Patents Examined by James Ference
  • Patent number: 8955270
    Abstract: A window for engagement with a building structure having a window opening, the window is providing a perimeter frame adapted to engage the window opening of the structure. The window has at least one window pane having a window pane perimeter. The window uses multiple perimeter retainer members including an outer perimeter retainer member and an inner perimeter retainer member, the perimeter retainer members typically having opposed substantially flat walls configured to engage the outer pane surface and the inner pane surface, respectively, and perimeter clip member engaging walls. Holding the retainer members are perimeter clip members configured with a first end and a second end, at least the first end adapted to resiliently engage at least one of the perimeter retainer members and a second end to engage the other retainer member so as to maintain the retainers in spaced apart relation with the flat walls thereof flush against walls adjacent the window pane perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Olmos Scofield, LLC
    Inventor: Trevor Markham
  • Patent number: 8955284
    Abstract: A structure including a structural member configured like a frame with four sides is disclosed. A closed cross-section structural member serving as a reinforcing material is provided in a crossing corner of the structural member. The closed cross-section structural member includes two horizontal portions separated from each other in a thickness direction of the structural member and extending in an in-plane direction of the structural member and two vertical portions one of which connects first ends of the two horizontal portions together and the other of which connects second ends of the two horizontal portions together. The closed cross-section structural member includes a first opening formed therein facing an inner-peripheral flat surface of the structural member and a second opening formed therein facing inside of the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Coporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Seto, Takashi Matsuno, Eisaku Sakurada
  • Patent number: 8955274
    Abstract: A windfence supporting tower with tension-integrity, includes a tubular metal tower having a central tubular post and four inclined tubular structural tensile elements attached to the post via the coupling ring and the lower ends attached to the free ends of a yoke of compression tubes, which is in turn attached to the post by the reaction flange of the yoke, further receiving at the free ends of the yoke four vertical tensile structural elements which are tensioned and anchored to the ground through four independent foundations located around the foundation of the central tube. These vertical ties pull on the connection point of the yoke and in turn the inclined structural elements connected to the coupling ring, thereby providing stability with tension-integrity, which is the main feature of the present supporting tower for absorbing forces caused by the wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignees: Metalvix Engenharia E Consultoria Ltda, MCA Technologia de Estruturas Ltda
    Inventors: José Emílio Brandão, Carlos Alberto Pinto Montenegro, Carlos Augusto Calmon Nogueira Da Gama, Carlos Eduardo Calmon Nogueira Da Gama
  • Patent number: 8955254
    Abstract: A self-storing security door assembly including a door frame and a self-storing glass sub-assembly is disclosed. The door frame may include four side members and a freeze bar extending two opposing side members. The freeze bar may also divide a first portion of the door frame from a second portion of the door frame. A glass section may be coupled over the first portion of the door frame, and a screen section may be coupled over the second portion of the door frame. The self-storing glass sub-assembly may be coupled to the door frame included two protruding tracks. Each protruding track may include a channel and be positioned on an interior edge of opposing side members. At least two opposing side members may also include a recessed track on an interior edge. Each recessed track may include a channel between the protruding track and the respective side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Unique Home Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: John O. Ewoldt
  • Patent number: 8955283
    Abstract: A mounting base is formed from a metal foundation, height adjustment bolts for adjusting the height dimension of the foundation, support bolts inserted into support bolt insertion holes, a metal cover installed on the foundation, and mortar filling the space between the foundation and the upper surface of a concrete slab. In the base, the first fixed ends of the bolts are inserted into insertion holes formed in a metal plate and are fixed to the metal plate with nuts, and the second fixed ends of the bolts are fixed to a steel beam with nuts. The portion of the first fixed ends of the bolts which extends between the metal plate and the top surface of the concrete floor is integrated with the mortar filling the space, and the metal cover covers the opening at the top of a metal tube of the foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Marutaka-Kogyo Inc.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Takagi, Eizou Takagi
  • Patent number: 8955262
    Abstract: A mobile aboveground safety shelter to provide protection from dangerous events such as storms, tornadoes and similar occurrences is provided. The shelter includes a pallet and a room connected to the pallet. The pallet has a generally planer base and a wall extending upward from the base. The wall and base form a cavity suitable for containing a weighting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventors: Keith Thompson, Clint Algood
  • Patent number: 8955285
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an embedment attachment system configured to attach to a concrete form such that an embedment of the embedment attachment system has a desired edge spacing from the concrete form. Use of the embedment attachment system of the present disclosure enables precise embedment positioning with respect to the concrete form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Fournier, Larry Moeller
  • Patent number: 8955264
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a portable tower having multiple sections including a base section and at least two slidable sections. The sections form a nested telescopic structure where each of the slidable sections is configured to move within another of the sections. The tower can also include a lifting system configured to extend the at least two slidable sections substantially simultaneously. Each section of the tower may also include multiple rollers configured to roll against at least one adjacent section of the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Solaris Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Edwards, Jose Manuel Villasenor
  • Patent number: 8955275
    Abstract: A firestopping insulation construction adapted to be positioned adjacent to a head-of-wall area beneath a ceiling construction having fluted ceiling runner channels which have a trapezoidal cross-sectional profile facing downwardly. The insulation assembly includes an upper plug mated the shape of the fluted channel which is at least partially surrounded by an outer cover and further includes a lower insulation section extending over the side walls of the head-of-wall area. The upper insulation plug and the lower insulation sections are preferably made of molded high temperature insulation. The insulation assembly is engaged only frictionally to the fluted ceiling channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Specified Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Stahl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8955287
    Abstract: Replacement Expansion Joint for Cement is an expansion joint for use with concrete. The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes an arrow shaped plastic expansion joint with two holes bored inside the expansion joint. To use the preferred embodiment of Replacement Expansion Joint For Cement, an individual would remove deteriorating wooden expansion joints located in grooves between concrete slabs. The length of the wooden expansion joints would be measured to permit the user to purchase and install the proper length of replacement expansion joint. The user would then insert the expansion joint of the present invention with the arrow side facing toward the ground into the groove from the wooden expansion joint. The newly installed expansion joint would be much more resistant to the weather elements than the wooden expansion joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventors: Mike Fortney, Jason Fortney
  • Patent number: 8950154
    Abstract: A thermal break device minimizes the transfer of heat from a building with a concrete slab floor. The thermal break device comprises a hollow conduits fabricated from a synthetic polymeric material. An insulating material completely fills the hollow conduit. The insulating material comprises a polymeric foam material. A weatherstrip seal is secured to a top surface of the thermal break device. The thermal break device is positioned within a concrete slab across an opening for an entry door such that the closed door contacts the weatherstrip seal of the thermal break device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Scott William Casey
  • Patent number: 8950159
    Abstract: A connector and a method of anchoring the connector to a first object that includes providing the connector having a sleeve element and a piston element with a shaft portion, providing a through hole in the first object, and inserting the connector through the through hole and until a distal portion of one of the sleeve and/or the piston element rests against the second object. Mechanical oscillations are coupled into the piston element while the piston element is pressed towards the distal side, and thereby liquefying portions a thermoplastic material at an interface portion between the sleeve element and the piston element while a periphery of the interface portion is adjacent the circumferential wall, and causing the liquefied thermoplastic material to flow radially outward from the periphery and into structures of the first object and/or along an inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Woodwelding AG
    Inventors: Peter L. Cove, William E. T. Vallance, Mario Lehmann, Laurent Torriani
  • Patent number: 8950142
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for insulating a component of a home or building. An insulated component may include a generally planar surface and a frame positioned atop one side of the generally planar surface. The frame may include a plurality of outer studs coupled together to form an outer periphery and inner studs that divide the frame into one or more sections. One or more of the sections may include a cavity or hollow space. The insulated component may also include a first layer of insulation within one or more of the cavities. The first layer of insulation may include a pour insulation material that transitions from a liquid state or phase to a solid state or phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventor: Ralph Michael Fay
  • Patent number: 8950160
    Abstract: Pre-filled mortar packages are positioned between masonry construction elements (such as stones, blocks or bricks) when forming a wall (such as a dry-stack stone wall). Each mortar package includes an outer covering with a porous outer surface, a mortar mixture covered by the outer covering, and (optionally) an adhesive incorporated onto or in the porous outer surface. Both the adhesive and the mortar mixture are activated by a liquid, such as water. The mortar packages may be pre-wetted and placed on masonry construction elements when stacking the masonry construction elements. Alternatively, the mortar packages may be dry when placed on masonry construction elements, and activated by applying water or by wetting from rain water. Mortar packages are more convenient and efficient than adhesives or mortar alone, and create walls and other structures with increased strength and improved aesthetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Preferred Inspections, Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton L. Ridings, III
  • Patent number: 8950156
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a form assembly is provided with a form member facing an existing wall, to which sheathing panels are attached. The cavity created between the sheathing panels and the existing wall can be filled with a foamable, adhesive material which adheres to the sheathing panels and the existing wall and creates an adhesive connection between them. In some embodiments, the form assembly is vertically adjustable to facilitate the installation of multiple rows of sheathing panels. In some embodiments, the foamable, adhesive material is introduced in successive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: SR Contractors, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald G. Vandehey
  • Patent number: 8950125
    Abstract: An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections or chains. The linked sections include a plurality of individual segments linked end to end. As the linked segments are extended, each of the individual segments of the linked chains engage individual segments of adjacent linked sections to form a column. As the linked sections are retracted, each of the individual segments of the linked sections disengage from the individual segment of the adjacent linked sections and the individual linked sections may be rolled up into a multi-sided form for compact storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Tower Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: David George Kensinger, Steven George Kensinger, Eric T. Ohme, Dale A. Ohme
  • Patent number: 8950141
    Abstract: An underlayment for use between a veneer material and a foundation surface comprises a base layer and a series of supports extending upwardly from the base layer. The supports are configured to create voids in a layer of bonding material used to adhere the veneer material to the underlayment. Each of the supports includes at least one outer wall extending upwardly from the base layer and terminating at an upper lip, a bowl area defined adjacent a center of the support; and an internal wall extending downwardly from the upper lip toward the center of the support to at least partially define the bowl area within each of the supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Schluter Systems L.P.
    Inventors: Werner Schluter, Stefan Weige
  • Patent number: 8950123
    Abstract: A rainwater head, including: a dome, a drainage pipe, a siphon, and a ball cock mechanism. The drainage pipe includes a drainage exit and a wall including a water outlet hole. The ball cock mechanism includes a floating ball, a connecting bar, a fulcrum, and a stopper. The drainage pipe is connected to the lower part of the dome. The drainage exit is arranged on the top of the drainage pipe. The drainage exit is adapted to be between 5 and 10 cm higher than the roof. The water outlet hole is arranged on the wall of the drainage pipe at a position having the same height as the roof or is lower than the roof. The siphon is disposed on the upper part of the drainage pipe. The inlet of the siphon faces the roof; and the outlet of the siphon extends inside the drainage pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignees: Chongqing University, Shenzhen Yuezhong (Group) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hongxiang Chai, Songming Tan, Hong Wu, Weijie Wang, Ganlin Zhang, Wei Chen, Wei Kang, Zhengsong Wu, Sai Zhang
  • Patent number: 8950147
    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: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventors: Dung V. Dao, Richard H. Balmer
  • Patent number: 8950140
    Abstract: A system for mounting tile relative to a flat surface may include a plurality of tiles and support structure to be mounted to the flat surface. The support structure may have a plurality of support surfaces on which the tiles are mounted such that the tiles are at different angles and/or heights relative to the flat surface. The support surfaces may be arranged in a wide variety of patterns, and may have shapes that correspond to those of the tiles. The tiles and support surfaces may have a wide variety of shapes. The support structure may be a single piece on which all of the support surfaces are formed, or may be created through the assembly of multiple support blocks, each of which has one or more of the support surfaces thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Dimensional Tile Backer, LLC
    Inventor: Rodney James Katwyk