James J Gorman

US Patent:

6397545, Jun 4, 2002

Filed:

Mar 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/539168

Inventors:

Jerome P. Fanucci - Woburn MA
James J. Gorman - Woburn MA

Assignee:

KaZak Composites, Inc. - Woburn MA

International Classification:

E04H 1200

US Classification:

52514, 52 40, 52301, 525145, 527263, 527264, 527361, 5274114, 5274518

Abstract:

Energy-absorbing utility poles and replacement components comprising a composite material laminate are provided. In one embodiment, the poles of the present invention are designed to bring an impacting vehicle to a controlled stop. It is intended that the products of the presently claimed invention be formed using a pultrusion process that results in a pole having low to moderate diametric crush strength, so as to initiate a flattening and then folding response as the vehicle encounter, the pole. One of the critical features of the present invention is the provision of a socket/slip joint enabling connection of a composite lower section with a wooden upper section such that the connection securely joins the two elements during ordinary conditions, but releases when either the upper or lower element experiences force greater than a predetermined value, as where the pole is struck by a vehicle. With a fixed rather than slip joint, a hybrid pole system with safety features between a standard wooden or other conventional pole and the slip-joint system would be created with many of the same cost advantages.

US Patent:

6530182, Mar 11, 2003

Filed:

Oct 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/039904

Inventors:

Jerome P. Fanucci - Lexington MA
James J. Gorman - Boxborough MA

Assignee:

Kazak Composites, Incorporated - Woburn MA

International Classification:

E04B 198

US Classification:

521673, 527391, 521671, 521678, 527381, 527374, 521672, 521674, 52 1, 174 42, 188378, 267134

Abstract:

An energy absorbing seismic brace for both retrofit and new construction. The brace comprises a central strut of either multi-legged or homogeneous section fabricated from low strength aluminum, whose characteristics maximize the seismic energy absorption for a building installation. This central strut absorbs energy at high weight-specific levels by virtue of the hysteresis in its load-deflection relationship. In order to eliminate the possibility of buckling of the energy absorbing strut when it passes through the compression portion of a load cycle, it is surrounded by a system of spacers and an external sleeve providing very high bending rigidity at low weight. The spacers may be fabricated from low-density foams, pseudo-concrete, fibrous composites, or metals, depending upon the application. The outer sleeve may also be fabricated from a variety of materials, depending upon whether the embodiment calls for the principal bending rigidity to be provided by the spacers or sleeve.

US Patent:

6701680, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Mar 10, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/385030

Inventors:

Jerome P. Fanucci - Lexington MA
James J. Gorman - Boxborough MA

Assignee:

Kazak Composites, Incorporated - Woburn MA

International Classification:

E04B 198

US Classification:

521673, 527391, 521671, 521678, 527381, 527374, 521672, 521674, 174 42, 188378, 267134

Abstract:

An energy absorbing seismic brace for both retrofit and new construction. The brace comprises a central strut of either multi-legged or homogeneous section fabricated from low strength aluminum, whose characteristics maximize the seismic energy absorption for a building installation. This central strut absorbs energy at high weight-specific levels by virtue of the hysteresis in its load-deflection relationship. In order to eliminate the possibility of buckling of the energy absorbing strut when it passes through the compression portion of a load cycle, it is surrounded by a system of spacers and an external sleeve providing very high bending rigidity at low weight. The spacers may be fabricated from low-density foams, pseudo-concrete, fibrous composites, or metals, depending upon the application. The outer sleeve may also be fabricated from a variety of materials, depending upon whether the embodiment calls for the principal bending rigidity to be provided by the spacers or sleeve.

US Patent:

6730382, May 4, 2004

Filed:

Oct 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/039902

Inventors:

Jerome P. Fanucci - Lexington MA
James J. Gorman - Boxborough MA
Thomas D. Heimann - Bedford MA

Assignee:

Kazak Composites, Incorporated - Woburn MA

International Classification:

B32B 108

US Classification:

428 369, 428 341, 428 357

Abstract:

A damage-resistant structure suitable for ships stanchions and other tube and post applications that are susceptible to permanent bending deformation from impacts or overloads is revealed. Multiple stiff, strong, axially oriented high aspect ratio reinforcements, in the form of fibers and/or prefabricated composite or metal parts, are arranged parallel to the main axis of the structural tube. A high strain-to-failure matrix material positions, supports and, in some cases, also encapsulates the prefabricated axial reinforcing materials. The axial reinforcements provide the required strength and stiffness properties of the overall structure, while the more resilient unreinforced or lightly reinforced high strain matrix of the global structure provides the assembly with the ability to undergo large elastic buckling.

US Patent:

6764057, Jul 20, 2004

Filed:

Oct 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/000762

Inventors:

Jerome P. Fanucci - Lexington MA
James J. Gorman - Boxborough MA
Christian Koppernaes - Beaufort SC

Assignee:

Kazak Composites, Incorporated - Woburn MA

International Classification:

B28B 736

US Classification:

249135, 425192 R, 264136, 264137, 156433, 156441

Abstract:

A pultrusion die is usually fashioned of multiple pieces. One or more die components, and possibly all die components, can be formed by facing less precisely machined and finished tooling materials with highly polished sheet metal. Other possible die components can be formed from conventionally machined and polished steel surfaces. The surfaces that will form the inside of the die are highly polished. The components are fastened together in a pattern that will assure uniform pressure and good heat transfer among the components. The entrance and exit orifices are optionally provided with beveled edges to improve entrance of materials into and release of the finished product from the die.

US Patent:

6928715, Aug 16, 2005

Filed:

Sep 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/662803

Inventors:

Jerome P. Fanucci - Lexington MA, US
Michael J. King - Topsfield MA, US
James J. Gorman - Boxborough MA, US

Assignee:

Kazak Composites, Incorporated - Woburn MA

International Classification:

B23P025/00
B23Q003/00

US Classification:

29458, 29464

Abstract:

A method for the manufacture of lattice fins for fluid-born bodies is provided. In one embodiment, lattice fins having a metallic cell structure are manufactured from strips or sheets of metal. In another embodiment, composite lattice fins are manufactured from a log assembly of elongated mandrels covered with a fiber reinforced composite material. After curing, individual fins are sliced from the log assembly. Upon removal of the mandrels, a cell structure is obtained. Combinations of the two embodiments are also provided.

US Patent:

6953001, Oct 11, 2005

Filed:

Feb 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/357735

Inventors:

Jerome P. Fanucci - Lexington MA, US
James J. Gorman - Boxborough MA, US
Michael McAleenan - Georgetown ME, US

Assignee:

Kazak Composites, Incorporated - Woburn MA

International Classification:

B63B019/00

US Classification:

114117, 49395

Abstract:

A hatch or door system secures and seals an opening in a surrounding structure, such as a horizontal or vertical surface of a marine vessel. A panel having at least two straight edges is rotatably mountable to the surrounding surface. An operating mechanism is mounted on the surrounding structure, rather than on the panel, to retain the panel in the closed position. The operating mechanism includes dogging members configured to apply a force along at least a portion extending continuously along each of the two straight edges when in a panel-securing position. A gasketing mechanism is included to seal the panel in the closed position.

US Patent:

7243879, Jul 17, 2007

Filed:

Dec 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/313222

Inventors:

Jerome P. Fanucci - Lexington MA, US
Michael J. King - Topsfield MA, US
James J. Gorman - Boxborough MA, US

Assignee:

Kazak Composites, Incorporated - Woburn MA

International Classification:

B64C 3/26

US Classification:

2441231

Abstract:

A method for the manufacture of lattice fins for fluid-born bodies is provided. In one embodiment, lattice fins having a metallic cell structure are manufactured from strips or sheets of metal. In another embodiment, composite lattice fins are manufactured from a log assembly of elongated mandrels covered with a fiber reinforced composite material. After curing, individual fins are sliced from the log assembly. Upon removal of the mandrels, a cell structure is obtained. Combinations of the two embodiments are also provided.