Patents by Inventor Steven E. Pryor

Steven E. Pryor 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: 20200109556
    Abstract: A construction formed of column and a beam, where the beam has top and bottom flanges coupled to the column by a lateral bracing system, and a web between the top and bottom flanges. The lateral bracing system may include a column-mounted plate including a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, the vertical portion affixed to the column. The beam may be coped at top and bottom edges of the web to prevent binding of the beam flange with the column-mounted plate upon rotation of the beam relative to the column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc.
    Inventor: Steven E. Pryor
  • Publication number: 20190292783
    Abstract: A one-piece structural fuse assembly is disclosed that is formed from a single piece of structural steel such as a beam. In embodiments, a first flange of the beam may form the fuse base, and a portion of the web of the beam may form the fuse plate. Additionally, a buckling restraint plate of the structural fuse assembly may be formed from a second flange of the beam, and the spacers of the structural fuse assembly may be formed from a portion of the web unused by the fuse plate. In examples, all of the components cut from the single piece of the beam are used in a single structural fuse assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Pryor, Timothy S. Ellis, Brandon Y. Chi
  • Publication number: 20190127971
    Abstract: A sheet metal connector is provided for connecting a brick wall to a second structural member, the connector is received in the mortar joint of the brick wall and is connected to second structural member. The connector is provided with zones of controlled bending and controlled stiffness to allow for controlled bending of the connector in the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy M. Stauffer, Gary Lee Mochizuki, Steven E. Pryor, Benedict Ang
  • Publication number: 20170138043
    Abstract: A lateral bracing system having high initial stiffness and including yield links capable of effectively dissipating stresses generated within the lateral bracing system under lateral loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Steven E. Pryor, Guy T. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9593505
    Abstract: An elongated tension-only or centering brace for a structural frame is provided where the brace is anchored at a first attachment point and to a second attachment point that is removed from the first attachment point. The elongated tension-only brace has one or more elastic restoring force elements that have effective lengths greater than the length of the tension only brace between the attachment points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven E. Pryor
  • Publication number: 20160017625
    Abstract: An elongated tension-only or centering brace for a structural frame is provided where the brace is anchored at a first attachment point and to a second attachment point that is removed from the first attachment point. The elongated tension-only brace has one or more elastic restoring force elements that have effective lengths greater than the length of the tension only brace between the attachment points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: Steven E. Pryor
  • Publication number: 20150184413
    Abstract: An elongated tension-only or centering brace for a structural frame is provided where the brace is anchored at a first attachment point and to a second attachment point that is removed from the first attachment point. The elongated tension-only brace has one or more elastic restoring force elements that have effective lengths greater than the length of the tension only brace between the attachment points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 1, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventor: Steven E. Pryor
  • Publication number: 20150159362
    Abstract: A lateral bracing system is disclosed for affixing a column to a beam in a construction. The lateral bracing system includes a pair of buckling restraint plates, one each affixed to a top and bottom flange of a beam. The lateral bracing system further includes at least one yield plate for each buckling restraint plate. Each yield plate includes a first end affixed to the column, and a second end affixed to the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Pryor, Badri Hiriyur
  • Publication number: 20140311059
    Abstract: A lateral bracing system having high initial stiffness and including yield links capable of effectively dissipating stresses generated within the lateral bracing system under lateral loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Steven E. Pryor, Guy T. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8763319
    Abstract: A lateral bracing system having high initial stiffness and including yield links capable of effectively dissipating stresses generated within the lateral bracing system under lateral loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Pryor, Guy T. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8375652
    Abstract: A lateral bracing system is disclosed for affixing a column to a beam in a construction. The lateral bracing system includes a pair of buckling restraint blocks, one each affixed to a top and bottom flange of a beam. Each buckling restraint block includes one or more bores formed through a center of the block. The lateral bracing system further includes at least one yield link for each buckling restraint block. Each yield link includes a first end affixed to the column, and a second end fit through a bore in a buckling restraint block and affixed to an end of the buckling restraint block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Badri Hiriyur, Steven E. Pryor
  • Publication number: 20110308190
    Abstract: A lateral bracing system is disclosed for affixing a column to a beam in a construction. The lateral bracing system includes a pair of buckling restraint plates, one each affixed to a top and bottom flange of a beam. The lateral bracing system further includes at least one yield plate for each buckling restraint plate. Each yield plate includes a first end affixed to the column, and a second end affixed to the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: SIMPSON STRONG-TIE CO., INC.
    Inventors: Steven E. Pryor, Badri Hiriyur
  • Publication number: 20110296787
    Abstract: A lateral bracing system having high initial stiffness and including yield links capable of effectively dissipating stresses generated within the lateral bracing system under lateral loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: SIMPSON STRONG TIE CO., INC.
    Inventors: Steven E. Pryor, Guy T. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8001734
    Abstract: A lateral bracing system having high initial stiffness and including yield links capable of effectively dissipating stresses generated within the lateral bracing system under lateral loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Pryor, Guy T. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20110179725
    Abstract: A lateral bracing system is disclosed for affixing a column to a beam in a construction. The lateral bracing system includes a pair of buckling restraint blocks, one each affixed to a top and bottom flange of a beam. Each buckling restraint block includes one or more bores formed through a center of the block. The lateral bracing system further includes at least one yield link for each buckling restraint block. Each yield link includes a first end affixed to the column, and a second end fit through a bore in a buckling restraint block and affixed to an end of the buckling restraint block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Badri Hiriyur, Steven E. Pryor
  • Patent number: 7905066
    Abstract: A tension connection for a building includes a first tension member, the first tension member being anchored at its distal end, a second tension member being anchored at its distal end; the first and second tension members being disposed in close proximity and connected by a coupler having a surrounding sleeve and a central bore with a thread, the coupler also being formed with a first rotational member being received in the central bore of the surrounding sleeve and operatively connected to the surrounding sleeve; the first rotational member is connected to the surrounding sleeve, such that the rotational member can rotate in relation to the surrounding sleeve. A torsion spring connects the first rotational member and the surrounding sleeve; the torsion spring biasing the first rotational member and the surrounding sleeve in opposite rotational directions such that the first rotational member can be drawn into the surrounding sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Simpson STrong-Tie Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Pryor, Lisa M. McGurty, William F. Leek, Richard I. Proctor
  • Patent number: 7832173
    Abstract: Screw fasteners are used to connect multiple trusses in side-by-side relationship. The screw fasteners join truss wood members which are in edge to edge relationship with the screws being driven through the edge of each wood member. The screws may be knurled screws as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,850; lag screws, or standard screws. The connection may also join wood board members in edge-to-edge relationship when bending of the wood members is limited by a restraining structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Crawford, Steven E. Pryor, Alfred D. Commins
  • Publication number: 20090173019
    Abstract: A connection between a wall stud or post and an anchor bolt embedded in a concrete foundation, using a holdown connector that attaches to the anchor bolt and supports the wall stud or post above it. The holdown connector has a tapered bottom that allows it to rotate laterally, allowing the connection to act more purely in tension than is possible with a rigid connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: SIMPSON STRONG-TIE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Steven E. Pryor, Ricardo Arevalo
  • Patent number: 7513083
    Abstract: A connection between a wall stud or post and an anchor bolt embedded in a concrete foundation, using a holdown connector that attaches to the anchor bolt and supports the wall stud or post above it. The holdown connector has a tapered bottom that allows it to rotate laterally, allowing the connection to act more purely in tension than is possible with a rigid connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Pryor, Ricardo Arevalo
  • Patent number: 7506479
    Abstract: A wall either wholly or partially made from a shear-resisting assembly that has a shear transfer device, or plate, disposed between the bottom strut and the underlying foundation. The shear transfer device joins the two anchor bolts, eliminating intermediate foundation bolts by transferring lateral shear loads to the anchor bolts in combination with the bottom strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven E. Pryor