Patents by Inventor Michael Hatzinikolas

Michael Hatzinikolas 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: 12241255
    Abstract: An assembly supports external masonry veneer. A bracket mounts to a load bearing wall support structure. A shelf angle has a horizontal leg that defines a shelf for the veneer, and an upstanding leg supported by mounting brackets that secure the assembly to the wall structure. The horizontal shelf is segmented. The back of the shelf angle flexes between the segments to allow the shelf angle to follow the shape of a curve wall. The shelf angle is secured to the mounting brackets with locking clips. The mounting brackets may be channels. They may have lower abutments. The abutments may extend rearwardly. An insulator may be placed between the back and structure. The mounting bracket may have lightening holes. The lightening holes may be in a framework array including alternating diagonal struts. A low thermal conductivity coating may be applied to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Fero Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hatzinikolas, Andrea Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 12134889
    Abstract: A masonry veneer support assembly for mounting masonry veneer to supporting wall structure has a shelf angle, and first and second shelf angle mounting brackets. Each shelf angle mounting bracket has an upwardly extending back that mounts to the supporting wall structure, and a web extending forwardly away from the wall structure. The web has first and second shelf angle mounting seats formed therein. The first shelf angle mounting seat is upwardly spaced from the second shelf angle mounting seat. Hangers in the form of two-part separable brackets are provided to permit masonry veneer to be mounted underneath the shelf angle, thereby concealing it from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Fero Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 12018497
    Abstract: A masonry veneer wall cladding system may include a first layer of a ceramic based veneer, such as formed steel calcium silicate, and a second layer that is formed of a rigid thermal insulation panel such as an expanded foam. The two layers are bonded together with an air gap between the layers. The panels are mounted to supporting wall structure with wall support mounting fittings, or cleats. The fittings have a first leg and a second leg, and a web connecting the two legs. The first leg has slots for mechanical fasteners. The slots permit the fitting to slide, so a panel can be put in place, and then the fitting, or cleat can slide down to trap the panel in place. The panel has accommodations for the engaging fingers of the cleat. In one embodiment, the air gap can define the accommodation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Fero Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 11952783
    Abstract: A support assembly for mounting masonry veneer to supporting wall structure has a first shelf angle, a second shelf angle, and a first shelf angle mounting bracket. Each shelf angle mounting bracket has an upwardly extending back that mounts to the supporting wall structure, and a web extending forwardly away from the wall structure. The web has at least a first shelf angle mounting seats formed in a lower region thereof that hangs downwardly of a vertical load shear transfer connection. A brace is mounted to the bracket. The brace underhangs the cantilevered supporting structure, and provides a moment reaction. The brace has a non-intrusive interface with the supporting structure. That interface may be in compression and the brace may act as a strut. The brace may be thermally isolated from the bracket. The brace may fit within the space envelope of a stud wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Fero Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 11629504
    Abstract: A support assembly supports external veneer such as face-brick. A bracket mounts to a load bearing wall support structure. A shelf angle includes a horizontal leg that defines a surface upon which to mount the veneer. The mounting bracket may be a channel having a seat that includes an outwardly protruding toe, an accommodation for the shelf angle, and an overhanging finger. The back of the shelf angle may have apertures to admit the toes of the mounting bracket. The seat includes an oversized slot having a relief angle to permit the shelf angle web to be rotated angularly during assembly. The mounting bracket has an overhanging arm for engaging the part of a cross-wise running beam, such as an I-beam upper flange. The mounting bracket has an abutment for contacting a lower part of the beam, such as a lower flange of an I-beam. There is a fitting to secure the bracket to the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Fero Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 11560709
    Abstract: A masonry veneer support assembly for mounting masonry veneer to supporting wall structure has a shelf angle, and first and second shelf angle mounting brackets. Each shelf angle mounting bracket has an upwardly extending back that mounts to the supporting wall structure, and a web extending forwardly away from the wall structure. The web has first and second shelf angle mounting seats formed therein. The first shelf angle mounting seat is upwardly spaced from the second shelf angle mounting seat. Hangers in the form of two-part separable brackets are provided to permit masonry veneer to be mounted underneath the shelf angle, thereby concealing it from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Fero Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 11255091
    Abstract: An assembly supports external masonry veneer. A bracket mounts to a load bearing wall support structure. A shelf angle has a horizontal leg that defines a shelf for the veneer, and an upstanding leg supported by mounting brackets that secure the assembly to the wall structure. The horizontal shelf is segmented. The back of the shelf angle flexes between the segments to allow the shelf angle to follow the shape of a curve wall. The shelf angle is secured to the mounting brackets with locking clips. The mounting brackets may be channels. They may have lower abutments. The abutments may extend rearwardly. An insulator may be placed between the back and structure. The mounting bracket may have lightening holes. The lightening holes may be in a framework array including alternating diagonal struts. A low thermal conductivity coating may be applied to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Fero Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hatzinikolas, Andrea Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 11162265
    Abstract: A support assembly for mounting masonry veneer to supporting wall structure has a first shelf angle, a second shelf angle, and a first shelf angle mounting bracket. Each shelf angle mounting bracket has an upwardly extending back that mounts to the supporting wall structure, and a web extending forwardly away from the wall structure. The web has at least a first shelf angle mounting seats formed in a lower region thereof that hangs downwardly of a vertical load shear transfer connection. A brace is mounted to the bracket. The brace underhangs the cantilevered supporting structure, and provides a moment reaction. The brace has a non-intrusive interface with the supporting structure. That interface may be in compression and the brace may act as a strut. The brace may be thermally isolated from the bracket. The brace may fit within the space envelope of a stud wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Fero Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 11118358
    Abstract: A masonry veneer support assembly for mounting masonry veneer to supporting wall structure. The support assembly has a first shelf angle, a second shelf angle, and a first shelf angle mounting bracket. Each shelf angle mounting bracket has an upwardly extending back that mounts to the supporting wall structure, and a web extending forwardly away from the wall structure. The web has first and second shelf angle mounting seats formed therein. The first shelf angle mounting seat is upwardly spaced from the second shelf angle mounting seat. A second shelf angle mounting bracket may be spaced apart horizontally from the first shelf angle mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Fero Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 11078672
    Abstract: A support assembly supports external veneer such as face-brick. A bracket mounts to a load bearing wall support structure. A shelf angle includes a horizontal leg that defines a surface upon which to mount the veneer. The mounting bracket may be a channel having a seat that includes an outwardly protruding toe, an accommodation for the shelf angle, and an overhanging finger. The back of the shelf angle may have apertures to admit the toes of the mounting bracket. The seat includes an oversized slot having a relief angle to permit the shelf angle web to be rotated angularly during assembly. The mounting bracket has an overhanging arm for engaging the part of a cross-wise running beam, such as an I-beam upper flange. The mounting bracket has an abutment for contacting a lower part of the beam, such as a lower flange of an I-beam. There is a fitting to secure the bracket to the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 11041315
    Abstract: A support assembly supports external veneer such as face-brick. A bracket mounts to a load bearing wall support structure. A shelf angle includes a horizontal leg that defines a surface upon which to mount the veneer. The mounting bracket may be a channel having a seat that includes an outwardly protruding toe, an accommodation for the shelf angle, and an overhanging finger. The back of the shelf angle may have apertures to admit the toes of the mounting bracket. The seat includes an oversized slot having a relief angle to permit the shelf angle web to be rotated angularly during assembly. The mounting bracket has an overhanging arm for engaging the part of a cross-wise running beam, such as an I-beam upper flange. The mounting bracket has an abutment for contacting a lower part of the beam, such as a lower flange of an I-beam. There is a fitting to secure the bracket to the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Fero Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 10465379
    Abstract: A tie system is provided for use with a wall form for a cementitious backup wall and for use with a wall tie to connect between the cementitious backup wall and a veneer. The tie system includes a backup wall connector and a form connector. The form connector is connectable to the form and secures the backup wall connector in position as the wall form is filled. The connector may have heat transfer reducing perforations. The connector may have an outwardly positioned flange to which external wall members may be attached. The connector may have multiple gap-setting features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 10323419
    Abstract: A support assembly supports external veneer such as face-brick. A bracket mounts to a load bearing wall support structure. A shelf angle includes a horizontal leg that defines a surface upon which to mount the veneer. The mounting bracket may be a channel having a seat that includes an outwardly protruding toe, an accommodation for the shelf angle, and an overhanging finger. The back of the shelf angle may have apertures to admit the toes of the mounting bracket. The seat includes an oversized slot having a relief angle to permit the shelf angle web to be rotated angularly during assembly. The mounting bracket has an overhanging arm for engaging the part of a cross-wise running beam, such as an I-beam upper flange. The mounting bracket has an abutment for contacting a lower part of the beam, such as a lower flange of an I-beam. There is a fitting to secure the bracket to the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Fero Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 10294676
    Abstract: A support assembly for external veneer has a mounting bracket fixedly mounted to a load bearing wall, and a shelf angle. The shelf angle includes a horizontal leg surface upon which to mount veneer members. The mounting bracket may be a channel. The legs of the channel may have seats. The seats have a protruding toe. The back of the shelf angle may admit the toes of the mounting bracket. The toes may be shy of the bottom of the shelf angle. The seat may includes an oversized slot to permit the shelf angle web to be rotated angularly during assembly. The legs of the bracket may be long, to permit the seat to hang down well below the mounting. The legs of the bracket may be perforated to reduce heart transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Fero Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 9534375
    Abstract: A tie system is provided for use with a wall form for a cementitious backup wall and for use with a wall tie to connect between the cementitious backup wall and a veneer. The tie system includes a backup wall connector and a form connector. The form connector is connectable to the form and secures the backup wall connector in position as the wall form is filled. The connector may have heat transfer reducing perforations. The connector may have an outwardly positioned flange to which external wall members may be attached. The connector may have multiple gap-setting features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 9447585
    Abstract: A support assembly is provided for supporting external veneer. It has a mounting bracket that is fixedly mounted to a load bearing wall support structure, and a shelf angle. The shelf angle includes a horizontal leg that defines a surface upon which to mount the external facing members. The mounting bracket may be a channel. The legs of the channel may each be formed to have a seat. The seat includes an outwardly protruding toe, an accommodation for the shelf angle, and an overhanging finger. The back of the shelf angle may have apertures to admit the toes of the mounting bracket, such that the vertical load is transferred from the web of the shelf bracket to the toes. The toes do not extend below the horizontal leg of the shelf angle, and do not protrude downwardly of it. The seat includes an oversized slot having a relief angle to permit the shelf angle web to be rotated angularly during assembly. The finger is also relieved, at an angle of relief greater than the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 9316004
    Abstract: A support assembly is provided for supporting external veneer. It has a mounting bracket that is fixedly mounted to a load bearing wall support structure, and a shelf angle. The shelf angle includes a horizontal leg that defines a surface upon which to mount the external facing members. The mounting bracket may be a channel. The legs of the channel may each be formed to have a seat. The seat includes an outwardly protruding toe, an accommodation for the shelf angle, and an overhanging finger. The back of the shelf angle may have apertures to admit the toes of the mounting bracket, such that the vertical load is transferred from the web of the shelf bracket to the toes. The toes do not extend below the horizontal leg of the shelf angle, and do not protrude downwardly of it. The seat includes an oversized slot having a relief angle to permit the shelf angle web to be rotated angularly during assembly. The finger is also relieved, at an angle of relief greater than the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 9273470
    Abstract: A connector for coupling a veneer panel to a back-up comprises a support member comprising a mounting flange adapted for securing the support member to said back-up wall, and first and second support member side walls extending outwardly from the mounting flange. The first and second support member side walls define at least one generally horizontal slot when the support member is secured to the back-up wall. The connector further comprises a veneer connector configured for non-rotational sliding receipt in the generally horizontal slot and adapted to support a generally horizontal edge of said veneer panel when the veneer connector is received in the generally horizontal slot and when the support member is secured to the back-up wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 9234344
    Abstract: The end of a transversely extending beam is joined to a wall structure by a self-releasing structural assembly. It has a first portion anchored to the wall. A second, fireproof and non-thermally degradable portion of the assembly sticks out from the wall. The assembly has a thermally degradable member mated to the second portion of the structural assembly. Both portions have slots for accepting beam fasteners. The beam fasteners squeeze the end of the beam, the support bracket seat, and the consumable, thermally degradable member in compression. When exposed to heat or flame the consumable, thermally degradable member softens, releasing the tension in the beam end fasteners, and releasing the compression in the structural sandwich of parts. The end of the beam is then able to translate away from the wall structure. The consumable member can be inspected without removing the beam end from the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas
  • Patent number: 9010050
    Abstract: A prefabricated rain screen wall panel is provided comprising inner and outer concrete panels secured together by shear connectors. Intermediate members provide insulation, a drainage channel and a vapor barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Hatzinikolas