Patents by Inventor Ernest R. Bodnar

Ernest R. Bodnar 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: 8359813
    Abstract: A steel stud construction member for use in supporting structures and having openings and reduced heat transfer characteristics as compared with solid web studs, and having a web defining side edges and an axis, a flange on at least one side edge, openings through said web at spaced intervals therealong, of predetermined size and profile, at least a side portion of said web removed from said opening remaining attached integrally to said web, by bend lines being formed along axes parallel to said web axis. Also disclosed is a composite member (130) made up of two such members (132) joined together. Also disclosed is a method of making such a member (10,40,70,100,130,132).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Patent number: 8341921
    Abstract: A steel joist member for use in supporting floor structures giving great strength and convenience and improved acoustical performance having a web defining edges, first and second side surfaces and an axis, a edge wall on at least one edge, main openings through the web at spaced intervals therealong, with rounded ends and parallel linear sides, channel portions of the web displaced from the main openings remaining attached integrally to the web by right angle bend lines formed on the first side surface of the main opening along axes parallel to the web axis, and forming reinforcing channels alongside the opposite sides of the main opening. Also disclosed is a composite joist member made up of two such joist members joined together back to back with their openings in registration. Also disclosed is a rim member for supporting the composite joists to form a floor structure. Also disclosed is a method of making such a floor joist member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: 1455454
    Inventor: Ernest R Bodnar
  • Publication number: 20100287872
    Abstract: An open web low thermal conductivity steel stud, having a web defining a longitudinal axis and a web plane, side edges along each side of the web, main web openings formed through the web defining two lengthwise sides parallel to the web axis, ribs extending diagonally across the web between the main web openings, right angle flanges formed around the main web opening and along the ribs, bent away from the web, and having flange extensions formed along the right angle flanges formed along the two lengthwise sides of the main web opening, bent at further right angles into planes parallel to but spaced from the web plane to define three sided parallel spaced apart reinforcing channels extending lengthwise along the web, rib openings at each end of each rib defining narrow throat portions of the web for reduced heat transmission, at least one stud leg formed along at least one web side edge, at right angles to the web, and, two parallel screw receiving grooves formed in the at least one stud leg, the grooves bei
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Publication number: 20100229501
    Abstract: A steel stud construction member for use in supporting structures and having openings and reduced heat transfer characteristics as compared with solid web studs, and having a web defining side edges and an axis, a flange on at least one side edge, openings through said web at spaced intervals therealong, of predetermined size and profile, at least a side portion of said web removed from said opening remaining attached integrally to said web, by bend lines being formed along axes parallel to said web axis. Also disclosed is a composite member (130) made up of two such members (132) joined together. Also disclosed is a method of making such a member (10,40,70,100,130,132).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Publication number: 20100037551
    Abstract: A steel joist member for use in supporting floor structures giving great strength and convenience and improved acoustical performance having a web defining edges, first and second side surfaces and an axis, a edge wall on at least one edge, main openings through the web at spaced intervals therealong, with rounded ends and parallel linear sides, channel portions of the web displaced from the main openings remaining attached integrally to the web by right angle bend lines formed on the first side surface of the main opening along axes parallel to the web axis, and forming reinforcing channels alongside the opposite sides of the main opening. Also disclosed is a composite joist member made up of two such joist members joined together back to back with their openings in registration. Also disclosed is a rim member for supporting the composite joists to form a floor structure. Also disclosed is a method of making such a floor joist member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Patent number: 7647803
    Abstract: A rotary forming apparatus of the type having a pair of central rotors, and one or more die carriers swingably mounted on the rotors, for repeatedly forming a sheet metal work piece moving along a linear path, rotor bearing supports for supporting the rotors at least at one end thereof, die carrier guides on the die carriers at an end thereof adjacent to the rotor bearing supports, and, at least two cam plates adjacent to each the rotor bearing support, for guiding the die carriers guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Publication number: 20090249743
    Abstract: A steel stud member for use in supporting structures and having reduced thickness as compared with conventional studs, and having a web having side edges, flanges on the side edges, formed at angles to the web, the web and the flanges enclosing inside surfaces, and having outside surfaces for mounting structure, and plurality of narrow indented longitudinal grooves formed in the flanges, and in the web, indented inwardly from the outside to the inside of the flanges, providing greater load bearing capacity for a given gauge of steel. Also disclosed is a method of making such a steel member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Patent number: 7363791
    Abstract: A rotary stamping apparatus for forming moving sheet metal and having a die assembly moveable forward and backward along a linear path, with upper and lower dies on respective sides of the sheet metal, the dies being closeable on the sheet metal for forming, and, a rotary drive crank system coupled to the die assembly, and operable to move the die assembly forward and backward along the linear pat, and being further operable to close the dies the sheet metal. Also disclosed is a method of forming moving sheet metal by such apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: GCG Holdings Ltd
    Inventor: Ernest R Bodnar
  • Publication number: 20070175149
    Abstract: A steel stud member for use in supporting structures and having reduced thickness as compared with conventional studs, and having a web having side edges, flanges on the side edges, formed at angles to the web, the web and the flanges enclosing inside surfaces, and having outside surfaces for mounting structure, and plurality of narrow indented longitudinal ribs formed in the flanges, and in the web, indented inwardly from the outside to the inside of the flanges, providing greater load bearing capacity for a given gauge of steel. Also disclosed is a method of making such a steel member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Patent number: 7231746
    Abstract: Steel studs for use in construction having a web, main web openings through the web, a right angular flange formed on a free edge of the web, and depressions in the web and depression openings in the depressions. An alternate form of stud has a triangular tube structure along one edge of the web. Another form of stud has a discontinuous webs defining spaces between them. The main web openings may be circular or non-circular. The studs may be used in a composite construction panel having a thin panel of concrete material an embedment angled flange portion formed along the opposite edge of the web, an edge strip formed on the angled flange at an angle thereto; and, spaced apart angled flange openings formed in the angled flange for flow of concrete therethrough The studs form a reinforcing grid of sheet metal studs with embedment portions which are actually embedded into the concrete panel. In one embodiment two concrete panels may be secured to the studs in spaced relation to create a hollow structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Patent number: 7228720
    Abstract: A rotary apparatus having a first rotating die assembly and a second rotating die assembly arranged in juxtaposition with one another on respective first and second sides of a strip work piece movement path, and operable in unison together to perform operations on a work piece passing therebetween, each die assembly having a main rotor mounted for rotation, at least one die support body supported by the main rotor, and being swingable relative to the main rotor, control cams connected the die support body, cam guides engageable by the control cams, and die support body bearings mounted on the main rotor for carrying the die support body. The die support body can be self-adjusting to the linear speed on the work piece, before and after contact. The die can have a movable portion which moves in or out to provide selective operation on the workpiece. The main rotors are connected by a gear drive train with anti-backlash adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Publication number: 20040182041
    Abstract: Steel studs for use in construction having
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Patent number: 6708459
    Abstract: A composite construction panel having a thin panel of concrete material and a reinforcing grid of sheet metal studs with embedment portions which are actually embedded into the concrete panel, each of the studs having a web, main web openings through the web, a right angular flange formed on a free edge of the web, an embedment angled flange portion formed along the opposite edge of the web, an edge strip formed on the angled flange at an angle thereto; and, spaced apart angled flange openings formed in the angled flange for flow of concrete therethrough. An alternate form of stud has a triangular tube structure along one edge of the web. Another form of stud has a discontinuous webs defining spaces between them. In one embodiment two concrete panels may be secured to the studs in spaced relation to create a hollow structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: GCG Holdings Ltd.
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Publication number: 20040003641
    Abstract: A rotary apparatus having a first rotating die assembly and a second rotating die assembly arranged in juxtaposition with one another on respective first and second sides of a strip work piece movement path, and operable in unison together to perform operations on a work piece passing therebetween, each die assembly having a main rotor mounted for rotation, at least one die support body supported by the main rotor, and being swingable relative to the main rotor, control cams connected the die support body, cam guides engageable by the control cams, and die support body bearings mounted on the main rotor for carrying the die support body. The die support body can be self-adjusting to the linear speed on the work piece, before and after contact. The die can have a movable portion which moves in or out to provide selective operation on the workpiece. The main rotors are connected by a gear drive train with anti-backlash adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Publication number: 20030213276
    Abstract: A rolling mill apparatus for forming a web of material includes a die stand having an upper die assembly and a lower die assembly, the die stand bending the web to a predetermined formation angle as the web passes between the upper die assembly and the lower die assembly. A movement apparatus is utilized for selectively moving the upper die assembly in a vertical direction, thereby adjusting a vertical clearance between the upper die assembly and the lower die assembly. A pin is fixed to the upper die assembly and a cam block having a groove formed at a predetermined orientation angle is also provided. The pin travels in the angled groove when the upper die assembly is moved in the vertical direction and causes the upper die assembly to move horizontally. The predetermined orientation angle of the block is approximately equal to the predetermined formation angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Patent number: 6644086
    Abstract: A rolling mill apparatus for forming a web of material includes a die stand having an upper die assembly and a lower die assembly, the die stand bending the web to a predetermined formation angle as the web passes between the upper die assembly and the lower die assembly. A movement apparatus is utilized for selectively moving the upper die assembly in a vertical direction, thereby adjusting a vertical clearance between the upper die assembly and the lower die assembly. A pin is fixed to the upper die assembly and a cam block having a groove formed at a predetermined orientation angle is also provided. The pin travels in the angled groove when the upper die assembly is moved in the vertical direction and causes the upper die assembly to move horizontally. The predetermined orientation angle of the block is approximately equal to the predetermined formation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Formtek, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Publication number: 20030024290
    Abstract: A variable width roll forming apparatus forms a web and includes a first side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus and a second side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus, the first side plate and the second side plate being oriented substantially equidistant from one another. A plurality of roller die assemblies are disposed in apertures formed in the first side plate and the second side plate. An adjusting apparatus is utilized to selectively change a separation width between predetermined roller die assemblies in the first side plate and the second side plate, wherein the roll forming apparatus defines at least two differing widths between roller die assemblies disposed in the first side plate and the second side plate while maintaining the substantially equidistant spacing between the first side plate and the second side plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ernest R. Bodnar, Joseph A. Ruckauf, Gregory C. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20030014934
    Abstract: A composite construction panel having a thin panel of concrete material and a reinforcing grid of sheet metal studs with embedment portions which are actually embedded into the concrete panel, each of the studs having a web, main web openings through the web, a right angular flange formed on a free edge of the web, an embedment angled flange portion formed along the opposite edge of the web, an edge strip formed on the angled flange at an angle thereto; and, spaced apart angled flange openings formed in the angled flange for flow of concrete therethrough. An alternate form of stud has a triangular tube structure along one edge of the web. Another form of stud has a discontinuous webs defining spaces between them. In one embodiment two concrete panels may be secured to the studs in spaced relation to create a hollow structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Publication number: 20030014935
    Abstract: A composite construction panel having a thin panel of concrete material and a reinforcing grid of sheet metal studs with embedment portions which are actually embedded into the concrete panel, each of the studs having a web, right angular flange formed on a free edge of the web, an angled edge strip formed along the free edge of the right angular flange, an embedment angled flange portion formed along the opposite edge of the web, an edge strip formed on the angled flange at an angle thereto; and, spaced apart angled flange openings formed in the angled flange for flow of concrete therethrough. An alternate form of stud has a triangular tube structure along one edge of the web. Another form of stud has a discontinuous webs defining spaces between them. In one embodiment two concrete panels may be secured to the studs in spaced relation to create a hollow structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Ernest R. Bodnar
  • Publication number: 20020020139
    Abstract: A Sheet Metal Structural Member has flanged openings formed therein to permit the passage of services therethrough. A grommet is provided that has a shape that corresponds generally to the plan form shape of the openings. The grommet has a peripheal wall and seating elements arranged about the peripheral wall to mate with the flanges that are located about the flanged opening. The grommet snaps into place and resists movement once installed. The grommet has radiused edges to discourage damage to service conduits or wiring carried therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Applicant: Rotary Press Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest R. Bodnar, Ronald J. Bogart, John P. Lamers