Patents by Inventor Donald E. Wheatley

Donald E. Wheatley 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: 20210123253
    Abstract: A reinforcement system for a wall includes a bracket secured to a support disposed above the wall with a plurality of fasteners. A strap is engaged with the bracket and is adhered to the wall for reinforcing the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Donald E. WHEATLEY, Todd L. JACKSON
  • Patent number: 10955021
    Abstract: A method of making a carbon fiber wave spring includes forming a disc-shaped ring from prepreg carbon fibers. The disc-shaped ring is then formed into a desired wave shape. The disc-shaped ring in the wave shape is then cured to form a wave spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventor: Donald E. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 10858850
    Abstract: A reinforcement system for a wall includes a bracket secured to a support disposed above the wall with a plurality of fasteners. A strap is engaged with the bracket and is adhered to the wall for reinforcing the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: FORTRESS STABILIZATION SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Donald E. Wheatley, Todd Jackson
  • Patent number: 10808340
    Abstract: A woven fiber reinforcement material and method of making includes a plurality of fiber bundles extending generally parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction and spaced laterally from one another by at least 1/32 of an inch. The fiber bundles are selected from non-elastic fibers. A first transverse thread extends in a continuous serpentine pattern on a first side of the plurality of fiber bundles. A second transverse thread extends in a continuous serpentine pattern on a second side of the plurality of fiber bundles and a pair of connecting threads diagonally cross the first and second transverse threads and secure the first and second transverse threads to the fiber bundles at a plurality of longitudinally spaced locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Fortress Stabilization Systems
    Inventor: Donald E. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 10786951
    Abstract: A method of making a fiber reinforced hoop includes forming two plates having a face opposing one another and defining an outer periphery with a recessed groove to define a channel between the two plates. Fibrous strands coated with an adhesive are wrapped around the two plates within the channel a plurality of times. The adhesive is allowed to cure so that the fibrous strands form a rigid hoop. In a particular embodiment, the two plates are connected to a rotary spindle to rotate the two plates a plurality of times as the fibrous strands are fed into the channel. In a still further embodiment, multiple plate sets can be mounted to rotate with the spindle and fibrous strands can be wound into the channels in each of the plate sets so that multiple hoops can be formed and cured simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Inventor: Donald E. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 10689839
    Abstract: A connecting system for connecting concrete beams of a parking structure including a pair of concrete beams and a plurality of spring-like connectors connected between the pair of concrete beams. The concrete beams are each provided with an aperture and the spring-like connector is in a form of a pre-formed carbon fiber bundle or metal and has opposite ends that are secured in the apertures in the concrete beams by an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventor: Donald E. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 10494826
    Abstract: A method of repairing concrete having a crack, including cutting an elongated slot across the crack. Inserting an elongated rigid grid into the slot to extend across the crack, the rigid grid having a length dimension greater than a width dimension which is greater than a thickness dimension, the rigid grid defining a plurality of openings there through that extend toward opposites sides of the slot; and adhering the elongated rigid grid in the slot with an adhesive that flows into at least some of the plurality of openings. The rigid grid can be formed from a rigidified fabric grid, a wire mesh, or metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventor: Donald E. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20190162265
    Abstract: A method of making a carbon fiber wave spring includes forming a disc-shaped ring from prepreg carbon fibers. The disc-shaped ring is then formed into a desired wave shape. The disc-shaped ring in the wave shape is then cured to form a wave spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventor: Donald E. WHEATLEY
  • Publication number: 20180320362
    Abstract: A connecting system for connecting concrete beams of a parking structure including a pair of concrete beams and a plurality of spring-like connectors connected between the pair of concrete beams. The concrete beams are each provided with an aperture and the spring-like connector is in a form of a pre-formed carbon fiber bundle or metal and has opposite ends that are secured in the apertures in the concrete beams by an adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventor: Donald E. WHEATLEY
  • Patent number: 9790697
    Abstract: A reinforcement system includes a structural member such as a concrete wall including a pair of holes formed therein. A fiber reinforcement strip is adhered to the structural member between the pair of holes. A U-shaped bracket includes a pair of legs being secured in the pair of holes and a bridge portion that overlaps an the fiber reinforcement strip, a secondary reinforcement strip can be used to distribute forces from the bridge portion of the bracket along a length of the fiber reinforcement strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Fortress Stabilization Systems
    Inventor: Donald E. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20170241148
    Abstract: A method of straightening a block wall having an inwardly bowed shape in a central region between an upper end and a lower end includes mounting a tensile member between the upper end and the lower end of the block wall. A tension force is applied on the tensile member to apply a compression force on the bowed block wall for a period of time until the bow in the block wall is straightened to a desired amount. Once the bowed block wall is straightened by a desired amount, a reinforcement member is applied to the straightened block wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Donald E. WHEATLEY
  • Publication number: 20170217108
    Abstract: A method of making a fiber reinforced hoop includes forming two plates having a face opposing one another and defining an outer periphery with a recessed groove to define a channel between the two plates. Fibrous strands coated with an adhesive are wrapped around the two plates within the channel a plurality of times. The adhesive is allowed to cure so that the fibrous strands form a rigid hoop. In a particular embodiment, the two plates are connected to a rotary spindle to rotate the two plates a plurality of times as the fibrous strands are fed into the channel. In a still further embodiment, multiple plate sets can be mounted to rotate with the spindle and fibrous strands can be wound into the channels in each of the plate sets so that multiple hoops can be formed and cured simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Donald E. WHEATLEY
  • Patent number: 9528286
    Abstract: A method and system for repairing a crack in a concrete structure is provided including securing a plurality of ports at spaced intervals along the crack, adhering a carbon fiber panel to the concrete structure over the top of a crack, and injecting epoxy into each of the plurality of ports to fill the crack while the adhered carbon fiber panel seals the injected epoxy within the crack to provide a reliable epoxy-filled crack repair process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventor: Donald E. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20160305078
    Abstract: A seal between abutting cement segments is provided, the cement segments each having a top surface, each top surface being substantially in the same plane. The seal comprises an epoxy adhesive in contact with the cement segment and a woven member The woven member comprises carbon fiber bundles, each of the bundles are bonded to the top surface of the cement segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Donald E. WHEATLEY, Todd JACKSON
  • Publication number: 20160258173
    Abstract: A reinforcement system includes a structural member such as a concrete wall including a pair of holes formed therein. A fiber reinforcement strip is adhered to the structural member between the pair of holes. A U-shaped bracket includes a pair of legs being secured in the pair of holes and a bridge portion that overlaps an the fiber reinforcement strip, a secondary reinforcement strip can be used to distribute forces from the bridge portion of the bracket along a length of the fiber reinforcement strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventor: Donald E. WHEATLEY
  • Publication number: 20160186453
    Abstract: A reinforcement system includes a structural member such as a concrete wall including a pair of holes formed therein. A fiber reinforcement strip is adhered to the structural member between the pair of holes. A U-shaped bracket includes a pair of legs being secured in the pair of holes and a bridge portion that overlaps the fiber reinforcement strip, wherein the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip is wrapped or rolled successively around the bridge portion, such that it is rolled upon itself and/or adhered to an intermediate portion of the fiber reinforcement strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventor: Donald E. WHEATLEY
  • Publication number: 20160102457
    Abstract: A method of making a rigid fiber mesh grid includes forming a plurality of substantially rigidified elongated rods formed from fiber strands and forming a plurality of substantially round cross section wrapped fiber tows and tensioning the plurality of wrapped fiber tows in parallel to one another at predetermined laterally spaced intervals. The wrapped fiber tows are wetted with an adhesive. The plurality of substantially rigidified elongated rods are placed on top of and generally perpendicular to the plurality of wetted wrapped fiber tows at spaced intervals. The adhesive is then cured to secure the elongated rods to the plurality of wrapped fiber tows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventor: Donald E. WHEATLEY
  • Patent number: 9290957
    Abstract: A reinforcement system includes a structural member such as a concrete wall including a pair of holes formed therein. A fiber reinforcement strip is adhered to the structural member between the pair of holes. A U-shaped bracket includes a pair of legs being secured in the pair of holes and a bridge portion that overlaps the fiber reinforcement strip, wherein the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip is wrapped around the bridge portion and adhered to an intermediate portion of the fiber reinforcement strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Fortress Stabilization Systems
    Inventor: Donald E. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 9290956
    Abstract: A reinforcement system includes a structural member such as a concrete wall including a pair of holes formed therein. A fiber reinforcement strip is adhered to the structural member between the pair of holes. A U-shaped bracket includes a pair of legs being adhered in the pair of holes and a bridge portion that overlaps the fiber reinforcement strip, wherein the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip is wrapped around the bridge portion and adhered to an intermediate portion of the fiber reinforcement strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Fortress Stabilization Systems
    Inventors: Donald E. Wheatley, Richard E. Prince
  • Patent number: 9034775
    Abstract: A structure may include a plurality of first fiber bundles, a plurality of second fiber bundles, and a plurality of connecting threads. The first fiber bundles may extend substantially parallel to each other. The second fiber bundles may extend substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the first fiber bundles. The connecting threads may engage the first fiber bundles and the second fiber bundles such that at least one of the connecting threads is continuously wrapped around each of the first fiber bundles in a helical pattern. The at least one of the connecting threads may extend across a width of each of the second fiber bundles, and may thereby secure the second fiber bundles to each of the first fiber bundles. The first and second fiber bundles may be embedded in a construction material and adapted to reinforce the construction material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Fortress Stabilization Systems
    Inventor: Donald E. Wheatley