Patents Examined by Yvonne M. Horton
  • Patent number: 6848232
    Abstract: A casting tool for forming precast concrete wall sections. A base is disposed generally in a horizontal plane and has an upper surface. A pair of opposing sidewalls are disposed proximate the upper surface. Each of the sidewalls has a first position in which the sidewall is located substantially in a vertical plane. First and second opposing bulkheads are disposed proximate the upper surface, each having a respective first position in which the bulkhead is located substantially in a vertical plane. The bulkheads are arranged to abut the pair of opposing sidewalls so that the inner surfaces of the sidewalls, the bulkheads, and the upper surface of the base define a form for receiving concrete to make the precast concrete wall section. The first bulkhead is configured for movement so as to vary a first dimension of the form, and thus the dimension of the concrete wall section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: PN II, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Pulte, Lawrence J. Wrass, Robert P. Broad
  • Patent number: 6843036
    Abstract: A system for reinforcing, securing and stiffening a plurality of joists comprising a band extending across the top of a series of joists and connected to the joists and with a series of truss members attached to the underside of the band and extending between and abutting two adjacent joists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Stewart, III
  • Patent number: 6837011
    Abstract: A window assembly for garage doors with hingedly mounted panels. The assembly includes resilient male and female frame members that are brought towards each other to sandwich the borders of the door panel defining the window opening and the cooperatively dimensioned transparent panel. The male frame member includes, adjacent to its peripheral inner end, a peripherally extending leg member that is lockingly received within a cooperative channel notch on the transparent panel. The engagement of the leg member to the channel member permits certain deformation to be transmitter to the resilient male and female frame members. Fastening members are used to keep the male and female frame members securely against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: DAB Door Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen Berger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6837016
    Abstract: Column-beam building frame structure, wherein columns and beams are interconnected to distribute and share all lateral loads through collars that encircle columns at the nodal points of attachments between columns and beams. Each collar includes inner and outer components which seat, and gravity-lock together, during frame construction, and which also to offer a certain amount of immediate moment resistance to lateral loads. Tension bolt and nut assemblies lock the inner and outer collar components together, and with these assemblies in place, the collars (which circumsurround the beams) function to deliver beam moment loads as plural-position, angularly distributed compression loads to different side regions of columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventors: Robert J. Simmons, Walid M. Hicham Naja, Constantine J. Shuhaibar
  • Patent number: 6832461
    Abstract: A top sheet and a bottom sheet are connected together by wing members, each having a center segment hinged to the top sheet and to the bottom sheet about parallel axes. Wings protrudes from the center segments and are biased to project out of a plane defined between the hinge axes. In a collapsed condition the top and bottom sheets are close together with the wings distorted from their relaxed positions. In the expanded condition the sheets are spaced apart and the wings return to their relaxed positions projecting out from the center segments and conferring stiffness on the structural member and resisting the return of the member to its collapsed configuration. In storage, the sheets are secured along the edges with an underlying rip cord, and may be rolled. The wings may be formed as part of metal or plastic spring members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: LineWeight LLC
    Inventors: Caleb Clark Crye, Eric Owen Fehlberg
  • Patent number: 6829871
    Abstract: An expansion wedge anchor (80) for insertion in a hole (H) delimited by a wall comprises an expander member (32) and an expansion number (34), the expander member being provided at a leading end of the expander member, the expander member comprising a flaring end (40), the expansion member being expandable at a trailing end (48) thereof and being adapted to engage the wall of the hole when the expander member is positioned in the hole, wherein upon longitudinal withdrawal of the expander member from the hole, the expander member displaces longitudinally relative to the expansion member with the flaring end thereof gradually causing the trailing end of the expansion member to expand, whereby a trailing edge of the expansion member engages the wall of the hole. The trailing end is adapted, when expanded by the flaring member, to extend at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of said expander member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Cobra Fixations CIE LTEE-Cobra Anchors Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas W. McSherry, Pierre McDuff
  • Patent number: 6826885
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new and unique designs that improve and enhance the section properties of load bearing structural members, which have particular, but not exclusive, application in connection with aluminum extrusions for use in screened pool, patio and porch enclosures. The invention utilizes one or more reinforcing inserts or slats which attach to a structural member such as a hollow extruded beam to increase the effective wall thickness of the beam in the area where the slat is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen S. Raskin, William Wallace
  • Patent number: 6820377
    Abstract: A one piece assembly of a small production unit (23) for panels intended for building comprises an upper tray (2) a bottom tray of longer length (1) a collapsible crane (7) situated on the upper tray (2) supporting the crane structure (7) is horizontally mobile with rollers (11) supported on rail (12) positioned on the bottom tray (1) without requiring an external support lying on the ground. The vertical movement of the upper tray (2) is assured by an assembly of screw jacks (4), plates (18), guides (14) and runners (13). The compact assembly (23) of the production unit can be moved from site to site without heavy handling movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Groupe P.A.D.F., Inc.
    Inventor: Didier Fumez
  • Patent number: 6817147
    Abstract: A clip for retaining a cover to a partition frame member of the type having openings on opposite side faces. The clip includes an elongated flexible member having a U-shape defining a base portion and a pair of arms extending therefrom. Each arm includes an end portion extending inwardly, and having a shape that permits reception of the end portions in openings of a partition frame member to thereby retain the clip on the partition frame in an orientation wherein the base portion is spaced-apart from the partition frame member to permit vertical routing of utility lines along the partition frame member and through the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas B. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 6799406
    Abstract: A joist (10) comprises an upper chord (12), a lower chord (14) and a plurality of compression and tension webs (16/18) extending between the chords (12/14) and secured thereto by means of bolts (50). A single bolt (50) per connection or nodal point is used to secure the compression and tension webs (16/18) to the chords (12/14). The metal joist (10) can easily be assembled in a shop or directly on site without highly qualified labor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Bolmetco Inc.
    Inventors: Georges Gosselin, Vladimir Gocevski
  • Patent number: 6799594
    Abstract: An improved structure of a framework is disclosed. The structure includes a plurality of connectors having provided with holes, and notch seats are employed in the framework for connecting side rods, slanting rods, and supporting device to form into a stable and conveniently foldable framework. The end section of the side rod is mounted with a rotatable connector for interlinking of the side rods. This facilitates the extension of the framework vertically and/or horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventor: Yi-Ching Kuo
  • Patent number: 6792735
    Abstract: Advanced masonry coring systems for coring and grouting masonry walls are disclosed in this patent. The systems include rotating machinery and a drill column in the form of a cylindrical double-piped string of pipe sections, rotating a cylindrical drill body. The drill body mounts cutting end faces having alternative means of employing carbide or diamond cutting and/or pulverizing elements. The double drill pipe weight is made workable through new aerospace composite fabrication. The double pipe permits more efficient routing of air and removal of drill cuttings. Advancement in various system components and means of placing reinforcement into walls is disclosed. Further disclosure is included of advanced means of optimizing resin grouting materials and procedures to fill the wall cavities created by the core drill, integrating the reinforcement into the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: William Mohlenhoff
  • Patent number: 6789557
    Abstract: A portable and collapsible sunshade apparatus which can be conveniently folded up and carried in a bag so that the sunshade apparatus can be easily transported to the beach or other locations for attachment to a beach chair or lounge chair through use of a novel attachment clip. The universal clip enables any type of sunshade apparatus to be attached to any type of beach chair or lounge chair at any desired height above the occupant of the chair and at any desired angular orientation relative to the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Gene Wahl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6789363
    Abstract: A security room for information technology facilities, which exhibits fireproof side walls having a sealing door, a floor and a ceiling. This invention provides a security room designed in a simple way and readily adapted to different spatial configurations, while exhibiting a good fireproofing capacity. The side walls, the floor surrounded by the side walls, and the ceiling are assembled in a modular manner from individual members which are laid side-by-side and connected together by fireproofing materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Otto Lampertz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Frase, Martin Bähner
  • Patent number: 6782668
    Abstract: A roof-screen system for supporting a roof screen on a roof, comprises a plurality of frame elements of round galvanized steel tubing configured as separate frames. The frames have a front element, a bottom element, and a diagonal brace element. A plurality of base supports are secured to the frame elements and sleeve connectors, including a base connector, an end connector, and a field connector which secure the frame elements together and to the base. A plurality of support elements are used for supporting the face panels to the front element of the separate frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Ryan W. Bruce
  • Patent number: 6782669
    Abstract: A lining (10) for a furnace the lining (10) having insulating material (12) attached to an inside wall (11) of the furnace, the insulating material (12) in use having a hot face (20) which faces inwardly of the furnace, and a cold face at or adjacent the furnace wall (11) characterized in that a protective element (26) is provided at least partially to cover the hot face (20), and/or the cold (C) face, the protective element (26) being secured relative to the face by a securing means (27, 27b), which co-operates with a member (25, 25a; 25b; 25c) which is embedded in the insulating material (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: F. C. S. Dixon Limited
    Inventor: Thomas Gildroy Shaw Dixon
  • Patent number: 6772562
    Abstract: A building perimeter fire suppressing system for preventing brush and forest fires from engulfing building structure. The building perimeter fire suppressing system includes a water source; and also includes a plurality of pipelines having a plurality of water outlets being spaced therealong and being connected to the water source and being adapted to be disposed underground and on exteriors of building structures; and further includes valve assemblies being attached to the pipelines with each of the valve assemblies including a housing having a respective pipeline being disposed therethrough with a valve member being removably disposed inline of a respective pipeline; and also includes valve actuators being connected to the valve assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Dennis Dadamo
  • Patent number: 6769223
    Abstract: Roof insulation applicator (10) for applying sheet material to the roof of an industrial building includes a carriage (12) for mounting on adjacent purlins (14 and 15) of a partially completed roof. Support roller (40) is applied by the carriage to the upper surfaces of the purlins (14 and 15) and the carriage is tiltable about the support roller (40). The center of gravity of the carriage (12) is applied rearwardly of the support roller (40). Purlin engager (60) is mounted to the front of the carriage and engages under the upper laterally extending flange (22) of the purlin (14) and limits the downward pivoting of the rear end of the carriage applying a lever arm effect by the weight of the rear portion of the structure to the support roller (40). This firmly holds the sheet material in its stretched configuration extending from the roof panel (16) out to the support roller (40), reducing the tendency of the sheet material to sag in between the adjacent purlins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Robert J. Alderman
  • Patent number: 6766622
    Abstract: Floor covering, consisting of floor panels (1) based on a fiber-like material bound by a binding agent, more particularly MDF or HDF, which, at least at their edges, are connected to each other by means of a connection, more particularly a tongue-and-groove connection (2-3) which connection consists of coupling parts which are made in one piece with the floor panels and is shaped in such a manner that the floor panels (1) are locked glue-free in the direction parallel to the plane of the floor covering and transverse to the connection, as well as in a direction perpendicular to this plane, characterized in that, at least at the location where the floor panels (1) cooperate with each other, a sliding agent (12-12A) is provided at least on one of the floor panels (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Unilin Beheer B.V.
    Inventor: Bernard Paul Joseph Thiers
  • Patent number: 6763637
    Abstract: A transition support for flooring material extending between a floor area of a high height and a floor area of a low height, said support being in the shape of a wedge with an attached flat section in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, the wedge having a thick end whose thickness is the same as that of the flat section. The transition support is generally unnoticeable by persons walking across it and does not jostle wheeled vehicles crossing the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Duramax, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Pelosi, Jr.