US 12,378,766 B2
Load equalizing support system for façade wall panels
Robert Duane Pavel, Orlando, FL (US); Dean Overby Gwin, Jacksonville, FL (US); and Bryant Ashley Luke, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (US)
Assigned to THE WELLS COMPANIES, INC., Albany, MN (US)
Filed by Robert Duane Pavel, Orlando, FL (US); Dean Overby Gwin, Jacksonville, FL (US); and Bryant Ashley Luke, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (US)
Filed on Feb. 22, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/677,553.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/207,296, filed on Feb. 22, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0268020 A1, Aug. 25, 2022
Int. Cl. E04C 2/52 (2006.01); E04B 2/00 (2006.01); E04C 2/04 (2006.01); E04C 2/38 (2006.01)
CPC E04C 2/526 (2013.01) [E04C 2/044 (2013.01); E04C 2/38 (2013.01); E04C 2/46 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus connected to a wall panel for adjusting a force against a floor surface, comprising:
a housing defining an interior volume and having an upper opening and a lower opening;
a bias member positioned within said interior volume between an upper plate of an upper assembly and a lower plate of a lower assembly;
a coupler of said lower assembly connected to said lower plate, wherein said coupler passes through said lower opening to contact said floor surface; and
a bolt of said upper assembly that contacts said upper plate, wherein rotation of said bolt in a first direction moves said upper plate and compresses said bias member to increase said force transferred from said coupler to said floor surface, and rotation of said bolt in an opposing second direction moves said upper plate and expands said bias member to decrease said force transferred from said coupler to said floor surface.