Patents Examined by Alexandra K. Pechhold
  • Patent number: 6616368
    Abstract: A traffic barricade includes a base which supports an upright member. The base includes two removably interlocking sections, each having an enlarged portion. The enlarged portions defines a socket for closely receiving a tab extending from the upright member. A deformably resilient material surrounds the socket, permitting the upright member to deflect slightly and return to a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the base. The upright member incorporates integral structural supports which permit the barricade upright member to maintain an upright member orientation without additional external support mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Custom Plastech, Ltd.
    Inventors: Terry M. Birchler, Kia-Sheng Cheng
  • Patent number: 6612377
    Abstract: An excavation cleaning tool or dredge is provided which rotates and scrapes together and captures the loose soil, sand and gravel debris at the bottom of the hole to provide a clean, flat-bottomed hole which is free of compressible excavation waste material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth O. Rynard
  • Patent number: 6612781
    Abstract: A method of transporting and installing an offshore structure including transporting the offshore structure to the installation site by barge with at least a portion of the structure being supported under the barge, and lowering the offshore structure to the water bed. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the structure includes a tower and a base, with the tower being mounted offset from a center of the base through the use of bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Ove Arup Partnership Limited
    Inventor: Gordon Jackson
  • Patent number: 6602021
    Abstract: A pavement marker includes a solar cell assembly arranged between an upper case defined with a sunlight opening and a lower cover formed with a stem portion. The solar cell assembly has solar cells and light emitting lamps. Reflective plates are respectively attached to both side surfaces of the upper case. The solar cell assembly includes a transparent resin block having an upper wall, support protrusions are formed on an inner surface of the upper wall, and a solar cell set having the solar cells and a printed circuit board is disposed in the transparent resin block to be brought into contact with the support protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Kwung-Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 6599057
    Abstract: A method of reconstructing includes taking representative cores of the road, analyzing the cores, selecting a substantially solvent-free emulsion based on climate history, mixing the emulsion and reclaimed asphalt pavement particles to form an asphalt emulsion mix, testing the asphalt emulsion mix for performance using a raveling test, a thermal cracking prediction test by an indirect tensile testing, a moisture susceptibility test utilizing vacuum saturation, and a dry Marshall stability test. It also includes designing a CIR layer based on this test data. It further includes grinding off a layer of the existing asphalt road leaving at least about an inch, adding an emulsion to the reclaimed asphalt pavement particles, applying the designed cold in-place recycling layer to the road, and compacting it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: KMC Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Thomas, Arlis Kadrmas
  • Patent number: 6599059
    Abstract: An expansion assembly configured to be attached to a mine roof bolt, wherein the expansion assembly may include a plug defining an interior cavity and an outer surface and an expansion shell having a plurality of spaced-apart prongs, preferably three prongs, and defining a plurality of shell grooves, wherein each of the spaced-apart prongs is oriented diametrically opposed to a corresponding shell groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Jennmar Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Calandra, Jr., John C. Stankus, Brandon Demrey, Jack R. Eaton, Larry Boozer
  • Patent number: 6595718
    Abstract: A system and method for removing and replacing rigid pavement sections in highways, bridge decks, airport runways, and various other similar structures are provided. The system typically includes a lifting frame which attaches to a damaged slab and is removed with the slab as a unit in a single operation. The frame may also be used to reinstall a replacement slab or panel while acting as external reinforcement. The frame may also serve to align the replacement panel in the void left by the removed section while under-bedding material is installed and cured under the new panel. The system may also utilize a unique saw cutting method and joint splicing method which accomplish a completed removal and replacement process which is faster, cheaper, and stronger than prior art methods. The system reduces the downtime required for replacement of transportation system facilities using rigid pavement, which are in need of repair by replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Works R&D, Inc.
    Inventor: William Bruce Smith
  • Patent number: 6595716
    Abstract: A sealable manhole system having a weld ring, a cover with a gasket shaped to engage the weld ring, and a cam lever assembly. The cam lever assembly comprising includes a cam lever having a cam surface and a pivot aperture. A pivot pin is sized to engage the pivot aperture and has a screw aperture formed there through. A connector operatively attached to the weld ring and an adjustment screw passes through the screw aperture and engages the connector. The cover further includes a gasket channel with a neck and an internal shoulder formed above the neck. The internal shoulder further has a dimension wider than the neck and is oriented at an angle to the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan VanDeVyvere, Henry Knaack, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6595715
    Abstract: An integral one-piece metallic guiderail post comprising a contoured leg portion and vertically offset upper end portion onto which a guiderail can be selectively secured. The contoured upper end portion has a vertically oriented rail-mounting surface with an angularly inclined front surface extending therefrom. Elongated support flanges extend from the contoured leg and vertically offset portions in spaced parallel relation to one another. The vertical offset rail engagement portion partially overlies the leg portion effectively transferring vertical impact load on the vertical offset rail portion to the leg portion for ground mounting engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Dominick J. Cortell
  • Patent number: 6588976
    Abstract: A concrete placing apparatus is provided for placing uncured concrete on a support surface, such as an elevated deck of a building. The apparatus comprises a movable base unit and a movable support unit, with a conduit assembly extending therebetween. A supply end of the conduit assembly is positioned at the base unit and is connected to a supply line for uncured concrete or other material, while a dispensing end of the conduit assembly is supported by the movable support and extends outwardly therefrom to dispense uncured concrete or other material through a discharge outlet. The movable support is movable arcuately and/or radially relative to the base unit to dispense the concrete in a generally uniform manner over a targeted area. The apparatus may further include a plowing and/or screeding device at the discharge outlet to grade, level, compact and smooth the concrete as it is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Quenzi, Carl B. Kieranen, Jeffrey W. Torvinen, Charles A. Hallstrom, Mark A. Pietila
  • Patent number: 6588974
    Abstract: The invention relates to bitumen or asphalt for producing a road topping, whereby said bitumen or asphalt contains a proportion of paraffin obtained by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FT paraffin). The invention also relates to a road topping with said bitumen and to a method for producing a corresponding road topping or roadway/covering using said bitumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Schümann Sasol GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Hildebrand, Ferdinand Richter, Michael Matthäi, Bruno Iversen, Klaus-Werner Damm
  • Patent number: 6588061
    Abstract: A pop-in extended travel single roller for patio doors is retained in the patio door track by no mechanical device. This is accomplished by mounting the roller assembly into a pre-fabricated opening, the width of which is slightly larger than the over-all basic width of the outer housing. Protrusions on the side of the outer housing, after passing through the opening, retain the roller in the proper position. This feature eliminates the need for mechanical fasteners thereby saving costs of parts and labor. This assembly also provides for increased over-all height adjustment range aids the ease of removal of the movable panel of the patio door assembly through the use of an adjusting screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Truth Hardware Corporation
    Inventor: Donald A. Becken
  • Patent number: 6588986
    Abstract: A drilling and anchoring device comprises a drilling pipe (8), a drilling tool (12) mounted at the end of the pipe, and one or several cables (4) and/or other anchoring reinforcements. The cables and/or other anchoring reinforcements are so attached to the drilling tool that the drilling tool remains in a grout body (7) formed by cement injection in the ground surrounding a drilling hole (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Forasol International SA
    Inventor: Vincenzo Sibilla
  • Patent number: 6588041
    Abstract: A drawbridge span lock system in which a locking bar longitudinally slides between wear shoes in each of guide and socket assemblies. The wear shoes are pre-loaded to a selected level by springs within the assemblies to maintain continuous contact of the shoes with the locking bar under no-load operating conditions of the bridge. Threaded adjusting carriers externally accessible in each assembly enable the springs to be precisely pre-loaded to any level within a design range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Steward Machine Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Cragg, James F. Alison, III
  • Patent number: 6582155
    Abstract: A soil compaction device has a receptacle in which a cage can be placed to hold a battery. At the external side of the cage there are spring-damper elements provided that keep the excessively strong acceleration loads away from the battery. The cage and the battery can be pulled out of the receptacle in a simple manner in one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Wacker Construction Equipment AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bromberger, Thomas Maurer, Norbert Jungwirth, Klaus Blaffert
  • Patent number: 6575665
    Abstract: A precast, modular marine structure and method of constructing the same for offshore use, including but not limited to drilling, oil and gas production, and oil storage in a variety of water depths. The marine structure includes an equalized pressure system and concrete modular components cast with at least one cell and a central longitudinal passageway. The equalized pressure system fluidly connects the cell(s) to the adjacent body of water by at least one substantially vertical segmented water column to equalize the hydrostatic pressure differential experienced at a wall of the marine structure. A truss section may be attached to the concrete portion of the marine structure to form a truss spar. A mooring and tether system may be included to maintain the marine structure's station and attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: H. B. Zachry Company
    Inventors: Kirk T. Richter, Moon A. Fahel
  • Patent number: 6568034
    Abstract: Hinge assembly provided between a fixed body to be coupled to a fixed object and a rotating body to be coupled to a rotating object to be rotatably fitted to the fixed object, for providing a torque required with respect to the fixed object. Hinge assembly includes a shaft, a fixed bracket having one leaf fixed to an end of the shaft, and the other leaf fixed to the fixed body, a rotating bracket having one leaf rotatably coupled to the shaft from an outer side of the fixed bracket, and the other leaf coupled to the rotating body, and a frictional elastic member disposed between the fixed bracket and the rotating bracket such that one end thereof is fixed to an end of the shaft, and the other end thereof coupled to the rotating bracket to pass through the rotating bracket, for making friction as a part of the frictional elastic member in contact with the rotating bracket makes an elastic compression onto the rotating bracket, for applying a torque to the rotating bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Gyu Yeol Cho
  • Patent number: 6565289
    Abstract: A self-connecting, reinforced retaining wall is provided comprised of precast, stacked concrete block masonry units stabilized with reinforcing members which extend from the masonry units at selected intervals into the adjacent reinforced soil to form a mechanically stabilized earthen wall construction. The reinforcement members are generally in the form of horizontally oriented “U”-shaped members which extend from within the adjacent soil bank, to and through voids of the masonry units, thereby providing self-connecting means thereat, and thence returning into the soil bank, forming a stabilized, retained and reinforced soil embankment. Suitable reinforcements may include metallic grids, geotextile and geogrid sheets, and other similar reinforcement means. Concrete masonry units especially adapted for use in the aforesaid self-connecting soil reinforced retaining walls are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Permawall Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Suheil Rashid Khamis
  • Patent number: 6565288
    Abstract: A method and a structure for stabilizing a formation of natural substrate having a substantially vertical face. A tendon is inserted into a hole in the formation. A heading device includes a plate, a tube, an adhesive material within the tube, and an anchor. The plate has a bore disposed over a protruding portion of the tendon. The tube is disposed over the protruding portion of the plate. An adhesive material is disposed within the tube to couple the tendon to the tube. The anchor is coupled to the plate. A final concrete facing is placed over the entire heading device embedding the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: James P. McCallion
  • Patent number: 6565282
    Abstract: A tractor implement to grind surface pavement in removing paint lines is mounted on a tractor side and driven by a tractor power take-off. An implement first frame is supported rotatably on a rod extending orthogonally from the tractor. A rotatable tractor control mechanically connected to the implement first frame causes it to rotate on the rod, therein providing an implement adjustment in pitch and lifting and lowering the implement between a travel position and an operational position. The implement first frame connects pivotably to an implement second frame. A first hydraulic cylinder on the implement first frame parallel the rod connects to the implement second frame such that actuation of the first hydraulic cylinder causes the implement second frame to pivot about a second frame central axis therein providing the second frame an adjustment in roll. A grinding brush is mounted transversely to the implement second frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Apply-A-Line, Inc.
    Inventor: Carey Gray