Patents Examined by Jeanette Chapman
  • Apparatus and method for setting and maintaining the dimensions of a door frame
    Patent number: 7299590
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for setting a door frame in position before adjacent walls are built and for maintaining the dimensions of the door frame during the building of the adjacent walls. The apparatus of the present invention generally includes two main components, specifically a first extension assembly and a second extension assembly. The first extension assembly and second extension assembly adjustably engage to provide a cost effective and efficient apparatus and method for setting a door frame in position before adjacent walls are built and for maintaining the dimensions of the door frame during the building of the adjacent walls. The apparatus is adjustable, lightweight, and easily portable by hand from worksite to worksite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Daniel B. Gibbs
  • Plastic batten shutter
    Patent number: 7296383
    Abstract: A decorative shutter assembly includes a plurality of slats or boards arranged in a row presenting a decorative surface with side flanges projecting rearwardly. At least one cross member overlays each of the slats and presents a decorative cross surface with side cross flanges projecting rearwardly. Each cross slat includes at least one mating member affixed behind the cross slat decorative surface having a mating wall affixed to each of the decorative surfaces for affixing the plurality batten slats to the cross slat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Tapco International
    Inventors: Charles E Schiedegger, Dean Dennis
  • Architectural building products and methods therefore
    Patent number: 7296387
    Abstract: The present invention comprises architectural building products or “trim” and methods for making, installing and finishing the same. The architectural trim comprises a rigid urethane having a mesh material and or tabs imbedded within the body of the architectural trim product and extending out from the sides thereof for purposes of aiding in the attachment of the architectural trim product to the surface of a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Gregory C. Milu
  • Multiple flexible track
    Patent number: 7293392
    Abstract: An elongate flexible track is flexibly positionable from an initial straight configuration to a non-straight configuration having a horizontal, vertical or compound curvature in which it is lockable with locking elements. The track has a plurality of stud receiving components each being formed with a horizontal base wall having a longitudinal edge and a transverse edge, a side wall on a first side of the track and a side wall on a second side of the track, the side walls extending vertically from respective longitudinal edges of the base wall. The base and side walls define a space in which a stud end of an elongate stud can be mounted. Adjacent stud receiving components are joined by linking elements which include pivot elements about which the linking elements are adjustable in one or more directions. At least one locking elements passage is provided on each side of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Oziflex Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Andreas Krumbacher
  • Seismic isolation access floor assembly
    Patent number: 7290375
    Abstract: An access floor assembly includes a base floor, a substructure mounted to the base floor, a bearing plate, formed with a first cavity, mounted to the substructure and disposed at an elevated location relative to the base floor, an isolator plate, formed with a second cavity, overlying the bearing plate, a ball disposed between the bearing plate and the isolator plate contacting the first and second cavities, and a floor plate coupled to the isolator plate and together forming an access floor disposed at an elevated location relative to the base floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Zoltan Kemeny
  • Eave riser extension for roof transitions
    Patent number: 7290373
    Abstract: A roof transition system is provided for supporting and ventilating roof tiles near a roof transition such as a valley or a side wall. The system includes a corrugated flashing and an eave riser extension containing one or more openings for ventilation and drainage. The eave riser extension supports the lowermost row of roof tiles along the eaves at the pitch desired for the roof transition. The eave riser extension completes the closure of the entire eaves and provides support, ventilation, and drainage, while also providing a barrier to wind-driven precipitation, bird nesting, and animal invasion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignees: Boral Lifetile Inc., Monier Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Austin, Jerry Vandewater
  • Concrete forming apparatus for foundation pier blocks and a method for constructing pier blocks
    Patent number: 7290750
    Abstract: The current invention discloses moisture resistant foundation pier block forms constructed from corrugated plastic. Means for holding sections of reinforcing bar can be included and at least one preferred embodiment of the invention includes means for securing the form in its desired location at a construction site. The forms of the current invention are light weight and can be easily assembled at a construction site or at a remote location. Sections of reinforcing bar can be inserted in at least one preferred embodiment of the invention during assembly and the forms can then be folded into a flat configuration for storage until needed. The forms disclosed in the current invention can be reused, but they do not attract insects and therefore do not have to be removed from the pier blocks after the concrete has dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventors: Donald G. Huber, Terry Hartman
  • Corner flashing for windows and the like
    Patent number: 7290379
    Abstract: A flashing and method for installing a window or other portal in a wall opening is provided. The flashing includes a base member with first and second portions that are angled so that an outer surface of the first portion can be disposed against a sill of the opening and an outer surface of the second portion can be disposed against one of the jambs of the opening. A front face plate of the flashing extends perpendicularly from the first and second portions of the base member, and a plurality of channels in the base member are structured to direct water toward and through the front face plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: L. Ross Allen
  • Breakaway support for overhead lines
    Patent number: 7290748
    Abstract: The breakaway support for overhead lines is a coordinated failure control device. The breakaway support for overhead lines sacrifices itself to ensure that the supporting structure is not damaged. The device has an intentional weak link. The breakaway support for overhead lines will release when the overhead line it is supporting receives a stress that exceeds the tensile strength of the weak link in the breakaway support for overhead lines. The stress causes the weak link to fail. The structure is not damaged and a repair crew can quickly affect repairs. It is much cheaper and easier to reconnect an overhead line than it is to replace or repair a structure and then reconnect the overhead line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Richard Alan McDonald
  • Heat shielded dock pad
    Patent number: 7287353
    Abstract: A compressible seal for a loading dock includes a pliable heat shield that helps protect the seal from concentrated heat generated by a truck's taillight being pressed against the seal. The seal includes a compressible foam core protected by a tough outer covering. The heat shield is preferably placed against the foam core, just underneath the cover. The shield reflects heat away from the foam and helps disperse the heat over a broader area to reduce the peak temperature of any hot spots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Thill, Charles J. Ashelin
  • Molding profile and molding profile assembly
    Patent number: 7287357
    Abstract: A molding profile assembly has a first and second molding profile. The first molding profile, whose upper surface is to form the upper surface of the molding profile assembly, has a groove formed into an under-surface of a first arm and a groove formed into a foot perpendicular to the arm. The second molding profile has first and second tabs which fit snugly into the first and second grooves of the first molding profile, respectively, interlocking the first and second molding profiles together. The molding profiles do not require scraping, stripping or other permanent alteration in order to be assembled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Faus Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose Francisco Gómez Insa
  • Upper beam slab bolster with extruded plates
    Patent number: 7284354
    Abstract: A bolster for use in construction has a beam, a first plurality of leg members on one side of the beam, a second plurality of leg members on an opposite side of the beam, a first plate having a receptacle on one side thereof and a second plate having a receptacle on one side thereof. The receptacle of the first plate receives a portion of the first plurality of leg members therein. The receptacle of the second plate receives a portion of the second plurality of leg members therein. The receptacles having a generally C-shaped cross section for resiliently contacting surfaces of the respective leg members. The plate is integrally formed of an extruded polymeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: Felix L. Sorkin
  • Wall fastener
    Patent number: 7284355
    Abstract: A wall fastener that attaches a wallboard member to a mounting track in a manner that allows for relative movement between an overhead roof structure to which the mounting track is secured and a non-load bearing wall. The wall fastener holds the wallboard in a fixed position relative to the wall and the overhead structure to maintain a fire barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventors: Brian Becker, Derek Becker, Robin Dockery
  • Composition and method for controlling moisture
    Patent number: 7282264
    Abstract: A composition and method which exhibits enhanced moisture sealing properties, suitable for use with flooring materials, such as concrete, and flooring installations, such as carpeting, wood, tiles, etc. are provided. The composition is preferably non-water-based and can form a non-aqueous barrier coating on the flooring substrate, and most preferably provides a desirable pH and blocks migration of alkaline salts through the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: W.F. Taylor Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Kintu Ddamulira, John Edmund Raidy, Jr., Barry Kenneth Wright
  • Spacer and method of use for straightening panels in a roof system
    Patent number: 7281359
    Abstract: A spacer is provided for use in a standing seam roof system in which roof panels are provided having a base portion and upstanding side flanges along opposed longitudinal sides of the panel. The panels are installed sequentially along roof purlins in a working direction. Occasionally a portion of each panel being installed trails in the working direction in relation to the remainder of the panel. A spacer element is provided with a hook for being suspended in the seam between upstanding side flanges of adjacent panels to advance the trailing portion of the panels and thereby straighten the panels of the roof system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Joe Marshall
  • Concrete stud wall system
    Patent number: 7278244
    Abstract: A concrete stud wall system includes elongated mounting strips having mounting brackets that are pressure inserted through longitudinally spaced slots in the outer flanges of the studs and tracks for attaching a reinforcing mesh and encapsulated by a poured concrete panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventor: Edward Rubio
  • Nesting closure strip
    Patent number: 7278246
    Abstract: The closure strip having a pair of longitudinal side walls with undulating top edges configured to mate with the corrugations of corrugated sheet material. The side walls are interconnected by a plurality of support ribs. The side walls are also angled outward toward the bottom edges. A hollow nesting volume is formed between the side and below the support ribs in the region of each of the undulation peaks of the closure strip. This configuration allows successive closure strips to be nested one into another by inserting the undulation peaks of one closure strip into the hollow nesting volume under corresponding undulation peaks in another closure strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Plasgad Plastic Products Agricultural Cooperative Ltd.
    Inventor: Shmuel Nahmias
  • Split column reassembly system
    Patent number: 7275349
    Abstract: The split column reassembly system invention allows a split column, capitol or base to return to its intended position during its installation around a load bearing structural device. It is done through forming the pieces of the seams in order that they fit back together accurately after separation and during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Barney Jeffery Auman
  • Steel joist
    Patent number: 7272914
    Abstract: A joist suitable for use in a composite concrete floor is disclosed. The joist comprises a top chord, a bottom chord; and a vertically extending intermediate web having a top end secured to the top chord and a bottom end secured to the bottom chord. The top chord comprises a pair of longitudinally continuous symmetrical chord members facing each other and embracing the top end of the web. Each of the chord members includes a vertical portion secured to the top end of the web and a slanting upper extension extending above and away from the top end of the web, thereby providing a shear connecting portion and a flared opening, between the two facing chord members, giving access to the web and improving access of a welding tool to the area between the symmetrical portion of the top chord and the web member that must be joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Groupe Canam Inc
    Inventors: Georges Hage-Chahine, Pierre Gignac
  • Floor construction
    Patent number: 7257928
    Abstract: The invention concerns a floor construction comprising a plurality of surface portions (12) which each comprise at least one respective material with possibly different properties, in particular properties in regard to human perception when standing on the surface portions (12), wherein the different surface portions (12) are of such an arrangement and configuration that when moving on the floor construction (10) a continuously changing, unforeseeable sequence of different surface portions (12) has to be unavoidably stepped upon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventor: Josef Glöckl