Patents Examined by James Ference
  • Patent number: 9683377
    Abstract: A crown molding hanger is provided. The crown molding hanger can be used to install a piece of crown molding requiring only the time and effort of a single craftsman. The crown molding hanger has a mounting member and a support member. The support member is removably coupled to the mounting member. In use, the mounting member is coupled to a surface via a coupler and then the support member is removably coupled to the mounting member. The support member has a support surface that engages and holds a length of crown molding while the coupler secures the mounting member, support member, and length of crown molding. The crown molding hanger can be reused many times while leaving no visible blemish to the wall during the typical installation process of a piece of crown molding using the crown molding hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Nomis LLC
    Inventors: Darren P. Eisinger, Geoffrey W. Neubauer
  • Patent number: 9686877
    Abstract: A locking structure between a member to be supported and a supporting body includes an electronic component unit as a member to be supported, an electronic component unit housing part of an electrical connection box as a supporting body, a lock mechanism for upper insertion fitting (an engagement claw and a lock arm) that, when the electronic component unit is fitted to the electronic component unit housing part from an upper-side opening, locks the electronic component unit to the electronic component unit housing part to prevent the electronic component unit from escaping toward the upper-side opening, and a lock mechanism for lower insertion fitting (an engagement claw and a lock arm) that, when the electronic component unit is fitted to the electronic component unit housing part from a lower-side opening, locks the electronic component unit to the electronic component unit housing part to prevent from escaping toward the lower-side opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tokumasu, Hiroki Shiraiwa, Kazuomi Kiyosue, Pharima Akanitsuk
  • Patent number: 9676469
    Abstract: A system includes an outer band, inner band, and a fastener. The outer band covers at least a portion of a first structure and has a first edge opposite a second edge. The second edge forms a first load redistribution ramp corresponding to a bend in the first structure. The inner band is positioned beneath a second structure and has a first surface opposite a second surface. The second surface forms a second load redistribution ramp corresponding to the bend in the first structure. A portion of the inner band adjacent to the second surface forms a curve around an edge of the second structure such that the second load redistribution ramp forms a wedge between the first structure and the second structure. The fastener couples the outer band, first structure, second structure, and inner band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Kent W. Benner
  • Patent number: 9677283
    Abstract: A veneer product and system includes a body having an aesthetic front surface and a back surface for installation adjacent the building. The body has a top side and a bottom side and a bracket attached to body and projecting away from the back surface of the body, the bracket further comprising a first end adjacent the top side for attachment to the building and a first protrusion for positioning the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a second end having a second protrusion for positioning the bottom of the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a bottom projection adjacent the bottom side for engagement with a second body to retain the bottom end of the veneer product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Talus Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Harold C. Attebery, II, Neal Sugarman
  • Patent number: 9676596
    Abstract: In an elevator refurbishing method in which a hydraulic elevator in which a hydraulic jack is installed in an equipment installation zone is refurbished into a machine-roomless elevator that uses a two-to-one (2:1) roping method, the equipment installation zone being a region inside a hoistway on either a left side or a right side of a car when viewed from directly above, at least one guide rail from a pair of counterweight guide rails is installed in the equipment installation zone while leaving the hydraulic jack in position, the hydraulic jack is removed from the hoistway, the hoisting machine is installed in a lower portion of the equipment installation zone using a space that is created by removal of the hydraulic jack, and a car return sheave and a counterweight return sheave are installed on an upper portion of the counterweight guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yoshikawa, Hideki Miyahara, Kazuhiro Sasaki, Yoshinao Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9670669
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for constructing a building. More specifically, the present disclosure provides an interlocking wall system that can allow a builder to accurately position, orient, and/or secure various structural wall modules. Additionally, this disclosure provides systems and methods for securing one or more cladding layers to the building's envelope. Furthermore, implementations of the present disclosure can allow for quick and modifiable installation of utility and communication lines within the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: DIRTT Environmental Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventors: Geoff Gosling, Mogens Smed
  • Patent number: 9663952
    Abstract: The web frame is a bonded assembly of panels and porous blanket layers, separated by an arrangement of isolated spacers. The panels and spacers are covered with a bonding means. A coating covers inner surfaces of the panels and spacers. The porous blanket is compressed and pinned between these panels, by spacers that are arranged as isolated nodes or columns. The spacers have sharpened ends that penetrate the blanket and connect with the opposing panel. The web frame assembly provides thermal and sound insulation for buildings and other solid objects. These web frames are lightweight, durable, and permeable. Capillaries and passages throughout the panels and fibers of the blanket allow passage of moisture and air, thereby assisting in the management of condensation within the web frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventor: Owen Derek Barr
  • Patent number: 9663945
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for providing a window wall with flush slab edge covers. A window wall system can include a sill receptor configured to fixably attach to a top surface of a slab. The window wall system may include a head receptor configured to fixably attach to an underside surface of the slab. The window wall system can include a window wall panel including panel infill and a panel sill configured to detachably couple to the sill receptor. The window wall system may include a slab edge cover including cover infill. The slab edge cover can be configured to detachably couple to the window wall panel and the head receptor. In various embodiments, an exterior surface of the panel infill and an exterior surface of the cover infill are configured to flushly align when the slab edge cover is detachably coupled to the window wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: REFLECTION WINDOW COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Evensen, James Jonathan White
  • Patent number: 9661778
    Abstract: Deployable barriers are reversibly deployed in a data center hall to partition the data center. The hall is partitioned into an operational area, where rack computer systems are installed, a non-operational area, and a staging area where support infrastructure is at least partially installed. A barrier can be collapsed to incorporate the staging area into the operational area, thereby expanding the operational area, when rack computer systems are to be installed in the staging area. A barrier deployed in the non-operational area establishes another staging area. A barrier includes a deployment mechanism which extends through a space in the data center to enable a partition to be extended to partition the hall. The barrier can be mounted and deployed on support infrastructure, so that the deployed barrier and a side portion of the support infrastructure collectively partition the hall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter George Ross, Timothy Logan Sadler
  • Patent number: 9657509
    Abstract: A wall panel arrangement is designed for use in retrofitting a wall panel system provided with at least one pair of frame members having inwardly facing flat walls for retaining at least one existing glass panel therebetween. The wall panel arrangement includes an add-on glass wall panel and panel mounting structure configured with at least one receiving strip constructed with a planar body having an outer surface secured to one of the inwardly facing flat walls of the frame members in spaced relationship to the existing glass panel. The body also has an inner surface provided at opposite edges thereof with a pair of flexible resilient wall panel retaining elements extending therefrom and converging towards each other to define spaced apart retainer ends which are frictionally engageable with the opposed faces of the glass wall panel adjacent one of the opposed sidewalls thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew J. Kopish
  • Patent number: 9657483
    Abstract: Building panels, especially floor panels, which are provided with a locking system including several separate strip parts connected to the panel edge. A strip part, configured to lock panels horizontally and to be fixed to a panel edge, including a strip body with an inner part configured to be fixed under the panel edge and an outer part configured to extend outside the panel edge, wherein the inner part comprises a fixing element configured to lock the strip part to the panel edge in a horizontal direction, wherein the outer part including a locking protrusion, located above the strip body and configured to lock the strip part to the panel edge vertically and a locking element configured to lock the panels in a horizontal direction, and wherein the inner part includes a cavity formed in the strip body and located between the fixing element and the locking protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: CERALOC INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Tony Pervan
  • Patent number: 9657722
    Abstract: A load-bearing structure and a method of producing a load-bearing structure, in particular a tower of a wind energy plant, provides a hollow concrete part with an outer wall which is manufactured by several layers produced in wet-on-wet technology. The outer layer is a fine-grain concrete layer provided with a textile reinforcement, and the inner layer is made of bulk concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: X-Tower Consructions GmbH
    Inventor: Philipp Wagner
  • Patent number: 9651073
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for inner and outer telescoping members includes a housing fixedly attached to the axial outer end of the outer telescoping member. A cam member is mounted on the housing for pivotal movement between a locking position applying pressure urging a pressure pad in a radial through opening in the housing against the outer surface of the inner telescoping member to lock the inner telescoping member against axial movement relative to the outer telescoping member, and an unlocking position releasing the applied pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: The Wooster Brush Company
    Inventors: Richard K. Bukovitz, John L. Scott, Sr., Scott A. Melegari
  • Patent number: 9628018
    Abstract: A system for mounting a solar panel(s) on a building, where the solar panel has an outer frame defining a lip. The system may include a plurality of panel mounting brackets each including a base to be positioned on the building, and a vertical extension having a proximal end coupled to the base and a distal end vertically spaced apart from the base, with the distal end defining a fastener channel therein. The system may also include a plurality of mounting clamps each including a bottom flange, and a top flange spaced apart from the bottom flange and partially overhanging the bottom flange and defining a slot therebetween to receive the lip. An end extension may couple respective ends of the bottom flange and top flange together, and a fastener channel connector may be coupled to the bottom flange and configured to be slidably received within the fastener channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Kevin Stapleton
  • Patent number: 9624966
    Abstract: A mechanical joint is provided comprising a bracket having a first elongated opening formed therein. An alignment guide comprising a second elongated opening formed therein is configured to rotatably attach to the bracket and is moveable between a first, floating position, and a second, non-floating position. In the first position the first elongated opening of the bracket and the second elongated opening of the alignment guide are axially aligned with one another and define a single elongated opening. In the second position the first elongated opening of the bracket and the second elongated opening of the alignment guide are partially aligned with one another and define a generally circular opening. The alignment guide is configured to slideably attach to a moveable end of a linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Obleman, Blake A. Carnahan, Michael James Avery, Todd Charles Gloo
  • Patent number: 9624679
    Abstract: The invention comprises connector for a pair of opposed spaced concrete forming panels. The connector comprises an elongate spacer member having flanges formed thereon intermediate a central portion thereof and each opposite end thereof. A portion of at least one end of the spacer member is sized and shaped to selectively engage an elongate panel bracing member. A composite insulated concrete form and a method of using the insulated concrete form are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Romeo Ilarian Ciuperca
  • Patent number: 9615514
    Abstract: An edging border device for controlling growth of vegetation is disclosed. The device includes a material sheet that has one or more openings suitable for enabling the material sheet to contact a portion of an object present in the opening. The material sheet includes one or more extending portions that extend away from the opening. The extending sheet may have a decorative surface to compliment the appearance of the object present in an opening. An extending portion may be formed of anyone or more of permeable materials, impermeable materials or combinations thereof. An extending portion may include one or more agricultural control agents wherein the control agents include one or more of herbicidal agents, fungicidal agents, insecticidal agents and mixtures thereof. Permeable materials may include cellulosic materials such as wood and wood composites. Impermeable materials may be anyone or more of rubber, plastic, metal and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Nepa Innovations
    Inventors: Felix Nepa, Jeffrey Nepa, Paul Nepa
  • Patent number: 9611643
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for providing a window wall with flush slab edge covers. A window wall system can include a sill receptor configured to fixably attach to a top surface of a slab. The window wall system may include a head receptor configured to fixably attach to an underside surface of the slab. The window wall system can include a window wall panel including panel infill and a panel sill configured to detachably couple to the sill receptor. The window wall system may include a slab edge cover including cover infill. The slab edge cover can be configured to detachably couple to the window wall panel and the head receptor. In various embodiments, an exterior surface of the panel infill and an exterior surface of the cover infill are configured to flushly align when the slab edge cover is detachably coupled to the window wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: REFLECTION WINDOW COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Evensen, James Jonathan White
  • Patent number: 9615474
    Abstract: A device for quick splicing of a display screen is provided. The device includes a left assembly and a right assembly. The left assembly includes a rotation fixing seat, a rotation angle seat, a rotation locking mechanism, and a step angle-adjusting and clamping mechanism. The rotation angle seat can lock with the right assembly, and is rotatably connected to the rotation fixing seat. The rotation locking mechanism is disposed between the rotation fixing seat and the rotation angle seat. When the rotation locking mechanism is unlocked, the rotation angle seat can rotate relative to the rotation fixing seat; and when the rotation locking mechanism is locked, the rotation angle seat is fixedly connected to the rotation fixing seat. The step angle-adjusting and clamping mechanism is disposed between the rotation angle seat and the rotation fixing seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN AOTO ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jinlong He, Qiquan Wang, Zhihui Liu, Zhenzhi Wu, Yi Shen, Hanqu Wu
  • Patent number: 9611654
    Abstract: A floor panel and a floating floor system include a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a visible decorative pattern and the bottom surface has a recess which extends about the periphery of the bottom surface. The recess has a recess surface. The floor panel includes a joining member with a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the joining member is adhered to the recess surface of the recess. The bottom surface of the joining member and the bottom surface of the floor panel are essentially flush which each other. The use of the joining member does not create any imprints on the top surface of the floor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: AFI Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Dung V. Dao, Richard H. Balmer