wallace, Barry Williams
  • Patent number: 6926245
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for forming a trench of a predetermined shape. The trench-forming assembly includes a removable longitudinal form body, a pair of frame members and at least one mounting bracket assembly. The form body is capable of shaping a moldable trench forming composition poured around the form. Each frame member includes a support surface, and is in engagement with a respective side surface of the form body. The mounting bracket assemblies, each of which can include a mounting bracket and a pair of hook members, extend laterally across the top surface of the form body. In this regard, each mounting bracket assembly removably engages a downwardly facing side of the support surface of the frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: ABT, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Harold Wallace, Barry Clifton Williams
  • Patent number: 6860678
    Abstract: A channel system for forming a trench is disclosed that includes a number of precast drainage channel sections and one or more alignment keys for aligning and interlocking adjacent channel sections. Each alignment key includes a base shaped for laterally bridging across a predetermined exterior portion of adjacent bottom walls of the adjacent channel sections. The alignment key also includes first and second opposed, inwardly facing jaw members shaped for longitudinally bridging across a predetermined exterior portion of adjacent first and second sidewalls, respectively, of the adjacent channel sections. Each pair of the jaw members can be carried by a respective base, and can be positioned in a lateral and longitudinal direction relative to the respective base to thereby substantially align and interlock the adjacent channel sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: ABT, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Gunter
  • Publication number: 20040136785
    Abstract: A channel system for forming a trench is disclosed that includes a number of precast drainage channel sections and one or more alignment keys for aligning and interlocking adjacent channel sections. Each alignment key includes a base shaped for laterally bridging across a predetermined exterior portion of adjacent bottom walls of the adjacent channel sections. The alignment key also includes first and second opposed, inwardly facing jaw members shaped for longitudinally bridging across a predetermined exterior portion of adjacent first and second sidewalls, respectively, of the adjacent channel sections. Each pair of the jaw members can be carried by a respective base, and can be positioned in a lateral and longitudinal direction relative to the respective base to thereby substantially align and interlock the adjacent channel sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: ABT, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Gunter
  • Publication number: 20040081515
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for forming a trench of a predetermined shape. The trench-forming assembly includes a removable longitudinal form body, a pair of frame members and at least one mounting bracket assembly. The form body is capable of shaping a moldable trench forming composition poured around the form. Each frame member includes a support surface, and is in engagement with a respective side surface of the form body. The mounting bracket assemblies, each of which can include a mounting bracket and a pair of hook members, extend laterally across the top surface of the form body. In this regard, each mounting bracket assembly removably engages a downwardly facing side of the support surface of the frame members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: ABT, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Harold Wallace, Barry Clifton Williams
  • Publication number: 20040005194
    Abstract: A drainage channel is provided that includes a conduit defining a lengthwise extending opening and an inlet defining a passageway in fluid communication with the opening. The inlet may have an exterior surface that defines a plurality of pockets spaced apart in the lengthwise direction. Concrete or another hardenable composition may fill these pockets to secure the inlet in position. The drainage channel may also include at least one saddle for supporting the conduit and an engagement member for preventing relative rotation between the conduit and the saddle. The saddle may extend about a majority of the conduit. In this regard, the saddle may include a base and a pair of upstanding arms extending outwardly therefrom. The arms are disposed on opposite sides of the conduit and converge thereabout so as to engage the conduit and prevent the conduit from floating as concrete or another hardenable composition is poured thereabout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: ABT, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Clifton Williams, Timothy Harold Wallace
  • Patent number: 6663317
    Abstract: A drainage channel includes a conduit defining a lengthwise extending opening and an inlet defining a passageway in fluid communication with the opening. The inlet may have an exterior surface that defines a plurality of pockets spaced apart in the lengthwise direction. Concrete or another hardenable composition may fill these pockets to secure the inlet in position. The drainage channel may also include at least one saddle for supporting the conduit and an engagement member for preventing relative rotation between the conduit and the saddle. The saddle may extend about a majority of the conduit. In this regard, the saddle may include a base and a pair of upstanding arms extending outwardly therefrom. The arms are disposed on opposite sides of the conduit and converge thereabout so as to engage the conduit and prevent the conduit from floating as concrete or another hardenable composition is poured thereabout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: ABT, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Clifton Williams, Timothy Harold Wallace
  • Patent number: 6533497
    Abstract: An assembly for forming a trench comprising a frame having two elongated members that define a support surface and at least one opening. The assembly also includes a removable grate that is disposed on the support surface and includes a hook that is disposed proximate the opening defined by the elongated frame members. The assembly also includes a removable pin that is slidably inserted through an opening defined by an elongated member and is mechanically engaged by the hook of the grate to secure the grate to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: ABT, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Gunter
  • Publication number: 20020154952
    Abstract: An assembly for forming a trench is described comprising a frame having two elongated members that define a support surface and at least one opening. The assembly also includes a removable grate that is disposed on the support surface and includes a hook that is disposed proximate the opening defined by the elongated frame members. The assembly also includes a removable pin that is slidably inserted through an opening defined by an elongated member and is mechanically engaged by the hook of the grate to secure the grate to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: ABT, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Gunter