Patents Examined by Eileen Lillis
  • Patent number: 7975442
    Abstract: Apparatus to protect glazed window or door panels against cold manifestation effective migration via glazing panel edge defined gaps, there being spaced apart outer, intermediate and inner glazing panels, the apparatus comprising holder structure projecting longitudinally endwise radially inwardly in said gaps, the holder structure being laterally sidewardly elongated, first synthetic resinous material retained by the holder structure to face laterally in a gap toward opposed intermediate panel edges, the material adjustably located at a position relative to the opposed intermediate panel edges characterized in that cold manifestation migrating through the gap via said material is confined to migrate in the spacing between the outer and intermediate panels, at opposite sides of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: International Aluminum Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Frey
  • Patent number: 7975448
    Abstract: A wall channel for a drywall ceiling has a generally U-shaped cross-section with a vertical leg interconnecting two generally-horizontal legs. The lower horizontal leg is adapted to support an inverted tee-runner that has a vertical web and opposed flanges, the opposed flanges being adapted to rest on the horizontal leg of the wall angle. The lower horizontal leg is formed with a plurality of pairs of locating tabs that are spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate the width of the opposed flanges of the tee-runner. The upper horizontal leg is formed with a plurality of pairs of locating tabs that are spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate the width of the reinforcing bulb of the tee-runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Chicago Metallic Corporation
    Inventors: Peter G. Jahn, Scott G. Jankovec
  • Patent number: 7971396
    Abstract: A medical services unit for use in health care facilities where high security is required, such as in prison and psychiatric hospitals. The unit comprises a floor-to-ceiling column with an internal medical services section to provide a plurality of medical services. The medical services section is protected by a rotating steel door that prevents access to the enclosed services. The medical services section also includes a sub-door made of a transparent, shatterproof polymer, such as polycarbonate. Thus, the clear cover panel permits visual access to the gauges and controls for the services, but prevents unauthorized physical access to them. The column is entirely enclosed in a protective casing made out of rolled steel. Doors are provided in the casing for providing access b authorized personnel only to the internal medical services section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Modular Services Company
    Inventor: Taylor C. Culpepper
  • Patent number: 7971408
    Abstract: A transportable and erectable stairtower having a removable/slidable wheel carriage and a removable installation section arranged for transporting and erecting the stairtower. The stairtower has vertical column members and lateral members defining levels of the stairtower. Removable staircases extend between alternate levels of lateral members. A platform landing is formed at the intersection of first and second stair segments of the staircase. Removable ramps may be connected to the stairtower above, below, and at a position corresponding to the platform landings. A safety device in the form of catch pans, gutters, and leaders may be provided to protect workers by collecting debris and rainwater. A transporting vehicle may be connected to the installation section to transport the stairtower to a desired location. A lifting vehicle may be used to lift the stairtower from a horizontal to a vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: Richard Hayes, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7966775
    Abstract: A hard side shelter is convertible between transport and deployed modes. When in the transport mode, the shelter has an envelope identical to an ISO-cargo container. A side section floor and cover are each connected to the center section for rotating between being coplanar with the center section floor and roof when in the deployed mode, and being vertical and lying in a center section side planes when in a transport mode. Each side section has end and middle panels that are turnable relative to each other, and a door assembly that is turnable relative to the middle panels. Locking bars engaged the center section floor when the shelter is in a transport mode, and engage the side section floors when the shelter is in the deployed mode. The shelter is handleable by pallet handling systems and includes insulation panels to enhance the heat transfer characteristics of the shelter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Global Engineering Marketing LLC
    Inventor: Martin A. Medley
  • Patent number: 7966779
    Abstract: An assembly for inhibiting wind erosion including an anchorage structure, an erosion mat and a retaining member. The anchorage structure includes a downwardly facing base surface, an upwardly facing anchorage surface, and a rigid elongate member. The anchorage structure is supportable on its base surface with the elongate member in an upright position. The anchorage structure is disposed within a plant growing medium with the elongate member extending upwardly through the erosion mat. A retaining member is secured to the elongate member and engages the upwardly facing surface of the erosion mat to inhibit the removal of the erosion mat. The assembly can be used in a green roof system by placing a drainage layer on the roof and a filter fabric between the plant growing medium and the drainage layer. The anchorage structure is positioned above the filter fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Green Roof Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Z. Horvath
  • Patent number: 7963483
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stiffening element for stiffening a step-like substructure, in particular in an aircraft or spacecraft, having a foot section which is composed of a fiber composite material and is shaped in the form of a step such that it essentially fills the substructure. A method is also provided for production of a stiffening element for stiffening of a step-like substructure in an aircraft or spacecraft, according to which a profile part with a foot section which is composed of a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic is provided, at least one layer of a glass-fiber-reinforced plastic is laminated onto the foot section, and the glass-fiber-reinforced plastic is milled corresponding to a step-like shape which essentially fills the substructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Roming, Thorsten Schroeer
  • Patent number: 7958690
    Abstract: A coupling system for securing an elongated wood member having a surface to a second body comprises a stitching body having a first end and a second end defining a length, and a first side and a second side. A first plurality of angled fastener bores is positioned generally on the first side of the stitching body, each configured to position a first side fastener element resting therein at least a first angle with respect to the surface of the elongated wood member. A second plurality of angled fastener bores positioned generally on the second side of the stitching body, each configured to position a second side fastener element resting therein at least a second angle with respect to the surface of the elongated wood member, such that ones of said second side fasteners and said first side fasteners form an intersection when viewed along the length of the stitching body. In one aspect, the coupling system is a hold-down securing a column having a surface to a foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Leek, Aram Khachadourian, Jin Jie Lin
  • Patent number: 7959991
    Abstract: An artificial stone material having an improved natural stone appearance and texture is prepared from resin, curing agent, microspheres and additives. The resin, curing agent and microspheres are mixed to form a catalyzed base material. Additives are non-homogeneously worked into the catalyzed base material to provide a catalyzed stone mixture having a desired natural stone appearance. The catalyzed stone mixture is molded or applied to a surface at the point of use and allowed to cure to form the artificial stone material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Albert C West
  • Patent number: 7954282
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to a storm shutter assembly clip used for stitching together multiple storm shutter panels in making a storm shutter system, and/or assembly method for accomplishing the same. The clip includes upper and lower portions, with the upper portion having at least one arm extending therefrom, and the lower portion having a housing including a nut. A hole is formed in the lower portion. The upper and lower portions of the clip may be angled so as to correspond with an angle formed by intermediate portions of the storm shutter panels. The at least one arm of the clip is slipped over an end of the first shutter panel so that the hole of the clip aligns with holes of the inner and outer shutter panels. A screw is fed through the holes of the first and second shutter panels and the clip so as to engage with the nut, the shutter panels tightening together via the screw being received by the nut in forming the storm shutter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Guardian Building Products, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Crostic, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7954281
    Abstract: A skylight shaft substrate has a film or coating on its inside surface that reflects visible light while transmitting IR to the tube substrate, which can have a satin black and/or other IR absorbing interior and anodized or other high emissivity exterior to convey heat across the tube so that light is transmitted down the tube but heat transmission is directed through the tube to minimize heating the illuminated space. Or, heat may propagate up through the tube and exit through a clear plastic dome covering the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Jaster
  • Patent number: 7954296
    Abstract: A new connecting node set that is unique and surprisingly effective at aligning interfacing holes in connecting nodes is illustrated by their application to radial tetrahedral structures. This method of connecting one node to another requires that a left handed node be connected to a right handed node. They are called left handed or right handed because their lines of interface in at least two directions of intended use are geometrically coincident with straight line rulings of a hyperboloid of revolution of one sheet which itself consists of two families of straight line rulings, designated a left handed and a right handed family respectively. With these nodes, magnets could be placed on the lines of interface (opposite placement in a left handed one from a right handed one) and thus the magnets would always attract or repel as preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Dennis John Newland
  • Patent number: 7946089
    Abstract: Manufacture of roll formed one piece sheet metal grid tees that affords different load ratings with the same gauge and quality of sheet stock and the same overall cross-section dimensions by varying the width of the strip used to make the tees and disposing material added for increased load rating at the area of the hollow reinforcing bulb of the tees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. LaLonde
  • Patent number: 7946085
    Abstract: A stringer assembly includes a support element, a plurality of brackets and a plurality of alignment elements. The brackets are connected to the support element, and each bracket includes a rise indicator corresponding to a desired rise dimension and a run indicator corresponding to a desired run dimension. The alignment elements align the rise or run indicator on one of the brackets with the other of the rise or run indicator on an adjacent one of the brackets to space the brackets at a desired rise and run. The brackets each include a tread flange and a riser flange, such that a tread and a riser can be directly connected to each bracket. The brackets may include cutouts for a temporary tread system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: MPI Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Henry Prins
  • Patent number: 7942004
    Abstract: It is known to assist cooling of a combustion chamber in a gas turbine by fixing an exo-skeleton tile structure to an inner annular combustion liner shell. To improve structural integrity of the exo-skeleton tile structure, each tile is formed with at least one rib extending circumferentially across the outer surface of the tile. An end of each rib projects beyond one edge of the tile, like tiles being linked at overlapping edges by the inter-engagement of a projecting rib of one tile with the rib of an adjacent tile. The inter-engaging ends of the ribs are relatively slideable circumferentially to allow thermal expansion and contraction of the exo-skeleton structure, but sockets are provided where the ribs engage so as to resist relative bending of the adjacent tiles about their linked edges and impart rigidity to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventor: David Hodder
  • Patent number: 7941986
    Abstract: The invention includes a work platform and support system that includes a hub and joist configuration, wherein the hubs and joists are capable of articulation, or pivoting. One method of installation allows for sections of new work platform system to be extended from an existing suspended work platform system. The system is also capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load applied to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Safway Services, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Jolicoeur, Roy Scrafford, Clifford Westrick, Dave Gordon, Tom Silic, Edward Tifft, Mathieu Grumberg
  • Patent number: 7941974
    Abstract: A flexible, inflatable shelter is held within a storage container. The shelter can be erected rapidly, by directing compressed gas held or produced within the container, into the flexible material which will define the finished shelter. Personnel using the shelter then enter through an air lock door located in the storage container. An air lock may be alternatively provided such that is located at least partly within the deployed shelter, and so that it does not occupy substantial space in the container. The container includes supplies necessary to sustain life for an extended period. The shelter can be used to protect personnel from harmful environments caused by accidents or explosions in mines, tunnels, industrial plants, and the like. The container is compact, but allows rapid deployment of the flexible material to produce a shelter which is of approximately the same volume, or greater, than that of the storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventors: Willem F. VanBasten, Edward V. Roscioli
  • Patent number: 7941988
    Abstract: A tile system includes a tile and at least one removable tile insert. One of the tile and the at least one tile insert has securing means for removably retaining the at least one insert within or to the tile. The tile is configured to be installed on a surface through conventional means. The insert may incorporate both decorative and/or functional features and may be removed, replaced and/or reused to change the appearance of a single tile, multiple tiles, mural, liner or decorative scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: Montgomery Mars
  • Patent number: 7934350
    Abstract: A security screen comprising a frame having an outer edge which defines the outer perimeter of the frame and further having an inner edge (12) which surrounds an open portion of the frame, the outer edge of the frame being dimensioned such that in use the security screen is receivable across an opening to close the opening, a perforate sheet element (29) received in the open portion of the frame to close the open portion, the edge of the perforate sheet element being formed with a lip (31) extending from one face of the perforate sheet element, the inner edge of the frame formed with a recess (13) having an entry extending across at least a portion of the width of the inner edge, the recess extending along the inner edge, the recess having two opposed side faces (15, 16) extending from the inner edge, one side face (16) of the recess having a zone (23) located inward of the inner edge and extending laterally from the recess, the edge of the perforate sheet element received within the recess such that the lip
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: G & J Koutsoukos Holdings Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Jamie Dimitrios Elias Koutsoukos
  • Patent number: 7930866
    Abstract: A system and method of manufacture providing reinforced structurally functional load-bearing members, including but not limited to using thermoplastic materials, such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP), reinforced such as with an aluminum alloy, glass-reinforced polyurethane (foamed or unfoamed), or carbon fiber core element. Among its possible uses, the present invention has application for provision of structural support members, such as an illustrative I-joist product having a vertical center member preferably comprising a thermoplastic material, and top and bottom flanges having structurally meaningful reinforcement. The center member and flanges preferably comprising a thermoplastic material provides a relatively hard, durable, substantially weather-resistant structure. Certain embodiments of the present invention include reinforcing members having a plurality of lobes or arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Tac Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Barry L. Carlson, Jason Underhill