Patents Assigned to Katerra, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11187418
    Abstract: HVAC system includes a front side access panel, an HVAC unit, a mounting sleeve, and a back side grille. The mounting sleeve and the HVAC unit are configured to fit within the preexisting framing of a building, and in particular to be mounted in a wall, between pre-existing studs, of a room. The HVAC unit can be installed into the mounting sleeve via quick connect mechanisms including, but not limited to, snap in connections and/or tab and slot features. The mounting sleeve enables rapid installation and also condensate collection. The HVAC unit includes separate modular units, e.g. an evaporator module unit, a mechanical module unit, and a condenser module unit, that are mounted and interconnected to each other. The HVAC system includes vertically oriented HVAC components and component connections that are self-aligned, and can be further configured with a horizontal configuration portion for multi-zone capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Katerra Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Zane DeLoach, David Hull, Taylor Michael Keep
  • Patent number: 11155975
    Abstract: A prefabricated formwork is disclosed. The prefabricated formwork of the present disclosure comprises at least one bracket comprising a first slot and a second slot, at least one first wall configured to be inserted into the first slot of the at least one bracket, and at least one second wall configured to be inserted into the second slot of the at least one bracket. The prefabricated framework may further comprise at least one support having at least one groove configured to receive the at least one bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Katerra Inc.
    Inventors: Will Watson, Gary Fong
  • Patent number: 11142927
    Abstract: A door locking apparatus is provided including a first plate, a second plate, a front assembly, a lock clip, and at least one control. The first plate includes at least one vertical slot. The lock clip is rotatably attached to the front assembly and includes at least one horizontal slot in a first end. The at least one control is mounted to the first plate and includes at least one protrusion. The at least one protrusion projects through the at least on vertical slot and through the at least one horizontal slot. The at least one control moves vertically between a first position and a second position. The lock clip is in an open position when the at least one control is in the first position and a locked position when the at least one control is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Katerra Inc.
    Inventors: Will Root, Michael Martin Uhl, Alex Couweleers
  • Publication number: 20210313786
    Abstract: A load center assembly is provided. The load center assembly comprises a frame, an electrical panel assembly, and a plurality of electrical wire harnesses. The frame includes a first side and a second side. The first side and the second side are substantially parallel and connected by a plurality of cross members. The electrical panel assembly is connected to the first side and the second side. The electrical panel assembly includes a plurality of breakers. The plurality of electrical wires harnesses is connected to the frame. Each of the plurality of electrical wire harnesses includes a plurality of wires. A first end of each wire of the plurality of wires is routed into the electrical panel assembly and is terminated in a corresponding breaker. The load center assembly is configured to be disposed in a wall frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: Katerra Inc.
    Inventors: Jumie Yuventi, Douglas McCabe, James Sweeney, Andy Colborn
  • Publication number: 20210310240
    Abstract: A prefabricated integrated window and wall is provided. The prefabricated integrated window and wall includes a window frame, a wall, and a power system. The window frame is configured to hold a variety of different windows. The window frame includes a frame head and a sill. The frame head includes a channel. The sill includes tabs. The wall is configured around the window frame. The wall is configured to connect to the tabs of the sill and the channel of the frame head. The power system is molded into the window frame. A method of assembling the prefabricated integrated window and wall is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: Katerra Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Dwayne Vilhauer, Gregory James Lambas, John James Dwyer
  • Publication number: 20210301948
    Abstract: A mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) hanger is provided. The MEP hanger includes a base, a body, and a strap. The base includes a pin. The pin is configured to engage with an opening in at least one of a web joist, a transverse hanger arm, and a mid-bay hanger arm. The body is attached to the base. The strap is attached to the body. The strap is configured to hold a pipe or duct. The strap includes a locking mechanism. The strap has a diameter that corresponds to a diameter of the pipe or duct when the locking mechanism is engaged. A plurality of MEP hangers may be installed in a prefabricated wall panel or floor panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Katerra Inc.
    Inventors: John Edward Breshears, James Mehlos, Mark Andrew Colborn, Katy Bradford, Darrin Griechen
  • Publication number: 20210301990
    Abstract: A light fixture mount is provided. The recessed light includes a junction box, a cable, a plurality of screws, and a mounting plate. The mounting plate includes a circular perforation, an alignment hole, at least one slot, and a plurality of holes spaced parallel to the at least one slot. The alignment hole is centered within the circular perforation. The at least one slot is configured to receive a first shank of a first fastener. The at least one slot has a width less than a first diameter of a first head of the first fastener. The plurality of holes is configured to receive a second shank of a second fastener. The plurality of holes has a second diameter that is less than a third diameter of a second head of the second fastener. A method of mounting the light fixture mount is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Katerra Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas McCabe, James Sweeney, Andy Colborn, Jumie Yuventi
  • Patent number: 11105110
    Abstract: A closed wall hold down system is provided including at least one closed wall panel, at least one first tie rod, at least one second tie rod, at least one coupler nut, and at least one ratcheting take-up device. The at least one closed wall panel includes a bottom plate and a top plate. The at least one first tie rod projects through the bottom plate. The at least one coupler nut is coupled to the at least one first tie rod and to a first end of the at least one second tie rod. A second end of the at least one second tie rod extends through the top plate. The at least one ratcheting take-up device engages the second end of the at least one second tie rod. A method of installing the closed wall hold down system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Katerra Inc.
    Inventors: Will Watson, Gary Fong
  • Patent number: 11086283
    Abstract: A monitoring and control system receives, from sensing capable devices situated within a designated area and in communication with the monitoring and control system, input indicating a respective number of events. The system identifies, for each of the events, a probability for taking each of a number of actions in response to the event, then calculates, for each of the actions, an overall probability for taking the action based on the identified probabilities for taking the action in response to the number of events, and selects one or more actions to be taken responsive to the number of events and the calculated overall probability for taking the action, for each of the actions, exceeding a respective threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Katerra, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Burke, Brian Joseph Reeves, Paul Edward Reeves, Mark Thomas, Steven Fuertes, Gary Fong
  • Publication number: 20210231172
    Abstract: A nested double eccentric anchor bolt bushing device is provided. The device includes a fully eccentric inner sleeve and a fully eccentric outer sleeve. The fully eccentric inner sleeve includes a first outer diameter and a first inner diameter. The first inner diameter of the fully eccentric inner sleeve is configured to receive an anchor bolt. The fully eccentric outer sleeve includes a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter. The second inner diameter is configured to receive the first outer diameter of the fully eccentric inner sleeve. The second outer diameter is configured to insert into an opening in a sill plate of a wall panel. A wall is also provided. The wall includes an anchor bolt, a fully eccentric inner sleeve, a fully eccentric outer sleeve, and a sill plate. A method of installing the wall is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Katerra Inc.
    Inventor: Steven John Bosko
  • Patent number: 11072923
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing pre-fabricated wall panels to foundation anchor bolts is provided. The apparatus includes a mounting block including at least one hole and at least two facing spring assemblies. Each spring assembly includes a mechanical body, a spring, and an armature. The mechanical body is secured to the mounting block, the armature is rotationally pinned to the mechanical body, and the spring is secured by the mechanical body. Each spring is configured to apply a resisting force on the armature. The at least one hole is approximately centered between the two armatures. A pre-fabricated wall panel comprising at least one apparatus for securing pre-fabricated wall panels to foundation anchor bolts is also provided. A method is provided for assembly and installation of the pre-fabricated wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Katerra Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Dyer
  • Patent number: 11074374
    Abstract: A system for determining constructability of a building project comprises a processor to execute software instructions, a storage device accessible by the processor in which to store a database, the database to store therein a building products information model (PIM), the PIM comprising a first plurality of building products, the database further to store therein a building information model (BIM) for the building project, wherein the BIM comprises a second plurality of building products. A user interface (UI) via receives input from a user and transmits output to a user according to software instructions executed by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Katerra, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Tierney, Abhijit Oak
  • Patent number: 11048218
    Abstract: A method executed by a processor of a monitoring and control system, the method to receive input indicating occupancy state of a designated area, or a plurality of areas therein or portions thereof. The method further receives, from one or more of a plurality of sensing capable devices of, or in communication with, the monitoring and control system, input indicating a respective event, the sensing capable devices situated within the designated area, or in one or more of the plurality of areas therein, or portions thereof. Based on the respective event and occupancy state of the designated area, the method selects an action to be taken with a device in the designated area or one or more of the plurality of areas therein or portions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Katerra, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Burke, Brian Joseph Reeves, Paul Edward Reeves
  • Publication number: 20210189713
    Abstract: In one aspect, a smart corner is provided that can be prefabricated. The smart corner comprises a rear side including a first hole, a first side including a second hole, a second side including a third hole, and a top. A wall frame is also provided. The wall frame includes a top plate, a bottom plate, studs, and four smart corners. A framing system is also provided comprising at least two wall frames. The at least two wall frames connect via the smart corners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Katerra Inc.
    Inventors: Darrin Griechen, Robert Stanford
  • Patent number: 11032895
    Abstract: A wireless light switch harvests energy for ambient environment/space conditions and uses the harvested energy to energize low-power electronics. An exemplary application is for wireless control (ON/OFF or dimming) of light fixtures. The energy harvesting circuitry transduces ambient light to electricity and uses this energy to charge an energy storage device as well as power a wireless transmitter which can be triggered based on user interaction with an ON/OFF or Dim+/Dim? element. The wireless light switch with energy harvesting circuitry is paired with a wireless receiver circuit which can be connected to a light fixture that is to be controlled by the wireless light switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Katerra Inc.
    Inventors: Bahman Sharifipour, Jumie Yuventi, Gary Fong
  • Patent number: 10975562
    Abstract: In one aspect, a smart corner is provided that can be prefabricated. The smart corner comprises a rear side including a first hole, a first side including a second hole, a second side including a third hole, and a top. A wall frame is also provided. The wall frame includes a top plate, a bottom plate, studs, and four smart corners. A framing system is also provided comprising at least two wall frames. The at least two wall frames connect via the smart corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Katerra Inc.
    Inventors: Darrin Griechen, Robert Stanford
  • Publication number: 20210095479
    Abstract: A Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) joint is provided that can be used to connect at least two CLT components such as CLT panels. The CLT panel can be prefabricated and pre-assembled, and can be easily and quickly installed. The CLT joint includes a first CLT component and a second CLT component. The first CLT component includes a recessed channel. The second CLT component includes a grooved extension. The grooved extension and the recessed channel have complimentary patterns. The grooved extension is configured to nest within the recessed channel. The CLT panel includes a first CLT side and a second CLT side. The first CLT side includes a recessed channel. The second CLT side may be opposite the first CLT side and includes a grooved extension. The grooved extension and the recessed channel have complimentary patterns. A CLT panel system is also provided comprising a plurality of CLT panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Katerra Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes SCHNEIDER, Robert MALCZYK
  • Publication number: 20210078047
    Abstract: Lumber sorting systems and methods that use adaptive lumber management to tailor the distribution of lumber to improve the yield and aesthetic properties of a product are disclosed. An adaptive lumber management system in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise a lumber scanner configured to record one or more characteristics of each board and create a data file for each board comprising information regarding the characteristic of the board. A processor may be configured to determine a target tray for each board based on the data files. The processor may be further configured to generate at least one mapping. The system may further comprise a sorting mechanism configured to sort the plurality of boards into their respective target trays and at least one tipple configured to select each board or the plurality of boards from the plurality of trays according to the at least one mapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Katerra Inc.
    Inventors: Brent David OLSON, Carl Daniel MORROW, Mengzhe GU, Sam HERMANN, William August HOILES, Gary FONG
  • Patent number: 10941546
    Abstract: A Mechanical Electrical Plumbing (MEP) tunnel is provided. The MEP tunnel includes a rear side, a first side, and a second side. The MEP tunnel is configured to be disposed in a wall frame. The MEP tunnel may also include a plurality of tubing used for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing utilities. The MEP tunnel is connected to the wall frame via two mechanical devices. The MEP tunnel can move up and down between a raised position and a lowered position in the wall frame via two tracks in the MEP tunnel and the two mechanical devices. The MEP tunnel remains in the raised position during shipping and lowered at the completion of installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Katerra Inc.
    Inventors: Darrin Griechen, Robert Stanford
  • Publication number: 20210062520
    Abstract: A double plate floor panel is provided. The double plate floor panel includes a first panel, a second panel, and a plurality of connectors. The first panel has a first plurality of recesses on a first surface, and the second panel has a second plurality of recesses on a second surface. Each connector of the plurality of connectors inserts into a recess of the first plurality of recess and a recess of the second plurality of recesses. The connectors are sandwiched between the first surface of the first panel and the second surface of the second panel. A method of assembling the double plate floor panel is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Katerra Inc.
    Inventors: Todd BEYREUTHER, Daniel KOEBERL, Gary FONG