Patents Examined by Brian E. Glessner
  • Patent number: 8112954
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate generally to systems and components for sealing and locking doors, including sliding doors for use with modular walls. A locking system can be configured to secure and release a sliding door. In particular, the locking system can include a sliding door with one or more receiving channels configured to receive a pin extending from a floor's surface. A locking mechanism can be included and configured to selectively drive a shaft to capture and release a pin that has been received by the receiving channel. The sealing system is configured to seal a gap between a modular wall and an adjacent sliding door. In particular, the sealing system can include a connector configured to connect trim to a wall panel wherein the connector includes an integrated gasket seal configured to seal the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Dirtt Environmental Solutions Ltd.
    Inventors: Geoff Gosling, Mogens F. Smed, Thomas Alfred Brown, Steven M. van Beveren
  • Patent number: 8020355
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a crossbeam and the respective crossbeam (1), intended to reinforce the instrument panel of a motor vehicle, guarantee its rigidity and support various devices, the said process being characterised by an alignment between only one main hollow metal body (2) with an elliptical cross-section and one secondary body (3) which is also metal and hollow and has an elliptical or circular cross-section, in that in this alignment the longitudinal axes of the said bodies are coaxial or parallel, in that also in this alignment the contour line of the outer wall of the secondary body is confined by the contour line of the inner wall of the main body, in that prior to this alignment the main body is conformed so as to adapt to the secondary body and in that, in the final phase, the two bodies are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sodecia-Centro Technologico, S.A.
    Inventor: Rui de Lemos Monteiro
  • Patent number: 7686353
    Abstract: A cabinet catch (10) consists of an integrally molded plastic clip (14) and bracket (12) for mounting to a portion of a cabinet structure. The clip (14) is manufactured from a first plastic material. The clip (14) is rotatable relative to the bracket (12) about an axis of rotation (20). The bracket (12) is formed from a second plastic material different from the first material. The first and second plastic materials are dissimilar to each other so they do not bond to each other. A method of manufacturing the cabinet catch (10) includes the steps of injection molding the clip (14) with a first plastic material and then injection molding the bracket (12) with a second plastic material different from the first plastic material so that the clip and the bracket (12) are integrally molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery C. Lewis, Thomas E. Blake, III
  • Patent number: 7607272
    Abstract: A flanged nailing plate and a drywall nailing plate that work in conjunction with each other to provide an expansion joint. The flanged nailing plate is attached to the wall studs top plate with the interiorly extending flange forming a sill to support one end of the drywall nail flange with the other end nailed to the bottom chord of the truss with the length of the drywall nail flange variable, typically between one to three feet, depending on the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Scot Woolworth
  • Patent number: 7584584
    Abstract: A reusable modular block system includes a lightweight structural block having a top, a bottom, a first block end, a second block end, an insulating core, an inside facing and an outside facing wherein the structural block is configured to create internal vertical and horizontal raceways between adjacent blocks, a gasketing system connected to the structural block along a portion of the periphery of the structural block, and a fastening system within and that extends horizontally and vertically through the insulating core where the structural block, the gasketing system and the fastening system form a single, integral block component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Inventor: Harry C. Fennell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7574842
    Abstract: Rectangular photovoltaic (PV) modules are mounted on a building roof by mounting stands that are distributed in rows and columns. Each stand comprises a base plate and first and second different height brackets attached to opposite ends of the base plate. Each first and second bracket comprises two module-support members. One end of each module is pivotally attached to and supported by a first module-support member of a first bracket and a second module-support member of another first bracket. At its other end each module rests on but is connected by flexible tethers to module-support members of two different second brackets. The tethers are sized to allow the modules to pivot up away from the module-support members on which they rest to a substantially horizontal position in response to wind uplift forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Schott Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: Miles C. Russell
  • Patent number: 7574841
    Abstract: A height adjustable jack piling assembly has a piling with a top and a bottom. A hinge axis is disposed on the top and a bearing plate is disposed at the bottom. A height adjustment mechanism extends upwardly from the bearing plate and through the piling to raise the piling, and the corresponding hinge axis, by operating the height adjustment mechanism from the top. The method includes placing a jack piling assembly and second lower piling, each having a hinge axis, into the earth and operating the height adjustment mechanism of the jack piling assembly to align the hinge axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Morton Buildings
    Inventors: Wayne A. Knepp, Tim Wetterhus, Don Ferguson, Dave Fehr, Paul Remmele, John Gleason
  • Patent number: 7571579
    Abstract: A structural element for the construction of any type of buildings, comprising a first ā€œCā€-shaped element with equidistant cavities at least on one of its faces and a second element in the shape of a continuous strip with equidistant angular folds, whereby once both structural elements are assembled to each other, the angular folds of the metallic strip are projected through the cavities of the ā€œCā€-shaped structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Antonio Reyes Ruiz
  • Patent number: 7571578
    Abstract: A thermal wall system for slowing heat transfer through walls. The system includes horizontal top and bottom tracks, horizontal top and bottom plates, and vertical studs mounted to and extending between the top and bottom plates. The top tracks and plates have flanges that extend downward. The bottom tracks and plates have flanges that extend upward. The width of the plates fits within the width of the tracks. Top and bottom tracks and plates are respectively nested along their webs and one flange to form a longitudinal opening between their respective opposing flanges. Rigid insulation may be disposed in the longitudinal opening. Thermal framing components may also be provided, extending between the top and bottom plates, to support vertical edges of insulation sheets. Thermal end caps may be used to treat the terminal edges of insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Nucon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Moody, Courtney J. Hanson
  • Patent number: 7571575
    Abstract: A system for assembly between a sheet of glass including a countersunk hole on each of its sides and another sheet of glass also including a countersunk hole on each of its sides, each countersunk hole being designed respectively to take first and second connecting pieces, each of the first and second connecting pieces being provided with a bore. The system also includes a connecting core connecting with the first and second connecting pieces. The core includes first and second parts. The first part of the core mates with the surface of the bore of the first connecting piece on which it exerts a force roughly parallel to the axis of the hole and the second part of the core fits into the bore made in the second connecting piece therein to react to the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Jacques Ernewein, Philippe Tissot
  • Patent number: 7571574
    Abstract: Disclosed is an insertion assembly for door and window frames which comprises a side frame and a transverse frame which is perpendicular to the side frame. An L-shape fixed member is provided at the outside of a connection portion of the side frame and the transverse frame, a side fastening bolt is provided to pass through a through hole at an upright portion of the fixed member and a through hole at the side frame to connect a side fastening panel, and a transverse fastening bolt is provided passing through a through hole at a transverse portion of the fixed member and a through hole at the transverse frame to connect a transverse panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Jinzhang Yu
  • Patent number: 7571572
    Abstract: The present invention provides floor tiles and modular floors. The floor tiles may include a locking system that allows adjacent tiles to interlock, while also permitting a predetermined amount of lateral sliding relative to one another. The modular tiles may be injection molded, and a minor change in the mold facilitates variation to the amount of lateral slide allowed between interlocked tiles. The floor tiles may also provide three layers of traction, providing more sure footing than previous flooring systems. In addition, the floor tiles may comprise a two-tier suspension system that yields a flex or spring-like effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Jorgen J. Moller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7568739
    Abstract: A tool box includes a first casing, a second casing, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a locking unit, and a snapping unit. The locking unit includes a locking block. The snapping unit includes a seat, a pivot member, a snapping member, and two torsion springs. Thus, the locking mechanism is operated to open the tool box automatically, so that a user can open the tool box easily and conveniently, thereby facilitating the user operating the locking mechanism to open the tool box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Inventor: Yi-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 7562495
    Abstract: A shower receptor installation assembly includes a dense foam underlayment, a base with a sloping floor that fits onto the underlayment, a mesh member attached to the threshold of the base with adhesive, a plurality of strike rails, and a plurality of screed blocks, two or more of the screed blocks being attached with removable adhesive to the bottom edge of each strike rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Fairchild Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Robert A. Fairchild, Denis R. Niemeyer
  • Patent number: 7562507
    Abstract: The present invention relates to vacuum insulated building panels. The insulating building panel of this invention uses suction pressure created by a vacuum as the sole means of attachments between two parallel steel (10) or glass (12) panel plates and a post frame (14). When vacuum is applied, the plates engage the post frame in an airtight manner and spheres (112) are used as spacers to maintain separation of the plates and they roll without resistance to accommodate any movement of one plate in relation to the other. These features of the building panel eliminate warping which is caused by expansion or contraction of weather exposed faces of the panel plates due to fluctuating outside temperatures and also eliminate stress upon support structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventor: Wallace E. Fleming
  • Patent number: 7559176
    Abstract: A formwork assembly is adapted to receive concrete to produce structures such as wall structures. The formwork includes PVC tubular form elements having recessed female engagement portions. The female engagement portions are adapted to receive respective male engagement portions. An octagonal form element has a female engagement portion positioned at each vertex between adjacent sides. A recessed female engagement portion is closed to the interior of the form element but open to the exterior of the form element. Thus, the form element includes a plurality of vertices open to the exterior. The form elements also include male engagement portions at an open side. Wall panels, corner panels, and joint connectors can also include male engagement portions. The male engagement portions and female engagement portions are adapted to mate to form a formwork arrangement having a substantially flat exterior wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Polyone Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Foell, William M. Bjerke
  • Patent number: 7559180
    Abstract: To provide a fixing apparatus for a structural member capable of preventing a first and a second engagement member from disengaging from an engagement groove of a pair of structural members. The first and second engagement members 4, 4? are held in such a manner as being able to move in the direction of the width of the engagement groove A1 by a holding member 5. A coiled spring 7 for biasing the first and second engagement members in the direction away from each other is disposed between the first and second engagement members 4 and 4?. The coiled spring 7 causes the first engagement member 4 to be abutted with a protruding part A2 of the engagement groove A1 of the structural member A and a protrusion of the engagement groove of the other structural member (not shown) and the second engagement member 4? to be abutted with a protrusion A3 of the engagement groove A1 of the structural member A and a protruding part of the engagement groove of the other structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Ajiki
  • Patent number: 7549256
    Abstract: A window well assembly includes U-shaped walls that have smooth interior and corrugated exterior surfaces, and are formed from polyvinyl material. The walls have coextensive ribs juxtaposed along an exterior surface thereof that are compressible. Each wall has an end wall with an opening formed therein, allowing the ribs to compress and expand. The openings are spaced at opposed ends of selected ribs. A mechanism is included for stacking the walls wherein a top edge of one wall receives a bottom edge of another wall. Ladders are seated against the interior surfaces of the walls. A mechanism is included for snapping the ladders onto the wall interior surface. A safety grill is mounted on top of the second wall, having an outer edge extending along a top edge of the second wall, for prohibiting the user from stepping into a cavity defined between the walls and the foundation window wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Donald J. Watkins
  • Patent number: 7543411
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system of injection molded panels having integrated connectors which combine to form a low profile enclosure having a telescoping roof. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate I-beam connectors. The ends of the wall panels have cavities to accept both roof and floor outwardly projecting locking posts for interlocking cooperative engagement which serve to rigidly connect the components together. The construction of the wall, roof, floor and door components minimizes component shapes and simplifies enclosure construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Whitehead, Michael Uffner
  • Patent number: 7543415
    Abstract: An anchor for a rectangular tube employs a wedge assembly, whereby rotation of an adjustment bolt of the wedge assembly moves an upper and lower wedge member together, and the wedge engagement with a central wedge member causes said central wedge member to move toward engagement with the tube, thereby securing the tube within a base body. Clevis pins and corresponding key hole slots mount the wedge assembly to a base, while allowing easy removal of the wedge when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: S.R. Smith, LLC
    Inventor: Bill Svendsen