Patents by Inventor Steven E. Schaefer

Steven E. Schaefer 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: 8011145
    Abstract: A joint device is installed between adjacent components during construction to provide a proper transition between the components. The joint device has a generally L-shaped configuration with a first leg of the device that may be mounted to the outer face of the inner wall of a cavity wall construction and in the cavity between the spaced walls. The second leg projects generally perpendicularly from the first leg and from the inner wall toward the outer wall adjacent the bricks at which the movement joint is located. The second leg of the joint includes a series of segments in which a terminal end portion of the second leg is joined to a remainder thereof by frangible connections or perforated joints. After the joint device is installed on the inner wall and the outer wall is constructed, the terminal end portion of the second leg is removed by being torn along the appropriate frangible joint depending upon the spacing between the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: PACC Systems I.P., LLC
    Inventors: P. Michael Collins, Steven E. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 7421826
    Abstract: A corrugated board is secured to the inner wall of a cavity wall construction to establish a defined spacing between the inner and outer walls and prevent excess mortar from bridging to the inner wall. The corrugated board has a series of spaced channels, furrows or grooves into which an anchor projects into the studs of the inner wall to secure the outer wall. The corrugated board is installed prior to the construction of the outer wall and establishes a minimum spacing or gap between the walls based upon the thickness of the board. The outer wall is constructed immediately adjacent to the outer face of the corrugated board. The grooves or channels of the corrugated board create a chamber for vapor and air circulation. The board eliminates bridging by the mortar and provides an air conduit to exhaust even the minimal amounts of vapor that will occur in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: PACC Systems I.P., LLC
    Inventors: P. Michael Collins, Steven E. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6964136
    Abstract: A flashing and weep apparatus allows for simple installation and accurate placement windows and doors in cavity wall construction. In a first embodiment, the flashing and weep apparatus is a two-panel extrusion that has a flashing panel that acts as a non-porous support for the masonry veneer. This embodiment also includes a second panel which is joined at a generally right angle to the first panel to be juxtaposed against the outer face of the inner wall in the cavity wall construction. Weep channels are formed between the two panels and allow for the drainage and dissipation of water and other moisture in the cavity wall system. In a second embodiment, membrane is initially attached to and draped along the lower portion of the inner wall immediately above the sill or lintel. The membrane extends across the cavity spacing between the walls to underlie the masonry components forming the outer veneer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: PACC Systems I.P., LLC
    Inventors: P. Michael Collins, Steven E. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20040231270
    Abstract: A masonry wall tie for anchoring a masonry wall to an inner wall of a cavity wall construction includes a base channel member having a pair of spaced generally parallel side walls and an anchor clip configured for engaging the base channel member. A slot is formed in each of the channel side walls. Each slot has an outwardly-extending lip bordering the slot. The base member is fastened to the outer surface of the inner wall. The anchor clip has a pair of oppositely projecting arms, each of which is seated in one of the slots in the side walls. The length of the slots determines the height adjustment of the anchor clip when engaged with the base channel member. The anchor clip spans the gap between the two walls in the cavity wall construction and the brace of the clip is seated within the mortar joint between the bricks or other masonry units on the outer wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: P. Michael Collins, Steven E. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20040003558
    Abstract: A corrugated board is secured to the inner wall of a cavity wall construction to establish a defined spacing between the inner and outer walls and prevent excess mortar from bridging to the inner wall. The corrugated board has a series of spaced channels, furrows or grooves into which an anchor projects into the studs of the inner wall to secure the outer wall. The corrugated board is installed prior to the construction of the outer wall and establishes a minimum spacing or gap between the walls based upon the thickness of the board. The outer wall is constructed immediately adjacent to the outer face of the corrugated board. The grooves or channels of the corrugated board create a chamber for vapor and air circulation. The board eliminates bridging by the mortar and provides an air conduit to exhaust even the minimal amounts of vapor that will occur in the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: P. Michael Collins, Steven E. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20030230035
    Abstract: A flashing and weep apparatus allows for simple installation and accurate placement windows and doors in cavity wall construction. In a first embodiment, the flashing and weep apparatus is a two-panel extrusion that has a flashing panel that acts as a non-porous support for the masonry veneer. This embodiment also includes a second panel which is joined at a generally right angle to the first panel to be juxtaposed against the outer face of the inner wall in the cavity wall construction. Weep channels are formed between the two panels and allow for the drainage and dissipation of water and other moisture in the cavity wall system. In a second embodiment, membrane is initially attached to and draped along the lower portion of the inner wall immediately above the sill or lintel. The membrane extends across the cavity spacing between the walls to underlie the masonry components forming the outer veneer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: P. Michael Collins, Steven E. Schaefer
  • Patent number: D563215
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: PACC Systems I.P., LLC
    Inventors: P. Michael Collins, Steven E. Schaefer
  • Patent number: D580260
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: PACC Systems I.P., LLC
    Inventors: P. Michael Collins, Steven E. Schaefer