Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Schrunk

Thomas R. Schrunk 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: 20150151567
    Abstract: To obtain a covering on a supporting structure that has a visual appearance that varies with the angle of light from a light source impinging on the covering, there are provided parquet blocks having reference edges and top surfaces with geometric forms in parallel relationship extending to a higher elevation than the block's adjacent surface portions and extending at angles relative to the reference edges that varies from that of other blocks. The parquet blocks in plan view 5 be of varying shapes such as rectangular, triangular, etc. while the geometric forms may be, for example, any one of parallel ridges, lands between parallel slots, rows of selected shapes in linearly spaced, linear alignment, etc. Indicia may be provided on the blocks together with a chart having markings facilitating selecting and adhering the blocks to the supporting structure to obtain the desired pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas R. Schrunk
  • Patent number: 8943772
    Abstract: To obtain a covering on a supporting structure that has a visual appearance that varies with the angle of light from a light source impinging on the covering, there are provided parquet blocks having reference edges and top surfaces with geometric forms in parallel relationship extending to a higher elevation than the block's adjacent surface portions and extending at angles relative to the reference edges that varies from that of other blocks. The parquet blocks in plan view 5 be of varying shapes such as rectangular, triangular, etc. while the geometric forms may be, for example, any one of parallel ridges, lands between parallel slots, rows of selected shapes in linearly spaced, linear alignment, etc. Indicia may be provided on the blocks together with a chart having markings facilitating selecting and adhering the blocks to the supporting structure to obtain the desired pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas R. Schrunk
  • Publication number: 20130338817
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of creating a lustrous surface in opaque materials using ridge angles, and valleys of varying depths cut, imprinted or pressed into the opaque material. The combination of the light reflecting ridges, angles to reflect more or less light, and a shadow effect arising from a combination of the valley depths and the angle of the ridges allows one to use light and shadow to create a pattern or series of patterns in the opaque materials. These patterns are created using a process whereby a design is first created, then cut into a master blank using some type of manual or computer-aided method. Next, this pattern is inlaid, pressed, or imprinted into a blank panel composed of the opaque material. In some embodiments, this opaque material is allowed to set, thus creating a finished article of manufacture in the form of a panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas R. Schrunk
  • Publication number: 20130247494
    Abstract: To obtain a covering on a supporting structure that has a visual appearance that varies with the angle of light from a light source impinging on the covering, there are provided parquet blocks having reference edges and top surfaces with geometric forms in parallel relationship extending to a higher elevation than the block's adjacent surface portions and extending at angles relative to the reference edges that varies from that of other blocks. The parquet blocks in plan view 5 be of varying shapes such as rectangular, triangular, etc. while the geometric forms may be, for example, any one of parallel ridges, lands between parallel slots, rows of selected shapes in linearly spaced, linear alignment, etc. Indicia may be provided on the blocks together with a chart having markings facilitating selecting and adhering the blocks to the supporting structure to obtain the desired pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas R. Schrunk
  • Patent number: 8454871
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of creating a lustrous surface in opaque materials using ridge angles, and valleys of varying depths cut, imprinted or pressed into the opaque material. The combination of the light reflecting ridges, angles to reflect more or less light, and a shadow effect arising from a combination of the valley depths and the angle of the ridges allows one to use light and shadow to create a pattern or series of patterns in the opaque materials. These patterns are created using a process whereby a design is first created, then cut into a master blank using some type of manual or computer-aided method. Next, this pattern is inlaid, pressed, or imprinted into a blank panel composed of the opaque material. In some embodiments, this opaque material is allowed to set, thus creating a finished article of manufacture in the form of a panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas R. Schrunk
  • Patent number: 8365491
    Abstract: To obtain a covering on a supporting structure that has a visual appearance that varies with the angle of light from a light source impinging on the covering, there are provided parquet blocks having reference edges and top surfaces with geometric forms in parallel relationship extending to a higher elevation than the block's adjacent surface portions and extending at angles relative to the reference edges that varies from that of other blocks. The parquet blocks in plan view may be of varying shapes such as rectangular, triangular, etc. while the geometric forms may be, for example, any one of parallel ridges, lands between parallel slots, rows of selected shapes in linearly spaced, linear alignment, etc. Indicia may be provided on the blocks together with a chart having markings facilitating selecting and adhering the blocks to the supporting structure to obtain the desired pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas R. Schrunk
  • Publication number: 20040200164
    Abstract: To obtain a covering on a supporting structure that has a visual appearance that varies with the angle of light from a light source impinging on the covering, there are provided parquet blocks having reference edges and top surfaces with geometric forms in parallel relationship extending to a higher elevation than the block's adjacent surface portions and extending at angles relative to the reference edges that varies from that of other blocks. The parquet blocks in plan view may be of varying shapes such as rectangular, triangular, etc. while the geometric forms may be, for example, any one of parallel ridges, lands between parallel slots, rows of selected shapes in linearly spaced, linear alignment, etc. Indicia may be provided on the blocks together with a chart having markings facilitate selecting and adhering the blocks to the supporting structure to obtain the desired pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas R. Schrunk
  • Patent number: 4761931
    Abstract: A table having a table top frame that has a central opening which is in part defined by an inner peripheral rib for supporting a horizontal tempered protective glass pane with its top surface coplanar with the table top, and an inner peripheral lip for supporting a tempered protective glass pane which in turn supports a decorative glass unit. The minimum dimension of the spacing of the horizontally opposite, adjacent edges of the rib is substantially less than the corresponding spacing of the horizontally opposite, adjacent edges of the lip, the rib extending between the top glass pane and the decorative glass unit. The minimum dimension of horizontally opposite, adjacent parts of the outer peripheral frame of the decorative glass unit is substantially greater than the above mentioned minimum dimension of the rib whereby the unit outer peripheral frame is at least substantially concealed when viewed from above the top protective glass pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Inventor: Thomas R. Schrunk
  • Patent number: 4323423
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making a chipped glass panel having a decorative design or pattern which involves spreading a layer of glue on a glass panel. After the layer of glue dries its adhesion to the glass and its tensile strength cause tearing of conchoidal chips from the glass surface, leaving a characteristic effect. Prior to hardening, the glue layer is cut with a sharp instrument to define the edges of the desired chipped areas and portions of the glue layer in adjacent clear or frosted areas are removed. This cutting of the partially hardened glue and the subsequent removal of portions of the glue layer provide sharply delineated edges for the desired chipped areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Inventor: Thomas R. Schrunk
  • Patent number: 4223499
    Abstract: The invention relates to a decorative stained glass insert unit which is attachable to an existing window unit to create an esthetically pleasing window treatment effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Inventor: Thomas R. Schrunk
  • Patent number: D764945
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventors: Charles A. Lemaire, Thomas R. Schrunk