Patents Examined by James M Ference
  • Patent number: 12709939
    Abstract: A shimming assembly comprising a base that defines a raised contact surface and a pivot pin defining a rotation axis of the shimming assembly, the base including a base inclined surface, and a slider that is slidably coupled to the base such that the slider is slidable along the base inclined surface in response to a user-applied sliding force, the slider being coupled to the base such that the slider is rotatable about the rotation axis defined by the pivot pin in response to a user-applied torque to transition the shimming assembly from an active configuration to a stowed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2026
    Assignee: Pella Corporation
    Inventors: Ted L. Hansen, Todd A. Bernhagen
  • Patent number: 12709895
    Abstract: Hybrid roof cover systems comprise a metal panel field and a membrane field joined by metal standing seam transition roof panels. The metal transition panel comprises an upstanding side, a planar portion, and a polymer layer. The upstanding side defines a first lateral edge of the metal transition panel. The first lateral edge is symmetrical with a lateral edge of an adjacent roof panel in the metal panel field. The first lateral edge is adapted to form a sidelap between the metal transition panel and the adjacent roof panel in the metal panel field. The planar portion extends from the first lateral edge to a second lateral edge of the metal transition panel. The polymer layer is bonded to an upper face of the planar portion of the metal transition panel and is adapted to bond to the membrane sheet in the membrane field of the hybrid roof cover system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2026
    Assignee: McElroy Metal Mill, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles L. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12703976
    Abstract: A concrete slab resting on at least two supports, the concrete slab comprising conventional concrete and a combined reinforcement of both draped post-tension steel strands and fibers, said post-tension steel strands having a diameter ranging from 5 mm to 20 mm, having a tensile strength higher than 1700 MPa, said fibers being either steel fibers and being present in a dosage ranging from 10 kg/m3 to 75 kg/m3 or being macro-synthetic fibers and being present in a dosage ranging from 1.5 kg/m3 to 9.0 kg/m3, whereby the concrete slab and the supports are fully connected, partially connected or fully disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2026
    Assignees: NV BEKAERT SA, CCL STRESSING INTERNATIONAL LTD
    Inventors: Hendrik Thooft, Carol Hayek
  • Patent number: 12698625
    Abstract: A hanger for connecting a structural component to a wall that can have sheathing mounted thereon either before or after the hanger is connected to the wall. The hanger includes a channel-shaped portion configured to receive the structural component. An extension portion extends from the channel-shaped portion and is configured to extend through the sheathing to engage the wall at a first location. A connection portion is configured for attachment to the wall at a second location spaced from the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2026
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventors: Steven Brekke, Mark R. Rolf
  • Patent number: 12687034
    Abstract: An inflatable shelter features a built-in air mattress at a base thereof that defines a ground footprint of the shelter. An inflationally erectable canopy features inflatable ribs with wall panels interspersed therebetween. An interior tent space is delimited between the inflated base mattress and overlying canopy. Some of the ribs cantilever outwardly from the base when inflated, creating one or more inflationally erectable overhangs that expand the covered area of the shelter beyond the base footprint thereof. A shared on-board inflation device inflates both the mattress and rib structure, whose inflatable interiors are fluidly isolated to allow user setting or tuning of the mattress pressure independently of the rib structure's inflation level. A power supply of the inflation device includes electrical ports for connection of chargeable devices, lighting, and other accessories. Arching rib pars meet with a central lengthwise rib, providing structural integrity and a spaciously elongated tent space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Assignee: RISE Outdoor Innovation Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Lawson
  • Patent number: 12668979
    Abstract: Framing and panel fastening devices, systems and methods. The fastening devices include an interface portion comprising an inner side and an outer side opposing the inner side, the outer side comprising a first touch fastening component of a touch fastener. The devices further include first and second side wall portions extending in a thickness direction from the inner side of the interface portion. The interface portion extends laterally between the first and second side wall portions to form an inner channel configured to receive and couple to at least a front face portion of a framing member therein. The systems comprise at least one of the fastening devices and at least one building panel with a back face that comprises a second touch fastening component coupled thereto. The first and second touch fastening components configured to removably couple together when operatively engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2026
    Inventor: Jeffrey Fatcheric
  • Patent number: 12668977
    Abstract: A ventilated facade cladding system has a plurality of horizontal tracks, a plurality of hanging clips, a plurality of brackets, a plurality of bracket clips and a plurality of mullion profiles. The horizontal tracks are adapted to be mounted sequentially to a wall. The hanging clips are positioned and slidable on the horizontal track. The bracket is positioned between the hanging clips. The bracket clip is attached to the bracket and slidable through a clip gap. The mullion profile is mounted vertically between the brackets and the bracket clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2026
    Inventor: Serkan Sabri Bayram
  • Patent number: 12655638
    Abstract: Level access structures including a first module and a second module. The first module includes first sidewalls defining a first open shaft with a first top end and a first bottom end opposite the first top end. The second module includes second sidewalls defining a second open shaft with a second top end and a second bottom end opposite the second top end. The second module is complementarily configured with the first level access module. The second module is configured to selectively couple to the first module with the second open shaft aligned with the first open shaft to define a continuous open shaft. The continuous open shaft is configured to contain a level access system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2026
    Inventor: Russty Brotnov
  • Patent number: 12650013
    Abstract: Embodiments of an integrated backer include an insulating member configured to mate with an extrusion for a glazing system. The insulating member can provide insulation and a uniform backer for sealant application to the glazing system such that sealant can be applied to an exterior and an interior of the glazing system simultaneous or one after the other without having to have one cure first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2025
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2026
    Inventor: Lawrence T Olson
  • Patent number: 12644292
    Abstract: A window well system including at least two window-well modules designed to be stacked is disclosed. Each module has a curved wall including an inner wall section, outer wall sections, an upper surface section unitary with the inner wall section, and a base having several indentations arranged along its underside. Of the outer wall sections, an upper outer wall section is unitary with the upper surface section. Between the upper outer wall section and a lower outer wall section is a curvilinear horizontal ledge. Between the inner and outer wall sections is an air space. Along the horizontal ledge are several projections oriented upwardly and sized and configured to mesh with and fit into the indentations formed in the base of a like window well module to be placed on the upper surface section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Inventor: Torrey Sanborn
  • Patent number: 12631040
    Abstract: A structural strengthening device to improve lateral strength of a building frame. The structural strengthening device comprising a structural member, connected to two beam-column connectors, comprising two jacketing pieces and two buffering material fillers. By connecting adjacent columns in the building frame, resisting moments are generated at ends of the structural strengthening device during lateral deformation of the building frame, and bending moments and stresses at a base of the connected columns may be reduced. Implementation of the structural strengthening device reduces time and space required for structural rehabilitation of buildings, and the structural strengthening device is detachable to permit use the structural strengthening device as a temporary, reuseable or permanent rehabilitation structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIPEI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chao-Hsun Huang, Ea-Shin Lin, Po-Cheng Lian, Zhen-Jun Zheng
  • Patent number: 12624555
    Abstract: A windproof and anti-fragmentation device of a raised flooring includes a plurality of support plates of cover tiles. The support plates are arranged side by side and each have a groove defined on a perimeter portion. The windproof and anti-fragmentation device also includes an anchoring washer configured to be coupled to the support plates and having an edge emerging transversely with respect to the perimeter of the anchoring washer and conformed so as to partially fit inside the groove of two contiguous plates so as to keep those plates joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Inventors: Beat Roderick Egli, Andrea Bassetto, Roberto Zaniol
  • Patent number: 12624542
    Abstract: A hanger for connecting a structural component to a wall that can have sheathing mounted thereon either before or after the hanger is connected to the wall. The hanger includes a channel-shaped portion configured to receive the structural component. An extension portion extends from the channel-shaped portion and is configured to extend through the sheathing to engage the wall at a first location. A connection portion is configured for attachment to the wall at a second location spaced from the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventors: Steven Brekke, Mark R Rolf
  • Patent number: 12624549
    Abstract: Reinforcing bar cage connectors and methods of constructing reinforcing bar cages are provided. A reinforcing bar cage includes a reinforcing bar guide, a reinforcing bar rod, and a reinforcing bar cage connector. The reinforcing bar cage connector includes a first clamp portion facing a first direction and configured to receive one of the reinforcing bar guide or the reinforcing bar rod in a first opening. The reinforcing bar cage connector includes a second clamp portion facing a second direction, opposite the first direction, and configured to receive an other one of the reinforcing bar guide or the reinforcing bar rod in a second opening. The first opening is perpendicular to the second opening. The reinforcing bar cage connector includes a metal tie wire is operable to be twisted to compress the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Inventors: Gloria M. Buley, Travis C. Buley
  • Patent number: 12618240
    Abstract: A roof assembly, including a roof including a first top surface and an outer surface, a first membrane arranged on the first top surface, a base plate arranged on the first membrane and connected to the roof, a second membrane arranged on the base plate, and a bracket arranged on the second membrane and at least partially aligned with the base plate, wherein the bracket is secured to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: KDScott Companies LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Douglas Scott
  • Patent number: 12618283
    Abstract: Installation systems and methods for fenestration units configured to be set into a rough opening (RO) from interior side of a building structure or wall. The fenestration units may include a retention system coupled to the frame and operable to exert a retention force on the fenestration unit to maintain positive engagement of the fenestration unit with the rough opening framing and resist extraction of the fenestration unit from the rough opening upon insertion of the fenestration unit in the rough opening from the interior side of the rough opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: Pella Corporation
    Inventors: Todd A. Bernhagen, Ted L. Hansen, Jaime P. Ogbourne, William R. Parcells, Justin McAninch, Jake Baier, Gabriela Lockaby
  • Patent number: 12612778
    Abstract: An expandable home structure can expand outward from at least one side thereof to expand the living space once the home is delivered to a desired location. The expansion process includes raising two roof panels from a side edge of its main structure, where the roof panels follow a track so that an outer one of the two roof panels can, once fully raised, slide outward along front and rear walls of the expansion section so that the roof panels form a box gable roof structure over the expansion section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: A&C FUTURE, INC.
    Inventors: Shoue Chen, Sichen Li, Jiuqi Wang, Zhuangboyu Zhou, Yulai Shi, Ju Gao, Han Qin, Jiayang Qin
  • Patent number: 12607010
    Abstract: A system and connector interconnects modular wall vertical frame members meeting at a junction. A first vertical frame member and a second vertical frame member each have a central section for mounting a wall panel. Each vertical frame member has a pair of lateral legs at the lateral edges thereof and a pair of inner legs extending inwardly. The inner legs are spaced laterally away from the lateral edges. Each vertical frame member also has a pair of interlocking members positioned inwardly of the central section. The interlocking members each having a laterally extending leg defining a laterally extending latch receiving space. The connector member has a head or heads for supporting parts and a latch or latches for securing parts, including trim members. The junctions may be corner or end-to-end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: FELLOWES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Egan, Shawn M. Applegate
  • Patent number: 12607016
    Abstract: Roofing systems are provided. A roofing system comprises a roofing substrate. The roofing system comprises a first roofing membrane adhered to the roofing substrate. The roofing system comprises a second roofing membrane. The second roofing membrane comprises a first layer and a fleece layer. The first layer of the second roofing membrane is located between the fleece layer and the first roofing membrane. The roofing system comprises a liquid applied flashing located on the fleece layer of the second roofing membrane. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2025
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: Siplast, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Gross, Luke Geoffrion, Tyler Day, Kirk Goodrum
  • Patent number: 12595651
    Abstract: Disclosed is a building module for use in modular building assemblies. The building module has frame comprising one or more parallelepiped unit cells and connection nodes at the corner of the unit cells, so that building modules can be connected together in a modular fashion using the connection nodes. Also disclosed is a system for building construction that comprises such building modules, and habitable modular buildings that comprises the building modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: CUBIT BUILDING COMPANY EHF
    Inventor: Adalsteinn Snorrason