Patents Examined by Jennifer I. Thissell
  • Patent number: 6550200
    Abstract: An assembly to secure a shear assembly and attached building wall to a building foundation in order to resist uplift forces and to transfer vertical weight loads to the foundation. The assembly provides a degree of motion perpendicular to the plane of the wall in order to accommodate misplacement of anchor structures set in the building foundation. The assembly is configured and is attached to anchor structures in such a way as to accommodate a variety of protrusions of the anchor structures from the building foundation. The assembly provides additional convenience of use by being substantially pre-assembled. The assembly is also adapted to interconnect structural members in multi-story buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Lee W. Mueller
  • Patent number: 6550211
    Abstract: The invention concerns a beam structure comprising at least a wing (1, 1′) made of at least a first metal and at least a core (2, 2′) made of at least a second metal, said core being assembled substantially perpendicular to said wing and said core being a sheet material or sheet metal. The invention is characterised in that the first metal has a high or very high yield strength, and associated with a yield strength/tensile strength ratio close to 1, the second metal has a yield strength substantially lower than that of the first metal; the second metal has a yield strength/tensile strength ratio substantially less than 0.9 and less than the value of said ratio exhibited by the first metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Recherche & Developpement du Groupe Cockerill Sambre
    Inventor: Richard Kergen
  • Patent number: 6546691
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of laying and mechanically joining panels, especially floor panels. In a first step a first panel is already located in a first row. A second panel is positioned in a second row in a first position in relation to the first panel. A third panel is now brought into the second row and into the first position in relation to the first panel. In this position, there is a mutual distance between the adjacent edges of the second and third panel. In a second step the second and third panel are angled into the third mutual position in relation to the first panel. Thereby, the second and third panel each achieve the possibility of easy displacement in the third direction in relation to the first panel. In a third step one or both of the second and third panel are moved in relation to the first panel. By this displacement the second and third panel get in a second position in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Kronospan Technical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Christian Leopolder
  • Patent number: 6546690
    Abstract: An especially stable glass module (3) that is resistant to bending stress and releases no shards when shattered. The module can be employed to construct an area of a wall, roof, or ceiling entirely of glass and without frames or fittings of metal or another material. The module (3) consists at least two components (31 and 35) fastened total surface to total surface by cement or laminating adhesive. At least one component is a length of glass L or U structural section. The lengths are preferably of clear or ornamental glass, rolled glass, or reinforced glass, wire-reinforced glass or single-pane safety glass for instance. A wall, roof, or ceiling area composed of such modules will not need auxiliary support and will comply with strict specifications for the safety of anyone under it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Glasfabrik Lamberts GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christoph Lamberts
  • Patent number: 6546688
    Abstract: A roofing shingle includes a substrate layer which is adapted to be secured to a roof of a building. The roofing shingle also includes an insulator layer co-extruded or otherwise secured to the substrate layer. The insulator layer includes a resin film having borosilicate implanted therein. A method of fabricating a roofing shingle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Colbey Lynn Parsons
  • Patent number: 6543198
    Abstract: A space frame (10) has upper chord lower grids (12, 14) of intersecting chords (16, 18). The chords (16, 18) are interconnected by bracing modules (30), the bracing modules (30) being spaced apart from one another in each grid direction. The bracing modules (30) are formed from four bracing members (32), the bracing members (32) being arranged in mutually inclined pairs, the bracing members (32) of each pair extending between upper and lower chords (16, 18) extending in the same grid direction. Each pair of bracing members (32) crosses the other pair of bracing members (32), the point of crossing (34) coinciding or being positioned between each member of the other pair of bracing members (32) and either the upper or lower chord (16, 18) associated with the other pair of bracing members (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Leszek Aleksander Kubik
  • Patent number: 6543188
    Abstract: The present invention provides, in one embodiment, an awning that permits light and air to enter the structure to which the awning is attached, that can be utilized to protect against major storms, and that can pass strict building code standards testing. The awning includes a perimeter framework that is adapted to receive a removable rigid support plate. In an alternate embodiment, the invention provides a shutter that is inexpensive, easy and quick to manufacture, that can provide protection against major storms, and that can pass strict building code standards testing. The shutter includes modular louver sections that have an integral rigid backing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Poma Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Poma, Albert T. Purino
  • Patent number: 6539673
    Abstract: Fireproofing arrangement for an elevator landing door includes a skin plate facing toward the landing and a steel section reinforcement laid in the vertical direction of the door and attached to the skin plate. The surface of the steel section reinforcement on the side facing toward the shaft is provided with a layer of paint which becomes foamy when exposed to heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Ari Ketonen
  • Patent number: 6536179
    Abstract: A blocking anchor (20) allows connection of each end of an engineered or dimensional lumber bridge between first and second parallel joists. Each blocking anchor includes a saddle (22), which cradles the end of the bridge, and a pair of fastening flanges, which allow attachment to the side of the joist. The saddle is formed by a base (30), from which first and second legs (40), (50) extend. The saddle is sized to fit over the end of dimensional lumber or engineered beams. The first and second fastening flanges (60), (70) extend from opposed sides of the base, perpendicular to the legs. Fastener holes defined in each leg and in the fastening flanges allow the use of screws, possibly nails, or other fasteners to attach the legs to the bridge and the fastening flanges to the joist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: John M. Little
  • Patent number: 6530180
    Abstract: The present invention provides devices for positioning frame members for fabricating a wood frame. Each device includes an elongated flexible member and wood blocks that are removably attached to the flexible member. The length of the wood blocks equals the required distance between the frame members. The blocks are separated by slots wherein the frame members are snugly fitted in order to properly position the frame members for fabricating a wood frame structure. The wood blocks can be removed from the device for subsequent use in frame structures, thus reducing lumber waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventors: Ben C. Edmondson, James K. Edmondson
  • Patent number: 6530185
    Abstract: The invention relates to a buck for forming and framing the perimeter of an opening in an insulated concrete form wall. The buck is formed of insulating material compatible with the concrete form, such as plastic, and forms a friction fit with supporting portions of the form wall to provide a seal therebetween. The buck may have a portion for receiving fasteners to secure a component mounted on the buck, thus facilitating the attachment of components to the buck within the wall opening, and reducing or completely eliminating the need for fasteners to penetrate hardened concrete. The buck may also include a separate portion, preferably integrated with the fastening portion, that provides for increased thermal insulation. The buck may also include anchoring fins around which the poured concrete may harden to securely attach the buck to the wall and enhance the seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Arxx Building Products, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Richie Scott, Jan H. Mensen
  • Patent number: 6526714
    Abstract: A building panel constructed of a gypsum-cement-catalyst formulation molded in layers and including a rigid stud framework. The layers include surface layers, a fire resistant layer and an insulating layer, as well as reinforcement and building paper. A modified panel is molded in layers with structural strength provided by a grid providing spaced apart wire panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Earth Products Limited
    Inventors: Patricia Billings, Susan Michalski
  • Patent number: 6516571
    Abstract: A screen apparatus includes a perimeter frame with a notch and arcuate foot in one of the bottom corners that are adapted to receive a raised floor device, such as a raised power outlet. A covering covers the frame but the notch is not covered. The covering is preferably a light-passing translucent sheet of performance fabric which is adapted to pass light sufficient for a viewer to see a person behind the screen, but which scatters and blocks sufficient light to provide privacy by hiding details of the person's work from the viewer. The screen apparatus also includes bowed frame members extending horizontally between some of the outer frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Overthun, George J. Simons, Jr., Thomas B. Eich, James N. Ludwig, David M. Gresham
  • Patent number: 6513299
    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: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Armand A. Damiano
  • Patent number: 6502802
    Abstract: A corner form assembly for forming inside corners of concrete structures. A pair of double bias form components, each of which has an acute angle between a side rail and the face sheet are arranged with the side rails in contact engagement to form a form assembly with an inside angle equal to twice the acute angle of the side rails. A reverse bias coupler is used to join the double bias form components with conventional wall form panels having 90° end rails. The corner assembly acts to release the forces imposed on the components by the poured concrete upon disassembly and so allows the components to be readily stripped from the poured wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Wilian Holding Company
    Inventors: Larry Jorn, Robert McCracken
  • Patent number: 6497075
    Abstract: A freestanding framework having a plurality of generally vertically disposed support columns supporting a plurality of generally horizontally disposed overhead beams. The overhead beams include a portion that provides a raceway for the delivery of an electrical conduit. One or more barrier members are connected with framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Herman Miller Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P. Schreiner, Travis M. Randolph
  • Patent number: 6494015
    Abstract: A tool used to install pickets on the railing of a deck. The railing of a deck comprises two horizontal support members and a plurality of pickets. The device has a rearward surface that is adapted to engage a picket or support post. There are two indicating locations on the tool that correspond to the correct location of a second picket to be installed. Indicating marks are made on a horizontal support member and the second picket is placed in between the indicating marks and attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Inventor: Bill S. Critchlow
  • Patent number: 6494013
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a building construction system, the components thereof, and method therefore. More specifically, the present invention relates to a building construction system that utilizes specifically designed component parts that fit together, such as by male/female connections, and are permanently attached through the use of an adhesive, or bonding glue, to create an extra strong and uniformly tight structure. If effect, the end result is equivalent to a one-piece construction since all components are permanently “chemically welded” to each other with all components being made from the same type of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Inventor: Richard W. Winskye
  • Patent number: 6490831
    Abstract: Profile for window and door frames which is formed by an outer metal profile (1, 2), a plastic profile (3, 4), a resin layer (5) and an inner wood fillet (6, 7). The plastic profile (3, 4) is coupled to the metal profile (1, 2) thanks to two plastic wings (8, 9) on the elastic profile engaged in grooves on the metal profile. The plastic profile (3, 4) is engaged to the wood fillet (6, 7) by the resin layer (5) which fills a channel formed by spacing the metal profile apart from the plastic profile by an arm between the two profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Strato S.r.l.
    Inventor: Bruno Candusso
  • Patent number: 6490829
    Abstract: A freestanding framework having a plurality of generally vertically disposed support columns supporting a plurality of generally horizontally disposed overhead beams. The overhead beams include a portion that provides a raceway for the delivery of an electrical conduit, and a lower portion formed as an open-sided rail. One or more barrier members are connected with the open-sided rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Herman Miller Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P. Schreiner, Travis M. Randolph