Patents by Inventor Michael D. Jines

Michael D. Jines 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: 5875591
    Abstract: Adjacent backdrop panels and a suspended canopy comprising a stage shell, wherein the backdrop panels include angular alignment devices for readily and accurately aligning adjacent panels to present a pleasing, uniform appearance and tilt aligning devices to readily align the angle of tilt of the backdrop panels. The suspended canopy formed of individual canopy panels having rotatable hinge devices for storing the canopy panels in a substantially vertical position and having a readily engageable stay assembly for accurately fixing the relative angle of the canopy panels when deployed in a performance position above the backdrop panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. Jines
  • Patent number: 5848501
    Abstract: A modular portable stage and floor system uses a small number of standardized modular components to construct a temporary or permanent platform that is easily adaptable to a wide variety of platform designs. The modular standardized components include a series of modular vertical and horizontal supports and a light-weight modular deck panel. The modular vertical and horizontal supports can be detachably coupled together in a slidably interlocked manner using a universal connector mechanism in to a support frame structure for supporting a plurality of modular deck panels. By using a small number of modular supports and a universal connector mechanism that is similar for all structural interconnections required to build the support frame structure, the modular portable stage and floor system is strong and stable, yet easily transported, assembled and disassembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventors: Dale L. Taipale, Michael D. Jines, Grant S. Quam
  • Patent number: 5622011
    Abstract: Adjacent backdrop panels and a suspended canopy comprising a stage shell, wherein the backdrop panels include angular alignment devices for readily and accurately aligning adjacent panels to present a pleasing, uniform appearance and tilt aligning devices to readily align the angle of tilt of the backdrop panels. The suspended canopy formed of individual canopy panels having rotatable hinge devices for storing the canopy panels in a substantially vertical position and having a readily engageable stay assembly for accurately fixing the relative angle of the canopy panels when deployed in a performance position above the backdrop panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. Jines
  • Patent number: 5524691
    Abstract: Adjacent backdrop panels and a suspended canopy comprising a stage shell, wherein the backdrop panels include angular alignment devices for readily and accurately aligning adjacent panels to present a pleasing, uniform appearance and tilt aligning devices to readily align the angle of tilt of the backdrop panels. The suspended canopy formed of individual canopy panels having rotatable hinge devices for storing the canopy panels in a substantially vertical position and having a readily engageable stay assembly for accurately fixing the relative angle of the canopy panels when deployed in a performance position above the backdrop panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. Jines
  • Patent number: 5454441
    Abstract: A transport system for improved transport of stage panels The stage panel assembly transport system includes a transport sled and a modified stage panel assembly support base adapted for detachable engagement with the transport sled. The transport sled uses an air cushion support to lift a substantial portion of the weight of the stage panel assembly, with the remaining portion of stage panel assembly's weight being stably supported by a castor wheel arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. Jines
  • Patent number: 5263550
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable, portable railing system for use with raised platforms or the like. The railing system broadly includes a plurality of generally horizontal rails and generally vertical uprights for supporting the rails. The uprights include a standard carrying at least one railing bracket, a platform clamp mechanism and a platform clamp operator. The elongated post-like standard has an upper crown end, a lower base end and a generally central longitudinal axis. The crown end supports the railing bracket and the base end is associated with the platform clamp mechanism. The platform clamp operator has a generally central longitudinal axis that is closely adjacent and substantially parallel to the axis of the standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Jines, Dale A. Sellner
  • Patent number: 5205087
    Abstract: A portable, reconfigurable staging platform is provided and includes a plurality of individual panel assemblies, a plurality of support legs coupled to the panels, and a plurality of connectors for detachably coupling selected individual panels to one another in a desired configuration. Each of the individual panel assemblies includes a central panel region with a peripheral edge overlaid by a panel frame. The support legs are operably coupled to the frame and the frame includes a connector receiving feature for slidably, releasably receiving the connectors so that selected adjacent panels may be joined to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Michael D. Jines
  • Patent number: 5157890
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flooring system that can be quickly, accurately and easily installed in various sorts of buildings, including temporary structures, pre-fabricated buildings or permanent structures such as factories, homes or offices. The flooring system broadly consists of individual panel assemblies that may be cooperatively interengaged. The periphery of each panel is bound by frame members having two spaced generally parallel flanges and a generally perpendicular web extending therebetween. On one side of the web, between the upper and lower flanges, the frame members include a track for receiving a key block. The key block comprises a generally rectangular base with a key tongue extending therefrom. The base is slidably received in the track of one frame member and the tongue is received in the track of an adjacent frame member. The frame members may be miter cut to a desired length and the corners fastened together by a corner fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. Jines
  • Patent number: 5117596
    Abstract: A portable dance floor includes a plurality of pie-shaped platform segments having matingly engageable peripheral edges. The platform segments are made from a sturdy, lightweight honeycomb construction. A unique connecting hub couples the apexes of a plurality of platform segments together, and an adjustable web extends around the outer periphery of the combined platform segments. A key way and supporting key are provided along the adjoining edges of adjacent platform segments. Each of the segments may be supported by one or more adjustable support legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Leslie, Michael D. Jines
  • Patent number: 4942708
    Abstract: An elevated floor has two separate types of floor panels arranged in alternating order on adjustable support legs. Base floor panels and access floor panels are formed from squares of low density oriented strand material having extruded metal cladding strips along the peripheral edges of the squares. The base floor panels include edge cladding strips having a support flange extending outwardly from the base panel peripheral edge. The access panels include a different type of cladding strip designed to seat on the support flange of the base panel cladding strip. Detachable riser beams are provided for assembly of multilevel stepped raised floors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Krumholz, Michael D. Jines
  • Patent number: 4930277
    Abstract: An elevated floor has two separate types of floor panels arranged in alternating order on adjustable support legs. Base floor panels and access floor panels are formed from squares of low density oriented strand material having extruded metal cladding strips along the peripheral edges of the squares. The base floor panels include edge cladding strips having a support flange extending outwardly from the base panel peripheral edge. The access panels include a different type of cladding strip designed to seat on the support flange of the base panel cladding strip. Detachable riser beams are provided for assembly of multilevel stepped raised floors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Krumholz, Michael D. Jines
  • Patent number: 4696361
    Abstract: An improved cooling system for a skid steer loader includes a swing-up radiator and oil cooler assembly (60) incorporating a pair of radiators (64, 88) supported for independent pivotal movement between raised and lowered positions to facilitate access to the radiators, as well as access to the engine and associated components for service, maintenance and the like. The lowermost radiator (64) serves as the hydraulic oil cooler, and is supported in a frame (62) pivotal about a generally longitudinal axis (78). The uppermost radiator (88) serves as the engine cooler and is mounted in another shelf (86) pivotal about a second longitudinal axis (104). A latch assembly (106, 108, 110, 112 and 114) is provided for releasably securing the entire radiator and oil cooler assembly (60) in a lowered position and at least the upper radiator (88) in a raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Owatonna Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Brian C. Clark, Michael D. Jines