Patents Examined by Paola Agudelo
  • Patent number: 12199549
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solar cell module installation structure and a house that can reduce manufacturing cost and have good workability as compared with the related art. A support member includes a rail part that extends substantially in a vertical direction and is longer than a length of the solar cell module. The solar cell module includes: a solar cell panel; and a frame member. The solar cell panel includes: a main body panel; a terminal box provided on a back surface of the main body panel; and a wiring part extending from the terminal box. The frame member includes: a holding recess; and a mounting part. The holding recess sandwiches a part of the main body panel and is in contact with a light receiving surface and the back surface of the main body panel. The mounting part is provided on a back surface of the main body panel and is attached to the rail part of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignees: SEKISUI HOUSE, LTD., KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuro Fujiie, Hiroshi Onomura, Naotaka Tani, Takahiro Kokubo, Hideki Oe
  • Patent number: 12195988
    Abstract: A staircase area at which a staircase is installed across a first floor and a second floor is provided in a building. A part of the staircase area is a non-installation space in which a staircase is not installed, and a lifting space through which a transport robot moves up and down between the first floor and the second floor is provided using the non-installation space. The lifting space and a staircase hall having a spandrel wall there between are adjacent to each other the second floor. An opening through which the transport robot moves between the lifting space and the staircase hall is provided in the spandrel wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nami Muramatsu, Kunihiro Iwamoto, Yuta Itozawa, Hirotaka Komura
  • Patent number: 12188256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of construction engineering, and specifically to configurations and close-fitting joints for a second-order scissor damper and an assembly method for the same. There six parts in total, including first hinge joints, a first-order shuttle-shaped linkage mechanical component, second hinge joints, a second-order shuttle-shaped linkage mechanical component, third hinge joints, and a viscous damper; the second-order shuttle-shaped linkage mechanical component includes four small connecting rods of equal length and it is formed by hinging them together. The device of the present invention can constrain the joints, release the bending constraints on the ends of the rods, and enable a significant increase in the stroke amplification of the conventional scissor damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Tongji University
    Inventors: Yang Xiang, Lisha Liao, Guo-Qiang Li, Kui-Yuan Xu, Yi-Qiong Cui
  • Patent number: 12188223
    Abstract: An end seal member, which includes a contacting surface including a drainage cavity along the contacting surface. The end seal member also includes a seal material body including a central body protrusion projecting in a horizontal direction substantially orthogonal to the seal material body from an opposite face of the contacting surface. The end seal member also includes a first and second extending elements extending upward from the seal material body and a reinforcing metal plate within the seal material body. The contacting surface is substantially flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Permasteelisa North America Corp.
    Inventors: Michele Marzotto, Derick Jason Koprek
  • Patent number: 12179048
    Abstract: The presently claimed invention relates to a fire barrier, a method for installing the same, an expansion joint system and a fire barrier assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: John Sobol, Gary Moore, Neil Jesse Hamilton, Paul Pumm, Greg Ross
  • Patent number: 12178192
    Abstract: A system and method for providing small animal veterinary care is provided. The system and method includes providing an enclosed garage adjacent to a veterinary exam room and the garage includes entry and exit garage doors at opposite ends of the garage. A vehicle holding a small animal is received into the garage through the entry garage door. Without going outside the small animal receives veterinary care, such as outpatient veterinary care, which may occur in the adjacent exam room. Following the provision of care, the vehicle exits the garage through the exit garage door. The garage and the veterinary exam room are located under a common roof, such that the small animal is able to be moved from the vehicle directly into the exam room without going outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Innovative Veterinary Practices LLC
    Inventor: Marthina Lee Greer
  • Patent number: 12180730
    Abstract: Hybrid buildings, hybrid building systems and methods of constructing hybrid buildings are disclosed. First and second building sections forming part of such buildings are also disclosed. One such hybrid residential building (1600) comprises a first building section (1610) and a second building section (1620). The first building section is an on-site construction at a final location for the building and comprises a lower storey (1611) defining an internal volume (1613) that provides a lower living space (1615) within the building, and an upper storey (1617) defining an internal volume (1619) that provides an upper living space (1621) within the building. The second building section defines an internal volume (1623) and is transportable to the final location in a substantially assembled form. The first and second building sections are connected at the final location to form the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: SANO DEVELOPMENT LIMITED
    Inventors: David Lee Jones, Edward Ross Shenton, Anthony Robert Cherry
  • Patent number: 12180696
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for providing resistance to soft story collapse in a multi-story structure. Such systems and methods includes providing a multi-story structure having a first floor and one or more upper floors, wherein a structural of the first floor is less than 70% of a structural stiffness of the one or more upper floors, and decreasing the structural stiffness of the one or more upper floors to be less than or substantially equal to the structural stiffness of the first floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: The Steel Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Hamed M. M. Salem, Edward R. diGirolamo
  • Patent number: 12173512
    Abstract: A two zone siding for a wall of a building including an elongated panel including a front face and a back face separated from each other by a thickness of the elongated panel, the front face being covered by a face coating defining a first zone. The thickness of the elongated panel forming an exposed edge, the exposed edge being covered by an edge coating defining a second zone. The first zone having at least one or two CIELAB values, with one of the CIELAB values covering more surface area of the first zone than any other of the other CIELAB values covering the first zone. The second zone having a third CIELAB value, wherein the third CIELAB value is different than at least one of the CIELAB values covering more surface area of the first zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Inventor: Gaylen Haas
  • Patent number: 12168866
    Abstract: A beam coupler adapted to couple two beams mounted side by side. One coupler comprises a central plate mounted to the first beam, comprising two central-plate side faces in the coupling orientation; and a longitudinal oblong hole providing a passage connecting the two side faces. The coupler also comprises a pair of side plates mounted to the second beam, each comprising an interior face to neighbor the central plate; an exterior face; and a circular side-plate hole providing a passage connecting the interior face with the exterior face. The coupler further comprises compression means applying an inward preload over the plates, comprising a body extending between the exterior faces through the circular and oblong holes. The oblong holes allow displacement of the body of the compression means therein in the longitudinal direction upon a displacement of the plates resulting from a deflection of the beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: QUAKETEK INC.
    Inventor: Richard Frazao
  • Patent number: 12163337
    Abstract: A cladding support device comprises a folded sheet metal body. The folded sheet method body includes a base wall, a top wall portion protruding out relative to the base wall, a side wall protruding from the base wall and having an upper edge adjacent the top wall portion; and a clamp on the top wall portion, the clamp including a substantially planar body with side edges extending between a coupled end to which the clamp is coupled to the sheet metal body and an outboard end and the clamp being positioned on the top wall with one side edge extending along the upper edge of the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: 1947742 ALBERTA LTD.
    Inventors: Tyler Weisgerber, Trevor Kent
  • Patent number: 12152431
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a foundation window assembly comprising a window frame comprising a plurality of frame members, and at least one casing connector arranged on at least one of said plurality of frame members; and a window casing comprising a plurality of casing members defining together a frame-receiving opening, wherein at least one of said plurality of casing members defines a frame-abutting shoulder at least partially delimited by a casing flange portion and a frame-engaging portion. A frame-engaging recess is formed in the frame-engaging portion, the frame-engaging recess at least partially circumscribing the frame-receiving opening, the casing connector being removably engageable into the frame-engaging recess when the window frame is inserted into the frame-receiving opening. The present disclosure also concerns a method for installing a foundation window frame into a foundation wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: FENÊTRE FORM-TECH INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Crochetière, Richard Rockwell, Luc Lètourneau
  • Patent number: 12152433
    Abstract: A fenestration unit includes a fenestration frame with a first frame member, and a sash including a sash frame to support a glazing unit. The fenestration unit includes a channel defined in one of the first frame member and the sash frame that extends along a first axis. The fenestration unit includes a retainer base associated with the other of the first frame member and the sash frame that extends along the first axis. The fenestration unit includes a retainer removably coupled to the first frame member and the sash frame to removably retain the sash frame on the fenestration frame. The retainer has a first retainer arm, a second retainer arm and a third retainer arm. The third retainer arm is movably coupled to the channel and the first retainer arm is movably coupled to the retainer base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Inventors: Kyle David Hales, Shane Michael Meyer
  • Patent number: 12152405
    Abstract: An elevating-type shelter door enables operators to easily open and close in a short period of time, is highly water-tight, and has an excellent durability. A shelter door opens and closes an opening portion when a door body ascends and descends along a guide rail by means of an elevating device. The opening portion is provided on a ceiling of a shelter body. The shelter body is defines an interior space which serves as an evacuation space in an underground. A main body has a central convex portion which slidably fits to the opening portion along an inclination direction in which both the opening portion and the guide rail inclines. An elevating stand is slidably fixed to move along a rest column. The elevating stand is located above the opening portion when the door body is fully ascended and located in the interior space when the opening portion is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: SHELTER JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akihiko Yano
  • Patent number: 12146327
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-cracking assembly structure for door and window corner wall and anti-cracking component thereof. The anti-cracking components of the anti-cracking assembly structure for door and window corner wall has a plurality of protruding ribs and grooves formed at intervals on a surface thereof. The protruding ribs and grooves are arc-shaped and arranged in parallel to each other. When the reinforced concrete wall is subjected to an external force and stress is generated at the corner of the door and window frames, the stress can be guided along the arc-shaped protruding ribs and arc-shaped grooves on the surface of anti-cracking component to change the transmission direction of the force at the stress end, so as to transmit and disperse the stress to the peripheral side more quickly. Accordingly, it can more effectively prevent the occurrence of 45-degree shear cracks at the corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Cheng Lin, Chuan-Hsuan Lin
  • Patent number: 12146316
    Abstract: An expansion joint cover for insertion in an expansion gap comprising a first frame section for attachment to a substrate at one side of the expansion gap, the first frame section having a flat surface; a second frame section for attachment to a substrate at an opposite side of the expansion gap, the second frame section having a first connector; a centre section configured to span the expansion gap and slide on the flat surface of the first frame section, the centre section having a second connector; and a linkage section configured to engage with the first and second connectors to connect the centre section to the second frame section, wherein the linkage section can pivot within the first and second connectors to allow movement of the centre section with respect to the second frame section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Inventors: Seamus Devlin, Tracey Devlin
  • Patent number: 12146324
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solar cell module installation structure that can be installed on a wall surface of a building, and provides a house and a solar cell module. A support member has a support surface that spreads out substantially in a vertical direction. A locking piece of the support member has: a locking part that faces the support surface at an interval and extends upward; and a connection part that connect the locking part and the support surface. A frame member of the solar cell module has: a holding recess that sandwiches a part of a main body panel of the solar cell module and is in contact with a light receiving surface and a back surface of the main body panel; and a mounting part that is provided on a back surface side of the main body panel, has higher rigidity than the main body panel, has a length longer than or equal to ½ of one side of the main body panel, and extends in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignees: SEKISUI HOUSE, LTD., KANEKA CORPORATION, DAYDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naotaka Tani, Mitsuro Fujiie, Hiroshi Onomura, Takahiro Kokubo, Hideki Oe, Keigo Yamamura
  • Patent number: 12139906
    Abstract: A dual channel drainage seal for enclosing a joint between a slab and a foundation sidewall of a subterranean area. The drainage seal includes and lower channel and an upper channel stacked over the lower channel. The lower channel is affixed on top of the slab and against the sidewall to form and enclosed channel for retaining and routing radon and/or water seepage at the joint to a sump pit. The upper channel is open on top and configured to capture and route water seepage from the sidewall above to the sump for discharge, thereby protecting the interior portions of the slab from radon and water damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Dual Seal Drain LLC
    Inventor: Jerome Fokas
  • Patent number: 12133520
    Abstract: A rodent protection insert for a structure opening including a flexible polymer foam sheet having a protective mesh sheet carried on a front side which moves independently of the foam sheet. A securing member maintains a mechanical connection between the flexible polymer foam sheet and the mesh sheet. An airflow port is disposed in the flexible polymer foam sheet that includes a removable plug for controlling airflow through the airflow port. A perimeter edge of the flexible polymer foam sheet compresses against and conforms to interior wall surfaces within a structure opening when mounted to form an airtight seal against the interior wall surfaces and hold the foam sheet in place. The protective mesh sheet engages the interior wall surfaces when the flexible polymer foam sheet is compressed in the structure opening so that the protective mesh sheet stabilizes and supports the flexible polymer foam sheet within the structure opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Your Crawl Space Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Bennie Marshall, III
  • Patent number: 12129642
    Abstract: A railing system coupled to a base comprising: a plurality of first railing supports and a railing. The railing support includes a bracket and at least one rebar configured to couple the bracket with the base. At least a majority of the rebar is disposed substantially horizontally in the concrete base. The railing includes a panel, a plurality of bracket couplers, and a panel coupler configured to couple the panel and the bracket coupler. The bracket coupler is configured to be at least partly inserted in the inner space of the bracket. The panel is oriented vertically next to the concrete base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Inventor: Ron Taybi