Patents by Inventor Kenneth E. Carper

Kenneth E. Carper 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: 6047761
    Abstract: A universal overhead door system includes a pair of horizontal track members, a pair of vertical track members and a pair of track radius members interconnecting the horizontal and vertical track members. A pair of short radius members extend from the track radius members to guide uppermost rollers of an overhead sectional door. The short radius members terminate close to the top of the door opening and thereby eliminate the need to guide the uppermost rollers below the level at which the curved portion of the track radius members begin. The ability to install the short radius members when needed for smaller door opening sizes and low head room environments provides a universal track system for most overhead door installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Clopay Building Products Company Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin C. Jaehnen, Richard J. Lewis, Jr., Kenneth E. Carper, Bob Bailey
  • Patent number: 5992497
    Abstract: A connection system for interconnecting various components, such as components of an overhead garage door system, is provided which includes, in one aspect, a first component having a pair of spaced apart hook members, an intermediate guide member and a detent extending from a planar body of the first component. A second component includes a pair of spaced apart apertures which are shaped and aligned to receive the hook members, and an intermediate aperture which is shaped and aligned to receive the guide member upon registration of the first and second components in face-abutting relationship. As the first and second components are translated relative to each other, the detent of the first component engages the intermediate aperture of the second component to thereby establish a connection between the first and second components. Connection of a roller bracket to a door stile of an overhead garage door system is provided by the novel connection system, as well as connection of a door stile to a door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Clopay Building Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin C. Jaehnen, Richard J. Lewis, Jr., Kenneth E. Carper, Bob Bailey
  • Patent number: 5964268
    Abstract: An overhead door apparatus utilizing a torsion spring counterbalancing mechanism. The counterbalancing mechanism includes a worm drive ring-shaped gear winding mechanism for setting the appropriate torque or number of winds in the spring. A counting mechanism is provided to indicate to the installer the number of winds being given to the spring. Means are also provided for accommodating spring growth and contraction during winding and unwinding using the winding mechanism and during normal raising and lowering of the door. A spring clip gear retainer is disclosed for preventing rotation or creep of the worm drive gear and spur gear during normal raising and lowering of the door. A second embodiment is disclosed allowing more universal interchangeability of components between the left and right sides of the door system, easy snap-in assembly, and including a telescoping spring cover. Each embodiment includes a spring winding counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Clopay Building Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Carper, Alan R. Leist
  • Patent number: 5636678
    Abstract: An overhead door apparatus utilizing a torsion spring counterbalancing mechanism. The counterbalancing mechanism includes a worm drive ring-shaped gear winding mechanism for setting the appropriate torque or number of winds in the spring. A counting mechanism is provided to indicate to the installer the number of winds being given to the spring. Means are also provided for accommodating spring growth and contraction during winding and unwinding using the winding mechanism and during normal raising and lowering of the door. A spring clip gear retainer is disclosed for preventing rotation or creep of the worm drive gear and spur gear during normal raising and lowering of the door. A second embodiment is disclosed allowing more universal interchangeability of components between the left and right sides of the door system, easy snap-in assembly, and including a telescoping spring cover. Each embodiment includes a spring winding counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Clopay Building Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Carper, Alan R. Leist
  • Patent number: 5632063
    Abstract: An overhead door apparatus utilizing a torsion spring counterbalancing mechanism. The counterbalancing mechanism includes a worm drive ring-shaped gear winding mechanism for setting the appropriate torque or number of winds in the spring. A counting mechanism is provided to indicate to the installer the number of winds being given to the spring. The ring-shaped gear is a spur gear which is formed integrally with the fitting or cone which attaches by way of a threaded connection with one end of the spring. Means are also provided for accommodating spring growth and contraction during winding and unwinding using the winding mechanism and during normal raising and lowering of the door. A spring clip gear retainer is disclosed for preventing rotation or creep of the worm drive gear and spur gear during normal raising and lowering of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Clopay Building Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Carper, Alan R. Leist, Tony Y. Lin, George S. Carper, Thomas E. Agin
  • Patent number: 5615723
    Abstract: An extension spring overhead door system in which the spring may be quickly and easily placed in tension with the door in a closed position. A spring tensioning device is provided which eliminates the need for multiple installers to lift the full weight of the door and then clamp or otherwise prop the door in an open position. An extension spring containment tube is also provided which surrounds the entire periphery of the spring to fully contain the entire length of the extension spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Clopay Building Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Carper
  • Patent number: 5577544
    Abstract: An extension spring overhead door system in which the spring may be quickly and easily placed in tension with the door in a closed position. A spring tensioning device is provided which eliminates the need for multiple installers to lift the full weight of the door and then clamp or otherwise prop the door in an open position. An extension spring containment tube is also provided which surrounds the entire periphery of the spring to fully contain the entire length of the extension spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Clopay Building Products Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Carper, Alan R. Leist
  • Patent number: D612158
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: ITE Group, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel E. Lehr, Kenneth E. Carper