Patents by Inventor William McDonough

William McDonough 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).

  • Fastener for layered floor coverings and method of fastening layers
    Patent number: 5958540
    Abstract: Mechanical fasteners having parallel barbs extending vertically from a horizontal planar member to secure layers of a floor covering. When interposed between floor covering layers the barbs penetrate and anchor into a floor covering material. When a consumer desires to separate the layers, and to replace or recycle one or all the layers of the floor covering, he can do so readily by pulling the layers apart, and then securing new layers together with the mechanical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Berard, Claude Edward Terry, Harold F. Adams, William A. McDonough, Michael Braungart
  • Fastener for layered floor coverings and method of fastening layers
    Patent number: 5822828
    Abstract: Mechanical fasteners having parallel barbs extending vertically from a horizontal planar member to secure layers of a floor covering. When interposed between floor covering layers the barbs penetrate and anchor into a floor covering material. When a consumer desires to separate the layers, and to replace or recycle one or all the layers of the floor covering, he can do so readily by pulling the layers apart, and then securing new layers together with the mechanical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignees: Interface, Inc., McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Berard, Claude Edward Terry, Harold F. Adams, William A. McDonough, Michael Braungart
  • Electrical appliance control system
    Patent number: 4716409
    Abstract: A control system for operating at least two electrical appliances, such as a combination ceiling fan and light assembly, from a remotely located multi-position manually operated switch assembly. The system responds to a series of different control signals actuated by the different switch positions to switch either one of the appliances on or off, to control the intensity of the light or the speed of the fan, or to initiate any one of a series of pre-programmed sequences of operations of the appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Homestead Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward F. Hart, William McDonough