Patents by Inventor Erik Garfinkel

Erik Garfinkel 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: 9415528
    Abstract: A concrete delivery subsystem for delivering concrete to a plurality of casting machines having a concrete mixing source, a concrete pump; and a concrete transfer system, which includes a concrete placement boom a concrete delivery hose, and a concrete manifold having a splitting edge having a fillet radius within the range of 0.005 inch. to 0.01 inch. Also a concrete manifold having a splitting edge having a fillet radius within the range of 0.005 inch. to 0.01 inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventors: Erik Garfinkel, John R. MacMillan
  • Patent number: 9409311
    Abstract: A casting machine (722) for fabrication of precast concrete structural members (1) is disclosed, which includes side walls with integrally formed end dams (784) which are movable from an open position (78) to a closed position (80), and a bottom casting surface (88), where the bottom casting surface (788) and side walls (784) serving to form a mold (812) surrounding a cavity (108) configured to contain wet concrete (26). Concrete (26) is pumped into the cavity (108) when the self-releasing mold (812) is in closed position (80). The side walls (784) are automatically movable to the open position (78) when the concrete (26) has solidified so that a precast concrete structural member (30) is automatically released from the self-releasing mold (812).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventors: Erik Garfinkel, John R. MacMillan
  • Patent number: 9314940
    Abstract: A method of fabrication for precast concrete structural members, including providing an automated concrete structural member fabrication system, including at least one casting machine having a self-releasing mold which includes side walls and end dams which are pivotally movable from an open position to a closed position, and a bottom casting surface, where the bottom casting surface, the side walls, and the end dams surround a cavity when the side walls and the end dams are in closed position, and a removable mold core subsystem which is removably positionable within the cavity; moving the mold sides, the mold end dams and the bottom casting surfaces to a closed position; positioning the mold core subsystem within the cavity; filling the cavity with wet concrete; idling the casting machine until the wet concrete has achieved initial set to form an initial set concrete block; automatically releasing the self-releasing mold from the initial set concrete block; and removing the initial set concrete block from t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventors: Erik Garfinkel, John R. MacMillan
  • Patent number: 9308669
    Abstract: A concrete delivery subsystem for delivering concrete to a number of casting machines, including a concrete mixing source, a concrete hopper assembly, and a rail system. Also, a system for automated concrete structural member fabrication, including a concrete mixing system, a concrete delivery subsystem, a block transport subsystem, and a number of casting machines, each casting machine having a self-releasing mold for fabrication of precast concrete structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventors: Erik Garfinkel, John R. MacMillan
  • Patent number: 9186813
    Abstract: A casting machine for fabrication of precast concrete structural members, which includes side walls and end dams which are all movable from an open position to a closed position, and a bottom casting surface, where the bottom casting surface, side walls, and end dams serving to form a mold surrounding a cavity configured to contain wet concrete. Concrete is poured into the cavity when the self-releasing mold is in closed position. The side walls, and end dams are automatically movable to the open position when the concrete has solidified so that a precast concrete structural member is automatically released from the self-releasing mold. Also a precast modular system for automated concrete structural member fabrication, which includes a concrete mixing system, a concrete delivery subsystem, a block transport subsystem, and a plurality of casting machines, where each casting machine includes a self-releasing mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventors: Erik Garfinkel, John R. MacMillan
  • Publication number: 20150290837
    Abstract: A concrete delivery subsystem for delivering concrete to a number of casting machines, including a concrete mixing source, a concrete hopper assembly, and a rail system. Also, a system for automated concrete structural member fabrication, including a concrete mixing system, a concrete delivery subsystem, a block transport subsystem, and a number of casting machines, each casting machine having a self-releasing mold for fabrication of precast concrete structural members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Erik Garfinkel, John R. MacMillan
  • Publication number: 20150290835
    Abstract: A method of fabrication for precast concrete structural members, including providing an automated concrete structural member fabrication system, including at least one casting machine having a self-releasing mold which includes side walls and end dams which are pivotally movable from an open position to a closed position, and a bottom casting surface, where the bottom casting surface, the side walls, and the end dams surround a cavity when the side walls and the end dams are in closed position, and a removable mold core subsystem which is removably positionable within the cavity; moving the mold sides, the mold end dams and the bottom casting surfaces to a closed position; positioning the mold core subsystem within the cavity; filling the cavity with wet concrete; idling the casting machine until the wet concrete has achieved initial set to form an initial set concrete block; automatically releasing the self-releasing mold from the initial set concrete block; and removing the initial set concrete block from t
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Erik Garfinkel, John R. MacMillan
  • Publication number: 20120139163
    Abstract: A casting machine for fabrication of precast concrete structural members, which includes side walls and end dams which are all movable from an open position to a closed position, and a bottom casting surface, where the bottom casting surface, side walls, and end dams serving to form a mold surrounding a cavity configured to contain wet concrete. Concrete is poured into the cavity when the self-releasing mold is in closed position. The side walls, and end dams are automatically movable to the open position when the concrete has solidified so that a precast concrete structural member is automatically released from the self-releasing mold. Also a precast modular system for automated concrete structural member fabrication, which includes a concrete mixing system, a concrete delivery subsystem, a block transport subsystem, and a plurality of casting machines, where each casting machine includes a self-releasing mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Erik Garfinkel, John R. MacMillan
  • Patent number: 6098357
    Abstract: A modular precast construction block system (10) with a wall subsystem (12) and a foundation subsystem (14). The wall subsystem (12) has a number of wall units (16) having cavities (40) and prestressed tension cables (58) cast therein. The wall units (16) are vertically stacked with alignment channels (42) in the top surface (28) of one wall unit (16) receiving the key portion in the bottom surface (30) of the wall unit (16) above, to form walls (26) with vertically aligned cavities (40). Threaded wall bars (24) and extension bars (74) are threaded through the cavities with a wall tensioning assembly (22) applying downward force on the wall units (16) and providing structural strength to the wall. The foundation subsystem (14) includes a variety of precast foundation members including T footing members (126), pier members (128), grade beam members (130), and column members (132).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Megawall Corporation
    Inventors: Howard M. Franklin, Erik Garfinkel
  • Patent number: 5924254
    Abstract: A modular construction system (10), the preferred embodiment of which is directed toward the construction of structural walls (26). The construction system (10) employs precast wall units (12) and a variety of spacer/tensioning, spacer, tensioning, and extension assemblies (14, 16, 18, and 20). The wall units (12) contain a plurality of cavities (44) and are made of concrete with side walls (36) reinforced with prestressed tension wires (48). In the process of constructing a wall (26), the wall units (12) are stacked one upon the other onto threaded wall bars (24) that extend upwardly from a foundation (22). The spacer/tensioning assembly (14) and the spacer assembly (16) provide alignment during the stacking process and also create mortar joints (52). The spacer/tensioning assembly (14) and the tensioning assembly (18) are utilized in conjunction with the wall bars (24) to tension the wall units (12) onto lower wall units (12) and the foundation (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Megawall Corporation
    Inventors: Howard M. Franklin, Erik Garfinkel
  • Patent number: 5678373
    Abstract: A modular construction system (10) which is directed toward the construction of structural walls (26). The construction system (10) employs precast wall units (12) and a variety of spacer/tensioning, spacer, tensioning, and extension assemblies (14, 16, 18, and 20). The wall units (12) contain a plurality of cavities (44) and are made of concrete with side walls (36) reinforced with prestressed tension wires (48). In the process of constructing a wall (26), the wall units (12) are stacked one upon the other onto threaded wall bars (24) that extend upwardly from a foundation (22). The spacer/tensioning assembly (14) and the spacer assembly (16) provide alignment during the stacking process and also create mortar joints (52). The spacer/tensioning assembly (14) and the tensioning assembly (18) are utilized in conjunction with the wall bars (24) to tension the wall units (12) onto lower wall units (12) and the foundation (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Megawall Corporation
    Inventors: Howard M. Franklin, Erik Garfinkel