Patents by Inventor Todd E.A. Schwartzkopf

Todd E.A. Schwartzkopf 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: 11603670
    Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more board engagement elements extending from a portion of the spacer block. The board engagement elements can clamp the board, between an upper and/or lower surface of the board and a groove of the board, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: National Nail Corp.
    Inventors: Roger A. Vandenberg, Todd E. A. Schwartzkopf
  • Publication number: 20220333635
    Abstract: A fastener cap system can include a rigid cap and a sealing member which forms a liquid barrier so moisture is impaired from entering a space under the rigid cap and/or around a fastener installed through it. The sealing member can include a central seal disposed on an upper surface of the cap, the seal extending beyond a head of a fastener, which extends through the cap and sealing member, so that moisture is impaired from entering the cap under the head. The sealing member can be above and below respective lowermost and uppermost cap surfaces so the cap system can be fed cleanly and efficiently through a cap feeder during installation via a tool. The sealing member, which can have a higher coefficient of friction than the rigid cap, thereby does not drag along a cap feeder and cause feeding issues. Related methods of manufacture and use are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher M. Colyn, Todd E.A. Schwartzkopf, Roger A. Vandenberg
  • Publication number: 20220241937
    Abstract: A fastener guide is provided including a base plate that engages a first board, a guide member that maintains an advancing fastener at a preselected offset angle relative to the first board, and a retainer clip that engages a second board that is transverse to the first board. The retainer clip includes first and second prongs that resiliently hold the guide in place as the fastener is advanced at the offset angle, optionally without manual input so that a user can manipulate the fastener and a driving tool instead of holding the guide to align the fastener. A related method of use is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Todd E.A. Schwartzkopf, Christopher M. Colyn, Roger A. Vandenberg
  • Publication number: 20210404190
    Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more resilient compression elements joined with the spacer block. The resilient compression elements can be vertically compressible so at least a portion of it can move from an open mode to a compression mode and fit within, then forcibly expand within, the groove, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Roger A. Vandenberg, Todd E.A. Schwartzkopf
  • Publication number: 20210363761
    Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more board engagement elements extending from a portion of the spacer block. The board engagement elements can clamp the board, between an upper and/or lower surface of the board and a groove of the board, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Roger A. Vandenberg, Todd E.A. Schwartzkopf
  • Patent number: 11149445
    Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more resilient compression elements joined with the spacer block. The resilient compression elements can be vertically compressible so at least a portion of it can move from an open mode to a compression mode and fit within, then forcibly expand within, the groove, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: National Nail Corp.
    Inventors: Roger A. Vandenberg, Todd E. A. Schwartzkopf
  • Publication number: 20210277668
    Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more board engagement elements. The board engagement elements can engage the groove of the board, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Roger A. Vandenberg, Todd E.A. Schwartzkopf
  • Patent number: 11111679
    Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more board engagement elements extending from a portion of the spacer block. The board engagement elements can clamp the board, between an upper and/or lower surface of the board and a groove of the board, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: National Nail Corp.
    Inventors: Roger A. Vandenberg, Todd E. A. Schwartzkopf
  • Patent number: 10914075
    Abstract: A bracket and related method to construct stairways is provided. The bracket includes a top horizontal leg having a first width and a first spacer of a first dimension and a second spacer of a smaller second dimension, and a vertical leg joined with the top leg, the vertical leg having a first height, with a ratio of the first width to the first height being at least 1:2. The method can include placing the top leg adjacent an underside of stair boards, selectively altering or not altering the first spacer based on a preselected gap between the boards, fastening the top leg to the underside of the boards with fasteners while the first spacer and/or the second spacer maintains the preselected gap, placing the bracket vertical leg adjacent a stringer, and fastening the vertical leg to the stringer, optionally while the installer remains above the stairway and stringer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: National Nail Corp
    Inventors: Roger A. Vandenberg, Todd E. A. Schwartzkopf
  • Publication number: 20200362570
    Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more board engagement elements extending from a portion of the spacer block. The board engagement elements can clamp the board, between an upper and/or lower surface of the board and a groove of the board, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Roger A. Vandenberg, Todd E.A. Schwartzkopf
  • Publication number: 20200217077
    Abstract: A bracket and related method to construct stairways is provided. The bracket includes a top horizontal leg having a first width and a first spacer of a first dimension and a second spacer of a smaller second dimension, and a vertical leg joined with the top leg, the vertical leg having a first height, with a ratio of the first width to the first height being at least 1:2. The method can include placing the top leg adjacent an underside of stair boards, selectively altering or not altering the first spacer based on a preselected gap between the boards, fastening the top leg to the underside of the boards with fasteners while the first spacer and/or the second spacer maintains the preselected gap, placing the bracket vertical leg adjacent a stringer, and fastening the vertical leg to the stringer, optionally while the installer remains above the stairway and stringer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Roger A. Vandenberg, Todd E.A. Schwartzkopf
  • Publication number: 20200087925
    Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more resilient compression elements joined with the spacer block. The resilient compression elements can be vertically compressible so at least a portion of it can move from an open mode to a compression mode and fit within, then forcibly expand within, the groove, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Roger A. Vandenberg, Todd E.A. Schwartzkopf
  • Publication number: 20190360214
    Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more board engagement elements extending from a portion of the spacer block. The board engagement elements can clamp the board, between an upper and/or lower surface of the board and a groove of the board, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Roger A. Vandenberg, Todd E.A. Schwartzkopf
  • Patent number: D883765
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL NAIL CORP.
    Inventor: Todd E. A. Schwartzkopf
  • Patent number: D888544
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: National Nail Corp.
    Inventor: Todd E. A. Schwartzkopf
  • Patent number: D924044
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: National Nail Corp.
    Inventors: Roger A. Vandenberg, Todd E. A. Schwartzkopf