Crossed Rods Patents (Class 403/346)
  • Patent number: 10287774
    Abstract: A metal truss assembly comprises a plurality of C-shape structural members including at least one chord member and two or more adjacent web members, each structural member having a base and two opposing flanges. The at least one C-shape chord member has flanges extending from each side of the base with one flange having cutouts to receive two C-shape web members with a part of said flange of said chord member in place between said cutouts. Each said C-shape web member is placed into one of the cutouts in said flange to intersect the at least one chord member with the bases of the two C-shape web members adjacent the base of the at least one chord member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Inventor: Keith Dietzen
  • Patent number: 10119270
    Abstract: A timber structural member includes: a first timber round having a first cooperating longitudinal surface, a second timber round having a second and a third cooperating longitudinal surfaces, and a third timber round having a fourth cooperating longitudinal surface. The first cooperating surface cooperates with the second cooperating surface, and the third cooperating surface cooperates with the fourth cooperating surface. The timber rounds are secured together to form a structurally integral unit in which the first cooperating surface is in contact with the second cooperating surface, and the third cooperating surface is in contact with the fourth cooperating surface, and the first, second and third timber rounds are substantially parallel to each other. The timber rounds are secured to each other by a plurality of spaced fasteners provided at acute and obtuse angles from a longitudinal axis of the structural member and extending through the timber rounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: LOGGO IP PTY LTD
    Inventors: Patrick Thornton, Peter Blair
  • Patent number: 9694298
    Abstract: A toy construction kit is disclosed. The construction kit comprising a plurality of flexible construction pieces, each of said flexible construction pieces comprising bendable rod made up of a metal wire with a plastic surrounding the metal wire. In one embodiment, the plastic wire is flexible, said plastic surrounding said metal wire forming an elongated structure. Disks are spaced along the length of rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: HUNTAR COMPANY, INC
    Inventor: Jason Cheung
  • Patent number: 9308465
    Abstract: A toy construction kit is disclosed. The construction kit comprising a plurality of flexible construction pieces, each of said flexible construction pieces comprising bendable rod made up of a metal wire with a plastic surrounding the metal wire. The plastic wire is flexible, said plastic surrounding said metal wire forming an elongated structure. Disks are spaced along the length of rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Huntar Company
    Inventor: Jason Cheung
  • Patent number: 8800938
    Abstract: A pipe brace assembly includes a main clamp body that can be secured to a brace pipe. A cable, or other flexible tensioning member, can be wrapped around a braced pipe and secured to the main clamp body. The pipe brace assembly includes a method or mechanism for tensioning the cable or flexible tensioning member around the braced pipe. In some embodiments, the tensioning method or mechanism involves moving, such as rotating, the main clamp body to tension the cable or tensioning member. The clamping of the main clamp body and tensioning of the cable or tensioning member can occur simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper B-Line, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 8621739
    Abstract: A method for assembly of structural systems comprising structural members with slots. Specific structural members are sequentially interconnected in rigid alignment. A first structural member is positioned with two upward facing slots. A second structural member having a downward slot and an upward slot is engaged with the first structural member by engaging the downward slot with one of the upward slots of the first structural member providing a stable structure. A third structural member having a downward slot and an upward slot is engaged with the second structural member by engaging the downward slot with the upward slot of the second structural member providing a stable structure. A fourth structural member having two downward slots is engaged with the third structural member and the first structural member by engaging the downward slots with the upward slots providing a finished structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph Elliot
  • Patent number: 8104551
    Abstract: Provided is an excavation tool which can firmly fix a locking pin so that the locking pin does not move even in the case of an impact during excavation and/or the locking pin being pushed out in the insertion/removal direction. The excavation tool (10) includes a tool body (20) having an attaching hole (32) and an attaching member (40). The attaching member (40) is provided with an attaching shaft (45) inserted into the attaching hole (32), and the outer peripheral surface of the attaching shaft (45) is provided with a groove (46) which crosses the extension direction of the attaching shaft (45). The tool body (40) is provided with a pin hole (33) extending in a direction crossing the extension direction of the attaching hole (32). A part of the pin hole (33) passes through the attaching hole (32). A locking pin (56), which can engage with the groove (46) of the attaching shaft (45) inserted into the attaching hole (32), is inserted into the pin hole (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8091846
    Abstract: A device for use at construction sites, the device having a plurality of brackets for quickly and easily mounting the device on building studs and for supporting a length of material, such as a two by four, and wherein two or more of the devices can be mounted on neighboring building studs to create a work or work surface supporting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: John D Britner
  • Patent number: 7903924
    Abstract: A connector that can function as a cable tray splice is provided. The connector may have a frame that is configured for being placed against first and second portions of cable tray. The connector may also have a flange located at an end of the frame that is capable of being shaped by a user. The flange and the frame define an aperture. A connector that may be a configured as a cable tray hanger and a method of securing a connector to the cable tray are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: M P Husky, LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Pollard, Jr., Raymond A. Colgrove, James Q. Looney, Ernest R. Whittaker
  • Patent number: 7753615
    Abstract: Long load racking system for vehicles, adjustable runners horizontal and vertical with telescoping members—both single rail, double rail; and trombone shaped; multi-functional, split and corner couplings with accessible transverse to coupling base friction adjustments, ramping ground to bed and bed to elevated locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Donald G. Sprague
  • Patent number: 7708491
    Abstract: The invention concerns a splice bar for connecting two abutting sections of said cable tray, each cable tray section comprising longitudinal warp yarns and transverse weft yarns connecting the warp yarns. It comprises: an elongated central part (2) having two transverse support zones (18), designed each to receive one weft yarn; two anvil lugs (4) connected to the central part (2) on the same side thereof and arranged on either side of the transverse support zones (18); and two locking lugs (6) connected to the central part (2) on the side opposite to the anvil lugs (4) and arranged on either side of the transverse support zones (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: I.C.M. Group
    Inventors: Stephane Quertelet, Thomas Pareux
  • Publication number: 20090175679
    Abstract: A joint between two metal tubes may be formed by creating a cutout on each of the tubes, each cutout having a pair of channels sized according to a wall thickness of a tube to be received, and then pressing the tubes together. Teeth are formed in the channels to engage the wall of the opposite tube when the tubes are pressed together to prevent the joint from separating once created. Optionally a mechanical fastener may be used to further strengthen the joint structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Bretford Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Brandel, John Jaqua
  • Publication number: 20090148231
    Abstract: A structure for combining materials of a furniture product, comprises a wooden material for being used as a vertical component of the furniture product, in which the wooden material has at least a positioning recess and positioning recess comprises at least one receiving surface; a metal material for being used as a horizontal component of the furniture product, in which the metal material has a sectional shape matching a sectional shape of the positioning recess so as to be partially accommodated in the positioning recess; and at least one fastener, for fastening the metal material settled in the positioning recess to the wooden material; wherein when the metal material is settled in the positioning recess of the wooden material, the receiving surface provides a supporting force to the metal material opposite to a gravity of the metal material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: CHIEN-KUO CHANG
  • Patent number: 7264214
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stock bar and T-bar coupling structure for mounting a sprinkler. In the present invention, a locking bracket is easily securely coupled to a T-bar using an elastic locking unit and a wing bolt. Furthermore, a stock bar made of standard rectangular pipe is coupled to the locking bracket by a first locking unit such that the stock bar crosses over the T-bar. Because this locking bracket is manufactured as a separate component from the stock bar, the present invention can be used without limiting the distance between the T-bars. Furthermore, the present invention has an advantage in that a standard rectangular pipe can be easily used as a stock bar merely by cutting the pipe to a desired length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Kofulso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-il Oh
  • Patent number: 7240884
    Abstract: A mounting device of a sprinkler comprises: a main body provided with a pair of side plates and an upper plate disposed on upper portions of the side plate; a rail mounting portion formed at lower ends of the side plates and insertedly fixed to a support rail; a support bar fixing portion formed at an upper side of the main body, for supporting the support bar; and a locking member inserted in the side plates in a lateral direction, for preventing the rail mounting portion from being separated from the support rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Paradise Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae-Min Shim
  • Patent number: 7175219
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a vehicle mounting bracket having an adjustable linkage mounting portion. The mounting bracket is fixed to the vehicle and the linkage system, while adjustment bolts on the mounting bracket allow the user to adjust the vertical height of linkage relative to the vehicle. Scalloped adjustment joints of the linkage allow a user to modify the joint angle while effectively increasing or decreasing the length of the linkage members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: RBW Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ray W. Blodgett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7063481
    Abstract: A polymeric connector block for interconnecting a plurality of elongate tubular members into a structure has five-sided front and back sides with an orthogonal pattern of three parallel through-apertures therethrough. A fourth through-aperture passes from the left side to the right side, intersecting two of the parallel through-apertures at 90°. A non-through aperture passes from the top side and intersects the other of the parallel through-apertures at 90°. A sixth aperture extends into the block at an intermediate angle such as 45°. There are no apertures in the bottom side. Tubular members are insertable into the apertures and lockable therein by lockscrews. Tubular members may comprise tubing, pipe, electrical conduit and the like, and may include non-tubular materials such as solid rods. A wide range of structures may be created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventor: Scott E. Trull
  • Patent number: 6926613
    Abstract: A pool table (10) having a plurality of corner assemblies (12, 14, 16, and 18) which allow the pool table (10) to be easily disassembled while concomitantly allowing the pool table (10) to be sturdy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Eric Gregory Binning
  • Patent number: 6862861
    Abstract: An improved crossarm support bracket for preventing excessive bending and breakage at the midsection of crossarms caused by conventional horizontal brackets and supporting heavier crossarms. The improvement comprises a base portion for attaching the bracket to a utility pole, a pair of spaced apart flanges for supporting a crossarm, and a pair of arcuate mounting seats providing contact surfaces with outer edges of the crossarm to minimize deformation of the crossarm. By assuming a bowed position along the curvature of the seats, the arcuate shaped seats eliminate point pressure exerted by outer ends of conventional horizontal brackets which act as wedges against a crossarm receiving the combined weight of the distal ends of the crossarm. Mounting seats further minimize deformation of the crossarm by contacting the crossarm at its outer edge rather than the entire surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Bethea Power Products
    Inventor: Wei-Chung Lin
  • Patent number: 6729100
    Abstract: A connector for a main tee of a suspended ceiling grid that has improved self-aligning and connection force properties. The connector has an end tab with a forward portion bent at a lead angle and a receiving pocket with an outwardly flared entrance that, with an opposed identical connector, cooperate to provide smooth horizontal alignment. The end portion, additionally, includes an edge profile that vertically aligns itself with the receiving pocket of the opposed connector. The receiving pocket includes a spring-like resilient wall that limits the assembly force to overcome interference with projecting lock lances even when the connectors are nearly out of dimensional tolerance. The spring-like pocket wall, shape of the lock lance, and reinforcing beads contribute to an improved audible click signaling that a connection has been completed. The lock lance works with a relief groove to augment self-alignment of the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald L. Koski, John M. Harcula, Brock R. Kavanagh
  • Patent number: 6688803
    Abstract: A connection assembly of first and second elements. The first element has a receiving opening through which the second element is passed and penetrates the first element. The first element is connected to the second element at one or more positions in the region of their intersection. At least one of the first and second elements have ridges arranged to lie adjacent the opposing elements. A plurality of the elongate elements can be interconnected in a plurality of connection assemblies to form a grid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Royal Packaging Industries Van Leer N.V.
    Inventors: Maurice Gerardus Maria Van Giezen, Paul Martens
  • Patent number: 6634609
    Abstract: A universal accessory adapter, which is adapted for attaching to a collapsible outdoor furniture, includes a supporting device for rigidly supporting an accessory item, at least a connector for detachably attaching the supporting device to a frame leg of the collapsible outdoor furniture, and a foldable frame arranged for selectively folding the supporting device from a folded position to an unfolded position. In which, in the folded position, the supporting device is moved to a position close to the frame leg of the collapsible outdoor furniture, and in the unfolded position, the supporting device is moved away from the frame leg of the collapsible outdoor furniture, so as to spacedly mount the supporting device with respect to the frame leg of the collapsible outdoor furniture. Therefore, the universal accessory is substantially supported by the collapsible outdoor furniture, so as to rigidly support the accessory item on the universal accessory adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Edward Zheng
  • Patent number: 6543731
    Abstract: A modular suspension system for supporting conduit between structural members, such as walls studs or ceiling joists, of a building. The system includes a transverse support bracket for securement between the building structural members and further includes an elongate conduit segment of tubing and end mounts received over opposite ends of the conduit segment for securing the conduit segment to respective building structural members. The end mounts are constructed of tubular segments coaxially received over end portions of the conduit segment and these tubular segments have one or more ears protruding therefrom for securing the tubular segments to the building structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: John Mercier
  • Patent number: 6389765
    Abstract: A corner joint for a building made of timber elements. The exterior surface of the building is a wall element made of logs, and the interior surface is a wall element is also made of logs. The space between the wall elements is fitted with thermal insulation. Both wall elements end inside the corner joint, so that the exterior corner, which extends over the wall line of the building is made of separate corner elements on top of one another. The interior wall elements are placed crosswise in the corner, reach to and end substantially in the exterior wall elements. The crosswise stacked corner elements have extensions, which between the interior and exterior wall elements, reach over the crosswise interior wall elements. The extensions have an inter-locking shape, such as a notch, at the interior wall elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Red Wire Oy
    Inventor: Jouko Hautala
  • Patent number: 6305139
    Abstract: A clip for attachment to the end of a main beam for a grid in a suspended ceiling. The beam has an inverted T cross section. The clip engages an identical clip on the end of another main beam to form an end to end connection. The clip has a tongue and channel that engages with a tongue and channel in the other clip of the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventor: Gale E. Sauer
  • Patent number: 6126358
    Abstract: A furniture panel stabilizer, having a first lifting member moveably interlocked with a second lifting member, for preventing relative vertical movement between two adjoining furniture panels forming a corner. The first lifting member has a first end, an opposite second end, a top end, an opposite bottom end, and a first longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The second lifting member has a forward end, an opposite back end, an upper end, an opposite lower end, and a second longitudinal axis extending between the forward end and the back end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Shaw Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Dana Bryson Waits
  • Patent number: 5975147
    Abstract: A heddle frame includes a top rail and a bottom rail connected at their ends with end members to form a rectangular frame. An adjustable center brace assembly extends between the top and bottom rails, and includes an elongated brace extending through the top rail with a bottom end adjustably and lockingly engaged with the bottom rail. The brace may have a multi-sided head at the top thereof configured to be engaged by a conventional driving tool. A locking block is disposed over the multi-sided head and is a removably attached to the top rail. The locking block has a recess defined in the underside thereof with a width corresponding generally to that of the multi-sided head for rotationally locking the head and center brace. The head of the brace has a width so as not to extend beyond the sides of the top rail, and the head can be rotated with a conventional driving device without removal of the heddle frame from the textile machine, or interfering with adjacent heddle frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Steel Heddle Manufacturing Compmay
    Inventors: Michael T. King, C. Keith Johnson
  • Patent number: 5797236
    Abstract: An auxiliary bottom insert apparatus for a container includes first panels, each of which includes a first panel top edge, a first panel middle portion, and a first panel bottom edge. Each of the first panels includes first keyways spaced at predetermined first increments along the first panel top edge and extending from the first panel top edge to the first panel middle portion. Second panels are provided, wherein each of second panels includes a second panel top edge, a second panel middle portion, and a second panel bottom edge. Each of the second panels includes second keyways spaced at predetermined second increments along the second panel top edge and extending from the second panel top edge to the second panel middle portion. The second panels are inverted with respect to the first panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventors: John T. Posey, Jr., Julea Ruth Posey
  • Patent number: 5678865
    Abstract: A tank tee unit is formed from a plurality of standard pvc pipes secured together only by a suitable glue. It includes a main pipe of heavy wall pvc sandwiched between and glued to two heavy wall pvc pipes extending perpendicularly therefrom which are in turn each glued to a standard smaller diameter pvc pipe that passes entirely through the main pipe to form an extremely strong joint. This provides a unit in the form of a cross with outlets on opposite sides of the main pipe and with thick wall branch lines that can be tapped for other side connections. One side outlet can be plugged to provide a strictly tee unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Merrill Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5625987
    Abstract: A method of making and erecting a framed structure, preferably single level, by milling standard pieces of lumber that are joined into a sturdy, rectangular frame is disclosed. Opposed Side Beams having dado cuts at their opposite ends are joined to opposed Face Beams having complementary dado cuts at their opposite ends. Floor joists connect opposed sidebeams and support subflooring or decking, and, to accommodate certain larger dimensional floorplans, Center Beams are built into the frame. The frame can rest on a periphery foundation or be erected over posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventor: Edward Zamerovsky
  • Patent number: 5598682
    Abstract: Retaining clips are provided by the present invention for use in a novel method of constructing radiant heat flooring. The clips are used to secure heating pipe that has been laid on top of a wire grid. The pipe is secured by attaching the retaining clip to the wire grid so that the retaining clip passes from one point of attachment on the wire grid, over the pipe, to another point of attachment on the grid, without passing beneath the grid or the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Haughian Sales Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Haughian
  • Patent number: 5410847
    Abstract: A junction for connecting a steel member to a structural member, such as a beam in a steel framed construction to a column in a reinforced concrete construction, a steel framed concrete construction or a steel framed construction. Junction hardware connect to the steel member and a rod-like orthogonal metal connector is provided in concrete structural members. The elements are connected by tightening bolts or by screw joints through a coupler. Since the metal connector is in a form of rod, the concrete member has a high packing property. Field welding work is omitted by connecting the metal connector to the junction hardware by a bolt connection method or by a screw joint method to facilitate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Kajima Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Okawa, Akiyoshi Ito, Hiroshi Hayasaka, Toshio Saeki, Naoki Tanaka, Kiyobumi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 5396748
    Abstract: A new joint construction is provided for connecting main members and cross members of a suspended ceiling grid. Both members are in the form of I-beams having a central web and top and bottom flanges projecting at opposite sides of the web, and the top flanges of the main members have depending lips at their edges. Each joint construction includes a notch in a depending lip capable of receiving the web of a cross member, and opposed slots in the top flange of the end portion of the cross member capable of receiving portions of depending lip on each side of the notch. The lower flange and web of the cross member end portion are configured to allow the lip to be interlocked with the slots by a relative tilting motion between the cross member and the main member, and the cross member rests on the main member lower flange when the parts are in their final position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventor: David J. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5332006
    Abstract: The weaving shaft and center connector, includes an upper shaft rod having an upper longitudinal side and a lower shaft rod; a round rod having a threaded lower end and an upper end guided through the upper shaft rod; a device for anchoring the threaded lower end of the round rod in the lower shaft rod; a stop collar connected with the upper longitudinal side of the upper shaft rod; a cap covering the upper end of the round rod and the stop collar and having through-holes on opposite sides of the connector rod; clamping screws extending through the through-holes of the cap for anchoring the cap on the upper shaft rod to secure the stop collar on the upper shaft rod; and a device for engaging a tool provided on the upper end of the round rod. The stop collar has a diameter corresponding at most to a thickness of the upper shaft rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Grob & Co Ltd.
    Inventor: Rudi Gaisser
  • Patent number: 5307797
    Abstract: A portable outdoor grill includes a round, smooth stake having a T-shaped upper end to facilitate insertion and removal from the ground. An E-shaped double-hook having at each end a hook making contact with the post at two separated points, mounts on its external side a sleeve that slidably receives a horizontal arm. One end of the arm is for mounting a cooking utensil over a source of heat, and the other end mounts a wooden handle. The cooking utensil may be a wire basket having a wire lid allowing cooking of the other side of the food on rotation of the basket; two lid levers embracing the arm preclude opening of the lid on rotation of the basket. The basket may be replaced a Y-shaped bar whose branches have arcuate shapes providing three-point support for a range of differently sized cookware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventor: Klaus Kleefeld
  • Patent number: 5288058
    Abstract: Skeletal railing systems are usually formed of metal tubing welded together and/or interconnected by metal T-connectors, cross connectors and elbows. The assembling of such railing systems is often time consuming and expensive. A simple alternative includes tubular plastic, preferably polyvinyl chloride posts and rails interconnected by short lengths of metal tubing which extend through openings in the plastic tubes. A bolt perpendicular to one section of metal tubing extends into a plate or plug on the end of the other section of metal tubing, and a nut is tightened onto the bolt to hold the sections together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventor: William W. Russell
  • Patent number: 5285612
    Abstract: In an interlocking beam construction in which hollow beams are notched and interlocked to define a completely rigid joint without fasteners, reinforcement inserts are slid into the beam to the notched area. The inserts are notched to conform to the notches in the respective beams so that the interlocking function of the beams is accommodated, but the weakness that would otherwise be produced at the joint due to the notching of the otherwise hollow beams is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: David W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5263766
    Abstract: A unit of child's furniture such as a chair or sofa is constructed of intersecting panels provided with a unique interlocking joint which provides strength, rigidity and long life to such furniture. In one form, each panel is made of a pair of triple wall corrugated cardboard sheets which are individually slotted and channeled to provide different portions of its joint, and which thereafter have their sides cemented together to form a double thickness corrugated panel. The furniture is preferably made so it can be transported and stored in flat, knockdown condition and assembled when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventor: Rodger A. McCullough
  • Patent number: 5216865
    Abstract: An end connector structure for suspension ceiling grid systems provides a connector to connector lock on each side of the web of a through runner. The lock includes a lateral tear drop shaped protrusion providing a rearwardly facing exposed edge in combination with a lateral strap on an associated identical connector which also provides a rearwardly facing exposed edge. When tensile stresses are applied between the two connectors, the connector to connector lock is subjected to forces causing the associated rearwardly facing edges to engage and resist connector separation. The protrusion joins the adjacent portion of the connector material with bends having relatively large radius of curvature to reduce the weakening of the structure of the protrusion resulting from notch sensitivity. These large radius of curvatures result in substantially improved ultimate strength in the connector to connector lock when compared with protrusions formed with relatively sharp bends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. LaLonde, James J. Lehane
  • Patent number: 5154031
    Abstract: A suspended ceiling support system is formed of a grid having main runners (12) interconnected by cross runners (16) extending at right angles to the main runners and abutting the main runners at runner intersections. The cross runners are firmly and fixedly interconnected to one another and to the interposed main runner by means of a single connector clip (20) of uniform height throughout its length. The connector clip has end plates (120,124) that connect to opposite sides of the webs (34,144) of respective cross runners and an integral angulated intermediate section (140) extending through a vertical slot (110) in the main runner web (106). The cross runners are formed with opposing channels (40,52,42,54) that slidably receive upper and lower edges of the connector clip and each cross runner web has a hole (99) to receive a locking tongue (126,128) on the clip. Thus a single connector clip firmly and fixedly connects ends of two cross runners to each other and to the interposed main runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Schilling Components, Incorporated
    Inventor: Glen Wall
  • Patent number: 5108136
    Abstract: Pipe fittings that allow pipes to intersect each other without communication, and without extending one pipe over and around the second one. The use of these fittings allow installation of intersecting pipes in two dimensions. The angle of intersection can be varied up to 90 degrees, or perpendicular. The use of these fittings save material expense, labor expense, time and space, and improve pressure loss compared to current methods of piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Frank Fantigrossi
  • Patent number: 5076546
    Abstract: A modular barrier and restraint for children or infants. The device has several interchangeable pieces, including substantially elongated barriers, rectangular end pieces, pyramidal end pieces, and castle end pieces. This interchangeability allows a one-dimensional, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, or four-dimensional barrier. Each piece is fitted with either a slot or counter slot to be fitted together to easily form the barriers. Holes may be placed through the pieces to form a handle. Other holes may be placed into or through the pieces to either provide a place through which a child or infant can see or into which a mirror can be placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Inventor: Winsome A. Henry
  • Patent number: 5067274
    Abstract: A tomato pole is provided having a plurality of spaced, V-shaped slanted slots entrant from one side thereof. The pole is hollow and can be driven into the ground, with one or more of the slots preferably being subterranean in use such that irrigation water can be poured into the top of the pole and will irrigate through the lower notches. The spaced notches enable the user to use anything available for transverse tomato plant support sticks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Inventor: Richard L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4907389
    Abstract: A lattice consisting of first and second flexible resilient criss-crossed strips each having beveled edges and mating dovetail cutouts oriented in face-to-face relationship with the dovetail cutouts of each of the strips having dovetail sides engaging the beveled edges of the other of the strips. A lattice with criss-crossed strips with one strip having dovetail cutouts with sides which engage mating beveled edges of the other strip. Lattice structures of the foregoing types which utilize hollow strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Inventor: Frederick M. Pettit
  • Patent number: 4819549
    Abstract: A clean room ceiling grid system having a detent means for loading filter panels into ceiling grids from a clean room. The system is operable to permit removal of the filter panels by use of a filter panel removing tool. More particularly, this clean room ceiling grid system requires no plenum space use above the grid members for either installation or removal of filter panels. The system also includes means for hermetically sealing the interface of connected ceiling grid members and means for substantially laminar flow of filtered air in clean rooms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Donaldson Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Gillingham, Joseph C. Tokar
  • Patent number: 4726534
    Abstract: A tape accommodating reel assembly having reel sections with hubs that are interlocked together. Each hub has ears and locking lips. The ears and locking lips of mating hubs interengage each other to hold the hubs together. The widths of the hubs vary so that reel assemblies having different sizes can be made from a minimum of different reel sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: Advantek Inc.
    Inventor: Dean B. Chenoweth
  • Patent number: 4720117
    Abstract: A pedalling attachment for wheelchairs, to form a composite vehicle therewith, which includes an attachment frame with a pedalling mechanism and novel attachment means thereon. The attachment frame has two slidably and rotatably adjustable frames slidably insertable therein, with attachment means located at the ends thereof which grip appropriate portions of the wheelchair side frames. The attachment means are adjustable with respect to each other, to the attachment frame and to the wheelchair frames, so that a wide variety of sizes, configurations and styles of wheelchairs can be accomodated. The pedalling attachment, when attached to the wheelchair, makes the composite vehicle rigid enough to use safely on streets and highways, and to travel at highway speeds thereon for long distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Carl M. Hay
  • Patent number: 4714372
    Abstract: A hurricane tie for connecting wood members in a building structure having a unitary sheet metal body member including a truncated generally right angled triangular base member and a generally right angled triangular web member arranged in reverse apex order with respect to one another. The base and web members lie in planes which are mutually angularly related to one another. The base and web members are formed with fastener openings for connecting the tie to the wood members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 4712966
    Abstract: A storage rack with moveable lifting jacks. The rack includes horizontally extending members joined but spaced apart by a pair of upper and a pair of lower cross members. Two upright posts extend above the horizontally extending support members and are secured in place by the cross members. A powered lifting jack and a follower lifting jack each include tongues insertable between the horizontally extending support members at the opposite ends of the rack. The tongues are biased between the upper and lower cross members preventing the pivotal motion of the tongues which are mounted to wheels rotatably mounted to frames having hydraulic cylinder motors mounted thereatop. Piston rods are extendable from the hydraulic cylinder motors and are attached to the tongues to apply lifting force in an upward direction along an axis extending through the wheel axis of rotation applying lifting force to the opposite ends of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Thomas L. Gross
    Inventor: Peter L. Gross
  • Patent number: 4598521
    Abstract: A grid system for suspension ceilings is disclosed having an end connector providing an inverted, U-shaped end portion adapted to nest over the upper edge of an associated web of a runner extending through the intersection. An integral tongue is bendable through an aperture formed in such associated web to releasably lock the connector to the through runner. The end connector is mounted between opposed, parallel, vertical webs on the associated runner by tabs which extend through web slots. The separate connectors and the runners can be formed of materials having different thicknesses so that the material forming the web and the material forming the connector can be selected to provide the required strength without excessive use of materials. The connectors can be used both in main run cross-run systems, and in basket weave systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: Donn Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Slapsys, Brian T. Everitt