Patents by Inventor F. William Alley

F. William Alley 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: 6647671
    Abstract: A snow guard assembly adapted to be attached to a metal roof seam is provided, having a mounting assembly for having increased gripping efficiency. The mounting assembly includes a mounting block having a seam-receiving groove, and at least one channel formed on an internal side of the seam-receiving groove. A lever member disposed within each channel is pivotally secured at one end by a pivot member. A coupling element passes through a side of the mounting block proximate the other end of the lever member. When the coupling element contacts the lever member, the lever member moves from the channel to a position within the seam-receiving groove. The metal roof seam housed in the seam-receiving groove is deformed under force provided by the mechanical advantage of the lever to form a gripping area that secures the mounting assembly to the metal roof seam and prevents relative movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Patent number: 6536166
    Abstract: A snow guard assembly adapted to be attached to a metal roof seam by a mounting assembly is provided. The mounting assembly includes a mounting block having a seam-receiving groove formed in a bottom surface thereof, and at least one coupling means extending through a first side portion of the mounting block and having a terminal end adapted to move toward a central axis of the seam-receiving groove. At least one clamping member is interposed between the central axis of the seam-receiving groove and the coupling means, having a first side opposing the terminal end of the coupling means and a second side adapted to oppose a metal roof seam. The clamping member is preferably a plastically deformable metal material having a sufficiently small thickness such that, upon engagement with the terminal end of the coupling means, a protrusion is formed on the second side of the clamping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Patent number: 6393754
    Abstract: A reel foot assembly for detachably securing various sizes of reel feet for use in a fishing rod, including a tubular body, a first reel foot holder fixedly mounted proximate a first end of the tubular body, the first reel foot holder having a reel foot receiving area, a second reel foot holder positioned proximate a second end of the tubular body, the second reel foot holder being movable along a length of the tubular body and having an interior surface, at least a portion of which has a substantially continuously increasing radius, and a securing member for locking the axial position of the second reel foot holder along the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Patent number: 6385914
    Abstract: A mounting block for a snow guard system having a groove formed in the base. An insert is placed into the groove. The insert has an outer periphery that conforms to the shape of the groove and has an inner periphery that conforms to the shape of the metal roof seam. Set screws or similar clamping devices are provided to secure the mounting block to the seam. The insert is manufactured from a material that is non-corrosive, preferably plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Patent number: 6357184
    Abstract: A device capable of being attached to a roof as part of a snowguard system to prevent snow or ice from falling off the roof. The snowguard system includes a plurality of mounting brackets each having a bracket portion with at least one bore defining at least one cutout region therethrough. This cutout region has a first circumferential shape. At least one pipe is slidably inserted through one of the bores in each of the bracket portions. Each pipe has a circumferential shape substantially similar to that of each cutout region to thereby prevent rotation of the pipe with respect to the bracket. At least one flag is provided for attachment to the pipe. Each flag has an interior which is substantially geometrically similar to at least a portion of the circumferential shape of the pipe, thereby allowing the interior portion of the flag to lockingly engage the exterior of one of the pipes such that the flag does not rotate with respect to the pipe to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Publication number: 20010045064
    Abstract: A mounting block for a snow guard system having a groove formed in the base. An insert is placed into the groove. The insert has an outer periphery that conforms to the shape of the groove and has an inner periphery that conforms to the shape of the metal roof seam. Set screws or similar clamping devices are provided to secure the mounting block to the seam. The insert is manufactured from a material that is non-corrosive, preferably plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: Stephen P. Burr
    Inventor: F. WILLIAM ALLEY
  • Patent number: 6318028
    Abstract: A mounting assembly is provided for puncture-free attachment of a snow guard system to a roof seam. The assembly comprises a mounting block, at least one clamping member, and an actuation member. Once actuated, the clamping member prevents relative movement between the mounting block and the seam. At least one clamping member positioned adjacent a groove located in the base of the mounting block. The clamping member includes a first side having at least one primary contact surface outwardly protruding a first distance from the first side. The clamping member also includes at least one secondary contact surface protruding a second distance from the first side. In the preferred embodiment, the second distance is less than the first distance thereby making the primary contact surface(s) the first to engage the seam upon actuation of the member. Preferably, the clamping member includes a second side having at least one protrusion for engagement with a first end of the actuation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Patent number: 6298608
    Abstract: The present invention can be attached to any type of roof which comprises an outer layer attached to a substrate layer. The present invention comprises a block having a base and a top, a snow guard attached to the block, and two rods, each having a first and a second terminal end and a predetermined length therebetween. The first terminal end of each rod is attached to the base of the block. To secure the block to the roof, two holes are placed through the outer and substrate layers of the roof. The base of the block is placed in juxtaposition with the outer layer of the roof, with the second terminal ends of the two rods located through the holes in the roof. The length of the two rods is sufficient to allow the second terminal ends thereof to extend below the substrate layer of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Patent number: 6256934
    Abstract: A mounting assembly is provided for puncture-free attachment of a snow guard system to a roof seam. The assembly comprises a mounting block, at least one clamping pad, and an actuation member. Once actuated, the clamping pad prevents relative movement between the mounting block and the seam. At least one clamping pad positioned adjacent a groove located in the base of the mounting block. The clamping pad includes a first side having at least one primary contact surface outwardly protruding a first distance from the first side. The clamping pad also includes at least one secondary non-spherical contact surface protruding a second distance from the first side. In the preferred embodiment, the second distance is less than the first distance thereby making the primary contact surface(s) the first to engage the seam upon actuation of the pad. Preferably, the clamping pad includes a second side having at least one protrusion for engagement with a first end of the actuation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Patent number: 6223477
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a block having a first and a second exterior side wall, a base and a top. A groove is located in the base of the block, the groove defining a first and a second interior side wall and a top interior surface. The block is locatable on a metal roof by placement of the groove about a segment of the seam formed by overlapping adjacent roofing panels. A hole is located in the block between the top of the block and the groove, and a locking device is locatable in the hole. Initially locating the locking device into the hole causes the locking device to be positioned between a portion of the seam of the metal roof and a portion of the first interior side wall of the block. Further translocation of the locking device into the hole causes the locking device to engage the portion of the seam of the metal roof and the portion of the first interior side wall of the block, thereby securing the block to the metal roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Patent number: 6145238
    Abstract: A reel seat for a fishing rod, including a frangible outer longitudinal member adapted to receive the foot of a reel and an inner longitudinal member adapted to receive a portion of a rod body. The frangible outer longitudinal member has a bore extending axially therethrough from one end thereof. The inner longitudinal member is fixed within the bore of the frangible outer longitudinal member and has a bore, substantially coaxial with the bore of the frangible outer longitudinal member, extending from one axial end thereof. The inner longitudinal member has a machinability that is greater than the machinability of the frangible outer longitudinal member to allow easy diametrical enlargement of the bore formed through the inner longitudinal member. The same sized reel seat can be used with various fishing rods having different diameters due to the high machinability of the inner longitudinal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Patent number: 6067740
    Abstract: A reel seat for a fishing rod includes a hollow tubular body having attached first and second cylindrical foot holders for detachably securing a reel foot thereto. The first cylindrical foot holder is slidably engageable with a threaded end on the tubular body and includes an interior surface having a first arcuate region for receiving a leg of a reel foot having a first size and a second arcuate region for receiving a leg of a reel foot having a second size that is different from the first size. The first foot holder is linearly and rotatably adjustable so as to allow either the first or second arcuate region to be aligned with the second cylindrical foot holder, which is separately and fixedly mounted to the hollow tubular body and has an interior surface capable of receiving the remaining leg of the reel foot of either size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Patent number: 5996270
    Abstract: A reel seat for a fishing rod, including a frangible outer longitudinal member adapted to receive the foot of a reel and an inner longitudinal member adapted to receive a portion of a rod body. The frangible outer longitudinal member has a bore extending axially therethrough from one end thereof. The inner longitudinal member is fixed within the bore of the frangible outer longitudinal member and has a bore, substantially coaxial with the bore of the frangible outer longitudinal member, extending from one axial end thereof. The inner longitudinal member has a machinability that is greater than the machinability of the frangible outer longitudinal member to allow easy diametrical enlargement of the bore formed through the inner longitudinal member. The same sized reel seat can be used with various fishing rods having different diameters due to the high machinability of the inner longitudinal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Patent number: 5732513
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device capable of being attached to a metal roof comprises a substantially perpendicular seam. The device comprises a block. A groove is located in the base of the block, and the block is locatable on the roof by placement of the groove on the seam. There are two embodiments for securing the block to the seam. In the first embodiment, a threaded hole is located in the block between the first side wall and the groove, and a cavity is located in the groove diametrical to the threaded hole. A set screw is locatable in the threaded hole. The set screw has an opening at its terminal end for receiving an element having a curved surface, the element protruding therefrom and pivotable therewithin. Driving the set screw into the hole causes the curved surface of the element to engage the seam, driving the seam towards the cavity of the groove diametric thereto, thereby forming a pocket in the seam, and securing the block to the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Patent number: 5613328
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device capable of being attached to a metal roof comprises a substantially perpendicular seam. The device comprises a block. A groove is located in the base of the block, and the block is locatable on the roof by placement of the groove on the seam. There are two embodiments for securing the block to the seam. In the first embodiment, a threaded hole is located in the block between the first side wall and the groove, and a cavity is located in the groove diametrical to the threaded hole. A set screw is locatable in the threaded hole. The set screw has an opening at its terminal end for receiving an element having a curved surface, the element protruding therefrom and pivotable therewithin. Driving the set screw into the hole causes the curved surface of the element to engage the seam, driving the seam towards the cavity of the groove diametric thereto, thereby forming a pocket in the seam, and securing the block to the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Patent number: 4300786
    Abstract: A snow ski having adjustable camber-flattening resistance and characterized by a flat ski body having opposing side surfaces defining insert-receiving voids extending along the body mid-portion, and elongate body-stiffening inserts removably secured within the voids and providing with the body a particular camber-flattening resistance. A method for providing a ski having a desired camber-flattening resistance characterized by providing a flat ski body with the aforementioned voids defined in the side surfaces thereof, providing an array of inserts having differing stiffness characteristics but each being dimensioned for insertion in the voids, selecting a pair of inserts from the array, and securing such inserts in the voids. Preferred embodiments include inserts which may be used in one of two orientations to provide differing camber-flattening resistances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Assignee: Johnson Wax Associates
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Patent number: 4130141
    Abstract: Picker stick formed of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic with a hollow center containing a vibration damping substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Assignee: Page Belting Company
    Inventor: F. William Alley