Patents Assigned to Trend Products, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6251324
    Abstract: An applicator for applying streams of a sealant onto a glass block and a method for applying streams of a sealant onto a glass block. The applicator is guided manually along the edges of the vertical surfaces of the glass block, while the sealant is being dispensed onto it, thereby accurately positioning the correct amount of the sealant at the intended location along the edges onto the vertical surfaces. The applicator can be easily used on-site and is appropriate for sealing glass blocks to obtain oddly shaped or oddly sized glass walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Trend Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Forte, Robert E. Fox
  • Patent number: 6033200
    Abstract: An apparatus for the prefabrication of glass blocks panel is provided. Glass blocks are spaced on a spacing rack such that upper and lower slots are formed between adjacent blocks and ajoint cavity defined therebetween. A pair of moving manifolds disposed at right angles to each other communicate with the glass blocks assembled on the spacing rack to internally caulk and seal the blocks together. The moving manifolds include vertically disposed feed tube devices, each including a pair of elongated feed tubes which are in a spring-like relation. The feed tubes include an aperture disposed on opposing surfaces proximate to the distal ends for simultaneous dispensing sealant into the upper and lower slots of adjacent glass blocks and a protruding distal end portion for simultaneously compressing the sealant into the lower and upper and lower slots of adjacent glass blocks as the sealant is released. The sealant used may be silicone, or any other adhesive that adheres naturally to glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Trend Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Fox
  • Patent number: 5890335
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the prefabrication of glass blocks panel, and the panel formed thereby is provided. Glass blocks are spaced on a spacing rack such that upper and lower slots are formed between adjacent blocks and a joint cavity defined therebetween. A pair of moving manifolds disposed at right angles to each other communicate with the glass blocks assembled on the spacing rack to internally caulk and seal the blocks together. The moving manifolds include vertically disposed feed tube devices, each including a pair of elongated feed tubes which are in a spring-like relation. The feed tubes include an aperture disposed on opposing surfaces proximate to the distal ends for simultaneous dispensing sealant into the upper and lower slots of adjacent glass blocks and a protruding distal end portion for simultaneously compressing the sealant into the lower and upper and lower slots of adjacent glass blocks as the sealant is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Trend Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Fox
  • Patent number: 5705742
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for motoring an engine using an external drive motor for the purpose of performing tests on same. The system and method is capable of operating in three separate modes, a horsepower testing mode, a valve train testing mode, and a lap simulation mode. In the lap simulation mode, for example, the operator may select by way of a computer how many laps are to be run, the length of each lap, and the exact RPM to be used during each second or time period of every lap. In such a manner, the operator may simulate actual races so as to determine how a particular engine or components thereof will stand up to anticipated racing conditions. Another aspect of this invention is the use of a laser affixed to the block for the purpose of measuring vertical valve movement during motoring of the engine. The use of such a laser overcomes numerous problems in the prior art caused by vibration, lighting, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Trend Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Fox, David Fox, David L. Lanham
  • Patent number: 5191718
    Abstract: A masonry block spacer tool includes two opposing base plates each having four pins for nesting the corners of masonry blocks therein as the blocks are being assembled into a wall or panel, and a cross-member between the plates whose ends snap fit into the base plates and form one of the four pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Trend Products Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Fox
  • Patent number: 5119567
    Abstract: A reusable spacer tool comprises a pair of opposed spacer members each having a plurality of ears projecting from a base portion toward the opposite member, the ears being arranged for reception in the joints between adjacent blocks to space apart edges of the blocks when the spacer members overlie opposite faces of the block at the corners, and tie means extending between the spacer members and removably secured thereto releaseably hold the members against opposite faces of the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Trend Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Fox