Patents by Inventor N. Keith Merser

N. Keith Merser 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: 5890327
    Abstract: A method of reinforcing or retrofitting building roof structures against hurricane-force winds which does not require removal of part or all of the roof. The improved method includes directing a thin stream of a liquid polymer foam adhesive under pressure upwardly along the intersections of the rafters or support members and the roof panels, preferably on both sides of the support members. The foam adhesive then creams and foams, forming polymer foam adhesive gussets which firmly adhere to the adjacent surfaces of the support members and roof panels. This method increases the pull-off strength of a roof about seven fold and is able to withstand hurricane-force winds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: ITW Foamseal
    Inventors: N. Keith Merser, Frederick A. Kish
  • Patent number: 5861119
    Abstract: The method of forming rigid panel assemblies of this invention eliminates the requirement for mechanical fasteners and may be used to bond wall boards to studs, floor joists to wood flooring such as plywood or OSB boards and trusses to ceiling panels. The method of this invention includes applying a thin bead of a thoroughly mixed two-component liquid polyurethane foamable resin adhesive on the surface where the components are to be joined. The foamable resin is formulated to provide a long tack time or delay curing until the assembly is complete. The foamable resin is then allowed to cream and rise before bonding. Where the bead is applied to the side faces of the support members, the support members are preferably turned to orient the foam beads over the fibrous panel, which is preferably supported on a flat horizontal support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: N. Keith Merser
  • Patent number: 5810956
    Abstract: A method of filling a seam of a structural panel assembly utilizes a non-foaming, thixotropic, two-component polyurethane elastomeric material. The thixotropic, elastomeric material is prepared by rapidly mixing and initiating the reaction of a first thixotropic component comprising an isocyanate-terminated compound having at least two reactive isocyanate groups and a second thixotropic component comprising a hydroxyl-terminated compound having at least two reactive hydroxyl groups. Each of the first and second thixotropic components include from about 3% to 8% by weight fumed silica. The second thixotropic component also includes from about 10% to about 50% filler. The thixotropic elastomeric material is applied over the seam of a panel assembly. The method then includes fluidizing the thixotropic elastomeric material and driving the thixotropic elastomeric material into the seam of the panel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: ITW Foamseal, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick A. Tanis, N. Keith Merser, Peter K. Hyde-Smith
  • Patent number: 5714099
    Abstract: The method of forming rigid panel assemblies of this invention eliminates the requirement for mechanical fasteners and may be used to bond wall boards to studs, floor joists to wood flooring such as plywood or OSB boards and trusses to ceiling panels. The method of this invention includes applying a thin bead of a thoroughly mixed two-component liquid polyurethane foamable resin adhesive on the surface where the components are to be joined. The foamable resin is formulated to provide a long tack time or delay curing until the assembly is complete. The foamable resin is then allowed to cream and rise before bonding. Where the bead is applied to the side faces of the support members, the support members are preferably turned to orient the foam beads over the fibrous panel, which is preferably supported on a flat horizontal support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Foamseal, Inc.
    Inventor: N. Keith Merser
  • Patent number: 5683526
    Abstract: A clamp holds a wall panel against an adhesive bead on a wall frame support assembly as the adhesive bead cures. The clamp is actuated to secure the clamp to the support assembly adjacent the panel and hold the panel against the adhesive bead as the bead cures. In a preferred embodiment, the clamp includes a clamping portion having vacuum chambers and a reference surface. A vacuum is drawn on the vacuum chamber, thereby pulling the edges of abutting panels against the reference surface, drawing adjacent panel edge portions of the panels in the parallel relation. The clamping portion also includes a mechanical control which secure the clamping portion to the support assembly holding the panels against the adhesive in coplanar relation. In a method according to this invention polymer adhesive is applied to coplanar surfaces of support members. A clamp is placed adjacent a panel and actuated to hold the panel against the first surface of the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Foamseal, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce T. Guilmette, N. Keith Merser, Glen P. Lloyed
  • Patent number: 5635118
    Abstract: The method of forming rigid panel assemblies of this invention eliminates the requirement for mechanical fasteners and may be used to bond wall boards to studs, floor joists to wood flooring such as plywood or OSB boards and trusses to ceiling panels. The method of this invention includes applying a thin bead of a thoroughly mixed two-component liquid polyurethane foamable resin adhesive on the surface where the components are to be joined. The foamable resin is formulated to provide a long tack time or delay curing until the assembly is complete. The foamable resin is then allowed to cream and rise before bonding. Where the bead is applied to the side faces of the support members, the support members are preferably turned to orient the foam beads over the fibrous panel, which is preferably supported on a flat horizontal support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Foamseal, Inc.
    Inventor: N. Keith Merser
  • Patent number: 5552095
    Abstract: The method of forming rigid panel assemblies of this invention eliminates the requirement for mechanical fasteners and may be used to bond wall boards to studs, floor joists to wood flooring such as gypboards, fiberboards, plywood or OSB boards and trusses to ceiling panels. A preferred method of this invention includes applying a thin bead of a thoroughly mixed two-component liquid polyurethane foamable resin adhesive on the surface where the components are to be joined. The foamable resin is formulated to provide a long tack time or delay curing until the assembly is complete. Where the bead is applied to the side faces of the support members, the support members may be turned to orient the foam beads opposite the fibrous panel, which is preferably supported on a flat support surface, most preferably a vacuum plate which draws the panel flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Foamseal, Inc.
    Inventors: N. Keith Merser, Stanley E. Wencley
  • Patent number: 5425908
    Abstract: The method of forming rigid panel assemblies of this invention eliminates the requirement for mechanical fasteners and clamps and may be used to bond wall boards to studs, floor joists to wood flooring such as plywood or OSB boards and trusses to ceiling panels. The method of this invention includes applying a thin bead of a thoroughly mixed two-component liquid polyurethane foamable resin adhesive on the surface where the components are to be joined. The foamable resin is formulated to provide a long tack time or delay curing until the assembly is complete. The foamable resin is then allowed to cream and rise before bonding. Where the bead is applied to the side faces of the support members, the support members are preferably turned to orient the foam beads over the fibrous panel, which is preferably supported on a flat horizontal support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Foamseal, Inc.
    Inventor: N. Keith Merser