Patents Assigned to USG Interiors, LLC
  • Acoustic building material employing chitosan
    Patent number: 8961675
    Abstract: An acoustic building material and method for manufacture incorporates chitosan in an amount sufficient to achieve acceptable physical properties with a reduction in binder and to allow the postindustrial/postconsumer content of the building material to be increased. The chitosan also enhances the dewatering of the building material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventor: Enrique L. Albarran
  • Accessible stabilizer bar
    Patent number: 8955272
    Abstract: An elongated stabilizer bar for maintaining a pair of grid runners in parallel upright positions to support a panel on respective grid runner support surfaces, the stabilizer bar having a horizontal leg and a vertical leg, the horizontal leg having self-penetrating tabs arranged to pierce and thereby grip a core of the panel to fix the stabilizer bar to the panel, a vertical leg having a vertical slot at each end, the slot having an open bottom, the slot having a horizontal width adapted to receive and confine an upper reinforcing bulb of a respective one of the pair of grid runners to thereby restrain the respective grid runner against excessive bowing and twisting deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Abraham M. Underkofler, Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Mark R. Paulsen
  • Channel cross member
    Patent number: 8955273
    Abstract: A short cross member for a narrow utility channel formed of malleable sheet metal and having a vertical double ply web and a horizontal flange symmetrically disposed on both sides of a lower edge of the web, integral end connectors formed on each end of the cross member from sheet material contiguous with the web, the integral end connectors being arranged to support the flange in coplanar relation with flanges of the channel, the end connectors and the web being weakened at a predetermined vertical line whereby the cross member can be assembled in a narrow channel by bending at the associated line of weakness to shorten the effective overall length of the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: James J. Lehane, Jr., Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Mark R. Paulsen, Abraham M. Underkofler
  • CHANNEL CROSS MEMBER
    Publication number: 20150040495
    Abstract: A short cross member for a narrow utility channel formed of malleable sheet metal and having a vertical double ply web and a horizontal flange symmetrically disposed on both sides of a lower edge of the web, integral end connectors formed on each end of the cross member from sheet material contiguous with the web, the integral end connectors being arranged to support the flange in coplanar relation with flanges of the channel, the end connectors and the web being weakened at a predetermined vertical line whereby the cross member can be assembled in a narrow channel by bending at the associated line of weakness to shorten the effective overall length of the cross member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: James J. Lehane, JR., Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Mark R. Paulsen, Abraham M. Underkofler
  • TWO-PART CHANNEL CROSS MEMBER
    Publication number: 20150040494
    Abstract: A cross member for a narrow channel in a suspended ceiling grid comprising a carrier and a cover, the carrier having a web and a planar flange on a lower edge of the web, end connectors at opposite ends of the carrier web, the cover having a three-dimensional cross-section with an overall width generally equal to the width of the carrier flange and integral bendable tabs, the tabs being adjacent the ends of the cover and short in comparison to a length of the cover, the tabs being constructed to be manually folded over the flange of the carrier to lock the cover to the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: James J. Lehane, JR., Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Mark R. Paulsen, Abraham M. Underkofler
  • ACCESSIBLE STABILIZER BAR
    Publication number: 20150033657
    Abstract: An elongated stabilizer bar for maintaining a pair of grid runners in parallel upright positions to support a panel on respective grid runner support surfaces, the stabilizer bar having a horizontal leg and a vertical leg, the horizontal leg having self-penetrating tabs arranged to pierce and thereby grip a core of the panel to fix the stabilizer bar to the panel, a vertical leg having a vertical slot at each end, the slot having an open bottom, the slot having a horizontal width adapted to receive and confine an upper reinforcing bulb of a respective one of the pair of grid runners to thereby restrain the respective grid runner against excessive bowing and twisting deflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Abraham M. Underkofler, Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Mark R. Paulsen
  • Building materials and methods of manufacture
    Patent number: 8945295
    Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising a building panel such as ceiling tile for example includes, in addition to any by-product perlite fines, additional perlite fines in an amount sufficient to improve the fire resistance of the building panel over the fire resistance of the building panel without the additional perlite fines. In one aspect, the additional perlite fines can comprise at least approximately 3.5% perlite fines by weight. In another aspect, the additional perlite fines can have an average diameter of approximately 23 microns or less. Methods of manufacture related to the building panel also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventor: Martin W. Brown
  • Gypsum-panel acoustical monolithic ceiling
    Patent number: 8925677
    Abstract: An acoustical panel for forming a monolithic ceiling or wall, the panel extending across a rectangular area, and having a core made primarily of gypsum, the core being essentially coextensive with the panel area such that it has two opposed sides, each of an area substantially equal to the area of the panel, the core having a multitude of perforations extending generally between its sides, the perforations being distributed substantially uniformly across the full area of the core and being open at both sides of the core, the face side of the core being covered by a porous layer, the perforations being optionally restricted at a rear side of the core, the porous layer at the face side of the core being suitable for adherence of drywall joint compound and a water-based non-blocking paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Erin Dugan, Mark Miklosz, Rafael Bury, Lee K. Yeung, William A. Frank, Peder J. Gulbrandsen
  • Hanger bar
    Patent number: 8898986
    Abstract: A runner hanger comprising a metal strip having a plurality of spaced upper holes, a lower portion including a lower edge interrupted by a series of regularly spaced notches, the notches being configured to receive a hollow reinforcing bulb of a grid runner extending transversely to the hanger, the notch having a pair of longitudinally spaced ledges configured to support the bottom sides of a reinforcing bulb, the notches having a bendable tab carrying one of the ledges, the tabs being precision machine bent at an angle relative to a plane of the lower portion that allows a grid runner reinforcing bulb to be inserted when tilted in the associated notch and prevents the bulb from falling out of the notch when the runner is upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Abraham M. Underkofler, Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Mark R. Paulsen
  • Ceiling panel system
    Patent number: 8898985
    Abstract: A ceiling panel system includes a plurality of grid members that are operable to form a grid suspendable from a ceiling, the grid having grid member intersections; and a plurality of ceiling panels, each ceiling panel including a planar surface and a plurality of upturned edges arranged about the periphery of the planar surface. The upturned edges include a catch operable to attach the panels to the face of the grid intermediately to the intersections to form a ceiling surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventor: James J. Lehane, Jr.
  • Grid runner support brace
    Patent number: 8893449
    Abstract: A suspended ceiling grid assembly including parallel spaced main runners and pairs of cross runners on opposite sides of a main runner, the main runners having vertical slots spaced along their lengths, the cross runners having end connectors mutually inter-engaged in a common main runner slot, a brace stabilizing the pair of cross runners against relative hinge action in a vertical plane, the brace being a thin metal body having a cross section complimentary to a cross section of the cross runners, the brace abutting sides of the cross runners and being rigidly attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Abraham M. Underkofler, Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Mark R. Paulsen
  • Air dispersion of mineral fibers in ceiling tile manufacture
    Patent number: 8894811
    Abstract: A method of forming a dilute water slurry for water felting a basemat for an acoustical ceiling tile comprising delivering a bale of compressed mineral wool with a density of at least 8 lbs. per cubic foot at an unbaling station, releasing a binding holding the bale in compression, mechanically separating the fibers of a mineral wool bale with mechanical instrumentalities arranged to disperse the fibers to a generally uniform density of less than 2 lbs. per cubic foot prior to passage of the fibers through the tank inlet, and causing the separated mineral fibers to pass into the mixing tank for contact with water suspended binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventor: Martin W. Brown
  • Ceiling panel wire anchor
    Patent number: 8887467
    Abstract: A sheet metal fastener and method of use with a low density porous ceiling panel, the fastener comprising a plurality of blades adapted to be manually driven into a backside of a low density fibrous ceiling panel core, each blade being arranged to be pivoted about a horizontal axis in a direction opposite another one of the blades while embedded in the core to fix the fastener to the panel and an upstanding structure attached to said blades adapted to project upwardly from a rear side of the panel and having an aperture for receiving a suspension wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Abraham M. Underkofler, Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Mark R. Paulsen
  • Flexible drywall grid member for framing drywall structures
    Patent number: 8869484
    Abstract: A curvable grid tee for suspending drywall capable of being configured vertically into convex or concave shapes comprising a series of identical web segments joined end-to-end, the segments being formed of sheet metal into a tee shaped cross section, the sheet metal of a segment being folded such that each segment has a vertical double layer stem with the stem layers joined at a common fold at upper edges thereof, the sheet metal at lower edges of each layer of the stem being bent outwardly to form a flange, a junction between adjacent segments permitting such adjacent segments to be angularly displaced relative to one another in a vertical plane such that the flanges are capable of supporting a drywall panel in a curved plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Peder Gulbrandsen, Abraham M. Underkofler, Mark R. Paulsen
  • CEILING PANEL WIRE ANCHOR
    Publication number: 20140311078
    Abstract: A sheet metal fastener and method of use with a low density porous ceiling panel, the fastener comprising a plurality of blades adapted to be manually driven into a backside of a low density fibrous ceiling panel core, each blade being arranged to be pivoted about a horizontal axis in a direction opposite another one of the blades while embedded in the core to fix the fastener to the panel and an upstanding structure attached to said blades adapted to project upwardly from a rear side of the panel and having an aperture for receiving a suspension wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Abraham M. Underkofler, Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Mark R. Paulsen
  • Clip for perimeter trim
    Patent number: 8820026
    Abstract: A single piece sheet metal clip including a trim engaging part and a mounting part extending or extendable from the trim engaging part at a right angle, the trim engaging part having a limited height when the clip is tilted from a vertical portion and a height greater than the limited height when upright whereby the trim engaging part may be inserted between opposed channels on a rear side of a trim strip and upper and lower edges are trapped in a respective channel when rotated from the tilted position to an upright position, the trim engaging part having an integral element resiliently deflected in a channel when the clip is turned upright, said resilient element releasably locking the clip against a reversal of said movement and thereby maintaining the trim engaging part trapped in said channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Abraham M. Underkofler, Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Mark R. Paulsen
  • Grid runner to perimeter trim clip
    Patent number: 8813457
    Abstract: A clip for mounting an elongated trim strip on ends of ceiling grid runners, having a right angle configuration with two intersecting legs, one leg adapted to laterally abut an end of a grid runner and the other being adapted to engage the trim strip, said other leg having oppositely extending upper and lower grips for reception into upper and lower opposing channels of the trim strip, the grips being relatively moveable, and a toggle arrangement for moving said grips away from one another, when retracted, the grips being capable of passing between the opposed channels, the toggle arrangement selectively maintaining said grips in an extended position to frictionally lock onto the opposed channels of the trim strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Abraham M. Underkofler, Mark R. Paulsen, Peder J. Gulbrandsen
  • Water reduction by modulating vacuum
    Patent number: 8801902
    Abstract: A system and a method for dewatering an acoustical tile basemat comprising a continuously traveling wire, a device for depositing a dilute water slurry of solids including fiber and binder on the wire, a vacuum box below the wire for separating water from the solids deposited on the wire to form a basemat, a vacuum source, and a valve for cyclically connecting the vacuum source to the vacuum box at a cyclic rate that limits vacuum exposure to a length of the basemat newly arriving at the vacuum box to less than four inches per cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Martin W. Brown, William A. Frank
  • CLIP FOR PERIMETER TRIM
    Publication number: 20140215957
    Abstract: A single piece sheet metal clip including a trim engaging part and a mounting part extending or extendable from the trim engaging part at a right angle, the trim engaging part having a limited height when the clip is tilted from a vertical portion and a height greater than the limited height when upright whereby the trim engaging part may be inserted between opposed channels on a rear side of a trim strip and upper and lower edges are trapped in a respective channel when rotated from the tilted position to an upright position, the trim engaging part having an integral element resiliently deflected in a channel when the clip is turned upright, said resilient element releasably locking the clip against a reversal of said movement and thereby maintaining the trim engaging part trapped in said channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: USG INTERIORS, LLC
    Inventors: Abraham M. Underkofler, Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Mark R. Paulsen
  • Grid tee supporting clip
    Patent number: D721945
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Abraham M. Underkofler, Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Robert W. Gross, Mark R. Paulsen