Patents by Inventor Alec LAI

Alec LAI has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230323730
    Abstract: A dock door assembly and a dock door assembly kit are provided for use in a dock door opening for installation in a warehouse. The dock door assembly comprises a pair of vertical tracks, with each vertical track configured to be attached to a wall along opposing lateral sides of the dock door opening. The dock door assembly also comprises a multiple, horizontal section door characterized by a vertical height when closed and mounted on the pair of vertical tracks. The dock door assembly further comprises a spring shaft assembly and a pair of headplates with each headplate having a U-shaped opening to receive each end of a torsion shaft. Further, the dock door assembly may comprise a pair of door cables and a pair of corner cable attachments connecting each door cable to the spring shaft assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Keith Aurand, Gary A. Wedekind, Chris Cone, Alec Lay
  • Publication number: 20190199685
    Abstract: A processing device such as a server implementing smart building agent functionality is located on an external network and is configured to communicate with a BAS located on a building's internal network. Communication between the processing device and the BAS occurs over a first communications channel. The processing device can be configured to receive sensor data from various sensors that might otherwise not be supported by the existing BAS. Communication between the sensors and the processing device occurs over a second communications channel different from the first communications channel. The processing device can generate control commands based on the received sensor data that provide instructions to the BAS for adjusting an operation parameter for one or more of the building systems and/or equipment. This control command can be sent to the BAS through the first communications channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Guang LU, Shuo YANG, Jin KANG, Alec LAI
  • Publication number: 20070144072
    Abstract: The present invention provides a window operator for a casement window assembly that has secure and moveable linkage of pivoting parts of the operator. The linkage of the moveable operator parts is provided by a rivet having a rivet head with a plurality of fingers or petals extending radially outward of the center of the rivet, and wherein the petals are formed of thickened rivet material. The rivet head is formed in a conical configuration by the force of bending the rivet head with a conical shaped recess in the forming die, thus providing the method of forming the rivet connection in a smooth and progressive force of deforming the rivet head into a domed shape with the thickened petals extending radially outward and downward due to the conical die surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Hansel, Alec Lay
  • Patent number: 6769850
    Abstract: The present technique provides a stemmed washer and fastener assembly, which has a fastener retained in assembly with a stemmed washer. The assembly is particularly useful for applications in which a standoff is desired between a washer and a mating fastener. The stemmed washer includes a washer portion, a retaining portion, and a standoff portion. The retaining portion interfaces with the fastener, such as with a plastically deformed skirt portion, to retain the fastener in the assembly. The standoff portion has a toolfree mounting structure, such as a snap-fit member, to mount the stemmed washer and fastener assembly to one or more panels, thereby forming a fastener-panel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Alec Lay
  • Publication number: 20030063961
    Abstract: The present technique provides a stemmed washer and fastener assembly, which has a fastener retained in assembly with a stemmed washer. The assembly is particularly useful for applications in which a standoff is desired between a washer and a mating fastener. The stemmed washer includes a washer portion, a retaining portion, and a standoff portion. The retaining portion interfaces with the fastener, such as with a plastically deformed skirt portion, to retain the fastener in the assembly. The standoff portion has a toolfree mounting structure, such as a snap-fit member, to mount the stemmed washer and fastener assembly to one or more panels, thereby forming a fastener-panel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventor: Alec Lay