Patents Examined by Hoffert
  • Patent number: 5062249
    Abstract: The invention herein teaches a crown system for kilns and furnaces for the high temperature firing of materials. One method used in the industry for a crown system consists of supporting layers of insulation with inverted T-rails attached to bones which are further attached to hanger devices hanging from pipes that rest upon an ultimate support system. To overcome the numerous problems associated with the prior art the following considerable modifications have been made: 1) slotting each inverted T-rail, along its narrow attaching flange and adding stops to each side of said slot such that the bone is evenly spaced along the T-rail when inserted and slid into position, 2) fitting rigid insulation cases fully between the bones and adjacent layers of insulation and 3) said insulation cases and said T-rail stops combine to lock said bones in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Inventor: John D. Smagner
  • Patent number: 5022197
    Abstract: A pair of parallel safety bars are track-mounted above the stairs of a stairway. The safety bars are formed so as to be gripped by the user in ascending or descending the stairs. The user steps between the bars, with each bar being hinged to permit such access, and grabs the bar in the direction of ascent or descent. The track-mounted end of the bar is pivotally connected to a shoe which slides in the track as the person moves on the bar downwardly on the bar or the weight of the user pulls the bar downwardly, friction braking elements on the shoe and in the track are contactingly engaged to restrict further movement of the bar thereby preventing the user from falling down the stairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventor: Joel Aragona
  • Patent number: 5022212
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel design and construction of a molding structure wherein there is incorporated a mesh member capable of being structurally as well as adhesively and/or mechanically affixed to the molding member of molding structure by use of well known adhesives and/or fastening means, said molding member having formed therein, and in direct relationship to the placement of mesh member, recesses capable of allowing for the expansion and/or shifting of the mesh member and/or adjacent surfaces as well as allowing for additional surface area for receipt of adhesive material, be it in the form of spackling compound, or otherwise, same being such as to provide for the fashioning of an even surface between an adjacent wall surface and an opening appearing therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventor: Thomas Lippolt
  • Patent number: 4993203
    Abstract: A structure of a fireproof frame for building opening portions wherein a groove is formed over the entire circumference of a wood frame, which is disposed to a building opening portion, at the surface abutted against an opening member. A non-combustible heat forming sealing material is filled in the groove and the surface of the sealing material is covered with a thin film, which is excellent in heat conductivity, by means of the self bondability of said sealing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsui Wood Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tanaka, Kazushige Hori
  • Patent number: 4993870
    Abstract: A fixation device for securing articles such as benthic barriers to the earth comprising an elongated subteraneanly pivotable plastic body having a strap affixed centrally to one side thereof, and a benthic barrier clamping element with an aperture therethrough that is slidable on the strap. The strap is intended for passage through a hole in a benthic barrier, and the clamping element in ratchet-like fashion secures the benthic barrier to the ground or lake bottom to a desired degree of tightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventor: Todd J. Bridgewater
  • Patent number: 4986044
    Abstract: An adjustable door jamb assembly which can be simply and accurately aligned and installed in a door opening. The jamb assemblies are each made up of a fixed section and an adjustable section. Each fixed section has a plurality of snap-in guide clips supported thereon. The clips each have a plate-like body with a leg at each end and an integral cantilever tongue extending generally parallel to, but converging toward, the plate-like body of the clip so that the tongue is deflected away from the plate-like body. A flange on the adjustable section is received between the cantilever tongue and one of the legs. The tongue of each clip frictionally engages the adjustable section holding it in adjusted position on the door jamb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Fenestra Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Funari
  • Patent number: 4982543
    Abstract: A lap joint structure for adjoining panels of a sheet metal roofing assembly permits shifting of the joint panels longitudinally and transversely with respect to the joint as caused by thermally induced expansion and contraction, as well as providing a securely anchored connection of the panels to the roof structure. Two adjacent panels are rigidly connected to one another, an underlying cleat is rigidly connected to the roof substrate, and the two joined panels are securely connected to the cleat with clearance allowed for thermally induced movements of the panels across the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: The Louis Berkman Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Boyd
  • Patent number: 4982542
    Abstract: A device for incorporating a layer member in a face construction of a building which is capable of employing a soft or flexible layer member as well as a rigid one, improving operation efficiency, ensuring safe operation at a height, and readily and precisely positioning and fixing a layer member in a face construction. The device comprises a base element, a connecting element mounted on the base element and a holding element mounted through the connecting element on the base element, the base element being adapted to be held on a supporting member of a building and hold a layer member in cooperation with the connecting and holding elements. The device may include a mounting member mounted on the holding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Inventor: Motokatsu Funaki
  • Patent number: 4981003
    Abstract: A unique wall panel is constructed from expanded polystyrene beads in an expanded polystyrene mold with structural members embedded in it during the molding process. The structural members are in the form of two by four studs placed at sixteen inch centers. Adjacent panels have interlocking grooves and ridges which fit together. The advantage of the present invention is that a total insulated wall is created with no cracks or spaces in the insulation. These lightweight panels can be carried to the building site, where base and top plates are applied and the panels interlocked to form a perfectly insulated wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Beaver Plastics Ltd.
    Inventor: Grant McCarthy
  • Patent number: 4981004
    Abstract: In the fields of mechanical engineering and toolmaking there is a frequent requirement for light but very strong constructional elements of high flexural strength, particularly as constructional components with minimum flexure despite unsupported free lengths. In the case of measurement instruments, for example, there is the problem that the rail (1) must, if possible, suffer no flexure even if used completely unsupported and with external forces acting upon it, if the reading is not to be incorrect. To this end, a constructional element in accordance with the invention with a plurality of bodies (2) made of, for example, ceramics which are connected using prestressing devices (3) or adhesives to form a rigid constructional component is presented. This structure prevents the ceramic elements from fracturing as a result of excessive bending moments since they can tilt or slide relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Inventor: Hans R. Weber
  • Patent number: 4977711
    Abstract: In order to provide a thermal insulation material as insulating and sealing layer for roof areas which can be used as sole roofing element for the roof areas, which can be applied on larger areas at a time and in which the disadvantages of the known solution such as the formation of buckling wrinkles and blistering are avoidable, a thermal insulation material is provided as insulating and sealing layer for roof areas which makes it possible to cover larger areas of several square meters at a time, comprising strips of insulation material bonded onto a substrate web, in which case the strips of insulation material (120) are bonded onto a suitable sheet web as a sealing layer (130) in such a way that the thermal insulation material is constructed as insulating and sealing layer so that, when it is laid, it will not be necessary to lay an additional sealing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Inventor: Herbert Prignitz
  • Patent number: 4977713
    Abstract: The present invention comprises essentially two parallel and aligned ranks of compound plates (1) which are pivoting and rotating around preferably vertical cylindrical bearings (2), the plates being rectangular in plane view but having a profile which may be rectilinear, polygonal or arcuated, the plates (1) being placed two by two in face to face relationship and at uniform spacements so as to fully cover the gap (or partially cover the gap), each rank of plates being controlled or coordinated by one rack device or by combined levers which similtaneously actuate the plates to turn at 0.degree. or 180.degree. in each rank; rotation at 0.degree. being possible as the plates are in face to face relationship causing closure of the gap and touching themselves by their upper ends, that is closing the coverage and fully covering the area; rotation at 90.degree. being possible as the plates are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rank, forming two vertivcal walls of plates (1); and rotation at 190.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Inventor: Salvador M. Zveibil
  • Patent number: 4977720
    Abstract: A surface welded plastic roofing system overlying a roof-supporting deck which bears a layer of thermal insulation, the system including a plurality of thermoplastic fastener plates mounted on top of the thermal insulation and affixed to the deck by means of a suitable fastener that penetrates the thermal insulation, the system including a thermoplastic top membrane overlying all the fastener plates and covering the entire roof, the bottom portion of the top membrane overlying each fastener plate being fused to the fastener plate by means of a welding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Inventor: Charles A. Kuipers
  • Patent number: 4974381
    Abstract: A tie anchor for sandwich panels of reinforced concrete is formed as a flat strap. The reinforced concrete sandwich panel is formed by placing a plurality of tie members vertically in the bottom of a horizontal form with reinforcing rods extending through holes in the ends of the ties adjacent to cross-feet. A network or grid of reinforcing steel is supported from a chair provided by the ties and cross-feet and the concrete for the first layer of the panel is poured about the ties, cross-feet and reinforcing steel grid. A layer of rigid insulation material is placed on top of the first layer of wet concrete about the projecting tie members immediately after pouring the first layer of concrete and a second grid of reinforcing steel rods is supported from the holes in the projecting upper ends of the tie members. The second layer of concrete may be immediately poured about the upper end of the tie members and reinforcing steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Inventor: Karl R. Marks
  • Patent number: 4970836
    Abstract: A closure device for access openings having a face plate attractively complementing the surface in which said opening occurs and manufally driven spring biased latching mechanisms for securing the device in closing relationship to such opening. Optional gasket means and insulative batt enhance the versatility of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Air Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlton E. Brown
  • Patent number: 4967535
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying flexible strips of insulation to purlins during the construction of a roof has a carriage 10, front and rear rollers 15, 16, a spindle 24 and a sheet support 30 that extends from the carriage in cantilever arrangement beneath the rear roller to a position between and along the top surface plane of the purlins to support the sheet material as the roof's constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventor: Robert J. Alderman
  • Patent number: 4967533
    Abstract: A lightweight, high strength moldable structure is comprised of a core having a plurality of interconnected cavities. Each solid-walled cavity has a hexagonal base so that the core of the structure has upper and lower surfaces. Each solid-walled cavity has a unique tetrahexagonal shape in which a regular tetrahedron is located on top of and integrated with a hexagonal base. The walls of the cavities may be solid or they may be defined by a series of support struts for an even lighter weight structure. The upper and lower surfaces may be covered by skins, making it suitable for boat hulls, vacuum chambers, and aircraft. The hexagonal bases of the solid walled cavities may be replaced by perpendicular support walls extending between the adjacent tetrahedral apices and/or hexagonal base vertices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Tetrahex, Inc.
    Inventor: Dick O. Weisse
  • Patent number: 4965980
    Abstract: An anchoring bracket for use in attaching substantially parallel boards to a generally transverse member or joist and in spacing the boards generally comprises a rain-spacer side and a joist attachment side. The rain spacer side has a spacing portion for placement on the top of the joist for spacing a board from the joist and an extended portion attached to the spacing portion for extending over the edge of the joist. A board spacer tab, affixed to the rain-spacer side, projects generally perpendicularly upward therefrom for positioning directly adjacent a board for controlling the spacing thereof. The joist attachment side includes an attachment portion disposed generally perpendicular to the rain-spacer side for attachment to the side of the joist and an angled portion connecting the attachment portion to the outer end of the extended portion. The angled portion includes holes for receiving a fastener for fastening a board to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventor: Weston Leavens
  • Patent number: 4959938
    Abstract: A fastener/plate assembly for fastening material to a roof deck employs a threaded fastener having a shank with two thread sections. The distal end portion of the shank has a thread which is loosely insertable through an opening of the plate. A second thread of the shank has a thread diameter greater than the first section and is threadably engageable with the plate. The driver end of the fastener is dimensioned so that during an overdrive condition, the fastener may threadably disengage from the plate to allow the driver end to pass through the stress plate opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Inventor: Charles J. De Caro
  • Patent number: 4958471
    Abstract: An improved roof tile securing means for securing roof tiles to a roof structure comprising a plurality of elongate tile support battens each having an upstanding web, an upper flange extending to one side of the web, and a lower flange extending to one side of the web, the flanges being approximately parallel, securing means for securing the tile support battens to the roof structure in spaced apart parallel relationship, wherein each roof tile has an upper or head end portion supported on the upper surface of the lower flange of one tile support batten, and a lower or tail end portion which is supported by the upper flange of an adjacent lower batten, the lower or tail end portion overlapping the upper or head end portion of an adjacent lower tile. A groove or slot forming walls forming an upper flange locating groove or slot is located on the underside of the roof tile near to and facing in the direction of its lower or tail end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: Richard Waddington