Patents by Inventor Ivan E. Bounds
Ivan E. Bounds 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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Publication number: 20120199038Abstract: A system for guiding rails onto a rail train having rail cars with a plurality of vertically spaced rail support shelves includes upwardly opening guide channels extending from funnel members position at the end of the rail car to each shelf in alignment with the outermost rail receiving pockets of each shelf. A guide shoe with a horizontal roller recessed therein and projecting below the bottom of the shoe is mounted on the end of a rail threaded across the shelves and guide channels of the rail support car. An alternative guide shoe further includes vertically extending rollers projecting from the sides of the guide shoe.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2011Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: HERZOG CONTRACTING CORP.Inventors: Stanley M. Herzog, Ivan E. Bounds
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Publication number: 20120145032Abstract: A rail train for supporting multiple sticks of ribbon rail comprises a plurality of rail support cars having a single, centrally positioned rail support stand wherein adjacent rail support cars are supported on shared trucks. End cars include a tunnel for supporting the rails near their ends and one or more rail support arms pivotal at a first end about two axis and supporting a rail guide assembly at a second end for supporting a rail as it is pulled of the rail train. A rail tie-down car utilizes spring-loaded, hydraulically actuated clamp assemblies to clamp individual rails to the tie-down car. Each clamp assembly incorporates at least two clamp members which act opposite one another to prevent the rail secured in place by the clamps from sliding in either longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2012Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: HERZOG CONTRACTING CORP.Inventor: Ivan E. Bounds
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Patent number: 8181577Abstract: A rail train for supporting multiple sticks of ribbon rail comprises a plurality of rail support cars having a single, centrally positioned rail support stand wherein adjacent rail support cars are supported on shared trucks. End cars include a tunnel for supporting the rails near their ends and one or more rail support arms pivotal at a first end about two axis and supporting a rail guide assembly at a second end for supporting a rail as it is pulled of the rail train. A rail tie-down car utilizes spring-loaded, hydraulically actuated clamp assemblies to clamp individual rails to the tie-down car. Each clamp assembly incorporates at least two clamp members which act opposite one another to prevent the rail secured in place by the clamps from sliding in either longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Herzog Contracting Corp.Inventor: Ivan E. Bounds
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Publication number: 20110129314Abstract: A clamp assembly for supporting multiple elongate rails in a rail tie-down car utilizes spring-loaded, hydraulically actuated clamp assemblies to clamp individual rails to the tie-down car. Each clamp assembly incorporates at least two clamp members which act opposite one another to prevent the rail secured in place by the clamps from sliding in either longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2011Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: HERZOG CONTRACTING CORP.Inventor: Ivan E. Bounds
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Publication number: 20110041721Abstract: A rail train for supporting multiple sticks of ribbon rail comprises a plurality of rail support cars having a single, centrally positioned rail support stand wherein adjacent rail support cars are supported on shared trucks. End cars include a tunnel for supporting the rails near their ends and one or more rail support arms pivotal at a first end about two axis and supporting a rail guide assembly at a second end for supporting a rail as it is pulled of the rail train. A rail tie-down car utilizes spring-loaded, hydraulically actuated clamp assemblies to clamp individual rails to the tie-down car. Each clamp assembly incorporates at least two clamp members which act opposite one another to prevent the rail secured in place by the clamps from sliding in either longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: Herzog Contracting Corp.Inventor: Ivan E. Bounds
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Patent number: 7765935Abstract: A rail threading mechanism for a rail handling vehicle includes a thread box mounted on the outer end of a manipulating arm. The thread box includes a platform and a pair of jaws pivotally connected to the platform and moveable between open and closed positions. The platform includes a support roller for rollingly engaging the flat bottom of a rail. Each jaw include a plurality of jaw rollers positioned for rollingly engaging a rail positioned on the support roller when the respective jaw is in the closed position. The jaw rollers on each jaw preferably include a pair of base rollers positioned for engaging an edge of the base of the rail, a pair of flange top rollers positioned for engaging a top surface of the top flange of the rail, and a flange side roller positioned for engaging an edge surface of the top flange of the rail.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Herzog Contracting Corp.Inventor: Ivan E. Bounds
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Publication number: 20100107925Abstract: A method and apparatus for spreading ballast along railways makes use of an inertial measurement system to determine where to apply ballast from a hopper car. A variety of techniques can be used to determine the location and speed of the ballast spreading train, including manual or automated visual techniques, laser technology, radar technology, radio frequency transponders, magnetic sensor, thermal imaging and aerial photogrammetry. The invention also contemplates “on the fly” surveys and terrain profiling using lasers or radar.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2010Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: HERZOG CONTRACTING CORP.Inventor: Ivan E. Bounds
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Patent number: 7707943Abstract: A rail unloading vehicle is self-propelled and able to travel either over-the-road on conventional roadway tires or along railway tracks on railway wheels. Threading mechanisms for unloading the rails are arranged to retract so they provide a narrow profile for transport over the road. The threading mechanisms have thread boxes with jaws that open to accommodate easy reception of rails, and close to apply rollers to the rails for unloading operations. A special rail clamp has a pair of oppositely pivoting dogs to allow rail manipulation in opposite directions without slippage. A special saw allows safe on-site cutting of rails.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Herzog Contracting Corp.Inventors: Stanley M. Herzog, Ivan E. Bounds, Tony Shirk, Lawrence E. Guerra, Steven R. Walton
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Patent number: 7707944Abstract: A method and apparatus for spreading ballast along railways makes use of an inertial measurement system to determine where to apply ballast from a hopper car. A variety of techniques can be used to determine the location and speed of the ballast spreading train, including manual or automated visual techniques, laser technology, radar technology, radio frequency transponders, magnetic sensor, thermal imaging and aerial photogrammetry. The invention also contemplates “on the fly” surveys and terrain profiling using lasers or radar.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Herzog Contracting Corp.Inventor: Ivan E. Bounds
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Publication number: 20090193950Abstract: An automatic rail saw includes a frame adapted to be lowered onto a railroad rail by a crane. A lower end of the frame includes a channel for receiving the rail. A releasable clamp mechanism on the frame is operable to clamp the rail in the channel. A saw blade is mounted on the frame for rotation about a rotational axis and for linear movement along a cutting path extending through the channel for cutting of the rail with said blade. The blade is driven by a blade motor and moved along the cutting path by a drive motor. A control system adjusts the rate at which the saw blade moves along the cutting path based on measured parameters such as blade speed, current draw of the drive motor and hydraulic pressure at the drive motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2009Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: HERZOG CONTRACTING CORP.Inventor: Ivan E. Bounds
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Publication number: 20090095188Abstract: A rail threading mechanism for a rail handling vehicle includes a thread box mounted on the outer end of a manipulating arm. The thread box includes a platform and a pair of jaws pivotally connected to the platform and moveable between open and closed positions. The platform includes a support roller for rollingly engaging the flat bottom of a rail. Each jaw include a plurality of jaw rollers positioned for rollingly engaging a rail positioned on the support roller when the respective jaw is in the closed position. The jaw rollers on each jaw preferably include a pair of base rollers positioned for engaging an edge of the base of the rail, a pair of flange top rollers positioned for engaging a top surface of the top flange of the rail, and a flange side roller positioned for engaging an edge surface of the top flange of the rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: HERZOG CONTRACTING CORP.Inventor: Ivan E. Bounds
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Patent number: 7437997Abstract: A method of efficiently delivering replacement railway ties for use in replacing ties that have deteriorated. GPS technology is used to obtain the GPS location of each tie that needs to be replaced. A tie train carrying replacement ties has a GPS monitor so that one or more ties can be unloaded at or near the location of each tie that requires replacement. A tie replacement crew can use a GPS monitor to locate each tie that requires replacement, and the crew can remove those ties and install a nearby replacement tie.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2008Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Herzog Contracting Corp.Inventors: Stanley M. Herzog, Ivan E. Bounds, Timothy M. Beers, Steve Pete, Ron Schmitz, Stephen L. Bedingfield, Daniel B. Laughlin, Joseph A. Kneib
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Publication number: 20080163782Abstract: A method of efficiently delivering replacement railway ties for use in replacing ties that have deteriorated. GPS technology is used to obtain the GPS location of each tie that needs to be replaced. A tie train carrying replacement ties has a GPS monitor so that one or more ties can be unloaded at or near the location of each tie that requires replacement. A tie replacement crew can use a GPS monitor to locate each tie that requires replacement, and the crew can remove those ties and install a nearby replacement tie.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2008Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventors: Stanley M. HERZOG, Ivan E. Bounds, Timothy M. Beers, Steve Peter, Ron Schmitz, Stephen L. Bedingfield, Daniel B. Laughlin, Joseph A. Kenib
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Publication number: 20080141893Abstract: A rail unloading vehicle is self-propelled and able to travel either over-the-road on conventional roadway tires or along railway tracks on railway wheels. Threading mechanisms for unloading the rails are arranged to retract so they provide a narrow profile for transport over the road. The threading mechanisms have thread boxes with jaws that open to accommodate easy reception of rails, and close to apply rollers to the rails for unloading operations. A special rail clamp has a pair of oppositely pivoting dogs to allow rail manipulation in opposite directions without slippage. A special saw allows safe on-site cutting of rails.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Stanley M. Herzog, Ivan E. Bounds, Tony Shirk, Lawrence E. Guerra, Steven R. Walton
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Patent number: 7152347Abstract: A method and apparatus for spreading ballast along railways makes use of an inertial measurement system to determine where to apply ballast from a hopper car. A variety of techniques can be used to determine the location and speed of the ballast spreading train, including manual or automated visual techniques, laser technology, radar technology, radio frequency transponders, magnetic sensor, thermal imaging and aerial photogrammetry. The invention also contemplates “on the fly” surveys and terrain profiling using lasers or radar.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Herzog Contracting CorporationInventors: Stanley M. Herzog, Ivan E. Bounds, Ron Schmitz, Randy Pogglemiller, Stephen Bedingfield, Dan Laughlin, Pat Harris, Tony Shirk
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Patent number: 6981452Abstract: A method and apparatus for unloading long ribbon rails which are carried on a transport car on bunks which hold the rails in four or five different tiers each containing eight to ten rails. A special railcar is equipped with a gantry crane which feeds the rails from the bunks into power driven thread boxes. The thread boxes grip the rails and feed them rearwardly onto the railway bed. After the first two rails have been unloaded side by side, the next pair are fed into the thread boxes. The thread boxes feed these rails out of the bunks as the train is moved forwardly at the same speed as the rails are fed rearwardly so that the rails are unloaded end to end with the first pair of rails. The railcar has retractable over the road wheels that allow it to be towed on the roadway to the site of the rail transport car.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2004Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Herzog Contracting Corp.Inventors: Stanley M. Herzog, Ivan E. Bounds, Timothy M. Beers, Wayne Lee Gladden, Lawrence E. Guerra
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Publication number: 20040138788Abstract: A logistics system and method are mounted on a vehicle and utilize vehicle position control for logistics operations, such as loading and unloading material to and from the vehicle. The position control can be GPS-based and/or based on linear movement of the vehicle, such as movement of a railcar along a rail track. A computer-based position control subsystem mounted on the vehicle is connected to and operates vehicle-mounted components for performing the logistics functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: Stanley M. Herzog, Ronald A. Schmitz, Ivan E. Bounds, Randy L. Poggemiller
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Publication number: 20040089086Abstract: A transmission for an automotive vehicle or other machine has an input shaft carrying an input gear that mates with and drives a reduction gear carried on a countershaft. The countershaft carries a plurality of drive gears that mesh with driven gears on an output shaft. A rigid link is connected between the output shaft and countershaft to prevent the shafts from flexing relative to one another and thereby cause improper meshing of the gears. The link can also be rigidly connected with the transmission housing or a cast part of housing to keep the shafts from flexing relative to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2002Publication date: May 13, 2004Inventors: Gregory A. Ewing, Donald R. Heskett, Michael A. Van Haele, Thomas L. Buzze, Ivan E. Bounds
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Patent number: 6704626Abstract: A logistics system and method are mounted on a vehicle and utilize vehicle position control for logistics operations, such as loading and unloading material to and from the vehicle. The position control can be GPS-based and/or based on linear movement of the vehicle, such as movement of a railcar along a rail track. A computer-based position control subsystem mounted on the vehicle is connected to and operates vehicle-mounted components for performing the logistics functions.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1999Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Herzog Contracting Corp.Inventors: Stanley M. Herzog, Ronald A. Schmitz, Ivan E. Bounds, Randy L. Poggemiller
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Publication number: 20040015275Abstract: A GPS based system for automatically controlling the travel and other operational functions of a train. The system stores data characteristic of each location long the track such as speed limits, rail crossing locations and station locations. GPS input data provide information as to the current geographic coordinates of the train. If action is necessary such as slowing to conform with speed limits, sounding the horn as a crossing is approached, or announcing the approach to a train station, the system automatically takes the indicated action. Each train transmits its current location to other trains in the vicinity via satellite. An override allows a human operation to intervene and operate the train if necessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2002Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: Stanley M. Herzog, Ivan E. Bounds, Patrick Harris