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).
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Patent number: 8646847Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 13, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Coneqtec Corp.Inventors: Gary L. Cochran, Dennis Skraba
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Patent number: 8002360Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 11, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Coneqtec Corp.Inventors: Gary Cochran, Dennis Skraba
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Publication number: 20110084540Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Inventors: Gary L. Cochran, Dennis Skraba
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Publication number: 20090232598Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Inventors: Gary Cochran, Dennis Skraba
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Patent number: 7325881Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 15, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Coneqtec Corp.Inventors: Gary L Cochran, Dennis Skraba
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Publication number: 20060154571Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2006Publication date: July 13, 2006Inventors: Gary Cochran, Dennis Skraba
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Patent number: 7029370Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 23, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Coneqtec Corp.Inventors: Gary L. Cochran, Dennis Skraba
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Publication number: 20040166774Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventors: Gary L. Cochran, Dennis Skraba