Tie Along And Within Edge Or Face Groove; E.g., Spline Patents (Class 52/586.1)
  • Patent number: 8677714
    Abstract: Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system including a flexible locking element in a locking groove which during a horizontal motion is displaced vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 8672280
    Abstract: A system for supporting a display arrangement from an overhead support, comprising: an elongated support rail having an elongated open upper channel for receipt of an overhead support member; an elongated lower channel for receipt of a lower display support member; and an elongated middle channel disposed between the upper channel and the lower channel for aligned, guided and captured receipt of an elongated connector member to permit the connection to an adjacent elongated support rail or track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rose Displays Ltd
    Inventors: Rebecca C. Suciu, Thomas P. Burrous, David E. Pitcher, Alan L. Stenfors, Sidney Rose
  • Patent number: 8661762
    Abstract: A building panel, such as a flooring panel or wall panel and a method of assembling the same into a floor, wall cladding, etc. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove (6) and tongue (7) forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. In a preferred embodiment, the groove (6) and the tongue (7) are made of water resistant material and fanned with a snap-together joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventors: Goran Martensson, Magnus Kulik
  • Patent number: 8658274
    Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank comprises a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core comprises at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. Optionally, an underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. In addition, a method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mannington Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Hao A. Chen, Richard Judd
  • Patent number: 8631616
    Abstract: Precast wall systems and methods for constructing a high-rise building using the precast wall system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of interconnected precast panels, each having a top end plate, a bottom end plate, a plurality of vertical bars disposed between the end plates and a cementitious material encasing the vertical bars and defining a plurality of sides of the respective panel. A first of the precast panels has a first column member half defining a right side of the first panel, a second of the precast panels has a second column member half defining a left side of the second panel such that, when the right side of the first precast panel and the left side of the second precast panel are disposed horizontally adjacent to each other, the first column member half and the second column member half collectively form a column member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignees: Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP, Newco Ventures LLC
    Inventors: Juan Carrion, William F Baker, John A Cavanagh, Robert C Stewart, James E MacDonald, Charles Besjak
  • Patent number: 8621814
    Abstract: Floor panel, with a horizontally and vertically active locking system allowing that two of such floor panels can be connected to each other at said sides by providing one of these floor panels, by means of a downward movement, in the other floor panel; wherein the vertically active locking system includes a locking element in the form of an insert; wherein this locking element includes at least a pivotable lock-up body. The pivotable lock-up body includes a support portion which is rotatable against a support surface pertaining to the floor panel concerned, and more particularly in a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, SARL
    Inventor: Mark Cappelle
  • Publication number: 20130312355
    Abstract: A quick assembly and disassembly modular wall enclosure which comprises essentially a plurality of wall panel assemblies and interconnecting attachment hardware built into each of said wall panel assemblies. The attachment hardware is configured to interconnect the panel assemblies without the use of any additional, separately provided connecting elements and is further configured to enable erecting a surrounding wall structure that defines a fully surrounded interior space within.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventor: David PADEH
  • Patent number: 8572925
    Abstract: A frame assembly supports an article. The frame assembly comprises a frame member having a plurality of walls extending between a first end and a second end. The walls define an interior of the frame member. The frame assembly also comprises at least one foldable cornerlock. The foldable cornerlock has first and second body portions movable relative to each other. A method of manufacturing the frame assembly comprises the steps of forming at least one notch in the frame member spaced from the ends of the frame member, inserting the foldable cornerlock into the notch, and bending the frame member about the notch of the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Quanex Building Products Corporation
    Inventors: Jeff V. Sawyers, Ron J. Pich
  • Patent number: 8555570
    Abstract: A concealed fastener is formed in situ during attachment of a first grooved sheathing member to an underlying support member. The concealed fastener rigidly attaches the first sheathing member, and permits subsequent installation of an adjoining sheathing member while providing for proper spacing between adjacent sheathing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: OMG, Inc.
    Inventor: David Martel
  • Patent number: 8528293
    Abstract: A foldable cornerlock is used in a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes first and second ends. The walls of the frame member define an interior of the frame member and also define at least one notch. The frame member is bendable at the notch to form a corner of the frame member. The foldable cornerlock is disposed in the notch and extends into the interior of the frame member. The foldable cornerlock comprises first and second body portions each configured to mate with the interior of the frame member. The body portions are movable relative to each other for inserting the foldable cornerlock into the notch of the frame member. The foldable cornerlock also comprises a hinge portion coupling the body portions together. The hinge portion defines an axis extending in a longitudinal direction through the hinge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Quanex Building Products Corporation
    Inventors: Jeff V. Sawyers, Ron J. Pich
  • Patent number: 8528289
    Abstract: Floor panels with a flexible tongue in an insertion groove, the flexible tongue is designed to cooperate, in a connected state with a tongue groove of another panel, the panels are adapted to be locked together by vertical folding, the flexible tongue has a projection portion which, in a connected state projects outside the insertion groove and cooperates with the tongue groove, said projecting portion has a beveled and/or rounded sliding surface and the panels have a sliding surface adapted to cooperate therewith during vertical folding, the flexible tongue during the vertical folding is displaced twice in the horizontal direction, a first displacement is effected by the vertical folding of the fold panel whereby at least a part of the flexible tongue is bent, a second displacement of the flexible tongue towards its initial position is accomplished substantially by a spring effect caused by said bending of said flexible tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Niclas Håkansson, Per Nygren
  • 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: 8516767
    Abstract: A joint (1) having a first edge (2) and a second edge (3), the first edge (2) being provided with a distal edge (21) and a downwards protruding heel (22) The distal edge (21) is further provided with an upper joint edge (25) beneath which a groove (23) is arranged. The second edge (3) is provided with lower cheek (31) having a distal end (32) at which an upwards protruding lower cheek heel (33) is arranged. The second edge (3) is further provided with an upper joining edge (35) beneath which an undercut (34) is arranged. A moveable locking element (40) is arranged in the space created by the undercut (34). The moveable locking element (40) have a locking tongue (41), a locking tongue leg (42) and a maneuvering leg (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventor: Nils-Erik Engstrom
  • Patent number: 8513360
    Abstract: Modular plastic structural composites having a web section disposed along a horizontal axis and at least one flange section disposed along a horizontal axis parallel thereto and integrally molded to engage the top or bottom surface of the web section, wherein said composite is formed from a mixture of (A) high density polyolefin and (B) a thermoplastic-coated fiber material, poly-styrene, or a combination thereof. Composites molded in the form of I-Beams and bridges constructed therefrom are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    Inventors: Thomas Nosker, James Kerstein, Louis Simon, Maryann Renfree
  • Patent number: 8505257
    Abstract: Floor panels are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system having tongue and grooves provided with protrusions and cavities which are displaceable in relation to each other and configured such that the protrusions can obtain a vertically unlocked position where they match the cavities and a vertically locked position where the protrusions overlap each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Christian Boo, Mattias Sjostrand, Agne Palsson, Niclas Hakansson, Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 8499521
    Abstract: Floor panels (1, 1?) are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system on long and short edges (5a, 5b, 4a, 4b) allowing installation with vertical snap folding that could be accomplished automatically without tools and where the short edge (4a, 4b) locking system comprises a tongue (10) made in one piece with the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Markus Nilsson Ståhl
  • Publication number: 20130192157
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a construction panel comprising the steps of laying a plurality of rigid support members on a preformed assembly jig, each rigid support member having two main planar surfaces with perimeter surfaces extending between these main planar surfaces, laying the plurality of rigid support members so that each rigid support member has at least one perimeter surface in an abutting relationship with the perimeter surface of an adjacent rigid support member, bridging at least part of the length of abutting perimeter surfaces with at least one connector means for connecting the plurality of rigid support members together into a predetermined shape and size of modular rigid panel member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: SEAN COYLE
  • Publication number: 20130180197
    Abstract: The panel fastener has two components, each of which is mounted on an end piece of a wall panel and which are slid together to secure adjacent wall panels together. One component has a longitudinally disposed T-shaped slot and the second component has a T-shaped projection that slides within the slot of the first component to secure the wall panels together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventor: Brion Gompper
  • Patent number: 8468752
    Abstract: The preferred embodiment is a construction kit for small structures that can be built without tools and used as a shelter for animals, or an amusement device for people. In one embodiment, the kit includes two sizes of wall pieces and two sizes of corner pieces that connect to create a solid structure capable of withstanding the elements of nature. The wall and corner pieces have cavities that are arranged on the top, bottom and sides of the pieces. The pieces connect to each other using common connectors that fit snugly into the cavities. The pieces can be used to create a variety of differently sized and shaped structures. The preferred embodiment further comprises pieces that are used to create a roof structure and a floor structure that connect to the wall and corner pieces using connectors and said cavities. In the preferred embodiment the pieces are made of plastic using plastic-injection manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Calvin Lin
  • Patent number: 8464488
    Abstract: An anchoring device is disclosed comprising a generally horizontal top element made of a resilient material embedded with a high-strength material and being of varying thicknesses throughout and having a generally downward extending element of a variety of shapes extending downwardly from the underside thereof. The high-strength material may be of any high-strength material, such as metal, rigid high-strength plastic, or fiberglass, for example and may be embedded as a solid or as particulate material. When used as a particulate, the high-strength material may be embedded in select areas as required to customize the anchor. Where desired, the generally downwardly extending element may also comprise a high-strength material of either solid or particulate form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: The Ipe Clip Fastener Co., LLC
    Inventor: Robert J. Pelc, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8407965
    Abstract: A multi-layer wood panel comprises a core segment, made up of a plurality of layers, and two external finishing layers. Each layer is comprised of several boards, joined at the edges with interlocking fingers or tongues and grooves. The layers of the core segment are joined using wood pegs at specified intervals, with the pegs penetrating all the board layers of the core segment at an angle other than perpendicular to the layers. The core segment and the external finishing layers of the panel are joined using key and groove mortise connections, where the key shape corresponds to the shape of the mortise grooves made in the outer surfaces of the boards of the core segment and in the inner surfaces of the outer finishing layer, which are oriented perpendicular or parallel to the direction of the board fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventors: Sergey Evgenyevich Dorozhkin, Anton Yuryevich Chenzov
  • Patent number: 8402709
    Abstract: A building panel, such as a flooring panel or wall panel and a method of assembling the same into a floor, wall cladding, etc. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove (6) and tongue (7) forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. In a preferred embodiment, the groove (6) and the tongue (7) are made of water resistant material and formed with a snap-together joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventors: Goran Martensson, Magnus Kulik
  • Publication number: 20130067846
    Abstract: A building system can comprise wall, floor, and/or ceiling panels. A first profile with two cavities extending along different sides of the profile can be used to connect similar panels together. A second profile can be used to connect dissimilar panels. A plurality of fastening clips can be used to lockingly engage a wall panel at one end and one of either a wall panel, a floor panel, or a ceiling panel at the other end. The building system can be configured to not require other fasteners besides the clips and profiles to hold the panels together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: DIVERSIFIED FIXTURES, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Kvols, Daniel J. Hertel
  • Patent number: 8387327
    Abstract: Floor panels (1, 1?) are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system consisting of a flexible locking element 15 in a locking groove 14 which during a horizontal motion is displaced vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 8381468
    Abstract: Modular building structures and systems for construction of modular buildings are provided. A modular building structure according to one embodiment includes at least two panels having two outer skins and an inner core; at least two panel spacers between the outer skins of the panels; at least two panel connectors partially receiving the panels; at least one coupling bar; and at least one corner coupler configured to couple two of the panels substantially perpendicular to each other. A modular building structure may further include at least one straight coupler configured to couple two of the panels substantially parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Koupal
  • Patent number: 8381477
    Abstract: Floor panels are shown which are provided with a mechanical locking system consisting of an extruded flexible tongue in a sidewardly open groove which during a vertical folding motion is bent horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Niclas Hakansson, Per Nygren
  • Publication number: 20130025230
    Abstract: A spacer and fixing apparatus for deck boards on supporting timber joists or metal tracks has a track member with a fixing portion secured to the top face of the joist or metal track and a web portion pivotally supporting a plurality of spaced fixing members. Each fixing member has a fixing head with a pair of opposed fixing teeth or spikes. One of the fixing teeth or spikes is driven into the side face of a deck board placed on the joist or metal track; and the side face of a second deck board is driven into fixing engagement with the other fixing tooth or spike on the fixing head, the fixing head spacing the deck boards apart. To omit the track member, the body of each fixing member has a fixing tongue driven into a side face of a respective joist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Arthur Raymond Turner
  • Patent number: 8359806
    Abstract: Floorboards with a format corresponding to a traditional parquet block for laying of mechanically joined floating flooring. Rectangular floorboards include a surface layer and a core with two long sides and two short sides, for making a floating flooring, which floorboards are mechanically lockable and which along their four sides have pairs of opposing connectors for locking similar, adjoining floorboards to each other both vertically and horizontally wherein the long sides have a length not exceeding 80 cm and the short sides have a width not exceeding 10 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Publication number: 20130000222
    Abstract: An insulating construction panel having a top end, a bottom end, a first end, a second end, a front side and a rear side, the panel for constructing a single or multi-cavity concrete form. The panel includes regularly spaced coplanar passages extending through the panel from the top end toward the bottom end and at least one angular passage perpendicularly intersecting each coplanar passage at the top end and bottom end of the panel and extending toward and through at least a portion of the back end of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventor: Edward ROBAK
  • Patent number: 8341915
    Abstract: Floor panels (1, 1?) are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system having a flexible tongue (30) in a displacement groove (40), which during a vertical folding motion is displaced. Moreover, a tongue blank (50), a production method and an installation method are shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Niclas Hakansson, Per Nygren
  • Publication number: 20120317909
    Abstract: A rain-screen siding system for buildings, including clips to support siding boards parallel with a flat surface of a building wall structure but spaced apart from the building wall to allow air to circulate between the building wall structure and the siding boards. The clips include paired, opposed channels and the siding boards have tongues that fit into the channels. Drainage grooves are defined in the clips. Bottom support members may extend horizontally to support the siding boards at the bottom of the rain screen siding. Corner closing members are provided to protect end faces of siding boards at an exterior corner of a building wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Duncan MacKenzie
  • Patent number: 8322104
    Abstract: Building or structural panels may be joined, such as to form walls or floors. The panels have edge anchors with mounts. The anchors may comprise elongate members defining a trough having spaced cross-pins. A connector is positioned between adjacent panels. The connector engages the mounts of the anchors, such by having the cross-pins slide into slots of the connector. The panels may have outer skins located over an expanded core comprising a matrix of supporting elongate members and voids or openings, with the anchors located slots formed in the edges of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph C. Fleming, III
  • Patent number: 8276342
    Abstract: Flooring panel or wall panel and a use thereof in a wet room. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove (6) and tongue (7) forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. The groove (6) and the tongue (7) are preferably made of water tight material and formed with a snap-together joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventor: Göran Mårtensson
  • Patent number: 8272182
    Abstract: An insulated frame unit for enclosing a wall to provide a highly insulated and airtight wall is provided. The frame unit includes a panel that is formed from a rigid insulated composition such as an expanded foam composition. The panels can be mounted to a wall frame in rows and columns to enclose the wall, and may include outwardly extending flanges that can cooperate with a flange of an adjacent frame unit to provide a stud-receiving opening into which a stud is inserted when mounting the frame units to the frame of the building. The frame unit is mountable to the frame with the interior side of the stud extending from the inner side of the frame unit so that adequate space is provided between the inner side of the frame unit and an interior finish member mounted to the interior side of the studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Conservation Technology International, Inc.
    Inventor: Marko Spiegel
  • Patent number: 8250825
    Abstract: A flooring includes rectangular floorboards with long sides and short sides, the floorboards being joined in a herringbone pattern, long side to long side and long side to short side, wherein the floorboards have a surface layer of laminate, and the long sides of the floorboards have pairs of opposing mechanical connectors which at least allow locking-together both horizontally and vertically by inward angling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Välinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Tony Pervan
  • Patent number: 8240104
    Abstract: A building component for a structure, the building component including a component body which includes two spaced apart and generally parallel interconnected side walls having opposed ends and opposed longitudinally extending sides, the building component being adapted to join with a second building component or to a connector for joining the building component to the second building component, the building component further including a plurality of coupling elements arranged at spaced-apart intervals along a length of the sidewalls from one of the longitudinal sides to the other and arranged such that in use the side walls can be cut or otherwise separated along the length thereof so as to provide a coupling element at the cut or separated end which is adapted to cooperate with a coupling element on said connector for securement of the component to the second building component or connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventors: Nick Koikas, Cleo Koikas
  • Patent number: 8225565
    Abstract: Interior insulation slots cut vertically through natural logs align to form a full wall interior insulation space within the stacked natural log wall. A plank cut out of the interior of each log is used in the interior structure of the building. Solid ends of the logs form corners with intersecting walls. Structural metal posts within the interior insulation space bind the logs together. Foam and vapor barrier insulation fill the interior insulation space. Only the curved natural log surfaces are exposed on the exterior and interior walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Jesse Barton Cox
  • Patent number: 8205407
    Abstract: An apparatus forming a assembly includes at least two panels. Each panel has a top surface and a plurality of perimetric edges. Each edge of one panel is adapted for joining any edge of another panel or to rounded edge pieces that connect is a complementary manner to the panels similar to other panels. The apparatus includes at least one connector adapted to secure two panels in adjoined relation. The connector has a first end adapted for engagement with the two adjoined panels, and a second end adapted to be swung into a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: Michael C. Genova
  • Patent number: 8196360
    Abstract: The invention provides a modular system that includes a composite tile, with or without integrated photovoltaic cells, a track system for assembly of the tiles to a structure, and a wiring system for the photovoltaic tile. The track and tiles are made of composite material. Molding and extrusion processes can be used for the manufacturing of the tile and track, including the integration of photovoltaic cells. The track lengths are fastened to the structure. The track and tile have mating features, such that the tile can be interlocked with the track. Adjacent tiles are installed with overlap. Photovoltaic cells can be molded into or assembled with the tile. A busbar or wire harness is assembled to the track. When the photovoltaic tile is interlocked with the track, the connectors of the photovoltaic cells engage the busbar or wiring harness to provide an electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: MSR Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Erich Christian Metten, Timothy James Roddick, Jason Leonard Scultety
  • Patent number: 8181416
    Abstract: Floor panels with a flexible tongue in an insertion groove, the flexible tongue is designed to cooperate, in a connected state with a tongue groove of another panel, the panels are adapted to be locked together by vertical folding, the flexible tongue has a projection portion which, in a connected state projects outside the insertion groove and cooperates with the tongue groove, said projecting portion has a beveled and/or rounded sliding surface and the panels have a sliding surface adapted to cooperate therewith during vertical folding, the flexible tongue during the vertical folding is displaced twice in the horizontal direction, a first displacement is effected by the vertical folding of the fold panel whereby at least a part of the flexible tongue is bent, a second displacement of the flexible tongue towards its initial position is accomplished substantially by a spring effect caused by said bending of said flexible tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Niclas Håkansson, Per Nygren
  • Patent number: 8171683
    Abstract: A log is provided that has a pair of oppositely directed faces, one of the faces having a pair of tongues separated by a channel and the other face having a pair of grooves separated by a ridge. The tongues, grooves, ridge and channel respectively are dimensioned so as to inter-engage when logs are placed one on top of another. The base of the channel is spaced from the end face of the ridge to accommodate a pair of seals that are maintained laterally spaced apart in the channel so as to define an air space therebetween. A thermal break is thus provided between the seals in the channel to inhibit conduction of heat through the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventors: Robert A. Wrightman, Ronald A. Wrightman
  • Patent number: 8161702
    Abstract: The present invention is an anchoring biscuit device for joining three boards. It includes, (a) an at least partially flat horizontal top element having an imaginary center line, having opposite side walls, and having a top view footprint adapted to be inserted into grooves of adjacent boards; (b) at least one substantially vertical support member attached to the underside of the top element and extending downwardly therefrom for a predetermined length for joinder of two adjacent boards which contain the grooves for receiving portions of the top into the grooves; and (c) at least one compressive element located on the device, with at least one portion of the at least one compressive element, from a top view footprint, being located away from the imaginary center line and away from the vertical support member, wherein the compressive element is adapted to at least partially collapse under a predetermined compressive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Blue Heron Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Harry W. Eberle, III
  • Patent number: 8161697
    Abstract: A studless load bearing panel wall system includes an assembly of bamboo based load bearing panels. The panels may be centrally milled along all edges suitable for accepting spline brackets along the vertical edges thereby constructing wall faces. Channels along the top and bottom edges accept two panels to form a studless wall having an inner and outer panel. The panels may be fastened to the splines and channels by means of screw fasteners. Bamboo based load bearing panels comprising layers formed from pressed bamboo strips bonded with layers of softwood veneers provide high load bearing strength while being dimensionally similar to conventional plywood. Non-load bearing alternate embodiments of the bamboo based panels in combination with similar spline brackets and channels are utilized to construct studless interior walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bamcore LLC
    Inventor: William D McDonald
  • Patent number: 8146303
    Abstract: The deck track is a steel track having a series of formed receivers and fasteners. The deck track will allow a deck system to be installed without the use of any mechanical fasteners such as screws, nails or individual fasteners. The upper fasteners and receivers, referred to as tangs, maintain the desired gap between composite deck boards for the life of the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventors: Brent Alan Gibson, Donald George Hinkle
  • Patent number: 8141306
    Abstract: A solar battery module device (14), wherein an bottom-side end part (22) is fixed onto a placing surface (23) by fitting the top-side end part (19) as one-side of a rectangular shape of a rectangular flat plate-like solar battery module (16) to the engagement part (20) of an upper frame (21) forming a frame (17) from the lower side of a roofer and by fitting a fixing cover (27) to a lower frame (24) in a state in which the bottom-side end part (22) as the opposite-side of the rectangular shape of the solar battery module (16) is placed on the placing surface (23) of the lower frame (24) forming the frame (17). According to the solar battery module device of the present invention, operations such as installation work and maintenance and inspections for the device can be easily and safely performed without damaging the solar battery module (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroto Masuda, Futoshi Takahashi, Toshiaki Ohno
  • Patent number: 8127505
    Abstract: An assembly type wall structure is disclosed. The assembly type wall structure may be used as a vertical wall in an interior space and includes a plurality of wall units. Each wall units together to form a wall and may connect this wall with the corresponding ceiling, walls and floor of the interior space. Hence, the assembly type wall structure may be used as a vertical wall in an interior space and has the advantages of fast and simple implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Chen-Yin Lu, Ying-Chung Lan
  • Patent number: 8112891
    Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing floorboards with a surface layer and a core for making a floating flooring. The floorboards are mechanically lockable, and have pairs of opposing connectors along their edge portions for locking adjoining floorboards to each other both vertically and horizontally. The method includes joining a surface layer of flexible and resilient fibers to a wood-fiber-based core to form a floor element, and linearly displacing the floor element relative to a set of tools in order to machine the joint edges of the floor element to provide at least part of upper joint edges of the floorboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 8104244
    Abstract: Floorboards with a format corresponding to a traditional parquet block for laying of mechanically joined floating flooring. Rectangular floorboards include a surface layer and a core with two long sides and two short sides, for making a floating flooring, which floorboards are mechanically lockable and which along their four sides have pairs of opposing connectors for locking similar, adjoining floorboards to each other both vertically and horizontally wherein the long sides have a length not exceeding 80 cm and the short sides have a width not exceeding 10 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Publication number: 20120000157
    Abstract: A device for connecting sheets of a grain bin together having an inner plate that fits over a vertical seam formed at the ends of two abutting sheets. The inner plate has a plurality of holes that generally align with holes in the ends of the sheets. An outer plate is positioned to cover the vertical seam and has a plurality of holes that generally align with the holes on the ends of the sheets. Bolts extend through the holes to secure the inner plate, sheets, and outer plate together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: SUKUP MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventor: John A. Hanig
  • Patent number: 8079196
    Abstract: Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system including a flexible locking element in a locking groove which during a horizontal motion is displaced vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan