Patents Examined by Christopher T. Kent
  • Patent number: 6564517
    Abstract: A hurricane-resistant storm window assembly including at least one window pane member which consists of a first lami-glass substrate which is substantially {fraction (9/32)} of an inch (2.7 mm) thick; a second lami-glass substrate which is substantially {fraction (9/32)} of an inch (2.7 mm) thick; and a vinyl layer which is substantially 0.060 of an inch laminating the first lami-glass substrate and the second lami-substrate together. A window frame surrounding an outer perimeter edge of the at least one window pane member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Bradley Hanssen
  • Patent number: 6425212
    Abstract: A prestressed or post-tensioned concrete slab indicating device for indicating a presence of a prestressed or post-tensioned slab of concrete includes a plate member having a front surface and a back surface, a visible indication on the front surface, the visible indication communicating and warning of the presence of a prestressed or post-tensioned slab of concrete, at least one concrete penetrating projection having a proximal and a distal end, the proximal end being attached to the back surface, the projection having a flared portion at the distal end, the at least one concrete penetrating projection being at least partially embedded within a partially cured prestressed or post-tensioned concrete slab to affix the indicating device to the partially cured prestressed or post-tensioned concrete slabsuch that the front surface of the indicating device is flush with the concrete surface, the flared portion keeping the device securely attached to the slab when the prestressed or post-tensioned concrete slab is
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventor: Gary Lovazzano
  • Patent number: 6374547
    Abstract: An information display system is disclosed. A work environment providing a work area and a workstation including the information display system are also disclosed. The information display system includes a track system adapted to attach to a mounting structure and a plurality of display panels coupled to the track system for movement with respect to the mounting structure. The display panels are adapted to present information selectively for display by pivotal and translating movement of the plurality of display panels. The track system may include at least one rail. The display panels may be cantilevered away from the track system at a vertical elevation to provide clearance below the display panels for a seated worker. The information display system may include a plurality of containers coupled to the track system for movement with respect to the mounting structure, with each of the plurality of containers is adapted to include at least one display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Baloga, Carl V. Forslund, III
  • Patent number: 6324800
    Abstract: A support base for distributing a concentrated load over a contact surface is disclosed. The support base includes a body formed of moldable polymeric material having a top surface and a generally planar bottom surface. At least one recess is integrally formed in the top surface for receiving a support member. The support member transfers the concentrated load to the planar body. Furthermore, at least one through bore is provided in the support base, and the through bore extends from the top surface to the bottom surface of the support base for receiving a fastener. The through bore has a shaft portion and a relatively oversized cavity portion adjacent to the bottom surface for receiving fasteners such as nuts for securing bolts, as well as, bolt heads of different sizes and configurations. The support base has many advantages over the prior are for example, the base may be attached to different interface bracketry without be modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Portable Pipe Hangers, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur J. Valentz, John E. Nemazi
  • Patent number: 6318044
    Abstract: According to existing methods of frame building construction, a concrete foundation is formed on which wooden floor joists are laid. Walls are constructed on the foundation and floor using wooden wall studs, and a roof is constructed on the walls using wooden rafters, beams and trusses. These methods require skilled carpenters and high quality wood materials, both of which are increasingly expensive. There is therefore a need for a system for framing houses or other buildings which uses prefabricated steel framing and which is quick and easy to construct. The invention provides a prefabricated system for framing a complete building on a foundation. Folding telescopic framing units are used for vertical partitions and horizontal floor panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Ronald W. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6308487
    Abstract: A one piece molded plastic lattice simulates a lattice of separate superposed members. The lattice includes a set of continuous elongated members that lie in a plane. A second set of discontinuous elongated members intersects and interconnects the first set of members at junction regions. The second set of discontinuous elongated members may lie in another plane. The upper surfaces of the first set of members is transversely concave, or the upper surfaces of the second set of members is longitudinally convex, so that a discontinuity is created at each of the junction regions. In this way, the plastic lattice creates the illusion of being a multi-piece lattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventor: Richard W. Cantley
  • Patent number: 6308481
    Abstract: The invention provides for a system, method and components adapted for the cosmetic enhancement of overpass structures, said system comprising plastic sheeting adapted for attachment to overpass structures. The method comprising attaching plastic sheeting adapted for covering overpass structures to the overpass by way of suitable attaching means, and the plastic sheets being adapted for such use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventor: Jack Goldberg
  • Patent number: 6301853
    Abstract: A standing seam roof assembly having adjacent roof panels supported by underlying support structure in overlapping edge relationship to form a standing seam between adjacent roof panels, a first roof panel having a female sidelap portion forming male insertion cavities and a second roof panel having a male sidelap portion inserted into the male insertion cavities to form the standing seam assembly. The male sidelap portion has a tang member that lockingly engages a retaining groove of the female sidelap portion. The standing seam assembly prevents unfurling of the first and second roof panels by forming multiple force couples that resist forces due to uplift of the first and second panels. Mastic is placed between portions of the female and male sidelap portions to form a weathertight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Harold Simpson, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold G. Simpson, C. Stephen Salisbury
  • Patent number: 6298614
    Abstract: A window frame for installation onto a structure having exterior siding, the window frame helping to prevent moisture from penetrating into the interior of the structure. The window frame has a frame member onto which is installed a window pane and a C-tunnel, the C-tunnel having a first flange, a second flange that extends outwardly from the first flange in non-perpendicular fashion, and a third flange extending outwardly from the second flange in non-perpendicular fashion. A fourth flange extends along a length of the second flange and acts as a rain stop. Diagonal as well as vertical channels may be located on the second flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Myles A. Fisher
  • Patent number: 6295786
    Abstract: A building panel (10) including a core body (11) containing a compressible solid, and cladding layer (12), on at least one outer surface of the core body, and wherein the building panel is foldable. Preferably, the core is a polymer foam, and the cladding layer is substantially more rigid than the core body for imparting strength thereto. The fold (26) may be provided by cutting the cladding layer from what will become the inside surface of a fold, and removing sufficient material from the core body to permit the panel to be folded. The cladding layer preferably includes a textile of a flexible fiberglass, nylon or polyester in the form of a woven or non-woven mesh (16) with a resin component (17) in the form of a settable liquid applied to, and set into the interstices of the textile with the resin component substantially encapsulating the textile component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: John Bartholomew Lee
  • Patent number: 6293066
    Abstract: Disclosed is an expansion joint guide for constructing a multi-course masonry block wall. The guide has an elongated flat planar base of a rigid material and an elongated planar leg the length of which is less than the thickness of the blocks of the wall to be constructed and the thickness of which is the desired thickness of the joint between laterally adjacent blocks of the wall. The leg extending substantially perpendicular to the base to serve as a locator for the masonry blocks forming the sections of the wall on either side of the guide and means preferably in the form of fasteners or adhesives are used to secure the base to an underlying wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: George A. Lohrey
  • Patent number: 6293065
    Abstract: This invention is intended to provide a high strength porous concrete structure which is preferably applied to a water permeable pavement, a draining pavement, a sound insulating board, a sound-proofing barrier, a sound absorbing block for acoustic, a block for plants, a riverbed block, a water purifying matrix, a gas absorbing matrix, a decorative board for building, a fish reef, a block for fish reef or a block for breeding algae and to provide a method of manufacturing the high strength porous concrete structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Suzuki, Kikuo Tachibana, Tatsuji Tanahashi, Tetsuo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6293057
    Abstract: A Lightweight Pre-engineered prefabricated modular Building System comprised of prefabricated structural members and three prefabricated spacer plates which create the entire building main frame system. A multiple use principal structural member is utilized as top and bottom cords as well as end rungs for trusses and truss legs. The spacer plates are used to construct steep pitch building frames. Trusses are interchangeable anywhere in system. Eave peak members, purlins and girts are used to attach sheathing to the structural frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Gary David Amos Hays
  • Patent number: 6289637
    Abstract: A portable arcade unit having a frame, a means for attaching a wheel means, a means for attaching a hitch means, and a detachable roof. The portable arcade unit may be disassembled for storage and transportation purposes and quickly rebuilt on-site to form an aesthetically pleasing building unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Bob's Space Racers, Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Mendes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6286284
    Abstract: A one piece molded plastic lattice simulates a lattice of separate superposed members. The lattice includes a set of continuous elongated members that lie in a plane. A second set of discontinuous elongated members intersects and interconnects the first set of members at junction regions. The second set of discontinuous elongated members may lie in another plane. The upper surfaces of the first set of members is transversely concave, or the upper surfaces of the second set of members is longitudinally convex, so that a discontinuity is created at each of the junction regions. In this way, the plastic lattice creates the illusion of being a multi-piece lattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Richard W. Cantley
  • Patent number: 6286530
    Abstract: A reconfigurable sun shade and shelter apparatus that includes a flexible shade cover that is substantially square attached to a plurality of support ribs and a central locking control hub, the support ribs each having an inside end that is pivotally connected to the central locking control hub and an outside end that is removably connected to the flexible shade cover, the central locking control hub further including locking pivot means for independently pivoting each of the plurality of support ribs such that each support pole can independently be positioned in any one of a plurality of pivot positions and be locked into that pivot position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Richard Hussey
  • Patent number: 6286275
    Abstract: A workspace management system comprising a wall for dividing a room into separate work areas, wherein the wall extends vertically and in a longitudinal direction, the wall having a first side surface, a second side surface, a lower portion and an upper portion above the lower portion, the upper portion having a width defined between the first and second side surfaces over the upper portion greater than a width of the lower portion defined between the first and second side surfaces over the lower portion, an overhead raceway defined within the upper portion between the first surface and the second surface over the upper portion, the overhead raceway extending longitudinally of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: John R. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6286264
    Abstract: A sports field, in particular for team sports such as football, has a playing field (20) which consists of a overing made of grass, granulates or other natural and/or artificial materials, placed on an infrastructure (21), in particular made of earth and/or gravel. Also disclosed is a process for horizontally displacing the sports field (20). To allow such a sports field to be horizontally displaced, the sports field is arranged on a preferably trough-shaped supporting frame (22) substantially made of concrete and/or steel parts, and which can be displaced on sliding pads supported on fixed sliding tracks (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Schiess-Defries Engineering Immobilien-und Bautrager GmbH
    Inventor: Raimund Peuler
  • Patent number: 6286265
    Abstract: A support for mounting a lighting fixture in recessed position in a suspension ceiling of inverted T-bars extending generally parallel to one another and spaced apart a certain distance. The support is in the form of an elongate sheet metal bar for installation in generally vertical position bridging two T-bars. As installed, the sheet metal bar has upper and lower edges and a pair of notches in its lower edge spaced apart the aforesaid distance. The sheet metal bar is placeable in a bridging position on the two inverted T-bars with the two T-bars extending through the notches in the support bar. The sheet metal bar has end portions extending outward beyond the notches. Each end portion includes a primary tab bendable to extend generally at right angles with respect to the sheet metal bar in position extending alongside an outside face of the respective inverted T-bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Eric R. Rinderer
  • Patent number: 6282844
    Abstract: A gargoyle style diverter construction (10) for rain gutters (100) wherein the diverter construction (10) includes a mounting unit (11) having a U-shaped mounting member (20) including a mounting plate element (24) and a pair of elongated legs (21), (22) which are formed integrally with a gargoyle style spout unit (12) which includes a bottom panel (31) and a pair of raised side walls (32), (33), which are disposed in a surrounding relationship to a group of fluid outlet openings (105) formed in the exterior side wall (104) of the rain gutter (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Simeon David Marable