Patents by Inventor Eric B. Rapp

Eric B. Rapp 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: 20240117669
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a window assembly comprising an insulated glazing unit and a frame. The frame can extend around the perimeter of the insulated glazing unit. The insulated glazing unit can include a first sheet of glass, a second sheet of glass, and a space frame disposed between the two sheets of glass. Various spacer designs are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Eric B. Rapp, David Rapp
  • Patent number: 10233690
    Abstract: A spacer applicator assembly has tooling with a plurality of retention devices. An actuator is coupled to the tooling, where the actuator is adapted to continuously rotate the tooling about an axis in a first direction and the tooling is adapted to move in a direction that is generally parallel to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: GUARDIAN IG, LLC
    Inventors: Raimo T. Nieminen, Eric B. Rapp
  • Patent number: 9689196
    Abstract: The technology disclosed herein generally relate to assembly equipment for window units. In one embodiment, a window unit assembly system is taught that has a frame component that is configured to support equipment for a window unit assembly line. A pane conveyor is supported by the frame component and is configured to move panes along the window unit assembly line. A spacer conveyor is supported by the same frame component as the pane conveyor and is configured to move spacer elements along the window unit assembly line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: GUARDIAN IG, LLC
    Inventors: Corey E. Pemberton, Eric B. Rapp, Robert J. Onesti, George Longo
  • Patent number: 9677321
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a window spacer has an outer elongate strip with a first surface and a second surface. The window spacer also has first and second inner elongate strips that each has a first surface and a second surface. The inner elongate strips are arranged so that each of the first surfaces of the inner elongate strips is spaced from the second surface of the outer elongate strip. The inner elongate strips are also spaced from each other to form an elongate intermediate pane gap. Support legs extend between the outer elongate strip and the two inner elongate strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: GUARDIAN IG, LLC
    Inventors: Raimo T. Nieminen, Richard Ahnen, Paul Terpstra, David Rapp, Eric B. Rapp
  • Patent number: 9617780
    Abstract: A spacer, window assembly, method of manufacturing a window assembly, and method of manufacturing a spacer is described herein involving window assemblies having three sheets of material, which will be referred to as a triple pane assembly. Two interior spaces are defined within the window assembly: a first air space between the first sheet and intermediary sheet and a second air space between the second sheet and the intermediary sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Guardian IG, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt E. Heikkila, Eric B. Rapp
  • Publication number: 20160222718
    Abstract: A spacer applicator assembly has tooling with a plurality of retention devices. An actuator is coupled to the tooling, where the actuator is adapted to continuously rotate the tooling about an axis in a first direction and the tooling is adapted to move in a direction that is generally parallel to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: GUARDIAN IG, LLC
    Inventors: Raimo T. Nieminen, Eric B. Rapp
  • Publication number: 20160208544
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a window spacer has an outer elongate strip with a first surface and a second surface. The window spacer also has first and second inner elongate strips that each has a first surface and a second surface. The inner elongate strips are arranged so that each of the first surfaces of the inner elongate strips is spaced from the second surface of the outer elongate strip. The inner elongate strips are also spaced from each other to form an elongate intermediate pane gap. Support legs extend between the outer elongate strip and the two inner elongate strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Guardian IG, LLC
    Inventors: Raimo T. Nieminen, Richard Ahnen, Paul Terpstra, David Rapp, Eric B. Rapp
  • Publication number: 20160194914
    Abstract: A spacer, window assembly, method of manufacturing a window assembly, and method of manufacturing a spacer is described herein involving window assemblies having three sheets of material, which will be referred to as a triple pane assembly. Two interior spaces are defined within the window assembly: a first air space between the first sheet and intermediary sheet and a second air space between the second sheet and the intermediary sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: GUARDIAN IG, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt E. Heikkila, Eric B. Rapp
  • Patent number: 9309713
    Abstract: A spacer for a sealed unit is formed of a stretched elongate strip of material, such as metal. The elongate strip is longitudinally stretched, causing a reduction in the thickness of the material. Stretching is performed by applying a tension across a segment of an elongate strip. The tension can be applied to the elongate strip by passing the elongate strip through at least two spaced sets of rollers. A first set of rollers operating at a first speed engages with the elongate strip and a second set of rollers operating at a second speed applies a tension to the elongate strip to cause stretching of the material. Corrugated rollers can also be used to form the material into an undulating shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian IG, LLC
    Inventors: Eric B. Rapp, Paul Trpkovski, Gary R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 9309714
    Abstract: A spacer applicator assembly has tooling with a plurality of retention devices. An actuator is coupled to the tooling, where the actuator is adapted to continuously rotate the tooling about an axis in a first direction and the tooling is adapted to move in a direction that is generally parallel to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: GUARDIAN IG, LLC
    Inventors: Raimo T. Nieminen, Eric B. Rapp
  • Patent number: 9260907
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a window spacer has an outer elongate strip with a first surface and a second surface. The window spacer also has first and second inner elongate strips that each has a first surface and a second surface. The inner elongate strips are arranged so that each of the first surfaces of the inner elongate strips is spaced from the second surface of the outer elongate strip. The inner elongate strips are also spaced from each other to form an elongate intermediate pane gap. Support legs extend between the outer elongate strip and the two inner elongate strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian IG, LLC
    Inventors: Raimo T. Nieminen, Richard Ahnen, Paul Terpstra, David Rapp, Eric B. Rapp
  • Patent number: 9228389
    Abstract: A spacer, window assembly, method of manufacturing a window assembly, and method of manufacturing a spacer is described herein involving window assemblies having three sheets of material, which will be referred to as a triple pane assembly. Two interior spaces are defined within the window assembly: a first air space between the first sheet and intermediary sheet and a second air space between the second sheet and the intermediary sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian IG, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt E. Heikkila, Eric B. Rapp
  • Patent number: 8967219
    Abstract: A spacer applicator assembly includes tooling having a plurality of spacer retention devices. Each of the spacer retention devices is movable in a first direction. An actuator is coupled to the spacer applicator tooling. The actuator is adapted to rotate the spacer applicator tooling about an axis. The spacer applicator tooling is adapted to move in a direction that is generally parallel to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian IG, LLC
    Inventors: Raimo T. Nieminen, Eric B. Rapp
  • Publication number: 20140109370
    Abstract: The technology disclosed herein generally relate to assembly equipment for window units. In one embodiment, a window unit assembly system is taught that has a frame component that is configured to support equipment for a window unit assembly line. A pane conveyor is supported by the frame component and is configured to move panes along the window unit assembly line. A spacer conveyor is supported by the same frame component as the pane conveyor and is configured to move spacer elements along the window unit assembly line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Guardian IGU, LLC
    Inventors: Corey E. Pemberton, Eric B. Rapp, Robert J. Onesti, George Longo
  • Publication number: 20140109499
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a window spacer has an outer elongate strip with a first surface and a second surface. The window spacer also has first and second inner elongate strips that each has a first surface and a second surface. The inner elongate strips are arranged so that each of the first surfaces of the inner elongate strips is spaced from the second surface of the outer elongate strip. The inner elongate strips are also spaced from each other to form an elongate intermediate pane gap. Support legs extend between the outer elongate strip and the two inner elongate strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Guardian IGU, LLC
    Inventors: Raimo T. Nieminen, Richard Ahnen, Paul Terpstra, David Rapp, Eric B. Rapp
  • Publication number: 20140044983
    Abstract: A spacer for a sealed unit is formed of a stretched elongate strip of material, such as metal. The elongate strip is longitudinally stretched, causing a reduction in the thickness of the material. Stretching is performed by applying a tension across a segment of an elongate strip. The tension can be applied to the elongate strip by passing the elongate strip through at least two spaced sets of rollers. A first set of rollers operating at a first speed engages with the elongate strip and a second set of rollers operating at a second speed applies a tension to the elongate strip to cause stretching of the material. Corrugated rollers can also be used to form the material into an undulating shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicants: Allmetal, Inc., Infinite Edge Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric B. Rapp, Paul Trpkovski, Gary R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 8586193
    Abstract: A spacer for a sealed unit is formed of a stretched elongate strip of material, such as metal. The elongate strip is longitudinally stretched, causing a reduction in the thickness of the material. Stretching is performed by applying a tension across a segment of an elongate strip. The tension can be applied to the elongate strip by passing the elongate strip through at least two spaced sets of rollers. A first set of rollers operating at a first speed engages with the elongate strip and a second set of rollers operating at a second speed applies a tension to the elongate strip to cause stretching of the material. Corrugated rollers can also be used to form the material into an undulating shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Infinite Edge Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric B. Rapp, Paul Trpkovski, Gary R. Matthews
  • Publication number: 20120151857
    Abstract: A spacer, window assembly, method of manufacturing a window assembly, and method of manufacturing a spacer is described herein involving window assemblies having three sheets of material, which will be referred to as a triple pane assembly. Two interior spaces are defined within the window assembly: a first air space between the first sheet and intermediary sheet and a second air space between the second sheet and the intermediary sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: INFINITE EDGE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt E. Heikkila, Eric B. Rapp
  • Publication number: 20110303349
    Abstract: A spacer applicator assembly includes tooling having a plurality of spacer retention devices. Each of the spacer retention devices is movable in a first direction. An actuator is coupled to the spacer applicator tooling. The actuator is adapted to rotate the spacer applicator tooling about an axis. The spacer applicator tooling is adapted to move in a direction that is generally parallel to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: INFINITE EDGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Raimo T. Nieminen, Eric B. Rapp
  • Publication number: 20110104512
    Abstract: A spacer for a sealed unit is formed of a stretched elongate strip of material, such as metal. The elongate strip is longitudinally stretched, causing a reduction in the thickness of the material. Stretching is performed by applying a tension across a segment of an elongate strip. The tension can be applied to the elongate strip by passing the elongate strip through at least two spaced sets of rollers. A first set of rollers operating at a first speed engages with the elongate strip and a second set of rollers operating at a second speed applies a tension to the elongate strip to cause stretching of the material. Corrugated rollers can also be used to form the material into an undulating shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Eric B. Rapp, Paul Trpkovski, Gary R. Matthews