Issued Patents -- Construction

PORTABLE TRACK-OUT PREVENTION SYSTEMS (PDF , Text Only, Figure 1)
A portable system for preventing the "track out" of dust, mud, and similar debris by vehicles leaving a construction site. The system provides a plurality of rollers in combination with vibratory structures designed to rotate and vibrate the vehicle tires in order to dislodge debris from the vehicle.

System for matched-stone cover plates (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A cover plate system for making custom natural stone cover plates for electrical outlets, wall switches and other outlets and openings over which it is desired to place a natural stone cover plate. The natural stone cover plates are made from quarried stone, cultured stone, and natural rock materials such as terrazzo, marble, and granite preferably supplied by the homeowner, or end user, to a central factory, then manufactured, then shipped back to the end user to match other such material being used in the end user's building.

Pool cleaning systems (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A vacuum pool cleaning system that is housed in the side of the swimming pool. The pool vacuum unreels itself and vacuums the pool when the central pool vacuum pump is turned on, and reels itself back into storage when the central pool vacuum pump is turned off. The vacuum hose is stored on a reel below the water line. The system is powered entirely by the vacuum from the pool vacuum pump.

Wire stripper systems (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A hand-held system adapted to assist stripping of an undulating outer jacket of a twisted pair wire. The system incorporates cutters to provide two longitudinal cuts through the outer jacket of the twisted shielded pair wire. The cutters are removable and replaceable.

Fire-control sprinkler riser systems (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A fire-control riser system that provides a multi-function unitary valve system including providing pressure test, pressure relief, and drain/test fluid flow capability for fire-control sprinkler systems. Furthermore, the fire-control riser system comprises an enclosure that provides for easier installation, pre-assembled components and protects such riser systems from damage during the construction process. Additionally, the fire-control riser system may be substantially comprised of plastic material. The system utilizes an improved flow switch coupling-attachment system that includes no-thread attachment or threaded attachment. The system also provides for multi-function components as well as reduced ports for component installation thereby reducing potential leak areas.

Well cap systems (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A system for capping the upper opening of a well having an accommodation for a remotely-located control device. More specifically, a well cap system for a water-well having a pipe casing that permits one or more well control apparatus to be located within the well cap. The system is a two-part assembly, comprising a base and hollow cover, both arranged to be supported by the pipe casing. Further, a constant pressure well system utilizing the water-well cap system.

Portable purifying system (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A portable purifying system for improved filtering and/or separating of cleaning solutions such as solvents, particularly those used in parts washers. The purifying system utilizes a removable reservoir to provide a smaller reservoir within a larger reservoir such as a parts washer. The portable purifying system provides an apparatus and method of use to perform the following steps: using re-circulating solvent from the larger reservoir, washing oily parts in such manner that oily residue from the washed parts is deposited in the smaller reservoir; separating cleaner portions of solvent from dirtier portions of solvent within the smaller reservoir using density differences to separate by gravity action cleaner portions from dirtier portions; moving the cleaner portions of solvent into the larger reservoir; and periodically emptying and cleaning the smaller reservoir.

Turf aerator core-cleaning systems (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
An aerator plug-core cleaning system for ground surface collection of turf cores extracted from a turf core-aerating apparatus. The core-cleaning system comprises a core-cleaner that primarily attaches to either a walk-behind or tractor pulled aerator machine. The core-cleaner entraps and pushes the extracted cores along behind the core-aeration machine until being lifted in about a vertical manner by secondary attachment to a rear raise-able portion of the core-aeration machine at which point the cores are left in a pile for disposal.

Slope determination system (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A hand-held system for determining the slope of an element having an irregular surface, such as a shingled roof, or along a surface that is partially obscured by adjacent elements. The system comprises an inclinometer having a double indicator to provide two simultaneous readings of slope.

Tool drive system (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A tool drive system for transferring rotational power from a rotational tool, such as a drill or ratchet, to at least one input drive shaft which then transfers the power to at least one output drive shaft. The angle of at least one input drive shaft being adjustable relative to at least one output shaft. The tool drive system comprises a round housing with an angle adjuster attached to the input shaft that assists in adjusting and locking the angle of the input shaft relative to the output shaft in an almost circular span. The input and output shafts may be positioned in a user-selected gear ratio from the input to output shafts or vice versa.

Backflow prevention system (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A backflow prevention system that helps prevent contamination of potable water distribution systems from backflow at fire hydrant connections.

Modular-grid fence system (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A modular-grid fence system that comprises integral connectors on each end that allows each respective grid to be connected to each other grid and form a fence. The connectors also provide that the modular-grid fence system may be utilized in angles from near zero degrees, to an in-line angle of 180 degrees. This connecting feature provides that the modular-grid fence system may be used to augment and provide additional restriction to an existing fence, or be used as a freestanding fence. In addition, the modular-grid fence system is stackable, easily assembled without tools, and storable or shippable in a flat container.

Light-blocking shutter system (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
An improved shutter and frame system for reducing light passing through and around a shutter. The system incorporates improved shutter manufacturing and a light blocking element along the sides of the louvers to block light from passing between the shutter frame and the louvers. The shutter utilizes a louver which never extends beyond the plane of the rear face of the shutter frame.

Cluster mailbox protective gate system (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A system for protecting cluster mailboxes such as neighborhood delivery and collection box units (NDCBU's) and Cluster Box Units (CBU's)from vandalism or theft of the mail. A custom-fit protective gate is built and installed around the mail carrier access doors of a cluster mailbox. The protective gate is built to aesthetically blend in with the neighborhood environment and may include decorative accoutrements such as decorative screening. Further, the system provides a means to install USPTO locks thereby providing uniform access by mail carriers. Even further, the system provides for double nesting doors to access a flat wall unit collection box, such that users may have secured access to individual mailboxes and a mail person may have secured master access to all mailboxes.

Manhole debris-catching system (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A debris-catching system for preventing debris from falling into the pipe opening at the bottom of a manhole catch basin. The debris-catcher comprises two semi-circular halves hinged together such that the two halves may be folded and inserted into a manhole opening. The debris-catcher comprises aligned apertures that allow it to be hooked and lowered into a manhole. The two halves are opened up to form a circular blocker which sets on the manhole bottom flat base. The debris-catcher allows normal effluent flow through the manhole while in place. The debris-catcher floats and will do so during an overflow condition. Further, the debris-catcher will resume its protective function after an overflow condition has subsided.

Open-web-joist load-support system (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
Shown is a clamping system with multiple clamps that work in combination with each other to support a load attached to an open web joist. This clamping system is typically used to clamp a piping system, of the type commonly used to suspend a basketball backboard and basket, to an open web steel joist of a gymnasium. The clamp combines a prior art "horizontal" clamp subassembly, which clamps to the opposed "lips" of the open web joist, with a second clamp subassembly which provides a "vertical" clamp centered within the horizontal clamp, supported above the open top portion of the open web joist and extending through the open middle portion of the open web joist.

Fire-control sprinkler system (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
This invention provides for a valve system for use in fire suppression systems that provides pressure relief, pressure testing, and drain/test fluid flow capability. The valve system consists of a valve body with an attached riser. Adjustably attached to the riser is a rotary handle for raising and lowering a spring loaded valve stem. A blocking plug is provided for attachment to the handle which operates to block the movement of the valve stem during pressure testing of the fire suppression system. A tension disk is adjustably attached to the inside of the riser to manually adjust the spring tension. In addition, a means is provided for preventing system fluid from contacting the spring.

Exterior wall sealing system (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A system for sealing the gaps that occur along the perimeter of a building envelope, particularly along with installation of an exterior finish system channel, or screed, as occurs in the installation and application of stucco. It is common to have gaps occur between the channel, base plate, and foundation of the building envelope. The system utilizes a foam sealing element in combination with the channel, caulking, a fiberglass netting that is installed along the bottom of the channel and the face of the foundation, and, an adhesive sealant that seals and adheres the fiberglass netting to the foundation. The system includes several embodiments for use in either new construction or as an aftermarket product.

Exterior lighting systems (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
Several matching exterior lighting systems for use on property having electrical service wiring. Lighting fixtures are made of pipe or wood, preferably PVC pipe or redwood. Several embodiments can be installed directly in the ground, while other embodiments can be installed on the vertical exterior surface of a building, or on the top of a wall. In all embodiments, the lamp and electrical connections are housed within the same enclosure, and no separate electrical box is needed. The embodiments made of pipe are coated with stucco, brick, stone, tile, wood, aluminum sheet, or copper sheet, to protect the pipe from environmental degradation. The preferred coating is stucco, and the invention includes a new method of applying stucco to a circular cylinder and manufacturing an article. All embodiments have elongated rectangular windows parallel both to the florescent light bulb, and to the axis of the cylinder, with translucent lenses to allow light to escape. The circular embodiments each have a single lens that covers all of the windows. In several embodiments, the florescent light and light bulbs can be accessed by removing the top of the light and lifting out the lamp which is hung from the top.

Hammer-ripper excavating system (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A hammer-ripper system for use with the mounting on the boom arm, of an excavator/backhoe, of a conventional hydraulically-operated hammer fitted with a "shortened" chisel. A "ripping-type" device like a chisel tooth mounts to a lever with its pivot point attached to the side of the hammer. One end of the lever extends to be impacted by under the shortened chisel, while the other end extends inward. Thus, the tooth end can be placed under embedded boulders and used to hammer (using the transmitted reciprocating action of the hydraulic hammer), and pry or break up the boulders from underneath with the combined hammering and ripping action.

Pipe connection system (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A pipe connection system has a non-threaded, quick-pipe connection for connecting pipe in a pressurized system, for connecting piping components within a fire sprinkler system, including a flow switch to a fire sprinkler system riser port. A male and female member are attached through the use of a through-slot in the female member that aligns with a groove in the male member such that a locking clip may be inserted through the female and male members when they are joined, thereby blocking the members from being dis-joined. An O-ring seal in a groove on the male member and sealable bore on the female member allow for a sealed and pressurized piping system.

Overflow drain outlet cover system (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
A system for covering drain pipe outlets, particularly, as they exit a building. The system includes a band that is tightened around the exterior of a pipe as it protrudes through the side of a building. Attached to the band is a hinged cover which is sized to entirely cover the pipe and hidden hinge. The cover may be covered with material to match or complement the building exterior surfacing, such as paint or stucco. In addition, the band portion may also include one or more restictors, such as bars, to prevent unauthorized access or debris from entering the pipe. The system provides for multiple size covers and bands for a wide variety of pipe sizes.

Overhang support system for gable roofs (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
This invention provides an overhang support system for gable roofs which eliminates any need to put a notch in the gable end truss top chord member. It utilizes a novel unitary connector device for improved support of overhang structures in a gable roof of the type including an overhang member, a gable end truss top chord member, and a first adjacent truss (to the end truss) top chord member. The rigid connector provides some holes for nailing to an intermediate support member, situated between the first adjacent truss top chord member and the gable end truss top chord member, or, optionally, in one preferred embodiment, if no intermediate support member is used, these holes are used for nailing to an overhang support member; and it provides some holes for nailing to an overhang support member, situated between the gable end truss top chord member and the overhang member; and also holes for nailing to the gable end truss top chord member. The connector is channel-shaped to fit snugly over, e.g., the overhang support member; and the connector enhances the strength of cantilever support of the overhang support member.

Fire-control sprinkler system riser means (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
This invention provides a fire-control sprinkler system riser for a residence, including a unitary manifold for porting to system components. The longitudinal manifold has pipe threads on its ends to connect to an inlet water pipe and an outlet sprinkler system; and it has ports all to one side of the manifold for mounting the riser system components in the following order from inlet to outlet: flow switch means; test and drain valve means; pressure gauge means; and relief valve means. On the other side of the manifold are support connections, as for attachment to a beam of the residence. The manifold may be connected facing either way, i.e., left support or right support, and it has indicia on both manifold facing sides for indicating flow direction and port identifications to a user from either side. Dimensions provide high efficiency in use of space, etc.

Sprayable roof coating systems (PDF , Text only, Figure 1)
Improved sprayable roof coating systems which provide immediate waterproofing of a newly-sprayed latex-based ionic roof coating by applying to the upper surface of such roof coating an ionic catalyst having a pH opposed to the pH of such roof coating, whereby such upper surface of such roof coating coagulates immediately to form a thin waterproof surface layer on such roof coating and the bottom portions of such roof coating are permitted to coagulate and bond to the underlying roof normally. Also, latex-based sprayable roof coating systems permitting use in roof mastics of recycled rubber and spray equipment for such systems which do not clog up when air spraying such recycled-rubber-containing roof mastics.