Patents Examined by Karen M. Young
  • Patent number: 5865327
    Abstract: A hydraulic boom gantry and a method of lifting a load associated therewith. The gantry includes telescoping sections with a hydraulic cylinder mounted therein. A swiveling plate structure allows minor deviation between sets of telescoping sections. A collar structure and a pinning structure lock the telescoping sections together. A cam mechanism prevents accidental section retraction and a powered rigging device traverses a beam connecting the telescoping sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: J & R Engineering Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Roger L. Johnston
  • Patent number: 5865596
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for picking out individual rods from an unordered bundle independent of the position of the rods in the bundle and their positions relative to each other. The device makes it possible to handle the rods and the picking out process without displacing the objects along their length. When an object shall be picked out and transferred to the receiving level 15, a lifting device 19 is moved up through the objects which are present in the intermediate storage. At the front end of the lifting device 19 there is a V-shaped recess 20. The object so picked up is lifted over to the receiving level 15 thereby that a conveyor 21 is activated. The conveyor extends along the whole length of the intermediate storage and the receiving level and it carries several supporting wheels 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Sten Wallsten Nikom AB
    Inventor: Benny Bath-Ternstrand
  • Patent number: 5862885
    Abstract: A power option is provided for a manually-operated material lift that employs a telescoping mast system which is extended or retracted by a winch. A reversible electric motor is connected to the winch via two-way reduction gearing that remains in the drive train during manual operation and requires no clutches or disconnect means. The power option is initiated by selecting the position of a reversing switch that controls the motor, and closing an on/off switch which energizes the motor for rotation in the selected direction. When the on/off switch is open, the lift may be manually operated in the conventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Richard A. Carmitchel
  • Patent number: 5862888
    Abstract: Even if rope (13) and spring (15) oscillate, to suppress these oscillations as much as possible.An elevator system is equipped with a car (1) that is installed such that it can freely move up and down in a hoistway, a sheave (14) that is installed at the top of the hoistway, a rope (13) for pulling the car that is suspended from this sheave (14), a suspension rod (9) to which the end of this rope (13) is attached, a spring (15) for damping vibrations which is installed between this suspension rod (9) and the car (1), a cylinder device (16) which attenuates the vibrations and has a flow volume control valve (22), a rotary encoder (24) for detecting the position of the car (1) in order to calculate the length of the rope, a load sensor (25) for detecting the load of the car (1) and a control panel (23) which calculates the characteristic vibration frequency f of the rope (13) from the length of the rope, the characteristic vibration frequency f.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Atsushi Iwakiri, Nobuyuki Miyahara
  • Patent number: 5862887
    Abstract: An elevator car door system for opening and closing elevator car doors in an elevator car includes a high performance linear induction motor having a pair of movable motor primaries, each attached to a door hanger for each door, and a stationary motor secondary attached to a header bracket which is secured to the elevator car. Each motor primary includes a primary winding and a backiron spaced apart by a plurality of spacers that establish a magnetic gap therebetween. The motor secondary fits between the primary winding and the backiron as the moving motor primaries travel across the motor secondary, generating thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Bruce P. Swaybill, William L. King, Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Richard E. Kulak, Michael J. Tracey, K. Narasimha Reddy, James A. Rivera
  • Patent number: 5862884
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved wheeled, light-weight lift which meets standards for airline ground support vertical lift devices, specifically being capable of use on airport tarmacs in winds up to 90 mph. On and off-loading ramps are provided which are rotatable between an upright stored position and a horizontal working position. The ramps comprise a bridge structure supporting a plurality of louvred deck plates. Each louvre is linked to the others so as to remain oriented horizontal regardless of the ramps position for minimizing their aerodynamic profile and overturning moment. Outriggers are extendible from the frame so as to increase its base dimensions and thus the moment needed to overturn the lift. The outriggers retract into the frame to minimize storage. The outriggers are horizontally movable along their longitudinal axis to minimize the deployment space required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Adaptive Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventor: Dave W. Smith
  • Patent number: 5860532
    Abstract: A material separator separates non-magnetic particulate material into components having differing electrical conductivities and comprises a support frame, a drum rotatably journaled with respect to the support frame, a magnetic assembly in the drum interior and a drive system. The drum's sidewall is cylindrically shaped and the magnetic assembly incudes longitudinally extending magnetic arrays, each angularly spaced from one another and rotatably journaled on a respective array axis that is radially spaced from the drum axis. The magnetic arrays include opposite magnetic poles located along a rotational surface such that when they rotate, an oscillating magnetic field is induced through the drum's sidewall. The drive system rotates the magnetic arrays and the drum so that particulate material placed on an outer surface of the drum sidewall is subjected to the oscillating magnetic field whereby components having different electrical conductivities are discharged with differing discharge trajectories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: Bo R. Arvidson
  • Patent number: 5860511
    Abstract: A guide rail support assembly for use with a conveyor having a transport chain or belt for transporting articles from one location to another. The guide rail support comprises the combination of guide rail holding assembly for holding a guide rail adjacent the transporter of a conveyor, a support assembly for supporting the guide rail holding assembly, and cam lever mounted on the support and having a first position for securing the holding assembly against movement relative to the support and a second position for releasing the holding assembly for movement relative to the support whereby movement of the cam lever between its first and second positions permits rapid repositioning of the guide rail relative to the transport chain of a conveyor without the use of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Rexnord Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Ensch, Dennis A. Woyach, Robert E. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5860512
    Abstract: A belt turn conveyor includes a sliding belt frame having first and second generally stationary vertical bearing surfaces and first and second generally stationary horizontal bearing surfaces. An endless belt is rotationally supported by the sliding belt frame and includes means for engaging the vertical bearing surfaces for retaining the endless belt on said sliding belt frame. Endless belt includes a strip of or a plurality of segments of low friction flexible material which is secured to the endless belt for engaging the horizontal surfaces of the sliding belt frame to restrain vertical movement of said endless belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann Dematic Rapistan Corp.
    Inventors: Rodolfo Gianvito, John A. Krznarich, Allan D. Ewing
  • Patent number: 5860783
    Abstract: A cargo container storage and retrieval system and method. One embodiment of a system according to the present invention includes a vessel having cargo hold with a plurality of bulkheads disposed along a width of the cargo hold to define a plurality of adjacent cells along a length of the cargo hold. The cargo hold is also equipped with a plurality of tiers along a depth of the cargo hold. The vessel also includes a deck having a plurality of hatch openings that are used to gain access to the cargo hold. In addition, the vessel includes a storage and retrieval system having a plurality of sets of parallel spaced tracks and a plurality of chassis seats disposed within each set of parallel space tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: John Corcoran
  • Patent number: 5860564
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an ice directing chute mechanism including a slide portion and a housing portion. The slide portion is securable to an ice dispensing machine. In particular, the slide is securable to a regulated opening of the dispenser. The regulated opening includes a door means that is operable between a closed and open position by an operating mechanism such as, a solenoid. The solenoid is activated by a switch electrically connected thereto whereby contacting of the switch results in operating the solenoid to open the door. The door is positioned between an ice retaining bin of the dispenser and the slide portion. A housing portion is releasably secured to and pivotally suspended from the slide portion. Together, the slide and housing portions define an ice channel ending with a downward directed dispense orifice. The housing portion includes a surface portion thereof for contacting the switch that operates the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventor: Ted Jablonski
  • Patent number: 5857559
    Abstract: A belt turn conveyor includes a conveyor support having first and second generally stationary vertical bearing surfaces and first and second generally stationary horizontal bearing surfaces. An endless belt is rotationally supported by the conveyor support and includes bearing assemblies for engaging the vertical bearing surfaces for retaining the endless belt on the conveyor support. An elongated strip of low friction flexible material is secured to the endless belt for engaging the horizontal surfaces of the conveyor support to restrain vertical movement of the endless belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann Dematic Rapistan Corp.
    Inventors: Rodolfo Gianvito, John A. Krznarich, Allan Ewing
  • Patent number: 5857824
    Abstract: A dirt bike carrier (10) for a hitch receiver (12) under a rear bumper (14) in a motor vehicle (16) comprising a box tube (18) having a first end (20) mounted within the hitch receiver (12). A stanchion (22) is provided. A structure (24) is for turning a first end (26) of the stanchion (22) being at a right angle to a second end (28) of the box tube (18), so that the stanchion (22) can go from a horizontal position "A" into a vertical position "B". A support frame (30) maintains a dirt bike (32) thereon. A facility (34) is for pivoting the support frame (30) centrally to a second end (36) of the stanchion (22), so that the support frame (30) can go from a lowered horizontal position "C" to a raised horizontal position "D", with the dirt bike (32) thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Henry L De Aquiar
  • Patent number: 5857830
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking flat articles into a cartridge. The method and apparatus are adapted for use in connection with output compartments of a sorting machine, robotically transferring filled cartridges from the output compartments to a buffer shelf; and from the buffer shelf to a docking station of a cartridge unloader and automatic feeder to the input of the sorting machine, and for transferring empty cartridges from the docking station to either the buffer or the output compartments of the sorter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens ElectroCom L.P.
    Inventors: Luiz C. Harres, Richard C. Hickey, Charles M. Combs
  • Patent number: 5857587
    Abstract: An automatic fastener supplier includes a frame having a receiving section for receiving fasteners. A track is removably and partially mounted in the receiving section. The track includes a gap defined therein for receiving shanks of the fasteners and an upper open edge for retaining heads of the fasteners. A fastener feeding device is mounted in the receiving section and is vertically movable for feeding fasteners in the receiving section onto the track. A main driving device is provided for driving the fastener feeding device to move vertically. A stop is mounted to the front end of the track for preventing further forward movement of the fastener. A track supporting device has a supporting member for supporting the track yet allowing insertion and removal of the track. A position deciding device is mounted to the supporting member for adjusting a longitudinal position of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Yoshitake Ota
  • Patent number: 5857829
    Abstract: A device for isolating stacked flat workpieces includes a driven, web-like supporting framework which rotates in a frame. Rotating rolls are supported at equal intervals on a circle concentric to the turning axis of the framework. Each roll is provided with a row of suction boxes. Driving gears of the rolls are rotated, in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the supporting framework, by a spider gear fixed to the framework. Intermediate gears, through which the spider gear rotates the driving gears, are supported in the supporting framework. A stacking cartridge is placed at the external cylinder defined by the row of suction boxes in such a way that each row of suction boxes of each roll withdraws an exposed workpiece from the cartridge. A transport device which removes an isolated workpiece and further transports the workpiece is placed at the external cylinder. In order to prevent a stack from being set into vibration by a passing roll, a stacking cartridge completely confines the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Windmoller & Holscher
    Inventor: Fritz Achelpohl
  • Patent number: 5853278
    Abstract: A cargo carrier having a torque bar assembly that attaches to a female trailer hitch adapter provided on a rear end of a vehicle. The cargo carrier is provided with a platform that attaches on one of its ends to one end of the torque bar assembly by means of a unique double slanted axis. The other end of the platform releasably latches to an opposite end of the torque bar assembly. The double slanted axis causes a rear end of the platform to be elevated above horizontal when the platform is unloaded and latched to the torque bar assembly and causes the platform to swing slightly uphill when it is unloaded and unlatched on one end from the torque bar assembly and is swung away from the vehicle by means of a speed controlling safety device provided attached to the platform and to the torque bar assembly. An alternate embodiment cargo carrier is electrically operated and provides for reversibly lowering one end of the platform to the ground for loading a wheelchair thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventor: Charles G. Frantz
  • Patent number: 5848723
    Abstract: This document discloses a coupon dispenser in the form of an integral, vacuum-molded thermoplastic sheet foldable upon itself to enclose a stack of coupons in a box-like container with opposed side wall openings which allow withdrawal of coupons from both sides of the dispensing container. Integrally molded mounting accommodation is provided at one end. In an alternative form, the coupon receptacle proper is separately inserted by halves, respectively, in each foldable part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventor: Richard G. Krautsack
  • Patent number: 5846045
    Abstract: An over-the-cab transporting device, including a pair of tracks extending from a position adjacent the vehicle-supporting surface over the cab to a position aft of the cab. A load-carrying platform moves from a position partly supported by the vehicle-supporting surface for loading and unloading to a position above the cab, where it is secured for transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventors: Tim Johnson, Ron Johnson, Robert Ellis
  • Patent number: 5845971
    Abstract: A side dump trailer comprising a trailer body pivotally mounted on a wheeled frame to enable the material within the trailer body to be dumped from one side of the trailer. The body of the trailer is constructed to permit it to transport loose bulk materials or to support elongated rod members or spool members therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Circle R, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph R. Rogers