Patents by Inventor Kevin L. Kirkley

Kevin L. Kirkley 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: 11951652
    Abstract: Various implementations include a device for pumping grout. The device includes a body and a pump. The body defines a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening. Each of the first, second, and third openings is in fluid communication with each other. The first opening includes a first one-way valve configured to allow the flow of grout toward the second and third openings, and the second opening includes a second one-way valve configured to allow the flow of grout away from the first and third openings. The pump is sealingly coupled to the third opening and in fluid communication with the first and second openings. The pump is configured to increase and decrease pressure within the body to cause the flow of grout from the first opening to the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Tindall Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kirkley, John Michael Romano, Matthew S. Alesch
  • Publication number: 20210221024
    Abstract: Various implementations include a device for pumping grout. The device includes a body and a pump. The body defines a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening. Each of the first, second, and third openings is in fluid communication with each other. The first opening includes a first one-way valve configured to allow the flow of grout toward the second and third openings, and the second opening includes a second one-way valve configured to allow the flow of grout away from the first and third openings. The pump is sealingly coupled to the third opening and in fluid communication with the first and second openings. The pump is configured to increase and decrease pressure within the body to cause the flow of grout from the first opening to the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kirkley, John Michael Romano, Matthew S. Alesch
  • Patent number: 10024306
    Abstract: An assembly includes a first block including a first end; and a second block assembled with the first block at a same height as the first block, the second block including a second end facing the first end of the first block. The first block and the second block are connected to the assembly such that there is no structural connection between the second end of the second block facing the first end of the first block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Tindall Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kirkley, Bryant A. Zavitz
  • Publication number: 20160002945
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a base structure for a support tower may include a ring foundation pad, a transition piece disposed above the ring foundation pad, and a plurality of staves positioned around the transition piece. Each of the plurality of staves respectively includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion of each stave is wider than the top portion of each stave. The bottom portion of each stave is located above the ring foundation pad and the top portion of each stave is respectively secured to the transition piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: Tindall Corporation
    Inventors: Bryant A. ZAVITZ, Kevin L. KIRKLEY
  • Publication number: 20150052841
    Abstract: An assembly includes a first block including a first end; and a second block assembled with the first block at a same height as the first block, the second block including a second end facing the first end of the first block. The first block and the second block are connected to the assembly such that there is no structural connection between the second end of the second block facing the first end of the first block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Tindall Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. KIRKLEY, Bryant A. ZAVITZ
  • Patent number: 8734705
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodologies for providing a base support, such as including concrete, and used such as for a wind-driven generator. Precast concrete cylinders are stacked in place upon a platform that may be partially precast and partially cast in place during assembly and supported, in certain embodiments, by plural concrete legs, the other ends of which are supported on a unitary or subdivided concrete foundation. In other embodiments, the platform may be supported by ribbed concrete panels. The concrete cylinders are glued together using an epoxy and then secured by an internal vertical post tension system extending from the platform to the upper most cylinder. Methodologies and apparatus for fabrication of concrete structure used in constructing the base support are also disclosed, with a focus on staves and various ring piece constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Tindall Corporation
    Inventors: Roger C. Knox, Bryant A. Zavitz, Kevin L. Kirkley
  • Patent number: 8458970
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodology for providing a base support, such as including concrete, and used such as for a wind-driven generator. Precast concrete cylinders are stacked in place upon a platform that may be partially precast and partially cast in place during assembly and supported, in certain embodiments, by plural concrete legs, the other ends of which are supported on a unitary or subdivided concrete foundation. In other embodiments, the platform may be supported by ribbed concrete panels. The concrete cylinders are glued together using an epoxy and then secured by an internal vertical post tension system extending from the platform to the upper most cylinder. Different types of concrete are used between upper and lower sections of the stacked cylinders. The lower section uses reinforced concrete while the upper section used ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Tindall Corporation
    Inventors: Bryant A. Zavitz, Kevin L. Kirkley
  • Patent number: 8322093
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodology for providing a base support, such as including concrete, and used such as for a wind-driven generator. Precast concrete cylinders are stacked in place upon a platform that may be partially precast and partially cast in place during assembly and supported, in certain embodiments, by plural concrete legs, the other ends of which are supported on a unitary or subdivided concrete foundation. In other embodiments, the platform may be supported by ribbed concrete panels. The concrete cylinders are glued together using an epoxy and then secured by an internal vertical post tension system extending from the platform to the upper most cylinder. Different types of concrete are used between upper and lower sections of the stacked cylinders. The lower section uses reinforced concrete while the upper section used ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Tindall Corporation
    Inventors: Bryant A. Zavitz, Kevin L. Kirkley
  • Publication number: 20120043680
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodologies for providing a base support, such as including concrete, and used such as for a wind-driven generator. Precast concrete cylinders are stacked in place upon a platform that may be partially precast and partially cast in place during assembly and supported, in certain embodiments, by plural concrete legs, the other ends of which are supported on a unitary or subdivided concrete foundation. In other embodiments, the platform may be supported by ribbed concrete panels. The concrete cylinders are glued together using an epoxy and then secured by an internal vertical post tension system extending from the platform to the upper most cylinder. Methodologies and apparatus for fabrication of concrete structure used in constructing the base support are also disclosed, with a focus on staves and various ring piece constructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: TINDALL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roger C. Knox, Bryant A. Zavitz, Kevin L. Kirkley
  • Publication number: 20110278431
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodologies for providing a base support, such as including concrete, and used such as for a wind-driven generator. Precast concrete cylinders are stacked in place upon a platform that may be partially precast and partially cast in place during assembly and supported, in certain embodiments, by plural concrete legs, the other ends of which are supported on a unitary or subdivided concrete foundation. In other embodiments, the platform may be supported by ribbed concrete panels. The concrete cylinders are glued together using an epoxy and then secured by an internal vertical post tension system extending from the platform to the upper most cylinder. Methodologies and apparatus for fabrication of concrete structure used in constructing the base support are also disclosed, with a focus on staves and various ring piece constructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: TINDALL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roger C. Knox, Bryant A. Zavitz, Kevin L. Kirkley
  • Publication number: 20090308006
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodology for providing a base support, such as including concrete, and used such as for a wind-driven generator. Precast concrete cylinders are stacked in place upon a platform that may be partially precast and partially cast in place during assembly and supported, in certain embodiments, by plural concrete legs, the other ends of which are supported on a unitary or subdivided concrete foundation. In other embodiments, the platform may be supported by ribbed concrete panels. The concrete cylinders are glued together using an epoxy and then secured by an internal vertical post tension system extending from the platform to the upper most cylinder. Different types of concrete are used between upper and lower sections of the stacked cylinders. The lower section uses reinforced concrete while the upper section used ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Tindall Corporation
    Inventors: Bryant A. Zavitz, Kevin L. Kirkley
  • Publication number: 20090307998
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodology for providing a base support, such as including concrete, and used such as for a wind-driven generator. Precast concrete cylinders are stacked in place upon a platform that may be partially precast and partially cast in place during assembly and supported, in certain embodiments, by plural concrete legs, the other ends of which are supported on a unitary or subdivided concrete foundation. In other embodiments, the platform may be supported by ribbed concrete panels. The concrete cylinders are glued together using an epoxy and then secured by an internal vertical post tension system extending from the platform to the upper most cylinder. Different types of concrete are used between upper and lower sections of the stacked cylinders. The lower section uses reinforced concrete while the upper section used ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Tindall Corporation
    Inventors: Bryant A. Zavitz, Kevin L. Kirkley
  • Publication number: 20090308019
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodologies for providing a base support, such as including concrete, and used such as for a wind-driven generator. Precast concrete cylinders are stacked in place upon a platform that may be partially precast and partially cast in place during assembly and supported, in certain embodiments, by plural concrete legs, the other ends of which are supported on a unitary or subdivided concrete foundation. In other embodiments, the platform may be supported by ribbed concrete panels. The concrete cylinders are glued together using an epoxy and then secured by an internal vertical post tension system extending from the platform to the upper most cylinder. Methodologies and apparatus for fabrication of concrete structure used in constructing the base support are also disclosed, with a focus on staves and various ring piece constructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Tindall Corporation
    Inventors: Roger C. Knox, Bryant A. Zavitz, Kevin L. Kirkley
  • Patent number: 6679017
    Abstract: A preformed assembly for providing an offset support for a vertically extending concrete structure is provided, including a receptacle for being embedded in the concrete structure and an attachable offset support for projecting out from the receptacle. The receptacle has anchors for anchoring the receptacle in the concrete structure, openings adapted for receipt of the offset support member, and a securing member. The attachable offset support member has a rigid load bearing plate on its upper surface. The support member has a load support that projects beyond the rear bearing side, to be inserted into one of the receptacle openings, for supporting the offset support member thereon. The support member also has a tension member extending through it to engage the receptacle securing member, for drawing the support member against the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventors: James F. Woodruff, III, Kevin L. Kirkley, Joseph M. Golden
  • Publication number: 20030131547
    Abstract: A preformed assembly for providing an offset support for a vertically extending concrete structure is provided, including a receptacle for being embedded in the concrete structure and an attachable offset support for projecting out from the receptacle. The receptacle has anchors for anchoring the receptacle in the concrete structure, openings adapted for receipt of the offset support member, and a securing member. The attachable offset support member has a rigid load bearing plate on its upper surface. The support member has a load support that projects beyond the rear bearing side, to be inserted into one of the receptacle openings, for supporting the offset support member thereon. The support member also has a tension member extending through it to engage the receptacle securing member, for drawing the support member against the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: James F. Woodruff, Kevin L. Kirkley, Joseph M. Golden