Patents Examined by Jessica Laux
  • Patent number: 8166723
    Abstract: Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Unilin Beheer B.V., Besloten Vennootschap
    Inventors: Stefan Simon Gustaaf Moriau, Mark Gaston Maurits Cappelle, Bernard Paul Joseph Thiers
  • Patent number: 8156711
    Abstract: An internal stiffening member of varying configurations in which the stiffening elements support the skin using a compression-only load path is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the stiffening element has a peripheral edge that is adapted to be press fit into contact with the skin. The stiffening member may be held in place by various retention devices. Another configuration is a slip-in rib having a flange with a peripheral channel in which a filler material is disposed. The rib is inserted into an assembled structural box beam, and the filler material is used to fill any gaps between the slip-in rib and the interior surface of the structural box beam. The filler material is preferably an expandable material, such as an expandable foam-type material. However, in situations where a slip-in rib forms a primary structural rib, the filler material is preferably a structural adhesive or liquid shim material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: James Donn Hethcock, Rodney H. Jones
  • Patent number: 8156706
    Abstract: A metal truss comprises elongated top chord members connected to each other at their ends. A first elongated bottom chord member is connected at its ends to the top chord members adjacent the free ends of the top chord members. A second elongated bottom chord member is connected at its ends to the top chord members, or directly to the first bottom chord member via spacers, such that the second bottom chord member is spaced below the first bottom chord member. At least one web member is positioned between and interconnecting at least one top chord member and the first bottom chord member. One end of the web member is connected to the at least one top chord member and the other end of the web member is connected to the first bottom chord member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nucon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Moody, Courtney J. Hanson, Hamilton Lott
  • Patent number: 8151536
    Abstract: A finish panel for a vehicle may include a panel substrate, a skin layer disposed over the panel substrate, and a foam layer. The panel substrate may include a base portion, an upper sealing surface and a lower sealing surface. The upper sealing surface and the lower sealing surface may be oriented in a step configuration. The skin layer may include an upper skin and a lower skin joined together to form a seam. The seam may include an overlap seam and at least a portion of the overlap seam may be positioned on the lower sealing surface such that there are no obtrusions in an A-surface of the skin layer. The foam layer may be disposed between the skin layer and the panel substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan-Michael Francis Stachura, Warren Jing-Po Chou, Jonathan Joseph Quijano
  • Patent number: 8151528
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for anchoring a modular or manufactured building. The system includes at least one concrete pad formed in at least one hole in the ground. The building is coupled to and supported on the ground by the at least one concrete pad. Additionally, the system includes at least one ground anchor buried in the at least one hole below the at least one concrete pad. The system further includes a connector having a first end affixed to the ground anchor and a second end embedded within the concrete pad, for resisting an upward force to the building by high winds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Building Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: William C. Masters, William J. Kalker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8146325
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wood composite panel having a major planar portion, at least one panel portion, and an inwardly extending contoured portion surrounding the panel portion and interconnecting the major planar portion and the panel portion. The contoured portion defines an inter-relationship between a vector angle and a deep draw depth that achieve a satisfactory stretch factor. The present invention also relates to a door having the disclosed wood composite door facings, and methods of forming the facing and door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Bei Hong Liang, Jason M. Walsh, Steven K. Lynch, Mark A. Ruggie, Richard D. Trubey, Henry M. Coghlan
  • Patent number: 8136325
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, the foregoing is addressed by providing a combination retaining wall structure and masonry form apparatus comprising a first block having a depending lip with non-linear edge, a second block having an upper surface with a recess presenting an inwardly facing edge, the second block being positioned with respect to a rotational axis through the first block. A zone of contact is located at the intersection of the inwardly facing edge and the outwardly facing edge, providing an area for rotation of the first block about the rotational axis of the second block. The first and second blocks forming a non-linear masonry wall structure having an upright axis, about which plural blocks may be rotated. The depending lip and recess being provided by a masonry form having a first, second, third and fourth sides, the first and second sides being removable for interchangeably configuring the first and second block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventors: David P. Van Lerberg, Darren A. O'Rourke
  • Patent number: 8136323
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a siding system for covering a support surface comprising a panel including a body presenting a plane and having a top edge and a bottom edge. The body has a first locking element presenting a nailing hem and a second locking element for spacing the bottom edge of the body from the support surface. The panel has a spacer interconnecting the first locking element and the body of the panel for spacing the top edge of the body from the support surface such that the plane is substantially parallel to the support surface. Additionally, the siding system includes a second panel substantially similar to the first panel such that the second panel interlocks with the first panel. The cooperation of the spacer and the second locking element results in the alignment of the plane of the first panel with the plane of the second panel such that both planes are substantially parallel to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel W. King
  • Patent number: 8122656
    Abstract: A fire suppression surface system comprises a flat sheet and a plurality of support members. The sheet has fluid channels therethrough. The support members lie on a support surface in a spaced-apart arrangement, and the sheet rests on the support members substantially parallel to and offset vertically above the support surface and defines with the support surface a containment space for receiving fluid spilled on the upper surface of the sheet that flows through the fluid channels. Area of channel upper openings is larger than about twice area of lower openings so as to restrict flow of air into or restrict escape of combustion products from the containment space, thereby suppressing combustion of a flammable fluid spilled on the sheet. A method for suppressing combustion of flammable fluid spilled on the support surface comprises covering the support surface with the sheet supported by the support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Peter D. Poulsen
  • Patent number: 8117802
    Abstract: A structural element for use in forming a structure, that includes first and second longitudinal members that extend between opposite ends of the element. The longitudinal members have inward and outward faces, and a pair of side faces extending between the inward and outward faces. The element includes first and second lateral members that extend between the first and second longitudinal members. The first and second lateral members each have an outer surface. The outer surface of the first lateral member is substantially flush with a side face of each longitudinal member to form a substantially planar surface extending across substantially an entirety of a first side surface of the element. The outer surface of the second lateral member is substantially flush with a side face of each longitudinal member to form a substantially planar surface extending across substantially an entirety of a first side surface of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventors: Dennis R. Kisch, Timothy D. Frohreich
  • Patent number: 8112951
    Abstract: A permanent form assembly and method for creating and forming swimming pool user support structures within a swimming pool includes one or more of a vertical elongated support, one or more of a lateral brace, and a plurality of support structure risers that when assembled create a permanent support structure form having a volume for receiving a filler within the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Roger Gravel
  • Patent number: 8109061
    Abstract: A tower part for a wind turbine includes at least one wall segment and at least one aperture segment including at least one aperture. The wall segment and the aperture segment are connected and the aperture segment is of a substantially uniform thickness and is thicker than the thickness of the wall segment. The tower part further includes an aperture cover system for covering at least one aperture in a tower part for a wind turbine, including cover plates and attachments for attaching the system to the tower part, where the attachments do not affect the fatigue limit of the tower part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Jonas Kristensen
  • Patent number: 8087204
    Abstract: A sealing cap for an anchor of a post-tension anchorage system has a tubular body, a flange formed on an end of the tubular body, and a seal positioned adjacent an interior wall of the tubular body. The flange has a connector formed on a circumferential surface thereof for detachably engaging the flange with a tubular section of the anchor. The seal is positioned against the interior wall of the tubular body. The seal has a tubular shape so as to extend entirely around the interior wall. The seal is positioned in liquid-tight relation between the interior wall of the tubular body and a sheathed portion of a tendon extending from the anchor. The seal is inserted between the sheathed portion and the interior wall of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Felix L. Sorkin
  • Patent number: 8082702
    Abstract: A ground anchor and weight distribution plate assembly includes a ground anchor member and a weight distribution plate member. The weight distribution plate member includes an opening formed therein which is sized and shaped to allow for only partial passage of the ground anchor member there through. During installation, the ground anchor member is partially passed through the opening in the weight distribution plate member and then driven into the ground. Compressive forces are exerted by the weight distribution plate member to compact underlying soil and provide a foundation for construction structures such as decks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: OZ-POST, International LLP
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Patent number: 8079188
    Abstract: A wall system protects a building structure from pressure caused by explosive blasts. The wall system includes vertical studs. Outer blast wall panels and inner blast wall panels are secured to the opposing sides of the vertical studs. An upper mounting system is attached to the building structure. An upper mounting system includes a fixed track, a movable mounting track, and an energy absorbing system that flexibly couples the movable mounting track to the fixed track. The upper ends of the vertical studs are attached to movable mounting track. A lower mounting system includes a mounting track that aligns the lower ends of the vertical studs. A respective attachment clip is attached to a lower portion of vertical stud. Each attachment clip is attached to the building structure with an energy absorption pad that resists vertical and lateral movement of lower end of the respective vertical stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Specialty Hardware L.P.
    Inventors: Allan J. Swartz, Gregory Kulpa, A. Carleton Elliott
  • Patent number: 8079195
    Abstract: A modular block apparatus includes first and second blocks, each block having a generally upwardly protruding locking member and an internal recess sized to receive the locking member of the other block, such that the blocks can be assembled with one block above the other. The blocks are secured together in a vertical direction by relative lateral movement of the locking member and the internal recess. A locking device is provided to prevent relative lateral movement of the locking member and the internal recess so as to retain the blocks in a connected condition. The locking member may be an integral hook, a separate hook, or a cylindrical locking rod. If a hook is used, its orientation relative to the block may be varied. A variety of structures may be built up from the modular blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Raymond Walter Cables
  • Patent number: 8074411
    Abstract: A fabric wall panel includes a number of frame members for attachment to a wall to form a frame. Each frame member has a stationary jaw for attachment to the wall and a movable jaw pivotally attached to the stationary jaw by a flexible and stretchable hinge for rotation between an open position and a close position. Each frame member has an opening lock that locks the movable jaw in the open position to facilitate the insertion of fabric between the movable jaw and the stationary jaw. Each frame member also has one or more closing locks that connect the movable jaw to the stationary jaw to thereby hold the movable jaw in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew Jacob Anderson, Andy W. Anderson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8069627
    Abstract: A door, method of making a door, and stack of doors includes providing a door having front and back skins that have differing, but complementary profiles, one for the front side of the door and one for the back side of the door where each allows and fits onto the other, while still providing direct contact in the stile and rail zones of the door permitting conventional door layup practices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Steven K. Lynch, Robert C. Allen, Greg Wysock
  • Patent number: 8061104
    Abstract: Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system having small local protrusions which reduce displacement along the joint when the panels are laying flat on the sub floor and locked vertically and horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 8051627
    Abstract: A tower adapter is provided, the tower adapter includes a cylindrical portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the adapter, and a first lateral portion extending perpendicularly to the cylindrical portion at a first end thereof and having a plurality of first through-holes. The ratio of a maximum longitudinal extension and a maximum lateral extension of the adapter is smaller than or equal to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joris Schiffer, Kenneth B. Leland