Patents by Inventor James C. Pankow

James C. Pankow 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: 5106245
    Abstract: A chock for use in securing four wheel vehicles such as automobiles to the deck-mounted rail of a transport carrier includes a frame, with the frame having a pocket formed and adapted to mount the frame laterally over the deck-mounted rail. The rail has a series of transverse openings and the frame has at least one pin extending from the side of the pocket and positioned to extend through a rail opening. There is a locking member pivotally mounted to the frame on an axis perpendicular to the frame pin or pins. The locking member has a handle portion outside of the frame and a rail engaging portion movable within the pocket and arranged to bear against one side of the rail to secure the frame pin or pins within the rail openings and thus the frame to the rail. There is a latch for holding the locking member in a locking position. A rotatable rod is mounted in the frame and has a tire engaging web attached to it with rotation of the rod tightening or releasing the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignees: Donald L. Moyer, Thomas O. Allred
    Inventors: William E. Fritz, James C. Pankow
  • Patent number: 5005739
    Abstract: A seal for use between the end tube and the end plate of the outlet gate of a railroad hopper car has a generally flat body with a periphery generally coextensive with the end tube. The body is formed of an elastic material and has a shaft opening in alignment with the valve shaft of the outlet gate and a discharge opening in alignment with the discharge opening of the outlet gate end plate. There is a continuous elastic seal extending outwardly from each face of the flat body, with the seals each extending about the shaft opening and the discharge opening and being adapted to be in compressive contact with the end tube and the end plate when the outlet gate is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Gen-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Fritz, James C. Pankow
  • Patent number: 4974999
    Abstract: A lock for the end tube assembly and gate valve for the outlet gate of a railroad hopper car includes an elongated flexible cable and a locking element. The end tube assembly includes an end tube and an end tube cap for closing the end tube. There is a pivotal connection and a latch between the cap the end tube. The latch includes a latch member having an opening therein. The gate valve includes a valve member and an operating handle. The operating handle has an opening therein and is located adjacent to the latch member. The elongated cable, which forms a portion of the lock, passes through the handle opening and the latch member opening and has opposite ends thereof secured together by the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Gen-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Fritz, James C. Pankow
  • Patent number: 4975000
    Abstract: An end tube assembly for the outlet gate of a railroad hopper car includes an end tube and an end tube cap for closing the end tube. The cap is pivotally connected to the end tube and there is a diametrically opposed latch between the cap and end tube. The cap has a guide which extends toward and over the end tube and there is a ramp on the end tube in alignment with the guide to coaxially direct the guide and cap on the end tube during closure. There is a lock on the end tube adjacent the ramp to prevent relative circumferential movement between the cap and end tube. The end tube mounts a gasket which faces the end tube cap. The cap has a rim extending outwardly therefrom for contact with the gasket. The extension of the rim gradually varies from at least one area of greatest extent to at least one area of lesser extent to compensate for distortion of the cap when it is latched onto the end tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Gen-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Fritz, James C. Pankow