Patents by Inventor Melvin W. Tompkins

Melvin W. Tompkins 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: 6393772
    Abstract: A movable wall panel system with panels that automatically plumb to account for slope or rotation of the overhead track. The system includes a cross beam within an interior volume of the wall panel that is connected to at least one trolley movable along the overhead track. The cross beam is pivotally connected to the frame of the wall panel such that the panel can pivot relative to the cross beam, for example within the plane of the panel width. At least one biasing member, such as a compression spring, is located between the frame and the cross beam to resist pivoting motion. In a preferred embodiment, a pendant of each trolley is provided with a pivot surface that engages an underside of the cross beam in weight supporting relationship. The pivot surface and the cross beam underside are complementarily structured and arranged to permit pivoting about the pivot surface of the cross beam and the connected wall panel frame, such as in a direction generally perpendicular to the panel width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Modernfold, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerald A. McRoberts, Amy M. Meadows, Melvin W. Tompkins
  • Patent number: 6374456
    Abstract: A track and trolley system for an operable wall panel which provides for linear motion. The track is mountable to a ceiling of a room and includes first and second surfaces. The trolley is attachable to the operable wall panel and includes first and second rotatable wheels that respectively engage the first and second track surfaces. The outer radial peripheries of the rotatable wheels and the engaged track surfaces are complementarily structured and arranged to limit movement of the first and second rotatable wheels relative to the surfaces of the track in the direction in which the axis of rotation of the track extends, while allowing the wheels to rotate about their axes of rotation and roll along the track surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Modernfold, Inc.
    Inventors: George E. Fort, Jerald A. McRoberts, N. Douglas Owens, Melvin W. Tompkins