Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Espinosa

Thomas M. Espinosa 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: 20210025419
    Abstract: A coupler includes a cylindrical body having a first end and a second end; the cylindrical body including an axial hole extending from the first end to the second end with a side wall, the axial hole including a first portion for receiving an end portion of a first rod and a threaded second portion for receiving an end portion of a second rod; and the cylindrical body including a first longitudinal cutout extending into the side wall to create a first opening into the first portion of the axial hole to expose the end portion of the first rod to be welded to the cylindrical body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas M. Espinosa
  • Publication number: 20210002889
    Abstract: A hold down system for a building wall comprises a first rigid member and a second rigid member, the second rigid member being vertically spaced apart from the first rigid member, the first rigid member is supported on a horizontal member of a stud wall, the first and second rigid members including first and second openings, respectively; a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being anchored to an anchorage, the tie-rod extending transversely through the first and second openings, the tie-rod dividing the first and second rigid members into a first lateral section on one side of the tie-rod and a second lateral section on a diametrically opposite side of the tie-rod; first support and second support disposed between the first and second rigid members, the first support being disposed in the first lateral section, the second support being disposed in the second lateral section, the tie-rod extending through the first and second rigid members outside of the first support or the second support; and a nut threade
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas M. ESPINOSA
  • Publication number: 20200407969
    Abstract: an anchor for being embedded in concrete for attachment to a fastener to support a load comprises a plug having a main body portion extending upwardly from a base portion, the plug for being attached to a form board prior to pouring of concrete, the plug having an end portion disposed a distance from the form board; and an anchor body attached to the end portion. The plug is separable from the anchor body and removable from the concrete after the concrete is cured, leaving the anchor body embedded in the concrete, the plug providing a void in the concrete after removal to provide an access opening for a threaded portion of a fastener to attach to the anchor body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas M. ESPINOSA
  • Publication number: 20200399891
    Abstract: An anchor rod support comprises a support having a floor and legs extending downwardly from the floor with openings between the legs; and the support including threads for attaching thereto an anchor rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas M. ESPINOSA
  • Patent number: 10870978
    Abstract: A reinforced stud-framed wall, including a bottom plate; first and second vertical studs; a member supported on the bottom plate, the member having a compression strength greater than a compression strength of the bottom plate; the first vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a first contact area, whereby a load on the first contact area is spread over a first area on the bottom plate larger than the first contact area; and the second vertical stud having a bottom end supported on the member with a second contact area, whereby a load on the second contact area is spread over a second area on the bottom plate larger than the second contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: CETRES HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Espinosa
  • Publication number: 20200392724
    Abstract: A concrete anchor assembly includes an anchor body including a rod portion and a head portion; the head portion extending laterally from said rod portion, the head portion including a threaded bore; and the rod portion including an internally threaded bore, the rod portion including an outside thread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas M. ESPINOSA
  • Publication number: 20200392733
    Abstract: An anchor for supporting a load includes an anchor rod having a first threaded end portion for being embedded in a concrete structure and a second end portion for attachment to a load; a metallic wedge-shaped body attached to the first threaded end portion; and the body includes a circular cross-section, a circular top surface and a circular bottom surface joined by a side surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas M. ESPINOSA
  • Patent number: 10851540
    Abstract: An anchor holder for concrete decks comprises a body for being inserted into an opening in a metal deck, the body including an outside vertical wall and an opening for receiving an anchor. The body includes arms normally biased extending outwardly from the vertical wall, the arms being collapsible toward the body when the body is inserted into the opening in the metal deck and expanding outwardly after passing the opening to be disposed below the metal deck. A support is attached to the body, the support to engage a top surface of the metal deck to apply an upward force on the body and keep the collapsible arms engaged against an underside of the metal deck when the body is attached to the metal deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: CETRES HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Espinosa
  • Publication number: 20200347589
    Abstract: Concrete coupling assembly comprises a base holder for being attached to a concrete forming surface, the base holder including a central opening; a coupler having one end disposed within the central opening, the coupler having an axis for being positioned substantially transverse to the forming surface, the coupler having first and second threaded bores through the one end for attachment of a threaded rod; and a separate anchor body threadedly attached to another end of the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas M. Espinosa
  • Publication number: 20200299962
    Abstract: A cross-laminated timber panel comprises a plurality of layers of lumber boards, each layer comprising a number of the lumber boards laid side-to-side pointing to a direction, each layer being disposed perpendicular to the direction of an adjoining layer; and an insert member replacing one of the lumber boards, the insert member having a different material or configuration than the lumber boards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas M. ESPINOSA
  • Patent number: 10781586
    Abstract: An anchor for being embedded in concrete for attachment to a fastener to support a load comprises a plug having a main body portion extending upwardly from a base portion, the plug for being attached to a form board prior to pouring of concrete, the plug having an end portion disposed a distance from the form board; and an anchor body attached to the end portion. The plug is separable from the anchor body and removable from the concrete after the concrete is cured, leaving the anchor body embedded in the concrete, the plug providing a void in the concrete after removal to provide an access opening for a threaded portion of a fastener to attach to the anchor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: CETRES HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Espinosa
  • Patent number: 10753081
    Abstract: A hold down system for a building wall comprises a first rigid member and a second rigid member, the second rigid member being vertically spaced apart from the first rigid member, the first rigid member is supported on a horizontal member of a stud wall, the first and second rigid members including first and second openings, respectively; a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being anchored to an anchorage, the tie-rod extending transversely through the first and second openings, the tie-rod dividing the first and second rigid members into a first lateral section on one side of the tie-rod and a second lateral section on a diametrically opposite side of the tie-rod; first support and second support disposed between the first and second rigid members, the first support being disposed in the first lateral section, the second support being disposed in the second lateral section, the tie-rod extending through the first and second rigid members outside of the first support or the second support; and a nut threade
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: CETRES HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M Espinosa
  • Patent number: 10724230
    Abstract: An anchor rod support comprises a support having a floor and legs extending downwardly from the floor with openings between the legs; and the support including threads for attaching thereto an anchor rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: CETRES HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M Espinosa
  • Patent number: 10676917
    Abstract: A concrete anchor assembly includes a housing including a lower opening and a side wall; a flange portion extending from the housing; a ramp surface extending upwardly around the lower opening; a split body disposed over the lower opening, the split body including a bottom surface engaging the ramp surface, the split body including a threaded opening. The housing includes a gap between the split body and the side wall. A compressed spring forces the split body toward a bottom of the ramp surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: CETRES HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M Espinosa
  • Publication number: 20200131757
    Abstract: A reinforced building wall comprises a foundation; an anchor rod extending from the foundation; a first stud wall disposed above the foundation, the first stud wall including a first bottom plate and a first top place; a second stud wall disposed above the first stud wall, the second stud wall including a second bottom plate and a second top plate; the first tie rod including first and second threaded end portions, the first end portion is operably connected to the anchor rod; a second tie rod including third and fourth threaded end portions, the third end portion is operably connected to the second end portion of the first tie rod; the second tie rod including an outer end portion operably attached to the second stud wall; an intermediate portion of the first tie rod is unthreaded and comprises at least about 75% of the length of the first tie rod; and an intermediate portion of the second tie rod is unthreaded and comprises at least about 75% of the length of the second tie rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas M. ESPINOSA
  • Patent number: 10626596
    Abstract: Concrete coupling assembly comprises a base holder for being attached to a concrete forming surface, the base holder including a central opening; a coupler having one end disposed within the central opening, the coupler having an axis for being positioned substantially transverse to the forming surface, the coupler having first and second threaded bores through the one end for attachment of a threaded rod; and a separate anchor body threadedly attached to another end of the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: CETRES HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M Espinosa
  • Publication number: 20200115894
    Abstract: An anchor holder for concrete decks comprises a body for being inserted into an opening in a metal deck, the body including an outside vertical wall and an opening for receiving an anchor. The body includes arms normally biased extending outwardly from the vertical wall, the arms being collapsible toward the body when the body is inserted into the opening in the metal deck and expanding outwardly after passing the opening to be disposed below the metal deck. A support is attached to the body, the support to engage a top surface of the metal deck to apply an upward force on the body and keep the collapsible arms engaged against an underside of the metal deck when the body is attached to the metal deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas M. ESPINOSA
  • Patent number: 10577816
    Abstract: A holder for supporting a threaded rod for being embedded in concrete, comprising a central portion including a first opening for receiving an end portion of a threaded rod; a ring portion; arm portions connecting the central portion to the ring portion, the arm portions including respective base portions; leg portions attached to the ring portion; and the central portion extending above and below the base portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: CETRES HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M Espinosa
  • Publication number: 20200024843
    Abstract: A hold down system for a building wall comprises a first rigid member and a second rigid member, the second rigid member being vertically spaced apart from the first rigid member, the first rigid member is supported on a horizontal member of a stud wall, the first and second rigid members including first and second openings, respectively; a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being anchored to an anchorage, the tie-rod extending transversely through the first and second openings, the tie-rod dividing the first and second rigid members into a first lateral section on one side of the tie-rod and a second lateral section on a diametrically opposite side of the tie-rod; first support and second support disposed between the first and second rigid members, the first support being disposed in the first lateral section, the second support being disposed in the second lateral section, the tie-rod extending through the first and second rigid members outside of the first support or the second support; and a nut threade
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas M. Espinosa
  • Patent number: 10538910
    Abstract: An anchor for being embedded in concrete for attachment to a fastener to support a load comprises a plug having a main body portion extending upwardly from a base portion, the plug for being attached to a form board prior to pouring of concrete, the plug having an end portion disposed a distance from the form board; and an anchor body attached to the end portion. The plug is separable from the anchor body and removable from the concrete after the concrete is cured, leaving the anchor body embedded in the concrete, the plug providing a void in the concrete after removal to provide an access opening for a threaded portion of a fastener to attach to the anchor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: CETRES HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Espinosa