Patents Assigned to Tapco International
  • Publication number: 20180238100
    Abstract: A trim board is attachable to a mounting surface, and includes a base column extending therefrom. An attachment flange extends from the base column, adjacent to the mounting surface, toward a siding area. A cover ledge extends from the base column, offset from the mounting surface, toward the siding area. A pocket is defined between the cover ledge and the nailing flange, and extends continuously along the siding area and is configured to receive a siding element. The trim board includes an overhang member extending from the base column toward a wall opening defined through the mounting surface. A biscuit slot is defined in the overhang, extends continuously along the wall opening, and is configured to receive a biscuit tab. The attachment flange creates a first restraint point for the trim board, and the biscuit slot creates a second restraint point for the trim board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel B. Franklin, Clyde G. Allen, Michael W. Maurer, Steven L. Brandemuehl
  • Patent number: 9970197
    Abstract: A multi-element panel system configured for attachment to a mounting surface includes at least two panels. The panels each have an upper portion oriented upward and a lower portion oriented downward, relative to the mounting surface. A plurality of faces are formed on the panels and a plurality of keyways are formed between the faces. The keyways are recessed toward the mounting surface from the faces. The panels have a water trough, which has a planar intersection with the faces, formed on an exterior side of the upper portion, and a water channel extending between the upper and lower portions of one side of the panel. The panels have a side lap extending between the upper and lower portions on the opposite side of the panel from the water channel. The side lap of one of the panels overlaps the water channel of another, horizontally adjacent, panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Maurer, Matthew Jason Michalski, Nathan D. Greenway, Clyde G. Allen, Matthew M. Jackson, Kyle P. O'Shea
  • Patent number: 9890537
    Abstract: A panel for attachment to a mounting surface includes a plurality of raised faces formed and extending between an upper edge and a lower edge of the panel, and a plurality of recessed keyways defined between each of the raised faces. The panel may have a recessed base at the lower edge of the keyways defining a fold lip adjacent the mounting surface, and a full base formed at the lower edge of the raised faces and extending beyond the recessed base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Martin, James C. Parks, Matthew M. Jackson, Richard C. Kruyer, Michael W. Maurer, Daniel B. Franklin
  • Patent number: 9890538
    Abstract: A panel configured for attachment to a mounting surface includes raised faces extending between upper and lower edges thereof. The raised faces define a face plane. A shoulder is defined on the raised faces adjacent the upper edge and is spaced from the mounting surface by a shoulder offset. The face plane is also spaced from the mounting surface by the shoulder offset. Keyways are defined between the raised faces and recessed from the face plane. The keyways are spaced from the mounting surface by a bottom keyway offset adjacent the lower edge. The bottom keyway offset is substantially equal to the shoulder offset. Therefore, the face plane of the raised faces at the upper edge of the panel is spaced from the mounting surface by substantially the same distance as the keyways are spaced from the mounting surface at the lower edge of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Maurer, Clyde G. Allen, Daniel W. King, James C. Parks, Jeffrey B. Martin
  • Publication number: 20180016790
    Abstract: A multi-element panel system configured for attachment to a mounting surface includes at least two panels. The panels each have an upper portion oriented upward and a lower portion oriented downward, relative to the mounting surface. A plurality of faces are formed on the panels and a plurality of keyways are formed between the faces. The keyways are recessed toward the mounting surface from the faces. The panels have a water trough, which has a planar intersection with the faces, formed on an exterior side of the upper portion, and a water channel extending between the upper and lower portions of one side of the panel. The panels have a side lap extending between the upper and lower portions on the opposite side of the panel from the water channel. The side lap of one of the panels overlaps the water channel of another, horizontally adjacent, panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Maurer, Matthew Jason Michalski, Nathan D. Greenway, Clyde G. Allen, Matthew M. Jackson, Kyle P. O'Shea
  • Publication number: 20180016798
    Abstract: A panel configured for attachment to a mounting surface includes raised faces extending between upper and lower edges thereof. The raised faces define a face plane. A shoulder is defined on the raised faces adjacent the upper edge and is spaced from the mounting surface by a shoulder offset. The face plane is also spaced from the mounting surface by the shoulder offset. Keyways are defined between the raised faces and recessed from the face plane. The keyways are spaced from the mounting surface by a bottom keyway offset adjacent the lower edge. The bottom keyway offset is substantially equal to the shoulder offset. Therefore, the face plane of the raised faces at the upper edge of the panel is spaced from the mounting surface by substantially the same distance as the keyways are spaced from the mounting surface at the lower edge of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Maurer, Clyde G. Allen, Daniel W. King, James C. Parks, Jeffrey B. Martin
  • Publication number: 20180016793
    Abstract: An elongated utility receiver is configured to receive a panel. The utility receiver includes an inner wall that is configured to be attached to a mounting surface, a transverse wall extending away from the inner wall, and an outer wall extending from the transverse wall opposite the inner wall. The outer wall is spaced from the inner wall. A channel is defined by the inner wall, outer wall, and transverse wall and defines a total offset gap between the outer and inner walls. The channel is configured to receive a portion of the panel. A biasing element is flexibly attached to the outer wall and extends toward the inner wall. The biasing element variably closes the channel to an effective gap that is less than the total offset gap. The biasing element is configured to bias the panel element toward the inner wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Maurer, James C. Parks, Daniel B. Franklin, Matthew M. Jackson
  • Patent number: 9797144
    Abstract: A panel configured for attachment to a mounting surface includes a plurality of raised faces that are formed between an upper edge and a lower edge of the panel. A shoulder is defined on the raised faces adjacent the upper edge and is spaced from the mounting surface, when assembled or attached thereto, by a shoulder offset. A plurality of keyways are recessed between each of the raised faces and are spaced from the mounting surface by a bottom keyway offset adjacent to the butt edge. The bottom keyway offset is substantially aligned with the shoulder offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Maurer, Clyde G. Allen, Daniel W. King, James C. Parks, Jeffrey B. Martin
  • Publication number: 20170167144
    Abstract: A panel for attachment to a mounting surface includes a plurality of raised faces formed and extending between an upper edge and a lower edge of the panel, and a plurality of recessed keyways defined between each of the raised faces. The panel may have a recessed base at the lower edge of the keyways defining a fold lip adjacent the mounting surface, and a full base formed at the lower edge of the raised faces and extending beyond the recessed base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Martin, James C. Parks, Matthew M. Jackson, Richard C. Kruyer, Michael W. Maurer, Daniel B. Franklin
  • Patent number: 9611653
    Abstract: A panel for attachment to a mounting surface includes a plurality of raised faces formed and extending between an upper edge and a lower edge of the panel, and a plurality of recessed keyways defined between each of the raised faces. The panel may have a recessed base at the lower edge of the keyways defining a fold lip adjacent the mounting surface, and a full base formed at the lower edge of the raised faces and extending beyond the recessed base. The fold lip provides a reaction point for an under lap extending from the lower edge toward the upper edge. The panel may include a lock flange formed at the upper edge. The lock flange defines a lock slot between layers of the panel, and closes the lock slot to substantially zero depth at a first touch point and a second touch point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Martin, James C. Parks, Matthew M. Jackson, Richard C. Kruyer, Michael W. Maurer, Daniel B. Franklin
  • Patent number: 9416540
    Abstract: A tile for attachment to a mounting surface, with a fastener, includes a body defining a longitudinal length and a horizontal width. The body may be movable between an uninstalled position, which defines a first offset along the longitudinal length and a second offset along the transverse width, and an installed position, which substantially closes the first offset and the second offset. In the installed position, the body abuts the mounting surface and an underside of the body is substantially planar. The tile may also include a plurality of first-angle ribs and a plurality of second-angle ribs. The first-angle ribs are offset relative to a forward edge of the body. The second-angle ribs offset relative to the forward edge of the body and also to the first-angle ribs. Furthermore, the first-angle ribs and second-angle ribs do not have shared vertices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Clyde G. Allen, James A. Caldwell, Nathan D. Greenway, Matt M. Jackson, Michael W. Maurer, Matthew Jason Michalski, Dennis J. Paliaga, Jonathan Wierengo
  • Publication number: 20160208498
    Abstract: A panel for attachment to a mounting surface includes a plurality of raised faces formed and extending between an upper edge and a lower edge of the panel, and a plurality of recessed keyways defined between each of the raised faces. The panel may have a recessed base at the lower edge of the keyways defining a fold lip adjacent the mounting surface, and a full base formed at the lower edge of the raised faces and extending beyond the recessed base. The fold lip provides a reaction point for an under lap extending from the lower edge toward the upper edge. The panel may include a lock flange formed at the upper edge. The lock flange defines a lock slot between layers of the panel, and closes the lock slot to substantially zero depth at a first touch point and a second touch point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Martin, James C. Parks, Matthew M. Jackson, Richard C. Kruyer, Michael W. Maurer, Daniel B. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20160134091
    Abstract: A receptacle assembly for attachment to a mounting surface is provided and includes a receptacle mount having a flange attachable to the mounting surface. A deck of the receptacle mount extends from the flange opposite the mounting surface and a hood extends from the deck opposite the mounting surface. An electrical box is attachable to the rearward side of the receptacle mount and is disposed entirely between a forward edge of the hood and a back of the flange of the receptacle mount, such that none of the electrical box is recessed into the mounting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: TAPCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan D. Greenway, Matthew M. Jackson, Trisha M. Anderson, Brian K. McMullen
  • Patent number: 9283603
    Abstract: A pivot link for interconnecting a locking bar and a pivoting arm of a sheet bending brake includes an arm portion and a locking bar portion. The arm portion defines a first threaded bore, and the locking bar portion defines a second threaded bore. A threaded stud extends between and interconnects the arm portion and the locking bar portion, and is disposed in threaded engagement with both the arm portion and the locking bar portion. The threaded stud includes a first thread portion in threaded engagement with the first threaded bore, and a second thread portion in threaded engagement with the second threaded bore. The first threaded bore and the first thread portion include one of a left hand thread or a right hand thread, and the second threaded bore and the second thread portion include the other of the left hand thread or the right hand thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventor: Clyde Allen
  • Patent number: 9267296
    Abstract: A multi-tile system for attachment to a mounting surface is provided. Each of the tiles includes an upper edge configured to be oriented upward relative to the mounting surface and a lower edge configured to be oriented downward relative to the mounting surface. The tiles include a receiving member formed on an exterior side of the upper edge and a locking member formed on an interior side of the lower edge. The receiving member of the tile is configured to interlock with the locking member of an adjacent tile to limit movement of the lower edge of one tile away from the upper edge of the other tile. The receiving member and the locking member are configured to define a vertical range of continuous vertical adjustment between adjacent tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Maurer, Matthew Jason Michalski, Nathan D. Greenway, Clyde G. Allen, Matthew M. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20150354224
    Abstract: A multi-element panel system configured for attachment to a mounting surface includes at least two panels. The panels each have an upper portion oriented upward and a lower portion oriented downward, relative to the mounting surface. A plurality of faces are formed on the panels and a plurality of keyways are formed between the faces. The keyways are recessed toward the mounting surface from the faces. The panels have a water trough, which has a planar intersection with the faces, formed on an exterior side of the upper portion, and a water channel extending between the upper and lower portions of one side of the panel. The panels have a side lap extending between the upper and lower portions on the opposite side of the panel from the water channel. The side lap of one of the panels overlaps the water channel of another, horizontally adjacent, panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: TAPCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael W. Maurer, Matthew Jason Michalski, Nathan D. Greenway, Clyde G. Allen, Matthew M. Jackson, Kyle P. O'Shea
  • Publication number: 20150292214
    Abstract: A panel configured for attachment to a mounting surface includes a plurality of raised faces that are formed between an upper edge and a lower edge of the panel. A shoulder is defined on the raised faces adjacent the upper edge and is spaced from the mounting surface, when assembled or attached thereto, by a shoulder offset. A plurality of keyways are recessed between each of the raised faces and are spaced from the mounting surface by a bottom keyway offset adjacent to the butt edge. The bottom keyway offset is substantially aligned with the shoulder offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Maurer, Clyde G. Allen, Daniel W. King, James C. Parks, Jeffrey B. Martin
  • Patent number: 9091086
    Abstract: A siding system includes a plurality of siding panels having a substrate formed to define a plurality of decorative units. Each of the decorative units includes an average unit distance that is equal to the sum of an average width of the decorative units, and an average width of keyways separating the decorative units. An actual centerline of each of the decorative units is horizontally located within a maximum offset tolerance of a theoretical horizontal center of each of the decorative units. The theoretical horizontal center of each of the decorative units is located at a center location distance measured from a first vertical edge of the substrate. A second siding panel is disposed vertically above a first siding panel when attached to the wall surface. The second siding panel is horizontally offset relative to the first siding panel a panel offset distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Jason Michalski, Michael W Maurer, Clyde Allen, Daniel Franklin, Jonathan Wierengo
  • Patent number: 8960223
    Abstract: A valve device is provided for controlling air flow. The valve device includes a plug closure member having an interior chamber and a stop device positioned within the interior chamber of the plug closure member. The valve device further includes a check valve having a plate positioned adjacent an inlet opening of the plug closure member and an alignment device attached to the plate and received within a stop opening of the stop device. The check valve is movable between a closed position in which the plate limits passage of a lift air through the interior chamber and an open position in which the plate allows passage of the lift air through the interior chamber. The stop device engages the check valve in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Keith Stoddard, Jr., Marius Robert Junier, Lee Ernie Treichel
  • Patent number: 8881468
    Abstract: A fixture mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket for attaching, via a flange, to the outside wall of a building under construction. A mounting block for holding the fixture in place against the wall fits within the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a flashing component extending from the front face of the mounting bracket such that the mounting block is held in place by being at least partially surrounded by the flashing component. The fixture mounting assembly is useful but not limited to construction in which fiber cement siding will surround the outside wall and the associated fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventor: Brian K. McMullen