Patents Examined by John E. Murtagh
  • Patent number: 5003701
    Abstract: A masonry clip used to align successive courses of bricks when laying an internal wall comprising an extension attached to form a right angle to a retainer leg with a slot cut into the extension to permit the visual alignment of the clip tied to a guide line on predetermined marks on expendable furring strips set in place behind the wall being laid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventors: Robert J. Hughes, Robert C. Williams
  • Patent number: 5001875
    Abstract: A prefabricated roof structure for bay or bow type window assembly. The roof structure includes a cap of unitary construction which covers a rigid infrastructure or frame. The frame is provided with a support ledge which forms an acute angle with the frame body, and a support beam is provided beneath the ledge to form a shoulder which abuts and engages a window frame for securing the frame thereto. A tensioning element such as a support bar, guy wire or cable may be provided to securely anchor the roof structure and window assembly to the wall of a building on which the window assembly is to be installed. The roof structure may be inverted to for a bottom support and cover to securely fasten the window assembly to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Inventor: Vincent Cacioppo
  • Patent number: 5001881
    Abstract: A sheet steel cladding roof assembly comprised of a series of side-by-side sheet steel roofing panels of shallow U-shaped cross-section and joined together along their adjacent upstanding side walls by folded over standing seam joints is secured to the roof substrate continuously along each of the standing seam joints by a two-part continuously extending cleat arrangement comprising an anchor member fixedly secured to the roof substrate underneath one of the jointed roof panels and a slide member clamped in the standing seam joint and having a longitudinal upstanding sliding lap seam expansion connection with the anchor member permitting longitudinal sliding movement of the slide member and its associated roofing panels relative to the anchor member to accommodate thermal longitudinal expansion and contraction of the elongated jointed roofing panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: The Louis Berkman Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Boyd
  • Patent number: 4998393
    Abstract: Improvements in the construction of buildings is described using prefabricated panels provided with insulation material arranged in pairs. Couplying structure secures the panels to a base and to other panels. Concrete fills the hollow space between the pair of panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Inventor: Juan A. M. Baena
  • Patent number: 4998397
    Abstract: An alignment and lateral support member for use in laying common concrete blocks. The support member comprises an elongate body piece of rigid material having a length which is greater than the width of concrete blocks with which the support member is to be used. A first appendage extends from a first face of the body piece. The first appendage has a stop surface extending substantially perpendicular to the first face of the body piece, with the stop surface of the first appendage being positioned a distance from the first end of the body piece so that when the stop surface of the first appendage engages an outer surface of the sidewall of a first concrete block, with the first face of the body piece lying adjacent to the first block, the body piece spans from one sidewall of the first block to the other sidewall of the first block. A second appendage extends from a second face of the body piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Inventor: Michael V. Orton
  • Patent number: 4998390
    Abstract: There is described a supporting strip for retaining the edge of a plasterboard panel (6) adjacent a wall of a building. The strip (16) comprises a first flange (16b, 31) attachable to the wall as by nailing, a second flange (16a, 30) extending horizontally from the upper edge of the first, and locating member (16c, 33) extending from the first flange at a distance below the second flange to engage the underside of the plasterboard panel and support its edge. The locating member may be a solid flange (16c), or may be a series of bendable portions (33) of the first flange (31) which are deformed out of the plane of the first flange about substantially vertical axes (BB).An insulation-receiving channel section (17, 20) may be formed integrally with or joined to the supporting strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Thermabate Limited
    Inventors: John E. S. Glover, Timothy N. Glover
  • Patent number: 4996806
    Abstract: A lead element is provided for use with an earth anchor including an elongated rod and an anchor member having a longitudinal hub provided with first and second axial ends and presenting a bore extending axially therethrough, and an outwardly extending load-bearing element affixed to the hub. The lead element includes a first end portion adapted to extend into the bore of the hub to connect with the elongated rod, and a ground-engaging end portion disposed remote from the first end portion and including an offset tip for penetrating earth contacted by the lead element. A radially extending flange is disposed intermediate the first end portion and the ground-engaging end portion, the flange being adapted to engage the hub of the anchor member and including at least one radially extending protuberance constructed to break earth which comes into contact therewith and to move the broken earth toward the load-bearing element of the hub during installation of the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: A. B. Chance Company
    Inventor: Gerard J. Platz
  • Patent number: 4997316
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing a retaining wall includes a first course having a pair of elongated beams positioned generally end-to-end on the ground, a deadman positioned between the adjacent ends of the beams and extending rearwardly therefrom, and a spacer block positioned on the ground rearwardly of an intermediate portion of one of the elongated beams. A second course is fastened on top of the first course and includes a third beam having each end fastened to the two elongated beams of the first course, and a deadman having its forward end fastened to one beam and the rearward end fastened to the spacer block so as to support the deadman during back filling of dirt against the retaining wall. Preferably, the spacer block, deadmen and beams all have the same cross-sectional width, and each component has a longitudinal length equal to a multiple of the cross-sectional width, so as to form a modular building component system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventor: George P. Rose
  • Patent number: 4996817
    Abstract: A watertight, durable, and attractive edge construction for furniture is provided that is especially designed for ease of installation while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the furniture edge. The edge construction hereof provides for the snapable insertion of a side molding into the exposed sidewall of a furniture panel, and, through the provisions of designed-in recesses, allows for the expansion of the furniture and side molding material and for the dispersion of the bonding medium used to bond the panel and molding together. The invention is particularly adaptable for use in the construction of countertops or other furniture made from sheets of synthetic resin laminate bonded to support decking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventor: Thomas J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4996809
    Abstract: Structural glazing systems for skylights which are designed to facilitate installation, maintenance and replacement of skylight panels from inside a host structure. The internal fastening apparatus of the structural glazing systems include multiple, open-chamber carrier beams which are interconnected in a lattice or grid configuration and include upward-standing glazing strip supports shaped to receive a pair of parallel, spaced bottom glazing strips for accommodating the bottom edges of separate glass or plastic skylight panels. Companion exterior glazing caps each carry a pair of spaced top glazing strips for seating on the top edges of the skylight panels. The exterior glazing caps are shaped to facilitate bolting to the carrier beams and securing the glass or plastic skylight panels in position between the top and bottom glazing strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventor: Philip W. Beard
  • Patent number: 4993206
    Abstract: Interfitting modular construction units include alternating plateaus and recesses which interfit with one another to form walls without mortar. Drainage grooves are defined in the units, bevels are provided on the perimeter of the front and back to give a brickface appearance to the wall, and shear notches are defined just behind the front and back, and the units are devoid of surfaces facing toward one side. Special corner units are provided, along with cap units having transverse bores. Retaining walls and fence walls employing the units at integral footings defined by the units and drainage passages defined by cooperating drainage grooves. Piers can be provided to permit the construction of higher walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: National Concrete Masonry Association
    Inventor: Jorge Pardo
  • Patent number: 4993764
    Abstract: Door jamb lock side apparatus and door jamb header apparatus. The lock side apparatus comprises a metal jamb member connected to a wooden lock side member substantially flush therewith. The jamb member has a protruding portion which extends into a channel in the lock side member. A passage through the jamb member and a passage through the lock side member are aligned and adapted to receive the throw of a door lock. The header apparatus comprises a metal jamb piece connected to a wooden header member substantially flush therewith. The jamb member has a protruding portion which extends into a channel in the header member. The header apparatus may be used with double doors. A method of securing a door jamb is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Rodney K. Barker
  • Patent number: 4991372
    Abstract: According to the invention, reinforcement bars (1; 11; 21; 22) which are usually welded, are assembled by means of clips (30) which are elastically clipped in position at the nodes formed by the bars (2, 12, 21).These clips also perform a spacing function when the reinforcements are placed in position in the moulds employed for manufacturing reinforced concrete products.Application in particular in the manufacture of reinforced concrete ties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Sonneville International Corporation
    Inventor: Roger P. Sonneville
  • Patent number: 4991367
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are used for reinforcing a wooden utility pole. A plurality of longitudinal braces are spaced circumferentially around the pole in a deteriorated area. The braces are connected together with links. The widths of the links increase in a downward direction so that the brace assembly will match the taper of the pole. After the brace assembly has been assembled, the assembly is moved downward on the pole to wedge it tightly against the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Inventor: Henry J. McGinnis
  • Patent number: 4989387
    Abstract: Main runner members and cross members having an inverted T-shaped configuration characterized by an outer edge of the flanges being bent upwardly at an angle to form a bevelled edge to give the flanges an appearance of being substantially thicker than the material used to form the flange. The cross members include a connecting element, preferably formed as a separate element, having spacer bumps, and a U-shaped tab extending from one surface, the U-shaped tab forming a first abutment and a portion of the element is cut and deformed out of the plane of the element on an opposite surface to form a second abutment surface to coact with the first abutment surface of an adjacent connecting element to hold the two aligned cross members in a slot of a main runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Chicago Metallic Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald W. Vukmanic, John S. Borucki, Chester A. Stanley, James J. Dunn
  • Patent number: 4989380
    Abstract: A silo for pulverulent and other loose materials has outer silo walls, a lower circular silo base, a conical cover in the center of the lower circular silo base, and an upper intermediate circular silo base arranged between the outer silo wall and the conical cover and above the lower circular silo base. An annular space is formed between the upper and lower silo bases to act as a collecting chamber for receiving loosened material from the silo upper storage area and collecting and feeding the lossened material to discharge outlets in the lower silo base. The loose material passes via radially directed slots formed in the intermediate silo base from the upper silo area into the collecting chamber. The slots are adustable and pneumatic mechanisms are located adjacent the slots for fluidizing and ensuring proper mass flow of the materials from the upper silo area into the collecting chamber. Outlets are located in the lower silo base for discharge of loosened material held in the outlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Ibau Hamburg Ingenieurgeselllschaft Industriebau mbH
    Inventor: Werner Krauss
  • Patent number: 4987714
    Abstract: A method of installing a roofing fastener including a screw and a stress plate into a multilayered roofing structure involves bonding the outer surface of the screw to the inner surface of the plate. Such a bond may be formed by spin welding as the screw is installed in the roofing structure. The fastener is thereby installed and bonded in the same operation. A fastener assembly useful in the foregoing method includes a screw and plate having welding surfaces made of a thermoplastic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Inventor: Stuart H. Lemke
  • Patent number: 4987709
    Abstract: A frame construction suitable for sash and frame constructions, including incorporation as a heavy duty construction for a rolling or sliding (patio) door, is provided with corner reinforcement and securement members to hold bevelled frame members in mutually secured relation. The preferred extruded frame section, being generally of aluminum, has an enclosed rectangular or other hollow, shaped profile between the opposed side flange members of the section. A symmetrical shaped metal angle piece or pieces is driven within the hollow core portion of the two hollow profile sections being joined. The angle pieces have resilient, reversed end portions with sharp edged terminations, that slide freely on being entered within a respective section, due to the resilience of the angle pieces, but lock into engaged relation on attempted withdrawal, due to the reversed attitude of the resilient end portions and their associated sharp edges, to secure the sections against disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Repla Limited
    Inventor: Carlo G. Bucci
  • Patent number: 4986045
    Abstract: A cellular raceway constructed of roll formed pieces all welded together including a base member, an upper member, and a barrier. The base member has a center section and outboard sections with ribs respectively connecting the center section to the outboard sections. The upper member has a center section disposed over the base center section, outboard sections respectively disposed over the base outboard sections together with outboard walls extending toward and welded to the base outboard sections. The barrier may comprise angle pieces or a hat-shaped piece. The barrier provides electrical separation for the forming of power and communication cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Butler Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Charles N. Domigan, J. David Harmon
  • Patent number: 4986052
    Abstract: Prefabricated metal truss units have depending set wedges and lateral notches to rapidly center them and snap them into predetermined positions over underlying substructure made up of prefabricated metal wall panels having U-shaped channel truss locks along their upper surfaces. Diagonal members centnrally pivoted to the king posts of prefabricated roof truss units have angularly oriented plumb lock elements that interconnect with king posts of adjacent units to quickly establish vertical plumbing. The tail ends of top chords are provided with soffit framework for rapid soffit plate and fascia attachment. The upper surfaces of top chords are marked to locate the first run of roof sheathing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Inventor: Thomas E. Nelson