Patents by Inventor Rich Howe

Rich Howe 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).

  • Publication number: 20080053025
    Abstract: A clip may be connected to a first piece of siding and a second piece of siding, and the clip may be used to interconnect the pieces of siding. The clip may include a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion. The first attachment portion may include one or more extensions that may engage the first piece. The extensions may include one or more serrated portions, which may include one or more inwardly extending portions and/or outwardly extending portions that are sized and configured to engage the first piece. The second attachment portion may include one or more structures that may engage a second piece of trim or siding. If desired, these one or more structures may allow the clip to hang from the second piece of trim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Rich Howe, Neil Watson
  • Publication number: 20080011994
    Abstract: A fence may include one or more sections that are connected to supports, such as fence posts, by attachment members. The attachment members preferably allow the fence sections to be disposed at various angles, elevations and distances from the supports. Advantageously, this may allow the fence to be disposed in a wide variety of configurations and arrangements. This may also allow the fence to be used in a number of different environments, such as on sloped and uneven surfaces. In addition, the fence may be relatively quickly and easily installed because of the readily adjustable connections of the fence sections and supports. The fence may further include other components such as covers, caps, gates and locking assemblies, if desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Rich Howe, Carl Stanford, Neil Watson, Clarissa Lindeman, L. Strong, Brent Steed
  • Publication number: 20070267155
    Abstract: An enclosure may include a relatively large opening that may be large enough to allow cars, trailers and the like to enter the enclosure. The enclosure may include one or more folding doors and/or other types of doors. The enclosure may include one or more blow-molded structures, such as a door panel, a wall panel, a roof panel, a floor panel, other panels and/or other blow-molded structures. The blow-molded structures may include receiving portions that may be sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a reinforcing member. The receiving portions may be integrally formed in an exterior surface of the blow-molded structure during a blow-molding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: Rich Howe, Kent Ashby, Neil Watson
  • Publication number: 20070209295
    Abstract: A modular enclosure, such as a shed, may include sidewalls and a roof. The roof, for example, may include one or more roof panels. The roof may also include a truss that is sized and configured to support the roof panels. The shed may also include one or more support beams that may be connected to the truss and may be connected to one or more panels. The shed may include one or more brackets used to connect a pair of panels that are positioned at an angle to form a corner of the shed. The shed may also include a cover, which may include one or more receiving portions sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the brackets. A plurality of roof panels may be positioned within a shipping container to form storage areas or cavities sized and configured to receive all or at least a portion of one or more floor panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Barry Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert Astle, L. Strong, Rich Howe, David Winter, Kent Ashby
  • Publication number: 20060277852
    Abstract: A modular enclosure, such as a shed, may include sidewalls and a roof. The roof, for example, may include one or more roof panels. The roof may also include a truss that is sized and configured to support the roof panels. The shed may also include one or more support beams that may be connected to the truss and may be connected to one or more panels. The shed may include one or more brackets used to connect a pair of panels that are positioned at an angle to form a corner of the shed. The shed may also include a cover, which may include one or more receiving portions sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the brackets. A plurality of roof panels may be positioned within a shipping container to form storage areas or cavities sized and configured to receive all or at least a portion of one or more floor panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Barry Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert Astle, L. Strong, Rich Howe, David Winter, Kent Ashby
  • Publication number: 20060230989
    Abstract: Blow-molded plastic structures may include a plurality of depressions and the depressions may have different characteristics depending, for example, upon the particular configuration of the depression. For example, a depression may have an elongated length and it may have increased strength along its length. The depressions may be arranged into a pattern in order to take advantage of particular characteristics of the depressions. For example, the depressions may be arranged to maximize the strength and/or minimize the weight of the structure. The depressions may also be arranged to create a structure with generally uniform characteristics. Significantly, the depressions may be arranged into a number of different patterns depending, for example, upon the intended use of the structure. For instance, the depressions may be arranged into a pattern with one or more rows and columns, and the depressions may be disposed in particular positions or orientations within the rows or columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventors: Thayne Haney, Rich Howe
  • Publication number: 20050223652
    Abstract: A modular enclosure, such as a shed, may include a plurality of corner panels that are constructed from blow-molded plastic. Each of the corner panels may include a living hinge that generally divides the corner panel in half and allows the corner panel to be moved between a generally planar position to facilitate packaging of the shed and an angled position. The shed may also include a plurality of wall panels constructed from blow-molded plastic and disposed between the corner panels. The living hinge is preferably generally vertically positioned when the corner panels are used to construct the shed and the living hinge preferably extends generally from a top portion of the corner panel to a lower portion of the corner panel. Advantageously, the living hinge may be used to construct other portions of the shed such as shelves, skylights and roof caps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Barry Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert Astle, L. Strong, Rich Howe, David Winter, Kent Ashby
  • Publication number: 20050223655
    Abstract: A modular enclosure, such as a shed, may include a number of components. For example, the enclosure may include roof panels, floor panels and wall panels that are connected to the roof and/or floor panels. Preferably, the wall panels span the seams disposed between the roof and/or floor panels. In addition, the wall panels are preferably offset from the roof and/or floor panels. Further, the roof panels, wall panels and floor panels desirably have a substantially similar width. The enclosure may also include one or more corner panels and the corner panels may have a living hinge that generally divides the corner panel in half. Advantageously, the offset connection of the roof panels, wall panels and floor panels may facilitate construction of an enclosure with increased strength and functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Barry Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert Astle, L. Strong, Rich Howe, David Winter, Kent Ashby
  • Publication number: 20050223653
    Abstract: A modular enclosure may include a number of interlocking components, such as panels, that may be interconnected to form sidewalls, roof and/or floor. The panels may be constructed from blow-molded plastic and a first pattern may be disposed on one surface and a second pattern may be disposed on an opposing surface. One or more points of intersection may be located where the first pattern and the second pattern overlie, and a depression may be disposed at the points of intersection. The depressions are preferably sized and configured to increase the strength and/or rigidity of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Barry Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert Astle, L. Strong, Rich Howe, David Winter, Kent Ashby
  • Publication number: 20050210828
    Abstract: A modular enclosure, such as a shed, may include a floor constructed from one or more floor panels. The floor panels, which may be constructed from blow-molded plastic, may include a pattern disposed on the upper surface. The floor panels may also include depressions that are formed in the lower surface and extend towards the upper surface. If desired, the depressions may be generally aligned with a portion of the pattern in the upper surface and the depressions may have a length that is less than the distance separating the upper surface and the lower surface. Advantageously, the depressions may be sized and configured to increase the strength of the floor panels. In addition, the floor panels may include a pattern disposed on the lower surface and the depressions may be at least partially disposed in the pattern. The patterns on the opposing sides of the panels may be generally offset and/or have different orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Barry Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert Astle, L. Strong, Rich Howe, David Winter, Kent Ashby
  • Publication number: 20050210765
    Abstract: A modular enclosure, such as a shed, may include sidewalls and a roof. The roof, for example, may include first and second roof panels that are separated by a seam. The roof may also include a truss that is sized and configured to support the roof panels. The truss may include a channel that allows any moisture entering the shed from between the roof panels to be removed from the shed. In particular, a portion of the first roof panel and a portion of the second roof panel may be at least partially disposed within the channel. Advantageously, the truss may be constructed from metal, which may allow a strong and sturdy shed to be constructed, and the roof panels may be constructed from blow-molded plastic, which may allow a lightweight and generally weather resistant shed to be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Barry Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert Astle, L. Strong, Rich Howe, David Winter, Kent Ashby
  • Publication number: 20050210760
    Abstract: A modular enclosure, such as a shed, may include a door assembly. The door assembly may include a door constructed from blow-molded plastic and a hinge member receiving portion may be disposed on one side of the door. Advantageously, the hinge member receiving portion may be integrally formed with the door as part of a unitary, one-piece construction. A hinge member may be disposed within the hinge member receiving portion and the hinge member may pivotally connect the door to the shed. The door may include a reinforcement member, which is preferably constructed from metal and disposed proximate the second side of the door. If desired, the reinforcement member may be at least partially exposed on an outer surface of the door. In addition, the door assembly may include a flange that is sized and configured to prevent water from unintentionally entering the shed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Barry Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert Astle, Rich Howe, David Winter, L. Strong, Kent Ashby
  • Publication number: 20050210761
    Abstract: A modular enclosure may include a number of components, such as floor panels, wall panels and roof panels, which may be interconnected to form a structure such as a shed. For example, the shed may include wall panels with connecting portions that are sized and configured to allow adjacent wall panels to be interconnected. The wall panels may also include outwardly extending projections that allow the wall panels to be connected to the floor panels. In addition, the wall panels may include receiving portions that may receive portions of the roof panels, such as an outwardly extending lip. Advantageously, a truss may extend through the receiving portions in the wall panels and the truss may include a channel that is sized and configured to allow any water that enters the shed through a roof panel seam to be removed from the shed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Barry Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert Astle, L. Strong, Rich Howe, David Winter, Kent Ashby
  • Publication number: 20050210766
    Abstract: A modular enclosure may include a number of interlocking components, such as panels, that may be interconnected to form sidewalls, roof and/or floor. In particular, the modular enclosure may consist of a shed and the shed may be packaged within a container. For example, the shed may constructed from a number of outer wall panels and corner panels. The corner panels preferably include a living hinge that allows the corner panel to be moved between a generally planar position and an angled position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Barry Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert Astle, L. Strong, Rich Howe, David Winter, Kent Ashby, Troy Nye
  • Publication number: 20030201120
    Abstract: A fastening system suitable for use in attaching a first component, having upper and lower surfaces, to a second component. The fastening system includes a mounting structure having a contact portion configured to be joined about a through hole defined by either the first or the second component and to receive the fastener after the fastener has passed through the through hole. Additionally, the mounting structure includes a standoff portion joined to the contact portion. The standoff portion is configured to receive the fastener so that the fastener resides in the mounting structure in a predetermined position with respect to the first and second components when the first and second components are joined together by the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Lo Forte, Brent Madsen, Doug Sward, Rich Howe, Alan Ottley
  • Patent number: D546970
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Howe, Kent Ashby, Neil Watson, Brent Steed