Patents Examined by Richard E. Chilcot, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7882669
    Abstract: A composite concrete shear wall for heat insulation comprises a wall (1) and a link beam (2). The wall (1) is composed of a prefabricated concrete wall for heat insulation (11) and a cast-in-place concrete wall. The prefabricated concrete wall (11) is a concrete panel (5), one surface of which is covered with heat insulation layer (4), and steel members (14) are embedded in the prefabricated concrete wall (11). One end of the steel members is embedded in concrete panels, and the other is projected from the heat insulation layer. The steel members are connected and located along the prefabricated concrete wall to form a framework of steel reinforcement. The prefabricated concrete wall (11) and the cast-in-place concrete wall (12) are cast and folded to be an integral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventors: Ping Qu, Xinfu Chen
  • Patent number: 7882664
    Abstract: Provided herein is a unitary U-shaped cladding component that surrounds three sides of a deck-mounted skylight frame. In one embodiment, the frame includes a pair of longitudinal members, each of which has a locking mechanism (such as a bendable tab or rotatable latch) on its exterior side near one end. The locking mechanism engages a corresponding lock-receiving slot of the side panels of the cladding component. In another embodiment, the cladding component includes a locking mechanism (such as a bendable tab) on the exterior surface of each end. The locking mechanisms engage corresponding apertures in a head flashing member. Skylight including these cladding components are also provided, as are methods of installing such cladding components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventors: Christian Aage Lundsgaard, Charles Joseph Rimsky
  • Patent number: 7882670
    Abstract: A roof ventilation apparatus for a sloped roof having a cap and base plate is provided. The cap has a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has a flange that defines an opening to a cavity formed between the top and bottom cap surface. The cavity provides a path for air exchange from a roof opening through an air passage formed between the flange and cap top. The base plate has a collar or curb surrounding an aperture that fits inside the cap bottom cavity. The base plate preferably is shaped such that when installed on the sloped roof the cap entirely covers the base plate. Preferably, the base plate includes a collar and an angled edge configured to channel moisture that seeps within the vent cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: G. Leonard West
  • Patent number: 7882667
    Abstract: A panel for connection with other panels, comprising a rectilinear base member having outer edges, a first rectilinear side member extending from one edge of the base member, the first side member having a first lip extending from an outward edge of the first side member and away from the base member, the first side member further having a second lip extending from an outward edge of the first lip and toward the base member and at an angle between about zero and 90 degrees with respect to the first lip, and a second rectilinear side member extending in substantially the same direction as the first side member, from an opposite edge of the base member, the second side member having a third lip extending toward the base member. Related structural members, enclosures, posts, spray booths and methods for assembling the same which include similar features are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Noel G. Smith
  • Patent number: 7882671
    Abstract: A multi-layer roofing membrane is provided including a top sheet including a co-extruded cap and inner layer and a bottom sheet. The use of a co-extrusion die allows for multi-layer sheets that reduce the need for expensive fillers in all but a cap layer of the membrane. A scrim reinforcement layer is optionally embedded in the membrane. When installed on a roof substrate, the membrane can be sealed by heat welding the seams of the membrane sheets or by other means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas Bruce, Greg Sharrun, Richard Peng
  • Patent number: 7882661
    Abstract: A board is provided that includes a pattern to facilitate attachment of the board to a frame structure. The pattern comprises a first array of marks disposed along a first imaginary line; a second array of marks disposed along a second imaginary line, said first and second imaginary lines being spaced a first predetermined distance apart; and a third array of marks disposed along a third imaginary line, said first and third imaginary lines being spaced a second predetermined distance apart. The board may be used in a variety of construction applications, where the pattern facilitates the quick attachment of the board to an underlying frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Huber Engineered Woods LLC
    Inventors: Thomas L. Schuman, Katie Shea Gagnon, Robert Stephen Potter, Roger William Latterell
  • Patent number: 7882663
    Abstract: A water runoff deflector for use at a loading dock includes a seal suspended from a wall-mounted frame. A truck can back underneath the deflector so that the seal rests atop the truck's roof. The seal helps prevent water (snow, rain, ice, slush, etc.) on the truck's roof from flowing off the back end of the truck and spilling into the building. The seal helps block any water flowing along the truck's roof toward the doorway of the dock and redirects the flow off to either side of the truck. The deflector can be used in conjunction with or without a conventional dock seal or dock shelter. Unique front and rear bumper designs along with a pivotally yieldable frame make the runoff deflector particularly useful in adapting to trucks of various heights. In some cases, the front bumper includes multiple panels of different rigidity to ensure smooth truck departures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Borgerding
  • Patent number: 7882679
    Abstract: A system and method of manufacture providing reinforced structurally functional load-bearing members, including but not limited to using thermoplastic materials, such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), reinforced such as with an aluminum alloy or carbon fiber core element. Among its possible uses, the present invention has application for provision of structural support members, such as an illustrative I-joist product having a vertical center member preferably comprising HDPE, and top and bottom flanges having structurally meaningful reinforcement. The center member and flanges preferably comprising HDPE provides a relatively hard, durable, substantially weather-resistant structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: TAC Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Barry Carlson, Jason Underhill
  • Patent number: 7877939
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening means for preferably fastening a glass pane (12) in a frame structure made of wood or plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Friedrich Knapp
  • Patent number: 7877955
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fire retardant roof system with a roof deck, a sealant material applied to the roof deck to prevent fluid migration, a polystyrene insulation board upwardly adjacent the sealant material and a sealing material upwardly adjacent the polystyrene material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas L. Kelly
  • Patent number: 7877942
    Abstract: A device for controlling the atmosphere in a space (16) which is partly delimited by at least one glass component (12, 13; 61) and which is separated from the environment (17, 18), with at least one connection between the space and the environment, and with at least one electrically actuatable valve (32, 33; 47, 48) associated with the connection, which valve is connected to an electric control unit (24); the valve (32, 33; 47, 48) is arranged in a connecting passage (34) within a member (15A) delimiting the space (16), namely in the case of an insulating glass assembly (11), a connecting ledge (15) arranged between two glass panes (12, 13) or, in the case of a lamp (60), in a socket (64), and the control unit (24) provided for an automatic actuation of the valve is also arranged in said member (15A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventors: Ivan Tochev, Dimitre Tochev
  • Patent number: 7877958
    Abstract: A spacer and sealant assembly comprising a sealant support member having a planar surface bounded by first and second edges wherein said first and second edges have at least one pleated portion, a plastic shim having at least one undulating portion in contact with said first and second edges of said stretchable sealant support member so that said at least one pleated portion is oriented inward into said at least one undulating portion of said shim, a sealant joined to at least said first and second edges of said sealant support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: TruSeal Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Baratuci, Ronald E. Buchanan, Patrick A. Drda, Louis A. Ferri, Eric W. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7877945
    Abstract: A flashing assembly includes a member extending between a first end and a second end. The flashing member includes a top portion and a flange at an angle to the top portion. The top portion extends from a rear edge to the flange. The top portion includes a mounting surface substantially level from the top portion rear edge toward the flange. The top portion includes at least one channel and at least one cross channel in communication with the channel. In one option, the cross channel is separated from the coupling portion. The channels facilitate trimming of members to desired sizes such that the assembly is used with windows and doors of various sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Marvin Lumber and Cedar Company
    Inventors: Mark D. Eggen, Tim Stoll, Daniel G. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 7877961
    Abstract: A joist comprised of at least one cold-formed steel elongated chord member; a cold-formed steel web having a plurality of web members and means for securing said web to said chord member. A plurality of joists are generally for use in a support system for a platform or a deck in the construction of floors and roofs. The support system is of particular use in a composite floor and roof systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Best Joist Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Richard Strickland, Lei Xu
  • Patent number: 7877948
    Abstract: A fastener system for fixing hardened plates includes a fastener element having a frusto-conical head and a threaded shaft portion, wherein a smallest outer diameter of the frusto-conical head is adjacent the threaded shaft, and a largest outer width of the shaft is smaller than a smallest diameter of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Brian Investments PTY Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian Davies
  • Patent number: 7877954
    Abstract: The invention contemplates constructing a building by making composite walls in a factory using continuous or batch processing equipment. To make the walls, a Fiber Reinforced Coating (FRC) is prepared and then applied to foam core panels on their faces. Preferably, the panels are precut to the required dimensions before coating with openings for doors and windows. The coated panels are then transported to the site and bonded together to form the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Nasser Saebi
  • Patent number: 7877934
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is utilized for mounting a wind turbine and blade assembly on the upper end of a wind turbine tower. The invention generally includes a frame or truss that is pivotally secured to the top bay assembly of the tower. A transverse beam is connected to the frame or truss and extends fore of the tower when the frame or truss is in a first position and generally above the tower when in a second position. When in the first position, a wind turbine or blade assembly can be hoisted to the top of the tower. The wind turbine or blade assembly is then moved into position for mounting to the tower as the frame or truss is pivoted to a second position. When the turbine and blade assembly are secured to the tower, the frame or truss is disconnected from the tower and lowered to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Wind Tower Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Tracy Livingston, Terry Schrader, James Goldhardt, James Lott
  • Patent number: 7877937
    Abstract: A lightweight, high-stiffness structural beam having a web and a chord, which features a cross-sectional geometry featuring a plurality of sides arranged in an asymmetrical, non-closed, convex polygon shape. At least three of the sides of the chord are substantially parallel to one another, and are substantially perpendicular to the web. The beam is easily manufactured using fully-automated fabrication machinery and may serve as the main, flexure-resistant structural component of a sunlight-concentrating photovoltaic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Amonix, Inc.
    Inventor: David Dutra
  • Patent number: 7877949
    Abstract: A laminated shingle simulates a slate roof when placed with other similar shingles on a roof deck. The laminated shingle includes an overlay member and an underlay member fixedly attached to each other such that the lower edges of the overlay and underlay members are generally co-linear with each other. The overlay member includes an upper or headlap portion and a lower or exposed butt portion with one or more generally rectangular-shaped tabs separated by relatively narrow cutouts. In one embodiment, the width of each tab is randomly selected. Preferably, the entire front surface of the underlay member is coated with a layer of relatively dark granules to enhance the slate simulating aspect of the shingle. In another embodiment, the overlay member also includes a layer of relatively dark granules randomly applied to the upper and lower edges of the tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventor: Bert Whitmore Elliott
  • Patent number: 7877957
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed to a method for installing an elevated batten system that includes a horizontal batten strip to which cylindrical-shaped pads are coupled. The pads elevate the horizontal batten strip above the roof deck surface, preventing water and debris from gathering on the roof deck surface and eliminating the need to install the vertical and horizontal battens in separate steps. Other various embodiments of the invention are directed to an elevated batten system that includes a horizontal batten strip to which pads are coupled that define a depressed portion. The depressed portion receives a fastener for coupling each pad to the horizontal batten strip, and in some embodiments, prevents irregularities in the height of the horizontal batten strip relative to the roof deck surface when installed on the roof deck surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: Boral Lifetile, Inc., Monier, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Charles Vandewater, Jr.