Patents Examined by Basil S Katcheves
  • Device for stabilizing and repairing cracks in concrete structures and a method for its use
    Patent number: 10801221
    Abstract: The present concrete crack repair device (CCRD) can be comprised of two nodules connected by an elongated strip wherein the elongated strip can be narrower than the nodules in at least one plane. Both the elongated strip and the nodules can comprise carbon fibers wherein most of the carbon fibers are located within the same plane maximizing the tensile strength of the device. Installation of the CCRD can be performed by drilling holes into the surface of the concrete on either side of the crack and cutting a slot in the surface of the concrete between the two holes, or adding the holes after the slot has been cut, wherein the slot and holes are located in a line that is roughly perpendicular to the crack. The CCRD can then be installed by placing each nodule in a hole and the elongated strip within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Luke Secrest, Jarred A. Jones, Gary L. Fox, Robert K. Smith
  • Multi-layered cap shingle with enhanced wind performance and method of making same
    Patent number: 10787814
    Abstract: A multi-layer cap shingle for installation along a ridge, hip, or rake of a roof includes a forward exposure area and a rear headlap area. The multi-layer cap shingle includes at least two layers of shingle material, a top layer and a bottom layer each having opposed edges. The layers are bonded together with patches of lamination adhesive adjacent their opposed edges. The bottom layer is configured with a deformation-absorbing mechanism such as a pair of slots extending from a forward edge reawardly inboard of the lamination adhesive patches. When the multi-layer cap shingle is bent over a roof ridge, the slots of the bottom layer of shingle material narrow in width to account for the fact that the bottom layer must bend around an arc of slightly smaller radius than the top layer of shingle material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Luis Duque, Ming-Liang Shiao, Sudhir Railkar
  • Building block system of prefabricated non-masonry mortarless interlocking building blocks with cap attachments
    Patent number: 10787810
    Abstract: A building block system of a plurality of transportable, lightweight, and reusable hollow prefabricated non-masonry interlocking mortarless building blocks that have corresponding mating formations being protuberances and concavities that run vertically up the building blocks being joined together and when aligned in a staggered manner upwardly are held together with threaded reinforcement rods extending vertically between and connected to the top and bottom channels through connectable couplings and capped off with complementary cap attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Inventors: Harry Bergollo, Joel Corbea, Jason Reed Struble
  • Ceiling system
    Patent number: 10781590
    Abstract: A ceiling system, a ceiling panel, and a method of covering a ceiling support with a plurality of ceiling panels. In one aspect, the invention may be a ceiling system comprising: a plurality of ceiling panels, each of the ceiling panels comprising: an upper face; a lower face opposite the upper face; a first edge, a second edge, a third edge opposite the first edge, and a fourth edge opposite the second edge; each of the first and second edges comprising a tongue; and each of the third and fourth edges comprising a groove; and a plurality of alignment clips, each of the alignment clips comprising a cruciform rib element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: AWI Licensing LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Duschl
  • Corner flashing for a window or door opening
    Patent number: 10781626
    Abstract: A corner section for installing a window or door frame in a sealing system is disclosed. The corner section has a corner region of a trough or a tanking, i.e., it is open on two sides and bent upwards on two sides to form a tanking. When installed, the corner region encloses a corner of a window frame or door frame and is in contact with the reveal. The open sides are positioned in horizontal window direction and face the outside of the reveal. The corner section ensures that the system is sealed against driving rain and provides for a second water-drainage level in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Knauf Gips KG
    Inventors: Thomas Wieczorek, Jürgen Böhringer, Kerstin Schöneberger
  • Mast raising assembly
    Patent number: 10781603
    Abstract: A mast raising assembly includes a base that is securable to a horizontal support surface. A tube is insertable into the base such that the tube is vertically oriented. A winch is coupled to the tube and a pair of lower pulleys is each rotatably coupled to the tube. A mast is pivotally coupled to the tube. The mast is positionable in a raised position and a folded position. A plurality of upper pulleys is each of the upper pulleys is rotatably coupled to the mast. A cable extends between the winch, the lower pulleys and the upper pulleys. The cable urges the mast into the raised position when the winch is rotated in a raising direction. Additionally, the cable urges the mast into the folded position when the winch is rotated in a lowering direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Inventor: David Darragh
  • Apparatus, systems and methods for repairable precast moment-resisting buildings
    Patent number: 10781582
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to reinforced concrete moment-resisting buildings with precast beams, precast columns, and replaceable buckling restrained reinforcements. Modular channels and pins or boxes are provided that allow for the replacement and repair of the precast moment-resisting beams and columns. Replaceable buckling restrained reinforcements are used to attach the beams and columns via embedded reinforcements and couplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: South Dakota Board of Regents
    Inventors: Mostafa Tazarv, Abdullah Boudaqa
  • Apparatus and method for safely shoring horizontal wind girts during building construction
    Patent number: 10774522
    Abstract: A girt alignment apparatus and a method of using the apparatus to shore wind girts of a building to level and support the wind girts to install panels and/or panelized sections to form a wall. The apparatus has an elongated support pipe, a base assembly at a lower end of the support pipe that supports the support pipe in an upright position, a lever assembly connected to the support pipe to move the support pipe upward and downward and one or more girt support assemblies attached to and extending outward from the support pipe to engage the wind girt. In use, the apparatus is placed next to a span having wind girts with the lever assembly in a retracted position. The lever assembly is moved to an extended position to move the support pipe and girt support assemblies upward to engage, level and support the wind girts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Inventor: Jared Bill Bradford
  • Panel interconnectable with similar panels for forming a covering
    Patent number: 10774540
    Abstract: The invention relates to a panel, in particular a floor panel, interconnectable with similar panels for forming a covering. The invention also relates to a covering consisting of mutually connected floor panels according to the invention. The invention further relates to a method of assembling multiple floor panels for forming a covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: I4F Licensing NV
    Inventors: Eddy Alberic Boucké, Johan Christiaan Rietveldt
  • Rebar coupler
    Patent number: 10760272
    Abstract: A disclosed rebar coupler includes a first coupling member, a second coupling member, and a coupling means. Accordingly, the connection angle between the first coupling member and the second coupling member is variable to a desired angle. The connection angle between rebars to be connected may be rapidly and conveniently varied at an industrial site to which the rebars are applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventor: Yang Oun Lee
  • Retaining wall block and retaining wall block system
    Patent number: 10760269
    Abstract: A wall block having a block body and a vertical plane of symmetry. The block body having a front portion, a rear portion and a neck portion. The wall block including a core extending through the neck portion and dividing the neck portion into first and second neck wall members extending rearward from the front portion to the rear portion. The wall block having a flange extending downward from the block body. The wall block having a channel positioned in the rear portion of the block body. The wall block having a first plane parallel to the plane of symmetry that passes through the first neck wall member and a second plane parallel to the plane of symmetry that passes through the second neck wall member, the first and second planes being located approximately midway between the plane of symmetry and the lateral outermost points of the wall block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Robert John Lundell, Craig D. Moritz
  • Shaker doors with solid core and methods for making thereof
    Patent number: 10753140
    Abstract: The present invention relates to shaker doors with solid cores and methods for making the same. The shaker doors contain different core materials at the recessed panel than the raise peripheral region to provide dimensional stability and reduced distortion when the doors are exposed to high humidity. The devices and methods also provide for easy assembly of solid core shaker doors, including fire rated doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: John Robinson, Steven Swartzmiller, Steven Gutkowski, Robert Allen, Roland Karsch, Michael MacDonald
  • Angle adjustable tread holding brackets for staircases
    Patent number: 10745924
    Abstract: An angle adjustable tread holding bracket comprising a first bracket member having a first triangular shaped body member including a first opening; and a second bracket member rotationally attached to the first bracket member via a pin hinge member, wherein the second bracket member includes a second triangular shaped body member having a U-shaped slot allowing the first triangular shaped body member of the first bracket member to be inserted into the U-shaped slot enabling the angle of the tread holding bracket to be adjusted, wherein the second triangular shaped body member includes an arcuate groove and a second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Regis Jean
  • Data center and method for cooling said data center
    Patent number: 10743440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a data center for IT and/or telecoms equipment, especially servers, comprising a building with an intermediate floor arranged for carrying IT and/or telecoms equipment, especially servers, as well as cooling means for cooling the IT and/or telecoms equipment, especially servers, in order to counteract overheating of the IT and/or telecoms equipment, especially servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Switch Datacenter Group B.V.
    Inventors: Grzegorz Wilhelm Snip, Coenraad Arjen Binnerts
  • Plate for installing photovoltaic panels
    Patent number: 10742159
    Abstract: A support plate is provided that is fitted in a photovoltaic panel and allowing said panel to be secured and incorporated onto the roof of a building. The support plate includes a sealed vertical overlapping arrangement, a sealed lateral fitting arrangement, support pads for the plate, and an empty space for cables to pass through and to allow access to framework of the roof. The support plate further includes at least one of guide rails that are arranged in an inverted general V-shape in order to divert the flow of water to lateral sides of the empty space, at least one reinforcement that is interposed between the lateral fitting arrangement and the roof and that is designed to inhibit said fitting arrangement from being crushed, and at least one drilling area and a graduation that is designed to adjust the vertical overlap between two juxtaposed support plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: SNC YAP
    Inventor: Ylan Gilles Sabban
  • Single piece, redundant, bi-directional, seal damage prevention pressure seal
    Patent number: 10738888
    Abstract: An example seal for use with a laminated window is described. The seal includes a first end formed from a first material and a second end formed from the first material, with the first material being compressible when a pressure force is applied to the first material. The seal also includes a connection portion positioned between the first end and the second end. At least some of the connection portion is formed from a second material having a greater indentation hardness than an indentation hardness of the first material. An example method for installing a seal is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Drew L. Smallwood
  • Self-bracing, two-way moment frame precast system for industrial support structure and method of utilizing same
    Patent number: 10738463
    Abstract: A self-bracing, two-way moment frame precast system for industrial support structure and method of erecting a precast industrial support structure without temporary or permanent bracing or shoring are disclosed. This is accomplished by utilizing a moment frame element in two directions to create free standing tower that requires no bracing during erection or in service. The system also utilizes a connection that allows the erection crane to achieve alignment during erection such that the entire system can be erected by a ground based personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventor: Philip Glen Miller
  • Gravestone marker with protected viewing chamber
    Patent number: 10729609
    Abstract: A gravestone marker made from a single slab of granite that is carved and cut. A bulletproof, transparent covering for a viewing chamber allows for placement of photographs and other small objects within the chamber. The chamber is carved out of the granite slab, and a back wall is cut from the slab and reattached to enclose the chamber. This allows for smoothing and polishing of the chamber prior to reattachment of the back wall. Luminescent sand can be placed within the chamber to provide illumination to the objects stored within.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Izak Du Bruyn
  • Hip vent
    Patent number: 10731351
    Abstract: A vent is disclosed that is particularly suited to use in ventilating attic spaces beneath a hip roof. The vent is configured to be installed along a hip of the roof overlying and covering a ventilation slot formed through the roof deck along the hip. The vent includes an elongated laterally flexible top panel from which baffle arrays depend. The baffle arrays are formed of a plurality of depending arcuately curved vanes that arc away from the vent. The vanes are aerodynamically shaped to redirect wind-blown rain and snow away from the vent and are configured to block the migration of rain and snow through the vent. A pair of spongy conformable filler strips is attached beneath the edge portions of the vent. The filler strips conform to the shapes of underlying shingles when the vent is installed to fill any gaps that otherwise might be formed between the vent and the shingles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Manasterski, Walter Zarate, Sudhir Railkar, Jeffrey Avitabile, Peter Campbell
  • Construction system
    Patent number: 10724232
    Abstract: A construction system for a wall or floor or roof uses a set of studs having panel engagement features protruding from opposed edges of the stud. Panel elements having apertures receive these features so that they protrude through the panel element apertures. Retainers engage the panel engagement features and press against an outside surface of a panel element and towards the studs with a compression force to form a compression joint. There may be rails to form a mesh with the studs, and the panel elements may not be wide enough to abut each other, narrow panel elements providing sufficient structural strength in combination with the compression joints and the studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Glavloc Build Systems Limited
    Inventor: Paul Glavin