Patents by Inventor Gerald T. Francis

Gerald T. Francis 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: 5526630
    Abstract: A thin brick panel assembly for forming a brick facing on a building includes a backing member formed from of a single sheet of material which is adapted to properly retain individual thin brick tiles, and support clips utilized in supporting the completed brick facing. The backing member has a uniform cross-section throughout its entire length, and provides channels which allow the thin brick tiles to lay uniformly across each row. Support clips secure the completed brick facing to an underlying support structure of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Inventors: Steven R. Francis, Gerald T. Francis, Robert G. Francis, Gregory J. Francis
  • Patent number: 5501049
    Abstract: A thin brick panel assembly for forming a brick facing on a building structure. The brick panel assembly includes a backing member formed from a single sheet of material, which is adapted to properly retain individual thin brick tiles. The backing member has a generally uniform cross-section throughout its entire length, providing channels which allow the thin brick tiles to lay uniformly across each row. The channels are defined by retaining bars which hold the thin brick tiles in place. The retaining bars include mortar lock notches, which are adapted to provide a dovetail connection between the mortar and the backing board, as well as a path for moisture and water to escape from the brick panel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventors: Steven R. Francis, Gerald T. Francis, Robert G. Francis, Gregory J. Francis
  • Patent number: 5373676
    Abstract: A thin brick panel assembly for forming a brick facing on a building includes a backing member formed from of a single sheet of material which is adapted to properly retain individual thin brick tiles, and support clips utilized in supporting the completed brick facing. The backing member has a uniform cross-section throughout its entire length, and provides channels which allow the thin brick tiles to lay uniformly across each row. Support clips secure the completed brick facing to an underlying support structure of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventors: Steven R. Francis, Gerald T. Francis, Robert G. Francis, Gregory J. Francis
  • Patent number: 4956949
    Abstract: A brick panel wall construction is disclosed including a backing board for a brick panel which is formed of extruded plastic foam for moisture resistance and insulating. The wall construction includes a plurality of brick panels having plastic foam backing boards and a plurality of panel clips which support the backing board against the supporting structure and, when mortar is applied and cured, support the bricks which are secured to the backing boards. Each panel clip is attached at two locations, one to the backing board and the second through the backing board into the supporting structure. Further, legs extend outwardly from the panel clips into the mortar joints to provide a direct mechanical connection between the bricks mounted on the backing board and the supporting structure. These legs have retaining lips configured to create a wedge like action to provide additional support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Gerald T. Francis
    Inventor: Gerald T. Francis
  • Patent number: 4407104
    Abstract: A brick panel wall construction is disclosed including a backing board for a brick panel which is formed of extruded plastic foam for moisture resistance and insulation. The wall construction includes a plurality of brick panels having plastic foam backing boards and a plurality of load bearing clip members that support the bricks which are secured to the backing boards. The load bearing clip members are sandwiched within the tongue and groove joints between adjacent upper and lower brick panels. Each load bearing member includes a protruding terminal lip that extends into the joint area between the bricks of adjacent panels. Mortar is packed or tuck pointed into the joint area to cover the protruding lips of the load bearing clips, and the clips become the support for the bricks that are secured to the plastic foam backing boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Inventor: Gerald T. Francis