Patents by Inventor Frank E. Oetlinger

Frank E. Oetlinger 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: 9016972
    Abstract: A structural frame assembly is provided that includes mechanically interlocking components. The frame assembly has rails that interconnect with each other at joints that include brackets that engage the rails and nuts that are held in cavities of the rails that are connected to slots that extend through outer surfaces of the rails. Bolts may extend angularly through bores of the bracket and the slots of the rails to operatively engage a nut being held in the cavity. Tightening the bolts may draw the nut angularly through the cavity in a manner that automatically self-aligns the brackets and rails to establish precise joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Patent number: 8961060
    Abstract: A corner piece is provided for interconnecting frame members. The corner piece includes a first plate member defining an inner face, an opposite outer face, a first side face, an opposite second side face, and an end face. The first plate member including a bolt-receiving bore therethrough. A second plate member defines an inner face contiguous with the inner face of the first plate member, an outer face, a first side face, an opposite second side face, and an end face. The second plate member includes a bolt-receiving bore extending between the inner face and the outer face thereof along a first axis generally parallel to the inner face of the first plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Patent number: 8915668
    Abstract: A connection assembly is provided for interconnecting to a frame. The connection assembly including a generally flat plate. The plate is defined by an inner face, an outer face and a first pair of bolt-receiving bores therethrough. The pair of bolt-receiving bores extend between the inner face and the outer face along bore axes at acute angles to the outer face. A first lip extends from the inner face of the plate along a first axis and a second lip extends from the inner face of the plate along a second axis generally perpendicular to the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Patent number: 8888397
    Abstract: A connection assembly is provided for a frame structure. The connection assembly including a first plate member defining an inner face, an opposite outer face, and a bolt-receiving bore extending between the inner face and the outer face thereof along a first axis at an acute angle to the outer face. A tubular collar operatively connected to the first plate member. The tubular collar has a first end and an open terminal end for receiving a first end of a support rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Publication number: 20140259624
    Abstract: A fastening arrangement and method are provided for coupling a pair of frame members together. The fastening arrangement includes an insert receivable in a slot of one of the frame members. A fastener couples the insert with a receiver, such as a nut or a second insert, receivable in the other of the frame members. The insert includes a notch or similar indicator for indicating the appropriate depth to which the insert is to be driven relative to one of the frame members. The insert includes a threaded portion. The threads of the threaded portion are configured to be embedded into one of the frame members as the insert is driven relative to one of the frame members to secure the insert thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Publication number: 20140250822
    Abstract: A corner piece is provided for interconnecting frame members. The corner piece includes a first plate member defining an inner face, an opposite outer face, a first side face, an opposite second side face, and an end face. The first plate member including a bolt-receiving bore therethrough. A second plate member defines an inner face contiguous with the inner face of the first plate member, an outer face, a first side face, an opposite second side face, and an end face. The second plate member includes a bolt-receiving bore extending between the inner face and the outer face thereof along a first axis generally parallel to the inner face of the first plate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Patent number: 8689515
    Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided for a frame structure. The hinge assembly includes a first generally flat plate having an inner face, an outer face and a bolt-receiving bore therethrough. The bolt-receiving bore extending between the inner face and the outer face along a bore axis at an acute angle to the outer face. A second generally flat plate has an inner face, an outer face and a bolt-receiving bore therethrough. The bolt-receiving bore in the second plate extending between the inner face and the outer face thereof along a bore axis at an acute angle to the outer face. A pin pivotably connects the first plate to the second plate. A first lip extends from the inner face of the first plate and a second lip extends from the inner face of the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Publication number: 20130243524
    Abstract: A connection assembly is provided for interconnecting to a frame. The connection assembly including a generally flat plate. The plate is defined by an inner face, an outer face and a first pair of bolt-receiving bores therethrough. The pair of bolt-receiving bores extend between the inner face and the outer face along bore axes at acute angles to the outer face. A first lip extends from the inner face of the plate along a first axis and a second lip extends from the inner face of the plate along a second axis generally perpendicular to the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Patent number: 8474213
    Abstract: A frame member is provided for a structure. The frame member includes a generally flat, elongated first surface having an elongated slot therein extending along an axis. The slot is defined by first and second converging sidewalls lying in corresponding planes which are at acute angles to the first surface. A first diverging outer abutment wall is generally perpendicular to the first converging sidewall and a second diverging outer abutment wall is generally perpendicular to the second converging sidewall. A first diverging inner abutment wall is generally perpendicular to the second converging sidewall and a second diverging inner abutment wall is generally perpendicular to the first converging sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Patent number: 8454259
    Abstract: A connection assembly is provided for interconnecting to a frame. The connection assembly including a generally flat plate. The plate is defined by an inner face, an outer face and a first pair of bolt-receiving bores therethrough. The pair of bolt-receiving bores extend between the inner face and the outer face along bore axes at acute angles to the outer face. A first lip extends from the inner face of the plate along a first axis and a second lip extends from the inner face of the plate along a second axis generally perpendicular to the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Publication number: 20130091691
    Abstract: A structural frame assembly is provided that includes mechanically interlocking components. The frame assembly has rails that interconnect with each other at joints that include brackets that engage the rails and nuts that are held in cavities of the rails that are connected to slots that extend through outer surfaces of the rails. Bolts may extend angularly through bores of the bracket and the slots of the rails to operatively engage a nut being held in the cavity. Tightening the bolts may draw the nut angularly through the cavity in a manner that automatically self-aligns the brackets and rails to establish precise joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Patent number: D676576
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Patent number: D692469
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Patent number: D698235
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Patent number: D698634
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Nut
    Patent number: D704544
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Nut
    Patent number: D705648
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Patent number: D706321
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Patent number: D708353
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Patent number: D715339
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger