Patents Represented by Attorney Kenneth A. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 5987812
    Abstract: A plant stand system 10 for growing plants from seedlings and for growing and storing indoor plants includes a frame assembly 12 having first and second T-shaped support assemblies 14, 16, first and second generally L-shaped light arms 64, 66, and at least one pair of tray brackets 84 secured to the T-shaped support assemblies 14, 16. The plant stand system 10 further includes at least one plant tray 94, and a plurality of flexible chain members 96, and at least one light fixture 104 connected to the flexible members 96. The light fixture 104 and tray 94 is easily adjustable and access to the plant tray 94 is convenient from all sides of the plant stand 10 system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Stem Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger D. Knell
  • Patent number: 5803807
    Abstract: A grain threshing mechanism has a concave assembly and rotor assembly positioned within the concave assembly. The concave assembly has a concave receiving end portion, a concave middle portion, and a concave discharge end portion. A supporting system supports and maintains the concave assembly substantially coaxially aligned with the rotor assembly. The concave receiving end portion is in contact with the supporting means and the concave middle portion and the concave discharge end portions of the concave assembly are cantilevered and free from supporting means and discharge end obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Satzler
  • Patent number: 5684053
    Abstract: A process for recovering paint overspray particles includes segregating the paint overspray by color and type, and detackifying, dewatering, drying and particulizing the dried, dewatered, detackified, segregated paint overspray compounds. The resultant compounds is used as paint additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Spangler
  • Patent number: 5595614
    Abstract: A deep hardening boron steel has a composition comprising, by weight, about 0.23% to 0.37% carbon, about 0.40% to 1.20% manganese, about 0.50% to 2.00% silicon, about 0.25% to 2.00% chromium, about 0.20% to 0.80% molybdenum, from 0.05% to 0.25% vanadium, from 0.03% to 0.15% titanium, from 0.015% to 0.050% aluminum, from 0.0008% to 0.009% boron, and 0.005% to 0.013% nitrogen. Also, the composition preferably contains less than about 0.025% each of phosphorus and sulfur. After quenching and tempering, articles made from this material are substantially free of aluminum nitrides, have a fine martensitic grain structure, have a distribution of nanometer size background nitride, carbonitride, and carbide precipitates, and a combination of high hardness and fracture toughness.The deep hardening steel article embodying the present invention is particularly useful for ground engaging tools that are subject breakage and wear, often at high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph E. McVicker
  • Patent number: 5593085
    Abstract: A method for determining the generation of a diffusion bond between two articles is disclosed. The two articles are sealed together to define a cavity therebetween. A vacuum is drawn in the cavity by means of an evacuation tube having a passageway. The passageway is then sealed and the articles are subjected to a temperature and pressure to diffusion bond the articles together. A successful diffusion bond can be determined if the evacuation tube sidewall is collapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Henry J. Tohill, Russell B. Gallagher, Kenneth G. Kubarych, Nils O. Hallstrom
  • Patent number: 5577921
    Abstract: A transformer assembly having an elongate body including a cup portion containing primary and secondary coils, a base portion, and a stem is adapted to be installed in a housing of a cylinder head. An electrical source extends through the stem and base portion. An electrical connecting system includes an electrical conductor adapted to receive the voltage source with a spring contacting the end of a spark plug terminal biasing the conductor in a director away from the spark plug in the installed position. The electrical connector system further includes a positioning device adapted to positive align and contain the transformer assembly within a valve mechanism compartment defined between a cover and the cylinder head. A spring member connected to the cup portion axially biases the electrical conductor in a direction toward the spring in contact with the spark plug terminal insuring an electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Philyaw, W. Peter Siems
  • Patent number: 5564168
    Abstract: An adapter is provided for connecting a vertical multi-drill with drill bits having thru-shank cooling fluid passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur B. Hostert, Jr., Lynn M. Lusciatti, Louis G. Porro, Jerry R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5553525
    Abstract: A punch press machine for punching a series of holes in a cylindrical work piece has a main frame, a clamping fixture for holding the work piece, and a punch press frame having a horizontal moving punch and a die for receiving the punch. The clamping fixture is moveable relative to the main frame along a first horizontal axis and the punch press frame is moveable relative to the main frame along a second vertical axis for lowering the punch and die into a punching position with the punch on one side of the work piece and the die on the other side of the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Desmond Mailey, Jose J. Rodriguez, Jerry P. Fregoe, Curtis L. Stevens, Frank M. Dettmers, Sr., Glenn L. Brown, Gary L. Kitzer, James G. Miller, Martin J. Hillbrands, Carl F. Strebel, Thomas A. King
  • Patent number: 5542382
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for a dual compression and dual expansion internal combustion engine (8) that is compact, efficient, and has low combustion noise and emissions. The subject engine (8) includes a low pressure piston assembly (56) reciprocally disposed in an operating chamber (22) defined in a housing (10). A pair of opposed high pressure piston assemblies (58) and (60) are directly mounted on a pair of geared together, counter rotating, crankshafts (52) and (54) and reciprocally disposed in bores (178) and (186) of the low pressure piston assembly (56). The disposition of the second and third piston assemblies (58) and (60) within their respective bores (178) and (186) defines a combustion chamber (254). An intake chamber (144) for compression of inducted air and an an exhaust chamber (146) for expansion of exhaust gas are defined in the operating chamber (22) between the low pressure piston assembly (56) and the housing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Clarke
  • Patent number: 5538231
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for positioning a workpiece on a burn table. The apparatus has a locator assembly which is moveable between a first position at which the locator is engageable with the workpiece and a second position at which the locator assembly is spaced from the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Baldwin, Dave R. Draper
  • Patent number: 5525167
    Abstract: A high toughness steel has a composition comprising, by weight, about 0.10% to 1.05% carbon, about 0.00% to 0.05% aluminum, about 0.01% to 0.20% titanium, about 0.0005% to 0.02% boron, about 0.01% to 0.20% niobium and about 0.015% to 0.04% nitrogen and the balance essentially iron. Also, the composition contains sufficient amount of manganese, silicon, nickel, chromium, vanadium, and molybdenum such that said high toughness steel article, after quenching and tempering, has a R.sub.c hardness measured in the middle of a section having a thickness of no more than 25.4 mm, of at least 50% of the hardness measured at the surface of said section. After quenching and tempering, steel articles made of this composition have a plane strain fracture toughness more than 25% higher than that for steel having the same base chemistry and heat treatment, and being free from titanium, niobium, and boron and elevated nitrogen. Also, the composition preferably contains about 0.001% to 0.004% oxygen and less than about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph E. McVicker
  • Patent number: 5507683
    Abstract: A particle blasting machine for deburring articles includes first, second, and third conveyors, first and second positioning elements, particle abrading apparatus and first and second ejecting elements. Articles are automatically ejected from the second conveyor onto the first conveyor and move in contact with the first positioning element. The second positioning element then moves into contact with the article initiating operation of the particle abrading element. The deburred article is then ejected by the second ejecting element onto the third conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Holm, Robert K. Paternoga, Aaron D. Bean
  • Patent number: 5505438
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for locating a work piece on a burn table. The apparatus has a locator which is moveable between a first position at which the locator is engageable with the work piece and a second position at which the locator assembly is spaced from the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Baldwin, Dave R. Draper, Ronald R. Schultz
  • Patent number: 5505274
    Abstract: A continuous track machine has a superstructure and an undercarriage each having a supporting frame and first and second end portions. A suspension structure connects the superstructure to the undercarriage. The suspension structure attaches the superstructure to the undercarriage at three locations. A pair of resilient members are connected to a respective frame and an arm of the suspension structure and provides cushioning between the superstructure and the undercarriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Satzler
  • Patent number: 5468137
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for continuously extruding a viscous material having discontinuous reinforcing fibers therein. The apparatus has a rotating extruder head assembly including an extruding die having an extruding passage. A plurality of vanes extend outward from the extruding passage. In response to rotation of the extruder head assembly the fibers are orientated on a helix about a mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Becktel, Harry B. Newman, Phillip E. Moldenhauer
  • Patent number: 5456219
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for a dual compression and dual expansion internal combustion engine (8) that is compact, efficient, and has low combustion noise and emissions. The subject engine (8) includes a low pressure piston assembly (56) reciprocally disposed in an operating chamber (22) defined in a housing (10). A pair of opposed high pressure piston assemblies (58) and (60) are directly mounted on a pair of geared together, counter rotating, crankshafts (52) and (54) and reciprocally disposed in bores (178) and (186) of the low pressure piston assembly (56). The disposition of the second and third piston assemblies (58) and (60) within their respective bores (178) and (186) defines a combustion chamber (254). An intake chamber (144) for compression of inducted air and an exhaust chamber (146) for expansion of exhaust gas are defined in the operating chamber (22) between the low pressure piston assembly (56) and the housing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Clarke
  • Patent number: 5448979
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for a dual compression and dual expansion internal combustion engine (8) that is compact, efficient, and has low combustion noise and emissions. The subject engine (8) includes a low pressure piston assembly (56) reciprocally disposed in an operating chamber (22) defined in a housing (10). A pair of opposed high pressure piston assemblies (58) and (60) are directly mounted on a pair of geared together, counter rotating, crankshafts (52) and (54) and reciprocally disposed in bores (178) and (186) of the low pressure piston assembly (56). The disposition of the second and third piston assemblies (58) and (60) within their respective bores (178) and (186) defines a combustion chamber (254). An intake chamber (144) for compression of inducted air and an exhaust chamber (146) for expansion of exhaust gas are defined in the operating chamber (22) between the low pressure piston assembly (56) and the housing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Clarke
  • Patent number: D364879
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Bastian, William C. Boroski, Melvin P. Busch, Jr., Elmer R. Crabb, Patrick W. Friede, Alan D. Gustafson, David C. Koch, Mark D. Miller, Jeffrey A. Moore, James R. Oldham, Robert L. Stamate, Samuel B. Stevens, Russell W. Strong, Lynn A. Sutton, Joseph M. Tucker, III
  • Patent number: D375506
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Bastian, William C. Boroski, Melvin P. Busch, Jr., Elmer R. Crabb, Patrick W. Friede, Alan D. Gustafson, David C. Koch, Mark D. Miller, Jeffrey A. Moore, James R. Oldham, Robert L. Stamate, Samuel B. Stevens, Russell W. Strong, Lynn A. Sutton, Joseph M. Tucker, III
  • Patent number: D402129
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Stem Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Roger D. Knell