Patents Examined by Timothy B. Kang
  • Patent number: 6209280
    Abstract: A jig for aiding in securing a fascia board on the downwardly extended ends of a row of eaves of a frame of a building being constructed including a U shaped member and an angle bracket with an angle bracket with one leg swivelly attached to an end of one leg of the U shaped member. Two jigs are used for temporarily supporting the board across the ends of the row of eaves permitting that the board be nailed to the ends of the eaves. The jig is preferably made of resiliently flexible polycarbonate so that the jig can be twisted when required to enable aligning of the board in a required direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventors: Ray F. Bruce, Stephen Bruce, Noah D. Bruce
  • Patent number: 6178712
    Abstract: A locking connection used to join the cross runners and main runners of a suspended grid ceiling system. The main runners are provided with periodic openings through which the cross runner ends are inserted and thereby locked together. Each cross tee end connector contains a resilient finger which engages the main runner upon insertion. Further, each connector has apertures and raised detents which will mate with those of a like opposing cross tee end connector when both are inserted through the same main runner opening. A locked grid intersection can be disengaged by depressing the resilient finger holding the main runner, rotating the main runner over the cross runner end connector, and pushing the cross tee end vertically free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventor: Gale E. Sauer
  • Patent number: 6115975
    Abstract: A stair system employing an improved stair nose molding and back molding which provides for a stair system having a free-floating riser and a free-floating tread, the stair nose molding having a cutout with tongue for receiving grooved stair tread and a groove for receiving a riser in a sliding arrangement. The stair back molding having a groove to receive the bottom edge of the riser in a sliding arrangement. The tread is secured to the stair nose molding, the riser being slidably secured in the stair nose molding and the stair back molding, and the end of the tread being secured along with the back stair molding to the tread subflooring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Hassan Abdollahi
  • Patent number: 6115988
    Abstract: A method of raising the transmission cables carried by a utility pole having a base end with a ground foundation supporting the pole in upright position, without disturbing the pole foundation or disconnecting the cables, includes the steps of anchoring opposed, circumferentially spaced elongate pole support members to extend upwardly along the pole and severing the pole to define a first pole supported by the pole foundation and a second pole supported by the first pole; fixing the support members to the first pole and slidably banding them to the second pole; raising the second pole above the first pole to a level remaining below the upper ends of the support members; and fixing the lower end of the second pole within and to the upper ends of the support members at a spaced distance above the first pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Laminated Wood Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Reisdorff
  • Patent number: 6105326
    Abstract: The invention relates to a building comprising prefabricated components formed as wall and ceiling panels which are produced with a frame; the frame is an assembly of beam and angle parts which are held together and filled with a building material, such as mortar, concrete or Torcret, so as to form a flat panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Rolf Schmidt-Lutz
  • Patent number: 6076317
    Abstract: Workstations are defined using a combination of office panels and bridge arrangements which are attached to and project at an angle from a spine of office panels. The office panel frames which partially define a workstation provide the convenience of power and communication cabling within the panel frames. The bridge arrangements provide a lower cost alternative defining other walls of the workstation while also providing a system which can be rearranged easily. The bridge arrangements are preferably self supporting in an upright orientation and can easily be detached from a horizontal securing channel of an office panel frame and moved to a new position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Teknion Furniture Systems Limited
    Inventors: John Hellwig, Jonathan Liberty, Lorie Marangoni
  • Patent number: 6076321
    Abstract: A flat-mount louver assembly (9) includes a plurality of slats (10) mounted in a louver jamb subassembly (40). The subassembly includes C-shaped jamb segments (20') joined together at a mitered joint (44) with their open faces facing one another and holding the slats between them. The louver jamb subassembly is mounted in a jamb slot (25) of a louver mounting band (15). The louver mounting band has a planar mounting base (75), a planar jamb wrap connector (52) perpendicular to the base and having a connecting-member edge spaced apart from the base, and a flange (53) substantially perpendicular to one side of the connecting member edge. The flange and jamb wrap connector, with a portion of the base, make up the jamb slot. The slats are preferably configured with raised edges to resist the flow of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: Ronnie W. Holland
  • Patent number: 6070367
    Abstract: A folding stage includes a folding linkage with cross members and a center lock. The center lock has a handle below the cross members and off to the side of the cross members to prevent pinching of operators' hands and fingers. The folding linkage folds from a use position wherein stage decks are horizontal to form a stage surface to a storage position wherein the bottom of the stage decks oppose one another. In the fully folded position, stage support legs are angled inward slightly. Casters mount at an oblique angle to the telescoping legs and are moved closer to the telescoping legs to decrease the moment of inertia about the legs while maintaining sufficient contact with the floor. Torsion bars mount at the pivoting access of the frame and the telescoping legs to control folding speed. The folding portions of the frame and decks have a center of gravity which is aligned with the pivoting access to decrease the moment of inertia about the pivoting axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter R. Wagner, Mark DeSimone
  • Patent number: 6070382
    Abstract: A wall with enhanced fire resistance and thermal insulation is formed from first and second skins manufactured substantially from plate material, wherein insulating material manufactured from mineral wool is arranged between the skins, wherein the first skin is provided with noses arranged at regular distances and facing toward the inside of the wall, pointed connections are arranged between the noses and the second skin and a material strip manufactured from insulating material and dimensioned to absorb pressure forces is placed between the noses and the second skins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Rockwool Lapinus B.V.
    Inventor: Antonius Marinus Ettema
  • Patent number: 6050044
    Abstract: A building block has connectors on its side walls comprising interlocking male and female dovetails for connecting blocks side-by-side, in addition to connectors on its upper and lower ends for connecting the blocks vertically. The building blocks also have mating ribs and grooves on the side walls to minimize twisting movement between horizontally attached blocks. The building blocks may be relatively small for use as toy building blocks or relatively large for use as construction blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Kitsilano Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Eric G. McIntosh
  • Patent number: 6047519
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and processes which may be used to construct modular buildings, floors, wall, partitions and roofs. A metal or plastic framework is assembled and covered with an absorbent material onto which a polymer substrate is applied. A variety of exterior finish materials may be attached to the substrate. Utility services are modularly installed in each section prior to the wall void being foamed for added strength. An interior finish surface is then applied to the modular section. The modular sections are transported to the job site for final assembly and interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: Bjorn B. Bagn
  • Patent number: 6041800
    Abstract: The collapsible shelter has a canopy that can be raised above the upper level of the leg assembly in an extended configuration. A perimeter truss linkage assembly connected to the leg assembly, and two or more central truss pairs of link members are provided, with each of the central truss pairs connected to the inner ends of one of the perimeter truss pairs on a side. At least one vertically oriented central support member for supporting the canopy above the upper level of the leg assembly is provided, and preferably three central support members are provided, including at least one vertically oriented inner central support member, and at least two peripheral central support members. The central support members comprise upper and lower telescoping sections, with the upper telescoping section having an upper end for supporting the canopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Mark C. Carter
  • Patent number: 6038824
    Abstract: A noncombustible transportable building has a floor structure that includes a floor frame constructed of steel members. A concrete floor is disposed within the steel floor frame. Steel wall studs are welded to the floor frame to form the wall frame for the building. In addition, a steel roof frame, constructed of steel roof studs, is welded to the wall frames for supporting a roof and ceiling. Polystyrene foam insulation is secured to the roof frame and wall frames, between consecutive wall and roof studs. A cement mixture is applied to both the interior and exterior of the building along the four outer walls, the roof and ceiling. A steel mesh is secured to the exterior and interior of the building along the roof and walls. A lifting frame including four vertical columns mounted to the frame positioned at points on the frame to evenly distribute the weight of the building as it is lifted or lowered. Cross members and diagonal members extend intermediate the columns to support the columns for lifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: William T. Hamrick, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6038829
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus used in supporting safety rails and discloses a system in which a safety rail post support and security device is used in pairs or greater multiples to hold pieces of a safety rail at the edge of an elevated surface and is speedily attached to or detached from the three commonly found roof edge structures, that is, roofs that are flat right up to the edge, roofs that have a very low ledge or flashing around the perimeter, and roofs that have a parapet along the edge. Previous systems rely on cantilever weights positioned well in from the edge of the roof, interfering with the work to be done there. The post support and security device has a junction piece comprising four intersecting extruded stabilizer bars perpendicular to each other in one plane and a fifth bar protruding from that plane at ninety degrees. An upright post fits into one of the bars after the junction piece is bolted to a roof or to a wall abutting the edge of a roof, or is clamped to a parapet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Bert Franks
  • Patent number: 6035600
    Abstract: A heat-insulated composite section for doors, windows and facades, includes a plurality of metal rail sections so connected as to form a frame, at least one insulating rod arranged between the rail sections and having longitudinal edges secured to the metal sections, and a compensation structure provided in a longitudinal connection zone between interconnected components for eliminating a flexure of the rail sections when subject to uneven temperature rise. The compensation structure effects a slight resistance to longitudinal displacement, or resistance to longitudinal displacement that approaches zero, or is formed by a sliding-type guidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Schuco International KG
    Inventors: Siegfried Habicht, Andreas Freier, Eitel-Friedrich Hocker
  • Patent number: 6032685
    Abstract: Collapsible structures are provided that include two collapsible flexible loop members, each loop member defining a closed loop and having a first and a second edge. Each loop member is capable of assuming an expanded position and a collapsed position. Two adjacent loop members overlap each other at a first overlapping point along the upper edges of the two adjacent loop members, and at a second overlapping point along the lower edges of the two adjacent loop members. The overlapping loop members define a hinge portion about which the two adjacent loop members are pivotable, with the hinge portion positioned vertically with respect to the ground. One or more fabric pieces are provided for substantially covering each loop member, each loop member substantially supporting the fabric in particular areas so that the fabric assumes the particular configuration of the loop member in its expanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Patent Category Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 6029416
    Abstract: In a system for jointing together of adjacent pieces of flooring material by means of grooves (3) and tongues (4), at least one of the opposing surfaces on the tongues (4) and the grooves (3) of the pieces display flocked surface portions (10-13). The flocked surface portions (10-13) extend along the tongues (4) and/or the grooves (3) and cover substantially their entire length. The fiber length (9) of the flocked surface portions (10-13) exceeds the difference between the width of the grooves (3) and the thickness of the tongues (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Golvabia AB
    Inventor: Kjell Andersson
  • Patent number: 6026627
    Abstract: An electrical powered transmission tower is modified to also support a telecommunications antenna. The tower has a plurality of legs interconnected by lattice braces. A support column is erected within the enclosure of the tower. The support column has a base anchored in the ground on a concrete foundation. The column extends upward through the tower and protrudes through the top. The antenna is mounted to the upper end of the column. Fasteners secure the column to the tower for lateral support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: FWT, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy J. Moore
  • Patent number: 6026624
    Abstract: A plastic siding panel for forming a weather-resistant facade on an exterior wall of a building, and which is resistant to being dislodged from the building wall by relatively high apparent wind velocities, which are frequently encountered during transportation of a prefabricated building module. The panel comprises a contoured sheet of a plastic material typically having an ornamental facing, a generally flat nailhem strip at an upper end thereof, and an elongate rib located on the nailhem strip. The rib provides additional strength and rigidity which makes the plastic siding panels of the invention significantly more resistant to dislodgement from a building wall, upon exposure to relatively high winds, than conventional plastic siding panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Fabwel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiran A. Patel, Steven F. Quady
  • Patent number: 6021612
    Abstract: A sound absorbing hollow core panel of structural material based on Helmholtz resonator properties consisting of two exterior skins connected by spacers or structural connections and bounded by perimeter skins or structural connections with internal cavity or cavities that communicate with the exterior sound field through a plurality of orifices in one or both exterior skins as well as the perimeter of the panel and that have a plurality of Helmoltz resonators of different shapes and sizes tuned to specific frequencies that control the sound absorption characteristics of the hollow core panel. The internal cavity or cavities are defined by external skins and perimeters as well as internal structural elements acting as interior dividers, interior sub-volumes and perimeter structures, each of which may contain a plurality of orifices for sound communication forming a sequence of first order Helmholtz acoustical resonators with respective natural frequencies for sound absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: C&D Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley E. Dunn, Joseph M. Cuschieri