Patents by Inventor Bart M. Preston

Bart M. Preston has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6317914
    Abstract: A dockleveler comprising a support structure adapted to be mounted to a loading dock, a ramp connected to the support structure and movable between a raised position and a lowered position, a upward biasing mechanism connected to the ramp, and a holdown mechanism connected between the ramp and the support structure. The holdown mechanism includes a spring assembly having an extension spring that increases in length as the ramp moves toward the raised position. The holdown mechanism further includes an adapter member interconnecting the holdown mechanism with at least one of the ramp and the support structure. The adapter member is separable from the holdown mechanism to allow the attachment of different adapter members to the holdown mechanism without cutting or welding. The extension spring is housed within a first hollow member and a second hollow member positioned at least partially within the first hollow member and movable relative to the first hollow member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kelley Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Bart M. Preston
  • Publication number: 20010034915
    Abstract: A dockleveler comprising a support structure, a ramp connected to the support structure and movable between raised and lowered positions, a upward biasing mechanism connected to the ramp, and a holdown mechanism connected between the ramp and the support structure. The holdown mechanism includes a spring assembly having an extension spring that increases in length as the ramp moves toward the raised position. The holdown mechanism further includes an adapter member interconnecting the holdown mechanism with at least one of the ramp and the support structure. The adapter member is separable from the holdown mechanism to allow the attachment of different adapter members to the holdown mechanism without cutting or welding. The extension spring is housed within a first hollow member and a second hollow member positioned at least partially within the first hollow member and movable relative to the first hollow member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Kelley Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Bart M. Preston