Spline Having Particular Shape (bone, Arrow, Dovetail, Etc.) Patents (Class 52/586.2)
  • Patent number: 11484455
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to devices, systems and methods for the construction of pressure chambers. Such pressure chamber devices, systems, and methods can include a plurality of substantially rigid panels arranged around a space, each of the substantially rigid panels comprising a metal frame formed from a plurality of metal frame elements. One or more connecting plate can be coupled to adjacent pairs of the plurality of substantially rigid panels. In this way, the one or more connecting plate is configured to provide a pressure-tight seal between a respective adjacent pair of the plurality of substantially rigid panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Extivita, LLC
    Inventor: Edward R. di Girolamo
  • Patent number: 11286663
    Abstract: A modular wall structure can include a first modular unit having a first face defined by a first perimeter and a second modular unit having a second face defined by a second perimeter. The first modular unit can be operably and selectively coupled to the second modular unit. Base units can be provided to support the first and second modular units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: The Manufacturing Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Fleisch, Sita Magnuson, Michael Stone
  • Patent number: 11230841
    Abstract: A hollow plastic wall panel, the panel having a length greater than a width, a thickness less than the width, a front wall, an opposite back wall and opposed first and second long edge regions, wherein the panel comprises a first end and a longitudinally opposite second end, wherein the first long edge region defines at least one first recessed portion to longitudinally receive and mate with a first longitudinal support structure and wherein the second long edge region defines at least one second recessed portion to longitudinally receive and mate with a second longitudinal support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Aus Group Alliance Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Nicholas Marandos, Adam Lee Taylor, Graeme Peter Hall, Graeme Francis Hisgrove, Neil Joseph Clowes, Adrian Leigh Massey
  • Patent number: 11174635
    Abstract: A baffle tile that folds from a flat configuration into a three-dimensional configuration is disclosed. In the three-dimensional configuration, it includes a rim portion and a baffle portion. The rim portion is split into halves. Each half of the rim portion terminates in a pair of upwardly-folded, spaced-apart tabs. When the baffle tile is in its three-dimensional configuration, each tab meets and abuts its counterpart from the other half of the rim portion. Each tab has a notch in it, arranged such that the notches of abutted tabs are aligned. A retaining structure inserts into each set of aligned notches. The retaining structures prevent the tabs of the baffle tile from separating. In some cases, a single retaining structure that has approximately the same size as the baffle tile itself may also serve as a cap to enclose the tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: FACT Design, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Monier, Troy S. Jones, Ernest Lansford, III
  • Patent number: 11131099
    Abstract: Floor panels are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system on long and short edges allowing installation with angling of long edges and where the short edge locking system has a displaceable tongue that is displaceable essentially in one direction from an inner unlocked position to an final locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 11035118
    Abstract: A connector clip to secure mating construction blocks and geogrid by fitting into communicating slots in the construction blocks comprising an elongate generally rectangular member with a top face, bottom face and side walls. Each side wall having a top portion and bottom portion divided at the center point of the side wall. The distance between the center point of each side wall is equal to or slightly larger than the width of the communicating slots in the construction blocks into which it is to be inserted. Each side wall bottom portion having sections of material removed creating griping flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Cambridge Pavers, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Gamarekian, Christopher S. Gamarekian, Nelson K. Walling, Jaoquim L. Callahan
  • Patent number: 10981754
    Abstract: An elevator car wall includes a support construction formed of a grid structure with vertical and horizontal support rods and a surface construction formed of panels attached with panel fastening elements to the grid structure. A vertical seam profile with a U-shaped bottom portion and an I-shaped middle portion is positioned between panel rows and attached with seam profile fastening elements to the grid structure. The middle portion extends between the vertical edges of the panel rows. A portion of the panel fastening element extends into contact with an inside surface of a respective branch of the U-shaped bottom portion in order to secure the vertical side edge of the panel against the middle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tero Salin, Mika Hautamäki
  • Patent number: 10907360
    Abstract: A shelf angle suitable for supporting a brick veneer is attached to a building wall by way of plural spacer members each comprising inner and outer plates joined by a web of material. The spacer member may comprise a tube or c-section for example. Thermally insulating sheets are compressed between the shelf angle and the spacer member and/or between the spacer member and the building wall. The spacer members are spaced apart along the shelf angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventor: Zoran Vukelic
  • Patent number: 10702061
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system for quickly and simply manufacturing semi-custom cabinetry utilizing a hidden pin joining system. The hidden pin joining system allows panels of a cabinet, or other items, to quickly and securely join together, with significant load bearing ability. The joining pin designs allow for discretely joining pieces together to create custom cabinetry during installation. The specially designed drill bits allow the system to work seamlessly. Using CAD/CAM machinery, the drill bits can cut stock pieces that can be taken to installation sites, and formed into custom cabinetry for kitchen, closets, or any other desired shelving units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Inventor: Richard Stack
  • Patent number: 10240348
    Abstract: Floor panels which are provided with a mechanical locking system including an extruded flexible tongue in a sidewardly open groove which during a vertical folding motion is bent horizontally. A tongue adapted for being received in a sidewardly open groove of a floor panel, wherein the tongue, which is an elongated extruded section, when received in the groove is bendable in a plane substantially parallel with a front face of the floor panel, such that the tongue is at least partially resiliently displaceable inside said sidewardly open groove in said plane during locking of the floor panel with another floor panel and wherein a vertical protrusion, serving as a friction connection between the tongue and the groove, is arranged at an upper or lower part of the tongue, wherein the tongue has a total width that varies in the longitudinal direction of the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Niclas Hakansson, Per Nygren
  • Patent number: 9913083
    Abstract: A joint for a housing for electrical components has a series of extruded panels connected edge to edge. The first edge includes a slot defined by an inner wall and an outer wall and the second edge includes a blade inserted into the slot, the blade and the flexible wall including cooperating shoulders. The blade and slot are at an angle to the outer surface where a rib engages into an outer recess to seal the outer surface at the joint. A bridging member spans the joint to prevent spreading, while locking the flexible wall and carrying internal components. The housing can form a post or a receptacle on top of the post. The bridging members connect to end plates by screws extending though the plates so as to form an internal structure for the housing. Some of the connected panels can include cooling fins forming a cooling duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Dean R. Rosendahl
  • Patent number: 9879418
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wall element comprising an upper element extending along an upper edge, a lower element extending along a lower edge, a first and second side element each comprising a substantially rectangular cross section, the first side element extending along a first side between the upper and lower element, the second side element extending along a second side between the upper and lower element and a substantially rectangular board arranged on an outer side and attached to said the upper element, lower element and first side element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Paralox AB
    Inventors: Martin Östlund, Joakim Moxén
  • Patent number: 9347469
    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: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Niclas Hakansson, Per Nygren
  • Patent number: 9238917
    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: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: VALINGE INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Niclas Hakansson, Per Nygren
  • Patent number: 9206611
    Abstract: A floor panel assembly includes sheet-shaped floor panels joinable by joining members, each panel being provided on a first edge with a first joining member and, on a second edge, with a second joining member. The first and second joining members of two panels are configured to be joined by a movement of the panels towards to each other. The joining members lock the panels vertically and horizontally. The joining members are provided with a locking element which is deformable, during said joining, from a first position allowing the joining members to be joined, to a second position in which it locks the joining members to each other at least horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Spanolux N.V.—Div. Balterio
    Inventors: Bruno Paul Louis Vermeulen, Jan Eddy De Rick
  • Patent number: 9045938
    Abstract: A system for assembly between a connecting element and at least one cavity positioned on a surface portion situated on an edge face of a substrate, particularly made of a fragile material of glass type. The connecting element is configured to be accommodated in the cavity that has curved and retaining walls, the cavity being made at the edge face of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Jean-Clement Nugue, Celine Jedrzejewski, Thomas Bertin-Mourot, Jean-Christophe Lafon
  • Patent number: 9003736
    Abstract: A system for a floor covering that includes covering panels (10A, 10B) made of a hard material, having relatively little thickness (e), with upper and lower surfaces (1a, 2a; 1b, 2b), perimetral edges (3a, 3b) and recesses (4a, 4b), and attachment parts (20) made of a relatively flexible material and having projecting members (21a, 21b) and spacing members (22a, 22b). In practice, the projecting members (21a, 21b) of the attachment parts are introduced in the recesses (4a, 4b) of the covering panels (10A, 10B) assuring the link between covering panels (10A, 10B), and the spacing members (22a, 22b) of the attachment parts (20) remain between the facing edges (3a, 3b) of the covering panels (10A, 10B) filling a gap (G) between them in the form of a joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Silicalia, SL
    Inventors: Erik Schoneveld, Francisco Sanchis Brines, Lorente Aroca, Teresa Estruch Millet, Serafin garcia Navarro
  • Patent number: 8978325
    Abstract: An insulating panel to be used in a panelized insulation system for insulating and finishing walls, including basement walls has a foam core made of inorganic materials. The system incorporates a capillary break, an integrated water drainage system and an electrical wire chase system within an insulating wall panel. Vertical slots are provided for insertion of metal studs for use in attaching the interior finish panel, such as inorganic fiber cement board with a vinyl laminate finish, onto the insulating panels. Embedding metal studs in the panel core reduces the sound transmission though the panel and eliminates thermal bridging between warm and cold surfaces. Steps on the edges and the top/bottom surfaces of the insulating panel allow more panels to join together with shiplap joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: David L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8966852
    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 comprises a locking element in the form of an insert; wherein this locking element comprises at least a pivotable lock-up body; characterized in that the pivotable lock-up body comprises 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: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl
    Inventor: Mark Cappelle
  • Patent number: 8966858
    Abstract: Floor profile arrangement, in particular for securing floor coverings (10), comprising at least one profiled strip (1) which has at least one retaining means (2) which holds a first segment (4) of a joining means (15), wherein a second segment (14) of the joining means (15) projects over a peripheral region (5) of the profiled strip (1) in the longitudinal direction (L) to join with a further profiled strip (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Küberit Profile Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Frank Sondermann
  • Publication number: 20150033658
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The coupling may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis. The apparatus may further provide a rotating portion and locking portion, mounting brackets for direct connection to a mounting surface, grounding teeth, and a twist-lock engagement means for interlocking and aligning PV modules in the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Hans-Christoph Haenlein
  • Patent number: 8938929
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a set of panels, in particular floor panels, including a first panel and at least one second panel, wherein the panels have a first edge and a second edge; the first edge and the second edge are configured to establish a connection between the first and the second panels; the first edge includes a lower lip with a step; the second edge includes a downwardly open locking groove, which in a connected state of the panels, or of the edges, cooperates with the step and ensures a lock in a horizontal direction; the connection can be established by a vertical relative movement of the panels with respect to each other; a separate clip is provided which is disposed on the first edge and includes a movable clip head and a clip base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventor: Nils-Erik Engström
  • Patent number: 8915039
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a durable solid-wood door or other rigid block assembly includes two generally-planar, mutually-parallel solid-wood boards each having a plurality of mutually-parallel dovetail-connection channels running generally along an internal surface of each of the boards, and a solid-wood central keying structure disposed between the two solid-wood boards. The central keying structure includes a plurality of two-sided sliding dovetails keys sized to slide within the dovetail-connection channels to secure the two-mutually-parallel solid-wood boards to each other via sliding dovetail connections to the central keying structure. Alternating wood grain orientations may be used to reduce warping. Each board may include multiple laterally-adjacent monolithic slabs interconnected via tongue-and-groove edge connections, with the dovetail connection channels extending across multiple slabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Vasile C. Oros
  • Patent number: 8839584
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connecting and locking two building boards, in particular floor panels, on their longitudinal sides and/or transverse sides in the horizontal and vertical direction through an essentially vertical joining movement. The building boards have a top side and an underside. On their lateral edges (I, II) to be connected to one another are provided with profiles corresponding to one another, and a locking element is provided in the profile of the first building board, which locking element has an inner end and an outer end and is inserted with the inner end in a groove of the first building board, and which interacts with a locking depression provided in the profile of the second building board such that the two building boards are automatically locked in the vertical direction with the joining movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Flooring Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Oliver Sokol
  • Patent number: 8789325
    Abstract: A wall assembly (1) for the construction of a wall element (14), wherein accumulation of the shrinkage heights of the different beams to form a major shrinkage for every wall element (14) is avoided, having two profiles (3) extending substantially vertically, two beams (2), stacked one on top of the other and extending substantially horizontally between the two profiles (3) and that have at each end a positioning end (6) that has a smaller height than the respective beam (2), and two positioning elements (4) for very two beams (2) that can be secured to a profile (3) such that each positioning element (4) extends substantially between the positioning ends (6) of two beams (2) stacked one on top of the other and the upper one of these beams (2) stacked one on top of the other is supported on this positioning element (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Verhaeghe Chalets & Sauna NV
    Inventor: Thomas Daniel Antoon Verhaeghe
  • Patent number: 8707650
    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: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Marcus Bergelin
  • Patent number: 8701368
    Abstract: A set of panels comprises a first panel having a first edge including an undercut which accommodates a fastening member, and a second panel having a second edge including a locking region. The first and second edges are positioned adjacent to each other when the panels are fastened to each other by means of the fastening member. The fastening member comprises a displaceable activating portion and a locking portion which is displaceable with respect to the first panel upon displacement of the activating portion in opposite direction of the displacement of the activating portion such that the locking portion engages the locking region of the second panel when the panels are fastened to each other by means of the fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Spanolux N.V. -Div, Balterio
    Inventors: Bruno Paul Louis Vermeulen, Jan Eddy De Rick
  • Patent number: 8695306
    Abstract: An arrangement for securing fabric relative to a framework comprising a framework, a groove in the framework, and a locking spline for being received into the groove in the framework whereby a fabric panel can be retained relative to the framework by an insertion of the locking spline into the groove with a portion of the fabric panel disposed between the locking spline and the groove. The framework can have an obverse side, a peripheral edge, and a reverse side and the groove can be disposed to the reverse side of the framework whereby the fabric panel can be applied to the framework with a portion of the fabric panel retained within the groove and with the fabric panel reversing over the peripheral edge of the framework and traversing at least a portion of the framework. A secondary groove can enable a retention of a secondary material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Sava Cvek
  • Patent number: 8677713
    Abstract: A wall member useful in forming a wall panel system includes a pair of outer walls held spaced apart and fixed together at a pair of opposed side edges, one of the side edges being provided with a first connecting structure and the other of the side edges being provided with a second connecting structure. The first and second connecting structure includes a number of projections secured to and extending outwardly from the side edges and constructed with snap fit elements separately located from the outer walls. The wall member is adapted to be joined to an adjacently disposed wall member of similar structure by direct snap fit mating engagement between one of the first and second connecting structure at one of the second edges of the wall member and the other of the first and second connecting structure on a facing side edge of the adjacently disposed wall member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: EPI 04, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory R. Sheehy
  • Patent number: 8671640
    Abstract: A plurality of adjacent, aligned, shaped hollow uniform building components, each having four separate distinct key channels are assembled together with a plurality of friction fitting locking keys to accomplish at least three separate distinct locks which become uniform whole friction fitting structural buildings upon alignment of like side surfaces or like end surfaces of uniform building components, together with friction fitting insertion and alignment of one of four separate and distinct shaped uniform bridge keys, then friction fit insertion of the primary locking keys into and through the primary key channels of adjacent and/or abutting uniform building components and uniform bridge keys, thereby rapidly achieving the primary lock and key joint, being the primary finished bonded joint and the primary lock of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Keith E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8662120
    Abstract: A method for assembling massive parts that are useful for building wooden chalets or houses including timbers that are built in two by two, three by three, or four by four, connected through dovetailing, and, optionally, by gluing them together, to obtain massive laminated timber blocks. These massive laminated timber blocks can be filled to form panels. This method improves a process for forming massive wood parts, where assembling the timbers in the form of dove-tails allows the production of several depths without any limitation of length, since the additions are achieved according to an arrangement in quincunx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: Jim Riviere, Alain Florentin Mandoce
  • Patent number: 8656660
    Abstract: An interlocking system for photovoltaic and other roof-mounted panels is disclosed. One use is for a photovoltaic module which comprises a photovoltaic laminate. The laminate has an upper side which faces the sun during normal operation, and a lower side. The module also comprises a base coupled to the lower side of the photovoltaic laminate. The base also has an outer perimeter and comprises a first engagement site and a second engagement site. The first engagement site comprises a first protrusion having a hemispherical surface, an opening extending through the hemispherical surface, and wherein the first protrusion extends in a first direction and the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the outer perimeter. The second engagement site comprises a second protrusion having a cylindrical surface, the protrusion extending in a second direction, and the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the outer perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew G. Danning
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8590250
    Abstract: Provided are a flooring material and a rotational body used therewith which are adapted to improve quality reliability in flooring materials by stably providing not only a fastening force in the horizontal direction but also a fastening force in the vertical direction when flooring panels are assembled with each other, thereby facilitating assembly of the flooring panels and strengthening the joining force due to assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Kwang Seok Oh
  • Patent number: 8590253
    Abstract: A locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards including horizontal joining of a first and a second joint edge portion of a first and a second floorboard respectively at a vertical joint plane and vertical joining of the first and second joint edge portions, the tongue, the tongue groove, the locking element and the locking groove have a configuration that allows insertion of the locking element into the locking groove by inward angling of the second floorboard towards the first floorboard while maintaining contact between the joint edge portions, and the tongue, the tongue grove, the locking element and the locking groove have a configuration that allows insertion of the locking element into the locking groove by a substantially vertical snap action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 8567146
    Abstract: A composite material used to repair concrete. The composite material includes a first fiber system including at least one fiber layer. Each fiber layer includes a plurality of fibers. The binding material secures together the plurality of fibers. The composite material is positioned and secured in a slot cut in a concrete structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Garland Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William Scott Hemphill
  • 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: 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: 8468767
    Abstract: A wall panel system includes a first wall panel and a second wall panel. The first wall panel has a first groove extending along a first end portion and a second groove extending along a second end portion. The second wall panel has a third groove extending along a third end portion. The wall panel system further includes a spline including first and second spline tongues, wherein the first spline tongue is mateable with the first groove and the second spline tongue is mateable with the third groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Vertical Dimensions, LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. McBride
  • 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: 8443561
    Abstract: A connecting element for panels comprises at least one plate (2) which can be fixed to a first panel (3), a connecting body (4) connected to the plate (2) and which can be inserted in a cavity (6) in a second panel (5) to connect the second panel to the first panel (3); the connecting body (4) having a substantially ‘V’-shaped cross-section and having a top edge (9) which can be completely inserted in the cavity (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignees: Trentino Sviluppo S.p.A., CNR Consiglio Nazionale Delle Richerche
    Inventors: Ario Ceccotti, Paolo Galletti, Daniele Maltinti
  • Patent number: 8429869
    Abstract: A locking system for mechanical joining of rectangular floorboards having a body and long and short edges. Said locking system including a tongue and a groove for vertical locking of two joint short edges and for horizontal joining a locking groove formed in the underside of a first one of the short joint edges, and a portion projecting from the second short joint edge having a locking element cooperating with the locking groove. The tongue is arranged on the second short edge. The groove is arranged on the first short edge. The projecting portion is integrally formed with the board, by working of the body of the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8375654
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The coupling may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis. The apparatus may further provide a rotating portion and locking portion, mounting brackets for direct connection to a mounting surface, grounding teeth, and a twist-lock engagement means for interlocking and aligning PV modules in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Zap Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. West, Christina C. Manansala, Hans-Christoph Haenlein
  • Patent number: 8371080
    Abstract: A building structure comprises a post having a vertically extending longitudinal face. A plurality of horizontal logs extends from said longitudinal face and has an end face in abutment with said longitudinal face. The post having an undercut channel in said longitudinal face and extends along said post. At least one of said end faces has a recess aligned with said undercut channel, and a spline assembly extends between said post and said log to secure said log to said post. The spline assembly includes a key located in and extends between said channel and said recess and an insert in one of said undercut channel and said recess. The insert co operates with said key to facilitate relative sliding movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Robert A. Wrightman
  • Patent number: 8371086
    Abstract: A modular wall block is adapted for being assembled together with a number of other blocks in stacked courses to form a retaining wall. The wall block has a front and rear, top and bottom, and opposing sides. The top and bottom define respective substantially planar stacking surfaces. A shear lug projects from one of the planar stacking surfaces of the top and bottom. A block-locating jut is formed with at least one of the opposing sides, and projects from the side at a point intermediate the top and bottom towards one of the planar stacking surfaces. The block-locating jut defines a base surface substantially coplaner with the stacking surface, and a lug-engaging shoulder adapted for engaging a shear lug of a wall block located in an adjacent stacked course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: RidgeRock Retaining Walls, Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis W. Shillingburg
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8341901
    Abstract: A method includes substantially filling with joint sealant first and second kerfs in upper and lower ends, respectively, of a curtain wall member. A locating-and-retaining member of a latching member is embedded in the first kerf's sealant. A receiving-and-retaining member of a first bracket is embedded in the second kerf's sealant, the wall member initially extending upwardly and angularly outwardly relative to the first bracket. The wall member is pivoted inwardly such that an end of a nominally horizontally-disposed portion of the latching member slides along a lower surface of a supporting member of a second bracket causing the latching member to rotate downwardly, compressing foam tape beneath the horizontally-disposed portion. The end of the latching member moves past a locking member until a latch comes into latching engagement with the locking member, the foam tape decompressing and maintaining the latching member in engagement with the lower surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Stephen N. Loyd Irrovocable Family Trust
    Inventor: Stephen N. Loyd