Patents Examined by Jennifer I. Thissell
  • Patent number: 6612086
    Abstract: A grille system comprising at least two rod arrangements 1a and at least one clamping member 12. The clamping member 12 retains the rod arrangements b 1a in a predetermined spacial configuration. Each rod arrangement 1a comprises a straight rod 2 having a first end portion 2a provided with an expanded portion 3 received by the clamping member 12. The clamping member 12 comprises two separate, corresponding portions 5 secured together by a bolt 10 and nut 11. The grille system is used as a security grille or in the manufacture of garden furniture or plant supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Alan David Pitt
  • Patent number: 6612088
    Abstract: An antenna support for a power transmission tower having a vertically disposed mast extending upwardly through the tower with the antenna support being mounted on the upper end of the mast. The weight of antenna support is transferred to the legs of the tower rather than to the mast through the use of support bracing extending between the elongated pipe and the tower. An antenna platform is mounted on the upper end of the mast with the weight thereof being supported by the elongated pipe. The platform is comprised of three triangular-shaped platform sections having mounting rings at the inner ends thereof which are slipped over the upper end of the mast with the lowermost mounting ring resting upon the upper end of the elongated pipe. The antenna support may be mounted on a cellular transmitting/receiving tower or on a guy-wired mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Armand A. Damiano
  • Patent number: 6609344
    Abstract: A novel system for constructing smooth-faced metal framing and novel tracks and connectors therefore. The system, tracks and connectors of the present invention utilize known metal framing or wall studs that demonstrate a U-channel configuration having a base, sidewalls and marginal lips that extend inward from the sidewalls. A variety structurally related connectors are described capable of interconnecting metal framing performing all framing functions including, without limitation, floor and ceiling joists, top and bottom plates, roof rafters, roof rims, window sills, trusses, headers and wall studs. The connectors lock into place within the stud or track and are secured from the inside using fasteners applied into the non-surface aspects of the stud or track. The specially configured tracks are essentially studs modified to include recess channels through which fasteners may be applied to secure the track to track connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Eluterio Saldana
  • Patent number: 6609345
    Abstract: A structural member comprises a plastic base material with fiber reinforced plastic fill material. A gas producing substance or foaming agent is mixed with the base material and provides a lower density within the interior of the member. The structural member can comprise one or more of the components of a utility pole assembly, such as the crossarms, bracing, insulators and pole. A method of producing the structural member includes the steps of mixing additives with plastic pellets for feeding into an extruder. The extruded structural members are formed, cooled, pulled and cut to desired lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Petroflex, N.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell Earl Schauf, Sr., Ronald L. Ross
  • Patent number: 6605240
    Abstract: A concrete form has a pair of opposed upstanding and spaced apart side panels. A space is defined between the side panels. Each side panel has a respective upper edge and a respective lower edge whereby a top opening is defined between the upper edges and a bottom opening is defined between the lower edges. At least one bottom soffit panel is coupled to the form and is movable between a first soffit position closing off the bottom opening and a second soffit position providing access to the space through the bottom opening. At least one transverse top beam is coupled to the form and is movable between a first top beam position across the top opening and a second top beam position providing access to the space through the top opening. A method of setting up the concrete form includes assembling the form, opening the top beam if closed, installing at least one steel reinforcing element within the forming space through the top opening, and closing and securing the top beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Symons Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Hambelton
  • Patent number: 6604328
    Abstract: A portable building comprising wall panels, studs, floor panels, floor support members, roof panels, truss members may be transported in the bed of a pickup truck, erected on one building site, used for living quarters at the site, disassembled at the one building site, transported in the pickup truck to a new site and erected on the new site. Erection of the portable building is easily accomplished in less than six man-hours. The portable building will withstand a side load equivalent to an 80 mile per hour wind and a roof load of 40 pounds per square foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: David R. Paddock
  • Patent number: 6604329
    Abstract: An elongated open ended tube has a square or rectangular cross-section and light reflecting inner surfaces. The tube is formed with flat semi-rigid side walls flexibly connected at the corners for collapsing or folding the tube between a generally flat storage and shipping position and an expanded tubular position for installation. The tube extends within an attic of a building with its upper open end portion covered by a light transmitting skylight attached to the roof of the building and its lower open end portion covered by a light transmitting and diffusing panel or lens attached to a ceiling of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Fox Lite, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter S. Hoy, Gary F. Cunagin, Mark W. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 6594959
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a masonry lawn edging block assembly for a multi-grade landscape setting where the ground level of the lawn is lower than the adjacent areas. The assembly includes a plurality of like-shaped straight blocks, outside cornering blocks and like-shaped inside cornering blocks that create a border between the lawn and the adjacent area. The present invention has an L-shaped cross section that includes a vertically extending wall portion and a horizontally extending base portion. Dowels are used to connect adjacent blocks. A series of like-shaped blocks are connected in an end-to-end, end-to-side and end-to-rear arrangements to form the border. The base of each block includes a platform, and these platforms form a continuous deck upon which a conventional lawnmower can travel to cut the grass along the edging block assembly in an even manner and to the same desired height as the rest of the lawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Bend Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Whitson
  • Patent number: 6591561
    Abstract: A deck post (or brace) having a non-circular cross-section is secured in place by bolting its mounting bracket to the roof deck. A lead pipe jack is slid over the post, and its lower flange is nailed to the deck. A waterproofing assembly having a collar and a skirt is provided; the collar has an opening with generally the same non-circular cross-section as that of the post. The collar opening is positioned on the deck post, and the unit is slid down the post until the collar is at the top of the lead pipe jack and the skirt extends down over it. A stainless steel hose clamp is then positioned and tightened around the collar to provide a watertight seal on the deck post. When the post is already installed on a roof deck and the jack and the waterproofing assembly cannot be slid into place on the post, a modified waterproofing assembly and jack are used to provide the waterproofing. The modified jack is a prior art split lead flashing jack with an open seam on one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventor: Lawrence P. Evensen
  • Patent number: 6588157
    Abstract: A building structure having a plurality of wall elements connecting together to form a wall is disclosed. The wall elements have a plurality of sides, each side is connected to an adjacent side of a wall element by an interlocking connection means. Methods of building a structure with the wall elements are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Brian Investments Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Brian T. Davies
  • Patent number: 6588171
    Abstract: A structural panel for building structures such as residential houses or the like comprises a honeycomb or other cellular core sandwiched between two metal face sheets and surrounded by a metal frame. Frame members of the frame form mechanical interlocking connections with the face sheets of the panel. Side frame members of the panel define interlocking protrusions and channels for making interlocking joints between panels. A building structure employing the panels for forming floor and roofs includes brackets that extend into a gap between the side frame members of the panel at the panel joints and attach to the side frame members. The brackets are used for attaching the panels to other parts of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Scienda, LLC
    Inventors: Jerry C. Pryor, Howard A. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 6588840
    Abstract: A seat cushion cover (20) in combination with a sport seat cushion (22) includes a rectangular pocket (24) defined by a fabric upper panel (26) and a lower panel (28). The upper and lower panels (26, 28) are generally parallel to one another and are joined by side panels (30a,b) and an end panel (32). A fabric flap (34) extends from the upper panel (26). The flap (34) is adapted to retain the cushion (22) within the pocket (24) and provide for securing the cushion (22) on a stadium seat (54). The flap (34) foldably extends over an opening (33) of the pocket (24) and along a portion of lower panel (28). The flap (34) and the portion of the lower panel (28) are separated by a space for receiving the stadium seat bottom (56). The flap (34) is adjustably secured to the side panels (30a,b) with fasteners (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52). A resilient band (36) provides tension to retain the cover (20) on the seat bottom (56) when it is in its raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Catherine Alberta Lombardo
  • Patent number: 6581350
    Abstract: A floor for a bumper car amusement ride is of modular construction. A base of each module may be of wood and has a multitude of openings for inserted reception of threaded studs welded to the underside of sheet metal panels extending lengthwise thereof. Nut elements, upon removal, permit panel removal and replacement. Dielectric spacers on each base insulate metal panels of different polarity. A metal framework supports the floor modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Ride Development Company
    Inventor: John J. Dean
  • Patent number: 6581344
    Abstract: A workstation for a work environment having a floor is disclosed. The workstation includes a plurality of frame sections, and a latch mechanism releasably and rigidly securing at least one frame section to the floor. The latch mechanism includes a latch coupled to one of the frame sections, a wedge coupled to the latch, and a clip disposed between the latch and the wedge. The clip has a pair of flanges with ends capable of being disposed at least partially beneath the floor. The latch is configured to move the wedge between the flanges of the clip to operate the latch mechanism between a latched position and a released position so that the workstation may be quickly and easily disassembled. A workstation for a work environment having a floor having an aperture is also disclosed. The workstation includes among other features a latch mechanism having a sleeve and a wedge that may be inserted into the sleeve so that an end is at least partially disposed within the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Mitchell Niewiadomski, Frederick S. Faiks
  • Patent number: 6574923
    Abstract: An arrangement for a grandstand having a series of sections, each section having a pair of sloping joists each provided with a number of vertical seating beam pillars and a number of walkways between the joists. Fastening and securing devices are provided at an upper part of each seating beam pillar. The fastening devices are provided with first locking devices capable of receiving second locking devices provided at the ends of seating beams intended to be mounted between two opposite seating beam pillars on the joists. One of the locking means has a resilient element. The first locking device is provided with a female member and the second locking device is provided with a male member. The resilient element allows connection of the male and female members with one another to lock the members in their connected positions. The resilient element has at least one tongue provided in connection with one of the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Sit Down Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Pär J Johnsson, Lars I Johnsson, Bo Johnsson
  • Patent number: 6571529
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a retaining wall block that is resistant to damage and wear caused by the environment it is placed into. The deterioration resistant block is generally a hollowed frame or shell of a deterioration resistant material that is lightweight and is configured to accept and retain any type of filling material. The filling material provides weight and stability to the retaining wall block and also provides weight, stability and security to a retaining wall constructed of such blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: New Technology Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Alan Knudson, John Fitzgerald Dolan
  • Patent number: 6568140
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a sloped floor includes a plurality of elongate arms disposed in radial array relative to a drain. Each arm has a common height along its extent. The radially innermost end of each arm is positioned near or connected to the drain. In a first embodiment, the radially innermost end of each arm is pivotally connected to an adapter that is connected to a center ring that circumscribes the drain. In a second embodiment, each arm is positioned at an incline by an adapter that rigidly joins the arm to the center ring. In a third embodiment, the arms are of shallow construction and are removed after the concrete has been poured. A mounting strip secured to the shower wall may support the radially outermost end of each arm. In all embodiments, the concrete is worked so that it is flush with the uppermost edge of each elongate arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Mark E. Kirby
  • Patent number: 6564518
    Abstract: A flooring assembly consists essentially of a stable sub-flooring and a flooring applied thereon over a wide area with at least one floor element for insertion into a gap in the flooring at substantially the same level having different properties than the flooring. In order to avoid retroactive work on the sub-flooring, a placement aid is provided for in the form of a casing whose inner contour approximately corresponds to that of the floor element and whose outer contour to that of the gap and whose height corresponds approximately to the thickness of the flooring and which is mounted to the sub-flooring structure in a similar manner as the flooring. The casing has a lid which can be removed, after placement and flush fitting of the flooring to the casing, for insertion of the floor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Coronet-Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Weihrauch
  • Patent number: 6564522
    Abstract: A hidden dual loading spring-type floor board fastening mount structure comprised of a plurality of wooden floor boards, fastening mounts, and lengths of soft padding. Each wooden floor board has a tongue and a groove respectively formed along its long and short sides, with the fastening mount having a first tang and a second tang projecting upward from its top surface that enables engagement to the wooden floor boards. The fastening mount has a T-shaped slide block extending from one side and a T-shaped recess formed in its other side. In the invention herein, since the T-shaped slide block of the fastening mount is inserted into the T-shaped recess of another fastener mount and, furthermore, two in-line stays are postured against the two spring holes of another fastener mount, the two adjacent fastener mounts are interconnected into a flexibly extendible and retractable, tie member-form, floor board fastening mount structure, which effectively facilitates the installation of the wooden floor boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Lee Chiu-Ying
  • Patent number: 6553734
    Abstract: An uncured, thermoset resin sheet is reinforced with oriented fibers and is slit to define a desired length for the fibers. A series of the sheets are cut and stacked to form integrated layers of the composite material for a structural panel. The panel has two outer layers that sandwich two shorter layers on each end, and syntactic or foamed resin layer in between. Each of the composite layers is formed from the same materials and by the same process, but may vary in the directional orientation of their fibers. The uncured panel is assembled into a flexible, substantially flat configuration is heated and formed to the contours of a tool having a undulated surface geometry. The panel is further heated to cure the combined composite and syntactic resins into a series of undulations that permeate each of its layers. In one embodiment, the undulations are in a smooth, sine wave-like pattern that allow the panel to maintain a planar configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Elbert Lee McKague, Jr., David T Uhl