Patents Examined by Yvonne M. Horton
  • Patent number: 6647681
    Abstract: The decorative border comprises an elongated strip of flexible material. An external reinforcing member engages the front face of the strip and elongated fastening members attach the reinforcing member and the strip to the corner of a wall. Pockets may be provided along the length of the strip and reinforcing slats placed therein. The border has two panels which are sewn together and can be reversed to create different decorative effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Jacquelyn J. Abbott
  • Patent number: 6647688
    Abstract: A thermoset fluorescent pigmentary vinyl is provided which is vinyl siding and trim components having luminescent characteristics. A thermoset fluorescent pigment which is charged by sunlight during the daytime hours and emits light during the nighttime hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventors: Brenda S. Gaitan, Kevin L. Ballard
  • Patent number: 6643989
    Abstract: A flush mounted installation unit in which an operating portion of the installation unit such as the supporting plate, the covering or switch unit is designed as an antenna so that the unit can perform the dual function of housing and mounting the components for use in a control system and providing an antenna for a radio link between the central control unit and the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventors: Renke Bienert, Fritz Jauss
  • Patent number: 6644328
    Abstract: A stick such as a ski-stick, walking stick or same, provided with a handle comprising a gripping element and a length-adjustable pole in addition to a regulating device that contains a joint and is arranged outside the pole, whereby the gripping element can be positioned at an angle to the pole and a tubular part of the pole can be pushed through the joint into the gripping element of the pole when the regulating device is oriented in a rectilinear position. This ensures that the regulating device is substantially protected against the effects of the environment and the diameter of the pole is increased to a lesser degree. In order to achieve this, a regulating element is respectively formed by the handle on a lower extension piece of the gripping element and a cap that is firmly connected to the upper end of the pole, whereby one respective regulating element is pivotally and moveably accommodated in a recess of the other regulating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Klaus Lenhart
  • Patent number: 6643986
    Abstract: The present invention relates to horizontal, vertical or angularly disposed diaphragms which resist structural forces. Specifically, the present invention relates to an improved mechanical connection between a structural panel and the framing members that support the structural panel forming a diaphragm. The connection includes: a structural panel having a distal side, a proximal side, and a plurality of edge faces; a frame consisting of a plurality of framing members disposed in registration with the proximal side of the structural panel near the edge faces; a plurality of perimeter fasteners connecting the structural panel to the framing members; and clips or perimeter edging members for reducing bending of the perimeter fasteners attached to a substantial number of the perimeter fasteners. The clips or perimeter edging members for reducing bending of the perimeter fasteners act when lateral forces are imposed on the building structure of which the diaphragm is a part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred D. Commins, Robert C. Gregg
  • Patent number: 6643991
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a fire door having a core, stiles, and rails formed of resin bonded exfoliated vermiculite, wherein the core has a density which exceeds that of the stiles and rails. The invention is also directed to such a fire door additionally having an intumescent material placed on some or all of the exposed edges of the stiles and rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Premdor International, Inc.
    Inventor: Hartley Moyes
  • Patent number: 6640518
    Abstract: A mortar of a granulated mineral wool, a hydraulic binder and water is placed on a roof to prevent roof covering layer(s) of a substantially flat roof from being blown up in stormy conditions. The roof surface to be ballasted is divided into panels by placing joint elements thereon. The mineral wool component includes rockwool waste originating from horticulture and glass fibre wool waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Frederikus Gerardus Maria Bol
  • Patent number: 6640508
    Abstract: A roof window assembly is composed of a window component, a main frame component and, optionally, an integrated flashing component. The window component may be used independently and without modifications for a roof window installation employing a curb-frame. The window component features a novel design with an glazing element fitted in a profiled sheet metal frame, which can be made from a single continuous sheet metal profile bent into a polygonal frame shape with corner junctions. In both fixed and ventilating versions of the roof window assembly identical connecting members into open mutual engagement at the top side of the window and main frame components provides for easy mounting and dismounting of the window component with respect to the main frame component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventors: Claes Lindgren, Birgitte Hansen, Samuel Howard Darmer, Morten Falk Reventlow, Brent Møller, Lars Erdmann
  • Patent number: 6640509
    Abstract: An adjustable length bracing device can be installed in a window frame or door frame to secure a sheet of covering material that is positioned to protect the window or door from flying debris resulting from a hurricane, tornado, or other storm. The brace device consists of two independent and moveable bars, which can be adjusted to fit the inside of a window or door opening. The adjustment is made by the use of a metal clip attached to one bar and inserted into a notch on the other bar. The ends of each bar have rubber pads to help prevent marring the window or door opening or frame and to prevent any slipping of the bracing device assembly. Once the assembly is in position, a locking metal ring holds both independent bars together to prevent movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Gateway Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale M. Clewis
  • Patent number: 6637166
    Abstract: To enable vehicles such as truck tractors, motor homes and recreational vehicles to receive electrical power and communications when parked, a power and communications assembly is provided. A base is mountable in an exterior surface of the vehicle openings through the base are defined for mounting a respective connection moiety so each mounted moiety can be engaged with a complementary connection moiety when a main cover for the base and the mounted moieties is opened against a bias causing it to be normally closed. The connection moieties mountable in the base openings are selected from a group which includes electrical power connectors, telephone circuit connectors, and connectors for coaxial cables and fiber optic cables. Features of either a base opening or a mounted connection moiety can be engaged by its own secondary cover; the several secondary covers when engaged can be accommodated with a space protected by the main cover when it is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: R. A. Phillips Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory W. Kinsey
  • Patent number: 6637160
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a plurality of movable transparent arcuate sections 12 that can roll on their own designated tracks 14 to enclose or expose a sun room or pool area 18. Thus, the present invention 10 is comprised of a plurality of overlapping transparent arcuate arches or sections 12 positioned on parallel tracks 14. The arches 12 can be selectively moved to any position on the parallel tracks 14. The two distal end arches have removable end closure panels 20. Each of the transparent panel members 22 or arch 12 are positioned within a frame member 16 having a plurality of wheels 36 engaging the spaced apart track members 14. Track members 14 are fixedly positioned to the ground or foundation structures 58 in a spaced-apart parallel configuration. Each side of an arch 12 consists of a plurality of wheels 36 fixedly positioned between spaced apart track elements 14 having hook-like terminations 53 to prevent dislocation of the frame member 16 from the track member 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Bob Brooks
  • Patent number: 6637169
    Abstract: A resilient floor includes a plurality of parallel spaced rows of sleeper assemblies, or substructure members, supported by pads over a base, with a wear layer of floorboards secured to the rows of substructure members. The substructure members include an elongated lower panel with a pair of spaced rows of pads secured along the bottom surface of the panel, and corresponding rows of nailing strips secured to the top surface of the panel, to which the wear layer is secured. The panel may also include an middle row of designations, such as holes, for locating anchors to anchor the panel to the base, if it is desired to anchor the floor. Compared to other resilient floors the substructure members of this invention simplify and reduce installation and handling time, resulting in reduced labor costs. The structure itself also provides high strength and durability, but with reduced quantity and cost of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Robbins, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Niese, Paul W. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6631596
    Abstract: A post-tension anchor system including an anchor encapsulated with a polymeric material, a corrosion protection tube having a connection portion at one end and a sealing portion on an opposite end thereof, and a tendon having a sheathed portion and an unsheathed portion. The anchor has a trumpet portion with a notch extending outwardly therefrom. The connection portion includes an inwardly extending surface for engagement with the notch of the trumpet portion. The sealing portion is in liquid-tight engagement with the sheathed portion of the tendon. Alternatively, the connection portion includes an additional inner sleeve so as to define an annular slot with the inwardly extending surface. The inner sleeve extends into the interior of the trumpet portion so that the inner sleeve and the trumpet portion are in a liquid-tight engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Felix L. Sorkin
  • Patent number: 6631589
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and structure for decorating the interior of elevator cab walls by even unskilled personnel, without wastage of time, and of sufficient modularity so as to be adaptable for retrofitting on existing elevator cab walls and accommodating existing constraints of space, dimension and weight. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of horizontal and vertical members are joined together to form an advantageous lattice frame structure for supporting decorative panels. The horizontal members incorporate downward facing elongated hanger slots for removable engagement with upwardly facing elongated finger members that are affixed to the interior wall surface of the elevator cab. Swing arrester members are affixed to the cab wall and are engagable with the vertical member to inhibit lateral motion of the lattice frame structure. The lattice frame is made of lightweight extruded aluminum members of the same cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventors: Harold Friedman, Michael Mlodynia, Angelo Palmieri, Scott Broders
  • Patent number: 6631592
    Abstract: The invention concerns fail-safe devices for use in reinforced concrete structures. The device (1) comprises a link (8) of high tensile strength material and first (2) and second (3) end regions. The end regions (2, 3) and the link (8) joining them are formed from a single piece of material. The link (8) is waisted such a portion thereof is of a reduced cross section. The device is designed to yield at a given loading to within close tolerances and enables the design and construction of buildings which will react in a safe way under earthquake conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Dee Associates (Business Consultants) Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Hancock
  • Patent number: 6629387
    Abstract: Sectional door panels include formed metal or plastic skin parts with opposed upper and lower edges configured to form pinch resistant connections between adjacent panels. The skin part edges include spaced-apart slots for receiving locating flanges formed on opposed end stiles and one or more intermediate stiles to provide for the stiles to be positively located with respect to the panel skin part during assembly thereof. Snap together hinge parts are provided with bosses cooperating with slots formed in the stiles for positively locating the hinge parts with respect to the stiles and the skin part. Mechanical fasteners connect the hinge parts and the stiles to the skin parts. The hinge parts include cooperating pin and pin receiving bore portions with the bore portions being formed in part by elastically deflectable fingers whereby the hinge parts may be snapped together during assembly of the door by stacking one panel on top of another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: L. Blake Whitley, Charles C. Blume, James Wendall Compton, Henri M. Friloux, Robert K. Wright
  • Patent number: 6629391
    Abstract: A window for installation in a roof includes a window frame with frame pieces and mounting brackets. Each bracket includes an angular bracket member with first and second legs connected integrally with each other, and a substantially plate-shaped base member having an opening for receiving fasteners and is connected with the outer side wall of the frame piece. The angular bracket member is connected with the base member such that, in a transportation position of the window, the second leg of the angular bracket member protrudes inwards in relation to the base member, and, in an installation position, the second leg protrudes outwards. Locking mechanism locks the first leg relative to the base member in the installation position, and adjusting mechanism adjusts the position of the angular bracket member in at least a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the frame piece of the window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventors: Bjarne Børresen, Claes Lindgren, Lars Jørn Nissen-Schmidt, Wayne Quarles
  • Patent number: 6625940
    Abstract: A concrete building module includes a concrete roof having a roof beam with a beam upper surface and a beam lower surface; a lifter mounting fitting embedded in the beam upper surface and oriented to be accessible from above the roof; an upper link connection structure embedded in the beam lower surface below the lifter mounting fitting; a concrete floor having a floor upper surface; a lower link connection structure embedded into the floor upper surface below the upper link connection structure; a linking member extending between and removably connected to the upper link connection structure and to the lower link connection structure; and at least one module concrete side wall interconnecting the module concrete roof and the module concrete floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Wallace D. Sanger
  • Patent number: 6625935
    Abstract: A partition panel for offices includes a partition frame having a horizontal frame member and a pair of horizontally spaced apart vertical frame members connected to the horizontal frame member. An accessory support is connected to the horizontally extending frame member at a selected one of a plurality of locations to permit adjustable connection of the accessory support to the horizontal frame member. The accessory support includes a plurality of vertically spaced apart connectors adapted to support an accessory unit at a selected one of a plurality of vertically spaced locations. An accessory unit is removably connected to the accessory support at a selected one of the vertically spaced apart connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan J. King, Joel T. Ruiter, David J. Dekkar, James D. Houda
  • Patent number: 6625949
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an automotive trim component/article. Extrusion is utilized to provide a colored and/or metallized sheet. The sheet is vacuum-formed into a three-dimensionally shaped preform or base structure. At least one mounting structure (e.g., formed by small-scale injection molding tooling) is vibration welded to a surface of the preform in order to form the automotive trim component. The invention is applicable to trim components such as bodyside molding, body panels, wheel covers, pillars, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Andrew T. Billiu