On Column (e.g., Elevated Floor) Patents (Class 52/263)
  • Patent number: 11859393
    Abstract: A raised floor system for suspension type pipelines mainly comprises girders and floor units laid between foot stands after the foot stands are erected at intervals on the floor, such that floor units are separated from the floor by a distance to form a large-area raised floor, wherein a top portion of each foot stand for the floor units to be placed thereon is combined with a cover, of four sides of the cover each is vertically provided with a folded plate, a hole is formed on the folded plate, two ends of a suspension device are capable of being respectively hooked on the holes of the folded plates of two of the spaced foot stands, so that the suspension device is placed under the floor units for pipelines to be placed thereon or fixed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Yao-Chung Chen, Shih-Jan Wang
  • Patent number: 11560724
    Abstract: For leveling tiles, a tile leveler includes a base, a plurality of joint spacers, and two or more break lines. The brake lines are formed in the base along planar axes. Each joint spacer is within a subdivision distance of a break line. Each joint spacer adjacent to a given break line is on a spacer side of the given break line, and the break lines divide the base into sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Even Tile USA, LLC
    Inventor: Raunier Mendiluza
  • Patent number: 11466445
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an integrated steel concrete building and its construction method. The building comprises a plurality of prefabricated room modules of steel, each including at least one column having a structure of hollow steel tube, which has an inner chamber inserted with penetrating rebars and poured with concrete. The penetrating rebars extend upwardly out of the column of the prefabricated room module into an inner chamber of a column of a prefabricated room module of an upper floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Yau Lee Wah Construction Materials (Huizhou) Company Limited
    Inventors: Conrad Tin Cheung Wong, Rosana Wai Man Wong
  • Patent number: 11193284
    Abstract: A tile-securing system having a polymeric one-piece bracket having a first flange, a second flange, and a central raised-wall portion, the first flange and the second flange opposing each other and being in the same plane, the central raised-wall portion being orthogonal to both the first flange and the second flange; a slot opening located on an exterior edge of the raised-wall portion; the slot opening having a first width and a first length, wherein the first width is less than the first length, and the slot opening configured to receive a wedge that upon insertion into the slot opening expands the first width to a greater second width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Silca System, LLC
    Inventor: Bart Stuchell
  • Patent number: 11001321
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for supporting a component mounting plate that is suspended between a first trailer beam and a second trailer beam. The apparatus comprises a pair of top supporting members including (i) a first top supporting member secured to the plate, and (ii) a second top supporting member secured to the plate. Each of the first and second top members spans between and engages the first and second trailer beams. The apparatus also comprises a pair of bottom supporting members including a first bottom supporting member and a second bottom supporting member. The apparatus further comprises a pair of fastening mechanisms including (i) a first fastening mechanism that secures at least the first top member to the plate, and (ii) a second fastening mechanism that secures at least the second top member to the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Jon D. Intagliata, Joseph M. Macnamara, Anthony J. Cydzik, Gary J. Brewer, Curt M. Geideman
  • Patent number: 10961720
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stand structure for a double-layer elevated floor, comprising: a stand, a T-shaped seat, a supporting block and a base plate. The stand is provided on a ground and has a hollow sleeve. The T-shaped seat includes a supporting plate and a screw formed below the supporting plate, where the screw is movably combined with a nut, such that when the screw is placed in the hollow sleeve, the T-shaped seat is adjusted by the nut to be at an upper position or a lower position on the stand. The supporting block is provided above the supporting plate. The base plate provided above the supporting block. A fixing seat is respectively provided at each corner of the base plate. Each fixing seat is used for accommodating and fixing one of supporting stands of plurality of elevated floor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventors: Yao-Chung Chen, Shih-Jan Wang
  • Patent number: 10947739
    Abstract: A flooring substrate system that uses one of three substrate components upon which various types of finish flooring may be attached above a deck structure. The deck structure may be open lumber framed or may be a waterproofed planar surface. Affixation of the flooring system may be by direct connection or by gravitational placement. Height and slope adjustable components interlock through a plunge, twist and locking teeth arrangement to form supporting members beneath the substrate components. A base mounting plate acts as a pivotal point in the system, having recesses and engageable configurations on both its faces for other system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventor: Phillip Busby
  • Patent number: 10920430
    Abstract: Disclosed is a support structure on which a floor panel is seated. The support structure includes a first beam element disposed in a first direction; a second beam element disposed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a post supporting the first beam element and the second beam element; and a pedestal seated on top of the post, and supporting the floor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: Myun Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 10864654
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a waffle slab with concrete surfaces that do not require polishing, the method comprising: providing steel molds connected to each other, and forming a space in the steel molds, wherein at least one of the steel molds has a hole; disposing a plurality of inner molds in the space formed by the steel molds; disposing predetermined steel bar cages between the plurality of inner molds, and between the plurality of inner molds and the steel molds; disposing a steel plate on top surfaces of the steel molds, wherein the steel plate comprises separate air holes; and pouring a Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) into the space from the hole of the at least one of the steel molds such that the SCC fills the space to form the waffle slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: RUENTEX ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Samuel Yin, Jui-Chen Wang, Kun-Jung Shu
  • Patent number: 10844597
    Abstract: A pedestal for supporting a partition and a method for a partition. The pedestal includes a base for mounting onto a floor, the base having a peripheral outer surface. The pedestal also includes a body having a first end opposite a second end and an inner surface proximate the first end interfacing with the base peripheral outer surface. A cap is coupled to the body proximate the second end, and a bracket is coupled to the cap for coupling with a partition. The method includes connecting a base to a floor, coupling a body of to the base, coupling a sleeve to the base on which is coupled a bracket, and coupling the partition to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: BOBRICK WASHROOM EQUIPMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Dikran Babikian
  • Patent number: 10829941
    Abstract: A flooring substrate system that uses one of three substrate components upon which various types of finish flooring may be attached above a deck structure. The deck structure may be open lumber framed or may be a waterproofed planar surface. Affixation of the flooring system may be by direct connection or by gravitational placement. Height and slope adjustable components interlock through a plunge, twist and locking teeth arrangement to form supporting members beneath the substrate components. A base mounting plate acts as a pivotal point in the system, having recesses and engageable configurations on both its faces for other system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Inventor: Phillip Busby
  • Patent number: 10794067
    Abstract: A flooring substrate system that uses one of three substrate components upon which various types of finish flooring may be attached above a deck structure. The deck structure may be open lumber framed or may be a waterproofed planar surface. Affixation of the flooring system may be by direct connection or by gravitational placement. Height and slope adjustable components interlock through a plunge, twist and locking teeth arrangement to form supporting members beneath the substrate components. A special fastening system is utilized with one the substrate components to provide a floating structural panel assembly that may be gravitationally placed atop a waterproofed deck while allowing for water to pass under the top finish flooring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Phillip Busby
  • Patent number: 10584484
    Abstract: The present Stacked Wall Truss Construction and its use in multi-story buildings makes use of prefabricated modular wall elements (100) that are interconnected in three dimensions to enable the rapid completion of building construction with improved quality of construction over that found in traditional multi-story building construction. The resultant building is a structural steel frame without the use of stacking columns. Vierendeel trusses (100) with vertical members (101-105) of tube steel are used, thereby the construction process becomes stacking trusses fit up as complete walls, not erecting columns. An inner “Mating Member” (131-135) enables each truss to be near perfectly positioned on top of the installed truss below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Vega Building Systems LLC
    Inventor: David L. Cohen
  • Patent number: 10584485
    Abstract: The present Stacked Wall Truss Construction and its use in multi¬story buildings makes use of prefabricated modular wall elements (100) that are interconnected in three dimensions to enable the rapid completion of building construction with improved quality of construction over that found in traditional multi-story building construction. The resultant building is a structural steel frame without the use of stacking columns. Vierendeel trusses (100) with vertical members (101-105) of tube steel are used, thereby the construction process becomes stacking trusses fit up as complete walls, not erecting columns. An inner “Mating Member” (131-135) enables each truss to be near perfectly positioned on top of the installed truss below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Vega Building Systems LLC
    Inventor: David L. Cohen
  • Patent number: 10577792
    Abstract: The present Stacked Wall Truss Construction and its use in multi-story buildings makes use of prefabricated modular wall elements (100) that are interconnected in three dimensions to enable the rapid completion of building construction with improved quality of construction over that found in traditional multi-story building construction. The walls are created with stacking modular elements to form a vertically continuous structure, and Floor Modules (161,162) are supported by a Floor Shelf (141-144) at predetermined elevations to provide a solid surface on top of which a Topping Slab (1031,1032) of concrete is poured which fills the space between the Floor Module and the Wall Trusses to create an integral structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Vega Building Systems LLC
    Inventor: David L. Cohen
  • Patent number: 10577793
    Abstract: The present Stacked Wall Truss Construction and its use in multi-story buildings makes use of prefabricated modular wall elements (100) that are interconnected in three dimensions to enable the rapid completion of building construction with improved quality of construction over that found in traditional multi-story building construction. The walls are created with stacking modular elements to form a vertically continuous structure, and Floor Modules (161,162) are supported by a Floor Shelf (141-144) at predetermined elevations to provide a solid surface on top of which a Topping Slab (1031,1032) of concrete is poured which fills the space between the Floor Module and the Wall Trusses to create an integral structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Vega Building Systems LLC
    Inventor: David L Cohen
  • Patent number: 10280584
    Abstract: A retaining wall block includes a block body comprising a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side; a front side and a rear side opposite the rear side; a right side and a left side opposite the right side. A lateral interlock system includes a first lateral interlock interface that is integral with the right side and a second lateral interlock interface that is integral with the left side, each of the first and second lateral interlock interfaces including: a male-type lateral interface component and three female-type lateral interface components, each of the lateral interface components being in vertical alignment with one of the other lateral interface components and in horizontal alignment with still another of the lateral interface components, wherein the first lateral interlock interface and the second lateral interlock interface are, when viewed in elevation, identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: RISI STONE, INC.
    Inventors: Brock Nicol, Tyler Matys
  • Patent number: 10006193
    Abstract: A lightweight steel construction includes a plurality of beams and rafters. Each of the beams includes two opposite C-shaped steels. Two ends of the two C-shaped steels are respectively positioned by two first positioning members in a length direction of the C-shaped steels. Several beams can be assembled with each other via the first positioning members to be formed as a crossbeam and a column of a building. Each of the rafters includes a C-shaped steel. Two ends of the C-shaped steel are respectively positioned by two second positioning members in the length direction of the C-shaped steel. Several rafters can be positioned between adjacent beams via the second positioned members to be formed as a floor surface, a wall surface, and a roof of the supporting frame of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventors: Tai Yu Liu, Feng Chyi Do
  • Patent number: 9963886
    Abstract: A board anchor includes flat faces that are complementary to angled flat faces of grooves of boards between which the anchor is secured by a fastener that passes through a fastener aperture of the anchor and into an angled groove face of a board and into an underlying supporting structure beneath the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Royal Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9951528
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a plate for a support pedestal used to support a building surface component above a fixed surface includes forming one or more ribs into a sheet of material adjacent a periphery of the sheet so that the rib extends substantially continuously about a central axis of the sheet that is perpendicular to first and second opposite surfaces of the sheet and creating a series of spacer tabs out of the sheet between the central axis and the rib that are configured to space adjacent building surface components placed over the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: United Construction Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Kugler, Stephen J. Knight, III
  • Patent number: 9243396
    Abstract: An extendable deck device is disclosed that creates additional room for homes with limited outdoor space. The extendable deck device comprises a plurality of squares, with each square comprising a frame and a plurality of support beams secured thereto, and a floor component positioned on top of the plurality of squares to substantially cover the plurality of squares. The extendable deck device further comprises at least one rail component secured to a perimeter edge of the floor component, which protrudes vertically upwards from the floor component. The rail components can be extended or retracted either manually or via an electric motor and reel. Further, the deck device can comprise at least one set of stairs secured underneath a corner of the floor component. The stairs can be secured to the corner, such that a user manually extends out the stairs from underneath the floor component for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Klassen, Christopher Kratchmer
  • Patent number: 9157568
    Abstract: A height adjustable support for tabletops, chair seats, or like objects, consisting of two parts, a rectangle-shaped component and an L-shaped component. A fixed block at the top of the L-shaped component allows for multiple orientations when the assembly is attached to the underside of a surface. Height adjustability is possible because the rectangle-shaped component has a series of holes bored vertically into the two faces that will contact the interior faces of the L-shaped component. Holes bored through each face of the L-shaped component permit fasteners to pass into the holes in the rectangle-shaped component. When tightened the fasteners will seat against the exterior face of the L-shaped component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Inventors: Donald McNeill, Jay Krause
  • Patent number: 9103109
    Abstract: Modular support systems for supporting multi story buildings including plates having bottom major faces and top major faces, the plates defining bolt holes extending through the plates, vertical columns extending from bottom ends to top ends opposite the bottom ends, the bottom ends of the vertical columns being welded to the top major faces of the plates, and horizontal columns having bottom sides and top sides opposite the bottom sides, the bottom sides of the horizontal columns being welded to the top end of the vertical columns. In some examples, the horizontal column defines bolt holes being positioned to align with the bolt holes defined in the plate. Some examples include pluralities of structural units selectively fastened together in a vertical arrangement, with each structural unit configured to selectively couple with vertically adjacent structural unit. Some examples define buildings including disclosed support systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Inventors: Peter Armstrong, Wayne Armstrong
  • Patent number: 9068347
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a curtain wall panel bracket leveling system that facilitates leveling a panel bracket mounted to a fixture (such as an embedment or an anchor array) cast in a concrete slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Moeller, Stanislaw Piotrowski, James C. Fournier, Gary Lind, Frank Otte
  • Patent number: 9057543
    Abstract: Improvements in the design and construction of solar collector modules. Aspects of the invention include improvements in the layout of a frame for a solar collector module, and in the joining of structural members of the frame at nodes. In one example, a module of a solar collector includes a reflector and a three-dimensional structural frame that supports the reflector. The frame is made up of substantially rigid elongate frame members interconnected at nodes. Improved node connection components include hubs or frame members having tabs for receiving frame member connections. A tab may have a width that is substantial in relation to its height. The frame may incorporate asymmetry in its layout, in the size or presence of frame members, or in the positioning of the nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Abengoa Solar LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Marcotte, Kenneth Biggio, Edmund Kenneth May, Kerry Manning, Rachel Backes, Janina Nettlau, Rick Sommers
  • Patent number: 8959849
    Abstract: A metal deck kit for erecting a metal deck appurtenant a residential structure. The kit includes a plurality of metal components including support posts, girders, joists, bridging elements, rim tracks, ledgers, along with various connectors, stiffeners, adapters, and brackets for connecting the components together to form a metal deck. Vibration or shock absorbing pads are included for use between various components to reduce shock and vibration transmission through portions of the metal deck. A method of forming a metal deck using these components is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Steel Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward R. DiGirolamo, Charles DiGirolamo
  • Patent number: 8955276
    Abstract: The raised flooring apparatus and system may be used to construct a raised floor directly onto joists while accommodating commonly accepted building practices utilizing 16? and 24? center to center joist spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventors: Steven James Wall, Lenny J McCall
  • Patent number: 8919263
    Abstract: A portable assembly type flat bench in which a plurality of supports are spaced apart from each other by an equal spacing in the front and rear directions and left and right directions, and interconnected through a connection panel, to thereby reduce the volume of the bench and to thus enable easy carrying and storage, and easy assembly and disassembly, and to enable the size of the bench to be freely adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: Eun Ji Jeong
  • Patent number: 8915028
    Abstract: A roof stilt for elevating flooring in a roof space comprising: a joist receptacle; a platform for affixing flooring to the stilt; and a support column extending between the joist receptacle and the platform for supporting the weight of elevated flooring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: David Ferguson
  • Patent number: 8898999
    Abstract: A support structure for elevating a building surface above a fixed surface including a plurality of support pedestals disposed in spaced-apart relation on the fixed surface, a plurality of stabilizing braces interconnecting adjacent of the plurality of support pedestals, and a plurality of restraint members. The restraint members include a mounting portion securable to one of the plurality of stabilizing braces and a restraint portion operatively attached to the mounting portion and securable to an outer edge segment of one or more of the surface tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: United Construction Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Kugler, Stephen J. Knight, III, Lisa K. von-Gunten
  • Patent number: 8881482
    Abstract: A modular flooring system includes a plurality of floor tiles situated about a ground surface, with each floor tile having a substantially-flat top surface and a connection interface with opposing engagement surfaces. The flooring system also includes a plurality of removable bridge connectors, with each of the bridge connectors having a plurality of tile interfaces, and with each tile interface having complimentary engagement surfaces configured to engage with the opposing engagement surfaces of the connection interfaces. The tile interfaces of the bridge connectors couple to the respective connection interfaces of any adjacent floor tiles to restrain the relative vertical movement between the adjacent floor tiles while facilitating controlled relative lateral movement between the floor tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Connor Sport Court International, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald N. Cerny, Dana Hedquist, Gary L. Day
  • Patent number: 8869465
    Abstract: A process for providing emergency housing for a plurality of displaced people at a geographic location, said process including the steps of estimating the number of displaced people; determining a suitable combination of facilities to accommodate the displaced people; and transporting said facilities to said geographical location, wherein said suitable combination varies in accordance with the number of displaced people.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Design and Value Management Services Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Neil Clyde McDougall
  • Patent number: 8863441
    Abstract: A removable platform for covering bowling alley lanes to provide a flat surface above the lanes suitable for a variety of other activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Gordon Murrey
  • Patent number: 8850770
    Abstract: A floor system for a building includes prefabricated grid sections attached to framing members of the building and a plurality of panels mounted to the grid to form a structurally integrated floor. The panels are removable to provide access to space below the floor that would otherwise be inaccessible in a conventional floor. A subfloor deck below the floor separates one building story from another and encloses the space between the floor and the deck, which can be used for temporary and permanent installations including, for example, pipes for water, laboratory gases, and compressed air, and power, telephone, and data cables; and as a plenum for HVAC. Either or both of the floor and the subfloor deck can be attached to the building frame to function as a diaphragm. The floor system replaces conventional permanent structural floors and raised accessible flooring systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Roger C. Roen
  • Patent number: 8850753
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved assembly for facilitating the elevated and leveled placement of a paver surface. Yet further disclosed are related methods of using the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Ramin Tabibnia
  • Patent number: 8820011
    Abstract: A stage floor assembly can be easily assembled, aligned and adjusted even on an uneven surface. The stage floor assembly includes a plurality of pedestals with each pedestal further comprising a pedestal base attached to a plurality of rods. There is a plurality of stringers placed upon some of the plurality of rods such that two stringers terminate at each pedestal and one stringer crosses two rods on each pedestal forming a grid network that self-aligns even on the uneven surface. A plurality of deck plates is attached to the plurality of stringers creating a surface to absorb and distribute loads across pedestals preventing noticeable deflection across the stage floor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Steven A Parks
  • Patent number: 8782976
    Abstract: A bi-surfaced raised access floor panel is provided. The panel is constructed with a cross-braced framework. A generally square plate is rigidly connected to an upper surface of the framework. The plate has four corner formations and is bisected symmetrically to define first and second halves. The first halve is substantially configured as a solid load bearing surface which is adapted to support a data processing server. The second halve includes a plurality of clear perforations capable of circulating an air flow as an element of a cold aisle forming installation in a data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: Gary Meyer
  • Patent number: 8776452
    Abstract: A floor panel assembly (used as replacement floor panel or in a new installation) includes universal quick-attach corners that mates with support stands and stringers of an existing raised floor system to provide leveling. The panel assembly includes a top plate (apertured or not) with corner structures including a post retainer and interconnected down flanges that support the top plate inboard of its perimeter. In one form, the universal quick corners each includes an arrow-shaped extension plate attached to the post retainer and extending toward the top plate's perimeter, and includes a body with multiple thickness pads selectable to support the extension plate at selected height. Thus, the quick corner holds an upper surface of the top plate level with an upper surface of adjacent existing floor panels of the existing raised floor system. In another aspect, only the body is used at each corner (without the extension plate).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Opstock, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark O. DeJonge
  • Patent number: 8733031
    Abstract: An attachment member for securing a structural building component (e.g., joist) to a support pedestal of an elevated building surface assembly. The attachment member includes a central portion and at least one joist support arm attached to the central portion. The central portion includes one or more features that allow it to be secured to a support pedestal, and the at least one support arm includes engagement flaps that can be attached to a structural building component to secure the structural building component to the attachment members, and hence to the support pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: United Construction Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Knight, III, William E. Kugler, Scott Wilson
  • Patent number: 8713870
    Abstract: A thermal management surface system comprises a substantially flat sheet and a plurality of support members. The sheet has a plurality of open funnel-like channels therethrough with a larger upper opening and a smaller, spout-like lower opening. The support members lie on a support surface in a spaced-apart arrangement with the sheet resting on the support members substantially parallel to and offset vertically above the support surface; the support surface and the sheet thereby define a containment space. Each of the spout-like lower openings is canted to impart lateral momentum on gas flowing into the upper opening and out of the lower opening. Groups of multiple contiguous channels can have spout-like lower openings canted substantially along a common direction, so that gas flowing out of those lower openings flows along the common direction through the containment space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Peter D. Poulsen
  • Patent number: 8695288
    Abstract: A system for assembling a building surface and a building surface assembly that include surface tiles and stability members disposed between the surface tiles to restrict relative movement therebetween. The stability members may advantageously be placed between outer edge segments of the building surface tiles to restrict relative movement of adjacent surface tiles, such as due to seismic activity, vibrations, or high winds. The building surface tiles may include structures such as engagement channels for receiving and engaging the stability members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: United Construction Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Kugler, Stephen J. Knight, III
  • Patent number: 8683762
    Abstract: A barrier element for forming a component of a floor covering of a floor in a data center includes a substantially laminar part, the laminar part having a cross member attached to one surface. The cross member mounts a plurality of filaments which can form a layer impervious to air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Rodriquez, Emmanuel Tong-Viet
  • Patent number: 8677703
    Abstract: An articulating raised access floor panel is provided. The floor panel plate has upper and lower surfaces, four edges defining four corner portions, and a diagonal clear slot positioned at each of the corner portions. A diagonal channel member is connected to the lower surface at each of the corner portions so that the channel member extends axially and parallel with the clear slot. A bar is slidably received in each of the channel members. The bar includes a leveling screw capable of operation through the clear slot so that the plate is capable of vertical adjustment with respect to a pedestal support system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Gary Meyer
  • Patent number: 8671635
    Abstract: Pedestal assemblies configured to support first and second pavers positioned adjacently against an elevated periphery and methods of making the same are provided herein. Preferred assemblies include a cap, base, and at least two towers configured to be sandwiched between the cap and base. Kits can be sold with just cap and base alone. Preferred caps and bases can be formed in the same shape or substantially so, and are racetrack-shaped. Preferred towers include polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cylindrical tubing. The cap can advantageously include an upwardly-projecting fin used to align and separate two pavers positioned alongside an elevated periphery. A pedestal support system can include both periphery pedestals in addition to conventional pedestals positioned away from the elevated periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Nigel Jones
  • Patent number: 8590219
    Abstract: A raised access floor panel with a replaceable insert is provided. The panel includes a cross-braced framework constructed of four side rail members, and at least one cross-brace member. The cross-brace member is connected to the rail members so that the cross-brace member spans an area defined by the rail members. A plate frame is connected to an upper edge of the framework. The plate frame has a centroid void area which is surrounded by a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion includes an inner margin and an outer margin. The outer margin has right-angled corner forming portions. The inner margin is formed with a Z-section profile having a web portion which is capable of receiving the panel insert in fitment with the plate frame so that the insert and the peripheral portion are capable of providing a co-planar working surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Gary Meyer
  • Patent number: 8584404
    Abstract: A modular building is produced from base elements that include skeleton structural elements, from which a skeleton structure is formed, and planar elements with at least wall, floor, and ceiling elements attached to the skeleton structure. The skeleton structure elements are detachably connected to each other to form the skeleton structure and the planar elements are detachably connected to the skeleton structure and to each other. A method for producing a modular building that is produced from base elements, with a skeleton structure and planar elements, which include at least wall, floor, and ceiling elements being produced and/or provided as the base elements. The skeleton structure elements are detachably connected to each other to form the skeleton structure and the planar elements are detachably connected to the skeleton structure and/or to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Bernd Heidenreich
  • Patent number: 8555579
    Abstract: An air tight panel support assembly for an access floor having a plurality of panels (12) includes a pedestal (60) for supporting at least one panel of the access floor, and a stringer (66) supported by the pedestal. In use, the stringer (66) extends from one pedestal to another pedestal and supports the underside edges of adjacent panels (12) so as to close any gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Peter Zlatar
  • Patent number: 8539728
    Abstract: This invention provides a flooring apparatus comprising: (a) a flooring plate; (b) a plurality of columns extending from an underside of the flooring plate, wherein at least some of the columns deform when the flooring plate is subjected to a pressure equal to or greater than a critical buckling pressure; and (c) a matrix material in at least partial contact with the columns. The present disclosure includes many variations of such apparatus, such as various column designs, material selection criteria, and end-use considerations. This invention also provides a flooring system for mitigating injuries associated with falls, the system comprising a plurality of flooring apparatus each provided in accordance the present disclosure. The flooring system can include one or more types of modular tiles, or any other configuration (such as mats).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Sorbashock LLC
    Inventors: Samuel J. Simonson, Robert J. Michael
  • Patent number: 8522505
    Abstract: A boardwalk system including a first component having a pre-formed recess and a second component having a pre-formed recess. The system further includes a connector configured to be positioned in the recesses of the first and second components to connect the first and second components such that the connector limits the movement of first component away from the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Permatrak North America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Jon Beach, Jason Vincent Philbin, Robert Louis Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8522502
    Abstract: Tower structures of wind power installations having a height of more than 80 meters have a mast structure with corner posts composed of sub-profiles. The corner posts are each formed a sub-profile A and a sub-profile I which are not integrally connected to one another. The sub-profiles together form a closed overall profile. Separating joints of the closed overall profile are arranged aligned with corresponding separating joints of an adjacent corner post which is connected to struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Rautaruukki Oyj
    Inventor: Klaus Huesemann