Patents by Inventor Dirk C. Kann

Dirk C. Kann 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: 6224317
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle is disclosed for loading refuse from a front loading container having a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, first and second side walls and first and second channels along the first and second side walls, and also from a rear loader container having a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, first and second side walls and at least one trunnion having first and second trunnion end portions extending beyond the first and second side walls, respectively. The collection vehicles includes a chassis, a storage body supported by the chassis and having an interior with a roof above the interior providing an opening into the interior and first and second lift arms pivotably coupled to the chassis. The refuse collection vehicle further includes a loader adapter coupled to the first and second lift arms. The loader adapter includes first and second forks, first and second trunnion encircling mechanisms, at least one support arm and at least one container stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Kann Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Dirk C. Kann, Virgil L. Collins, Richard T. Williams
  • Patent number: 6102283
    Abstract: A refuse container includes a plurality of walls defining an interior for containing refuse and a discharge opening and a refuse discharge guide adjacent the discharge opening. The refuse discharge guide moves between a first position in which the guide extends away from the opening into the interior for loading refuse and a second position in which the guide extends away from the opening underneath the interior for funneling refuse during unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Dirk C. Kann
  • Patent number: 5827011
    Abstract: A wave suppression member for suppressing waves along a water surface includes a hollow cylinder having a top defining an opening and a sidewall extending from the top. The sidewall includes a plurality of perforations extending through the sidewall. A flotation member is coupled to the top of the barrel for buoyantly supporting the top of the barrel at the water surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Dirk C. Kann
  • Patent number: 5769501
    Abstract: A multiple compartment storage body for a refuse collection vehicle includes a floor, a roof, a plurality of walls extending between the floor and the roof, a partition and a bulkhead latch. The partition has a first opposing end portion pivotally coupled intermediate the floor and the roof between the walls to allow a second opposing end portion to pivot between the floor and the roof. The bulkhead latch is pivotally supported adjacent the roof and extends from the roof proximate the second opposing end portion. A lower most section of the plurality of sections includes a support member for engaging and supporting the second opposing end portion of the partition between the floor and the roof. The vertical distance the bulkhead vertically extends below the roof is adjustable to adjust a distance at which the second opposing end portion of the partition is supported above the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Kann Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Dirk C. Kann, Virgil L. Collins, Andy B. Appleton
  • Patent number: 5716103
    Abstract: A multiple compartment storage body for a refuse collection vehicle includes a floor, a roof, a plurality of walls extending between the floor and the roof, a partition and a bulkhead latch. The partition has a first opposing end portion pivotally coupled intermediate the floor and the roof between the walls to allow a second opposing end portion to pivot between the floor and the roof. The partition is supported at a plurality of distances between the floor and the roof. The bulkhead latch is pivotally supported adjacent the roof and extends from the roof proximate the second opposing end portion. The bulkhead latch includes a plurality of sections removably coupled to one another. Sections above the lower most section may be removed to adjust a vertical length of the bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignees: Kann Manufacturing Corp., Waste Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk C. Kann, Virgil L. Collins, Richard T. Williams
  • Patent number: 5599071
    Abstract: A multiple compartment storage body for a refuse collection vehicle includes a floor, a roof, a plurality of walls and a partition. The plurality of walls extend between the floor and the roof and include a front wall, a rear wall, and side walls between the front wall and the rear wall. The roof, floor and walls define an interior storage space. The walls define a discharge opening. The partition extends from the front wall towards the rear wall and is positioned between the floor and the roof to divide the interior storage space into an upper compartment having a volume and a lower compartment having a volume. The partition is vertically movable so as to increase the volume of one of the upper and lower compartments in communication with the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Kann Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Dirk C. Kann, Virgil L. Collins