Patents by Inventor David A. Houk

David A. Houk 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: 7721493
    Abstract: A roof assembly includes a skylight panel and a roof panel. The roof panel includes a skylight opening to accommodate the skylight panel and also includes water management channels disposed adjacent to the skylight panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Erik L. Skov, David A. Houk, Jr., Timothy M. Pierzynski, William F. Croft
  • Patent number: 7610724
    Abstract: A building comprises a side wall defining a storage space within the sidewall confines, a roof supported above the storage space, and a pair of gables above the sidewall and at opposite ends of the roof. At least one truss is disposed between the gables and adapted to support the roof and has at least one tool handle opening. In a part of the building separate from the truss is disposed at least one additional receiver generally across from the tool handle opening. The tool handle opening and the receiver are spaced apart and adapted to each receive the handle of a long handled tool and support the long handled tool above the storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: David A. Houk, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20060230694
    Abstract: A roof assembly includes a skylight panel and a roof panel. The roof panel includes a skylight opening to accommodate the skylight panel and also includes water management channels disposed adjacent to the skylight panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: Rubbermaid, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Skov, David Houk, Timothy Pierzynski, William Croft
  • Publication number: 20050005537
    Abstract: A building comprises a side wall defining a storage space within the sidewall confines, a roof supported above the storage space, and a pair of gables above the sidewall and at opposite ends of the roof. At least one truss is disposed between the gables and adapted to support the roof and has at least one tool handle opening. In a part of the building separate from the truss is disposed at least one additional receiver generally across from the tool handle opening. The tool handle opening and the receiver are spaced apart and adapted to each receive the handle of a long handled tool and support the long handled tool above the storage space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Applicant: RUBBERMAID INCORPORATED
    Inventor: David Houk
  • Patent number: 6695418
    Abstract: Modular shelving with at least one cabinet that includes a plurality of shelves and vertical risers which serve to space the shelves and support loads placed thereon. Cabinet side wall, back wall and door panels are installed about the risers, with each component having a pair of spaced apart holes adapted to slide over the risers. The holes preferably have a diameter just slightly less than the smallest diameter portion of the risers over which the panels will be placed, and are surrounded by one or more radial slots which allow the material around the hole to flex and accommodate larger diameter portions of the risers with an interference fit. The interference fit eliminates the need for precise hole size manufacturing and provides an additional advantage of holding the cabinet doors in a position selected by the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Inc.
    Inventors: Erik L. Skov, David A. Houk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6575213
    Abstract: A work support including a frame and a header coupled to the frame and moveable between a first position and a second position. The header includes a first work surface deployed when the header is in a first position and a second work surface deployed when the header is in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: David A. Houk
  • Publication number: 20020179606
    Abstract: A hasp, preferably constructed from plastic, is mounted to a container and to a container lid. The hasp includes a bracket which is preferably mounted to the inside of the container and which includes a plate which extends outwardly from the container. A tongue is attached to the container lid and includes an extended portion which passes through an opening in the bracket plate. A lock may be fastened through an opening in the extended portion to prevent lifting of the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: David A. Houk, Thomas E. Hanna
  • Publication number: 20020171332
    Abstract: Modular shelving with at least one cabinet that includes a plurality of shelves and vertical risers which serve to space the shelves and support loads placed thereon. Cabinet side wall, back wall and door panels are installed about the risers, with each component having a pair of spaced apart holes adapted to slide over the risers. The holes preferably have a diameter just slightly less than the smallest diameter portion of the risers over which the panels will be placed, and are surrounded by one or more radial slots which allow the material around the hole to flex and accommodate larger diameter portions of the risers with an interference fit. The interference fit eliminates the need for precise hole size manufacturing and provides an additional advantage of holding the cabinet doors in a position selected by the consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Rubbermaid Inc.
    Inventors: Erik L. Skov, David A. Houk
  • Patent number: 6178896
    Abstract: A shelving system is disclosed. The shelving system includes a panel having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. The panel includes at least one socket. The socket is disposed on the panel and includes an inner wall and an outer wall circumscribing the socket inner wall. The outer wall is distanced from the inner wall. A floor member is coupled to the inner wall and the outer wall and is disposed generally parallel relative to the panel. The socket is adapted to transmit stresses along the floor member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: David A. Houk, Jr., Kenneth W. Hull, John Vura
  • Patent number: 6079339
    Abstract: A shelving system is provided for use in the storage of various articles. Specifically, the shelving system includes a panel having a plurality of rail members formed with the panel. The rail members have an curvilinear lower portion. Preferably, the curvilinear lower portion distributes greater material proximate regions in the panel which experience greater stress. Similarly, the rail members also have an upper portion having a depth extending away from said panel. Preferably, the amount of depth of the upper portion of each rail member is designed to distribute greater material proximate regions in the panel which experience greater strain once loaded. Lastly, the molded shelving of this invention includes a plurality of socket members including support members designed to transmit stress away from the sockets, thereby reducing stress concentrations adjacent the socket members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: David A. Houk, Jr., Kenneth W. Hull, John Vura
  • Patent number: 5826718
    Abstract: A container, such as a tool box (10), includes a base portion (11) having an open top and a cover (12) for closing the open top. A plurality of sockets (35) are formed in the cover (12) to receive a bin (13) therein. A bin (13) is maintained in each socket (35) by the interaction of a barb (44) in the socket (35) and a notch (62) in the bin (13), and the interaction of a bump (45) in the socket (36) and a pocket (63) in the bin (13). When in the socket (36) the lid (47) of the bin (13) may be removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard B. Ahern, Jr., David A. Houk, Jr., John Travers
  • Patent number: 5460266
    Abstract: A reusable plastic package for holding a rectangular article includes a housing having first and second rectangular-shaped storage compartments formed on opposite ends for selectively storing an article in one of the compartments. Each of the compartments has an access opening for inserting and removing the article into and out of the compartments. The longitudinal length and transverse width of the first compartment is substantially equal to the transverse width and longitudinal length, respectively, of the second compartment, thereby enabling the article to be stored in various orientations in the selected compartments. A lock compartment is formed between the storage compartments, and a slide plate is slidably mounted thereon and selectively movable across the access openings of the storage compartments between locked and unlocked positions for releasably securing the article in one of the storage compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Alpha Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry K. Mundorf, James T. Weisburn, David A. Houk, Jr.
  • Patent number: D358524
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Alpha Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Sedon, James T. Weisburn, David A. Houk, Jr.
  • Patent number: D358525
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Alpha Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Sedon, James T. Weisburn, David A. Houk, Jr.
  • Patent number: D358526
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Alpha Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas M Sedon, James T. Weisburn, David A. Houk, Jr.
  • Patent number: D406713
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: David A. Houk, Jr., Kenneth W. Hull
  • Patent number: D409016
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Vincent L. Haley, David A. Houk, Jr.