Patents Examined by Anthony N. Bartosik
  • Patent number: 7458190
    Abstract: An extruded connecting profile for two panels having peripheral edges includes a first frame element having a front side and an opposite rear side, the front side being shaped for engaging a peripheral edge of a first panel of the two panels. A second frame element is also provided having a front side and an opposite rear side the front side being shaped for engaging a peripheral edge of a second panel of the two panels. An elastic structure extending between the first and second frame elements is co-extruded with the first and second frame elements and is comprised of a material having a higher elasticity than the material of the first and second frame elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Hilltech Holdings S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Isaac, Paolo Cortivo, Piergiorgio Polloni, Stefano Gabriel
  • Patent number: 7437855
    Abstract: The invention discloses an improved seal for providing protection against water, water vapor, and other vapors from entering into and permeating through a concrete slab. The seal includes three primary functional edges extending from a common junction, a first edge positioned substantially horizontally to be moisture proof fastened to a geo-membrane liner over which a slab is to be poured, a second edge extending downwardly to the first edge to be embedded into a foundation, and a third edge extending upwardly from the first edge to be embedded into the slab. The invention applies to both monolithic and non-monolithic pours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventors: David D. Locke, Kurt S. Chirbas
  • Patent number: 7438623
    Abstract: A geometric construction system includes: a plurality of flat panels; and a plurality of connecting units provided on side edges of the flat panels. Each connecting unit includes first and second engaging parts. The first engaging part is formed with a protrusion, and the second engaging part is formed with a recess such that the protrusion of the first engaging part on one of the flat panels is releasably engageable with the recess of the second engaging part on another of the flat panels. The second engaging part is further formed with resilient claws that project from a periphery of the recess. The claws of the second engaging part on one of the flat panels clamp resiliently the protusion of the first engaging part on another of the flat panels when the protrusion is moved into the recess of the second engaging part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Wen-Pin Lin
  • Patent number: 7434365
    Abstract: An interlocking drawer or door assembly has a rear panel and a front panel. The rear panel is a five sided box, four low walls surrounding a face. One or more apertures are formed in two or more of the walls, and a plastic rivet or other deformable member is located in each of the apertures, such that the head of the rivet is on the outside of the wall. The front panel is a similar five sided box, with each of the four corners laser welded to form a smooth and hidden seam. Each of the front panel walls has an additional portion that is bent 180 degrees toward the inside of the box to form a rolled wall that is parallel to and in close proximity to the wall. Holes are formed in the rolled wall to correspond to the location of respective deformable members in the rear panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Gary Robert Geller
  • Patent number: 7428800
    Abstract: An improved shelter of the type having a front wall, a back wall, two opposing side walls, a bottom and a top defining a substantially rectangular box with an opening defined in the top, a flat lid adapted to cover the opening, a roller means for alternately rolling the lid to expose or close the open top, the improvement comprising: substantially, the entire top of the box defining an opening; the lid adapted to be substantially flush with the surrounding ground level in a closed position; and a roller means for allowing the lid to slide above the ground level, exposing more than half of the top when in an open position. The shelter alternatively including stairs rotatably affixed to the front wall and a stair support means releaseably supporting the stair in position to be used as a stepping entrance into the shelter, whereby the stair can be rotated against the front wall when not in use or rotated and fixed in place by the stair support means to serve as a stepping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Inventors: Cliffton Vaughn, Jerry Wirtz
  • Patent number: 7424792
    Abstract: An anchor assembly for a post-tension system has an anchor member, a polymeric encapsulation covering the anchor member and defining a tubular section extending outwardly of an end surface of the anchor member, a rigid ring affixed within this tubular section and having a notch formed in an inner wall thereof, and a cap having a generally tubular body with an open end and a closed end. The cap has a flanged end adjacent the open end thereof. This flanged end has an outer periphery engageable within the notch of the rigid ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventor: Felix L. Sorkin
  • Patent number: 7418805
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of constructing a modular framing system where orthogonal frames are arranged adjacent to one another with their corresponding edges positioned next to one another. Each frame is formed from two horizontal and two vertical frame elements. A plurality of locks is inter-disposed between the adjacent vertical frame elements, each with a frame slot. At least two locks are double-locking type, one inter-disposed between the top sections of the vertical frame elements and the other between the bottom sections of the vertical frame elements. A plurality of locks is single-locking type, which is equi-distantly installed along the length of one vertical frame element in between the two double locks. The double locks lock both adjacent vertical frame elements. One side of the single locks lock only one vertical frame element and the other side inserts into the frame slot of the adjacent vertical frame element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Quantum Linkage SDN BHD
    Inventor: Chee Peng Tan
  • Patent number: 7406800
    Abstract: An integrated module frame and racking system for a solar panel is disclosed. The solar panel comprises a plurality of solar modules and a plurality of splices for coupling the plurality of solar modules together. The plurality of splices provide a way to make the connected modules mechanically rigid both during transport to the roof and after mounting for the lifetime of the system, provide wiring connections between modules, provide an electrical grounding path for the modules, provide a way to add modules to the panel, and provide a way to remove or change a defective module. Connector sockets are provided on the sides of the modules to simplify the electrical assembly of modules when the modules are connected together with splices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Andalay Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Cinnamon, Emanuel Edward Levy
  • Patent number: 7404271
    Abstract: The barrier comprises a vertical strap, a pair of opposing centering elements for guiding extending outwardly from the vertical strap and a pair of brackets inserted into the pair of opposing centering elements for guiding. Each pair of brackets includes a flat, curved element situated in a plane perpendicular to the vertical strap and has at one extremity a cutout. A guiding plate situated in a plane parallel to the vertical strap is attached to another extremity of the flat, curved element. The guiding plate is inserted into opposing centering elements for guiding. A rail is inserted into the pair of brackets, through the cutout of each of the flat, curved element. Several U-brackets are secured to a roof structure and disposed behind the vertical strap embrace a rafter. The roof barrier includes features for attachment the vertical strap with the pair of brackets to U-brackets, through the rafters, to the roof structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Robert William Kersbergen
  • Patent number: 7401441
    Abstract: A floor covering main body comprising an intermediate channeled surface. A plurality of non-contiguous but adjacent lugs extends upwardly from the intermediate channeled surface. A substantially planar composite upper surface is disposed above the intermediate surface and is defined by the top surfaces of the lugs. The intermediate channeled surface carries or channels liquid away from the upper walking surface. A plurality of floor covering main bodies can be aligned to form a flooring system. In another configuration, some or all of the lugs may be contiguous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Johnny W. Zimmerle, Todd C. Starr, Wyatt A. Cline
  • Patent number: 7373757
    Abstract: A molded plastic skid base for a resin building is formed with all of its openings facing downward and with runners integral with a deck that forms a floor of the base. Replaceable wear plates cover the bottoms of the runners and have truck loading notches molded at their ends and a longitudinal channel in which fastener heads are positioned. Stake down slots are provided in the ends of the runners and wear plates in a diagonal orientation so as to be aligned toward the center of the building, below the base. The floor of the base is a grid formed of diagonally oriented ribs, at least some of which may be shorter in their center than at their ends, is crowned in the center and has openings which taper upwardly. A solid sheet may be placed over the grid to close it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Lance T. Hampel
  • Patent number: 7367168
    Abstract: A connector for joining a supported member to a supporting member is formed with a series of angularly-joined flanges. The flanges are substantially planar and are substantially vertically oriented, when joining the supported member to the supporting member. The connector allows the end of a supported truss to be connected to a vertical member in the open web of a supporting truss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jin-Jie Lin