Patents by Inventor Brett Van Bortel

Brett Van Bortel 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).

  • Patent number: 9883757
    Abstract: A frame and a device for mounting a plurality of frames in a grid. The frame has an axial first mounting member and a second mounting member, the first mounting member having a generally flat portion exposed to and generally flush with a perimeter surface of the frame. The alignment device has a cross-shaped body having a pair of horizontal members and a pair of vertical members intersecting at a common point, the horizontal and vertical members having interior surfaces defining four quadrants, the alignment device further comprising a level attached to the cross-shaped body and a magnet mounted in a recess in one of the horizontal members or vertical members. The alignment device used to position and mount the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: Brett Van Bortel
  • Publication number: 20160166089
    Abstract: A frame and a device for mounting a plurality of frames in a grid. The frame has an axial first mounting member and a second mounting member, the first mounting member having a generally flat portion exposed to and generally flush with a perimeter surface of the frame. The alignment device has a cross-shaped body having a pair of horizontal members and a pair of vertical members intersecting at a common point, the horizontal and vertical members having interior surfaces defining four quadrants, the alignment device further comprising a level attached to the cross-shaped body and a magnet mounted in a recess in one of the horizontal members or vertical members. The alignment device used to position and mount the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventor: Brett Van Bortel
  • Patent number: 9259105
    Abstract: A frame and a device for mounting a plurality of frames in a grid. The frame has an axial first mounting member and a second mounting member, the first mounting member having a generally flat portion exposed to and generally flush with a perimeter surface of the frame. The alignment device has a cross-shaped body having a pair of horizontal members and a pair of vertical members intersecting at a common point, the horizontal and vertical members having interior surfaces defining four quadrants, the alignment device further comprising a level attached to the cross-shaped body and a magnet mounted in a recess in one of the horizontal members or vertical members. The alignment device used to position and mount the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Brett Van Bortel
  • Publication number: 20140173923
    Abstract: A frame and a device for mounting a plurality of frames in a grid. The frame has an axial first mounting member and a second mounting member, the first mounting member having a generally flat portion exposed to and generally flush with a perimeter surface of the frame. The alignment device has a cross-shaped body having a pair of horizontal members and a pair of vertical members intersecting at a common point, the horizontal and vertical members having interior surfaces defining four quadrants, the alignment device further comprising a level attached to the cross-shaped body and a magnet mounted in a recess in one of the horizontal members or vertical members. The alignment device used to position and mount the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: Brett Van Bortel
  • Patent number: 8572873
    Abstract: A frame and a system for mounting a plurality of frames in a grid. The frame has an axial first mounting member and a second mounting member, the first mounting member having a generally flat portion exposed to and generally flush with a perimeter surface of the frame. The alignment device has a cross-shaped body having a pair of horizontal members and a pair of vertical members intersecting at a common point, the horizontal and vertical members having interior surfaces defining four quadrants, the alignment device further comprising a level attached to the cross-shaped body and a magnet mounted in a recess in one of the horizontal members or vertical members. The alignment device used to position and mount the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Brett Van Bortel
  • Publication number: 20120036754
    Abstract: A frame and a system for mounting a plurality of frames in a grid. The frame has an axial first mounting member and a second mounting member, the first mounting member having a generally flat portion exposed to and generally flush with a perimeter surface of the frame. The alignment device has a cross-shaped body having a pair of horizontal members and a pair of vertical members intersecting at a common point, the horizontal and vertical members having interior surfaces defining four quadrants, the alignment device further comprising a level attached to the cross-shaped body and a magnet mounted in a recess in one of the horizontal members or vertical members. The alignment device used to position and mount the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Brett Van Bortel
  • Patent number: 7584773
    Abstract: A wood-splitting tool includes a penetration portion having a penetrating end and a wedge portion having an impact end. The penetration portion is configured for penetration into a piece of wood. The penetration portion includes two penetration surfaces diverging generally from each other at an inclusive angle generally from the penetrating end. The wedge portion includes two wedge surfaces generally contiguous with the diverging penetration surfaces and diverging from each other at an inclusive angle, which is greater than the inclusive angle of the diverging penetration surfaces. The wedge portion is primarily configured to impart a wedge force to the wood. The penetration portion has a length that is greater than half the length of the tool, which allows the tool to penetrate the piece of wood without significantly imparting a wedge force until the tool penetrates deep enough to allow the wedge portion to engage the wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Inventor: Brett Van Bortel
  • Publication number: 20090113776
    Abstract: A frame that includes a framing member and at least one integral mounting member extending from the back surface of the framing member. The frame may be mounted to a mounting surface such as a wall by simply pushing on the frame, thereby piercing the mounting surface with the mounting member. The mounting member may integrally retained within, or integrally formed with the framing member. A second mounting post may be provided that extends from the back surface of the framing member a shorter distance than the distance that the first mounting post extends from the back surface of the framing member, to facilitate positioning and alignment of the frame before final placement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Brett Van Bortel
  • Publication number: 20080230150
    Abstract: A wood-splitting tool includes a penetration portion having a penetrating end and a wedge portion having an impact end. The penetration portion is configured for penetration into a piece of wood. The penetration portion includes two penetration surfaces diverging generally from each other at an inclusive angle generally from the penetrating end. The wedge portion includes two wedge surfaces generally contiguous with the diverging penetration surfaces and diverging from each other at an inclusive angle, which is greater than the inclusive angle of the diverging penetration surfaces. The wedge portion is primarily configured to impart a wedge force to the wood. The penetration portion has a length that is greater than half the length of the tool, which allows the tool to penetrate the piece of wood without significantly imparting a wedge force until the tool penetrates deep enough to allow the wedge portion to engage the wood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Brett Van Bortel