Patents by Inventor Carl J. Macchietto

Carl J. Macchietto 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: 11821487
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration mitigation device which includes a vertically extending housing and a reciprocating assembly coupled with and fully enclosed inside of the vertically extending housing. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vibration mitigation device may utilize a tension spring as the biasing member while operating in a pneumatic process, an eddy current dampening process or a hybrid combination of the two dampening processes. For low amplitude, the eddy current dampening process may provide improved vibration mitigation results and for higher amplitudes, the pneumatic process may provide improved vibration mitigation results. Other exemplary embodiments include a vibration damping element that utilizes a compression spring as a biasing member for mitigating vibrations. Further exemplary embodiments provide a vibration damping element that utilizes a compression spring and a tension spring as biasing members for mitigating vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventors: Carl J. Macchietto, Richard E. Christenson, Darren E. Ingram
  • Patent number: 11585399
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for energy absorption and vibrational dampening when attached to a vertical or horizontal structure. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a closed housing which may preferably include an internal, curved surface. According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention may include at least one dampening weight or sphere which may preferably be disposed within the closed housing. According to a further preferred embodiment, the dampening sphere may include internal baffling such as particles having resistance to the flow of the particles within the closed housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Macchietto
  • Publication number: 20220042570
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration mitigation device which includes a vertically extending housing and a reciprocating assembly coupled with and fully enclosed inside of the vertically extending housing. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vibration mitigation device may utilize a tension spring as the biasing member while operating in a pneumatic process, an eddy current dampening process or a hybrid combination of the two dampening processes. For low amplitude, the eddy current dampening process may provide improved vibration mitigation results and for higher amplitudes, the pneumatic process may provide improved vibration mitigation results. Other exemplary embodiments include a vibration damping element that utilizes a compression spring as a biasing member for mitigating vibrations. Further exemplary embodiments provide a vibration damping element that utilizes a compression spring and a tension spring as biasing members for mitigating vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl J. Macchietto, Richard E. Christenson, Darren E. Ingram
  • Patent number: 11181165
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration mitigation device which includes a vertically extending housing and a reciprocating assembly coupled with and fully enclosed inside of the vertically extending housing. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vibration mitigation device may utilize a tension spring as the biasing member while operating in a pneumatic process, an eddy current dampening process or a hybrid combination of the two dampening processes. For low amplitude, the eddy current dampening process may provide improved vibration mitigation results and for higher amplitudes, the pneumatic process may provide improved vibration mitigation results. Other exemplary embodiments include a vibration damping element that utilizes a compression spring as a biasing member for mitigating vibrations. Further exemplary embodiments provide a vibration damping element that utilizes a compression spring and a tension spring as biasing members for mitigating vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl J. Macchietto, Richard E. Christenson, Darren E. Ingram
  • Publication number: 20210348667
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for energy absorption and vibrational dampening when attached to a vertical or horizontal structure. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a closed housing which may preferably include an internal, curved surface. According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention may include at least one dampening weight or sphere which may preferably be disposed within the closed housing. According to a further preferred embodiment, the dampening sphere may include internal baffling such as particles having resistance to the flow of the particles within the closed housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Macchietto
  • Patent number: 10900532
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for energy absorption and vibrational dampening in a horizontal plane. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention discloses an apparatus for damping vibration of a pole which includes a housing with a horizontal floor having an inward curved surface for achieving vibration attenuation at a middle portion thereof to form an enclosed chamber. According to a further aspect of the first embodiment, at least one damping weight is preferably disposed in the inward curved surface and is preferably substantially spherical in shape. According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one dampening weight of the present may preferably include a hollow, inner cavity. According to further aspects of the present invention, the dampening weight preferably may further include a granular material located within the inner cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl J. Macchietto, Richard E. Christenson
  • Publication number: 20190154099
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for energy absorption and vibrational dampening in a horizontal plane. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention discloses an apparatus for damping vibration of a pole which includes a housing with a horizontal floor having an inward curved surface for achieving vibration attenuation at a middle portion thereof to form an enclosed chamber. According to a further aspect of the first embodiment, at least one damping weight is preferably disposed in the inward curved surface and is preferably substantially spherical in shape. According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one dampening weight of the present may preferably include a hollow, inner cavity. According to further aspects of the present invention, the dampening weight preferably may further include a granular material located within the inner cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl J. Macchietto, Richard E. Christenson
  • Publication number: 20180306269
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration mitigation device which includes a vertically extending housing and a reciprocating assembly coupled with and fully enclosed inside of the vertically extending housing. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vibration mitigation device may utilize a tension spring as the biasing member while operating in a pneumatic process, an eddy current dampening process or a hybrid combination of the two dampening processes. For low amplitude, the eddy current dampening process may provide improved vibration mitigation results and for higher amplitudes, the pneumatic process may provide improved vibration mitigation results. Other exemplary embodiments include a vibration damping element that utilizes a compression spring as a biasing member for mitigating vibrations. Further exemplary embodiments provide a vibration damping element that utilizes a compression spring and a tension spring as biasing members for mitigating vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl J. Macchietto, Richard E. Christenson, Darren E. Ingram
  • Patent number: 10036446
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration mitigation device which includes a vertically extending housing and a reciprocating assembly coupled with and fully enclosed inside of the vertically extending housing. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vibration mitigation device may utilize a tension spring as the biasing member while operating in a pneumatic process, an eddy current dampening process or a hybrid combination of the two dampening processes. For low amplitude, the eddy current dampening process may provide improved vibration mitigation results and for higher amplitudes, the pneumatic process may provide improved vibration mitigation results. Other exemplary embodiments include a vibration damping element that utilizes a compression spring as a biasing member for mitigating vibrations. Further exemplary embodiments provide a vibration damping element that utilizes a compression spring and a tension spring as biasing members for mitigating vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl J. Macchietto, Richard E. Christenson, Darren E. Ingram
  • Patent number: 9593828
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing effective damping of first mode vibration for a range of different types of poles is disclosed. According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing having a horizontal floor with an inward curved surface to form an enclosed chamber and at least one damping weight disposed in the inward curved surface and adapted to freely roll inside the enclosed chamber. Preferably, the apparatus is mounted on the top end of a pole for damping wind-induced first, second or higher mode vibration of the poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl J. Macchietto, Richard Christenson
  • Publication number: 20160356337
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration mitigation device which includes a vertically extending housing and a reciprocating assembly coupled with and fully enclosed inside of the vertically extending housing. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vibration mitigation device may utilize a tension spring as the biasing member while operating in a pneumatic process, an eddy current dampening process or a hybrid combination of the two dampening processes. For low amplitude, the eddy current dampening process may provide improved vibration mitigation results and for higher amplitudes, the pneumatic process may provide improved vibration mitigation results. Other exemplary embodiments include a vibration damping element that utilizes a compression spring as a biasing member for mitigating vibrations. Further exemplary embodiments provide a vibration damping element that utilizes a compression spring and a tension spring as biasing members for mitigating vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Carl J. Macchietto, Richard E. Christenson, Darren E. Ingram
  • Patent number: 9470288
    Abstract: A vibration mitigation device configured to be fixedly coupled to a generally horizontally extending support member. The vibration mitigation device includes a generally vertically extending housing extending from the generally horizontally extending support member and a reciprocating assembly coupled with and fully enclosed inside of the generally vertically extending housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Carl J. Macchietto, Richard E. Christenson, Darren E. Ingram
  • Publication number: 20150354791
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing effective damping of first mode vibration for a range of different types of poles is disclosed. According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing having a horizontal floor with an inward curved surface to form an enclosed chamber and at least one damping weight disposed in the inward curved surface and adapted to freely roll inside the enclosed chamber. Preferably, the apparatus is mounted on the top end of a pole for damping wind-induced first, second or higher mode vibration of the poles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Carl J. Macchietto, Richard Christenson
  • Publication number: 20150323033
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing effective damping of first mode vibration for a range of different types of poles is disclosed. According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing having a horizontal floor with an inward curved surface to form an enclosed chamber and at least one damping weight disposed in the inward curved surface and adapted to freely roll inside the enclosed chamber. Preferably, the apparatus is mounted on the top end of a pole for damping wind-induced first, second or higher mode vibration of the poles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Carl J. Macchietto, Richard Christenson
  • Publication number: 20150075932
    Abstract: A vibration mitigation device configured to be fixedly coupled to a generally horizontally extending support member. The vibration mitigation device includes a generally vertically extending housing extending from the generally horizontally extending support member and a reciprocating assembly coupled with and fully enclosed inside of the generally vertically extending housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Carl J. Macchietto, Richard E. Christenson, Darren E. Ingram
  • Patent number: 8516752
    Abstract: A support pole having a support member track portion and a support arm track portion is described that is configured to allow lateral and vertical displacement of the carrier device. In one or more implementations, the support pole includes a support member and a support arm extending outwardly from the support member. The support pole includes a support member track portion connected to the support member and a support arm track portion connected to the support arm. The support pole may also include a transition track portion disposed between the support member portion and the support arm portion. The track portions, collectively, are configured to allow a carrier device to transition between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Macchietto
  • Publication number: 20130111848
    Abstract: A support pole having a support member track portion and a support arm track portion is described that is configured to allow lateral and vertical displacement of the carrier device. In one or more implementations, the support pole includes a support member and a support arm extending outwardly from the support member. The support pole includes a support member track portion connected to the support member and a support arm track portion connected to the support arm. The support pole may also include a transition track portion disposed between the support member portion and the support arm portion. The track portions, collectively, are configured to allow a carrier device to transition between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Carl J. Macchietto
  • Patent number: 7621077
    Abstract: A hinged pole having a base plate secured to the lower end thereof with the base plate having a plurality of upstanding brackets secured thereto. A cart is provided which is mounted on the foundation of the pole and is secured thereto and which is connected to the pole. The cart includes a power cylinder which is connected to the pole and which is used to lower the pole from its upstanding position to a horizontal position. The pole may be serviced when the pole is in its horizontal position. When the servicing of the pole has been completed, the pole is raised to its upright position and re-secured to the foundation therefore. The cart is then removed from the pole for use at a different location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Perina, Carl J. Macchietto
  • Patent number: 6833505
    Abstract: A handhole cover for a utility pole includes a cover plate having a pivotal latch bar positioned inwardly therefrom. A rotatable bolt interconnects the cover plate and the latch bar in such a way so that the clockwise rotation of the bolt, during installation, will cause the latch bar to move from a vertically disposed position to a horizontally disposed position. Further counterclockwise rotation of the bolt will draw the latch bar into engagement with the inner end of a lip positioned in the access opening. The design of the invention not only permits easy installation of the cover plate over the access opening of the utility pole, but also permits easy removal of the cover plate from the access opening. The design also deters theft and vandalism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Macchietto
  • Patent number: 6820389
    Abstract: A support pole having a traffic signal support arm secured thereto wherein the connection between the lower end of the support pole and its base plate is strengthened by the use of a strengthening ring welded thereto and also wherein the connection of the support arm to the support pole is strengthened through the use of a strengthening ring provided at the inner end of the support arm. The connections described above also enhance the fatigue strength of the support pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Macchietto