Patents by Inventor Fred P. Smith
Fred P. Smith 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: 11013391Abstract: An apparatus for scraping a surface. The apparatus includes an attachment element to attach to a cleaning tool, and a scraper element. The scraper element is coupled to the attachment element and includes a blade member and a guard member. The leading edge of the blade member is used to scrape the surface, while the guard member is disposed along one or more lateral edges of the blade member. A corresponding system and method are also disclosed and claimed herein.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Inventors: David G. Smith, Fred P. Smith
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Patent number: 10703150Abstract: A system for attaching a safety chain between a tow vehicle and a trailer, said system including: at least one, but preferably two safety chains permanently attached to the trailer, each safety chain having first and second ends which are interconnected by interlocking chain links, with the first end secured to a releasable attachment for attaching the first end to the tow vehicle; and a locking/unlocking mechanism on each safety chain that is permanently attached to the trailer, and that releasably locks its respective safety chain so that a desired working length of that that safety chain can be provided, where the working length is measured between the locking/unlocking mechanism and the first end. The system provided optimum connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer in the event of a primary decoupling.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Inventor: Fred P. Smith
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Patent number: 10683176Abstract: A material placer includes conveyors on a frame for receiving material from a side dump trailer and conveying the material to a placing location. The conveyors can include a receiving conveyor for receiving material from the side dump trailer through an opening in a side of the placer, a funneling auger for funneling the material so it flows along a narrow flow path, a transfer conveyor for lifting the material after it is dumped from the side dump trailer, and/or a placing conveyor for placing the material at the placing location. The placing conveyor can be movable between a stowed position and a conveying position. A drive system for the conveyor may be located within a conveyor pulley to reduce the envelope of the material placer.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Racehorse Investments, L.L.C.Inventors: Frank J. Beelman, III, Loren Sackett, David Smith, Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill
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Publication number: 20190159647Abstract: An apparatus for scraping a surface. The apparatus includes an attachment element to attach to a cleaning tool, and a scraper element. The scraper element is coupled to the attachment element and includes a blade member and a guard member. The leading edge of the blade member is used to scrape the surface, while the guard member is disposed along one or more lateral edges of the blade member. A corresponding system and method are also disclosed and claimed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2018Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: David G. Smith, Fred P. Smith
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Publication number: 20190077204Abstract: A system for attaching a safety chain between a tow vehicle and a trailer, said system including: at least one, but preferably two safety chains permanently attached to the trailer, each safety chain having first and second ends which are interconnected by interlocking chain links, with the first end secured to a releasable attachment for attaching the first end to the tow vehicle; and a locking/unlocking mechanism on each safety chain that is permanently attached to the trailer, and that releasably locks its respective safety chain so that a desired working length of that that safety chain can be provided, where the working length is measured between the locking/unlocking mechanism and the first end. The system provided optimum connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer in the event of a primary decoupling.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventor: Fred P. Smith
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Publication number: 20190009994Abstract: A material placer includes conveyors on a frame for receiving material from a side dump trailer and conveying the material to a placing location. The conveyors can include a receiving conveyor for receiving material from the side dump trailer through an opening in a side of the placer, a funneling auger for funneling the material so it flows along a narrow flow path, a transfer conveyor for lifting the material after it is dumped from the side dump trailer, and/or a placing conveyor for placing the material at the placing location. The placing conveyor can be movable between a stowed position and a conveying position. A drive system for the conveyor may be located within a conveyor pulley to reduce the envelope of the material placer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2017Publication date: January 10, 2019Applicant: Racehorse Investments, L.L.C.Inventors: Frank J. Beelman, III, Loren Sackett, David Smith, Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill
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Patent number: 10071619Abstract: A system for selectively covering a container with a tarp. The system includes a roller and a tarp connected to the roller. A motor is connected to an output member, and the output member is releasably engaged with the roller. Actuation of the motor when the output member and the roller are engaged causes movement of the roller relative to the tarp. A crank is releasably connected with the roller, wherein one of the crank and the roller is connected to a coupler and the other of the crank and the roller is connected to a joint. When the output member and the roller are disengaged and the crank is connected with the roller, rotation of the crank causes movement of the roller relative to the tarp.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2016Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: WASTEQUIP, LLCInventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill, Carlson Smith
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Publication number: 20160347157Abstract: A system for selectively covering a container with a tarp. The system includes a roller and a tarp connected to the roller. A motor is connected to an output member, and the output member is releasably engaged with the roller. Actuation of the motor when the output member and the roller are engaged causes movement of the roller relative to the tarp. A crank is releasably connected with the roller, wherein one of the crank and the roller is connected to a coupler and the other of the crank and the roller is connected to a joint. When the output member and the roller are disengaged and the crank is connected with the roller, rotation of the crank causes movement of the roller relative to the tarp.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill, Carlson Smith
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Patent number: 9415667Abstract: A roll tarp system is provided which includes a container, a roll pipe, a tarp sized to cover an open top of the container, a power mechanism for rolling the roll pipe from a closed position in which the tarp covers the open top to an open position in which the open top is exposed, and an arm assembly having a flexible arm portion. The arm assembly biases the roll pipe toward the closed position when the roll pipe is in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2015Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Wastequip, LLCInventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill, Carlson Smith
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Patent number: 9387788Abstract: A combination trailer is provided that includes a dump trailer having a bottom surface, a front portion, a back portion, a first side panel, and a second side panel with an upper wall section and a lower wall section. The upper wall section is movable between an open and closed position such that the height of the second side panel is adjustable. An enclosure system is also included in the combination trailer to selectively cover an open top of the dump trailer.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: First Class Services, Inc.Inventors: Randy D. Stroup, Fred P. Smith, David Smith
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Publication number: 20150165883Abstract: A roll tarp system is provided which includes a container, a roll pipe, a tarp sized to cover an open top of the container, a power mechanism for rolling the roll pipe from a closed position in which the tarp covers the open top to an open position in which the open top is exposed, and an arm assembly having a flexible arm portion. The arm assembly biases the roll pipe toward the closed position when the roll pipe is in the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2015Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill, Carlson Smith
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Patent number: 8998287Abstract: A roll tarp system is provided which includes a container, a roll pipe, a tarp sized to cover an open top of the container, a power mechanism for rolling the roll pipe from a closed position in which the tarp covers the open top to an open position in which the open top is exposed, and an arm assembly having a flexible arm portion. The arm assembly biases the roll pipe toward the closed position when the roll pipe is in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Wastequip, LLCInventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill, Carlson Smith
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Publication number: 20130287541Abstract: This application discloses trunnion bar retention systems, the systems may include a pair of holding pieces configured to be coupled to a garbage truck; and a stop formed in each of the holding pieces configured to substantially prevent a trunnion bar from exiting the retention system in response to operation of the packing panels when a container is dumped into the garbage truck, wherein the stop is fixedly attached to the holding piece. In some embodiments, the stop and the holding piece form a trunnion pocket. The system may further include a locking bar pivotably coupled to each of the pair of holding pieces, and a latch coupled to each of the pair of holding pieces, the latches being configured to selectively secure the locking bars to the holding pieces.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: Fred P. Smith, David G. Smith
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Publication number: 20130249236Abstract: A roll tarp system is provided which includes a container, a roll pipe, a tarp sized to cover an open top of the container, a power mechanism for rolling the roll pipe from a closed position in which the tarp covers the open top to an open position in which the open top is exposed, and an arm assembly having a flexible arm portion. The arm assembly biases the roll pipe toward the closed position when the roll pipe is in the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Wastequip, LLCInventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill, Carlson Smith
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Patent number: 8287026Abstract: A relatively lightweight tarping system for use with trailers or other open top containers includes first and second spaced frame members and an elongated flexible member such as a cable or chain connected to and extending therebetween. A tarpaulin may be mounted thereon so that the frame members, flexible member and tarpaulin are pivotable between a covered position atop the open top container and an uncovered position. A four-bar linkage is preferably used in combination with a rotational drive mechanism to provide various advantages in rotating the tarpaulin assembly between the covered and uncovered positions. A width adjustment mechanism is provided to provide usage with trailers or other open top containers of different widths. An improved seal is provided between the tarpaulin and container.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Smith Patents, L.L.C.Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill
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Publication number: 20110227363Abstract: A relatively lightweight tarping system for use with trailers or other open top containers includes first and second spaced frame members and an elongated flexible member such as a cable or chain connected to and extending therebetween. A tarpaulin may be mounted thereon so that the frame members, flexible member and tarpaulin are pivotable between a covered position atop the open top container and an uncovered position. A four-bar linkage is preferably used in combination with a rotational drive mechanism to provide various advantages in rotating the tarpaulin assembly between the covered and uncovered positions. A width adjustment mechanism is provided to provide usage with trailers or other open top containers of different widths. An improved seal is provided between the tarpaulin and container.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: SMITH PATENTS, L.L.C.Inventors: FRED P. SMITH, NATHAN H. MORRILL
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Patent number: 7954877Abstract: A relatively lightweight tarping system for use with trailers or other open top containers includes first and second spaced frame members and an elongated flexible member such as a cable or chain connected to and extending therebetween. A tarpaulin may be mounted thereon so that the frame members, flexible member and tarpaulin are pivotable between a covered position atop the open top container and an uncovered position. A four-bar linkage is preferably used in combination with a rotational drive mechanism to provide various advantages in rotating the tarpaulin assembly between the covered and uncovered positions. A width adjustment mechanism is provided to provide usage with trailers or other open top containers of different widths. An improved seal is provided between the tarpaulin and container.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2009Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Smith Patents, L.L.C.Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill
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Patent number: 7934742Abstract: An apparatus for raising a spring arm of a trailer hitch. The apparatus may include a lift, such as a jack, for attaching to a tongue of a trailer. A link member may be pivotally attached to the lift. The link member may also be pivotally attached to a bracket which may be attached to the spring arm. A brace member may be attached to the link member on an end opposite the bracket. As the lift raises the link member, the link member may pivot about the brace member such that movement of the bracket may be amplified as compared to movement of the lift. Moreover, lifting of the spring arm can be easily accomplished.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2008Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Progress Mfg., Inc.Inventors: Jed Anderson, Fred P. Smith
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Patent number: 7762616Abstract: A cross-member for a trailer frame and a frame incorporating the same. The cross-member extends between longitudinally aligned rails designed to pivotally support a dumping body thereon. The cross-member includes a cylindrical tube having a wall defining a bore therethrough. A planar member is received within the bore and is axially aligned therewith. The tube includes one or more axially aligned openings proximate a central region thereof. The planar member is disposed intermediate the openings and is aligned axially with the openings. The cross-member is substantially rigid under tension and at least a portion thereof is flexible under torsion.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2008Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Sidump'r Trailer Company, Inc.Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill
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Patent number: 7673926Abstract: A relatively lightweight tarping system for use with trailers or other open top containers includes first and second spaced frame members and an elongated flexible member such as a cable or chain connected to and extending therebetween. A tarpaulin may be mounted thereon so that the frame members, flexible member and tarpaulin are pivotable between a covered position atop the open top container and an uncovered position. A four-bar linkage is preferably used in combination with a rotational drive mechanism to provide various advantages in rotating the tarpaulin assembly between the covered and uncovered positions. A width adjustment mechanism is provided to provide usage with trailers or other open top containers of different widths. An improved seal is provided between the tarpaulin and container.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Smith Patents, L.L.C.Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill