Patents by Inventor Erik W. Wehtje

Erik W. Wehtje 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).

  • Method of using a replaceable-component helmet
    Patent number: 9439471
    Abstract: A helmet includes a frame component and a detachable, replaceable head-protection component. The frame component includes a facemask and a chin strap attachment. The head-protection component is attached to the frame component by mating respective connectors disposed on each component. Upon an impact, the damaged head-protection component may be removed and replaced with a new replacement head-protection component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Erik W. Wehtje
  • Replaceable-Component Helmet
    Publication number: 20130042396
    Abstract: A helmet includes a frame component and a detachable, replaceable head-protection component. The frame component includes a facemask and a chin strap attachment. The head-protection component is attached to the frame component by mating respective connectors disposed on each component. Upon an impact, the damaged head-protection component may be removed and replaced with a new replacement head-protection component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Erik W. Wehtje
  • Polystyrene beads
    Patent number: 6365275
    Abstract: Substantially cylindrical unexpanded polystyrene beads with a diameter on the order of 1 mm and a length on the order of 3 mm are expanded into substantially cylindrical expanded polystyrene beads with a diameter between about 2 and 5 mm, and a length between about 4 and 10 mm. These expanded beads are well suited for use as a substitute for concrete aggregate to make lightweight concrete and concrete construction boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Polysource, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik W. Wehtje
  • Concrete mix containing polystyrene beads
    Patent number: 6218002
    Abstract: Substantially cylindrical unexpanded polystyrene beads with a diameter on the order of 1 mm and a length on the order of 3 mm are expanded into substantially cylindrical expanded polystyrene beads with a diameter between about 2 and 5 mm, and a length between about 4 and 10 mm. These expanded beads are well suited for use as a substitute for concrete aggregate to make lightweight concrete and concrete construction boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Polysource, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik W. Wehtje
  • Apparatus for manufacturing expandable polystyrene (EPS) pellets
    Patent number: 5573790
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing expandable polystyrene (EPS) pellets includes a continuous process extruder, a die, a pelletizer and a hot water annealing quencher assembly. The pelletizer cuts strands of EPS material extruded from the extruder and die into uniform EPS pellets. The annealing quencher assembly includes a quencher tank, a water vortex substantially immersed therein for generating a slurry of water and EPS pellets discharged from the pelletizer, a quenching loop, and a slurry pump for pumping the slurry from the water vortex through the quenching loop to thereby anneal the EPS pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Polysource Inc.
    Inventors: Erik W. Wehtje, Erik T. Anderlind
  • Apparatus for manufacturing expandable polystyrene (EPS) pellets
    Patent number: 5267845
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing expandable polystyrene (EPS) pellets includes a continuous process extruder, a die, a pelletizer and a hot water annealing quencher assembly. The pelletizer cuts strands of EPS material extruded from the extruder and die into uniform EPS pellets. The annealing quencher assembly includes a quencher tank, a water vortex substantially immersed therein for generating a slurry of water and EPS pellets discharged from the pelletizer, a quenching loop, and a slurry pump for pumping the slurry from the water vortex through the quenching loop to thereby anneal the EPS pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Polysource, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik T. Anderlind, Erik W. Wehtje