Patents by Inventor Lee Mueller

Lee Mueller 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: 20070062135
    Abstract: A system for inhibiting unwanted movement between a building and an underlying foundation, the system including at least one shear panel assembly including corrugated portions and configured to resist bending and twisting distortion and at least one hold-down assembly configured to attach to the at least one shear panel assembly and to attach to at least one anchor member rigidly engaged with an underlying building foundation so as to resist uplift, downward movement, and lateral movement of the at least one attached shear panel assembly, the at least one hold-down assembly configured to provide a range of vertical attachment adjustment to accommodate a range of extended length of the at least one anchor member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventor: Lee Mueller
  • Publication number: 20060277844
    Abstract: Lateral motion devices are used in conjunction with shear assemblies to further dissipate shear forces on buildings. In one embodiment, the lateral motion device is interposed between the shear assembly and the upper portion of the wall to permit relative motion therebetween and to absorb and dissipate a portion of the shear forces through expansion and/or compression of spring members. In another embodiment, the lateral motion device is interposed between the foundation and the bottom of the shear assembly and in yet another embodiment, the lateral motion device is embedded in the foundation so as to be interposed between the anchor bolt and the foundation. The shear assembly can be either a panel assembly or an A-frame assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventor: Lee Mueller
  • Publication number: 20060026985
    Abstract: An ice machine includes an evaporator, a condensate collection unit, positioned below the evaporator and configured to collect condensate from a back surface of the evaporator. First and second mounting brackets attached to the first and second sides of the evaporator, respectively, and are attached to first and second side panels positioned within the ice machine. A pump deck resides below the evaporator and has a chambered section, and a sump is positioned within the chambered section. The condensate collection unit is coupled to a water discharge line, such that condensate is removed from the ice machine and does not come into contact with water that is recirculated to the evaporator. The first and second mounting brackets and first and second flanges on the sump permit easy installation and removal of the evaporator and the sump from the ice machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Hollen, Marty Lafond, Lee Mueller, Steven Kutchera, Thomas Gutman, Matthew Kampert, Howard Funk, Richard Miller