Patents Issued in January 2, 2018
  • Patent number: 9856622
    Abstract: A method is for supporting a retaining wall that includes a number of wall blocks positioned to retain material against a rear side of the plurality of wall blocks. The method includes attaching the rear side of at least one of the wall blocks to at least one ground-stabilizing base body supporting the wall blocks. Kits and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Gordon McIntosh, Brent Lester Paul Loates, Calum James Buchan
  • Patent number: 9856623
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for structurally renewing and sealing a wall of a manhole. The apparatus includes a tubular sleeve impregnated with a hydrophilic or hydrophobic material capable of expanding when in contact with water, and a liner impregnated with a resinous material capable of curing and hardening. The apparatus is positioned in a manhole and inflated, which forces the tubular sleeve and the liner into contact with the wall of the manhole. The hydrophilic or hydrophobic material is forced into defects of the wall, thus sealing the wall, while the liner is allowed to cure and harden, thus structurally renewing the wall of the manhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: LMK Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9856624
    Abstract: A box-section arm of an excavator or the like has a pivot axis at one side. Two flat plates 25, 26 close the underside of the box-section adjacent the pivot axis, and are welded transversely from a pair of projections 28, 29 at one side, to corresponding pair of projections 28, 29 at the other side. The projections 28, 29 are partially but not wholly removed after welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: J.C. BAMFORD EXCAVATORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark Carthy, Dave Hurdman
  • Patent number: 9856625
    Abstract: A working vehicle includes: a vehicle body; and a boom; a bucket; a boom driving unit including a boom cylinder; a bucket driving unit configured to swing the bucket; a boom-bottom pressure sensor configured to detect a boom-bottom pressure of the boom cylinder; and a working equipment controller configured to control at least one of a lift motion of the boom and a tilt motion of the bucket. The bucket includes an inclined portion. The working equipment controller controls the lift motion or the tilt motion by comparing a threshold set in accordance with an inclination angle of the inclined portion with the boom-bottom pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Wada, Toshiyuki Ohta, Toshimitsu Honda, Katsuhiro Tsutsumi, Takaya Kobayashi, Yosuke Yamagoe
  • Patent number: 9856626
    Abstract: The hydraulic excavator capable of accurately positioning an engine and an exhaust gas treatment unit is provided. The hydraulic excavator includes a engine, an exhaust gas treatment unit, a front left pillar portion, a rear left pillar portion, a plurality of support portions, and a center frame. The exhaust gas treatment unit treats an exhaust gas from the engine. The plurality of support portions support the exhaust gas treatment unit. The center frame carries the engine. The center frame has a vertical plate. Two support portions are fixed to the vertical plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Akita, Tatsushi Itou
  • Patent number: 9856627
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for heavy equipment having a first structure moveable relative to a second structure, the locking mechanism having an actuator mechanism, coupled to one of the first structure and the second structure, operable between a deployed position and a retracted position, a biasing member, a carriage member operable between a restricted position, in response to the actuator being in the retracted position, and an extended position. The biasing member is configured to bias the carriage member toward the extended position in response to the actuator mechanism being in a deployed position and the carriage member is configured to prevent relative movement between the first structure and the second structure in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Tadano Mantis Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Copeland, Daniel Denney, Tony Casassa
  • Patent number: 9856628
    Abstract: A control system controls a construction machine having a work machine including a tilting bucket. The control system includes: a first acquisition unit configured to acquire dimension data; a second acquisition unit configured to acquire external shape data of the bucket; a third acquisition unit configured to acquire target excavation landform data indicating a target excavation landform that is a two-dimensional target shape of an excavation object on a work machine operation plane perpendicular to a bucket axis; a fourth acquisition unit configured to acquire work machine angle data; a fifth acquisition unit configured to acquire tilt angle data indicating a turning angle of the bucket; and a calculation unit configured to obtain two-dimensional bucket data indicating an external shape of the bucket on the work machine operation plane on the basis of the dimension data, the external shape data, the work machine angle data, and the tilt angle data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Kitajima, Kazuki Takehara
  • Patent number: 9856629
    Abstract: A lip shroud may include a front, wedge-shaped portion, an intermediate transition portion, and a rear mounting portion opposite the front, wedge-shaped portion. The intermediate transition portion of the lip shroud may be configured with at least one upwardly and rearwardly inclined transition surface that merges into a front edge of the rear mounting portion. The at least one upwardly and rearwardly inclined transition surface may include two opposite side, upwardly inclined surfaces that extend between rearward side edges of the at least one transition surface and substantially an entire length of each of opposite side edges of the rear mounting portion. The two opposite side, upwardly inclined surfaces may include outer side edges configured to form a smooth, upwardly sloped and outwardly convex-shaped profile merging into the opposite side edges of the rear mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip John Kunz
  • Patent number: 9856630
    Abstract: A system may include a water storage tank configured to at least temporarily store an amount of water in an enclosed interior section and a mixing system. The mixing system may include an intake conduit having at least a portion positioned in the interior section to withdraw water from the lower portion of the water storage tank. A pump system may have an intake section and a discharge section, the intake section being coupled to the intake conduit. A discharge conduit may be coupled to the discharge section of the pump system. A discharge fixture may be positioned in the interior section and may include a plurality of discharge holes configured to spray water from the discharge conduit into the water storage tank so as to mix at least a portion of water inside the water storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Tank Pro, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip Charles Stearman
  • Patent number: 9856631
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to systems and fittings for a rain catcher for a marine vessel. A fitting can include a connector body having a first connector end and a second connector end, where the first connector end is configured to connect to a rain catcher of the gravity-fed fluid and the second connector end is configured to connect to a fluid storage tank so that the first connector end is above the second connector end. The connector body defines an interior and an exterior, where the interior is in fluid communication between the first connector end and the second connector end. The fitting can also include one or more ports (e.g., nozzles) laterally defined through the exterior of the connector body and disposed vertically between the first connector end and the second connector end, where the ports are in fluid communication with the interior of the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Tim K. Stanley
  • Patent number: 9856632
    Abstract: The combination of: an underground valve for a supply line and having an underground actuator through which a state of the valve can be changed to control flow within the supply line; and a conduit assembly embedded in ground material and defining an access passage through which above ground access can be obtained to the valve actuator. The conduit assembly has an adaptor assembly with a body made from a non-metal material and having at least a first connector. The valve has at least a second connector. The first and second connectors cooperate to maintain the body operatively connected to the valve. A first conduit part is configured to connect to the body and bound a portion of the access passage accessible through an entry opening remote from the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Argonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Roell, Alan J. Henderson
  • Patent number: 9856633
    Abstract: An anti-freeze faucet contains: a first pipe, a second pipe, a check valve, and a control valve. The first pipe includes a hollow portion, an orifice, an outlet, and an inflow segment having two inlets. The second inserts into the hollow portion and includes a first connection segment, a second connection segment, and an air conduit, wherein the first connection segment has an air hole. The check valve is accommodated in the inflow segment and corresponding to the two inlets. The control valve is housed in the hollow portion and includes a base, a fitting bushing, and a coupling holder, wherein the base has two channels, and between the base and the fitting bushing is defined an accommodation chamber, the coupling holder has a rotation disc with a cold-water vent and a hot-water vent, and the coupling holder has multiple first openings and multiple second openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Cheng-Hsuan Wu
  • Patent number: 9856634
    Abstract: A pull-out wand is disclosed for use with a water delivery device. The pull-out wand may include one or more sensors, such as a touch sensor and/or a proximity sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Rodenbeck, Anthony G. Spangler, Michael J. Veros, Paul D. Koottungal
  • Patent number: 9856635
    Abstract: A faucet structure and method for assembling same is disclosed. The structure includes an outer tube, flow guiding part and cap. The outer tube is provided with an assembling gap. The flow guiding part is provided within the outer tube, and with half shells. The first half shell is provided with supplying manifold passage(s) corresponded to the assembling gap, and a first assembling ramp facing the second half shell. The second half shell is provided with a second assembling ramp facing the first half shell and inclined oppositely to the first assembling ramp, and a first threaded connection portion facing one end opening of outer tube. The cap is in correspondence with the end opening, and provided with a second threaded connection portion corresponded to the first threaded connection portion. These threaded connection portions are engaged by threaded connection, while those half shells are pressed against a tube wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hokwang Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shen-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 9856636
    Abstract: An article for properly disposing of FOG so that it does not enter and clog a pipe of a kitchen sink drain. The article may comprise a top opening for receiving said FOG, said opening defined in one embodiment by a perimeter rim configured for placement along the bottom sink surface surrounding the drain, and a body below the perimeter rim and the top opening, the exterior of the body defined by a membrane having a shape for fitting stably within the drain. In one embodiment, the entire lower interior of the membrane body is filled with absorbent material for absorbing FOG. In one embodiment, the absorbent material may be separable from the article body, for disposal of the absorbent material without the body. In one embodiment, the body volume may be configured for receiving an amount of FOG generated by one session of home cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Shawn Alan Santos
  • Patent number: 9856637
    Abstract: A bidet for being attached to a toilet bowl comprising—a flexible skeleton that fits to the bowl rim and is stabilized by a metal hook, inserted inside the toilet's water's run off holes and a second wire attached to a seat screw on the underside of toilet, —an elastic tube, with a curve, which brings the water from a valve of quick or slow action to a hard tube's flush nozzle, which produces the water jet, wherein the hard tube, when in a no use position, lies, almost hidden, under the bowl's rim, and for being used is rotated on a shaft of the skeleton, so the flush nozzle comes out to about the center of toilet, pulled manually by a thread which acts on the curved elastic tube wherein after use the bidet moves automatically in the no use position, thanks to the elastic tube suitably arranged, which serves at the same time for water conduct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventors: Zisis Kontogounis, Theofanis Kontogounis
  • Patent number: 9856638
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drain element formed of a hydrophilic coherent man-made vitreous fiber substrate (MMVF substrate), wherein the MMVF substrate comprises man-made vitreous fibers bonded with a cured binder composition, the MMVF substrate having opposed first and second ends and a passage which extends from a first opening in the first end to a second opening in the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwool International A/S
    Inventor: Michaeel Emborg
  • Patent number: 9856639
    Abstract: A wall assembly for forming an external wall on a building structure is disclosed. The wall assembly comprises a cladding and a plurality of vertical formwork members spaced along the wall assembly, and a horizontal formwork member extending along the top of the wall assembly. The formwork members are elongate profiles having a substantially constant cross sectional shape and they are arranged so that with the cladding they form an interconnected formwork defining a formwork space. A cementitious material cast within the formwork space is interconnected and forms a single underlying structural frame within the constructed wall assembly. The assembly includes connectors extending between the vertical and horizontal formwork members and the cladding on which they are mounted. Each connector extends from the cladding through the formwork space to the formwork member and is cast within the cementitious material. A method of building a wall assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Nandor Koszo
  • Patent number: 9856640
    Abstract: A gusset connection that allows greater relative movement between connected structural members and simplifies erection in the field. The gusset connection can be a first gusset portion moveably or fixedly connected to a vertical column and a second gusset connection moveably or fixedly connected to a horizontal beam. A diagonal brace is moveably or fixedly connected to the gusset connection. The first and second gusset portions are not directly connected to each other to allow relative movement between the column, beam, and diagonal brace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Constantine Shuhaibar
  • Patent number: 9856641
    Abstract: An expansion joint design for supporting transfer loads. The system includes an elongated core and at least one longitudinal load-transfer member which are bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Schul International Company, LLC
    Inventor: Steven R. Robinson
  • Patent number: 9856642
    Abstract: Corrugated furring strips are used on the outer side of an exterior insulation layer in an exterior wall construction. The corrugated furring strips support a final cladding layer at an offstanding position from the insulation, thereby providing a rainscreen. The corrugated furring strips are fastened to the framework of the wall through the exterior insulation layer. Optional bridging members shaped to conformingly mate with lands and grooves of the corrugated furring straps cooperate therewith to define a support grid with improved load capacity for heavier cladding materials and more fastening location options. The insulation layer is free of any thermal bridges other than the insulation-penetrating fasteners used to support the furring and optional bridges. Thermally insulative washers isolate the furring and optional bridges from the fasteners to further improve the insulating effect of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Wayne Ukrainetz
  • Patent number: 9856643
    Abstract: A work-station utilizes sound absorbing, translucent enclosure panels that allows light from outside of the work-station to enter. The translucent enclosure panels have an outside panel, and intermediate panel and an inside panel of a translucent plastic sheet material that form cells for dampening sound transmission through the enclosure panels. The inside panel has a plurality of apertures to allow sound to enter and be dissipated within the internal cells. A sound masking device is configured within the work-station and projects a dampening sound into the work-station, such as along the opening to work-station to produce a masking sound curtain for sound entering the work-station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Frank Lytle
  • Patent number: 9856644
    Abstract: A reconfigurable modular partition system having a plurality of different types of interchangeable (wall or ceiling) modules with different types of compatible connection components, each connection component being configured to align with another connection component at an interface to form an interface connection (e.g., channel) for securing the connection components together with one or more universal connection interface members. The interface is configured for on-demand reconfiguration without laborious alteration to aspects of the partition system, modules, and components thereof. Reconfiguration of modules is facilitated by removing the universal connection interface member from the channel, thereby releasing the attachment mechanism and allowing rearrangement of the module(s). Replacement of the universal connection interface member secures the reconfigured modules in place in the rearranged partition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: DIRTT Environmental Solutions, LTD
    Inventors: Geoff Gosling, Mogens F. Smed, Patrick John Harris
  • Patent number: 9856645
    Abstract: An exterior stucco wall construction comprising: a wall frame; sheathing attached to the outer side of the wall frame; a moisture collection channel mounted along a lower margin of the sheathing and having an inner flange, an outer flange, and a support floor extending therebetween, the collection channel further having a plurality of apertures arranged in spaced relation adjacent and along the inner flange; a vapor barrier attached to the sheathing and covering a portion of the upper flange of the collection channel; a moisture impervious board having an inner side provided with drain means to facilitate the downward drainage of moisture to a lower edge located within the collection channel and resting upon its support floor; lath wire secured over the outer side of the board; and, at least one coat of stucco applied over the lath wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: David D. Dahlin
  • Patent number: 9856646
    Abstract: A long, hollow, multiple sided profile device where at least one of the sides is provided with a bolthole, and where at least one of the sides of the profile is provided with a bolt opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Øglaend System AS
    Inventors: Arne Gya, Tor William Hoyvik
  • Patent number: 9856647
    Abstract: In the disclosure, the CFT column includes external steel tubes including straight jointing portions in which inclined bolt grooves are formed to be vertically apart from each other and which are formed to extend from an end thereof to cover an overall extension length thereof, a straight bolt connection slot including straight plates connected by a connection bolt to be apart from each other and formed to extend, and configured to integrate the external steel tubes by allowing the connection bolt to be inserted into each of the inclined bolt grooves in which the straight jointing portions of the external steel tubes are in contact with each other and communicate with each other, concrete placed in the integrated external steel tubes and cured, and a wave-shaped punching steel plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Heung Youl Kim, Bum Yeon Cho
  • Patent number: 9856648
    Abstract: The present invention provides a construction (1) comprising a first element (2) extending between a first (3) and a second (4) opposite free end and comprising a first duct (5) forming an opening (6,7) in each of the first and second free ends. The construction further comprises a second element (8) extending between a third (9) and a fourth (10) opposite free end and comprising a second duct (11) forming an opening (12,13) in each of the third and fourth free ends. The first (2) and second (8) elements are arranged so that the second end (4) and the third end (9) are facing each other. Furthermore, the construction comprises a tubular link (14) with a body of a flexible material, which the tubular link is arranged to provide communication between the first (5) and second (11) ducts, thereby providing an uninterrupted duct from the first end to the fourth end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CCL INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Esben Laustsen, Bjarne Landgrebe
  • Patent number: 9856649
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a shingle manufacturing system comprises an entry pull roll for providing a substantially continuous sheet comprising shingle material, an adhesive applicator for applying a laminating adhesive to a surface of the sheet, and a cutting station for cutting the sheet, now carrying the laminating adhesive, into at least three longitudinal pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventor: Harlan Selway
  • Patent number: 9856651
    Abstract: A roofing system includes a construction board positioned over a roof deck and a plurality of fastening plates positioned on a top surface of the construction board. At least one connector extends between two of the plurality of fastening plates and is positioned on the top surface of the construction board. The construction boards may be insulation or cover boards, and in certain embodiments may be polyisocyanurate boards. Fasteners are driven through the fastening plates and the construction boards and into an underlying roof deck to secure the construction boards in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Firestone Building Products Co., LLC
    Inventors: John B. Letts, Timothy Tackett, Allen Sopko, Michael Hubbard, John Geary
  • Patent number: 9856652
    Abstract: The invention is related to the field of civil engineering, particularly related to the translucent roofs of buildings, and regards the production of polycarbonate dome structure or translucent material, made of double lens and tube formation, which allows the installation and mounting of the same in-line, in the roofing structures, targeting design and extending day light in the inner area of buildings, even at low climatic condition, reducing the passage of excessive heat into the environment to be illuminated. In addition to reducing heat passage by approximately 30%, its use installation will take place linearly and non-point, so that natural light is distributed more homogeneously in the environment. The material for its manufacture can come from prismatic polycarbonate, acrylic or other compatible material and its manufacturing process adopts vacuum system forming (thermoforming).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Cassio Pissetti
  • Patent number: 9856653
    Abstract: A precast concrete step unit formed of left and right sidewalls, risers, and treads, wherein left and right sidewalls are assembled from a plurality of pre-cast sidewall panel modules, with a stepped panel module with two or more steps. Pre-cast concrete riser modules and tread modules extend between the right and left sidewalls. Reinforcing cross brace members are fastened to the inside distal surfaces of the left and right sidewalls where they are bolted into screw anchors embedded into the sidewalls. There are also screw anchor inserts embedded into the proximal ends of the sidewalls and into the ends of a first or lowest of the risers, and adapted for affixing the riser and sidewalls using clip angles or right-angle brackets. After alignment, the treads and remaining risers are installed using a construction adhesive which may be applied using a caulk gun. The precast modules each weight about 200 pounds or less, with none exceeding 250 pounds, and most much less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: William H Smith
  • Patent number: 9856654
    Abstract: A collapsible stair with foldable ramp can include a first step, and a second step nestable within the first step such that when the collapsible stair is in a closed position the second step is aligned with the first step and when the collapsible stair is in an open position a lateral offset between the second step and the first step is increased. A third step can be nestable within the first step such that when the collapsible stair is in a closed position the third step is aligned with the second step and is in an open position a lateral offset between the third step and the second step is increased. A ramp can be rotatably coupled to the first step to rotate from a stair position to a ramp position, wherein the ramp position comprises the second step and the third step being covered by the ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventors: Wallace Tagart, Yvonne Tagart
  • Patent number: 9856655
    Abstract: A modular system for continuously insulating exterior walls of a structure and cladding the structure walls provides thermally isolated MFI-brackets secured to a structural wall supporting thermally isolated vertical or horizontal rails supporting exterior cladding. Thermal insulation is positionally retained against the structure wall interior of the exterior cladding by the MFI-brackets and a pressure equalized moisture controlling rain screen is maintained between the interior surface of the exterior cladding and an exterior facing surface of the insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: MODERN FRAMING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas James Knight, Brian Nelson
  • Patent number: 9856656
    Abstract: A tongue with edge sections that are used to glue the tongue into a groove of panel. A tongue for connection of a building panel, said tongue is of an elongated shape and made of molded plastic, the tongue including at least two protrusions at a first long edge of the tongue, wherein the protrusions are bendable in a plane parallel to the upper surface of the tongue and extending essentially in the parallel plane and, wherein the tongue has a second long edge, which is essentially straight over substantially the whole length of the tongue and the tongue includes a gluing part configured to be glued into a groove at an edge of the building panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CERALOC INNOVATION AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 9856657
    Abstract: Hard panels formed from a wood-based material and having a decorative layer for floor coverings are provided, at least on two opposite edges, with coupling devices made in one piece with the panels wherein similar panels may be coupled together to form a floor covering, wherein these coupling devices provide for an interlocking in a direction perpendicular to the plane of coupled panels, as well as in a direction perpendicular to the edges concerned and parallel to the plane of coupled panels. These coupling devices are constituted of a tongue and a groove. The top side of the tongue has a protrusion that cooperates with a meshing recess located in the lower side of the upper lip of the groove of the coupling devices, and a portion extending generally parallel with the plane of the panel to form a contact surface cooperating with the lower side of the upper lip of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Bernard Thiers, Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 9856658
    Abstract: A floorboard assembly includes floor boards and fasteners. Each floor board includes a rectangular body including a coupling tongue and a coupling groove at two opposite sides, a first pressure block and a second pressure block respectively disposed at a bottom side relative to the coupling tongue and the coupling groove, a recessed portion disposed in an outer upper side of the first pressure block and a step respectively disposed in an outer upper side of the second pressure block. Each fastener includes a base panel having a front baffle and a rear baffle at two opposite sides, a partition rib spaced between the front and rear baffles, and a hooked portion curved from the top of the partition rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Feng-Ling Yang
  • Patent number: 9856659
    Abstract: A molding system comprising a decorative portion and a mounting flange for mounting the decorative portion directly to at least one wall stud. The decorative portion comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a decorative front surface. The mounting flange comprises a proximal portion, the proximal portion being coupled to the distal portion of the decorative portion such that the mounting flange extends away from the decorative portion and a distal portion. The mounting flange has a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the at least one wall stud and a thickness from about ¼ inches to about 2 inches. The distal portion of the first mounting flange abuts at least one sheet of drywall. The mounting flange does not substantially overlap the at least one sheet of drywall, and the at least one sheet of drywall does not substantially overlap the mounting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: John Paras
  • Patent number: 9856660
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of home decoration, in particular to a home plate connecting device, which includes a plate and plate connecting piece, a glass and plate connecting piece, a plate bottom edge and ground connecting piece, a decorative plate and plate connecting piece, a doorframe and wall connecting piece and a plate chamfer connecting piece, wherein each of the connecting pieces is provided with a rubber barbed tenon structure and a mortise structure with a barbed accommodation groove. According to the invention, the mortise and tenon structures and a threaded connection manner are adopted for fixation, so that the device can be freely dismounted and conveniently packaged and transported; each part is matched, and is easy to position, so that mounting and dismounting working efficiency is improved; and the dismounted parts are prevented from damage, and are high in reutilization rate, so that the device can be widely applied to the field of home mounting and decoration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventors: Jihong Yin, Yongkang Zhao, Xiaochen Hu, Yunqi Zhao
  • Patent number: 9856661
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a truck-mounted concrete pump including a vehicle, a concrete distributor boom disposed on the vehicle and including multiple boom arms that can be stowed, in the form of an arm assembly, on a vehicle-mounted boom resting unit, and a boom hydraulic system configured to stow and unfold the arm assembly and including a hydraulic cylinder that moves the arm assembly against the boom resting unit in a stowing movement. To terminate the boom stowing movement, a protective circuit is coupled to the hydraulic cylinder. The protective circuit includes a switching unit actuable under the load of the arm assembly. The switching unit has a load receiving element arranged on the boom resting unit that is resiliently deformable when stowing the arm assembly, wherein the arm assembly is only supported on the boom resting unit by the load receiving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Putzmeister Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Westermann, Knut Kasten
  • Patent number: 9856662
    Abstract: A large manipulator includes a chassis, at least two front support arms, and at least two rear support arms. The support arms are coupled to corresponding extendable support legs that are each coupled to the chassis and that are each configured to be extended between a travel position and a support position. The large manipulator further includes a mast arm with a turntable coupled to the chassis. An operating range of the mast arm is dependent upon the support positions of the extendable support arms. The large manipulator further includes a computer with a monitor and a program-controlled positioning aid. The positioning aid is configured to generate a graphical representation of surrounding image data on the monitor. The operating range of the mast arm is visualized in the graphical representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SCHWING GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Vierkotten, Joseph Schnittker
  • Patent number: 9856663
    Abstract: A truss setting bracket and a method relating to setting a truss using the truss setting bracket are disclosed herein. In various embodiments the truss setting bracket includes an elongated body member, a first cradle, a second cradle, an elongated catch guide, and a locking arm. The second cradle may include the elongated catch guide on a first finger and the locking arm on a second finger. In various embodiments, the method of setting the truss may include sliding the truss setting bracket over a desired location next to a first truss, lifting the first truss towards a second truss, and removably locking the truss setting bracket to a desired location next to the second truss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Raymond E. Koetter
  • Patent number: 9856664
    Abstract: A system includes one or more wall coverings positioned against a wall, and a plurality of supports spaced generally evenly along the wall holding the one or more wall coverings in place. Each support of the plurality of supports includes an elongate, thin metal plate that is bent at an angle slightly greater than ninety degrees to delineate a base portion engaging a floor, and a back support portion engaging the wall and holding at least one of the one or more wall coverings in place. The back support portion includes a bumper secured to a back side of the back support portion proximate an upper end of the back support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Anthony Edward Parrott
  • Patent number: 9856665
    Abstract: A wave pool for producing waves has a first wave-forming portion with an inclined section for causing the waves to begin breaking and a second wave-dampening portion with a raised floor with perforations extended above a bottom chamber floor. The raised floor is preferably adapted with a predetermined porosity such that a boundary layer of energy absorbing vortices and eddies is generated above and below the raised floor, resulting from water passing up and down through the openings, and the boundary layer effects on the raised floor help to dampen the waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas J. Lochtefeld, Hendrik Dirk van Ettinger, Dirk Bastenhof
  • Patent number: 9856666
    Abstract: The present invention consist of an improved and very compact hand held pool debris removal system using a hydrodynamic water circulation device capable of producing significant water flow through a conduit. Such water flow is then used to lift and convey debris from bodies of water such as fountains, ponds and swimming pools. The device operates by creating a high speed water jet curtain using an external source of energy by means of pressurized water, which impinges on an steady body of water transforming the energy provided by the external water source into a strong flow capable of lifting and conveying light and heavy debris from the floor of bodies of water and forcing these debris into a fine mesh filter for retention and later disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Imack Laydera-Collins
  • Patent number: 9856667
    Abstract: A low gravity fed water system includes a housing having an inlet opening, a portion of the inlet opening disposed above the waterline and a portion of the inlet opening disposed below the waterline. The housing has an outlet opening disposed in the housing below the waterline in fluid communication with the plurality of jets. The housing has a vent opening disposed in the housing below the waterline. An upwardly-extending conduct is connectable at a first end to the vent opening, and has a second end disposed above the waterline in ambient air away from an inside surface of the housing and away from an inside surface of the tub. In the event of a blockage of the inlet opening, air is drawn into the housing via the conduit inhibiting a suction being drawn on the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Wesley O. Cox
  • Patent number: 9856668
    Abstract: A device to convert an existing pool skimmer assembly into a pressurizable pool skimmer assembly, thereby allowing the existing pool skimmer assembly to act with this existing pool pump in emergency situations, such as assisting firefighters with pool water for extinguishing local wildfires or house fires. A removable plug cap and o-rings enables the pool pump to draw the pool water from the pool main drain using the existing pool skimmer. This device can also be used to drain the pool for cleaning the pool or for winterizing the pool, without requiring an electrical sump pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Mark Parks
  • Patent number: 9856669
    Abstract: A pool cleaner having an intake opening at the bottom of the body and two rollers on either side of the intake opening on which the pool cleaner rests and traverse the pool floor. In an embodiment, the rollers define a cleaning path with maximum water flow through the intake opening into the pool cleaner caused by hydraulic forces as a result of at least one pump being turned on. In an embodiment, pool cleaner is unstable when moving on the rollers. In an embodiment, wheels are placed at corners of the pool cleaner and raised above the floor, allowing a rocking motion and easy turns of pool cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Compurobot Technology Company
    Inventors: Wing-Tak Hui, Andrew Matthew Hui, Wing-Kin Hui
  • Patent number: 9856670
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for a sliding entry door assembly. The sliding door assembly has a frame, and a fixed lid attached to the frame. A rail is attached to the frame. A lid is selectively slidable upon the rail relative to the fixed lid to an opened position. A cam is selectively operable to raise the slidable lid to be flush with the fixed lid in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Bunker Safety Structures, LLC
    Inventor: Joe Kraft
  • Patent number: 9856671
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a tower lifting system comprises a primary lifting system and a secondary lifting system. The primary lifting system includes a lift cap configured to support a tower section to be lifted, the lift cap having a first plurality of hoists, and a lift pole coupled to the lift cap, the lift pole having a lifting mechanism configured to lift the lift cap, the lift pole, and the tower section to be lifted from within a previously lifted tower section. The secondary lifting system comprises a second plurality of hoists configured to raise the tower section to be lifted to the lift cap from a tower foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jerald Edward Jones, Valerie Lisa Rhoades
  • Patent number: 9856672
    Abstract: Various implementations include a fully collapsible and portable tent. For example, in various implementations, the tent includes a frame assembly that includes two or more frame members and two hubs spaced apart from each other. Ends of the frame members are coupled to the hubs. At least one of the frame members is pivotably coupled to the hubs via pivotable brackets. The pivotably coupled frame member pivot about a first axis extending through each end of the pivotably coupled frame member and the respective pivotable bracket, and the pivotable brackets pivot about a second axis extending through the pivotable bracket and the respective hub, wherein the first axis is spaced apart from the first axis. The pivotable brackets allow the tent to be moved between the collapsed and expanded positions quickly and with minimal effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
    Inventors: Jeff Allen, Thomas Patrick Powell, Jared Porteous, Jared Cassity, Christian Parris