Joseph J Kowalski

US Patent:

42639522, Apr 28, 1981

Filed:

Jun 28, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/053076

Inventors:

Joseph W. Kowalski - Florissant MO

Assignee:

B-Line Systems, Inc. - Highland IL

International Classification:

F16B 3900
E04B 100

US Classification:

411112

Abstract:

A fastener for securing parts to metal framing such as channel framing having side flanges with inwardly, hook-shaped lips defining a slot therebetween. The fastener comprises an elongate body or nut having inside and outside faces, opposite sides and opposite ends, a width less than that of the slot and a length greater than that of the slot. The fastener also includes a clamp member secured to the nut for clamping the nut on the channel. The clamp member has a crosshead which is spaced outwardly from the outside face of the nut and which is longer than the width of the slot. The clamp member also includes a spring latch which is sprung into engagement with the inside face of the channel framing when the nut is in a position wherein its outside face engages the inside face of the framing on opposite sides of the slot, thereby to bring the ends of the crosshead into clamping engagement with the outside face of the framing on opposite sides of the slot and the nut into clamping engagement with the inside face of the framing on opposite sides of the slot.

US Patent:

50549782, Oct 8, 1991

Filed:

Jan 24, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/645150

Inventors:

Joseph W. Kowalski - Florissant MO

Assignee:

B-Line Systems, Inc. - Highland IL

International Classification:

F16B 2700
F16B 3708

US Classification:

411 85

Abstract:

A channel nut which can be economically made for securing parts to metal framing (e. g. channel framing) having side flanges with inwardly turned, hook-shaped lips defining a slot therebetween. The channel nut comprises an elongate body having inside and outside faces, opposite sides and opposite ends, a width less than that of the slot and a length greater than the width of the slot. The bottom includes side flanges and is preferably formed in rhomboid sections from channel metal. A tapped hole extends through the bottom.

US Patent:

43056776, Dec 15, 1981

Filed:

Oct 4, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/081654

Inventors:

Joseph W. Kowalski - Florissant MO

Assignee:

B-Line Systems, Inc. - Highland IL

International Classification:

F16D 100

US Classification:

403295

Abstract:

A connector for a channel having a web and side flanges with inwardly turned, hook-shaped lips defining a slot therebetween. The connector comprises a channel-shaped connecting member having a pair of side walls with longitudinally extending edges and a connecting wall having a circular opening therein. The connector further comprises a relatively flat thin round screw member threaded in the opening and having opposing end faces of substantially the same diameter, the screw member being threaded substantially from one end face to the other. The member is axially inserted inside the channel with the open side of the member toward the channel slot to a position in which the side walls of the member are adjacent and parallel to the side flanges of the channel with the longitudinally extending edges of the side walls spaced from but adjacent to the lips of the channel, and in which the connecting wall is adjacent and generally parallel to the web of the channel with the screw member in position for engagement of one end face thereof with the web of the channel on rotation of the screw member thereby to force the web of the connector away from the web of the channel and the edges of the side walls of the connector locking engagement with the lips of the channel rigidly to secure the member to the channel. The thickness of the screw member is such that when the connector is in locking engagement with the channel, the other end face of the screw member does not project substantially beyond the surface of the connecting wall opposite the web of the channel.

US Patent:

42853796, Aug 25, 1981

Filed:

Sep 17, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/076461

Inventors:

Joseph W. Kowalski - Florissant MO

Assignee:

B-Line Systems, Inc. - Highland IL

International Classification:

F16B 3900

US Classification:

411 85

Abstract:

A fastener for securing parts to metal framing such as channel framing having side flanges with inwardly turned, hook-shaped lips defining a slot therebetween. The fastener comprises an elongate body or nut having inside and outside faces, opposite sides and opposite ends, a width less than that of the slot and a length greater than the width of the slot. The fastener also includes a clamp member carried on the outside face of the nut for engaging the curved outside faces of the channel lips, a retainer on the inside face of the nut and engageable therewith, and guide members extending from the clamp member to a position beyond the inside face of the nut and the retainer. At least one of the guide members has a portion bent to provide a spring finger engageable with the retainer for providing spring action tending to draw the clamp member in the direction back toward the outside face of the nut thereby to clamp the clamp member and nut against respective outside and inside faces of the channel lips.

US Patent:

44859988, Dec 4, 1984

Filed:

Jun 26, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/278218

Inventors:

Joseph W. Kowalski - Florissant MO
Charles N. Cunneen - Navasota TX

Assignee:

B-Line Systems, Inc. - Highland IL

International Classification:

F16M 1300

US Classification:

248561

Abstract:

A spring hanger comprising a casing, a coil compression spring in the casing, a piston plate in the casing engageable with one end of the spring and adapted for connection to a load to be supported by the hanger, and a spring reaction member in the casing engageable by the other end of the spring, the piston, when connected to the load, being adapted for movement in the casing to compress the spring. Support members hold the reaction member in fixed position with respect to the casing against the expansionary force exerted by the spring when the latter is compressed against the reaction member. The support members are detachably secured in openings at spaced intervals around the casing and project into the interior of the casing, each member being engageable with the casing for resisting movement of the support member relative to the casing in the direction of the expansionary force while permitting movement of the support member in another direction relative to the casing for removal of the support member from its respective opening.

US Patent:

44602995, Jul 17, 1984

Filed:

Mar 8, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/356245

Inventors:

Joseph W. Kowalski - Florissant MO

Assignee:

B-Line Systems, Inc. - Highland IL

International Classification:

F16B 3900

US Classification:

411 85

Abstract:

A fastener for securing parts to channel framing having side flanges with inwardly turned, hook-shaped lips defining a slot therebetween. The fastener comprises an elongate body or nut having inside and outside faces, opposite sides and opposite ends, a width less than that of the slot and a length greater than the width of the slot. The fastener also includes a clamp member carried on the outside face of the nut for engaging the outside faces of the channel lips, and guide members extending from the clamp member to a position beyond the inside face of the nut. At least one of the guide members has a portion bent to provide a spring finger receivable in a recess in the inside face of the nut to hold the clamp member in assembly with the nut. The spring finger is also engageable with the nut for providing spring action tending to draw the clamp member in the direction back toward the outside face of the nut thereby to clamp the clamp member and nut against respective outside and inside faces of the channel lips.

US Patent:

40444287, Aug 30, 1977

Filed:

Sep 8, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/611529

Inventors:

Joseph W. Kowalski - Florissant MO

Assignee:

B-Line Systems, Inc. - Highland IL

International Classification:

F16L 308
B65D 6702

US Classification:

24 16R

Abstract:

A clamp for clamping a conduit to a support, the clamp accommodating any conduit having an outer diameter within a specified range of diameters. The clamp includes a pair of clamping straps, one for each side of the conduit and each strap has a stem portion having ears engageable with the channel, an intermediate portion having a window or cutout therein with bridge portions on opposite sides of the window, and an outer end portion. The outer ends of the straps are bolted together so that upon the ends of the straps being drawn together, the bridge portions of the straps conform to and grip portions of the outer surface of the conduit. The window, the bridge portions and the ears of the straps are so structured that the tensile strength of the bridge portion only slightly exceeds the strength of the ears.

US Patent:

44102984, Oct 18, 1983

Filed:

Oct 2, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/192942

Inventors:

Joseph W. Kowalski - Florissant MO

Assignee:

B-Line Systems, Inc. - Highland IL

International Classification:

F16B 3704

US Classification:

411112

Abstract:

A fastener for securing parts to metal framing (e. g. , channel framing) having side flanges with inwardly turned, hook-shaped lips defining a slot therebetween. The fastener comprises an elongate body or nut having inside and outside faces, opposite sides and opposite ends, a width less than that of the slot and a length greater than the width of the slot. The fastener also includes a clamp member secured to the body having portions generally adjacent opposite sides of the body engageable with the outside face of the framing when the body is aligned with, entered into and passed through the slot in the framing. These portions remain substantially stationary with respect to the body when the latter is turned to its crosswise position. The clamping member also has resilient clamping portions generally adjacent opposite ends of the body engageable with the outside face of the framing when the body is turned to its crosswise position. These clamping portions spring away from the outside face of the body when it is turned to its crosswise position for providing a spring action tending to draw the body into clamping engagement with the inside face of the framing.