Thomas Jay Mcdonald

US Patent:

6931792, Aug 23, 2005

Filed:

Nov 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/719865

Inventors:

Thomas A. McDonald - Grand Rapids MI, US
Tony A. Cobb - Wyoming MI, US

Assignee:

Quality Edge, Inc. - Walker MI

International Classification:

E04D013/00

US Classification:

52 12, 52 11, 52 15

Abstract:

A universal end cap and associated method are provided for rain gutter debris guards of the type having a top cap extending along a roof and over the open top of an associated gutter. The universal end cap includes a generally flat, rigid cover panel with a substantially rectangular lower portion sized to extend over either end of the guard, and is severable to custom fit the end cap to a wide variety of different gutters. A pair of curved nose portions project outwardly from opposite sides of the cover panel adjacent the upper edge thereof, and are configured to close off the forward portion of the top cap at either end thereof. A mounting flange extends along at least a portion of the upper edge of the cover panel, and a retainer fastens the mounting flange to the top cap at either end thereof to prevent debris form entering between the adjacent ends of the gutter and the guard.

US Patent:

6993870, Feb 7, 2006

Filed:

Jun 10, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/458562

Inventors:

Thomas A. McDonald - Grand Rapids MI, US
Tony A. Cobb - Wyoming MI, US

Assignee:

Quality Edge, Inc. - Walker MI

International Classification:

E04D 13/00

US Classification:

52 11, 52 12, 52 14, 52 15

Abstract:

A guard and associated method for rain gutters includes a cap or deflector extending over a gutter of the type having a trough-shaped interior, a rear wall extending along a roof fascia, and a front lip with a channel and an end flange. A mounting bracket has a rear portion abutting the rear wall of the gutter, an upper portion supporting the deflector, and a front portion with a hook-shaped nose. The mounting bracket nose is configured for insertion under the end flange of the gutter, such that the mounting bracket is rotated rearwardly along a generally vertical arc about the nose toward the rear wall of the gutter, and shifted laterally into a skewed orientation within the gutter interior. The mounting bracket is then pivoted laterally along a generally horizontal plane about the nose into a perpendicular orientation within the gutter interior to retain the nose in the front lip of the gutter, and facilitate attachment of the rear portion of the mounting bracket to the rear wall of the gutter and the roof fascia.

US Patent:

7137224, Nov 21, 2006

Filed:

Feb 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/778507

Inventors:

C. Scott Rasmussen - Ada MI, US
Thomas A. McDonald - Grand Rapids MI, US

Assignee:

Quality Edge, Inc. - Walker MI

International Classification:

E04D 1/30
E04D 1/00
E04B 7/00
E04B 7/08

US Classification:

52 96, 52 94, 52 95, 523021, 52198, 52199, 52101

Abstract:

A vented soffit panel and related method for buildings and the like includes a generally flat imperforate base portion shaped to enclose at least a portion of the building soffit when mounted in a generally horizontal orientation under an eave. At least one vent channel protrudes upwardly from the base portion, and has a generally trapezoidal shape defined by a horizontal imperforate top wall and inclined perforate sidewalls with lower ends that connect with the base portion in a spaced apart relationship to define a slot through which air flows to vent the eave. The perforate sidewalls are disposed at an acute angle, such that they are hidden from view from a position underneath the eave.

US Patent:

7347027, Mar 25, 2008

Filed:

Apr 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/099250

Inventors:

Thomas A. McDonald - Grand Rapids MI, US
Tony A. Cobb - Wyoming MI, US

Assignee:

Quality Edge, Inc. - Walker MI

International Classification:

E04D 13/064
E04D 13/068
E04D 13/072

US Classification:

52 11, 52 16, 52 15, 52 12, 527411, 248 481, 248 482

Abstract:

A guard and associated method for rain gutters includes a cap or deflector extending over a gutter of the type having a trough-shaped interior, a rear wall extending along a roof fascia, and a front lip with a channel and an end flange. A mounting bracket has a rear portion abutting the rear wall of the gutter, an upper portion supporting the deflector, and a front portion with a hook-shaped nose. The mounting bracket nose is configured for insertion under the end flange of the gutter, such that the mounting bracket is rotated rearwardly along a generally vertical arc about the nose toward the rear wall of the gutter, and shifted laterally into a skewed orientation within the gutter interior. The mounting bracket is then pivoted laterally along a generally horizontal plane about the nose into a perpendicular orientation within the gutter interior to retain the nose in the front lip of the gutter, and facilitate attachment of the rear portion of the mounting bracket to the rear wall of the gutter and the roof fascia.

US Patent:

7506476, Mar 24, 2009

Filed:

Aug 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/505914

Inventors:

Thomas A. McDonald - Grand Rapids MI, US
Tony A. Cobb - Wyoming MI, US

Assignee:

Quality Edge, Inc. - Walker MI

International Classification:

E04D 13/04
E04D 13/064
E04D 13/072

US Classification:

52 11, 52 12, 52 16, 248 481

Abstract:

A guard and associated method for rain gutters includes a cap or deflector extending over a gutter of the type having a trough-shaped interior, a rear wall extending along a roof fascia, and a front lip with a channel and an end flange. A mounting bracket has a rear portion abutting the rear wall of the gutter, an upper portion supporting the deflector, and a front portion with a hook-shaped nose. The mounting bracket nose is configured for insertion under the end flange of the gutter, such that the mounting bracket is rotated rearwardly along a generally vertical arc about the nose toward the rear wall of the gutter, and shifted laterally into a skewed orientation within the gutter interior. The mounting bracket is then pivoted laterally along a generally horizontal plane about the nose into a perpendicular orientation within the gutter interior to retain the nose in the front lip of the gutter, and facilitate attachment of the rear portion of the mounting bracket to the rear wall of the gutter and the roof fascia.

US Patent:

7584576, Sep 8, 2009

Filed:

Oct 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/978426

Inventors:

Thomas A. McDonald - Grand Rapids MI, US
Tony A. Cobb - Wyoming MI, US

Assignee:

Quality Edge, Inc. - Walker MI

International Classification:

E04D 13/04
E04D 13/064
E04D 13/072

US Classification:

52 11, 52 12, 52 16, 5274506, 248 481, 248 482

Abstract:

A guard and associated method for rain gutters includes a cap or deflector extending over a gutter of the type having a trough-shaped interior, a rear wall extending along a roof fascia, and a front lip with a channel and an end flange. A mounting bracket has a rear portion abutting the rear wall of the gutter, an upper portion supporting the deflector, and a front portion with a hook-shaped nose. The mounting bracket nose is configured for insertion under the end flange of the gutter, such that the mounting bracket is rotated rearwardly along a generally vertical arc about the nose toward the rear wall of the gutter, and shifted laterally into a skewed orientation within the gutter interior. The mounting bracket is then pivoted laterally along a generally horizontal plane about the nose into a perpendicular orientation within the gutter interior to retain the nose in the front lip of the gutter, and facilitate attachment of the rear portion of the mounting bracket to the rear wall of the gutter and the roof fascia.

US Patent:

20170036392, Feb 9, 2017

Filed:

Aug 4, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/228517

Inventors:

- Byron Center MI, US
Thomas Andrew McDonald - Grand Rapids MI, US

International Classification:

B29C 65/60
B29C 65/00

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for operating a staking assembly includes a housing defining a machining passage having a longitudinal axis, an actuator rod disposed for axial movement along the longitudinal axis in the machining passage, having a first end configured to connect to a linear-reciprocating source of movement and a second end having a tool configured to deform a boss, and an air source configured to selectively provide a source of heated air.