Patents Examined by Rashmi Sharma
  • Patent number: 7101142
    Abstract: A hitch mountable refuse container transport device has a vertical element supporting a telescoping mount, in an exemplary embodiment, that carries engagement keys on a horizontal bracket. Each key is adapted for engagement with an upper attachment element and a lower attachment element on the refuse container. Adjustment of the telescoping mount lifts the containers for transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventors: Russell J. Bik, William J. Kelley
  • Patent number: 7097023
    Abstract: A finished product receiving unit used in a corrugated metal sheet member making machine for receiving finished products is disclosed to include a rack, rollers arranged in the rack for receiving finished products, two drag rods longitudinally arranged in parallel, links respectively coupled between the drag rods and the rollers, and two air cylinders controlled to move the drag rods and to further shift the rollers between the transverse direction to receive finished products and the longitudinal direction to let received finished products fall to the collection place at the bottom side of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Chun-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 7097204
    Abstract: A sleeper bunk restraining system includes a sleeper bunk configured to be carried by a vehicle and having a top surfaced defining a length upon which an occupant may rest. The bunk includes a stationary portion and a moveable portion defined along the length, and the moveable portion is movable toward the stationary portion to form an occupant restraining barrier. A restraining member may be included and is configured for releasable connection to the vehicle such that the restraining member restrains movement of the movable portion of the bunk relative to the stationary portion of the bunk to thereby maintain the occupant restraining barrier in an occupant restraining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris P. Jessup, Douglas Wayne Bittner
  • Patent number: 7093709
    Abstract: A belt conveyor or belt accumulator includes at least two tandem zones, each of which is defined by a motorized roller and at least one idler roller positioned along and between opposite sidewalls of the conveyor and a continuous belt routed around the motorized roller and the idler roller or rollers. The motorized roller is operable to drive the belt around the rollers to move articles along the respective zone. The belt may have a low modulus characteristic and may be initially stretched at least 0.75% in its lengthwise direction when the belt is reeved or routed around the rollers. The motorized roller of each zone may be independently operable, such as in response to an article sensor at each zone, to convey or accumulate articles on the respective zone of the belt conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp.
    Inventors: David H Cotter, Kenneth J Kooistra, Curtis E LeMay
  • Patent number: 7093706
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner is provided that is particularly well-suited for high temperature applications. The cleaner includes a blade mount that has a layback arm mounting the cleaning blade and which can simultaneously deflect horizontally and vertically via changes in the radius of curvature of a lower arcuate portion connected thereto so as to minimize stress on the blade mount. The layback arm extends toward the conveyor belt at an acute layback angle relative to the immediately upstream belt surface. In another aspect, a belt cleaning system is provided including a plurality of resilient blade mounts that absorb the energy of impacts with the cleaning blade so as to allow for controlled release of the impact energy upon bringing the blade quickly back into scraping engagement with the belt. Preferably, two of these resilient mounts are associated with each blade in the belt scraping area and the others at ends of an elongate support laterally spaced from the scraping area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Brett Edwin DeVries, John H. Winkelman, Mark L. Walde
  • Patent number: 7090064
    Abstract: A conveyor includes a frame having a plurality of upstanding legs. At least one tray unit is carried on the frame. The tray unit includes at least one connector element. The conveyor further includes at least one clip connectable to the frame and having at least one attachment element configured to releasably engage the connector element of the tray. The connector elements can be spaced holes located along the sides of the tray unit. The attachment element can be a projection or tooth on the tray clip configured to selectively engage one or more of the holes on the side of the tray unit. The clip can include a locking arm to lock the tray to the clip to prevent the tray from sliding during use. The width of the frame and/or the tray unit can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: David W. Lutz
  • Patent number: 7090070
    Abstract: A wear strip easily mountable on an outer surface of a support member or structure of a feeder of an agricultural combine, for preventing wear of the support member and a feeder chain movable thereover. The wear strip includes an elongate body of a molded plastics material having a longitudinal extending side to be positioned in facing relation to the chain and an opposite longitudinally extending mounting side to be mounted on the support member, the mounting side including at least one molded plastics mounting tab extending outwardly therefrom in a position for insertion into at least one hole through the support member, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Charles Linder
  • Patent number: 7090066
    Abstract: This invention concerns a new grain unloading system using an integrated ramp, horizontal transfer conveyor and elevating system. The unit is towed, positioned and powered by an agricultural tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Bourgault Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Jason R. Kirsch
  • Patent number: 7083040
    Abstract: A tensioner comprises inner and outer collars engaging a blade holder and a housing. A torsion spring between the collars tensions a blade. One of the collars engages the housing, such as by a locking handle, for fixing the spring tension. The housing may serve to shield the tensioner from debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: ASGCO Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E Finger, George T. Mott
  • Patent number: 7055675
    Abstract: An assembly for cleaning a conveyor belt system is disclosed. The cleaning assembly is for a conveyor belt system with the type having first and second endless belts which each traverse a separate belt travel path and together define a generally upright article transport path between opposed top faces of the belts. The cleaning assembly includes a belt wiping blade assembly for moving liquids and debris from a belt, an absorbent material downstream from the blade assembly for wiping excess liquid from the belt, and belt edge seals disposed between the opposed top faces of the belts along the article transport path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lance E. Behymer, Smarajit Mitra, Jerald W. Hall, Jr., Alexander C. Tsuei
  • Patent number: 7055860
    Abstract: An electrically actuated steering column system that includes an electrically actuated steering column mechanism. A switch is interconnected with the electrically actuated steering column mechanism to allow for movement of a steering column housing relative to a driver. There is also included electrical control structure that regulates the electrically actuated steering column mechanism. The electrically actuated steering column system allows a driver to activate a switch and apply a force to initiate movement of the steering column housing and then deactivate the switch to halt movement and retain the steering column housing in a secure manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray G. Armstrong, Richard K. Riefe, Ravindra Jwalapathy, Marvin V. Manwaring
  • Patent number: 7044287
    Abstract: A conveyor belt washer for cleaning a moving conveyor belt with a pressurized fluid. The conveyor belt washer includes a washtank, a spray assembly located within the washtank and having at least one spray head rotatably mounted with respect to the tank, and at least one splash plate defining a substantially planar splash surface mounted within the washtank and positioned on the opposing side of the conveyor belt from that of the spray assembly. The splash surface is sized to substantially correspond with the circular path defined by the rotatable spray head whereby pressurized fluid passing through the belt is continuously redirected against the opposing side of the conveyor belt upon contact with the splash surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Tarpaulin.Com, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin V. Gray
  • Patent number: 7044289
    Abstract: A screw conveyor for the transport of flowable substances and/or lumps of material comprises a rotatable first screw (1) provided with helical windings (2) arranged in a housing (3) with an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The housing (3) comprises an inlet chamber (4) and a pumping chamber (5) between said inlet and outlet openings and at least in the pumping chamber (5) a second screw (6) is provided with helical windings (7) and arranged for rotation in the opposite direction of the first screw (1), said screws (1, 6) in said pumping chamber (5) providing a positive displacement pumping function by mutual engagement between the two screws (1, 6). By having the parts of the two screws (1, 6) in mutual engagement extending a distance corresponding to at least one half winding out of the pumping chamber (5) and into the inlet chamber (4), overfilling of the pumping chamber (5) and accordingly, the subsequent increased friction in the pumping chamber (5) is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: CFS Slagelse A/S
    Inventors: Rasmus Bukh Madsen, Niels Peter Kofoed
  • Patent number: 7036656
    Abstract: A conveyor 1 for holding glass plates 2 in position during grinding and drilling operations comprising one or more than one belt 3, 3? 3? having a rotating surface and a suction generator 6 for generating a vacuum on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Forvet S.R.L.
    Inventor: Davide Gariglio
  • Patent number: 7033130
    Abstract: A depalletizer includes an input assembly for supporting a loaded pallet loaded with at least one product, a lift assembly, and a product take-away assembly. The input assembly presents the loaded pallet to the lift assembly, which moves the loaded pallet to a product unloading elevation. The product take-away assembly is positioned for receiving a product from the pallet at the unloading elevation. The depalletizer assembly also includes a pallet take-away assembly. After the product is unloaded from the pallet, the lift assembly moves the unloaded pallet to a pallet discharge elevation, where the pallet take-away assembly is positioned to receive an unloaded pallet from the lift assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp.
    Inventors: Michael B Watson, Troy E Coolbaugh, Thomas B Smith
  • Patent number: 7032738
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for returning machined workpieces from the delivery side of a first machining unit to the feeding side of the first or of another machining unit. The inventive device comprises the following: a transfer device (1) for transferring the machined workpieces to the delivery side of the first machining unit; a lifting device for lifting the workpieces, which are delivered by the transfer unit, into a return position located above the transfer unit, and; a return device (2) for conveying the workpieces, which are delivered by the lifting device, back to the feeding side of the first or the other machining unit. The transfer device (1) comprises a transfer table with interspaced first supporting elements (4) for the workpieces. The lifting device comprises at least one lifting table (3, 3?, 3?) that, in turn, has interspaced second support elements (5), which can be upwardly guid through between the first support elements (4) of the transfer table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Ligmatech Automationssysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Bodo Tönnigs, Dietmar Kaden
  • Patent number: 7032739
    Abstract: An intermediate product carrying apparatus is provided for loading a carrier, which is carried between a plurality of process systems and stores a plurality of intermediate products, into the corresponding process system, and then transferring the plurality of intermediate products of the carrier to a single wafer carrying conveyer, which carries the intermediate products in a single wafer state to an intermediate product manufacturing apparatus provided in the process system. The intermediate product carrying apparatus comprising: an intermediate product transfer means provided in the process system, for loading the carrier, which is carried between process systems and which stores the plurality of intermediate products, into the corresponding process system, and transferring the intermediate products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Tanaka, Yoshitake Kobayashi, Hisashi Fujimura, Yasutsugu Aoki
  • Patent number: 7021450
    Abstract: A device for correcting uneven spacing of successive articles includes a first conveyor belt having a plurality of articles spaced thereon. At least one article is unevenly spaced. A second conveyor belt is located downstream of the first conveyor belt upon which the plurality of articles are evenly spaced or shingled. A controller moves forwards and backwards, thereby extending or retracting a discharge end of the first conveyor belt and allowing uniform spacing or stacking of the articles on the second conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore E. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7014031
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying parts for use with parts with projections the protruding part of which is formed on either the upper side or the lower side as seen in the direction of height, has a regulating member (17) comprising a regulating portion of a width for preventing passage of the protruding part (11) of the part (10) and a non regulating portion (19) of a width allowing passage of the protruding part (11), to prevent passage of a part placed upside down in the case where such part is transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7008166
    Abstract: A door lifting apparatus includes a frame and a lift mechanism. The lift mechanism includes a slide and a lever. The slide includes a plurality of holders and a plurality of glides, wherein the holders are operable to engage and support a door while the glides cooperate with rails provided upon the frame to guide the slide along the rails. Pivotal movement of the lever moves the slide vertically relative to the upright supports, thereby raising or lowering the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mark Grimes