Patents by Inventor Gene Ray Slinkard

Gene Ray Slinkard 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).

  • Publication number: 20170182854
    Abstract: An apparatus connects a coupler associated with a trailer to a hitch receiver using a tow ball for connecting the trailer to a vehicle via the coupler. A ball mount supports the tow ball and includes a retainer having a first pin for engaging the hitch receiver and an actuator for withdrawing the first pin from engagement. The actuator is configured to prevent the withdrawal of the first pin when the coupler is present on the tow ball. An apparatus is also provided for connecting a coupler associated with a trailer to a vehicle including a hitch receiver adapted for receiving a ball mount supporting a tow ball. The apparatus includes a retainer adapted for positioning over the hitch receiver, the retainer including a first pin for connecting the ball mount to the hitch receiver, and an actuator for disconnecting the first pin from the ball mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventor: Gene Ray Slinkard
  • Patent number: 8074945
    Abstract: A conduit mounting system includes a plurality of modular components. Each modular component includes first and second transverse sides that are spaced apart and substantially parallel with one another and third and fourth longitudinal sides that are spaced apart and substantially parallel with one another. The third and fourth longitudinal sides extend between the first and second sides. Each modular component also includes a fifth side disposed between the first and second sides and between the third and fourth sides. The fifth side includes a conduit support surface disposed between first and second side contact portions. Each modular component also includes a flange having a first flange portion extending beyond a surface of the third side and a second flange portion extending beyond a surface of the first side contact portion of the fifth side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William Thomas Schoenau, Gene Ray Slinkard, Travis James King
  • Publication number: 20100148018
    Abstract: A conduit mounting system includes a plurality of modular components. Each modular component includes first and second transverse sides that are spaced apart and substantially parallel with one another and third and fourth longitudinal sides that are spaced apart and substantially parallel with one another. The third and fourth longitudinal sides extend between the first and second sides. Each modular component also includes a fifth side disposed between the first and second sides and between the third and fourth sides. The fifth side includes a conduit support surface disposed between first and second side contact portions. Each modular component also includes a flange having a first flange portion extending beyond a surface of the third side and a second flange portion extending beyond a surface of the first side contact portion of the fifth side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: William Thomas Schoenau, Gene Ray Slinkard, Travis James King
  • Patent number: 6880766
    Abstract: Particularly in the fuel injector art, two components may define a high pressure space that is sealed against leakage via a planar sealing land between the two components. If a leak develops in the planar contact area between the two components, it can act to wedge the two components apart, which tends to exacerbate the leakage problem, and so on. Since some leakage between the two components is almost inevitable for a variety of reasons known in the art, a strategy that arrests the leak before it can produce the component separating wedge affect would be beneficial. This can be accomplished by positioning a leak arrest volume, which may be vented, around a majority of the perimeter of the high pressure space. The usage of a leak arrest volume finds particular application in fuel injectors, especially a class of common rail fuel injectors that are maintained at high pressure during prolonged periods between injection events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Stephen Robert Lewis, David Balke, Gene Ray Slinkard
  • Publication number: 20040195348
    Abstract: Particularly in the fuel injector art, two components may define a high pressure space that is sealed against leakage via a planar sealing land between the two components. If a leak develops in the planar contact area between the two components, it can act to wedge the two components apart, which tends to exacerbate the leakage problem, and so on. Since some leakage between the two components is almost inevitable for a variety of reasons known in the art, a strategy that arrests the leak before it can produce the component separating wedge affect would be beneficial. This can be accomplished by positioning a leak arrest volume, which may be vented, around a majority of the perimeter of the high pressure space. The usage of a leak arrest volume finds particular application in fuel injectors, especially a class of common rail fuel injectors that are maintained at high pressure during prolonged periods between injection events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen Robert Lewis, David Balke, Gene Ray Slinkard