William F Porter

US Patent:

6408594, Jun 25, 2002

Filed:

Jun 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/334233

Inventors:

William H. Porter - Saugatuck MI 49453

International Classification:

E04C 234

US Classification:

527941, 522201, 52268, 52270, 523097, 5230911, 525861

Abstract:

A structural insulated panel for building construction includes a planar, rigid insulating core such as of lightweight plastic foam having opposed surfaces to which are bonded respective plastic impregnated paper (PIP) sheets. Disposed symmetrically either on the inner surfaces of the PIP sheets, and thus within the panels insulating foam core, or on the outer surfaces of the PIP sheets are spaced reinforcing strips. The reinforcing strips may be flat or formed, such as in the shape of a channel, may be of metal, gypsum composites, or wood, and are provided with an adhesive coating for bonding to the insulating foam core and a PIP sheet. The spaced metal strips increase the panels bending strength and serve as an attachment base for internal and external finished faces, while the PIP sheets provide the panel with high tensile strength. The adhesive coating on the metal reinforcing strips further increases panel strength. The metal strips may also be provided with an outer gypsum coating to protect the metal strip from heat and/or fire.

US Patent:

6481172, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

Jan 12, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/481893

Inventors:

William H. Porter - Saugatuck MI 49453

International Classification:

E04B 200

US Classification:

5250601, 527941, 523099, 523097, 4283177

Abstract:

A generally planar structural insulated panel for use in the wall of a building structure includes an inner core of insulating material such as plastic foam. Disposed on and attached to opposed surfaces of the insulating core are outer facings in the form of thick sheets of paper impregnated with plastic such as urethane, polystyrene or polyisocyanurate. The plastic impregnated paper (PIP) sheets are 0. 14â to 0. 70â thick and extend several inches beyond the edges of the panels insulating core. The PIP sheets provide the panel with high tensile strength and the peripheral edges of the PIP sheets are adapted to receive coupling pins such as nails, screws or staples for mounting the panel to 2Ã dimensional lumber members in the building structure. The high tensile strength of the PIP sheets also provides secure mounting of the panel to the adjacent structural members. Compression struts are provided within the panels insulating foam core and inside the panels outer PIP facings to accommodate large axial loading on the panel.

US Patent:

6523324, Feb 25, 2003

Filed:

Nov 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/813373

Inventors:

William H. Porter - Holland MI 49423

International Classification:

E04C 200

US Classification:

527941, 523095, 523098, 5230914, 5250605, 527611

Abstract:

A generally planar, structural insulated panel for building construction includes a pair of outer facings disposed on opposed surfaces of a plastic foam core. One of the outer facings is comprised of a gypsum or cementous composite for use on the panels inner surface, while the other outer facing is comprised of oriented strand board (OSB) or other conventional building material which forms the panels outer surface. Disposed between and laminated to the inner surface of the gypsum or cementous composite facing and the plastic foam core by a conventional bonding agent is a sheet of paper impregnated with urethane or polyisocyanurate plastic. The impregnated sheet of paper serves as a vapor barrier near the panels inner surface to prevent moisture from permeating from the warm interior of the structure through the plastic foam insulation to the outside. The plastic impregnated sheet of paper bonded to the foam core and the panels inner facing also substantially increases the tensile strength of the panel to withstand large transverse loads.

US Patent:

6588172, Jul 8, 2003

Filed:

Aug 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/931226

Inventors:

William H. Porter - Holland MI 49423

International Classification:

E04C 234

US Classification:

527941, 523095, 523098, 5230915, 5250605, 527611

Abstract:

A generally planar, structural insulated panel for building construction includes a pair of outer facings disposed on opposed surfaces of a plastic foam core. One of the outer facings is of a gypsum or cementous composite for use on the panels inner surface, while the other outer facing is of oriented strand board (OSB) or other conventional building material which forms the panels outer surface. Disposed between and laminated to the inner surface of the gypsum or cementous composite facing and the plastic foam core by a conventional bonding agent is a sheet of paper impregnated with urethane or polyisocyanurate plastic. The impregnated sheet of paper serves as a vapor barrier near the panels inner surface to prevent moisture from permeating from the warm interior of the structure through the plastic foam insulation to the outside. The plastic impregnated sheet of paper bonded to the foam core and the panels inner facing also substantially increases the tensile strength of the panel to withstand large transverse loads.

US Patent:

6599621, Jul 29, 2003

Filed:

Mar 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/812404

Inventors:

William H. Porter - Saugatuck MI 49453

International Classification:

B32B 326

US Classification:

4283222, 4282924, 428107, 428109, 4282974, 4283144, 4283184

Abstract:

Generally flat structural panel for building construction includes an inner insulating core such as of plastic foam and a pair of opposed outer facings, or sheets, bonded to the panels insulating core. One of the outer facings is of gypsum composite, or gypsum fiberboard, while the other outer facing is of oriented strand board (OSB) impregnated with plastic, such as a polyisocyanurate or urethane resin. The gypsum fiberboard forms the panels inner surface, while the plastic impregnated OSB forms the panels outer surface. The panels outer facings provide high tensile strength, with the gypsum fiberboard facing also affording high load bearing capacity as well as resistant to fire, the environment, and insects. The plastic impregnated OSB does not expand or contract with changes in humidity to maintain a planar configuration for the panel with a smooth, uniform surface for exterior finishing.

US Patent:

6698157, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

Oct 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/703039

Inventors:

William H. Porter - Saugatuck MI 49453

International Classification:

E04C 234

US Classification:

527941, 525821, 523092, 523097, 523099, 525921, 527871, 527901

Abstract:

A building system includes structural insulated panels having an inner insulating core such as of foam plastic or agri-board and strong thin facings such as of plastic impregnated/reinforced paper on opposed surfaces of the insulating core. The impregnated/reinforced paper provides the panel with high strength and facilitates attaching the panel to dimensional lumber or to similar adjacent panels. The opposed outer facings overlap/extend beyond the insulating cores edges in various configurations so as to provide several different panels, each adapted to satisfy a specific structural purpose. In a first configuration, three edges of the outer facings overlap respective edges of the insulating core for also overlapping a base plate, a top plate and an adjacent stud, panel, window or doorjamb. The fourth edge of the panel is adapted to be overlapped by the opposed outer facings of an adjacent panel and may include a structural insert within the insulating core to receive fasteners for securing the adjacent panel. In a second configuration, all four edges of the opposed outer facings overlap the four edges of the insulating core for also overlapping dimensional lumber on all four edges or for overlapping an adjacent panel(s) on one or two vertical edges.

US Patent:

6874518, Apr 5, 2005

Filed:

Dec 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/308561

Inventors:

William H. Porter - Saugatuck MI, US

International Classification:

E04H015/36

US Classification:

135124, 135119, 1351203, 135905, 4031091

Abstract:

A fabric covered structure such as for use as a gazebo or pavilion includes plural generally vertical support columns connected to roof beams which support a fabric roof. Opposed ends of the beams are each connected to one of the support columns and are each provided with a hook element for attachment to a cable or rope attached to the periphery of the fabric roof such as by being disposed in a peripheral hem of the fabric roof. Each roof beam is further provided with telescoping end portions to each of which is attached one of the hook elements for extending the end of the beam and maintaining the cable under tension and the fabric roof in a stretched condition.

US Patent:

7025074, Apr 11, 2006

Filed:

Feb 24, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/065249

Inventors:

William H. Porter - Saugatuck MI, US

International Classification:

E04H 15/36

US Classification:

135124, 135119, 135905, 4031091

Abstract:

A fabric covered structure such as for use as a gazebo or pavilion includes plural generally vertical support columns connected to roof beams which support a fabric roof. Opposed ends of the beams are each connected to one of the support columns and are each provided with a hook element for attachment to a cable or rope attached to the periphery of the fabric roof such as by being disposed in a peripheral hem of the fabric roof. Each roof beam is further provided with telescoping end portions to each of which is attached one of the hook elements for extending the end of the beam and maintaining the cable under tension and the fabric roof in a stretched condition.