Separate Frame Patents (Class 52/79.12)
  • Patent number: 11624187
    Abstract: A multi-function leaf-separating-discharging height-and-angle-adjustable louvered pergola comprises: opposing end caps, multi-screen-securing edges, rainwater-and-wind-sealing insulation strips attached to multi-screen-securing louver blades for automatically raising and lowering shade and video projection screens and controlling fruit-drying duration and also functioning as a truck-bed tonneau cover, cradle axels inserted between cradle caps and rotation cradles, stanchions and rotation cradles screwed to first and second leaf-discharging side gutter beams, corner posts, multi-louver-control bar connected to linkage arm, linkage arm connected to worm-gear transmission controlled by multi-screen-raising-lowering multi-louver-control crank, first and second rainwater-channeling-and-leaf-filtering side gutter beams attached to the corner posts, the discrete-leaf-filtering tubes, spouts, corner-post base plates, and height-and-angle-adjustable tube screws screwed into the corner-post base plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG ZHENGTE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dee Volin, Zhou Jian
  • Patent number: 11365540
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a modular building structure including modular cartridges. In one example, a modular residential structure comprises a systems cartridge that is configured to provide a number of services for the modular residential structure. A spine cartridge is configured to be attached to a top of or a bottom of the systems cartridge. The spine cartridge comprises conduits for conveying the services from the systems cartridge to a number of access points. A planar wall can be configured to form a portion of the modular residential structure. The systems cartridge, the planar wall, and the spine cartridge can be prefabricated at an off-site location. The systems cartridge can be attached to the spine cartridge at an on-site location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PEOPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Wheeler, Robert Vance
  • Patent number: 11346118
    Abstract: A small structure is configured to house a plurality of humans in individual apartments in a sustainable manner. The small structure has a plurality of central support I-beams joined to a roof. A plurality of structural I-beams is arranged and supported four feet from a first and second distal edges of the roof. A central wall joins the plurality of central support I-beams. An interior wall bisects the central wall plurality of central support I-beams along the roof to a first exterior wall and a second exterior wall and a second exterior wall. A third exterior wall and a fourth exterior wall join the first exterior wall to the second exterior wall. A floor surface is joined to the interior wall, the central wall, the first exterior wall, the second exterior wall, the third exterior wall and the fourth exterior wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Robert Samuel Cordobes
  • Patent number: 10167645
    Abstract: A modularly constructed hospital which consists of stackable modules for patients and which is accessed from the outside by means of a service tower without the access paths and the paths for the patients intersecting with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventor: Gunter Geiger
  • Patent number: 9010036
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a modular shelter that is suited for use as a safety chamber in an underground working environment. The shelter includes at least two wall units connected along a substantially sealed seam, a base unit that extends substantially throughout a floor plan of the shelter, and a roll cage that surrounds an outer extent of the shelter above the floor plan. The shelter may be configured to maintain a pressurized state in a closed condition. Each of the at least two wall units may share a substantially common shape and substantially common dimension, and may form a part of a wall, ceiling, and floor of the shelter. The shelter can also include various atmospheric control, circulation, and purge systems, and exterior and soft seal doors to assist in maintaining a livable atmosphere in the safety chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Sumter Corporation
    Inventors: Rex McDonald, Hanners Gevedon
  • Patent number: 8973337
    Abstract: A modular construction kit for erecting a building is provided. The kit comprises a plurality of base track sections, a plurality of roof receiving tracks, and a plurality of wall panels. The base track is a U-shaped channel that extends around the base of the building and maintains the lower edges of the wall panels in a linear alignment. Wall panels include male, female, and hybrid (male/female) varieties, each variety having a different tongue and groove configuration on laterally opposing ends of the panel. Each wall panel has an outer skin and an inner skin separated by two divider walls and a structural bridge, which provide structural support across two axes. The roof receiving track is affixed to the upper edges of the wall panels to provide a supporting shelf for a roof structure. Thus, the invention is an easy to assemble kit for rapidly erecting buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: William Hires, Matthew Hires
  • Patent number: 8935890
    Abstract: The present invention disclosed an apparatus for reverse rectification, relating to the field of civil engineering technology. The apparatus for reverse rectification comprises two sets of steel plate hooks, which are reversely arranged and respectively fixed on the building and the skewed large-scale structure that needs to be rectified, and a jack which is horizontally placed on the steel plate hooks. The steel plate hooks, which are driven by the jack, push the skewed structure towards the existed building, whereby the skewed structure and the existed building can be spliced correctly. This present invention has more advantages, e.g. simple structure and convenient operability, which can improve the construction efficiency and reduce the construction costs. Therefore it can be widely used in the field of civil engineering technology. Further, the present invention also discloses a method for reverse rectification by using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignees: Guangzhou DI•ER Construction Engineering Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Construction Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhenying Chen, Long Wang, Junyue Gao, Mingqiu Yao, Shaobin Tang, Han Huang, Jingwen Hu, Qianyi He, Weijian Yu, Guoxiong Wang
  • Patent number: 8910439
    Abstract: A wall panel configured for quick and easy manufacturing and assembly to create affordable, sustainable buildings. The wall panel has a main wall section having an inside-facing surface and an outside-facing surface opposite the inside-facing surface; a first set of elongated studs embedded in the outside-facing surface of the main wall section, each elongated stud in the first set of elongated studs having a length; a second set of elongated studs embedded in the inside-facing surface of the main wall section, each elongated stud in the second set of the elongated studs having a length; wherein the length of each elongated stud of the first set of elongated studs is greater than a height of the main wall section, and wherein the length of each elongated stud of the second set of elongated studs is equivalent to the height of the main wall section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: M3house, LLC
    Inventors: Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdottir, Tryggvi Thorsteinsson
  • Patent number: 8910428
    Abstract: A roof panel system for use with a portable building is described herein. The portable building includes a support frame including a first wall plate, an opposite second wall plate, and a ridge beam positioned above the first and second wall plates. The ridge beam and the first and second wall plates extend between the first end wall and the second end wall along a longitudinal axis. The roof panel system includes a first panel assembly adapted to be coupled between the ridge beam and the first wall plate and a second panel assembly adapted to be coupled between the ridge beam and the second wall plate. Each of the first and second panel assemblies includes a plurality of pre-assembled, modular roof panels that are adapted to be coupled together to form the first panel assembly and second panel assembly, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: The ShedQuarters, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Rule, Gregg Wallner, James Aikman
  • Patent number: 8839568
    Abstract: A structure which includes a frame and a membrane covering the frame to define an interior space, the interior space housing one or more building structures. The building structures are primarily intended for temporary residential purposes but can be configured for communal, recreational, office, medical services, storage or other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Pac West Properties Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Molander, Tammy Monsell, Gordon Guthrie
  • Patent number: 8776453
    Abstract: A storm shelter that is configured specifically to facilitate erecting while also providing highly effective protection from high winds and other environmental phenomena is provided. In essence, the storm shelter includes the same exact size and shape panels, except for a single panel to allow for door placement, that permit expansion of shelter size in accordance with the builder's choice. Such panels are attachable to individual angle connectors to permit the initial creation of three-membered, U-shaped panel composites. Each composite may then be connected with another composite until the proper length of the building shell is provided. End panels are then attached with a door configuration on one end as well to complete the structure. Upon attachment to a solid surface, the user thus has an easily erected protective storm shelter. Utilization of proper gauge steel and a properly reinforced steel door, the shelter exceeds 250 MPH wind protection levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Phil Fain
  • Patent number: 8769908
    Abstract: A modular building panel preferably includes a plurality of lengthwise members, two end members, four corner members and a surface panel. Each lengthwise member and end member includes a first flange, a base member and a second flange. Preferably, two rows of base holes are formed in the base member and one row of first flange holes is formed in the first flange. The base and flange holes are sized to receive fasteners for assembling a plurality of modular building panels in either parallel or perpendicular orientations. Both ends of the lengthwise members are modified for insertion into the two end members. The second flanges of the lengthwise and end members are attached to the surface panel with fasteners. The four corner members are inserted into four corner cavities created by the junction of the two outside lengthwise members and the two end members and secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Patrick J. Santini
  • Patent number: 8769886
    Abstract: When constructing a unit building having a middle scale or more such as especially an apartment house, a long and large size building unit capable of reducing construction period while increasing construction efficiency and being economically provided can be achieved. Detachable temporary reinforcing members 2 are provided on both of the short side surfaces of the building unit body 1A, respectively. The temporary reinforcing member 2 has lower end portion on which a projecting portion 3 is downwardly projected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., Studio Cube, Inc., Arcadia Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Ohnishi, Akihiko Kobayashi, Satoshi Saigo, Hai Lin
  • Publication number: 20140123574
    Abstract: A structure which includes a frame and a membrane covering the frame to define an interior space, the interior space housing one or more building structures. The building structures are primarily intended for temporary residential purposes but can be configured for communal, recreational, office, medical services, storage or other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Pac West Properties Inc.
    Inventors: John Paone, Mark I. Porter, Nicholas Vale
  • Patent number: 8695283
    Abstract: An opening in a vapor barrier membrane interior to a ceiling can be sealed by a flexible enclosure. A planar member of the enclosure can be bonded to the inner side of the membrane. The enclosure is formed with a cavity that can encompass a ceiling mounted electrical device. A fastener is joined to the planar member permits bonding thereof with an interior surface of the membrane by manual application of a compressive force. The fastener may comprise a removable release liner covering an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventors: Jean-Guy Gagne, James W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8677698
    Abstract: A construction set and method for assembling a Relocatable Habitat Unit (RHU) requires a plurality of flat panels that include male (M) and female (F) connectors located on their respective peripheries. The entire RHU can then be assembled using a single, hand-operated tool to engage a selected M with a selected F. First the floor is established and leveled. Next, starting at a corner, the walls are erected around the floor. Finally, the roof is created. A same, hand-operated tool is used for each task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Stuart C. Segall
  • Patent number: 8671625
    Abstract: The present invention provides a module structure and a plant construction method capable of easily attaching a facility device of a plant and shortening a plant construction period. The module structure of the present invention includes a support member which temporarily supports a facility device component to be arranged in a cell constituting a plant at a designed position and which constitutes scaffolding for attaching the facility device component and forming the cell, a box-shaped frame which is possible to be carried into inner space of the cell while fixing the support member, and joint means which is detachably attachable and which temporarily assembles the support member and the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shizuo Imaoka, Shinichi Ebata, Masaomi Wada, Shigeru Fukushima, Masatoshi Yoshizaki, Nobuharu Satou
  • Patent number: 8646220
    Abstract: A system or kit of wood and plastic component materials is provided which can readily be assembled to form a structure. The components are precut so that measurement and cutting of the component materials is eliminated. The components are readily assembled using conventional fasteners. Components have precut notches in order to facilitate the assembly of the components without the requirement for measurements. This assures that the components will be assembled correctly and eliminates the opportunity for inaccurate measurements. The roof is formed from plastic panels secured to wooden trusses. The floor is formed from plastic panels secured to the wood framing of the walls. The plastic roof panels and plastic floor panels are designed to be secured to each other and to the wood frames to assure heavy duty interlocking construction of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Suncast Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert G. Kopp, Michael R. Vogler
  • Patent number: 8640396
    Abstract: A wind resistant modular ISO building includes a first cargo container, a second cargo container, and a mounting system. The first and second cargo containers are joined to each other by attaching adjacent lengthwise frame rails. Most of an inner lengthwise side wall of the first and second cargo containers is removed. The first and second cargo containers are also joined to each other by attaching a plurality of vertical channels of upper portions of the lengthwise side walls. A plurality of horizontal channels are attached to the plurality of vertical channels. At least two moment frames are attached to an inside of the first and second cargo containers. The end door of the first and second cargo containers are replaced with an end panel. Preferably, at least one door entrance and window system is formed in at least one of the lengthwise side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kwikspace Guam
    Inventors: Peter E. Gill, Peter E. Gill, III
  • Patent number: 8621787
    Abstract: The present application is directed towards systems and methods for building a living space during construction of a multi-unit housing structure. In particular, the present application describes various embodiments of prefabricated building modules that may be built and equipped with plumbing, HVAC and/or electrical fixtures prior to installation in a multi-unit housing structure. Because modules may be configured prior to installation in a housing structure, the use of prefabricated building modules may increase efficiency of construction and provide enhanced customization over other non-configurable building units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ironstate Development, LLC
    Inventors: Michael I. Barry, David Barry, Erikjan Vermeulen, Rob Wagemans
  • Patent number: 8505246
    Abstract: An outdoor screen room for creating a bug-free environment comprises a plurality of upright screened sidewalls held in a framework that also supports a plurality of screened roof panels that are pivotally attached to the framework, allowing them to be shifted between an enclosure-covering disposition for summer use and a vertical disposition during winter months when snow loads on a horizontal or a slightly pitched roof may be a problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Cadorath Leisure Products Ltd.
    Inventor: Gerald J. Cadorath
  • Patent number: 8499527
    Abstract: The present invention provides a building construction method and a room module which can realize reduction in a construction period in addition to reduction in an on-site working amount by further enlarging a room modularization range. The present invention uses four column members which are vertically provided at inner corners of four room modules adjacent to one another as a frame column of the building when a plurality of room modules are installed in a grid pattern on a floor surface of the building. Specifically, the present invention uses the column member of an angular steel pipe, which the room module has, as the frame column of the building. Thereby, on a construction site, it is not necessary to construct the frame column in advance, and the frame column can be constructed by using the column members of the room module while the room module is installed on the site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Kobayashi, Mikio Ishiyama, Naritoshi Idebashi, Shigemi Yasuda, Kiyofusa Shiihashi, Yoshio Serizawa
  • Patent number: 8484929
    Abstract: A method of constructing a subterranean storage facility formed by an array of abutting shipping containers. The inner side panels and structural bars of adjoining containers are removed to form an interstitial space defined by the remaining outer side panels of the array. The removed panels and bars are repurposed in the construction to provide an external shell and enhanced structural support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Hamza Begdouri
  • Patent number: 8429871
    Abstract: An affordable, sustainable building, comprising substantially entirely mass-produced, prefabricated constituent parts manufactured off-site, the prefabricated constituent parts comprising a foundation, a frame module comprising a plurality of frames, wherein the frame module is secured to the foundation, a reversible connector to connect the plurality of frames to form the frame module, a wall panel configured to be mounted onto the frame module, a floor panel configured to be mounted onto the frame module, and a ceiling panel configured to be mounted on to the frame module. Each constituent part forms part of a library of parts from which the constituent parts are selected. The constituent parts are preferably made in standardized sizes to facilitate efficient mass production. The constituent parts are predominantly made of recyclable material so as to be environmentally friendly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdottir, Tryggvi Thorsteinsson
  • Patent number: 8429857
    Abstract: A blast and ballistic protective wall assembly for use on an exterior of a container includes a frame having four corner posts, two lower side members having fork lift openings formed therethrough, two upper side members, two lower cross members, two upper cross members, lower corner castings attached to the lower ends of the corner posts, and upper corner castings attached to the upper ends of the corner posts, the frame supporting side walls, end walls, and a roof of the container. The blast and ballistic protective wall assembly further includes an attachment member attached to a portion of the frame and a plurality of composite panels. One end of each panel is attached to the attachment member, and the other end of the panel is attached to another panel, a portion of the frame, or another attachment member. Each panel is thereby attached to a wall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Paul T. Melrose, Richard F. Nye, Ashley E. Tower, Laurent R. Parent, Robert T. O'Neil
  • Patent number: 8418411
    Abstract: The invention relates to an integral, industrialized, modular dwelling system which is based on modular, multi-functional, three-dimensional modules that are made from reinforced concrete. The modules, roofing and components are produced in a semi-automated covered plant in which the modules are first cast and set and subsequently provided with integrated finishes, installations, accessories, partitions and details. The invention also relates to a method for constructing the modules, a retractable flexible mold for casting said modules and a method for the on-site building of dwellings using the inventive three-dimensional modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Carlos Garcia, Velez Y Cortazar
  • Patent number: 8356446
    Abstract: A capsule room unit for use as a capsule bed or other private space has a horizontally oblong rectangular parallelepiped room framework formed by columns, beams and panel materials fitted into the room framework to constitute a ceiling, a floor and walls, wherein the columns and the beams are composed of extruded materials each having a longitudinally consecutive groove. The panel materials of the ceiling and walls are composed of synthetic resin or FRP hollow panel materials each having peripheral flanges at a periphery along a plane direction, and the flanges of the hollow panel material are inserted and fitted to the grooves of the extruded materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cosmonde Corp.
    Inventors: Masashi Takeda, Masakuni Takeda
  • Patent number: 8333039
    Abstract: A building includes a wall and a roof. The wall encloses an enclosed area, and the wall comprises a plurality of standardized modules, each having an inner space used as a room. The roof covers the enclosed area. The standardized modules are standardized, and thus very convenient to manufacture. In addition, the standardized modules can be transported quickly and efficiently, therefore, the building as disclosed is convenient and reliable to construct and dismantle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mu-Chi Hsu, Dong-Sheng Lin, Chin-Tsan Huang, Guo-Jiang Wu
  • Patent number: 8286391
    Abstract: This invention reveals a type of portable building, which includes a box which forms the main body of the building, the box being cubic in shape, at least one movable top plate that forms the roof of the building, one side of such movable top plate connecting to and pivoting on one side of the top panel of the box, and such top plate rotating around the pivot downwards to lean against the side panel of the box, at least one movable bottom panel that is provided for the bottom panel of the building, one side of the movable bottom panel connecting to and pivoting on one side of the bottom panel, and such bottom panel rotating around the pivot downwards to lean against the side panel of the box, the pivots of the bottom panel and the top plate are located on the same side panel of the box, at least one side plate is provided for the side wall of the building, the side plate that supports between the edge of the bottom plate and the edge of the top plate being vertical and knock-down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventors: Zhenqiu Yang, Xiuyuan Yang
  • Patent number: 8166714
    Abstract: Prefabricated, steel framed, rectangular building modules are joined in groups to form multi-unit residences, or commercial or institutional buildings. The modules are disposed in rectangular groups abutting one another so as to form a central rectangular core bounded by the units. Utilities are connected to each module through the core. Multiple story buildings are formed by similar groups having cores aligned vertically. Alternating stories are rotated relative to one another about the central core axis to produce cantilevered structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Robert L. Ziegelman
  • Patent number: 8109044
    Abstract: An outdoor shower enclosure that may include a roof and a base frame having a plurality of metal structural members that are connected together to define a peripheral edge with a plurality of mounting plates. A plurality of substantially vertically extending support posts may be provided that extend between the mounting plates and the roof. In some cases, the support posts may be spaced apart approximately equidistant from each other along the peripheral edge. The shower enclosure may include a plurality of vinyl wall panels disposed between the posts. In some cases, a vinyl floor panel could be carried by the base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Digger Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Loren R. Graber
  • Patent number: 8104587
    Abstract: An elevator car consists of a floor, side walls, a back wall and a roof which are each constructed in a modular manner from a plurality of panels and which can be held together by means of connecting elements. The floor is formed from, in total, eight floor panels. The threshold is connected with the floor panels. The side walls each consist of ten wall panels. The back wall consists of eight wall panels and the roof consists of six roof panels. On site, the elevator car can be constructed in a short assembly time by means of plug connections and with a few screw connections. The panel mode of construction enables a low-volume transport of the elevator car to the construction site directly from the punching and changing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Raffaele Starace
  • Patent number: 8082700
    Abstract: A building structure with a tubular frame structure in a hut shape may be provided with cladding in the form of curved panels to provide a temporary or emergency shelter. These panels may consist of two spaced-apart plastic sheets fused together by parallel ribs serving as webs to provide parallel channels therein, e.g., Coroplast™-like sheeting. Such sheeting is preferably stiffening with one or more battens that are inserted through the hollow channels of the panel allowing them to be used as semi-rigid cladding over the entire building structure. The outer tubular members of the frame are all curved to improve rigidity. The frame includes channels for seating the panels as well as contribute to the structural integrity of the shelter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Housall Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Miles Kennedy, Mark Edey, Reinier Halbertsma, Aldo Balatti
  • Patent number: 8069618
    Abstract: A sterilization plant for the sterilization of surgical instruments is provided. The plant includes at least one original building (1) having at least one first process line that extends, at least partly, essentially parallel to a first one (2) of the essentially limiting external walls (2, 3, 4, 5) of the original building (1). The sterilization plant further includes at least one extension module (31) located next to and, at least partly, essentially parallel to the first external wall (2). Also provided are an extension module (31) and a method of increasing the capacity of a sterilization plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Luki AB
    Inventor: Hol Michael Larsson
  • Publication number: 20110289861
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus are disclosed that relate to an abatement system. Some methods and apparatus relate to one or more aspects of a field erectable abatement system. The field erectable abatement system may include a plurality of prefabricated skeleton segments that may be transported to a location and field erected at the location. One or more skin segments may also optionally be provided and optionally be coupled to the skeleton segments prior to being transported to the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: MARK AMMONS, DONALD W. SHEPHERD, JOHN E. KRAFT, JERRY M. CLEMENTS
  • Patent number: 7987614
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and processing method for drying lumber, for example two-by-four studs in an environment in a kiln in a manner to avoid warping, including crook, bow, cup and twist. The lumber pieces are stacked in a normal manner with stickers for providing air flow between courses of the lumber pieces, and the stack is dried while a horizontal force is provided to the respective courses of lumber in the stack to hold the individual pieces of lumber in edge to edge contact throughout the drying, equalizing, conditioning and cooling process for first drying of lumber, redrying of lumber or in a treatment process for removing warp from previously dried lumber. A vertical force comprising a weight or other force generating device can be also applied to the stack of lumber to augment the overall reduction in warpage if so evidenced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: Robert W. Erickson
  • Patent number: 7963072
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system or kit of injection molded panels and other components having integrated connectors which combine together to form an enclosure, preferably in the form of a gazebo. The support posts, roof rafters, roof supports, roof panels and walls are formed of injection molded plastic to interlock with one another without the need for separate I-beam connectors. The system incorporates a minimum number of components to construct a gazebo type enclosure by integrally forming connectors in to the injection molded components and panels. This minimizes the need for separate extruded or molded connectors to assemble the enclosure. The symmetry of the support posts, roof rafters, roof supports, roof panels and other components also minimizes the shapes of the components and simplifies construction of the gazebo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Suncast Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Torrence Anderson, Michael Uffner, Michael R. Vogler, Brian C. Donnelly
  • Patent number: 7941975
    Abstract: An affordable, sustainable building, comprising substantially entirely mass-produced, prefabricated constituent parts manufactured off-site, the prefabricated constituent parts comprising a foundation, a frame module comprising a plurality of frames, wherein the frame module is secured to the foundation, a reversible connector to connect the plurality of frames to form the frame module, a wall panel configured to be mounted onto the frame module, a floor panel configured to be mounted onto the frame module, and a ceiling panel configured to be mounted on to the frame module. Each constituent part forms part of a library of parts from which the constituent parts are selected. The constituent parts are preferably made in standardized sizes to facilitate efficient mass production. The constituent parts are predominantly made of recyclable material so as to be environmentally friendly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventors: Erla Dogg Ingjaldsdottir, Tryggvi Thorsteinsson
  • Patent number: 7779579
    Abstract: A modular enclosure may include a number of interlocking components, such as panels, that may be interconnected to form sidewalls, roof and/or floor. In particular, the modular enclosure may consist of a shed and the shed may be packaged within a container. For example, the shed may constructed from a number of outer wall panels and corner panels. The corner panels preferably include a living hinge that allows the corner panel to be moved between a generally planar position and an angled position. Advantageously, the wall panels and the corner panels may be capable of being stacked within the container to facilitate packaging of the shed when the corner panels are in the generally planar position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry D. Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calkin, Neil Watson, Robert A. Astle, L. Curtis Strong, Rich Howe, David C. Winter, Kent Ashby, Troy William Nye
  • Publication number: 20100205871
    Abstract: A modular enclosure may include a number of components, such as floor panels, wall panels and roof panels, which may be interconnected to form a structure such as a shed. For example, the shed may include wall panels with connecting portions that are sized and configured to allow adjacent wall panels to be interconnected. The wall panels may also include outwardly extending projections that allow the wall panels to be connected to the floor panels. In addition, the wall panels may include receiving portions that may receive portions of the roof panels, such as an outwardly extending lip. Advantageously, a truss may extend through the receiving portions in the wall panels and the truss may include a channel that is sized and configured to allow any water that enters the shed through a roof panel seam to be removed from the shed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Barry D. Mower, Brent Steed, Jay Calken, Neil Watson, Robert A. Astle, L. Curtis Strong, Rich Howe, David C. Winter, Kent Ashby
  • Patent number: 7765745
    Abstract: Consideration is given to parameters for providing re-use of worker housing in similar, or the same, applications at other sites or other projects as well as parameters governing re-use for alternate secondary uses usually common to the area of initial use, thereby avoiding transport for long distances or wasteful disposal of worker housing structures. Secondary uses for manufactured worker housing modules according to the present invention can be, for example, smaller or reconfigured dormitory-style housing or residences or family housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Atco Structures & Logistics Ltd.
    Inventors: Walter A. Kmet, Stefan Kalny, Lorne E. Hillier
  • Patent number: 7694462
    Abstract: A pod comprises a box-section steel frame (1) having horizontal structural members (4, 11). A floor is provided by welding a 6 mm steel plate (10) to the horizontal structural members (4, 11). The plate (10) has a checkered pattern of 2 mm ridges on its lower surface. A combination of inherent stiffness of the plate material, the ridges (50) and welding to both edge (4) and internal (11) structural members achieves sufficient stiffness of the floor to allow it to be tiled off-site during manufacture because the floor is thin, there is no need for the builder to provide a recess in the concrete on-site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Thin Floor Pods Limited
    Inventors: Patrick Donal O'Callaghan, Eric Lisson
  • Patent number: 7673422
    Abstract: A building module has an open-ended box structure and comprises a plurality of interconnected coaxial module segments. Each segment is moulded as an open-ended box structure from a composite material. The segments are held together by elongate tie bars that form part of a lifting frame and extend substantially along the length of the module. The lifting frame comprises end frames that are embedded in end segments of the modules and that are connected to each other by the tie bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Peter William De La Marche
  • Publication number: 20090211175
    Abstract: A set of extruded interlocking moldings joins together panels of framed glass and/or framed glass doors. A first molding has a channel along an edge of one face and a groove in the opposite face. A second molding has a tongue extending along an edge of one face and a flange along an edge of the opposite face. The channel of the first molding is configured to receive and hold the tongue of the second molding to secure the moldings together as the panels are aligned. The flange of the first molding snaps into the groove of the second molding when the moldings are rotated to a predetermined angle with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Guidos
  • Publication number: 20090090069
    Abstract: A modular tower structure is described herein. The modular tower uses a cost-effective, efficient design that reduces the amount of steel necessary for tower structures for wind turbines. The modular tower is constructed from sections. The sections are constructed from panels. The panels comprise a curved or arcuate shape. The panels include vertical edges and horizontal edges. A vertical connection connects or secures the panels at the vertical edges of the panels and forms the sections. The sections have a generally circular shape. The vertical connection includes an interior vertical friction plate positioned over a seam or gap between adjacent panels and an exterior vertical friction plate positioned over the seam or gap between adjacent panels. A horizontal connection connects or secures the sections at the horizontal edges of the panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey Willis
  • Patent number: 7509776
    Abstract: A modular storage shed system is provided, including an upper frame assembly having a plurality of vertically oriented posts, each post defining an elongated slot extending axially along at least a portion of a length thereof, a plurality of external wall panels each defining a pair of side edges, each wall panel including a lip extending orthogonally from at least a portion of each side edge thereof and defining at least one aperture formed therein. There is provided a plurality of panel locks having a lock member. The lock member may snap-fit engage the apertures in the lips of the wall panels when the lips of adjacent wall panels are positioned within the slot of a common vertical post and when the lock member of the panel lock is pressed between the adjacent wall panels into the slot of the vertical post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Arrow Group Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ron Reisman
  • Publication number: 20090056238
    Abstract: The invention relates to a kit for making a device for protecting junction boxes on the outside walls of buildings and/or utility service units near the outside walls of buildings from the effects of weather, etc. To create a kit which can be used very quickly and easily to protect the previously mentioned junction boxes and utility service units from the effects of the weather, etc., where the cost of a kit of this type is very low, the kit consists of a U-shaped frame (4), which can be attached to the outside wall (2), and which carries a seal (6) on the side (5) of (4) facing the outside wall (2). A roof (9), which slants downward from the frame (4), can be mounted on the connecting web (7) between the sidepieces (8) of the frame (4). In the area of the front edge (10) of the roof (9), posts (11) are provided, which can be connected to the roof (9) and which are mounted on ground anchors (13) or the like inserted into the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Hans-Gunter Hoffman von Guretzky-Cornitz
  • Publication number: 20090013615
    Abstract: A foamed resin knockdown house in which recesses are provided in opposite end surfaces of adjacent resin segment pieces, reinforcing members are accommodated in closed spaces defined by the opposite pairs of recesses to join together the adjacent segment pieces. Thus, the house is assembled, forming a living space inside. The foamed resin knockdown houses may have inside spaces of various forms depending on the purpose for which they are used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: YUGENKAISHA JAPAN TSUSYO
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20080120925
    Abstract: Demountable modular structure for the construction of one-deck raised parking lots, preferably without foundations, designed to be employed for parking vehicles in angled arrangement, or herringbone pattern, including two or more parallel structure strips, each one defined by two rows of pillars offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the structure strip so as to form, between two adjacent couples of pillars, parallelogram-shaped portions of ground surface, wherein the upper level is made of an orthogonal network of main beams resting on each one of the rows of pillars and secondary beams resting on the pillars or fixed in orthogonal position to the main beams, and of rectangular or square floor slabs. The structure allows easier parking and maneuvering of larger vehicles as compared with structures with 90-degree parking stalls, with no detectable losses of efficiency in terms of parking places obtainable from a given available surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Stefano Paolucci
  • Patent number: 7334377
    Abstract: An air handling unit (AHU) for housing a number of components used in a heating or cooling system to provide forced air for climate control in a particular structure includes a single raceway construction having both low thermal conductivity and enhanced mechanical properties for use with lifting the AHU; a single insulated panel construction having a minimum number of components as well as enhanced mechanical properties for use as the floor in an AHU compartment; to minimize costs associated with fabrication and installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Dubensky, Jack Yue Jia, Dennis R. Runkle, Wayne Joseph Pierjok, Dennis Wayne Smith, Martin Dale Weatherd, Kevin Lee Stein, Nathan E. Pears, Dennis Timothy Diamond, Robert H. Edgell