Panel And Frame Connection Patents (Class 52/127.6)
  • Patent number: 11149491
    Abstract: A particularly formed frame and corresponding adapters permit installation of a screen assembly into different windows or doors having different socket widths, reducing the required number of SKUs that need to be stocked. The adapter includes: a base portion; a stem portion; and a bulb portion. The frame includes a plurality of recesses, each configured to slidably receive an adapter therein. The width of the frame is sized to be received in a first door/window socket having a first socket width. When a first sized adapter having a first bulb size is installed in each recess, the width of the frame and the protruding distance of the first bulb size are configured to be received in a second door/window socket having a second socket width. A second sized adapter having a second bulb size may instead be installed for use in a second door/window socket having a second socket width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventors: Steven D. Ulsh, John C. St. Clair
  • Patent number: 10435882
    Abstract: A clip (2) for fitting between a first component (6) and a second component (4) in a building structure, the clip including a first member (8), a second member (10) and a connecting portion (12) connecting the first member (8) to the second member (10); the first member (8), the second member (10) and the connecting portion (12) forming a space (38) in which a portion of a leg (18) of the second component (4) is adapted to reside; the first member (8) and the second member (10) adapted for engagement with the portion of the leg (18) of the second component (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: STUDCO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD.
    Inventors: David Maney, Simon McKechnie, Bill Hendricks, Warwick McAlpin
  • Patent number: 8800244
    Abstract: A system to aid in the installation of drywall or similar items on ceilings or vertical wall surfaces comprises a set of bracket structures. A first pair of brackets is fixed, and a second pair of brackets comprises a pivot screw that is swung in place after the drywall is lifted into place. Each bracket is provided with a mounting fastener adapted to be attached to the ceiling joists or wall studs. Once in place, the drywall is slid into the brackets and held securely in place. The drywall is then fastened into the joists and the brackets can then be removed. The brackets are spun around or reinstalled and the process repeated as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Jerry W. Smarr
  • Patent number: 8732980
    Abstract: In order to provide a drier module for a drier for a coating plant, in particular for a coating plant for vehicle bodies, wherein the drier comprises a drier working space for receiving the objects to be dried, which space is bounded by a drier floor, a drier ceiling and lateral boundary walls, which reduces the transport costs for transporting the drier components from the production site to the erection site, it is proposed that the drier module comprise at least one section of a lateral boundary wall of the drier working space and one section of the drier floor and/or one section of the drier ceiling, wherein the drier floor section and/or the drier ceiling section are/is connected to the boundary wall section so as to be pivotable relative to the boundary wall section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Dürr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Napfel, Helmuth Zurich, Andreas Gerber
  • Patent number: 8496223
    Abstract: A sideform molding accessory (10) includes a cap member (12) for capping an end (14) of a sideform (16). The cap member (12) includes a pair of opposed sides (12.1) and (12.2) and a peripheral portion (13) with at least a part of a profile (18) of the peripheral portion (13) complementing a molding surface (20) of the sideform (16) A retaining member (22) extends from one of the sides (12.2) of the cap member (12) for retaining the cap member (12) in position relative to the end (14) of the sideform (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: SRB Construction Technologies Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Sladojevic, Steven Girotto, Craig Deleon
  • Patent number: 8132776
    Abstract: A sideform (10) for a sideform system includes an elongate body member (12) defining a side forming face (14) and an opposed mounting portion (16) for mounting the body member on a sideform holder. At least one recessed region (18, 20), in which an insert is receivable, is defined in the body member (12). An engaging arrangement (22) is associated with the recessed region (18, 20) for securing the insert in position in the recessed region (18, 20). At least one attaching formation (28) is arranged on the body member (12) in association with the side forming face (14) for attaching an edge form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: SRB Construction Technologies Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Sladojevic
  • Patent number: 8046957
    Abstract: A stack-on panel assembly for panel-based partition systems includes a connector bracket with a first portion shaped for connection with the top of an associated base panel, and a second portion upstanding from the first portion and having a first latch member. The stack-on panel assembly also includes a stacker panel having a bottom portion shaped for abutting support on top of the base panel, and a vertically extending slot disposed along one side to receive and retain therein the second portion of the connector bracket. A second latch member is disposed within the stacker panel at a location adjacent to the slot, and automatically engages and positively locks with the first latch member on the connector bracket when the stacker panel is lowered into place on top of the base panel to positively, yet detachably, connect the stacker panel on the base panel in a vertically stacked relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Towersey, Gordon F. Chapman, Randall Lee Bixler
  • Patent number: 8025267
    Abstract: This invention concerns a concrete side form system suitable for factory casting or site casting concrete. The side form (10) comprises a substantially rigid longitudinally extending wall. The wall has a first face to define the edge profile of a concrete panel poured onto a casting bed (16) bounded by the wall and a second face opposite the first face having formation to enable the wall to be secured to the casting bed. The wall comprises a longitudinally extending frame having formation along at least one of its edges to removably receive a removable longitudinal insert (13) to provide a shape along an edge of the concrete panel. The removable inserts (12, 13) provide the system with the ability to simply, easily and cost effectively change the edge profile of concrete poured against the side form. Architects can use the invention to specify standard or non standard edge profiles and achieve a much more diverse range of aesthetic finishes to the concrete edges without the cost being prohibitive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: SRB Construction Technologies Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Sladojevic, Steven Girotto, Craig Deleon
  • Publication number: 20100293872
    Abstract: A structural sandwich plate member particularly adapted for use as a floor panel comprises a structural sandwich panel (10a, 10b) comprising first and second outer metal plates (11, 12), an edge member (20) fixed between the outer metal plates (11,12) in an edge of the panel (10a, 10b) and a core (13) bonded to the outer metal plates (11, 12) and arranged to transfer shear forces therebetween, wherein the edge member (20) comprises: an inner part fixed between the outer metal plates (11, 12); and an outer part projecting beyond the outer metal plates (11, 12) and having a plurality of through-holes (22) therein arranged to receive respective bolts (34) to fix the panel (10a, 10b) to another structure (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7832154
    Abstract: A system for connecting modular walls includes a position retention mechanism configured to releasably retain a plurality of wall modules together. In one implementation, the position retention mechanism includes opposing front and back surfaces or walls, and one or more channels formed therebetween. The position retention mechanism is further configured with a plurality of spring tabs positioned within the one or more channels, wherein the spring tabs are configured to lock into a plurality of opposing connector interfaces corresponding to the opposing wall modules, such that the positioning retaining mechanism secures adjacent, opposing wall modules together. The position retention mechanism can further be configured with different surfaces to connect or hold a variety of components of various shapes together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Geoff Gosling, Mogens Smed
  • Publication number: 20100251635
    Abstract: A window frame assembly for installation within a garage door having front and rear exposed surfaces and one or more window openings. The assembly includes front and rear window frame members of injection molded plastic which are installed within the door opening on the front and rear exposed surfaces. The window frame members have alignment elements to assist in assemble and have engagement elements located about their peripheries which snap together in mating fashion to mount the frame members within the window opening. The engagement elements are adjustable to accommodate garage door panels of varying thicknesses and window panes of varying thicknesses. The engagement elements are also disengageable with a hand tool to separate the frame members and remove the members from the window opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: National Door industries, Inc
    Inventors: Bob R. Barnard, David M. Barnard
  • Publication number: 20100236162
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting photovoltaic solar panels onto a roof. The system includes first and second strut rails spaced from the roof employing a series of standoffs, the strut rails having a length, cross section, a base and side walls, side walls terminating with first and second turned in edges. First and second mounting fixtures are attached to the photovoltaic solar panels which are of a type and geometry enabling the solar panels to be removably appended to the strut rails. The first and second mounting fixtures can be applied to the photovoltaic solar panels before being elevated to a roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Tweedie
  • Patent number: 7739842
    Abstract: A method of employing an adjustable apparatus for bracing one or both sides of a wall being fabricated from masonry blocks, with said wall having an opening near the base of the block wall. Bracing system includes strong rigid members assembled in the form of a right angle brace set having stiff vertical, horizontal and diagonal members, a connector having a length sufficient to extend through the opening affixed at a right angle location of one or both of the brace sets. A pair of such braces—back to back, and spaced on opposite sides of a wall—are interconnected together via this connector. Selected brace members telescope to accommodate increases in wall height and a manually adjustable outrigger screwjack at the remote end of the horizontal member eliminates reliance on prior art deadmen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventors: Edwin R. Hodsdon, Laurent E. Grenier
  • Publication number: 20100050543
    Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane element for covering surfaces, more particularly for covering ceilings or walls, comprising a frame and a membrane material stretched over said frame. The membrane element is characterized in that at least one frame region is bent inwardly due to forces exerted on the frame by the membrane material and that the inwardly bent frame region has tightening units for pulling or pushing said frame region outwardly with respect to an abutment, towards the unbent state. The invention further relates to a method for covering surfaces, more particularly for covering ceilings or walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Switbert Greiner, Christofer Gutmann
  • Publication number: 20090249711
    Abstract: An easy-to-install outdoor wooden flooring, with possibly treated, very high durability materials, suitably robust and safe for passers-by and characterised by low manufacturing costs. An assembly method of the aforesaid flooring is advantageously provided capable of simplify the installation operations, specifically in virtue of the use of appropriately configured assembly templates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventor: Gabriele Galimberti
  • Patent number: 7596911
    Abstract: A jointing element (40) is disclosed for supporting a plurality of cladding panels (10) relative to a building frame (11), the panels having slots (18) extending along the edges thereof, the jointing element including: an elongate support member (20) substantially H shaped in cross-section and having a longer inner flange for fastening to the building or building frame, the inner flange being connected by a web to a shorter outer flange to form an elongate recess on each side of the web for receiving sealing means (30) therein; whereby when a cladding panel is supported relative to the building or building frame by the jointing element, the outer flange is received in the slot along the edge of the cladding panel and the sealing means cooperates with the panel to substantially seal the space behind the cladding panel against the ingress of moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Hiltive Pty Limited
    Inventor: Angelo Michael Turco
  • Publication number: 20090056248
    Abstract: An enclosure includes a base. A frame includes a plurality of frame members. The frame members are coupled together and to the base using clips. Each clip includes a base coupled to a side surface of a first frame member. The clip further includes at least one lip extending from the base. The lip is sufficiently raised from the side surface of the first frame member to accept at least a portion of a second frame member between the lip and the side surface. A plurality of panels is coupled to the frame members. At least one panel is coupled to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Air Handling Equipment LLC
    Inventors: David Pflum, James Regan
  • Publication number: 20090056242
    Abstract: A structural panel has unitary load transfer members with their length subdivided into shorter, stiffer load-transfer portions separated by stabilization zones. These members are in mutually inclined back-to-back relation, and can be flexible or substantially rigid, with plain or profiled section, being of board, metal or plastic to provide an integrated high load-bearing capacity. A concertina assembly of such lightweight struts can replace a number of orthodox studs. The strut members are fastened together, and mutually secured, in back-to-back pairs or stabilized by the adjoining frame and/or the panel face members. Reinforcement by tension elements, strapping and foamed plastic may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Richard Edward Dubreuil
  • Publication number: 20090031645
    Abstract: The present application is directed to an architectural cover for securing to a support surface comprising: a frame defining a perimeter; a panel overlying a portion of the frame to form an exterior side of the cover and an interior side of the cover; the frame further comprising (a) a main body configured to attach to the panel via a fastening means, and (b) a lip defined by a first surface configured to receive a securing means, and a second surface configured to abut the support surface; the lip further comprising an outer edge defining a perimeter of the cover and an inner edge defining an inner perimeter of the frame, the perimeter of the inner edge configured to abut the support surface when the architectural cover is secured to the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Richard Smith
  • Publication number: 20090007501
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for non-combustible kitchen systems. A rigid frame is coupled to sheet material to form a non-combustible kitchen structure. Various finishing materials such as stone or tile are coupled to the structure. The non-combustible kitchen system exhibits improved resistance to heat and weather damage, such as damage incurred when a user leaves a grill element burning for an extended period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: David James Belyan
  • Patent number: 7387293
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a device and method that allows the installation of construction materials, such as drywall, by a single person. The device comprises an extension (or hoist) section coupled at one end to a support which can receive and support a piece of drywall during installation. The extension section is further coupled to a base portion at the end opposite to the support. The base portion includes a pivot feature that serves to lift the drywall once it has been positioned on the support. The extension is adjustable to install drywall on a stud wall at various heights. Advantageously, the device is lightweight, easily transportable and easy to use. The device's convenient design enables its utilization immediately upon reaching a construction site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Lawrence Boucher Construction Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Boucher
  • Patent number: 7310917
    Abstract: A hinged spreader board of a pre-set length with shaped ends is pivoted open inside a frame to mate with the inside faces of the sides of a frame and maintain the sides apart by the length of the board while attaching the frame to a wall. Additional hinged sections of pre-set lengths allow the spreader board to be opened to various lengths to accommodate frames of different widths. The frame spreader boards fold up for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Andrew Valdez
  • Patent number: 6955346
    Abstract: A locator for locating and holding a structural member in engagement with an adjacent structural member at a predetermined position of an assembly apparatus during a truss assembly operation. The locator includes a cylindric sleeve having an outer wall configured for engaging the structural member and a bore extending through the sleeve defining an inner wall sized for placement around a stop of the assembly apparatus. The bore is eccentrically positioned in the sleeve. The sleeve is portable, may be secured to the apparatus free from fixed connection, and is rotatable about the stop for adjusting a magnitude of force applied by the sleeve to the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Mitek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: William W. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20040206019
    Abstract: A locator for locating and holding a structural member in engagement with an adjacent structural member at a predetermined position of an assembly apparatus during a truss assembly operation. The locator includes a cylindric sleeve having an outer wall configured for engaging the structural member and a bore extending through the sleeve defining an inner wall sized for placement around a stop of the assembly apparatus. The bore is eccentrically positioned in the sleeve. The sleeve is portable, may be secured to the apparatus free from fixed connection, and is rotatable about the stop for adjusting a magnitude of force applied by the sleeve to the structural member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: MiTek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: William W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6805185
    Abstract: A partition for open building space and the like having a frame including at least one substantially horizontal surface. A cover member is configured to enclose at least a portion of the frame. The cover member includes attachment members configured to connect the cover member to the frame. A seal is attached to the cover member and includes a resilient flap which engages the substantially horizontal surface of the frame to inhibit the passage of acoustical and/or optical energy through the partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Donald P. Gravel, Douglas L. Hancey, Vladimir Zila
  • Patent number: 6792721
    Abstract: A shower apparatus, comprising an enclosure or a door and a shower tray, the enclosure or door and the shower tray being mutually disconnected and the enclosure or door having means for adjustable connection to walls that form a cubicle that accommodates the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Calibe S.r.l.
    Inventor: Filippo Montanari
  • Patent number: 6668497
    Abstract: A support structure for supporting a concrete placing boom above a work site. The support structure includes a support mast having a generally smooth outer surface. The support mast receives an adapter that can be removed from one support mast and attached to another. The adapter includes a mast receiving portion having a pressure coupling for holding the adapter in contact with the outer surface of the mast. The adapter further includes a boom attachment portion that allows the pedestal of the concrete placing boom to be securely attached to the adapter. The adapter includes a central guide pin that is received within a guide opening formed in a top plate of the support mast. The interaction between the guide pin and the central opening on the mast aids in guiding the adapter onto the mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Putzmeister Inc.
    Inventors: Martin G. Mayer, Rodney D. Wurgler
  • Patent number: 6604326
    Abstract: A holder comprising a rigid base bar having a pin end and a stabilizing end; a rigid stabilizing bar having a base end and an opposite end, with the base end of the rigid stabilizing bar being rigidly attached to the stabilizing end of the rigid base bar, and extending perpendicular to the rigid base bar; two nails being each having a head end and a pointed end, with the head end of the each nail being rigidly attached to separate points along the rigid stabilizing bar, and with the pointed end of the each nail being extended perpendicular to the rigid stabilizing bar and parallel with the rigid base bar and toward the perpendicular direction of the rigid base bar; and the rigid base bar having a bore through it in a direction parallel with the length of the rigid stabilizing bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: James Cooper Noble
  • Publication number: 20030074847
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for repairing nail pops in a wallboard is disclosed. The apparatus can be placed In a first state in which it acts as a cutting tool and can be used to cut a bore hole into a wallboard to separate a popped nail from the wallboard. The apparatus can also be placed in a second state in which it acts as a driving or impact tool and can be used to drive the popped nail which has been separated from the wallboard, into a framing support. The apparatus may be comprised of first and connecting members and a cutting member. The driving member may have an elongated core and may be connected by the connecting member to the cutting member. The driving member may be able to slide with respect to the connecting member to allow the apparatus to change from the first state to the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Pendrous, Thomas O. Wiener
  • Patent number: 6497075
    Abstract: A freestanding framework having a plurality of generally vertically disposed support columns supporting a plurality of generally horizontally disposed overhead beams. The overhead beams include a portion that provides a raceway for the delivery of an electrical conduit. One or more barrier members are connected with framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Herman Miller Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P. Schreiner, Travis M. Randolph
  • Patent number: 6490829
    Abstract: A freestanding framework having a plurality of generally vertically disposed support columns supporting a plurality of generally horizontally disposed overhead beams. The overhead beams include a portion that provides a raceway for the delivery of an electrical conduit, and a lower portion formed as an open-sided rail. One or more barrier members are connected with the open-sided rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Herman Miller Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P. Schreiner, Travis M. Randolph
  • Publication number: 20020174607
    Abstract: A floor board installation device comprises a cross bar, a wedge and two pins extending outwardly from the top and bottom sides of, and through, the cross bar. The wedge comprises a top curved edge and a bottom edge including a groove therein. The pins typically are spaced from one another a distance slightly larger than the width of a joist. In use, the cross bar is placed on top of two adjoining joists so that the pins are positioned on either side of a single joist. The other end of the bar merely rests on top of the adjacent joist. A force is then applied to a side edge of the wedge in a direction parallel to the length of the sub floor boards. Due to the rounded shape of the top curved edge and the flat surface of the wedge that contacts the floor board, the wedge will rotate within the cross bar so that the edge of the wedge is flush against the sub floor board and so that the curved surface of the wedge will contact the cross bar at only one point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: James Dennis Omundson
  • Patent number: 6438924
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a slot-forming tool for forming a number of consistently sized and shaped slots in a channel of a wall frame. Each slot aligns and slidingly supports a vertical stud that is snap-fit in place during an intermediate stage of constructing a wall. The tool has an arm for aligning the tool against the channel and a pivotally connected arm that is stroked to form the slot in the channel. Each arm has a gripping portion, an intermediate connecting portion and a working portion. The working portion of the alignment arm includes a cutting block with a face and two spaced sidewalls that form a pair of cutting edges. The working portion of the pivoting arm includes a pair of spaced knives. Each knife has a ramp or wedge shaped blade with a cutting edge that is aligned to shearingly engage one of the cutting edges of the cutting block and slide down the sidewall of the cutting block a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas J. Clover
  • Publication number: 20020043037
    Abstract: A fastening system for attaching an expandable building panel or surface covering system to a substrate is provided. The fastening system includes at least one slip clip which, when utilized, allows for longitudinal movement of the building panel, while substantially preventing transverse movement. Typically, a spring clip will be used in combination with the slip clip to apply pressure to the panel, thereby allowing expansion and contraction of the panel in a longitudinal direction while eliminating gaps between the adjacent end-to-end panels. A method of installing building panels using the described fastening system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: William C. Dorsey, Kartik A. Patel, Darryl C. Bodine
  • Patent number: 6247282
    Abstract: In the broader aspects of the invention there is provided a new and improved deck and beam connector for post and beam structures. The deck and beam connector has a deck flange mounted on the deck, the flange has an opening therein. Depending into the deck is a well secured to the flange. The well has a bottom and a bottom opening therein. A threaded bolt having an enlarged head is positioned within the bottom opening with the threaded portion within the well. The head is positioned within a step-diametered counter-sunk bore in the deck with the larger diameter portion thereof adjacent to the surface opposite that to which the deck flange is connected. A threaded member is positioned on the threaded shaft of the bolt within the well with a spring positioned on the bolt between the threaded member and the well bottom. The bolt is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position into which the bolt head is biased and within the larger diametered portion of the step-diametered bore in the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: ICON, Incorporated
    Inventor: Tim S. Searle