Patents by Inventor Bruce F. Brothersen

Bruce F. Brothersen 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: 20220349180
    Abstract: A panelized system for structural decking systems. The panelized system has a plurality of joists operatively coupled together through one or more decking panels. In order to aid in resisting rollover (e.g., the joists rotating with respect to the decking panels and/or support members during installation) bracing members may be utilized. A bracing member may be operatively coupled to a joist (e.g., a lower chord of a joist, web, upper chord, or the like) and to the decking panel (e.g., location on the decking between two joists, such as the mid-point of decking between two joists, or the like). In this way, the joists may be supported directly to the decking instead of having to run cross-bracing (e.g., x-shaped, or the like) between each of the joists. Once the panelized system is assembled on the ground, the panelized system may be lifted into place and assembled to a building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Verco Decking, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Allen Bodwell, Scott A. Russell, Bruce F. Brothersen, Russell J. Balvin
  • Patent number: 9534386
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprises a truss assembly and a method for assembling the truss assembly. The truss assembly includes V-shaped longitudinal supports forming corners of an elongated truss located at each angle of a polygonal axial cross-section. Open webs are fixedly attached between each adjacent V-shaped longitudinal supports extending the length of the elongated truss. The open webs have a plurality of bends in a same plane, and the plurality of bends are welded to a portion of the inner surface of adjacent V-shaped longitudinal members without having to place jigs or bracing to form the open web or to secure the open web to the two V-shaped longitudinal members. The elongated support truss may have a triangular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, a square cross-section, a pentagonal cross-section, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bruce F. Brothersen
  • Publication number: 20150176280
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprises a truss assembly and a method for assembling the truss assembly. The truss assembly includes V-shaped longitudinal supports forming corners of an elongated truss located at each angle of a polygonal axial cross-section. Open webs are fixedly attached between each adjacent V-shaped longitudinal supports extending the length of the elongated truss. The open webs have a plurality of bends in a same plane, and the plurality of bends are welded to a portion of the inner surface of adjacent V-shaped longitudinal members without having to place jigs or bracing to form the open web or to secure the open web to the two V-shaped longitudinal members. The elongated support truss may have a triangular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, a square cross-section, a pentagonal cross-section, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventor: Bruce F. Brothersen
  • Patent number: 8991388
    Abstract: A movable solar array and method for capturing solar energy which includes a V-shaped longitudinal support forming a corner of an elongated truss located at each angle of a polygonal axial cross-section where an open web is fixedly attached between each V-shaped longitudinal support extending the length of the elongated truss. An end member is fixedly attached at each end of the support truss and includes a shaft extending longitudinally outwardly from the end member adapted to engage a drive to longitudinally rotate the elongated truss. Solar panels are attached along one face of the elongated truss, and at least one rotatable drive is capable of driving the shafts at the end of the elongated truss to move the solar panels in relation to a change of direction of incoming solar energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce F. Brothersen
  • Publication number: 20110192394
    Abstract: A movable solar array and method for capturing solar energy which includes a V-shaped longitudinal support forming a corner of an elongated truss located at each angle of a polygonal axial cross-section where an open web is fixedly attached between each V-shaped longitudinal support extending the length of the elongated truss. An end member is fixedly attached at each end of the support truss and includes a shaft extending longitudinally outwardly from the end member adapted to engage a drive to longitudinally rotate the elongated truss. Solar panels are attached along one face of the elongated truss, and at least one rotatable drive is capable of driving the shafts at the end of the elongated truss to move the solar panels in relation to a change of direction of incoming solar energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bruce F. Brothersen