With Additional Locking Feature (e.g., Fastener) Patents (Class 52/591.5)
  • Patent number: 10851543
    Abstract: A wall system for a building having a first room and a second room is provided. The wall system includes: (a) a first panel having a first batting material positioned between a first board and a second board; and (b) a second panel having a second batting material positioned between a third board and a fourth board. Further, at least one of the second board and the fourth board is formed from at least one mineral wool board. A building having a first floor, a foundation, and a first floor board area positioned between the first floor and the foundation is also provided. The first floor of the building includes a first room, a second room, and a wall system positioned between the first room and the second room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: IBACOS, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Grisolia
  • Patent number: 10605456
    Abstract: A refractory block assembly for a steam reformer furnace tunnel includes a hollow main body, at least one first mechanical mating member defining a protruded portion extending from an upper surface of the main body, at least one second corresponding mechanical mating member defining an opening corresponding to the protruded portion formed in a portion of a lower surface of the main body, and at least one through-hole having openings formed in a first side and an opposed second side of the main body portion. A refractory insert member having mechanical mating features on at least a portion of the outer surface thereof resides within the at least one though-hole of the refractory block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Blasch Precision Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Russell, Joseph D. Quintiliani, Jeffrey J. Bolebruch
  • Patent number: 9181717
    Abstract: A kit for making a floor on the permanent floor of a venue from modules. Adjacent modules are releasably interconnected by magnetic coupling means. A flooring module base layer having an upper surface with upwardly facing grooves that include magnetic coupling means for connecting it to a complementary magnetic coupling means on an adjacent activity layer. A flooring module activity layer having a lower surface with downwardly facing grooves that include magnetic coupling means for connecting it to a complementary magnetic coupling means on an adjacent base layer. A method for making a floor from a plurality of modules that are placed in contact with each other so that a portion of each module overlies an upwardly facing or downwardly facing portion of each adjacent module. The adjacent modules are coupled to each other by the magnetic coupling means to create a floor of desired area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: STAGESTEP, INC.
    Inventor: Samuel H. Jamison
  • Patent number: 9032686
    Abstract: A surface covering kit is disclosed, comprising a plurality of generally rectangular panels (100). Each panel is provided with grooves (301, 302, 301?, 302?) forming an insertion channel (303) when two panels (100) are laid next to each other along their transverse sides (105, 105?) in a common laying plane (101). An extraneous locking element (210) is received by the insertion channel (303), the extraneous locking element (210) having a longitudinal dimension and a cross-section perpendicular to said longitudinal dimension which forms a cross with at least four cross arms. The corresponding cross arms of the insertion channel have two parallel flank surfaces (1603, 1604) each, and each of the cross arms is oriented diagonally in a plane perpendicular to the panel plane (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: I-TeCONSULT N.V.
    Inventors: Hannes Speidel, Eddy Boucke
  • Patent number: 8578675
    Abstract: A process for installation of surface elements (1), the surface elements (1) comprising a core, a decorative upper surface (3) and edges (2) provided with joining means for mechanically locking the surface elements (1) together. Predetermined portions of the edges (2) are provided with a glue which is present on the edges (2) of the surface elements (1) in a passive dry form and which may be activated by applying a liquid. The surface elements (1) are joined to each other by use of the joining means wherein a unit of a plurality of surface elements (1) is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventors: Jorgen Palsson, Ake Sjoberg
  • 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: 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
  • 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: 8276343
    Abstract: A modular floor is composed of a plurality of floor panels and combination members. Each of the floor panels includes a rectangular main body, a ridge formed at one side of the main body, an outer socket formed at an opposite side of the main body relative to the ridge, a first lateral bottom portion formed below the ridge, and a second lateral bottom portion formed below the outer socket. Each of the combination members includes a base, a front retainer protruding upward from one side of a top side of the base, a rear retainer protruding upward from an opposite side of the top side of the main body relative to the front retainer, and a partition protruding upward from a midsection of the top side of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Feng-Ling Yang
  • Patent number: 8161706
    Abstract: The present document describes a clip for securing a tight connection between two modular panels. The connection has a male portion on a first one of the two modular panels, and a female portion on a second one of the two modular panels. The male portion is for being inserted into the female portion upon assembly of the two modular panels side by side. The clip comprises a first flat member having a first pressure edge, and a second flat member having a second pressure edge. The second flat member is fixedly joined to the first flat member. The panels are assembled in an assembly direction. Upon introduction of the first flat member into the male portion, and of the second flat member into the female portion perpendicularly to the assembly direction, the first pressure edge of the first flat member forces the male portion toward the female portion, while the second pressure edge of the second flat member forces the female portion toward the male portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Gingras
  • Patent number: 8141314
    Abstract: An expansion joint for a modular flooring system in disclosed, which includes the slidable engagement of two subsections of the expansion joint. The expansion joint is sized such that it is equivalent in overall dimension to the intended adjacent modular floor tiles of which it will form a part within a matrix of such interlocked modular floor tiles. The expansion joint is provided with at least one slot on one module, corresponding to at least one locking pin on the other module. The slot receives and restrains the locking pin and permits the slidable engagement along the longitudinal axes thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Signature Fencing and Flooring Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnon Rosan
  • Patent number: 7950336
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a table assembly, a jointed table, and a method of creating a clean interstice between adjacent tables. More particularly, this disclosure relates to the use of both male and female support connectors where the male connector includes a junction plate and the female connector includes a spacer and a holder plate to create a female connector space. In another embodiment, silicone joints and industrial grade stainless steel plate are used. A method of creating a clean joint by depositing silicone in an interstice between adjacent tables is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Aero Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Phillips
  • Patent number: 7921618
    Abstract: A modular flooring system that includes a plurality of interlocking floor panels arrangeable into a variety of configurations. In one embodiment, each interlocking floor panel includes tongues and grooves that allow adjacent ones of the panels to connect with one another by the mating of tongues and grooves. A locking mechanism can be provided to one or more of the floor panels for locking the connected panels together. In other embodiments, the modular flooring system includes either integrally formed conduit chases or separately formed conduit chases, or a combination of both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Bike Track, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Lovald, Barry S. McVey, Nancy L. Hoblin
  • Patent number: 7913464
    Abstract: An assembly device for at least two laminated glazing elements each including plural individual glazing elements that are rigid and assembled to one another at the surface by bonding layers, which succeed one another in a direction of extension, partially overlapping in contiguous edge regions in perpendicular projection on faces of the glazing elements, and are assembled to one another in this limited overlap region on the edge side. Only one portion of the rigid glazing elements, at least one individual glazing element of each laminated glazing element, extends into the overlap region. This allows a smooth continuous transition from one laminated glazing element to the next with a visual effect of an extremely transparent glazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Christian Eckelt, Roland Leopoldseder
  • Patent number: 7793471
    Abstract: A floating floor assembled from an array of interconnected subunits, each of which includes a stone, ceramic or porcelain tile and a one-piece polymeric plastic substrate to which the stone, ceramic, or porcelain tile is bonded. Each substrate is injection molded from certain polyolefin polymers and incorporates the interlock structure and certain other features of the modular sports tiles of U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,286. The substrates of the present invention, however, differ in that each substrate incorporates a vertical stabilization system, the plastic support grid is formed by three sets of mutually intersecting walls, with each set being angularly offset from the other two by 120 degrees, and each substrate is sized to precisely fit a stone, ceramic or porcelain tile, which is accurately positioned by tile locator tabs on a pair of intersecting sides of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: David Tilghman Hill
  • Patent number: 7757452
    Abstract: Floorboards (1, 1?) are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system consisting of a separately machined locking strip (6) which is mechanically joined with the floorboard (1), the locking strip (6) being designed for mechanical fixing to the floorboard (1) by means of a joint, which is operable by snapping-in and/or inward angling, and the locking strip (6) being designed to connect the floorboard (1) with the essentially identical floorboard (1?) by at least inward angling. Moreover, a locking strip, a strip blank, a set of parts for making a floorboard and methods for manufacturing a floorboard and a locking strip, respectively, are shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 7677005
    Abstract: A joint system having a flexible spring located in a horizontal groove of a panel, the spring having an inner flexible part and being displaceable horizontally in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation Belgium BVBA
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 7637068
    Abstract: Floorboards with a mechanical locking system having a separately machined strip which is mechanically joined with the floorboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 7631470
    Abstract: In a heliport of the present invention, a plurality of long deck materials are arranged and joined to form a planar member having an approximately plane structure. The planar member is placed on a structure such as a space framework that can float on water, or on another floating structure. The planar member can serve as a top surface of a heliport surface or as a foundation for the heliport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Aero Facility Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motomi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7621092
    Abstract: A device for locking two building boards comprises a tongue element inserted into a groove a first building board. The tongue element comprises a spring having a plurality of wave arches. A groove is provided in a core of a second building board and corresponds to the groove of the first building board, such that when the groove of the first and second building boards overlap during a connection of the first and second building boards, by a vertical lowering movement, the first and second building boards are locked in a direction parallel to the visible side by the tongue element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Flooring Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Carsten Groeke, Wolfgang Gollatz
  • Publication number: 20090241449
    Abstract: A structural support system with a means for capturing and channeling elements originating from an exterior surface is disclosed. More specifically, the support system not only creates a dry area under a deck but is also a load bearing component of the deck. The support system is multifunctional in that it alleviates the need for traditional joist-dependent construction methods while simultaneously providing an efficient and aesthetically pleasing structure for maintaining a useful, dry area under the deck. Advantageously, embodiments are scalable in that the system comprises a repeatable series of interlocking components operable to be customized to any foreseeable deck footprint or load bearing application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Harold M. Hawkins, III, Michael A. Lyle, Timothy G. Osby
  • Patent number: 7581357
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, or kit, of injection molded panels having integrated connectors which combine to form an enclosure, commonly in the form of a utility shed. The panels are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate I-beam connectors. The ends of the wall panels have cavities to accept both roof and floor outwardly projecting locking bosses for interlocking cooperative engagement which serve to rigidly connect the components together. The symmetry of the wall, roof, floor and door components also minimizes component shapes and simplifies enclosure construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Jed C. Richardson, Lyle A. Rosine, Rob Stein, Robert Kopp, Michael Uffner, Torrence Anderson
  • Patent number: 7520094
    Abstract: A mullion for a window frame is formed by two frame members back to back to form the mullion. The facing surfaces are connected by providing aligned first and second recesses therein where each of the recesses has a mouth at the which is narrower than a base and has a connecting member along the aligned recesses with a portion of the connecting member within each recess as a loose fit. Each connecting member has associated with it an insert member with an insert portion between the outer surfaces of the first and second frame members forcing the outer surfaces apart to tighten the connecting member and a cover portion covering a junction between the side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Omniglass Ltd.
    Inventor: Laurecne W. Davies
  • Publication number: 20090064624
    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: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: FLOORING TECHNOLOGIES LTD., Malta
    Inventor: Oliver SOKOL
  • Patent number: 7441384
    Abstract: The invention provides a new floor covering panel and floor covering system in which the floor covering panels include first and second generally planar surfaces, first and second side edges containing first and second complementary coupling members, respectively, and an adhesive composition selectively applied to at least a portion of at least one of the first and second coupling members. The adhesive composition providing the adhesive bond may be applied to at least one of the first or second coupling members during the floor covering manufacturing process. After a floor covering system is assembled, the adhesive composition provides a substantially non-refastenable bond between mated floor covering panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Miller, Gregory Fowler, Benny Ray Wood, Kirk T. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20080172971
    Abstract: A system for forming a flooring includes rectangular floorboards (1, 1?) including first and second types of floorboards (A, B), on which first and second locking devices are arranged in pairs on opposing short edges (5a, 5b) and long edges (4a, 4b), respectively, and on which the locking device of the first type of floorboard (A) along one pair of opposing joint edges is mirror inverted relative to the corresponding locking device along the same pair of opposing joint edges of the second type of floorboard (B). The system includes a third type of floorboard (C), which is so designed that a first one (5b) of its two short edges presents the first locking device (12) and both its long edges (4a, 4b) and its other short edge (5a) presents the second locking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventor: Darko Pervan
  • Patent number: 7389618
    Abstract: The invention is a building panel and clip system, in which the building panel members are quickly and reversibly attached to other similar building panel members with clip members to form a temporary structure that provides shelter from the elements. Alternatively, the building panel members are erected interior an existing structure to provide partitioning of the space therein. The building panel members are used to form both vertical walls and the roof for such an exterior structure. The building panel members may incorporate a door or a window for added versatility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Inventors: Shawn Herkstroeter, Nathan A. Mielke, Jerome E. Johnson, Jr., Andy Schieber
  • Patent number: 7377079
    Abstract: The invention relates to two panel elements which are flexibly connected to one another, at least one profiled lateral edge being provided on each of the panel elements for the flexible connection which, as connecting edges, have a suitable bearing and contact surface for an adhesive strip connecting the panel elements, so that the swivel axis is in the area of the adhesive strip. To prevent a transparent effect in the joint area, the connecting edges have a further profiling which enters a form-locking connection when the connecting edges are turned on one another. Furthermore, the invention comprises the method and the facility for producing the flexibly connected panel elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: W. Lehbrink GmbH & Co. KG, Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Hans-Jürgen Burow
  • Patent number: 7127860
    Abstract: Floorboards for installation of floors in herringbone pattern are formed with two opposite sides inverted relative to each other. The invention further comprises methods for producing and making floorings comprising such floorboards, as well as fitting pieces and sets of parts for such floorings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Tony Pervan
  • Patent number: 6988341
    Abstract: A vented hollow translucent/transparent plastic block for use in wall construction includes a single aperture disposed along the lower edge of the plastic block for alleviating pressure within the plastic block and for discharging any condensation within the plastic block that may occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Samuel R. Regina
  • Patent number: 6810633
    Abstract: A fastening device for securing adjacent, parallel boards to a transverse structure, including a top plate having flanges to fit into slots cut into the sides of boards, a center hole in the top plate to accommodate a screw or nail, and top and bottom tabs to provide uniform spacing and to support the fastener during attachment to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: G. Steven Harris, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6722809
    Abstract: A joint for two flat structural members, in particular floor panels, wherein a groove and tongue joint joining two flat structural members is provided functionally separate from a twistlock locking the two flat structural members. The twistlock is formed on one of the structural members, is spaced apart from the groove and tongue joint, and engages with a correspondingly formed engaging element of the other structural member. The locking is preferably formed both at the longitudinal edges and at the front edges of a rectangular structural member, such as a floor panel. The locking allows for a joint of the floor panels to occur in flat position, i.e. without twisting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hamberger Industriewerke GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Hamberger, August Hipper
  • Patent number: 6718709
    Abstract: A light-weight, portable display system which includes plural, hollow, plastic panels having uniquely contoured corners. The panels may be of flat or curved configuration. Most of the plastic panels are fabricated to present smooth front and rear faces. However, some panels are made with at least one slotted face for supporting shelves therein. Straight plastic connector components are designed to accept the corners of the panels, thereby connecting the panels in a manner to form a display area. Hinged plastic connectors are provided so that adjacent panels may be arranged at angles ranging from ninety to one hundred eighty degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventors: Tim Koutras, Saro Sarkisyan, Veram Badangiz, Paul Edmunds
  • Publication number: 20040031226
    Abstract: The invention provides a new floor covering panel and floor covering system in which the floor covering panels include first and second generally planar surfaces, first and second side edges containing first and second complementary coupling members, respectively, and an adhesive composition selectively applied to at least a portion of at least one of the first and second coupling members. The adhesive composition providing the adhesive bond may be applied to at least one of the first or second coupling members during the floor covering manufacturing process. After a floor covering system is assembled, the adhesive composition provides a substantially non-refastenable bond between mated floor covering panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Robert J. Miller, Gregory Fowler, Benny Ray Wood, Kirk T. Lowe
  • Patent number: 6684592
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a portable floor comprised of interlocking floor panels which may be used for dancing, theatrical productions, musical performances, trade shows, and other settings where it is desirable to have a firm wooden floor surface. The disclosed invention enables a single person to install or disassemble the portable floor. It eliminates the need for storing any additional hardware to connect the panels to one another. No special tools are required to assemble or disassemble a floor. The floor is easy to assemble. Once the portable floor is assembled each panel is locked at two different places, thus firmly connecting the floor together. Panels may be added as desired to increase the size of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Ron Martin
  • Patent number: 6637169
    Abstract: A resilient floor includes a plurality of parallel spaced rows of sleeper assemblies, or substructure members, supported by pads over a base, with a wear layer of floorboards secured to the rows of substructure members. The substructure members include an elongated lower panel with a pair of spaced rows of pads secured along the bottom surface of the panel, and corresponding rows of nailing strips secured to the top surface of the panel, to which the wear layer is secured. The panel may also include an middle row of designations, such as holes, for locating anchors to anchor the panel to the base, if it is desired to anchor the floor. Compared to other resilient floors the substructure members of this invention simplify and reduce installation and handling time, resulting in reduced labor costs. The structure itself also provides high strength and durability, but with reduced quantity and cost of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Robbins, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Niese, Paul W. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6418693
    Abstract: A flooring assembly and fastener therefor comprises flooring planks, preferably made of recycled lumber, and a clip fastener arranged between opposing longitudinal edges of the planks. The planks, in one embodiment, use tongue and groove construction. The clip is Z-shaped in cross section, one end portion of the clip catching the groove of a plank with the other end portion acting as a base for fastening to the joist. The clip fasteners are spaced along each joint and adjacent joints to retain the planks on the joists while permitting the planks to expand and contract at rates different than the joists themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Ballard International Distributing Co.
    Inventor: James S. Ballard
  • Patent number: 6357194
    Abstract: The tapered dovetail joint is a method of joining two boards, or other rigid materials such as particleboard, wafer board, etc., by a unique type of modified dovetail joint. The modification to the classic dovetail joint includes tapering the dovetail pins as well as the dovetail tails with the same angle of taper in the same direction. The mating of this tapered dovetail joint will be greatly facilitated due to these corresponding tapers. The tapered nature of this joint minimizes difficulties in assembly due to the wedging action that takes place as the two boards are brought into union to create the joint. This wedging action allows the joint to be assembled even when there is moderate damage to the tails or pins including swelling—due to moisture, from the time of manufacture to time of assembly, impact damage, as well as minor manufacturing tolerance deficiencies in cutting of the pins and tails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Archie Valejo Jones, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020020131
    Abstract: A method for constructing a reinforced concrete vessel at a construct site by assembling prefabricated panel type reinforced concrete members and fastening or connecting the members with an assembling and fixing means at a construction site in a short time and the reinforced concrete vessel obtained therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Akihiko Hongyo, Masaki Naito, Kazuhiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 6282858
    Abstract: An injection molded rigid roof panel system for constructing pitched roof structures of the type affixed directly to roof trusses or rafters and needing no structural or supporting sheathing surface or moisture barrier. Comprised of no less than (23) standard roof panel components of varying shapes, sizes, colors and exposed surfaces replicating conventional roofing surfaces. Panels overlap, underlap and interlock by means of an array of shoulders, locating ribs and clearance channels creating a unitized roof system utilizing integral seals at the seams, subsurface water channels and self sealing, threaded fasteners whose molded-in, counter-bored holes are further sealed by composite plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Andrew C. Swick
  • Publication number: 20010015042
    Abstract: A flooring assembly and fastener therefor comprises flooring planks, preferably made of recycled lumber, and a clip fastener arranged between opposing longitudinal edges of the planks. The planks, in one embodiment, use tongue and groove construction. The clip is Z-shaped in cross section, one end portion of the clip catching the groove of a plank with the other end portion acting as a base for fastening to the joist. The clip fasteners are spaced along each joint and adjacent joints to retain the planks on the joists while permitting the planks to expand and contract at rates different than the joists themselves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: Ballard International Distributing Co.
    Inventor: James S. Ballard
  • Patent number: 6237295
    Abstract: A flooring assembly and fastener therefor is comprised of a plurality of elongated flooring planks, with each flooring plank having on opposing ends a tongue-containing first longitudinal edge and a groove-containing second longitudinal edge. The flooring planks are arranged on a plurality of a supporting members, so that the tongue-containing end of a first flooring plank will engage the groove-containing end of a second flooring plank. The assembled flooring planks are securely held in place by a clip unit which is comprised of a base, at least one fastening means, a leg portion extending vertically from said base and a free, distal end portion sized to be positioned between the lower face of the tongue end of a first flooring plank and the upper face of the grooved end of a second flooring plank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Ballard International Distributing
    Inventor: James S. Ballard
  • Patent number: 6185878
    Abstract: A utility shed is disclosed comprising modular side panels (30) which are connected together by corner connectors (26) and in-line connectors (28) to form sidewalls. The connectors (26, 28) have an I-beam cross section and comprise U-shaped ends (106, 80) which engage relatively wide channels (62, 64) to securely hold the wall panels together. A door assembly is provided for engaging the corner connectors (26) and include pivot pin members (202) which attached to the vertical channel (114) of corner connectors (26) and allow pivotal door panels (164) to be suspended therefrom. Floor panels (116, 118) and lid panels (154) are provided compatible with the I-beam edge configuration of the side panels (30) such that the lid, floor and sidewalls mutually interlock with high structural integrity. The modularity of the side panels (30) allow for enclosures of larger or smaller size to be created using the same panel componentry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Hoke V. Bullard, III, William F. Croft, Gregory S. Floyd, Jonathan N. Mandell
  • Patent number: RE39439
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for laying and mechanically joining building panels, especially thin, hard, floating floors. Adjacent joint edges (3, 4) of two panels (1, 2) engage each other to provide a first mechanical connection locking the joint edges (3, 4) in a first direction (D1) perpendicular to the principal plane of the panels. In each joint, there is further provided a strip (6) which is integrated with one joint edge (3) and which projects behind the other joint edge (4). The strip (6) has an upwardly protruding locking element (8) engaging in a locking groove (14) in the rear side (16) of the other joint edge (4) to form a second mechanical connection locking the panels (1, 2) in a second direction (D2) parallel to the principal plane of the panels and at right angles to the joint. Both the first and the second mechanical connections allow mutual displacement of joined panels (1, 2) in the direction of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Valinge Aluminium AB
    Inventor: Tony Pervan