Patents by Inventor Gary Sprague

Gary Sprague 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).

  • Publication number: 20230407679
    Abstract: A push pad exit device comprising a horizontal push bar actuator mechanically linked to a vertical door handle assembly for use on the interior side of entrance doors where a means of emergency egress is desired, is presented. The operating mechanisms of the push bar actuator and vertical door handle assembly are concealed presenting a smooth uncluttered appearance. The push pad exit device further including an improved roller latch bolt. The improved roller latch bolt allows for a roller to make contact with a ramp surface of a corresponding strike plate on a sweep side of the plate and allows for the roller support to make contact with the strike plate on a latch side of the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: C.R. Laurence Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Mirjana Komadina, Gary Sprague
  • Publication number: 20230374825
    Abstract: A push pad exit device comprising a horizontal push bar actuator mechanically linked to a vertical door handle assembly, for use on the interior side of entrance doors where a means of emergency egress is desired, is presented. The operating mechanisms of the push bar actuator and vertical door handle assembly are concealed presenting a smooth uncluttered appearance. In one mode of operation, the push pad actuator may be moved inwards towards the door face causing the door to unlatch. The push pad exit device may also be equipped with a “dogging feature” which locks the push bar actuator in the unlatched position. In this mode of operation the door is unlatched and the push pad actuator may be used as a fixed door handle. The push pad exit device may also be equipped with a keyed lock on an external face of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: C.R. Laurence Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Patent number: 11821238
    Abstract: A push pad exit device comprising a horizontal push bar actuator mechanically linked to a vertical door handle assembly, for use on the interior side of entrance doors where a means of emergency egress is desired, is presented. The operating mechanisms of the push bar actuator and vertical door handle assembly are concealed presenting a smooth uncluttered appearance. In one mode of operation, the push pad actuator may be moved inwards towards the door face causing the door to unlatch. The push pad exit device may also be equipped with a “dogging feature” which locks the push bar actuator in the unlatched position. In this mode of operation the door is unlatched and the push pad actuator may be used as a fixed door handle. The push pad exit device may also be equipped with a keyed lock on an external face of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: C.R. LAURENCE CO., INC.
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Publication number: 20230349193
    Abstract: An improved base shoe for use with panel installation and removal systems. The improved base shoe includes dovetail grooves for use with a safety-seal and a weather seal, wherein the safety-seal and weather seal must be installed prior to installing a glass panel. The improved base shoe features a recess for use with taper plates having a continuous projection along an upper surface. The base shoe and taper plates are configured so as to provide a prying surface between the projection on the taper plates and a wall of the base shoe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: C.R. Laurence Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Patent number: 11773636
    Abstract: A sliding panel system is disclosed. The system includes a fitting assembly designed to fixedly secure a first panel to an elongate rail member, and a carrier assembly designed to moveably secure a second panel to the elongate rail member. The system facilitates the lateral movement of the second panel with respect to the first panel. The carrier assembly includes at least one carrier unit including a housing with an inner volume, at least one roller unit configured in an upper portion of the inner volume, at least one guide member configured in the inner volume, and an opening extending across the front of the housing and adapted to receive a longitudinal portion of the rail member. The at least one roller unit and the at least one guide member are concealed within the housing when the housing is viewed from a perspective perpendicular to the front of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: FRAMELESS HARDWARE COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Patent number: 11692370
    Abstract: An improved base shoe for use with panel installation removal systems. The improved base shoe includes dovetail grooves for use with a safety-seal and a weather seal, wherein the safety-seal and weather seal must be installed prior to installing a glass panel. The improved base shoe features a recess for use with taper plates having a continuous projection along an upper surface. The base shoe and taper plates are configured so as to provide a prying surface between the projection on the taper plates and a wall of the base shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: C.R. LAURENCE CO., INC.
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Patent number: 11686102
    Abstract: A system and method for waterproofing the interface between a base shoe and a panel is provided. The system includes a weather seal adapted to extend between an inner side wall of the base shoe and an adjacent surface of the panel to seal the gap therebetween. The system includes an elongate groove formed in the inner side wall at a downward offset angle and including a groove entrance that is accessible from directly above. The weather seal includes a foot adapted to be received into the elongate groove when the seal is configured to seal the gap. In this way, the seal may be installed from above and the seal's foot may be pressed into the groove via the groove entrance to secure the seal in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Frameless Hardware Company, LLC
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Publication number: 20230147481
    Abstract: A magnetic door lock control system for use with an egress handle system and a door is provided. The magnetic door lock control system employs magnets that communicate with one another across the door jamb thereby eliminating the need for a hard wired electrical connection between the egress handle system (e.g., a mechanical switch bar) configured with a door and a door locking mechanism mounted above the door in the header of the entranceway. In this way, the need for an electrical wire loop between the egress handles and the door locking mechanism is eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: FRAMELESS HARDWARE COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Patent number: 11613895
    Abstract: A securing system for use with glass panels is provided. The securing system provides clamping and securing forces to a panel held within a base shoe system, e.g., of a frameless glass guard railing. The securing system includes a back plate with separately tapered portions, and a shim assembly including tapered shim members. Each tapered shim member overlays a separately tapered portion of the back plate and is laterally positionable thereupon. Downward forces applied to the shim members are translated into lateral forces causing the shim members to move laterally in relation to the back plate. These lateral translations cause the system's width to increase to secure the panel within the base shoe and/or decrease to release the panel from the base shoe. The system also includes tools to apply said downward forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: FRAMELESS HARDWARE COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Publication number: 20230012146
    Abstract: A sliding panel system is disclosed. The system includes a fitting assembly designed to fixedly secure a first panel to an elongate rail member, and a carrier assembly designed to moveably secure a second panel to the elongate rail member. The system facilitates the lateral movement of the second panel with respect to the first panel. The carrier assembly includes at least one carrier unit including a housing with an inner volume, at least one roller unit configured in an upper portion of the inner volume, at least one guide member configured in the inner volume, and an opening extending across the front of the housing and adapted to receive a longitudinal portion of the rail member. The at least one roller unit and the at least one guide member are concealed within the housing when the housing is viewed from a perspective perpendicular to the front of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: FRAMELESS HARDWARE COMPANY
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Patent number: 11299928
    Abstract: A stile system to support a door or other types of panels is provided. The doors and/or panels may include frameless glass panes. The stile system may include a longitudinal channel into which the side of the door may be received and secured. The system may include a clamping assembly that may provide clamping forces onto the opposing lateral surfaces of the door within the longitudinal channel to secure it therein. The clamping assembly may be controlled by a controlling assembly in combination with the housing to provide inward forces to the clamping members to secure the panel. The stile system also includes a unitizing gasket configured to hold the elements of the clamping assembly in place during the system's assembly and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: FRAMELESS HARDWARE COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Publication number: 20220049501
    Abstract: A securing system for use with glass panels is provided. The securing system provides clamping and securing forces to a panel held within a base shoe system, e.g., of a frameless glass guard railing. The securing system includes a back plate with separately tapered portions, and a shim assembly including tapered shim members. Each tapered shim member overlays a separately tapered portion of the back plate and is laterally positionable thereupon. Downward forces applied to the shim members are translated into lateral forces causing the shim members to move laterally in relation to the back plate. These lateral translations cause the system's width to increase to secure the panel within the base shoe and/or decrease to release the panel from the base shoe. The system also includes tools to apply said downward forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: FRAMELESS HARDWARE COMPANY
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Publication number: 20210388642
    Abstract: A push pad exit device comprising a horizontal push bar actuator mechanically linked to a vertical door handle assembly, for use on the interior side of entrance doors where a means of emergency egress is desired is presented. The operating mechanisms of the push bar actuator and vertical door handle assembly are concealed presenting a smooth uncluttered appearance. In one mode of operation, the push pad actuator may be moved inwards towards the door face causing the door to unlatch. The push pad exit device may also be equipped with a “dogging feature” which locks the push bar actuator in the unlatched position. In this mode of operation the door is unlatched and the push pad actuator may be used as a fixed door handle. The push pad exit device may also be equipped with a keyed lock on an external face of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: C.R. Laurence Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Publication number: 20210381305
    Abstract: A stile system to support a door or other types of panels is provided. The doors and/or panels may include frameless glass panes. The stile system may include a longitudinal channel into which the side of the door may be received and secured. The system may include a clamping assembly that may provide clamping forces onto the opposing lateral surfaces of the door within the longitudinal channel to secure it therein. The clamping assembly may be controlled by a controlling assembly in combination with the housing to provide inward forces to the clamping members to secure the panel. The stile system also includes a unitizing gasket configured to hold the elements of the clamping assembly in place during the system's assembly and use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: FRAMELESS HARDWARE COMPANY
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Patent number: 11187323
    Abstract: A gasket for use in holding side members in proper position during assembly and use is provided. The gasket may be used with frameless door rail systems such as those used to secure heavy glass doors in residential and commercial buildings. The gasket holds the door rail clamping members in proper position during insertion into the door rail system, and in proper position during the insertion of the door or panel to be held therebetween. The gasket also provides a cushioned interface and a weather seal between the clamping members and the associated door or panel and eliminates the need for bonding of the gasket to the clamping mechanism(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Publication number: 20210285546
    Abstract: A gasket for use in holding side members in proper position during assembly and use is provided. The gasket may be used with frameless door rail systems such as those used to secure heavy glass doors in residential and commercial buildings. The gasket holds the door rail clamping members in proper position during insertion into the door rail system, and in proper position during the insertion of the door or panel to be held therebetween. The gasket also provides a cushioned interface and a weather seal between the clamping members and the associated door or panel and eliminates the need for bonding of the gasket to the clamping mechanism(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: FRAMELESS HARDWARE COMPANY
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Patent number: 11118378
    Abstract: A push pad exit device comprising a horizontal push bar actuator mechanically linked to a vertical door handle assembly, for use on the interior side of entrance doors where a means of emergency egress is desired, is presented. The operating mechanisms of the push bar actuator and vertical door handle assembly are concealed presenting a smooth uncluttered appearance. In one mode of operation, the push pad actuator may be moved inwards towards the door face causing the door to unlatch. The push pad exit device may also be equipped with a “dogging feature” which locks the push bar actuator in the unlatched position. In this mode of operation the door is unlatched and the push pad actuator may be used as a fixed door handle. The push pad exit device may also be equipped with a keyed lock on an external face of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: C. R. LAURENCE CO., INC.
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Publication number: 20210254346
    Abstract: A system and method for waterproofing the interface between a base shoe and a panel is provided. The system includes a weather seal adapted to extend between an inner side wall of the base shoe and an adjacent surface of the panel to seal the gap therebetween. The system includes an elongate groove formed in the inner side wall at a downward offset angle and including a groove entrance that is accessible from directly above. The weather seal includes a foot adapted to be received into the elongate groove when the seal is configured to seal the gap. In this way, the seal may be installed from above and the seal's foot may be pressed into the groove via the groove entrance to secure the seal in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: FRAMELESS HARDWARE COMPANY
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Patent number: 11060341
    Abstract: A rail system to support a door or other types of panels is disclosed. The doors and/or panels may include frameless glass panes. The rail system may include a longitudinal channel into which the bottom of the door may be received and secured. The system may include a clamping assembly that may provide clamping forces onto the opposing lateral surfaces of the door within the longitudinal channel to secure it therein. The clamping assembly may be controlled by a controlling assembly in combination with the housing to provide inward forces to the clamping members at two or more interfaces between the housing and the clamping assembly on each opposing side of the panel. In this way, the clamping forces applied to the panel by the clamping assembly are uniformly distributed across the vertical height of the clamping assembly. The rail system also includes a unitizing gasket configured to hold the elements of the clamping assembly in place during the system's assembly and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Publication number: 20210180359
    Abstract: An improved base shoe for use with panel installation removal systems. The improved base shoe includes dovetail grooves for use with a safety-seal and a weather seal, wherein the safety-seal and weather seal must be installed prior to installing a glass panel. The improved base shoe features a recess for use with taper plates having a continuous projection along an upper surface. The base shoe and taper plates are configured so as to provide a prying surface between the projection on the taper plates and a wall of the base shoe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: C.R. Laurence Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Sprague