Patents by Inventor William M. Bjerke

William M. Bjerke 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: 8782984
    Abstract: A formwork assembly is adapted to receive concrete to produce structures such as wall structures. The formwork includes PVC tubular form elements having recessed female engagement portions. The female engagement portions are adapted to receive respective male engagement portions. An octagonal form element has a female engagement portion positioned at each vertex between adjacent sides. A recessed female engagement portion is closed to the interior of the form element but open to the exterior of the form element. Thus, the form element includes a plurality of vertices open to the exterior. The form elements also include male engagement portions at an open side. Wall panels, corner panels, and joint connectors can also include male engagement portions. The male engagement portions and female engagement portions are adapted to mate to form a formwork arrangement having a substantially flat exterior wall. A formwork assembly can additionally include concrete flow apertures and insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: PolyOne Corporation
    Inventors: David S Foell, William M Bjerke
  • Patent number: 8322115
    Abstract: A formwork assembly is adapted to receive concrete to produce structures such as wall structures. The formwork includes PVC tubular form elements having recessed female engagement portions. The female engagement portions are adapted to receive respective male engagement portions. An octagonal form element has a female engagement portion positioned at each vertex between adjacent sides. A recessed female engagement portion is closed to the interior of the form element but open to the exterior of the form element. Thus, the form element includes a plurality of vertices open to the exterior. The form elements also include male engagement portions at an open side. Wall panels, corner panels, and joint connectors can also include the male engagement portions. The male engagement portions and female engagement portions are adapted to mate to form a formwork arrangement having a substantially flat exterior wall. A formwork assembly can additionally include concrete flow apertures and insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: PolyOne Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Foell, William M. Bjerke
  • Patent number: 7559176
    Abstract: A formwork assembly is adapted to receive concrete to produce structures such as wall structures. The formwork includes PVC tubular form elements having recessed female engagement portions. The female engagement portions are adapted to receive respective male engagement portions. An octagonal form element has a female engagement portion positioned at each vertex between adjacent sides. A recessed female engagement portion is closed to the interior of the form element but open to the exterior of the form element. Thus, the form element includes a plurality of vertices open to the exterior. The form elements also include male engagement portions at an open side. Wall panels, corner panels, and joint connectors can also include male engagement portions. The male engagement portions and female engagement portions are adapted to mate to form a formwork arrangement having a substantially flat exterior wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Polyone Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Foell, William M. Bjerke
  • Patent number: 6341456
    Abstract: A long-span structure formed in-situ and extending between supporting structures includes at least two form supports extending between the supporting structures. Each end of the form support includes a bearing plate coupled to the adjacent supporting structure. A plurality of form hangers frictionally engage the form supports, wherein each form hanger has upwardly extending hooks. A beam form is carried by the plurality of form hangers and extends the length of each form support. Each beam form has opposed side walls connected by a bottom to form a cavity. Each sidewall has a downwardly extending hook mating with the upwardly extending hooks. A deck is supported by the beam forms with the cavities remaining open. The concrete is receivable at least in the cavities to form the long-span structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Majnaric Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton B. Majnaric, William M. Bjerke
  • Patent number: 5927346
    Abstract: A concrete pipe and methods for forming the same are presented by this invention. The pipe includes an inner and outer sleeve separated by a spacer ring which creates a void therebetween. Concrete is poured within this void to solidify the pipe structure. The spacer ring is formed by a plurality of interlocking ring forms which have nesting members to allow for the interconnection thereof. In an alternative embodiment, interlocking forms are employed to form both the inner and outer surface of the pipe. These alternative forms provide convex nesting numbers which form internal conduits between the inner and outer surfaces that accept reinforcing members or connection members to interlock the forms to one another. Concrete is then filled in these conduits and between the void of the inner and outer surfaces to solidify the pipe construction. Both embodiments may employ a plurality of elbow forms to form a bell-mouth which connects with the end of an adjacent pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Majnaric Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton B. Majnaric, William M. Bjerke
  • Patent number: 5553430
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for erecting building structures is presented. A plurality of wall panels are interconnected with each other in an array by column connectors interposed therebetween. Wall caps are then placed upon top surface portions of the wall panels and column connectors. Floor panels are then joined to the wall caps, with the floor panel forms having cavities to form headers over supporting wall panels and purlins between supporting wall panels. Rebar is placed into selected wall panels, purlins, and headers. Concrete is then deposited into selected ones of the wall panels and over the floor forms, filling the purlin and header cavities. Subsequently, a new array of wall panels and column connectors is erected on top of the poured concrete and the process is repeated to erect subsequent stories of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Majnaric Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton B. Majnaric, William M. Bjerke
  • Patent number: 5535565
    Abstract: A containment structure and a method for making such structure requires the implementation of a plurality of a minimum of building elements. A plurality of panels are interconnected by connector columns in stacked relationship to generate a dual walled shell, adapted to receive concrete between the inner and outer walls thereof. Rebar and other appropriate reinforcing material may be appropriately positioned before the concrete is poured. Additionally, before pouring of the concrete, the mating connections of the panels and column connectors are fused together by the passing of electrical current through conductors received within such elements at their points of interconnection. The rising temperature melts the material of which the panels and column connectors are fabricated, causing them to fuse together. In one embodiment of the invention, a foam barrier is provided on either side of the resultant concrete cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Majnaric Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton B. Majnaric, William M. Bjerke
  • Patent number: 5533221
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for building bridges from one location to another, and in which the construction activity takes place primarily at such terminal locations. Forms are assembled at one of the locations, such forms establishing the characteristics of the bridge deck to be built. When the forms are completed, they are elevated and suspended upon cables passing between the two locations. The forms are then pulled from one location toward the other, sequentially engaging with previously built and positioned forms until an entire complement of such forms extends between the two locations. The forms are then filled with concrete and finished. The forms provide an exterior finished surface for the bridge structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Majnaric Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton B. Majnaric, William M. Bjerke