Patents Issued in March 7, 2017
  • Patent number: 9587398
    Abstract: A veneer product and system includes a body having an aesthetic front surface and a back surface for installation adjacent the building. The body has a top side and a bottom side and a bracket attached to body and projecting away from the back surface of the body, the bracket further comprising a first end adjacent the top side for attachment to the building and a first protrusion for positioning the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a second end having a second protrusion for positioning the bottom of the back surface a predetermined distance from the building and a bottom projection adjacent the bottom side for engagement with a second body to retain the bottom end of the veneer product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Talus Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Harold C. Attebery, II
  • Patent number: 9587399
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a columns assembly for an insulating wall of a building structure, said column having a side surfaces adapted to receive and retain insulation panels of the insulating wall, said column assembly comprising an inner spacer element made of mineral wool fibers, a central element made of mineral wool fibers, an outer spacer element made of mineral wool fibers, wherein the spacer elements are assembled with first and second intermediate profiles between the spacer elements, and wherein the density of the mineral wool in the central element is higher than the density in the inner and outer spacer elements. The invention also concerns an insulating wall assembly of a building structure with such a column assembly and a method of constructing such insulating wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwool International A/S
    Inventors: Klavs Koefoed Jakobsen, Preben Riis
  • Patent number: 9587400
    Abstract: Building or structural panels may be joined, such as to form walls or floors. The panels may be connected in various orientations via one or more connectors. The connectors may mount to anchors associated with the panels. The panels may have outer skins located over an expanded core comprising a matrix of supporting elongate members and voids or openings, with the anchors located at edges of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph C. Fleming, III
  • Patent number: 9587401
    Abstract: A bar joist reinforcement apparatus may include a base assembly adapted to be connected to a lower portion of a bar joist, a top assembly adapted to be connected to a top portion of the bar joist, and an adjustable coupling assembly connected between the base assembly and the top assembly for adjusting the distance separating the base and top assemblies. The apparatus may be used to reinforce a bar joist by inserting the apparatus in between upper and lower portions of a bar joist, adjusting the apparatus so the top and base assemblies come into contact with, press against, and/or brace the upper and lower portions of the bar joist, and connecting the apparatus to the bar joist using bolts and conventional tools instead of welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Jason Rickman Benton
  • Patent number: 9587402
    Abstract: A protected membrane roof system for installation on a roof decking comprising an upper insulation board having an upwardly-facing upper board top surface and an opposite downwardly-facing upper board bottom surface and at least one through-hole communicating therebetween, a ballast material positioned over the upper insulation board, a netting positioned over the ballast material, and at least one fastener assembly having a base seated substantially adjacent the upper board bottom surface, a rod extending substantially vertically from the base of sufficient size so as to extend through the through-hole of the upper insulation board, the ballast material, and the netting, and a cap engaged with the rod above the netting, whereby the wind uplift resistance of the protected membrane roof system is improved and scour of the ballast material is reduced by effectively anchoring the netting to the upper insulation board beneath the ballast material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Thurman W. Freeman
  • Patent number: 9587403
    Abstract: A method for mounting an appliance to a membrane-covered roof involves (a) mounting two or more rails or appendages to the appliance, the rails or appendages placed to lie flat on the membrane-covered roof, supporting the appliance, and to extend away from the appliance, (b) installing two reinforced attachments, each incorporating a metal plate fastened into decking below the membrane of the membrane-covered roof, and covered by transition membrane heat welded to the membrane of the membrane-covered roof, one attachment installed on each side of each rail to be secured to the roof; and (c) fastening a bridge between the two attachments and over the rail at each rail point to be secured to the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Platinum Roofing, Inc.
    Inventor: William Edwin Shevlin
  • Patent number: 9587404
    Abstract: An operable ramp is moveable between a raised (step) position and a lowered (ramp) position. The operable ramp includes a first panel rotatably coupled about a first axis, the first axis that moves back and forth as the operable ramp reciprocates between the raised and lowered positions. A second panel is rotatably coupled to the first panel and extends downward from the first panel in the raised position. The second panel also rotates about a fixed second axis. The first and second panels cooperate to provide an inclined surface when the operable ramp is in the lowered position. A linkage selectively rotates the first panel about the first axis. The operable ramp further includes a third panel rotatable about a fixed third axis. The third provides a surface between the first panel and a fixed panel when the operable ramp is in the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Lift-U, Division of Hogan Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: George Franco
  • Patent number: 9587405
    Abstract: The portable folding ramp facilitates transfer of large, heavy objects that cannot be conveniently hand carried up and down inclines (steps, etc.). The portable folding ramp includes one or more ramp members (preferably two, and perhaps three) that attach removably to a folding crossmember. The crossmember includes an elongate slot with a series of short positioning slots extending transversely therefrom. Each ramp member includes a pin at its upper end, with the pin installing removably in the elongate slot. The pin (and its ramp member) is then positioned along the elongate slot to the desired positioning slot to set the lateral spacing between ramps. The apparatus is folded for storage by (a) retracting the telescoping ramp(s), (b) folding the crossmember back upon itself, (c) positioning the ramp(s) attachment(s) at the extreme ends of the crossmember, and (d) pivoting the ramp(s) to align with the crossmember. A storage container is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Hebah A. Alhazza
  • Patent number: 9587406
    Abstract: A panel railing has a dimensionally stable U-shaped profile. Between the two limbs of the U-shaped profile, the base region of a glass pane is held in a clamped manner. A spacer body and a rod body are arranged in the opening region of the U-shaped profile between the glass pane and one limb. The rod body is provided in an upper, free edge region of at least one of the two limbs. The rod body is placed in a pressing manner with its one outer face against the limb and with its other outer face, which lies opposite the former, against the glass pane. On the inner side of the limb, there is at least one projection which protrudes from said limb in the direction of the glass pane and is present below the maximum width extent of the rod body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: René Bangratz
  • Patent number: 9587407
    Abstract: A method for assembling tiles onto a substrate relating to permanent and temporary envelopes for building construction, roads, emergency constructions, and civilian, military, air, naval and space vehicles, based on the integration of a foldable flexible backer member with tessellations, resulting in a stackable, portable, installable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Howard Hancock Newman
  • Patent number: 9587408
    Abstract: A roofer's utility box includes non-rectangular sides angled downward from one end of the box to the other, defining a substantially trapezoidal box. Retractable leveling legs disposed on its downhill face extend below the box bottom to enable leveling its top surface. Roof anchors and a ridge tether on the uphill end, and a safety brace on the downhill end, secure the box in place. Lifting and towing handles cooperate with retractable castors to facilitate positioning the box. Masts extending upward from the box's downhill end, and a yard arm spanning between them, support a walkway plank to create temporary scaffolding supported by the box. A variety of exterior utility devices attach to the box and scaffolding masts, including trays, cutting and clamping surfaces and electrical and pneumatic outlets for use with power tools. The box interior may be fitted with an ice chest and/or sliding trays for convenient storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Troy Ray Brannon
  • Patent number: 9587409
    Abstract: An invention for cleaning the surface and near surface of pools and ponds is disclosed. The invention comprises a floating skimmer with a screening medium that can easily be controlled by an operator and maneuvered above and below the surface of the pool or attached to the side of the pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Ronald Bair
  • Patent number: 9587410
    Abstract: A pool cleaner debris bag is provided having an open end adapted to receive debris from the pool and a closable end defining at least one discharge passage for the bag. The pool cleaner further comprises a securing apparatus disposed along at least a portion of the closable end. For example, the securing apparatus can have at least two separable members selectively movable between an unsecured position to permit opening of the discharge passage, and a secured position having at least a portion of the first end is disposed between the at least two separable members to permit closing of the discharge passage. In addition or alternatively, the debris bag can comprise a seam disposed at a location spaced apart from the open end for defining at least one discharge passage for the bag. In addition or alternatively, the securing apparatus can comprise a clasp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventor: Suresh Cherulassery Gopalan
  • Patent number: 9587411
    Abstract: A telescopic mast has a plurality of telescopic sections with longitudinally extending walls, a transverse dimension of the innermost telescopic section being smaller than the outermost telescopic section of two adjacent telescopic sections, so that the innermost telescopic section can slide longitudinally in and out of the outermost of two adjacent telescopic sections. A restrictor is provided between the two adjacent telescopic sections, the restrictor having a longitudinally extending linear guide provided on one of two adjacent telescopic sections and a clamping device provided on the other one of two adjacent telescopic sections, wherein the clamping device is configured for providing a clamping force to the guide during relative movement of said two adjacent telescopic sections, wherein the clamping force has two oppositely directed rotational force components in a plane normal to the longitudinal direction of the mast and perpendicular to the radius of the mast through the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: FALCK SCHMIDT Defence Systems A/S
    Inventor: Carsten Bach
  • Patent number: 9587412
    Abstract: A multi-axial mast positioning system includes a frame having two opposed vertical sections, an axle coupled to the frame and rotatable around a first axis passing through the opposed vertical sections of the frame, and a mast coupled to the axle and rotatable about a second axis aligned with and perpendicular to the first axis. Level sensors measure the orientation of the mast along the first and second axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: US Tower Corp.
    Inventors: Robert E. Gorney, Kenneth Pereira, Jason Timothy Wadlington
  • Patent number: 9587413
    Abstract: The invention concerns a processing apparatus for processing an upper segment edge of a pylon segment of a concrete pylon for preparing the pylon segment for placement thereon of at least one further pylon segment. According to the invention it is proposed that the processing apparatus includes a processing means for processing the segment edge, and a carrier apparatus to be fixed in the region of the segment edge for displaceably carrying and guiding the processing means along the segment edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: WOBBEN PROPERTIES GmbH
    Inventors: Gunther Horn, Norbert Holscher, Olaf Stracke
  • Patent number: 9587414
    Abstract: A fully welded fence panel comprises a plurality of vertical pickets and a pair of horizontal metal rails. The top and bottom portions of the pickets are pressed in a mechanical or hydraulic press to create flattened surfaces and welded to the rails. The flattened surfaces may either be oriented parallel or perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the metal rails to facilitate welding or to enable the fence panel to be racked when used as a railing. Indentations are pressed into opposite sides of the flattened surfaces at the same location and are perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the picket to further enable the fence panel to be racked. The railing is therefore adjustable at a customer's site to change the angle between the pickets and rails and avoid the need for perfect angle measurements prior to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: James A Lachenberg
  • Patent number: 9587415
    Abstract: A retention mechanism for retaining a lock cylinder in a lock housing. The retention mechanism includes a control lug, a control pin, and a finger pin. A portion of the control lug is configured to be positioned in a retention recess of the lock housing when the control lug is in an engagement position to prevent the removal of the lock cylinder from the lock housing. With the control lug in the engaged position, at least a portion of the control pin may be biased into a chamber of the control lug to retain the control lug at the engaged position. When the control lug is to be displaced from the engaged position, the finger pin may be lifted to an activation position, such as by a sidebit of a key, wherein the finger pin may removably displace the control pin from at least a portion of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian Edward Walls, Ajeya Suratkal Rao, Evan Earl Evans
  • Patent number: 9587416
    Abstract: A lock includes a housing having an insertion hole in which a pivot is inserted. A slide is connected to one end of the pivot. A spring is located in the insertion hole and applies a first resilient force toward the insertion hole, and a second resilient force toward a direction that the slide pivots. When the slide is located at a first position, the installation recess is covered by the slide to prevent water and dust from entering into the installation recess. When the slide located at a second position, at least one portion of the slide does not cover the installation recess to allow the lock to be unlocked. When the slide located at a third position, the slide is located higher than the first end face of the protrusion and is pivotable so that the installation recess is explored for convenience of replacement of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Federal Lock Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tien-Kao Liu
  • Patent number: 9587417
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for actuating a moving part (10) of a vehicle (1), particularly a trunk lid (10.1), a side door (10.2), or the like, without contact, comprising a first detection means (11) for detecting an object in a first detection area (11a) and a second detection means (12) for detecting an object in a second detection area (12a) so that the actuation of the moving part (10) can be activated through the detection means (11, 12). According to the invention, the first detection means (11) is designed as a first capacitance sensor (11), and the second detection means (12) is designed as a second capacitance sensor (12), wherein means (13, 14) are provided, with which the detection areas (11a, 12a) can be specified in areas separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: HUF HULSBECK & FURST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Peter Van Gastel
  • Patent number: 9587418
    Abstract: A door inside handle apparatus with a pull handle may include a handle bracket, a door inside handle and a link lever. The handle bracket may be fixed to the pull handle without interfering with a storage space of the pull handle. The door inside handle may be coupled to the handle bracket to be turned and have an operation part exposed through a rear side of the pull handle and to be operated by a user. The link lever may be coupled to the handle bracket to be turned, connected with one end of a latch cable, and operated to pull the latch cable by rotating with the door inside handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dong Wuk Choi
  • Patent number: 9587419
    Abstract: A panel barrel hinge clip comprising a plate section and an annulus section are described. An article comprising the clip is described. A method of arresting movement of a swinging panel mounted on frame with a barrel hinge is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: David Turner
  • Patent number: 9587420
    Abstract: A wireless obstacle detection system includes a wireless photosensitive sensor and a communication module designed to provide a retrofit solution for easily adding obstacle detection capabilities to a previously installed barrier operator system. In one form, the wireless obstacle detector can be provided with a gateway device for adding additional functionality, including enabling long range remote operation of a barrier operator. To facilitate ease of installation, the communication module can communicate with a large variety of barrier operators including using at least two different protocols for communication with obstacle detectors. Such communication may be wireless or wired, depending on the barrier operator and communication protocol implemented by a particular previously installed barrier operator. The communication module may be designed to configure itself to operate with the communication protocol of the previously installed barrier operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Roy Keller, Jr., Cory Jon Sorice
  • Patent number: 9587421
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a cable control system includes a spool on which a portion of a cable may be taken up and released, an input shaft coupled to the spool, and a motor coupled to the input shaft to drive the input shaft and spool in a first direction to take up cable on the spool and in a second direction to release cable from the spool. The control system also has two clutches that allow rotation of the spool without corresponding rotation of the motor. Each clutch may have a first member coupled to the input shaft and a second member coupled to the spool and relative rotation between the first and second members of the clutch allows rotation of the spool relative to the motor or input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: DURA OPERATING, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Harrison, Aubrey J. Nofzinger
  • Patent number: 9587422
    Abstract: A direction switchable ratchet device for a door operator is provided. The door operator includes an electric motor, an electromagnetic brake and the direction switchable ratchet device. The direction switchable ratchet device comprises a first and second direction restricting devices and a manually operable mechanism. A drive shaft of the electric motor is braked by a brake baffle disk when the electric motor is electrically de-energized and is released when the electric motor is electrically energized. The first and second direction restricting devices are provided to prevent the drive shaft from being rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise respectively by holding the brake baffle disk. In the event of power failure, the manually operable mechanism is effective to open the door once a pawl of the direction restricting device at the free side is retracted. The manually operable mechanism of the door operator is prevented from being incorrectly mounted in a cost-effective manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Chung-Hsien Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9587424
    Abstract: A locking post for a closure, the post having front and rear walls joined at their sides by two side walls to form a tubular post having a generally quadratic cross-sectional shape. Each side wall has a groove therein, the groove parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post, and wide enough and deep enough to at least partly receive a locking element carried by the post. The sides of the groove also provide handles which can be gripped to move a closure the post is mounted on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Dynamic Closures Corporation
    Inventor: Julian Michael Svenson
  • Patent number: 9587425
    Abstract: Pillar delivery films for vacuum insulated glass units. The delivery films include a support film or pocket tape, a sacrificial material on the support film, and a plurality of pillars. The pillars are at least partially embedded in the sacrificial material or formed within sacrificial material molds, and the sacrificial material is capable of being removed while leaving the pillars substantially intact. In order to make an insulated glass unit, the delivery films are laminated to a receptor such as a glass pane, and the support film and sacrificial material are removed to leave the pillars remaining on the glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Terry O. Collier, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin
  • Patent number: 9587426
    Abstract: A gate apparatus having an automatically returning gate, an upper latch operated by an upper button, and a lower latch operated by an upper finger handle. Each of the latches must be opened to open the gate. The gate returns without the aid of a spring to a position close to the closed position or to the closed position by the structure of a pivot or hinge connection between the gate and the frame of the gate. Gate tubes are rectangular in section for their entire length. Wood panels are included in the gate and excluded from other portions of the gate apparatus to make the gate stand out to the user seeking to open the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Carlson Pet Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Flannery, Porter R. Million
  • Patent number: 9587427
    Abstract: A restraint system for temporarily restraining a generally rectangular panel in an opening of an outdoor structure having a pair of longitudinally extending side portions, a base portion connected to each of the pair of longitudinally extending side portions at respective proximal ends of each of the pair of longitudinally extending generally parallel, inwardly inclined side portions, protruding members arranged along a bottom surface of the base portion for frictionally engaging a side portion of an opening of an outdoor structure during an operational use of the restraint system, and a tab portion configured to allow a user to grab and pull the restraint system out of the opening. The pair of longitudinally extending side portions and the base portion form a generally u-shaped configuration with a gap therebetween adapted for receiving a side portion of a generally rectangular panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel Alan Webb
  • Patent number: 9587428
    Abstract: A window blind device includes a headrail, a bottomrail, a window shade, a frame, and a plurality of control wheels. The frame includes two frame halves each including a wall body and a plurality of shaft halves. When the frame halves are brought into mating engagement with each other, male and female connecting regions of each of the shaft halves of each of the frame halves matingly fit with the female and male connecting regions of a corresponding one of the shaft halves of the other one of the frame halves, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Taicang Kingfu Plastic Manufacture Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Szu-Chang Huang
  • Patent number: 9587429
    Abstract: A light input-adjustable window shade includes a supporting unit having a main rod and two sliding rods. The two sliding rods are respectively slideably mounted to two ends of the main rod. A positioning seat is fixed to an end of each sliding rod distant to the main rod. Each sliding rod has a coupling portion. A spool is rotatably mounted to the positioning seats of the supporting unit. A shade body includes a first periphery fixed to the spool and a second periphery. The shade body is coiled around the spool. A weighting unit includes a rod body comprised of an inner rod and a movable rod. The movable rod is slideably mounted to one of two ends of the inner rod. The shade body is wound around the rod body. The second periphery of the shade body is fixed to the coupling portions of the two sliding rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Li-Ming Cheng
  • Patent number: 9587430
    Abstract: A retractable covering for an architectural opening includes a headrail in which a control system is mounted and a fabric suspended from the headrail. The fabric is mounted to be moved laterally between a rolled up retracted position and an extended position across the architectural opening. At least one roller about which the fabric can be wrapped is mounted at an end of the headrail for rotation about a vertical axis, and the system includes a flexible control element that is substantially horizontally disposed for moving the covering between extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Terrence M. Drew, Paul G. Swiszcz, Jason T. Throne
  • Patent number: 9587431
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods of attractive, low cost, controllable, or other featured motorized window covering assemblies. The use of a motor assembly with an integrated WiFi interface enables eliminating a setup box, resulting in lower cost. Eliminating the setup box and any associated wires further eliminates the eye sore that they may pose. These eliminations, along with an elongated motor assembly used in some embodiments, further enable the motor to be made less noticeable by, for example, making it easier to hide or camouflage. As one example, an elongated motor assembly, comprising an elongated casing surrounding the motor and the control board, is hidden inside a window covering holder. An IP address can be assigned to each motor, which enables addressing and controlling each motor individually from any remote device located anywhere with access to the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Jackson Global Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chong Kun Choo, Hong Seng Tan
  • Patent number: 9587432
    Abstract: A gate opener for simultaneously operating a pair of opposed sliding gates. The gate opener includes a pair of identical pulley assemblies one each affixed to the ground adjacent to a either gate and oriented a hundred eighty degrees to each other. A first cable is affixed to a lateral edge of a first gate, passes through a series of pulleys and is affixed to a medial edge of a second gate. A second cable is affixed to a lateral edge of a second gate, passes through a series of pulleys and is affixed to a medial edge of the first gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Jose M Valdez
  • Patent number: 9587433
    Abstract: A cradle clamp bracket assembly that secures cables to rungs of a ladder rack. The cradle clamp bracket assembly includes an elongated bracket having a first portion and a raised second portion. The first portion includes a slot located along the center of the first portion. The raised second portion includes a downwardly extending flange and at least one gsset to strengthen the bracket. The cradle clamp bracket assembly also includes a retainer that is received in the slot to engage the rung of the ladder rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: David J. Sylvester, Rodney G. Rouleau, Raymond M. Hill, Andrew Crouse
  • Patent number: 9587434
    Abstract: A ladder having platform steps, the ladder being convertible between a deployed position for supporting a person or other load, to a storage, scaffold, or ramp position in which the steps lie in a generally planar arrangement. When deployed, the ladder steps remain parallel to each other and form a series of parallelograms with the rails of the ladder. The ladder is also capable of being locked or secured at various angles of deployment. The ladder further includes receivers to selectively receive accessories such as wheels, hooks, handles, or pads. The addition of accessories such as wheels allows the ladder in the storage position to be used as a creeper, dolly, or cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Rory Frick
  • Patent number: 9587435
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to drill and complete wellbores. Such wellbores include extended reach horizontal wellbores, for example in shales, deep subsea extended reach wellbores, and multilateral wellbores. Specifically, the invention provides simple threaded subassemblies that are added to existing threaded tubular drilling and completion equipment which are used to dramatically increase the lateral reach using that existing on-site equipment. These subassemblies extract power from downward flowing clean mud, or other fluids, in an annulus to provide additional force or torque on tubular elements within the wellbore, while maintaining circulation, to extend the lateral reach of the drilling equipment and completion equipment. These added elements include combinations of The Leaky Sealâ„¢, a Cross-Over, The Force Subâ„¢ and The Torque Subâ„¢. The use of such additional simple elements allow lighter drilling equipment to be used to reach a given lateral distance, therefore reducing drilling costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Robert L. Dekle, Damir S. Skerl, James E. Chitwood
  • Patent number: 9587436
    Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting torque to a down hole motor in a down hole drilling assembly. The apparatus includes a center rod having a distal protuberance and a proximal protuberance, a transmission adapter having a first end connected to the down hole motor, and a transmission socket formed within a second end of the transmission adapter and configured to receive the proximal protuberance. A material bridge may be provided for the protuberances. The apparatus may also include a bearing adapter operatively connected to the center rod, with the bearing adapter having a bearing socket therein, and wherein the transmission adapter is configured to connect to an output of the down hole motor and the bearing adapter is configured to connect to an input of a bearing assembly in the down hole assembly for drilling the well. The adapters may contain external threads and the caps may contain cooperating internal threads. A method of drilling a well is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Innovative Drilling Motors, LLC
    Inventor: Kenny Perry
  • Patent number: 9587437
    Abstract: A powered reamer comprising a stationary assembly having a flow bore therethrough. A rotating assembly is disposed about the stationary assembly and one or more cutting structures are coupled to an outer surface of the rotating assembly. A flow restriction is disposed within the flow bore so as to divert a portion of fluid flowing through the flow bore through an outlet from the flow bore into an annulus between the stationary assembly and the rotating assembly. A power section is formed in the annulus between the stationary assembly and the rotating assembly. The power section operates to eccentrically rotate the rotating assembly about the stationary assembly in response to fluid flowing through the annulus between the stationary assembly and the rotating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Jonathan Ryan Prill, Alan Martyn Eddison
  • Patent number: 9587438
    Abstract: Various downhole drilling tools designed and manufactured at least in part on evaluating respective forces acting on respective groups and sets of cutting elements during simulated engagement with the downhole end of a wellbore and drilling from a first downhole formation into a second downhole formation. Simulating forces acting on each cutting element as the cutting element contacts a downhole formation may be used to force balance downhole drilling tools during transition drilling or non-uniform downhole drilling conditions. Multilevel force balanced downhole drilling tools may be designed using five respective simulations, cutter group level, neighbor cutter group level, cutter set level, group of N (N=3 or N=4) consecutive cutters level and all cutters level. Various cutter layout procedures and algorithms may also be used to design multilevel force balanced downhole drilling tools which may drill faster with higher lateral stability, especially during downhole transiting drilling conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Shilin Chen
  • Patent number: 9587439
    Abstract: A device for connecting at least one electrical data and/or supply line to electrical sockets of a wired drill pipe is disclosed. One inventive aspect of the device comprises: a collet blocking plug axially insertable into and removable from a receiver end of the drill pipe and at least one collet. The collet is configured to be interlocked with the drill pipe in a locking position and be released from the drill pipe in a release position. The collet is axially displaceable from the collet blocking plug between the locking position and the release position. The collet blocking plug is axially insertable into and removable from a receiver end of the drill pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: think and vision GmbH
    Inventors: Bouchra Lamik-Thonhauser, Anton Kotov, Alexander Fine
  • Patent number: 9587440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dynamic point-the-bit rotary steerable drilling tool and a measuring method thereof. The dynamic point-the-bit rotary steerable drilling tool comprises a rotary housing, a stabilized platform assembly, a hollow servo-motor assembly, a drilling fluid passage, an inner eccentric ring, an outer eccentric ring, a drilling bit shaft and a universal joint. The dynamic point-the-bit rotary steerable drilling tool also comprises a stabilized platform communication and power supply system which includes an instrument storehouse fixed at the upper end of the rotary housing, a main circuit board, an auxiliary circuit board mounted on the stabilized platform upper-end cover, an electromagnetic coupler primary-side, an electromagnetic coupler secondary winding and an electromagnetic coupler primary-side mounting plate fixed at the lower end of a coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: China University of Petroleum
    Inventors: Weiliang Wang, Yanfeng Geng, Zhidan Yan
  • Patent number: 9587441
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining first and second bodies coaxially together to resist relative axial and rotational movement between the bodies. A male portion of the first body is received in a complementary female portion of the second body, and the male and female portions are aligned axially on a common axis such that respective cooperating grooves in opposing cylindrical or tapered complementary surfaces of the male and female portions are aligned to form a plurality of passageways or a passageway having a plurality of passageway portions, between the opposing cylindrical or tapered complementary surfaces. At least two of the passageways or at least two of the passageway portions are disposed at different angles to the common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, David A. Switzer, Patrick R. Derkacz, Justin C. Logan, Daniel W. Ahmoye, Darcy A. Downs, Mojtaba Kazemi Miraki
  • Patent number: 9587442
    Abstract: An automated locking joint can include a first member, a second member, a joint, a locking structure, and a positioning device. The joint can connect the first member with the second member. The second member can be pivotable about the joint relative to the first member. The locking structure can be positionable between a lock position that prevents pivoting of the second member about the joint and an unlock position that allows pivoting of the second member about the joint. The positioning device can automatically move the locking structure from the lock position to the unlock position or from the unlock position to the lock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Sean Gregory Thomas, Jack Gammill Clemens
  • Patent number: 9587443
    Abstract: Provided is apparatus for use in resonance enhanced rotary drilling, which apparatus comprises: (i) an upper load-cell for measuring static and dynamic axial loading; (ii) a vibration isolation unit; (iii) optionally an oscillator back mass; (iv) an oscillator for applying axial oscillatory loading to the rotary drill-bit; (v) a vibration transmission unit; (vi) a lower load-cell for measuring static and dynamic axial loading; (vii) a drill-bit connector; and (viii) a drill-bit, wherein the upper load-cell is positioned above the vibration isolation unit and the lower load-cell is positioned between the vibration transmission unit and the drill-bit, and wherein the upper and lower load-cells are connected to a controller in order to provide down-hole closed loop real time control of the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ITI SCOTLAND LIMITED
    Inventor: Marian Wiercigroch
  • Patent number: 9587444
    Abstract: A lubricator for use in a plunger lift system includes a tubular body having an outlet formed through a wall thereof and a bore therethrough. The bore is closed at an end thereof. The lubricator further includes a striker assembly disposed within the bore. The striker assembly includes a dampener housing longitudinally movable relative to the tubular body between a ready position and a stroked position and a choke plate. The choke plate: is disposed in the dampener housing, separates a bore of the housing into an upper hydraulic chamber and a lower hydraulic chamber, and has one or more orifices formed therethrough. The striker assembly further includes a dampener support rod connecting the choke plate to the tubular body. The orifices are sized to dissipate kinetic energy of a plunger striking a lower end of the dampener housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Manish Agarwal
  • Patent number: 9587445
    Abstract: A power cable assembly supplies power to and suspends in a well an electrical well pump. The assembly includes metal tubing having a longitudinal tubing center line and a cylindrical side wall. Power cable has an exterior delta shape when viewed in a cross-section. The delta shape defines three exterior side surfaces that face radially outward and join each other at corners. Power cable has three insulated power conductors wrapped helically with a metal strip. The power cable is located in the tubing with the corners deformed against an inner diameter of the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry V Dalrymple, David H. Neuroth
  • Patent number: 9587446
    Abstract: A subsea removable flex joint laydown tool is described herein. The tool can include a body having a first portion and a second portion hingedly coupled to the first portion. The tool can also include a flex joint coupling feature disposed on an inner surface of the first portion and the second portion toward a proximal end of the body, where the flex joint coupling feature is configured to couple with a first laydown tool coupling feature of a flex joint. The tool can further include a riser coupling feature disposed on the inner surface of the first portion and the second portion toward a distal end of the body, where the riser coupling feature is configured to couple with a second laydown tool coupling feature of a riser. The tool can also include at least one laydown tool coupling feature movably coupled to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Noah Teichmiller, Jack Darryl Payne, Hugh M. Thompson, Jonathan Bowman, Edward Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9587447
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drilling vessel (1) comprising a drilling tower (2) and a tubular string support structure (3) for supporting a tubular string in the firing line (4a, 4b) of the drilling tower. The tubular string support structure comprises two parallel rails (11) and two carts (13, 14) supported by those rails. Both carts have a hanger body (14, 15), comprising a central passage (16), for supporting a tubular, and each cart (13, 14) can be moved between a central support position (18) for supporting a tubular in the firing line, and a secondary position (19) adjacent the central support position. When both carts (13, 14) are located in their secondary position (19), the carts are located on opposite sides of the firing line, such that between the carts there is a passage for passing through large objects along the firing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Diederick Bernardus Wijning, Pieter Dirk Melis Van Duivendijk
  • Patent number: 9587448
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for supporting a tubing bundle during installation or removal. The apparatus includes a clamp for securing the tubing bundle to an external wireline. In various examples, the clamp is external to the tubing bundle or integral with the tubing bundle. According to one method, a tubing bundle and wireline are deployed together and the tubing bundle periodically secured to the wireline using a clamp. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for coupling conduit segments together. A first pump obtains a sample and transmits it through a first conduit to a reservoir accessible by a second pump. The second pump further conducts the sample from the reservoir through a second conduit. In a specific example, one or more clamps are used to connect the first and/or second conduits to an external wireline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the Desert Research Institute
    Inventors: David L. Decker, Brad F. Lyles, Richard G. Purcell, Ronald Lee Hershey