Patents by Inventor Dean Alkas

Dean Alkas 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: 11473602
    Abstract: A hand crank cam lock for connecting medium to large sized display walls or boards including a hand crank disposed in a cam lock. The hand crank cam lock is configured to join two separate extrusions or frames together in a toolless manner. The hand crank cam lock locks these frames when the hand crank is turned clockwise, a plurality of hooks slide back along channels inside an outer body to grab the inner walls of a frame. This will in turn lock the hooks into place against the inner walls. The hand crank will only require half a turn to travel the required distance to lock the hooks into place and this half turn may be performed via a tool or by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Orbus, LCC
    Inventors: James J. Apostle, Drew A. Adams, Dean Alkas, Ryan W. Duever
  • Publication number: 20210262500
    Abstract: A hand crank cam lock for connecting medium to large sized display walls or boards including a hand crank disposed in a cam lock. The hand crank cam lock is configured to join two separate extrusions or frames together in a toolless manner. The hand crank cam lock locks these frames when the hand crank is turned clockwise, a plurality of hooks slide back along channels inside an outer body to grab the inner walls of a frame. This will in turn lock the hooks into place against the inner walls. The hand crank will only require half a turn to travel the required distance to lock the hooks into place and this half turn may be performed via a tool or by hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Orbus, LLC
    Inventors: James J. Apostle, Drew A. Adams, Dean Alkas, Ryan W. Duever
  • Patent number: 10217388
    Abstract: A display system including a first display frame including a plurality of frame members interconnected by junction connectors. The plurality of frame members each have a hollow interior. One or more diametrically polarized magnets is disposed to rotate freely within the hollow interior of at least one of the frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Nimlok Chicago
    Inventor: Dean Alkas
  • Publication number: 20160253933
    Abstract: A lever lock is used for attaching first and second support elements in a display structure. The lever lock includes a body that attaches to a side of the first support element. A shaft extends from the body and is oriented to pass through the slot. A foot is disposed at an end of the shaft that is remote from the body and is configured to operatively engage a side of the second support element so as to provide a clamping force on the second support element against the first support element. A lever is coupled to the body and configured to rotate between first and second positions. A linkage connecting the lever with the shaft converts the rotation of the lever into a movement of the shaft through a translation and axial rotation so as to move the foot between engaging and disengaging positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventor: Dean Alkas
  • Patent number: 9368049
    Abstract: A lever lock is used for attaching first and second support elements in a display structure. The lever lock includes a body that attaches to a side of the first support element. A shaft extends from the body and is oriented to pass through the slot. A foot is disposed at an end of the shaft that is remote from the body and is configured to operatively engage a side of the second support element so as to provide a clamping force on the second support element against the first support element. A lever is coupled to the body and configured to rotate between first and second positions. A linkage connecting the lever with the shaft converts the rotation of the lever into a movement of the shaft through a translation and axial rotation so as to move the foot between engaging and disengaging positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Nimlok Chicago
    Inventor: Dean Alkas
  • Publication number: 20140259622
    Abstract: A lever lock is used for attaching first and second support elements in a display structure. The lever lock includes a body that attaches to a side of the first support element. A shaft extends from the body and is oriented to pass through the slot. A foot is disposed at an end of the shaft that is remote from the body and is configured to operatively engage a side of the second support element so as to provide a clamping force on the second support element against the first support element. A lever is coupled to the body and configured to rotate between first and second positions. A linkage connecting the lever with the shaft converts the rotation of the lever into a movement of the shaft through a translation and axial rotation so as to move the foot between engaging and disengaging positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NIMLOK CHICAGO
    Inventor: Dean ALKAS
  • Patent number: 8434963
    Abstract: A connector for rigidly engaging elongate structural members in a display structure includes a beam connection portion defined on a body and having a cavity. A semi-cylindrical guide surface of the cavity is adjacent to an opening. The opening has an elliptical shape in which the difference between a major and a minor axis is an offset distance. An eccentric fastener is rotatably disposed in the cavity and includes a head portion that protrudes from the opening and engages a hole of the elongate structural member, and a cam portion that is eccentrically disposed relative to the head portion and configured to engage the semi-cylindrical surface when the eccentric fastener is rotated relative to the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Orbus/P3
    Inventors: Dean Alkas, Michael Carrow
  • Publication number: 20110296660
    Abstract: A connector for rigidly engaging elongate structural members in a display structure includes a beam connection portion defined on a body and having a cavity. A semi-cylindrical guide surface of the cavity is adjacent to an opening. The opening has an elliptical shape in which the difference between a major and a minor axis is an offset distance. An eccentric fastener is rotatably disposed in the cavity and includes a head portion that protrudes from the opening and engages a hole of the elongate structural member, and a cam portion that is eccentrically disposed relative to the head portion and configured to engage the semi-cylindrical surface when the eccentric fastener is rotated relative to the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: ORBUS
    Inventors: Dean Alkas, Michael Carrow