Patents by Inventor Ralph P. Semmerling

Ralph P. Semmerling 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: 4730424
    Abstract: A walkway on a rooftop comprises expanded metal planks supported by U-shaped support stands disposed transversely with respect to the length of the planks. The planks have alternating rows of ridges and valleys, both of which have transverse slits. The planks are connected to the support stands by T-shaped bolts whose crossbars are rounded. The shanks of the T-bolts pass through the slits in the valleys and the crossbars nestle within the valleys in rotatably slidable engagement with the metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Inventors: William J. Green, Ralph P. Semmerling
  • Patent number: 4689927
    Abstract: An adjustable, U-shaped support stand is disposed transversely between an expanded metal walkway and a roof so that the walkway may be made level although the roof slopes or may be inclined with respect to the roof. The support stand has a U-shaped base comprising a foot, a short leg and a long leg, each leg having spaced apart columns of holes. Connected to each leg are extensions having an oval slot and a hole spaced apart in accordance with the columns of holes on the legs. Alignment of the slots and holes in the extensions with the appropriate holes in the legs allows the extended legs to be of different heights with respect to each other and also allows one end of an extended leg to be higher than the opposite end. The expanded metal walkway may thus be levelled even though the roof slopes in both the lateral and longitudinal direction under the walkway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: USG Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Green, Ralph P. Semmerling
  • Patent number: 4608801
    Abstract: Light steel joists may be spaced 24 inches o.c. under ceramic tile floors when floor bracing members are spaced at 16 inch o.c. intervals between the joists under such floors. Also made of light gauge steel, the bracing member is slotted to receive a return flange of a channel-shaped joist so that the tops of the joists and bracing members are co-planar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: William J. Green, Ralph P. Semmerling
  • Patent number: 4464074
    Abstract: A connector for the interconnection in generally perpendicular array of generally C-shaped elongate structural members having a pair of flanges integrally and perpendicularly connected with the web portion thereof in which said flanges each include a flange return edge which extends inwardly of the generally C-shaped channel, which connector, upon the assembly of said interconnection, provides strengthening of the webs of each said C-shaped structural member, and a floor assembly comprising said connector and said generally C-shaped elongate structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: William J. Green, Ralph P. Semmerling
  • Patent number: 3998419
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for use in suspended ceilings. The apparatus is useful in leveling suspended ceilings while concurrently attaching them to supporting structures. The apparatus has an L-shaped connection piece having at least one opening in the base thereof, a swivel flange having at least one opening therein and partially enclosed at the bottom thereof by a clip for spacing apart an inverted-T runner and a flange while attaching the flange to the inverted-T runner, and a connector connecting the connection piece and flange through an opening therein. The connection piece and flange can be adjusted through the connector in order to adjust the location of a ceiling suspended by the inverted-T runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1976
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventor: Ralph P. Semmerling
  • Patent number: 3973302
    Abstract: A clip is disclosed for insertion into a C-shaped header for use in stiffening the header and concurrently attaching the stiffened header to an I-beam or the like. The clip includes a portion for insertion into the channel of the C-shaped header, said portion substantially filling a cross-section of the channel and contacting a substantial portion of the interior walls thereof, and one wall of the clip having integrally depending from one end thereof at least one leg or clip for engaging the I-beam and attaching thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1976
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventor: Ralph P. Semmerling