Patents by Inventor James A. Klein

James A. Klein 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: 9284730
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a profile used to support fire retardant and or wall sheathing behind opposing wall sheathing edges, horizontally at head of walls, and behind control/reveal joint profiles. The profiles are shaped to support wall sheathing, intumescent stopping, and fire rated “rips” of wall sheathing and work in a manner that allows protection or support of intersecting opposing drywall edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: James A. Klein
  • Patent number: 8468759
    Abstract: A fire retardant cover is disclosed herein for covering a ceiling-side recess of a fluted roof deck and for providing a flat surface for installation of a head-of-wall track (associated with a steel stud wall assembly). The fluted roof deck has an undulating bottom surface that defines a plurality lengthwise recesses corresponding to a plurality of ceiling-side flutes of the fluted roof deck. The fire retardant cover is substantially flat and configured to sealingly cover at least one of the plurality of lengthwise recesses. The fire retardant cover comprises a piece of sheet metal bent to define first and second upwardly extending protrusions. The protrusions are spaced apart from each other by a substantially flat web section and have laterally facing outer top surfaces matched to sealingly contact lengthwise bottom surfaces of one of the plurality of recesses of the fluted roof deck when the fire retardant cover is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: BlazeFrame Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: James A. Klein
  • Patent number: 8467131
    Abstract: Presently described are multilayer optical films comprising an optical stack comprising at least one first birefringent optical layer; at least one (e.g. isotropic) second optical layer having a birefringence of less than 0.04 at 633 nm, and optionally at least one skin layer. The second layer, skin layer, or a combination thereof comprises a blend of at least one methyl methacrylate polymer and at least one styrene-acrylonitrile polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ta-Hua Yu, Timothy J. Hebrink, Yufeng Liu, Edward J. Kivel, Daniel M. Czuprynski, James A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20120297710
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a profile used to support fire retardant and or wall sheathing behind opposing wall sheathing edges, horizontally at head of walls, and behind control/reveal joint profiles. The profiles are shaped to support wall sheathing, intumescent stopping, and fire rated “rips” of wall sheathing and work in a manner that allows protection or support of intersecting opposing drywall edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: James A. Klein
  • Patent number: 8151526
    Abstract: A fire retardant head-of-wall assembly configured to seal a linear head-of-wall construction joint or gap when exposed to a heat source such as a building fire is disclosed. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly comprises a header track having an elongated intumescent strip affixed lengthwise on at least one of the outer sidewall surfaces of the header track. The intumescent strip comprises expandable graphite and a fire retardant (C2-C8 alkyl diamine phosphate). When exposed to a heat source such as a building fire, the intumescent strip expands so to fill the head-of-wall construction joint or gap, thereby retarding or preventing the spread of smoke and fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly has been certified as complaint with respect to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.'s standards set forth in its Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems—UL 2079.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: James A. Klein
  • Patent number: 8136314
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed to a fire retardant head-of-wall assembly configured to seal a linear head-of-wall construction joint or gap when exposed to a heat source such as a building fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly comprises a header track having an elongated intumescent strip affixed lengthwise on at least one of the outer sidewall surfaces of the header track. When exposed to a heat source such as a building fire, the intumescent strip is able to expand so as to at least partially fill the head-of-wall construction joint or gap; and in so doing, retard or prevent the spread of smoke and fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly has been certified as complaint with respect to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.'s standards set forth in its Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems—UL 2079.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: James A Klein
  • Patent number: 8056293
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed to a fire retardant head-of-wall assembly configured to seal a linear head-of-wall construction joint or gap when exposed to a heat source such as a building fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly comprises a header track having an elongated intumescent strip affixed lengthwise on at least one of the outer sidewall surfaces of the header track and above a centrally located and outwardly protruding lengthwise corrugated groove. When exposed to a heat source such as a building fire, the intumescent strip is able to expand so as to at least partially fill the head-of-wall construction joint or gap; and in so doing, retard or prevent the spread of smoke and fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly has been certified as complaint with respect to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.'s standards set forth in its Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems—UL 2079.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: James A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20110214371
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed to an offset leg framing element for use in a fire rated assembly and comprises: a web section having opposing edges; a pair of outwardly extending sidewalls integrally connected to the web, wherein the sidewalls are substantially parallel and confront each other. In addition, at least one laterally extending ledge section is integrally connected to one of the pair of outwardly extending sidewalls; and at least one downwardly extending leg is integrally connected to the at least one ledge section. The offset leg framing element may be characterized in that the ratio the sidewall height (h1) over the ledge section width (w2) is greater than or equal to one (h1/w2?1), and wherein the ratio the sidewall height (h1) over the web section width (w1) is greater than or equal to one sixth (h1/w1?0.1667).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: James A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20110185656
    Abstract: A fire retardant cover is disclosed herein for covering a ceiling-side recess of a fluted roof deck and for providing a flat surface for installation of a head-of-wall track (associated with a steel stud wall assembly). The fluted roof deck has an undulating bottom surface that defines a plurality lengthwise recesses corresponding to a plurality of ceiling-side flutes of the fluted roof deck. The fire retardant cover is substantially flat and configured to sealingly cover at least one of the plurality of lengthwise recesses. The fire retardant cover comprises a piece of sheet metal bent to define first and second upwardly extending protrusions. The protrusions are spaced apart from each other by a substantially flat web section and have laterally facing outer top surfaces matched to sealingly contact lengthwise bottom surfaces of one of the plurality of recesses of the fluted roof deck when the fire retardant cover is installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventor: James A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20110167742
    Abstract: A fire retardant head-of-wall assembly configured to seal a linear head-of-wall construction joint or gap when exposed to a heat source such as a building fire is disclosed. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly comprises a header track having an elongated intumescent strip affixed lengthwise on at least one of the outer sidewall surfaces of the header track and above a centrally located and outwardly protruding lengthwise corrugated groove. The intumescent strip comprises expandable graphite and a fire retardant (C2-C8 alkyl diamine phosphate). When exposed to a heat source such as a building fire, the intumescent strip expands so to fill the head-of-wall construction joint or gap, thereby retarding or preventing the spread of smoke and fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly has been certified as complaint with respect to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.'s standards set forth in its Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems—UL 2079.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: James A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20110146180
    Abstract: Metal profiles used as top and bottom tracks with legs spaced apart a width to accommodate wall stud framing and resilient channel attached to at least one side of the stud framing One of the profile legs having a minimum of one return flange aiding in holding studs in place during construction and assembly life cycle. Intumescent material attached to a portion of at least one of the legs located proximate to the overhead (ceiling) structure or floor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: James A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20110113710
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed to a fire retardant head-of-wall assembly configured to seal a linear head-of-wall construction joint or gap when exposed to a heat source such as a building fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly comprises a header track having an elongated intumescent strip affixed lengthwise on at least one of the outer sidewall surfaces of the header track. When exposed to a heat source such as a building fire, the intumescent strip is able to expand so as to at least partially fill the head-of-wall construction joint or gap; and in so doing, retard or prevent the spread of smoke and fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly has been certified as complaint with respect to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.'s standards set forth in its Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems UL 2079.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: James A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20110109966
    Abstract: Presently described are multilayer optical films comprising an optical stack comprising at least one first birefringent optical layer; at least one (e.g. isotropic) second optical layer having a birefringence of less than 0.04 at 633 nm, and optionally at least one skin layer. The second layer, skin layer, or a combination thereof comprises a blend of at least one methyl methacrylate polymer and at least one styrene-acrylonitrile polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Ta-Hua Yu, Timothy J. Hebrink, Yufeng Liu, Edward J. Kivel, Daniel M. Czuprynski, James A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20110099928
    Abstract: Metal framing system composed of stud and track profiles having preformed slots which allow system to accommodate for vertical deflection and horizontal drift/adjustment. Embodiment of the system also used to create protection of fire rated joints in rated wall partitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: James A. Klein, Alastair Malcolm
  • Patent number: 7866108
    Abstract: A fire retardant head-of-wall assembly configured to seal a linear head-of-wall construction joint or gap when exposed to a heat source such as a building fire is disclosed. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly comprises a header track having an elongated intumescent strip affixed lengthwise on at least one of the outer sidewall surfaces of the header track and above a centrally located and outwardly protruding lengthwise corrugated groove. The intumescent strip comprises expandable graphite and a fire retardant (C2-C8 alkyl diamine phosphate). When exposed to a heat source such as a building fire, the intumescent strip expands so to fill the head-of-wall construction joint or gap, thereby retarding or preventing the spread of smoke and fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly has been certified as complaint with respect to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.'s standards set forth in its Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems—UL 2079.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: James A. Klein
  • Patent number: 7814718
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed to a fire retardant head-of-wall assembly configured to seal a linear head-of-wall construction joint or gap when exposed to a heat source such as a building fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly comprises a header track having an elongated intumescent strip affixed lengthwise on at least one of the outer sidewall surfaces of the header track. When exposed to a heat source such as a building fire, the intumescent strip is able to expand so as to at least partially fill the head-of-wall construction joint or gap; and in so doing, retard or prevent the spread of smoke and fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly has been certified as complaint with respect to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.'s standards set forth in its Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems—UL 2079.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: James A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20100186325
    Abstract: A fire retardant head-of-wall assembly configured to seal a linear head-of-wall construction joint or gap when exposed to a heat source such as a building fire is disclosed. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly comprises a header track having an elongated intumescent strip affixed lengthwise on at least one of the outer sidewall surfaces of the header track. The intumescent strip comprises expandable graphite and a fire retardant (C2-C8 alkyl diamine phosphate). When exposed to a heat source such as a building fire, the intumescent strip expands so to fill the head-of-wall construction joint or gap, thereby retarding or preventing the spread of smoke and fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly has been certified as complaint with respect to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.'s standards set forth in its Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems—UL 2079.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: James A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20100170172
    Abstract: A fire retardant head-of-wall assembly configured to seal a linear head-of-wall construction joint or gap when exposed to a heat source such as a building fire is disclosed. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly comprises a header track having an elongated intumescent strip affixed lengthwise on at least one of the outer sidewall surfaces of the header track and above a centrally located and outwardly protruding lengthwise corrugated groove. The intumescent strip comprises expandable graphite and a fire retardant (C2-C8 alkyl diamine phosphate). When exposed to a heat source such as a building fire, the intumescent strip expands so to fill the head-of-wall construction joint or gap, thereby retarding or preventing the spread of smoke and fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly has been certified as complaint with respect to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.'s standards set forth in its Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems—UL 2079.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: James A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20080040997
    Abstract: The present invention relates to header assemblies that support a downwardly directed load above an opening in the framing of a load-bearing wall, as well as to related methods. In one embodiment, a load-bearing framing assembly is disclosed. The load-bearing header assembly comprises: a pair of horizontally positioned header members for receiving a downwardly directed load; and a pair of parallel and vertically positioned sheet-metal jamb members. The header members are disposed within the jamb members. In another embodiment, a method for making a load-bearing wall assembly is disclosed. The method comprises at least the following steps: providing and positioning onto a floor and a ceiling respective bottom and top tracks; providing and vertically positioning within the top and bottom tracks a pair of jamb members; and providing and horizontally positioning within the pair of jamb members a pair of header members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: James A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20030167722
    Abstract: A versa-track structure and wall/floor joist assembly and method is provided which consists of an elongated versa-track member comprising a planar web and a first and second legs in perpendicular alignment defining generally a C-shape or J-shape in cross section. A plurality of horizontally elongated openings are spaced lengthwise on the planar web between the first and second ends of the versa-track and receive perpendicularly related vertical stud members or horizontal floor joist members in forming a wall or floor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Klein, Gordon W. Birkland