Patents Examined by Matthew J Smith
  • Patent number: 8312694
    Abstract: A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit has a glass door which, in turn, has a door frame into which a glazing pane has been inserted. The door frame has a plastic jacket peripherally integrally shaped in one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Liebherr-Hausgerate Ochsenhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Hecht, Georg Dorner
  • Patent number: 8291646
    Abstract: A wind power installation comprising a pylon comprising a pylon, a generator supported by the pylon and rotor blades coupled to the generator. The wind power installation further includes a first door to allow entrance into and exit from the interior of the pylon, a first level disposed in the interior of the pylon and directly accessible via the first door, the first level having a lock space including living quarters or sanitary equipment disposed therein. In addition, the wind power installation includes a second door disposed between the lock space and other portions of the interior of the pylon, wherein the second door is moisture-tight, a second level, disposed in the interior of the pylon and accessible via the second door, and a power module including a transformer housed in a moisture-tight container and electrically coupled to the generator, wherein the power module is disposed in the other portions of the interior of the pylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 8272185
    Abstract: The invention is a structural element including an elongate member having a first end and second end and defining a cross-section. The structural element further includes a sensor, secured to the elongate member, for detecting at least one pre-selected indicator. Advantageously, the elongate member is responsive to the pre-selected indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Orava Applied Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Edward Orava
  • Patent number: 8266852
    Abstract: An ornamental filled glass unit (“FGU”) is manufactured by placing a first glass lite in a horizontally supported position and affixing a spacer frame around a periphery of the first surface, providing a space for filling. A first joiner element centered on the first surface, the joiner element having an upward height that slightly exceeds an intended gap between the first lite and a second lite to be placed on the spacer frame. Additional joiner elements may be used, depending upon the area of the first surface. A filler design is built by arranging a plurality of infill elements in the filling space. The second lite is affixed to an adhesive sealant around a top surface of the spacer frame, and to an adhesive on an upwardly-extending surface of each joiner element. The filler design is spatially maintained when the filler space is sealed by the second lite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Diane I. Samuels
  • Patent number: 8269903
    Abstract: A panel drive apparatus that requires no special mechanism inside a device body and that can be easily mounted on the device body. One end of an arm 330 is rotatably joined to a mounting plate 310 that can be mounted on the device. The other end of the arm 330 is rotatably joined to a panel 100. The mounting plate 310 has a fan-shaped fixed gear 320. A panel gear 350, which is a spur gear, is fixed to the panel 100. The arm 330 has an idle gear 340 that is provided between the fixed gear 320 and panel gear 350 so as to be engaged with the respective gears and that can be rotated by a drive mechanism 200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroto Handa, Tetsuya Suzuki, Akira Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8256614
    Abstract: Interconnected and on-site severable deck clips with cooperating installation tool for joining two adjacent decking planks to an underlying support structure. The deck clips are interconnected and on-site severable, are attached to the underlying support structure, and engage the two adjacent decking planks so as to fasten the two adjacent decking planks to the underlying support structure without a need for nails or screws to pass through the two adjacent decking planks. The installation tool is hand-held, removably receives a number of the deck clips, and feeds the deck clips one at a time to fasten to the underlying support structure, and when a deck clip is fastened to the underlying support structure, the deck clip is severed from the other deck clips in the installation tool and a next deck clip is feed by way of the installation tool and attached to the underlying support structure to engage the two adjacent decking planks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Keven R. Wadsworth, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8230647
    Abstract: A door assembly for a refrigerator is provided which includes structure which is easily manufactured. The door assembly for a refrigerator door includes a door frame including a front panel and a flange unit formed on an edge of the front panel as one body therewith, a door liner mounted on the flange unit, and a filler provided within space formed between the door frame and the door liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Suk Hyoun Cho, Jeong Youl Lee
  • Patent number: 8209912
    Abstract: A horticulture light system comprising a housing, glass retention rails, gasket, glass sheet, and threaded fasteners. The housing constructed of no more than three portions of sheet metal, defining an interior space therein and having an open end towards the plants, the housing interior space constructed and arranged for containing a grow lamp and reflector to project a pattern of light out the open end of the housing at the plants, the open end including a rectangular sealing face for mating with the gasket, the gasket sealing the glass surface to the rectangular sealing face when compressed by the glass retention rails. The glass retention rails also constructed from sheet metal, easily formed into a L shape, attached by common threaded screws, and as tightened, compressively secure the glass to the gasket and housing. Loosening the threaded screws removes the compressive force, unsealing the glass from the housing, making for easy glass removal, facilitating maintenance and cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Hargreaves, Darrin McDonald
  • Patent number: 8186130
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for installing an elevator, in which method the guide rails of the car are installed by fixing the guide rail sections into position from the bottom upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Gert Van Der Meijden, Jos Van Den Heuvel
  • Patent number: 8186125
    Abstract: A is provided for constructing a jump pit with a sand area. The form is constructed in sections. Each section has an inside wall and an outside wall. A support member is located between the outside wall and the inside wall. The sections are secured together onsite. Caps are mounted on the support members. The caps include an inclined surface which slops upwardly and away from the sand area forming the inclined surface. A cover over the sand area is supported by the inclined surface. Optionally, a chamber is located adjacent the outside wall. A grate covers the chamber and the grate is supported by a brace. A mat covers the grate. Openings in the grate and in the mat permit sand through them, thrown from the sand area to drop into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Sportsfield Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Burt Goulet
  • Patent number: 8171679
    Abstract: An unitized curtain wall unit houses energy conversion devices (such as photovoltaic modules), and includes integrated wiring conduits for routing signal and power cables within a building façade or exterior shell structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Architectural Glass and Aluminum Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Brescia, Mark Tofflemire
  • Patent number: 8171680
    Abstract: A power generating system is manufactured, integrated and operated within an exterior shell or façade of a building structure. The system components—energy generating devices (which can be photovoltaic), control units and associated power/signal wiring are incorporated and operated within individual unitized curtain wall units making up the façade including both in vision and spandrel areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Architectural Glass and Aluminum Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe Brescia
  • Patent number: 8166710
    Abstract: A system and method is described generally for providing a high altitude conduit the high altitude conduit includes a first material layer forming an elongated duct. The high altitude conduit also includes a second material layer outside the first material layer. The second material layer defines a space between the second material layer and the first material layer. A gas has a density that is less dense than that of the atmosphere outside of the second material layer. The gas is disposed in the space between the first and the second layer. An introducer is configured to provide the gas into the space between the first material layer and the second material layer. The gas causes the conduit to extend in an approximately upright orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Roderick A. Hyde, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8168703
    Abstract: Membrane body (1) comprising at least one pair of panels (10, 11) connected together in an adhesive manner and for each pair of said panels (10, 11), at least one flexible sheath (15) arranged stably according to a set pattern to resist membrane stress acting on the panels (10, 11); each sheath (15) housing a respective tie rod (16), connected to the panels (10, 11) in an end position in a set manner in such a way as to be suitable for resisting normal stress to free the panels (10, 11) from the respective membrane stress, thereby maintaining the group of the panels (10, 11) flexible and maintaining the corresponding production method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Veleria Marco Holm S.R.L.
    Inventors: PierCarlo Molta, Enrico Grassi
  • Patent number: 8156698
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for window blast protection. The system includes a first material, which is either elastomeric or non-elastomeric, which is bonded to a second material, which is elastomeric when the first material is non-elastomeric, and is non-elastomeric when the first material is elastomeric. The system also includes a cover for protecting the materials, where the cover releases the materials in response to the pressure impact of an explosive blast. The second material is anchored to the inside of the cover. When the system is in use, the system further includes a bonding agent for bonding the first material to a film attached to the inner surface of the window and an anchoring means for anchoring the outside of the cover to a frame or wall surrounding the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: James D. Colton, Gary R. Greenfield, Paul Zuanich
  • Patent number: 8096087
    Abstract: A support assembly connectable to a base structure preferably disposed in an attic or other like location of a house, dwelling, and/or other building to provide or facilitate storage and or standing, walking, or crawling thereon. The support assembly comprising at least one or a plurality of mounting devices and at least one overlying member having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein the lower surface is removably connectable to the mounting devices. The mounting devices comprising an upper portion and an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism being removably connectable to the base structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Andrew Wainland
  • Patent number: 8091292
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing improved egress and greater safety for subterranean window wells. The apparatus has relatively low lifting force to allow people to escape fires and earthquake damaged buildings through egress windows. The apparatus can include mounts which are U-shaped and fit over opposing sides of the window well wall and are connected thereto. The mounts may have pivots which connect to an operator that applies upward force upon a grate assembly that covers the window well. The mounts and grate are hinged to pivot and allow the grate to be opened when needed. The operator has swivel and ball connections and an adjustable outboard connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Stephan J. Jalbert
  • Patent number: 8083175
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a loading fitting includes at least one of an I, a T, and a J shaped cross-section having a flange attached to at least one supporting structure. In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for attaching a loading fitting to at least one supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Stark, Gerfried R. Achtner
  • Patent number: 8074407
    Abstract: A floor profile arrangement is provided, in particular for bridging a joint between adjacent floor coverings, with a base profile, a covering profile with at least one sideways projecting covering wing, and a web arrangement as a connection between the base profile and the covering profile, and with an articulation arrangement, the articulation arrangement consisting of an articular cavity disposed on the base profile or the covering profile and an articulation element formed on the lower or on the upper edge of the pivoting web arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Herm. Friedr. Künne GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Frank Sondermann
  • Patent number: 8065839
    Abstract: A moisture management system for use in construction of buildings, particularly for partially covering the framework of a rough opening in a structure. The system has a body having a plurality of pathways to facilitate fluid between the system and any fixture installed adjacent to the system. The pathways allow fluid, especially water, to flow away from the installation surfaces and down along the exterior of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Marvin Lumber and Cedar Company
    Inventor: Kelly Conlin