Patents by Inventor Ronny L. Knak

Ronny L. Knak 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: 6962026
    Abstract: An expansion joint cover (10) comprises a first plate (18) hingedly attached to a first surface (14) of an expansion joint (12), a second plate (20) hingedly attached to the first plate (18), and a housing (26) fixedly secured to a second surface (16) of the expansion joint (12). During installation, a front plate (52) of the housing (26) can rotate about a hinge (58) to allow the second plate (20) to be installed within the housing (26). In use, the second plate (20) slides within the housing (26) to accommodate variations in separation distance and vertical offset between the two surfaces (14,16). Two hinges (36,44) accommodate variations in torsion between the two surfaces (14,16). The combination of the second plate (20) sliding within the housing (26) and the two hinges (36,44) accommodates variations in lateral offset between the two surfaces (14,16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Balco, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronny L. Knak, Dean V. Balocca, Johnnie D. Hilburn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6942419
    Abstract: A preferred drainage system grate assembly (10) broadly comprises a grate (12), a frame (14) to support the grate (12), and a locking device (34) to hold the grate (12) within the frame (14). The grate (12) comprises two or more crossbars (16) and a plurality of tread bars (18). Each crossbar (16) spans a watercourse (20) of a drainage system (21) and is supported by the frame (14) at both ends. The crossbar (16) includes an integral flange (56) that protrudes from the crossbar (16) substantially horizontally and at least one hole (60) centered within the flange (56). The locking device (34) includes a penetration (46) where a bolt (36) is inserted through the hole (60). As the bolt (36) is turned, the locking device (34) is raised until it contacts the frame (14), thereby securing the grate (12) within the frame (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Balco, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronny L. Knak, Dean V. Balocca
  • Publication number: 20030154677
    Abstract: An expansion joint cover (10) comprises a first plate (18) hingedly attached to a first surface (14) of an expansion joint (12), a second plate (20) hingedly attached to the first plate (18), and a housing (26) fixedly secured to a second surface (16) of the expansion joint (12). During installation, a front plate (52) of the housing (26) can rotate about a hinge (58) to allow the second plate (20) to be installed within the housing (26). In use, the second plate (20) slides within the housing (26) to accommodate variations in separation distance and vertical offset between the two surfaces (14,16). Two hinges (36,44) accommodate variations in torsion between the two surfaces (14,16). The combination of the second plate (20) sliding within the housing (26) and the two hinges (36,44) accommodates variations in lateral offset between the two surfaces (14,16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Ronny L. Knak, Dean V. Balocca, Johnnie D. Hilburn
  • Publication number: 20030147693
    Abstract: A preferred drainage system grate assembly (10) broadly comprises a grate (12), a frame (14) to support the grate (12), and a locking device (34) to hold the grate (12) within the frame (14). The grate (12) comprises two or more crossbars (16) and a plurality of tread bars (18). Each crossbar (16) spans a watercourse (20) of a drainage system (21) and is supported by the frame (14) at both ends. The crossbar (16) includes an integral flange (56) that protrudes from the crossbar (16) substantially horizontally and at least one hole (60) centered within the flange (56). The locking device (34) includes a penetration (46) where a bolt (36) is inserted through the hole (60). As the bolt (36) is turned, the locking device (34) is raised until it contacts the frame (14), thereby securing the grate (12) within the frame (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Ronny L. Knak, Dean V. Balocca
  • Patent number: 6581347
    Abstract: An expansion joint cover (10) comprises a first plate (18) hingedly attached to a first surface (14) of an expansion joint (12), a second plate (20) hingedly attached to the first plate (18), and a housing (26) fixedly secured to a second surface (16) of the expansion joint (12). During installation, a front plate (52) of the housing (26) can rotate about a hinge (58) to allow the second plate (20) to be installed within the housing (26). In use, the second plate (20) slides within the housing (26) to accommodate variations in separation distance and vertical offset between the two surfaces (14,16). Two hinges (36,44) accommodate variations in torsion between the two surfaces (14,16). The combination of the second plate (20) sliding within the housing (26) and the two hinges (36,44) accommodates variations in lateral offset between the two surfaces (14,16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Balco, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronny L. Knak, Dean V. Balocca, Johnnie D. Hilburn, Jr.