Patents by Inventor Douglas M. Fox
Douglas M. Fox 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).
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Patent number: 9975577Abstract: The present invention relates to a cold rolled steel beam comprising: a web having two layers of steel, the web having a top end and a bottom end; a pair of bottom flanges extending outwardly from the bottom end of the web; and a pair of top flanges extending outwardly from the top end of the web, each top flange having two layers of steel. Preferably, a portion of each bottom flange has two layers of steel, and the cold rolled steel beam includes a pair of end connectors extending generally orthogonally from the web and positioned generally orthogonally to the bottom flanges and the top flanges. Preferably, the cold rolled steel beam is cold formed from a unitary piece of sheet steel.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2010Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: ISPAN SYSTEMS LPInventors: Michael R. Strickland, Douglas M. Fox, Richard Wilson Strickland
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Patent number: 8950151Abstract: The present invention is a light steel framed metal joist including an adjustable connector fastened to the joist web that allows one to adjust the length and angle of the joist when attaching to floor and wall systems. The adjustment allows one to install end connectors onto the joists prior to installation while retaining flexibility of orientation during construction. The joist functions in both web bearing and bottom chord bearing configurations. A flat plate distributing member allows one to design a floor system without having to coordinate the positioning of the joist with wall studs. Angle or U shaped members can be fastened to the lower portion of the flat plate distribution member to support joists during construction. The invention further provides a seamless fire stopping system with consideration for acoustic dampening.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2009Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Ispan Systems LPInventors: Michael R. Strickland, Douglas M. Fox
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Patent number: 8943776Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a steel joist assembly for use in association with a concrete slab and being adapted to form a composite steel joist including a steel joist and a pair of end connectors. The steel joist has a top portion with a generally planar top surface and a planar web generally orthogonal to the generally planar top surface. An end connector is attached at each end of the steel joist. Each end connector has a strut and a diagonal member. The strut has a generally planar bottom surface which is attached to a portion of the generally planar top surface of the steel joist and the diagonal member is attached at one end thereof to the strut and at the other end thereof to a portion of the planar web of the steel joist.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Ispan Systems LPInventors: Michael R. Strickland, Douglas M. Fox, Richard Wilson Strickland
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Publication number: 20140250821Abstract: A truss chord for use in a light steel truss includes a flange portion, a pair of web portions and at least one wing. The flange portion has an end and an end portion. The end portion has a double thickness. The pair of web portions extend substantially orthogonally from the flange portion and are spaced inwardly from the ends of the flange portion. The at least one wing extends outwardly substantially orthogonally from at least one of the pair of web portions. There is provided an alternate embodiment wherein the wing having a plurality of spaced apart holes formed therein. There is also provided a truss web. As well there is a truss which uses the truss chords and truss webs and a truss system which uses a plurality of trusses. In addition there is a mass customization system for the trusses.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: PARADIGM FOCUS PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INC.Inventors: Michael R. STRICKLAND, Douglas M. FOX, Richard Wilson STRICKLAND
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Patent number: 8745959Abstract: A light steel structural stud includes a web portion, a pair of flanges and a pair of flange lips. The web portion has a web face and sides. The pair of flange portions each extend generally orthogonally from each side of the web portion. Each flange portion is in a plane that is generally parallel to the plane of the other flange portion. Each of the flange portions has a flange face. The pair of flange lips each extend generally orthogonally from each of the flange portions and are generally parallel to the web portion. Each flange lip has a double thickness and at least a portion of each flange portion has a double thickness.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Paradigm Focus Product Development Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Strickland, Douglas M. Fox, Richard W. Strickland
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Patent number: 8726606Abstract: A truss chord for use in a light steel truss includes a flange portion, a pair of web portions and at least one wing. The flange portion has an end and an end portion. The end portion has a double thickness. The pair of web portions extend substantially orthogonally from the flange portion and are spaced inwardly from the ends of the flange portion. The at least one wing extends outwardly substantially orthogonally from at least one of the pair of web portions. There is provided an alternate embodiment wherein the wing having a plurality of spaced apart holes formed therein. There is also provided a truss web. As well there is a truss which uses the truss chords and truss webs and a truss system which uses a plurality of trusses. In addition there is a mass customization system for the trusses.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2007Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Paradigm Focus Product Development Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Strickland, Douglas M. Fox, Richard Wilson Strickland
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Publication number: 20140090332Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a steel joist assembly for use in association with a concrete slab and being adapted to form a composite steel joist including a steel joist and a pair of end connectors. The steel joist has a top portion with a generally planar top surface and a planar web generally orthogonal to the generally planar top surface. An end connector is attached at each end of the steel joist. Each end connector has a strut and a diagonal member. The strut has a generally planar bottom surface which is attached to a portion of the generally planar top surface of the steel joist and the diagonal member is attached at one end thereof to the strut and at the other end thereof to a portion of the planar web of the steel joist.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: ISPAN SYSTEMS LPInventors: Michael R. STRICKLAND, Douglas M. FOX, Richard Wilson STRICKLAND
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Patent number: 8683774Abstract: A method of producing a light steel structural member includes the steps of: forming surface treatment in a piece of sheet material; forming a plurality of embosses in the sheet material; and shaping the sheet material into a predetermined shape to form a light steel structural member. A light steel structural member includes a web portion, and a pair of flange portions. The web portion has a web face. The pair of flange portions each extend generally orthogonally from each side of the web portion. Each flange portion is in a plane that is generally parallel to the plane of the other flange portion. Each of the flange portions has a flange face. At least one of the web face and the flange face has a plurality of embosses formed therein; and at least one of the web face and the flange face has a surface treatment formed therein.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Paradigm Focus Product Development Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Strickland, Douglas M. Fox, Richard W. Strickland
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Patent number: 8407966Abstract: An upper chord bearing joist comprising a top chord member and a bottom chord member, each having a flange portion and a web receiving portion including two web receiving tabs, each made from a unitary piece of metal; a generally planar steel web, a portion of the web being attached to the top chord member and to the bottom chord member, wherein a top portion of the web is between the two web receiving tabs of the top chord member and a bottom portion of the web is between the two web receiving tabs of the bottom chord member; and a first and second pair of support members, each support member including a shoe portion, a web attaching portion, and an angled portion, the web attaching portion being attached to the web receiving tabs and the angled portion being in contact with the web. The joist may be cambered, have reinforcement stiffeners, and have a rotatable joint at either end. The joists may be used in composite with concrete or with wood.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2009Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: iSpan Systems LPInventors: Michael R. Strickland, Douglas M. Fox, Lei Xu
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Publication number: 20130067747Abstract: There is provided a method of marking truss systems including the steps of: inputting project/customer data at point of sale into a mass-customized truss system design engine; generating manufacture information by the design engine; providing a plurality of truss members; and marking each of the plurality of truss members with the manufacturing information. In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of marking truss systems comprising the steps of: determining a plurality of roll formed members for a particular truss system having a plurality of in-plane trusses and out-of-plane members connected to the in-plane trusses; and roll forming, cutting and marking at least a portion of the plurality of roll formed members providing detailed and complete information for: assembling the in-plane trusses; erecting the in-plane trusses; and installing the out-of-plane members.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: PARADIGM FOCUS PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INC.Inventors: Michael R. STRICKLAND, Douglas M. FOX, Richard Wilson STRICKLAND
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Publication number: 20130017407Abstract: A method of producing a light steel structural member includes the steps of: forming surface treatment in a piece of sheet material; forming a plurality of embosses in the sheet material; and shaping the sheet material into a predetermined shape to form a light steel structural member. A light steel structural member includes a web portion, and a pair of flange portions. The web portion has a web face. The pair of flange portions each extend generally orthogonally from each side of the web portion. Each flange portion is in a plane that is generally parallel to the plane of the other flange portion. Each of the flange portions has a flange face. At least one of the web face and the flange face has a plurality of embosses formed therein; and at least one of the web face and the flange face has a surface treatment formed therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: SUR-STUD STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventors: Michael R. STRICKLAND, Douglas M. FOX, Richard Wilson STRICKLAND
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Publication number: 20120328898Abstract: The present invention relates to a cold rolled steel beam comprising: a web having two layers of steel, the web having a top end and a bottom end; a pair of bottom flanges extending outwardly from the bottom end of the web; and a pair of top flanges extending outwardly from the top end of the web, each top flange having two layers of steel. Preferably, a portion of each bottom flange has two layers of steel, and the cold rolled steel beam includes a pair of end connectors extending generally orthogonally from the web and positioned generally orthogonally to the bottom flanges and the top flanges. Preferably, the cold rolled steel beam is cold formed from a unitary piece of sheet steel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2010Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: BEST JOIST INC.Inventors: Michael R. Strickland, Douglas M. Fox, Richard Wilson Strickland
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Publication number: 20120279162Abstract: A light steel structural stud includes a web portion, a pair of flanges and a pair of flange lips. The web portion has a web face and sides. The pair of flange portions each extend generally orthogonally from each side of the web portion. Each flange portion is in a plane that is generally parallel to the plane of the other flange portion. Each of the flange portions has a flange face. The pair of flange lips each extend generally orthogonally from each of the flange portions and are generally parallel to the web portion. Each flange lip has a double thickness and at least a portion of each flange portion has a double thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: SUR-STUD STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventors: Michael R. STRICKLAND, Douglas M. FOX, Richard Wilson STRICKLAND
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Patent number: 8281540Abstract: A unitary steel joist includes a generally vertical web, a generally horizontal bottom flange, a generally horizontal top flange, a bottom wing, a bottom web portion, a top wing and a top web portion. The generally horizontal bottom flange extends outwardly on each side of the web. The bottom flange is made of two pieces of steel. The generally horizontal top flange extends outwardly on each side of the web. The top flange is made of two pieces of steel. The bottom wing extends outwardly from the web. The bottom web portion extends between the bottom flange and bottom wing. The top wing extends outwardly from the web. The top web portion extends between the top flange and the top wing. The unitary steel joist is made from a unitary piece of steel.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: iSpan Systems LPInventors: Michael Richard Strickland, Douglas M. Fox, Richard Wilson Strickland
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Patent number: 8225581Abstract: A light steel structural member includes a web portion and a pair of flanges. The web portion has a web face. The pair of flange portions each extend generally orthogonally from each end of the web portion. The flange portions each having a plane and the planes are generally parallel each other and each flange has a flange face. At least one of the web face and the flange face has a plurality of embosses formed therein. In another embodiment the light steel structural member further includes a pair of restraining ribs. In a further embodiment the light steel structural member further includes a pair of lips and a pair of multi-cranked stiffeners. A method of making the light steel structural members is shown.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2007Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: SUR-Stud Structural Technology IncInventors: Michael R. Strickland, Douglas M. Fox, Richard Wilson Strickland
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Publication number: 20110219720Abstract: The present invention is a light steel framed metal joist including an adjustable connector fastened to the joist web that allows one to adjust the length and angle of the joist when attaching to floor and wall systems. The adjustment allows one to install end connectors onto the joists prior to installation while retaining flexibility of orientation during construction. The joist functions in both web bearing and bottom chord bearing configurations. A flat plate distributing member allows one to design a floor system without having to coordinate the positioning of the joist with wall studs. Angle or U shaped members can be fastened to the lower portion of the flat plate distribution member to support joists during construction. The invention further provides a seamless fire stopping system with consideration for acoustic dampening.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: BEST JOISTS INC.Inventors: Michael R. Strickland, Douglas M. Fox
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Publication number: 20110162319Abstract: A unitary steel joist includes a generally vertical web, a generally horizontal bottom flange, a generally horizontal top flange, a bottom wing, a bottom web portion, a top wing and a top web portion. The generally horizontal bottom flange extends outwardly on each side of the web. The bottom flange is made of two pieces of steel. The generally horizontal top flange extends outwardly on each side of the web. The top flange is made of two pieces of steel. The bottom wing extends outwardly from the web. The bottom web portion extends between the bottom flange and bottom wing. The top wing extends outwardly from the web. The top web portion extends between the top flange and the top wing. The unitary steel joist is made from a unitary piece of steel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Inventors: Michael Richard STRICKLAND, Richard Wilson STRICKLAND, Douglas M. FOX
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Publication number: 20100139201Abstract: An upper chord bearing joist comprising a top chord member and a bottom chord member, each having a flange portion and a web receiving portion including two web receiving tabs, each made from a unitary piece of metal; a generally planar steel web, a portion of the web being attached to the the top chord member and to the bottom chord member, wherein a top portion of the web is between the two web receiving tabs of the top chord member and a bottom portion of the web is between the two web receiving tabs of the bottom chord member; and a first and second pair of support members, each support member including a shoe portion, a web attaching portion, and an angled portion, the web attaching portion portion being attached to the web receiving tabs and the angled portion being in contact with the web. The joist may be cambered, have reinforcement stiffeners, and have a rotatable joint at either end. The joists may be used in composite with concrete or with wood.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Michael R. Strickland, Douglas M. Fox, Lei Xu
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Publication number: 20090308016Abstract: A truss chord for use in a light steel truss includes a flange portion, a pair of web portions and at least one wing. The flange portion has an end and an end portion. The end portion has a double thickness. The pair of web portions extend substantially orthogonally from the flange portion and are spaced inwardly from the ends of the flange portion. The at least one wing extends outwardly substantially orthogonally from at least one of the pair of web portions. There is provided an alternate embodiment wherein the wing having a plurality of spaced apart holes formed therein. There is also provided a truss web. As well there is a truss which uses the truss chords and truss webs and a truss system which uses a plurality of trusses. In addition there is a mass customization system for the trusses.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2007Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: PARADIGM FOCUS PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INC.Inventors: Michael R. Strickland, Douglas M. Fox, Richard Wilson Strickland
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Publication number: 20090165422Abstract: There is provided a method of marking truss systems including the steps of: inputting project/customer data at point of sale into a mass-customized truss system design engine; generating manufacture information by the design engine; providing a plurality of truss members; and marking each of the plurality of truss members with the manufacturing information. In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of marking truss systems comprising the steps of: determining a plurality of roll formed members for a particular truss system having a plurality of in-plane trusses and out-of-plane members connected to the in-plane trusses; and roll forming, cutting and marking at least a portion of the plurality of roll formed members providing detailed and complete information for: assembling the in-plane trusses; erecting the in-plane trusses; and installing the out-of-plane members.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: PARADIGM FOCUS PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INC.Inventors: Michael R. Strickland, Douglas M. Fox, Richard Wilson Strickland