Patents by Inventor Donald L. Crothers

Donald L. Crothers 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: 8348546
    Abstract: A method for transferring a barrier includes providing a barrier having first and second sides and a plurality of barrier modules connected end-to-end, driving a transfer vehicle along a path on the first side of the barrier, wherein the vehicle is supported entirely by a support surface on the first side of the barrier and is free of any engagement with the support surface on the second side of the barrier. The transfer vehicle includes a barrier transfer device with a support disposed above the barrier and a carriage coupled to the support. The method further includes sequentially engaging the plurality of barrier modules with the carriage, sequentially moving the plurality of barrier modules in a lateral direction with the carriage, and sequentially releasing the plurality of barrier modules from the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Welch, Douglas E. Wilkinson, Patrick A. Leonhardt, Michael H. Oberth, Barry D. Stephens, Sean Thompson, Donald L. Crothers
  • Publication number: 20120128418
    Abstract: A method for transferring a barrier includes providing a barrier having first and second sides and a plurality of barrier modules connected end-to-end, driving a transfer vehicle along a path on the first side of the barrier, wherein the vehicle is supported entirely by a support surface on the first side of the barrier and is free of any engagement with the support surface on the second side of the barrier. The transfer vehicle includes a barrier transfer device with a support disposed above the barrier and a carriage coupled to the support. The method further includes sequentially engaging the plurality of barrier modules with the carriage, sequentially moving the plurality of barrier modules in a lateral direction with the carriage, and sequentially releasing the plurality of barrier modules from the carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: James B. Welch, Douglas E. Wilkinson, Patrick A. Leonhardt, Michael H. Oberth, Barry D. Stephens, Sean Thompson, Donald L. Crothers
  • Patent number: 8109692
    Abstract: A barrier transfer device includes a cantilevered support arm and a carriage coupled to the support arm. The carriage includes at least a pair of barrier interface members extending downwardly from the support arm. The barrier interface members are configured to engage a barrier on opposite sides thereof when the barrier. A system for transferring a barrier includes a transfer vehicle having an outermost portion on each of first and second opposite sides of the transfer vehicle. The cantilevered support arm is coupled to the transfer vehicle and extends laterally outwardly past the outermost portion of the transfer vehicle on the first side of the transfer vehicle. A moveable barrier system includes at least one barrier having first and second sides and a bottom adapted to be supported by a ground surface and a transfer vehicle having a barrier interface element engaging only a first side of said barrier. Methods for transferring a barrier are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Welch, Douglas E. Wilkinson, Patrick A. Leonhardt, Michael H. Oberth, Barry D. Stephens, Sean Thompson, Donald L. Crothers
  • Publication number: 20090074507
    Abstract: A barrier transfer device includes a cantilevered support arm and a carriage coupled to the support arm. The carriage includes at least a pair of barrier interface members extending downwardly from the support arm. The barrier interface members are configured to engage a barrier on opposite sides thereof when the barrier. A system for transferring a barrier includes a transfer vehicle having an outermost portion on each of first and second opposite sides of the transfer vehicle. The cantilevered support arm is coupled to the transfer vehicle and extends laterally outwardly past the outermost portion of the transfer vehicle on the first side of the transfer vehicle. A moveable barrier system includes at least one barrier having first and second sides and a bottom adapted to be supported by a ground surface and a transfer vehicle having a barrier interface element engaging only a first side of said barrier. Methods for transferring a barrier are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: James B. Welch, Douglas E. Wilkinson, Patrick A. Leonhardt, Michael H. Oberth, Barry D. Stephens, Sean Thompson, Donald L. Crothers