Patents by Inventor Philip H. Stobart

Philip H. Stobart 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: 6423257
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sacrificial limb for a deck plank provides a deck plank that is comprised of a wood replacement material. The deck plank has a tongue that is adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent deck plank. A channel is cut in the tongue of the deck plank. The channel is adapted to induce the tongue to fracture when expansion of the wood replacement material causes sufficient pressure between the tongue and the groove of the adjacent deck plank. As a result, expansion and contraction of the deck plank material preferably does not cause the deck to buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: TimberTech Limited
    Inventors: Philip H. Stobart, Burch E. Zehner, A. Anthony Groh, William G. Taylor, Jeffrey R. Brandt
  • Patent number: 6272808
    Abstract: A deck plank comprising a substantially flat top surface made preferably from a wood replacement material having a first edge and a second edge, and may also have a tongue attached to the first edge and a groove attached to the second edge, the tongue and the groove each extending in a plane below the top surface, the tongue being adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent plank. The tongue and the groove are shaped so that a space is maintained between a portion of the tongue and a portion of the groove of the adjacent plank when the tongue is placed adjacent to the groove of the adjacent plank. A number of the deck planks can be used to make a deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: TimberTech Limited
    Inventors: A. Anthony Groh, Philip H. Stobart
  • Patent number: 6131355
    Abstract: A deck plank comprising a substantially flat top surface made preferably from a wood replacement material having a first edge and a second edge, and may also have a tongue attached to the first edge and a groove attached to the second edge, the tongue and the groove each extending in a plane below the top surface downward from the top, the tongue being adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent plank. The tongue and the groove are shaped so that a space is maintained between a portion of the tongue and a portion of the groove of the adjacent plank when the tongue is placed adjacent to the groove of the adjacent plank. A number of the deck planks can be used to make a deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited Partnership
    Inventors: A. Anthony Groh, Philip H. Stobart
  • Patent number: 6035588
    Abstract: A deck plank comprised of a wood replacement material. The deck plank includes a top surface, a first leg, and a second leg. The top surface has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first leg is attached to the first end portion, and the second leg is attached to the second end portion. The first leg extends downward from the top surface, and it has a tongue and an outer surface. The tongue has a first limb and a second limb which are joined together to define a recess. The outer surface defines a channel that extends along the tongue. The second leg also extends downward from the top surface, and it has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion and the lower portion define a groove, and the tongue is adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent, substantially similar deck plank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Burch E. Zehner, A. Anthony Groh, Philip H. Stobart
  • Patent number: 5836128
    Abstract: A tongue and groove deck plank made from a wood replacement material. The deck plank is substantially hollow, and generally rectangular. It has a horizontal top and bottom, a tongue on one edge, and a groove on the other. When the tongue of one deck plank and the groove of another are placed next to one another, a space is maintained between a portion of the tongue and a portion of the groove. A deck may be made from the deck planks. The deck has a support, and at least one wood replacement deck plank attached to the support. The deck preferably includes a starter strip attached to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited Partnership
    Inventors: A. Anthony Groh, Philip H. Stobart
  • Patent number: 5070664
    Abstract: Rigid PVC or other weatherable capstock and a rigid thermoplastic substrate are coextruded to form a channel-shaped cover adapted for close fitting resilient engagement with a plank or beam. If the plank or beam is wooden, the rear marginal flange of the cover may be flared outwardly or inwardly, depending upon the proximity of the planks or beams to one another, and horizontally elongated fastener-receiving slots are provided in at least one leg of the cover. If the beam or plank is formed from metal, the rear marginal flange is inturned to provide a snap fit between the cover and the beam. End caps and connectors are provided to hold the cover in place on the metal beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Crane Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Anthony Groh, Philip H. Stobart, John C. Wolff