Patents by Inventor Dennis Skraba

Dennis Skraba 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: 8646847
    Abstract: A device and system for removing structures embedded in surrounding material is disclosed. Embodiments include a powered, expandable clamp attached to a rotating cutting tool for removing manholes from roadways. Select embodiments include anchoring a clamp to a manhole and using the manhole itself as leverage to move a cutting device through the surrounding material. Alternate embodiments allow an operator, working alone from a control station, to secure the manhole remover to the manhole, cut through the surrounding roadway, remove the manhole, and deposit the manhole at another location without requiring the operator to leave the control station. Further embodiments optionally include a depth gauge indicating the penetration depth of the cutting tool, an indicator reflecting the expanded state of the clamp, a pendulum mount allowing the clamp and drum to vertically orient using gravity, and/or the ability to attach to a host machine, such as a skid-steer loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Coneqtec Corp.
    Inventors: Gary L. Cochran, Dennis Skraba
  • Patent number: 8002360
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure include planers with side plates which may be adjusted independently or simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a planer with adjustable side plates is comprised of a planer housing enclosing a grinding drum with grinding tools to be moved over a surface to be ground in a direction of travel and a pair of side plates are arranged substantially parallel to the direction of travel and mounted substantially adjacent the housing. The side plates are mechanically linked to the housing and are hydraulically controlled to be adjustably raised and lowered relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Coneqtec Corp.
    Inventors: Gary Cochran, Dennis Skraba
  • Publication number: 20110084540
    Abstract: A device and system for removing structures embedded in surrounding material is disclosed. Embodiments include a powered, expandable clamp attached to a rotating cutting tool for removing manholes from roadways. Select embodiments include anchoring a clamp to a manhole and using the manhole itself as leverage to move a cutting device through the surrounding material. Alternate embodiments allow an operator, working alone from a control station, to secure the manhole remover to the manhole, cut through the surrounding roadway, remove the manhole, and deposit the manhole at another location without requiring the operator to leave the control station. Further embodiments optionally include a depth gauge indicating the penetration depth of the cutting tool, an indicator reflecting the expanded state of the clamp, a pendulum mount allowing the clamp and drum to vertically orient using gravity, and/or the ability to attach to a host machine, such as a skid-steer loader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Gary L. Cochran, Dennis Skraba
  • Publication number: 20090232598
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure include planers with side plates which may be adjusted independently or simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a planer with adjustable side plates is comprised of a planer housing enclosing a grinding drum with grinding tools to be moved over a surface to be ground in a direction of travel and a pair of side plates are arranged substantially parallel to the direction of travel and mounted substantially adjacent the housing. The side plates are mechanically linked to the housing and are hydraulically controlled to be adjustably raised and lowered relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Gary Cochran, Dennis Skraba
  • Patent number: 7325881
    Abstract: In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a grinding machine for creating depression patterns in a surface such as asphalt or concrete. The depression pattern may be a rumble strip for alerting drivers who drift off a driving lane, or may be for other uses. Use of a depression pattern (instead of protrusions) eliminates interference with snowplow operation in areas where plows are used. In the present invention, the grinding machine is based on a trolley which moves at a uniform height along a surface, and includes a forward “gauge” wheel which controls the relative grinding drum depth based on the wheel position and rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the grinding assembly is raised and lowered relative to the trolley in correspondence with the advancement of the trolley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Coneqtec Corp.
    Inventors: Gary L Cochran, Dennis Skraba
  • Publication number: 20060154571
    Abstract: In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a grinding machine for creating depression patterns in a surface such as asphalt or concrete. The depression pattern may be a rumble strip for alerting drivers who drift off a driving lane, or may be for other uses. Use of a depression pattern (instead of protrusions) eliminates interference with snowplow operation in areas where plows are used. In the present invention, the grinding machine is based on a trolley which moves at a uniform height along a surface, and includes a forward “gauge” wheel which controls the relative grinding drum depth based on the wheel position and rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the grinding assembly is raised and lowered relative to the trolley in correspondence with the advancement of the trolley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Gary Cochran, Dennis Skraba
  • Patent number: 7029370
    Abstract: In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a grinding machine for creating depression patterns in a surface such as asphalt or concrete. The depression pattern may be a rumble strip for alerting drivers who drift off a driving lane, or may be for other uses. Use of a depression pattern (instead of protrusions) eliminates interference with snowplow operation in areas where plows are used. In the present invention, the grinding machine is based on a trolley which moves at a uniform height along a surface, and includes a forward “gauge” wheel which controls the relative grinding drum depth based on the wheel position and rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the grinding assembly is raised and lowered relative to the trolley in correspondence with the advancement of the trolley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Coneqtec Corp.
    Inventors: Gary L. Cochran, Dennis Skraba
  • Publication number: 20040166774
    Abstract: In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a grinding machine for creating depression patterns in a surface such as asphalt or concrete. The depression pattern may be a rumble strip for alerting drivers who drift off a driving lane, or may be for other uses. Use of a depression pattern (instead of protrusions) eliminates interference with snowplow operation in areas where plows are used. In the present invention, the grinding machine is based on a trolley which moves at a uniform height along a surface, and includes a forward “gauge” wheel which controls the relative grinding drum depth based on the wheel position and rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the grinding assembly is raised and lowered relative to the trolley in correspondence with the advancement of the trolley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Gary L. Cochran, Dennis Skraba