Patents Examined by Jennifer I. Thissell
  • Patent number: 6115986
    Abstract: A structural member of the kind including a strip of metal sheet folded over onto itself at its lateral edges so that the member has respective boxed edge formations (20, 21) which extend between a pair of notional substantially parallel planes and are linked by a web (30). At least one of the boxed edge formations defines a longitudinally extending ridge (40) at one of the planes and, behind the other plane; an outwardly open longitudinally extending groove (34) complementary to the ridge, whereby the structural member may be stacked on another similar member and the stack be laterally stabilized by co-operation of the groove (34) on one member and the ridge (40) on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: BHP Steel (JLA) Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Michael Herbert Kelly
  • Patent number: 6115977
    Abstract: A space dividing or partitioning system includes a series of panels adapted to be knocked down and reconfigured. Each panel includes a panel frame constructed from a pair of vertical posts interconnected by one or more horizontal support members. Each vertical post includes a series of receptacles aligned vertically along each face surface of the vertical post. The receptacles on the vertical posts receive attachment members contained on each end of the horizontal support member. The horizontal support member can be attached between a pair of the vertical posts without requiring the vertical posts to be separated. A tile retaining hook is received within a hook opening formed in the vertical post. The tile retaining hook includes a hook portion that is received in a hook channel of a decorative tile, such that the decorative tile can be hung on the panel frame through the use of the tile retaining hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy G. Hornberger, Jon W. Gayhart, Andrew W. Mansfield, Yung Tse
  • Patent number: 6105322
    Abstract: A combination partition wall includes a plurality of unit partition wall panels each comprised of a vertical left frame bar, a vertical right frame bar, a horizontal top frame bar and a horizontal bottom frame bar connected in parallel between the vertical left frame bar and the vertical right frame bar at top and bottom sides, and two face panels connected in parallel at front and rear sides between the vertical left frame bar and vertical right frame bar and the horizontal top frame bar and horizontal bottom frame bar, at least one horizontal top rail respectively covered on the horizontal top frame bars of the unit partition wall panels at the top, at least one horizontal bottom rail respectively covered on the horizontal bottom frame bars of the unit partition wall panels at the bottom, a plurality of first coupling plates respectively mounted on the vertical left frame bars of the unit partition wall panels and the horizontal bottom rail for coupling the vertical left frame bar of one unit partition wall
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Ching-Chang Chang
  • Patent number: 6105317
    Abstract: A mounting system that is capable of effectively draining the rainwater off the roof, while enabling easy installation of the solar battery modules. The mounting system is adapted to install on the roof an array of the solar battery modules each of a panel-like configuration with a rectangular frame. The system includes a plurality of vertical rails which are secured to the roof and extend along a roof sloping direction towards eaves from a ridge of the roof for holding the solar battery modules between a laterally spaced pair of the vertical rails in a spaced relation from a roof sheathing. Each of the vertical rails is formed on opposite sides thereof respectively with stepped shoulders which extend the full length of the vertical rail for supporting thereon the frame of the laterally adjoining solar battery modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Tomiuchi, Yosuke Noda, Kenji Osaka, Shigeki Takeda, Tomohide Yoshida, Shinji Urano, Takayoshi Akai, Norihisa Tanimoto
  • Patent number: 6102059
    Abstract: A movable device for alternatingly covering and uncovering a vehicle is shown and described. The device includes a protective cover, a structural member, a lift member, and an inlet for receiving a pressurized fluid and controlling the fluid to raise and lower the cover. The protective cover is constructed to receive at least a portion of the vehicle, such as a boat or a car. The structural member has an elongated hollow extending at least partially from a first end to a bottom end and ending at a termination point. A first end of the lift member is coupled to the protective cover and a second end of the lift member is reciprocally engaged with the hollow. The lift member can move with the protective cover between a first position in which the protective cover receives at least a portion of the vehicle and a second position in which the protective cover is separated from the vehicle. The space between the second end of the lift member and the termination point of the hollow defines a chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Steven M. Miller
  • Patent number: 6101773
    Abstract: A wire management system for use with furniture panels and being especially useful for the management of voice and data wiring includes a support plate and a plurality of vertically arranged rows of slots for receiving mounting blocks for patch panel brackets and the like. The slots may be provided in the plate itself or in a series of channel members attached to the plate. The blocks can be rotated 90 degrees to facilitate the connection of wiring to wiring connection devices when the blocks are in a first position and to a second position in which the wires and associated equipment occupy a minimum amount of space. The cover for the wire management system is preferably hinged at the top or side. A lock may be provided therefore for security, and a prop rod may be provided to hold the cover in an open position. In a most preferred embodiment, the plate may be adjusted using telescoping components to accommodate different size openings in the furniture module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Q. Chau, Keith A. Haagsma, R. Scott Hand, Kevin M. Stanley
  • Patent number: 6098367
    Abstract: A constructive system applied to buildings in general, to form walls, by means of modular foldable frames attached, who allow to place from the upper part blocks or plates and support it.The blocks have horizontal or vertical holes, to pass brazing rods, linkes with the frames.The blocks when overlapped form channels, to pass rods linkes with the frameThe frames when are formed by two vertical jambs and two horizontal articuladed piedes. When joined together with other adjacent, form filling channels, to fill with resistant materials, and other channels to fill with materials to seal joints of blocks or plates.The frames with the resistant channels, rods, blocks or plates, resist better strong winds and seismic movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventors: Hernando Fridman, Gustavo Daniel Fridman, Horacio Martin Fridman
  • Patent number: 6088977
    Abstract: A bracket for use in manufacturing a step supported by a stringer. The bracket includes an anchor block to which a tread for a step may be attached, a pair of frames flanking the anchor block and fixed thereto, and markings formed on at least one of the frames. The markings indicate a rise and a run for the step. The bracket may be used in a method for building a stairs. The method includes the steps of selecting a desired tread distance and rise distance for the stairs to be built, fastening tread receiving portions and riser-receiving portions of a bracket to a first elongate stringer to define the desired tread and riser distances, repeating the above steps with respect to a second stringer, mounting a tread to the tread-receiving portions, and mounting a riser to the riser-receiving portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Michael J. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6085466
    Abstract: A corner segment construction 10 for rain gutters including a pair of perpendicularly aligned inner walls 21, 22, a generally curved outer wall 23, a floor 26 connecting said walls 21, 22, and 23 together and a pair of contoured drain inserts 24, 25 disposed at the juncture 30 of the pair of perpendicularly aligned walls 21, 22 to define a generally curved rain gutter channel 27 devoid of any corners or sharp angles that would induce turbulence or promote the collection of debris in the gutter channel 27.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventors: Walter Martin, Jeanne Martin
  • Patent number: 6085767
    Abstract: A tent structure convertible from a hanging tent to a ground-based tent is herein described. The tent structure includes a top portion having slots, T-shaped connectors stitched into the base portion and resilient rods having ends arranged to be inserted into either the slots or the T-shaped members. For use as a hanging tent, the ends of the resilient rods are inserted into connectors on opposite sides of the tent such that the resilient rods extend across the base portion of the tent and the tent is then hung from support structure(s). As a result of this arrangement, the base of the tent is firmly supported by the resilient rods and the tent is supported above the ground. For use as a ground-based tent, the connectors are pivoted such that the connectors are adjacent to the sides of the tent and the resilient rods are inserted one end into a connector and a second end into a slot such that the resilient rods extend along the sides of the tent and support the top portion of the tent above the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Brent Maslow
  • Patent number: 6082058
    Abstract: This invention relates to a lifting method of building construction from top to bottom, in which steel story posts are utilized for support columns needed by the building, all the stories are constructed on steel beams riveting positioned with steel story posts, all the steel story posts are lifted out story by story synchronously by underground jacking apparatuses. This lifting method can not only effectively overcome the defects such as long construction period, high cost, and difficulties in safety protection of the builders etc. in prior art, but also can be extensively applied in construction of special architectures such as high-rises or skyscrapers, large area indoor wall-bearing structures and various longspan bridges etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Genghou Deng
  • Patent number: 6082061
    Abstract: A stair tread and method of manufacturing same is disclosed. The stair tread comprises a rigid frame which is encapsulated with a structural plastic material. In the preferred embodiment, the rigid frame is made from steel and the encapsulating structural plastic is a polyol and isocyanate blend which is applied to the rigid frame by the reaction injection molding process. The stair tread exhibits the advantages of a bar grating stair tread and the corrosions resistance of a plastic stair tread while being low cost and efficient to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Alex L. Ryan
  • Patent number: 6079178
    Abstract: A U-shaped stackable truss for use in temporary, demountable construction for exhibition, display, and concert staging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Tomcat Global Corporation
    Inventor: Mark E. Fisher
  • Patent number: 6079180
    Abstract: A laminate bulkhead comprises an expandable polymer sandwiched between two stiff members which are of a structure so that the expandable polymer is flared out or thicker in the area or along the line where the polymer expands and is bonded to the walls of a hollow structure in which the bulkhead is placed. The direction of expansion of the polymer results from the polymer being constrained by the stiff members on either side of the expanding polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph S Wycech
  • Patent number: 6076322
    Abstract: An improved wall stud assembly used to form a prefabricated partition or wall assembled within the interior space of a warehouse, factory or other building structure, the assembly comprising a first elongate stud member and a second elongate stud member, each having a joining part and a panel receiving flange disposed along each longitudinal side of the joining part. Preferably each of the joining parts of the stud members include a plurality of punched holes and extruded holes formed therein and relatively oriented to allow interconnecting fasteners to be applied to the stud member from either side of the stud assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventors: Anthony F. D'Andrea, Manfred Mantay
  • Patent number: 6076324
    Abstract: An integrally formed three-dimensional truss structure, including molds and methods for production of same, containing outer top and bottom plane surfaces thereof comprising interconnected rod segments integrally formed at their points of intersection on the outer top and bottom surfaces, the top and bottom surfaces also integrally joined together through additional interconnected rod segments passing through an integrally formed intersection, wherein the additional interconnected rod segments passing through the integrally formed intersection form a three-dimensional continuous array of triangles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Nu-Cast Inc.
    Inventors: Carl S. Daily, Daniel A. Lees, Dennis Donald McKitterick
  • Patent number: 6067769
    Abstract: The reinforcing brace frame is utilized in building walls as a complete system of protection against both the severe shear stress and uplifting encountered during tornados, hurricanes and earthquakes. The reinforcing brace frame includes two vertically-spaced horizontally extending frame members joined at their opposite ends to two horizontally-spaced vertically extending frame members, and a diagonal member rigidly connected to opposite ends of the horizontally extending frame members. The reinforcing brace frame can also include spaced vertical support members between the vertical frame members. The reinforcing brace frame is directly attached to a concrete foundation by shear bolts and hold down bolts. Consequently, the reinforcing brace frame provides increased resistance against simultaneous shear stress and uplifting, eliminating the need for plywood shear panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Hardy Industries
    Inventor: Gary Hardy
  • Patent number: 6061981
    Abstract: An air conditioner cover, for covering an air conditioner having an air conditioner face, comprising a main housing defining a main cavity which is sized to cover a portion of the air conditioner rearward of the air conditioner face. The main housing has a front panel, four peripheral walls, and a mouth opening opposite the front panel. A flange extends perpendicular to the peripheral walls at the mouth opening. A seal comprising four angled gaskets extends around the mouth opening, each angled gasket extending from one of the peripheral walls and having a triangular cross section. The angled gaskets allow the air conditioner to easily slide into the mouth opening until the air conditioner face meets the front panel, but resists removal therefrom, to hold the air conditioner cover securely upon the air conditioner. The front panel has a decorative covering to match the decor of the room in which the air conditioner is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Orlando Nieves
  • Patent number: 6061990
    Abstract: A conduit positioning or locating device adapted to be secured to formwork defining one side of a slab of concrete or other settable material for positioning a conduit for passage through the slab. The device includes a body, having at least one opening on its top side for receipt of a conduit. The body has means, such as a spigot and socket, on at least one side adapted for cooperative engagement with a further device whereby to enable a plurality of the devices to be located in a complementary mating configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Zardoz Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael John McMahon
  • Patent number: 6058672
    Abstract: A prefabricated panel and assembly of such for forming walls and roofs of buildings is formed with interior reinforcing rods, U-shaped anchor members embedded on the edges of the panel and secured members of mechanical fasteners embedded on opposing edges of adjacent panels, where the reinforcing rods embedded in the concrete body also pass through the anchors and the secured fastener members. An unsecured fastener member is connected to the secured member and tightened to join adjacent panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Robert B. McClellan