Patents by Inventor Clarence W. Ashcraft

Clarence W. Ashcraft 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: 6095342
    Abstract: A gold pan (20) and classifying device for separating granular materials of varying specific gravities of generally rectangular shape including two substantially vertical side walls (21), two sloping side walls (22) with laminated plate (24) and edge (25) construction, a gold concentrating trap (33) at the bottom of the four walls with volume of less than one tenth of one percent of total pan volume, a bottom opening (23) and seal (28) for removal of gold concentrates from the concentrating trap (33) through the pan bottom while waste materials are retained in the pan (20). The unique design enables even a beginner to achieve proficiency in minutes while processing much more material than previously possible with existing pans, either with or without the assistance of a liquid medium and with little or no potential for losing fine gold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Clarence W. Ashcraft
  • Patent number: 5785182
    Abstract: A small sluice for final separation of gold from all other materials commonly found in deposits of gravel, sand, etc. including a bottom panel (14) with a plurality of grooves (16), two substantially vertical sidewalls (15), a flared entrance end (13) and device for closing (18) the flared entrance end (13). This sluice is suitable for many uses including the cleanup of concentrates from panning and sluicing operations and for prospecting sampling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Clarence W. Ashcraft