Not applicable
Not applicable
The present invention describes an interlocking metal framing system where the bottom edge of the metal support members is connected to the floor horizontal bracing member and the top edge of the metal support members are connected to the ceiling spacing-bracing member using interlocking notches to engage and secure the metal framing members together. The spacing-bracing members are U-shape and wrapped around the flanges of the metal support members. The metal support members have intermediate holes in the web and transverse the intersecting spacing-bracing members and for utility access between metal support members. In addition, the top edge and bottom edge of the metal support members at the web have holes with notches to engage the horizontal spacing-bracing members from moving vertically and horizontally or with gaps that allow the metal support members to move vertically within the metal support member gaps. The horizontal spacing-bracing members all have the same profile as a final product, that is, the wall notches or lip notches transverse the aperture in the support member. The spacing-bracing members are described as components but can be a one-piece continuous spacing-bracing member configuration even though a one-piece configuration is difficult to manufacture. The one-two piece spacing bracing member uses two different metal framing configurations, connects them together and shipped as a one-piece configuration. The two-piece configuration is two separate metal framing configurations shipped and manufactured separately but installed together as a final product assembly. A three-piece metal framing system when assembled will appear a one-piece, however a center metal framing member is installed first while the second and third members are installed as part of a separate wall assembly then connected as a fully assembled metal framed wall.
Another aspect of the invention is an insert clip plate that is installed over a base channel having a concave corner bulge at the web-flange corners and into the two concave corner bulges of the base channel at the support members with a short connector segment of the U-shape or hat-shape spacing-bracing member assembly attached to the insert plate. The insert plate can be installed anywhere along a base channel having the corner bulges to interlock the clip configuration to the support members.
The various FIG's show one- or three-piece framing components as the second framing component and or third framing component. The various one- or three-piece framing components typically show a double-lip configuration. The double-lip is referring to a reverse lip spacing-bracing member configuration with a web attached at a first side wall and a second side wall with a first lip and a second lip with lip notches extending from each side wall. When forming a one-piece configuration an adjacent side wall and lip are attached and become a double side wall with double lips having lip notches. The lip notches become the integral component to interlock the base plate with the lip notches into a T-shape or L-shape gap-notch to both ends of a vertical support member. When a reverse-lip spacing-bracing member is attached at the web of a standard U-shaped base channel, then a first side wall extends to become a second side wall extensions or lips with the bent side walls have notches or lip notches. The interlocking connection at the T-shaped or L-shaped gaps in the metal support member has two framing components entering the same L-shaped gap and each of the two framing components has flanges with lips. The center framing component has at least one flange having a double lip end with the double lip having a double lip notch. The double lip spacing-bracing member has a double lip notch at the bend between the first lip and the second lip that is below the first lip and occurs at the web of the metal support member. A pocket is formed when the inner lip forms an L-shape and the end of the inner lip with a double lip notch at the L-shape edge at the center spacing-bracing component when forming a continuous shaped member. On the other hand, the T-shape or L-shape gap allow the center framing component to have different outside configurations and allows the center framing component to be installed to the floor first, then have the wall panel fit over the center framing component with the lip portions engaging into the L-shape or T-shape gaps at the vertical support member. The lip ends with its notches allows the notches of both the metal support member and the spacing-bracing members to engage and interlock between each other thereby securing the two framing members together from vertical and horizontal movement between each other.
The spacing-bracing member does not need to be the full width of the metal support member but can be narrower and function as a connection between the webs of the metal support members. The interlocking notches can be angled or offset to increase friction between the framing members. The spacing-bracing members are connected to the metal support members and anchored to the floor and to a ceiling structure through the web of the spacing-bracing member.
The structural framing system also needs to be flexible allowing for the movement of the horizontal spacing-bracing members due to uneven live loads from people or dead loads from equipment or snow loads that will cause the horizontal spacing-bracing members to move which will then cause the metal support members to move. The movement within the metal framing structure has flexibility to allow the horizontal spacing-bracing members to bend without affecting the structural integrity of the metal support members.
Light gauge metal framing consists of vertical and horizontal framing members that are screwed or welded together to form a structural frame for walls, floors and ceiling framing for buildings. The vertical support members are typically a C-shape configuration that connect to a floor base channel or ceiling base channel by placing the support member into the floor base the flanges until aligned within the base channel, fasteners are then installed at the flanges of the floor base plate into the flanges of the support member. In addition, holes are installed into the web of the support members and horizontal bracing members connect the support members together. Early assembly connections had horizontal bracing members supported loosely within the holes, later adding angles to the support member to then connect fasteners to the angles and the horizontal bracing members. Over the years the properties of the metal for structural framing members have changed where the exterior surface of the metal is more abrasive allowing the connection between the horizontal bracing members and the vertical structural framing members to fit temporarily together.
Metal framing has progressed from interior metal framing supports to metal framing components having structural properties for load bearing wall systems and panelized wall systems with the exterior façade being finished and craned into position at and exterior wall. On the other hand, there has been no means to interlock the panelized wall sections to the building structure in a fast and efficient means.
Typically metal framing members are connected by screws or by welding the individual components together. The screws fasteners are used for light gauge framing but are also used for the heavier gauge metal. The bearing walls using metal framing are a heavier gauge metal and the components are connected by fasteners but are also crimped or welded together or threaded bolts with washer are used for heavy gauge metal. Some horizontal bracing members have used rivets or crimping two members together. Prior art has made some improvements to restrict horizontal movement between metal framing members, however, there has been no attempt to eliminate vertical movement without fasteners.
Metal framing has been typically installed when individual components are installed in place at the job site rather than building prefabricated panelized wall sections offsite then installed as panelized wall sections. In addition, vertical and horizontal wall framing members have not been fastened together without screws or welding that is have not been compatible to just click to twist together without the mechanical means of screws or welding. The present invention allows the horizontal and vertical framing members to just mechanically connect two components together. Many variations of a floor base channel have been developed using various notches however, none of the variations have eliminated the flanges for the floor channel base as the flanges of the base channel is used as the connecting means to secure the support member to the base channel. In addition, early attempts of securing the vertical and horizontal members together do not use an aperture in the web at the top and bottom of the support member nor in the service aperture in the middle of the web. In fact, this application shows notches within the service holes and the connection holes at the top and bottom of the support member that include notches. In addition, prefabricated wall panels can be installed over the center U-shape base plate member when the base plate has been firmly secure at the jobsite location. The lips with its notches in the base plate fit into the L-shaped notches at the vertical support member.
The patent by Andrews, Wm U.S. Pat. No. 7,223,043 issued May 29, 2007, U.S. Pat. No. 8,074,416 issue Dec. 13, 2011 changes the shape of the U-shaped floor framing member having V-shaped bulges at the floor track and support member extending inward toward the flanges of the support member that has a recess in the flanges to accommodate the V-shaped protrusion. The patent attempts to connect the two members together without using fasteners, however the patent only prevents vertical movement of the support member with no means of preventing horizontal movement and with no means of forming a screwless framing connection at the header above doors and windows. Daudet, Randy in U.S. Pat. No. 7,739,850 issued Jun. 22, 2010, shows clips used to connect the horizontal beam to the vertical support member. The clips require screws to be fastened to the support member and the beam needs to be connected to the clip. Standard base channel and support member connections are used to support the intermediate support framing above the door. Brady, Todd has several patents U.S. Pat. No. 8,281,544 issued Oct. 9, 2012, U.S. Pat. No. 7,730,695 issue Jun. 8, 2010, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,304 issued Feb. 20, 2007, uses clips in the floor base plate to connect to the support member that does not require fasteners, however the clips require fasteners to be secured to the base plate. In addition, Brady uses fasteners to secure a clip to the support member and where the clip needs fasteners to connect to the support member and fasteners to connect to the beam at the door or window opening.
The present invention describes an interlocking framing system with metal support members connecting metal framing members together by using notches from both members to interlock together. The notches interlock between each other in such a way that the notches replace screws as the fastening method for connecting metal framing therefore eliminating a screwdriver and the man hours to install screws rather than just snapping notches together. The support members have an aperture at the top end and bottom end of the support member with perimeter notches within the apertures. The perimeter notches have sub-notches within the perimeter notches and the size of the notches vary depending on what the notch is connecting. The sub-notches allow for notches to be L-shape to T-shape to connect crossing framing members. The intersecting metal framing members or referred to as spacing-bracing members connect the top end and bottom end of support members through the apertures. The spacing-bracing members have various configurations of bracing notches that connect to the perimeter notches or sub-notches at the apertures of the support members as well as being installed right-side up or right-side down. The spacing notches engage the perimeter notches is such a way as to eliminate vertical and horizontal movement within the aperture by interlocking the notches together. The notches are spaced apart so additional support members can easily be installed in the metal framing member or spacing-bracing members have different shape configurations with the spacing-bracing member. The spacing-bracing member are anchored directly into the floor or ceiling however, base channels may be installed under the spacing-bracing member and support member, or anchored by a clip having a U-shape configuration or, connected by the spacing-bracing member mounted directly onto the base plate or, the spacing-bracing member is formed as a single component where the base plate and the U-shape spacing-bracing member are formed as a one-piece component to connect the support members to the spacing-bracing member. To form a one-piece component, the spacing-bracing member a double-flange with a double-flange notch similar to the U-shape or hat channel shape of the spacing-bracing member.
The principle of using light gauge metal framing to form a rigid building structure by using only notches as the connection means is unique to the construction industry. To be able to form a metal structural building component by using friction fit interlocking notches is an important aspect of the invention. The aperture having perimeter notches at the top end and bottom end of the support members is unique and important aspect of the invention, because the connection is made at the apertures located at the top end and bottom end of the support members. The interlocking horizontal bracing members with member notches connect the perimeter notches and sub-notches in the aperture at the array of vertical support members to form a metal structure. The spacing-bracing members with the notch configurations interlock to the perimeter notches and sub-notches having indentation openings cut into various connection point locations at the floor and ceiling spacing-bracing member able to connect both members together eliminating vertical and horizontal movement between the members without requiring fasteners. Another aspect of the invention is the floor and ceiling spacing-bracing members connect the support members at the aperture leaving the top end and bottom end of the web, both flange edges and both lips edges open to engage the floor or ceiling. The metal framed walls are required by building and fire codes to protect by fire rated wallboards fastened to the support members. In addition, fire tapping at the floor and ceiling to protect a fire from spreading is required by some code requirements. Fireboard is recommended to be suspended above the floor to prevent moisture penetration into the fireboard and for expansion and contraction of the metal framing and fireboard. With the support members bearing directly onto at the floor, the spacing-bracing member passes through and connects to the perimeter notches and sub-notches of the aperture.
In standard metal framing construction wall board is installed over the support members leaving the flange of the U-shape base channel is exposed. When the spacing-bracing members are used in lieu of the base channel, a gap exists between the support members. Usually, flooring is installed over the floor and baseboards are installed over the wallboard, however a mineral wool fire barrier should be installed at the floor as well as fire tapping has been used lately to reduce fire from spreading between walls. Presently building codes require fasteners and flanges on the floor and ceiling base channel will require to be amended and the metal wall framing, and the firewall boards will have to be tested for various fire ratings and sound deadening characteristics.
The spacing-bracing members having a U-shape configuration with notches or hat-shape configuration with notches located at the: vertical side walls, side walls having multiple bends, lip, lip-flange notches using notches in flanges, lip-flanges, lip notches of the horizontal member have a hat channel shape where lips or bent flanges extend horizontally from the flanges and the lips have notches and the vertical support members have a hole also having a notch where the hole notches of the support member intersect the notches in the lip that intersects the vertical and horizontal members together. The intersecting of vertical support members to horizontal spacing-bracing members is used at the top and bottom of the support member. The same connection variations in the horizontal and vertical support members are used when framing a beam above the door or window opening except the web of the horizontal beam has an extension and that extension is bent forming a finger end at both ends of the beam. The finger ends can have notches where the web extension crosses the hole bottom edge. The horizontal spacing-bracing member with extension notches engages both sides of the web at the hole in the support members. The extension notches are slightly angled, so the hole perimeter side edge engages the side edge of the extension notch. The hole bottom edge can vary in shape depending on manufacturer and the different hole shapes affect how the connection engages the opposing crossing member. The self-locking connections as a one-piece beam has two ribs extending from the web of the beam either having an L-shaped notch in the rib or rib is L-shape rib (meaning a flange with a lip) having notches in the lips.
Another embodiment is the present invention describes a metal framing system having metal support members connect to horizontal spacing-bracing members through the intermediate access holes in the web of metal support members and at the top end and bottom end of the metal support members. The horizontal spacing-bracing members intersect and connect the metal support members by having vertical notches that indent the perimeter side edges of the aperture in the support member ole allowing the spacing-bracing member to overhang the hole letting the notches make the connection. If connection with notches at aperture, then aperture requires a hole notch to eliminate vertical movement. The side edges of the horizontal spacing-bracing members have lip or wall notches that transverse and engage the vertical side edges of the holes or gaps in the metal support member. The track member or beam support can have finger ends with notches at the finger and support member. In addition, the spacing-bracing member has notches in the lips or flange extensions that engage the aperture side edges with the spacing-bracing member overhangs the aperture in the support member. The metal support members have notches at the perimeter side edges of the access hole in the web for the horizontal spacing-bracing members to engage and connect the notches between adjacent metal framing supports. The floor and ceiling horizontal spacing-bracing members formed as a one-piece U-shape component with a left outside flange and a right outside flange with a continuous web configuration having two L-shaped flange-lip extensions between the left outside flange and the right outside flange. The two L-shaped flange-lip extensions each have double-lip notches indented into the double lip at the bend between the first lip and the second lip and located below the first lip for both L-shaped lip extension notches. The metal support member has two L-shaped gaps in the web that correspond to the two L-shaped flange lip extensions at the ceiling and floor horizontal spacing-bracing members for the L-shaped flange-lip extensions with the lip notches engage the gap notches. The double-lip spacing-bracing members have anchor bolts or fasteners to anchor the spacing-bracing member directly to the floor or ceiling or to the base plate where the base plate is directly installed to the floor or ceiling. Several alternative solutions are shown for the side flanges as well as fire protection solution for the metal framing system including mineral wool used as a fire barrier at the floor and ceiling horizontal spacing-bracing member. The gap between the fire wall board can have a fire stop with caulking or other materials to keep a fire from spreading into the wall structure of metal framing. The double lip along with the lip notches add considerable strength to the connection as well as when the lip notches are offset or angled to the opposing lip notches at the opposite side of the horizontal spacing-bracing member reducing or eliminating vertical and horizontal movement. The flexible L-shaped flange lip extensions allow the lip notches to fit snuggly between the L-shaped gaps at the metal support member.
Another aspect of the invention is the horizontal spacing-bracing members show the continuous one piece spacing-bracing member divided into two- or three-piece framing components at the floor and ceiling connections. The two- or three-piece framing components have the web of the metal framing support connected to the first piece of the horizontal spacing-bracing member at the L-shape gap in the support member with the second framing component connected to the first center framing component at the L-shaped gaps connecting the first center component to the second framing component. The interlocking connection at the L-shaped gaps in the metal support member has two framing components entering the same L-shaped gap and each of the two framing components have flanges with lips. The center framing component has at least one flange be a double lip with the double lip having a lip notch. The double lip spacing-bracing member has a lip notch at the bend between the first lip and the second lip that is below the first lip and occurs at the web of the metal support member. The second framing component at the outside flange can be configured in various ways. Some of the outer configurations allow for additional preformed bases to engage the second framing components with or without fasteners and different methods for protecting the metal framing system from fire hazards.
The center reverse lip spacing-bracing member at the base plate has the same configuration as a horizontal spacing-bracing member installed in the access holes of the metal support members connecting adjacent support members. The horizontal spacing member can vary in shape and consist of a web with extending flanges from the web and additional flanges or lips extending from the flanges with flange or lip notches that engage the hole side edges. The lip notches or flange notches are angled and or offset to the lip of flange notches on the opposing flange from the web.
Another aspect of the invention is the floor and ceiling mounted horizontal spacing-bracing member can be installed as a two-step process that is the center inner U-shaped bracing member is installed first and fastened to the floor and ceiling. The outside irregular shaped members are installed over an array of the support members with or without the exterior rigid boards like drywall are installed at the flanges of the support members forming a rigid framing panel. The rigid framing panel is then installed over the center inner U-shaped bracing member, so the lips of the center inner U-shaped bracing member engages the L-shaped notches in the web of the support member interlocking the two members together.
In another embodiment the horizontal beam can be configured without the self-locking connection, but as a U-shape spacer brace having a web with flanges and a web having an extension with hook finger ends. The self-locking connections provide deep ridges that extend from the web of the beam into the interior of the beam. These deep ridges can be formed in a one-piece construction of the beam or can be formed as three components. When used or installed as three components the center component can be installed first, for example the floor mount, where the center component is fastened to the floor and a preassembled wall panel could be formed having the two outside components assembled as part of the preassembled wall panel. The prefabricated wall panel could be an advantage during construction depending on the circumstances. But the ribs do increase the strength of the beam and are necessary when providing self-locking connections. The finger ends of the beam overlap the bottom edge of the hole at the web of the support member. Another type of beam is when the finger ends extend over the top of the web of the support member. A beam increases its strength by inserting an interior beam configuration within the framework of the beam shape. The beam with the finger ends can also be configured to have a raised web with notches so a tab could be extended from the web of the support member to interlock into a self-locking connection. The same connection variations in the horizontal and vertical support members are used when framing a beam above the door or window opening except the web of the horizontal beam has an extension and that extension is bent forming a finger end at both ends of the beam. The finger ends can have notches where the web extension crosses the hole bottom edge. The extension notches engage both sides of the web at the hole in the support members. The extension notches are slightly angled, so the hole perimeter side edge engages the side edge of the extension notch. The hole bottom edge can vary in shape depending on manufacturer and the different hole shapes affect how the connection engages the opposing crossing member. The self-locking connections as a one-piece beam has two ribs extending from the web of the beam either having an L-shaped notch in the rib or rib is L-shape rib (meaning a flange with a lip) having notches in the lips.
It is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of operation or structures shown and describing in the specification and drawings, since obvious modifications and equivalents will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The flexibility of the described invention is very versatile and can be used in many different types of building applications.
36 hole or aperture; 36se-hole side edge, 36be-hole bottom edge, 36te-hole top edge, 36p-hole protrusion, 36pn-protrusion nodule, 36fs-flange slot hole, 36v-V shape hole, 36r-round hole
42 support member, 42a-web, 42b-flange, 42c,
45 gap, L-shaped gap, 45s-slide gap, 45t T-shape gap
79 ledge
120 base channel, a-web, b-flange, 120bg-bulge
126 notch, 1tp 26p-lip notch, 126w-web notch, 126pp-double lip notch,
126
tp-tapered notch, 126f-flare edge
127 finger, bent arm
129 receiver, 129sh-receiver slot hole
156 reverse lip channel, 156a-web, 156b-flange
202 V channel, 202a-web, 202b-flange, 202c-lip
299 V shaped spacer brace, 202a-web, 202b-flange, 202c-lip
301 reverse lip spacer brace, 30a-web, 302b-flange, 302c-lip, 301e-extension,
301
g-bulge, 301ce-extended lip, 301cc-lip extension, 301bb extended side wall
302 U shaped spacer brace, 302a-web, 302b-flange, 302c-lip, 302cc-added lip, 302g-bulge
319 multi-plane spacing-bracing member, 319e-extension, 319b-flange, 319ic-inner lip, 319c-lip, 319ib-inner flange, 319ob-outer flange
323 double-lip spacer brace, 323a-web, 323b-flange, 323fb-first flange, 323sb-second flange, 323oa-outer web, 323ob-outer flange, 323ia-interior web, 323ib-interior flange, 323b-outer flange
331 fire board or hardboard
332 fire stop
332 fire resistant material
354 anchor bolt
366 insert clip, 366p-insert clip plate
367 vinyl base
This application is a continuous-in-part pending application U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/456,707, filed on Jun. 22, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,161,699 and this application claims priority to the following: continuous-in-part pending application US this application filed Jul. 20, 2023 that included:provisional application U.S. 63/313,624 filed Nov. 24, 2023 and,provisional application U.S. 63/453,124 filed Mar. 19, 2023 and,provisional application U.S. 63/469,793 filed May 30, 2023 and,continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 17/960,127 filed Oct. 4, 2022 that included:provisional application U.S. 63/088,341 filed Oct. 06, 2022 and,provisional application U.S. 63/313,624 filed Feb. 24, 2022 and,provisional application U.S. 63/282,152 filed Nov. 22, 2021 and,continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 17/871,964 filed Jul. 24, 2022 that included:provisional application U.S. 63/252,615 filed Oct. 5, 2021 and,continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/657,989 filed Nov. 18, 2019 and;continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/525,578 filed Jul. 29, 2019, and;continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/503,324 filed Jul. 3, 2019 and;continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/449,386 filed Jun. 22, 2019 and;continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/439,640 filed Jun. 12, 2019 and;continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/406,289 filed May 8, 2019 and;continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/396,624 filed Apr. 26, 2019 and;continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/354,081 filed Mar. 14, 2019 and;continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/198,831 filed Nov. 22, 2018 and;continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 16/195,847 filed Nov. 19, 2018 and;continuation-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 15/724,137 filed Nov. 3, 2017 now U.S. Pat. No. 10,442,136 issued Sep. 24, 2019 that included;provisional application U.S. 62/533,092 filed Jul. 16, 2017 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/490,917 filed Apr. 27, 2017 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/485,114 filed Apr. 13, 2017 (now expired) and,continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 15/449,250 filed Mar. 3, 2017 now U.S. Pat. No. 10,683,665 issued Jun. 6, 2016 that included;provisional application U.S. 62/399,434 filed Sep. 25, 2016 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/385,932 filed Sep. 9, 2016 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/378,615 filed Aug. 23, 2016 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/360,041 filed Jul. 30, 2016 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/345,153 filed Jun. 3, 2016 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/308,520 filed Mar. 3, 2015 (now expired) and,continuous-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 15/430,781 filed Feb. 13, 2017 that included;provisional application U.S. 62/264,033 filed Jul. 15, 2015 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/274,134 filed Dec. 31, 2015 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/294,756 filed Feb. 12, 2016 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/298,782 filed Feb. 23, 2016 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/308,520 filed Mar. 15, 2016 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/345,153 filed Jun. 3, 2015 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/385,932 filed Sep. 9, 2016 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/339,434 filed Sep. 15, 2016 (now expired) and;continuation-in-part pending application U.S. Ser. No. 15/295,172 dated Oct. 17, 2016 that included,provisional application U.S. 62/242,705 filed Oct. 16, 2015 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/244,135 filed Oct. 20, 2015 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/264,033 filed Dec. 7, 2015 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/274,134 filed Dec. 15, 2015 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/345,153 filed Mar. 6, 2016 (now expired) and;continuous-in-part of pending application U.S. Ser. No. 15/090,460 filed Nov. 19, 2015 that included,provisional application U.S. 62/143,097 filed Apr. 4, 2015 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/208,766 filed Aug. 23, 2015 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/242,705 filed Nov. 16, 2015 (now expired) and;continuous-in-part of pending application U.S. Ser. No. 14/946,378 filed Mar. 3, 2015 and,provisional application U.S. 62/083,276 filed Nov. 23, 2014 (now expired) and,provisional application U.S. 62/139,916 filed Mar. 30, 2015 (now expired and,provisional application U.S. 62/170,269 filed Jun. 15, 2015 (now expired) and;continuous-in-part of application U.S. Ser. No. 13/398,243 filed on Feb. 16, 2012, now abandoned, said application Ser. No. 13/398,243 is a continuation-in-part of application U.S. Ser. No. 12/456,707 filed on Jun. 22, 2009 now patent U.S. Pat. No. 8,161,699 and, provisional application U.S. 62/175,191 filed on Jun.12, 2015 (now expired), and provisional application U.S. 61/629,552 filed on Nov. 22, 2011 (now expired), and provisional application U.S. 61/628,044 filed on Oct. 24, 2011 (now expired) the disclosures of the above cited US Patent Applications and US Provisional Applications of the Applicant, including all drawings and all the specifications, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties into this US Patent Application. The four applications prior to Mar. 16, 2013:include (U.S. Ser. No. 13/398,243; U.S. 61/629,552; U.S. 61/628,044; and U.S. Ser. No. 12/456,707).
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17960127 | Oct 2022 | US |
Child | 18485080 | US |