Patents by Inventor James P. Crocker

James P. Crocker 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: 20240117576
    Abstract: A surface marking truck for heating and applying epoxy. The surface marking truck is self-propelled and comprised of laterally disposed kettles allowing for a platform area about the kettles for placement of replaceable totes holding epoxy, catalyst, or glass beads. Each tote is coupled to a kettle allowing gravity filling of each kettle. Epoxy and catalyst material held in the kettles and totes is heated before mixing and application through a spraying system. The spraying system includes a recirculation system that eliminates the need for jacketed transfer lines. Retro-reflective glass beads can be added to the epoxy during or after the spraying step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Publication number: 20230407581
    Abstract: A surface marking devices for heating and applying thermoplastic material. The surface marking device is comprised of laterally disposed oil-jacketed melting kettles having a rotatable auger extending from a first end to a second end; the first end having an open inlet for receipt of particulate thermoplastic marking material in a non-molten state. The second end coupled to a thermo pump for transfer of the thermoplastic marking material in a molten state to a sprayer, extrusion die, or an auxiliary vehicle for subsequent application. Retro-reflective glass beads can be added to the molten state during the spraying step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Patent number: 11725352
    Abstract: A mobile vehicle mounted hydro demolition system comprising ultra-high pressurized water through a rotating nozzle water jet for cutting concrete, including a water supply, a vacuum blower, and a vacuum container that has offset with a dewatering bag so that incoming water can be pumped off as wastewater. A remote control gives an operator immediate adjustments of the rotational speed of the nozzle; the transverse traversing speed of the nozzle; the forward advancement of the vehicle; the number of traverses the head traverses before the vehicle advances its predetermined step; the pressure of the high-pressure pump; the amount of vacuum cfm's the blowers are producing; the steering of the vehicle; and the traversing distance of the rotating nozzle. By manipulating the above parameters the depth of removal is predictable and provides a consistent depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Waterblasting LLC
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Publication number: 20230175217
    Abstract: An impact attenuator safety truck with a configurable flatbed capable of carrying a forklift. The safety truck provides a crash barrier for roadway construction projects using impact absorbing sections (TMAs) that are movable from a stowage position above the surface of the flatbed, thereby allowing the entire surface of the flatbed for storage. The forklift is secured to the flatbed when the impact absorbing sections are in the stowage position. When the impact absorbing sections are in a deployed position, the forklift can access the flatbed surface from either side. A pair of hydraulic cylinders in combination with pivot arms and a cradle allows rotating of the impact absorbing sections between the stowage position and deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Patent number: 11619449
    Abstract: Melting kettles for use on vehicles for continuous processing of material for applying lines, stripes, bitumen, crack sealant or the like. The kettles disclosed herein provide heat transfer by use of oil jacketed tanks. A coil may be placed along a lower section for heat transfer through a burner for heating recirculated oil. A coil may be placed in a lower section and an upper section for heating an oil jacket, as well as heat transfer from the entire circumference of a coil placed in the upper section. An upper coil can be fluidly coupled to a lower coil and positioned within the chamber a spaced apart distance from the interior wall of the melter kettle. A mixer system rotates paddles to cause continuous transfer of material around the upper coil. The melter kettle is cylindrical, but can be corrugated to increase heatable surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: WATERBLASTING, LLC
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Patent number: 11604028
    Abstract: A melting kettle for processing of thermoplastic material. The kettle disclosed herein obtains heat transfer by use of an oil jacketed tank with an adjoining main tank for storage of hot oil and a hose tank for recovery of the hot oil. Oil expelled from the oil jacket is directed to the main tank through an opening. Spillage of oil from the hose tank is directed to the main tank through an aperture. The melting kettle reduces the space needed for oil storage, and increases operator safety by eliminating additional transfer lines. Dual kettles benefit by having the adjoining main tank placed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: WATERBLASTING, LLC
    Inventors: James P. Crocker, Caleb Carroll
  • Patent number: 11479249
    Abstract: The invention involves a low speed control system and method for automatically regulating the speed of work vehicles or equipment and, more particularly, vehicles that apply, remove or modify roadways or road markings. The system includes a controller, a speed display, at least one rotary encoder or the like, and one or more Eddy current or mechanical brakes for inhibiting motion of the vehicle at the operator's control. The brakes may be pneumatic, spring operated, Eddy current, or hydraulic that are controlled in response to feedback from the at least one rotary encoder for compliance with the preset speed on the speed display. In another embodiment, a throttle control is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Waterblasting, LLC
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Publication number: 20220220682
    Abstract: A mobile vehicle mounted dry filtration system to support a grinder system used for removal of markings, creating rumble strips, or the like. Blowers create a vacuum for drawing debris and dust from the grinder system into a debris bin. Large debris is removed from the vacuum draw and remains in the bin for later disposal. Small particles and dust are drawn into parallel positioned filter cyclones that have a cyclonic separation followed by flexible and inexpensive bag filters. The flexible filters are cleaned using vibrating diaphragms mounted on the top of the filter cyclones subject to a reverse air flow by the blowers using slide valves. A polishing tank containing water receives the exhaust from the filter cyclones for removal of airborne particles and sound suppression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: James P. Crocker, Stephen Carroll
  • Publication number: 20220205192
    Abstract: A mobile vehicle mounted hydro demolition system comprising ultra-high pressurized water through a rotating nozzle water jet for cutting concrete, including a water supply, a vacuum blower, and a vacuum container that has offset with a dewatering bag so that incoming water can be pumped off as wastewater. A remote control gives an operator immediate adjustments of the rotational speed of the nozzle; the transverse traversing speed of the nozzle; the forward advancement of the vehicle; the number of traverses the head traverses before the vehicle advances its predetermined step; the pressure of the high-pressure pump; the amount of vacuum cfm's the blowers are producing; the steering of the vehicle; and the traversing distance of the rotating nozzle. By manipulating the above parameters the depth of removal is predictable and provides a consistent depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Patent number: 11174858
    Abstract: An improvement to surface marking devices for pumping and circulating melted thermoplastic material to various surfaces including roads, parking lots and the like is provided. The pump for melted thermoplastic is comprised of a cold section and a hot section. The hot section is connected to a fluid or electric motor, or alternatively, an internal combustion engine for providing rotation to the pump. The connection to provide rotation to the hot section is through the cold section, which is spaced away from the hot section and connected with shafting to provide rotation to the hot section. A heating jacket is secured to the hot section for transferring heat from an external source to the hot section. The spacing between the hot and cold sections provides the ability to rebuild the hot section of the pump without removal from the cold section and without removal from the vehicle to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Waterblasting, LLC
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Publication number: 20210123677
    Abstract: A melting kettle for processing of thermoplastic material. The kettle disclosed herein obtains heat transfer by use of an oil jacketed tank with an adjoining main tank for storage of hot oil and a hose tank for recovery of the hot oil. Oil expelled from the oil jacket is directed to the main tank through an opening. Spillage of oil from the hose tank is directed to the main tank through an aperture. The melting kettle reduces the space needed for oil storage, and increases operator safety by eliminating additional transfer lines. Dual kettles benefit by having the adjoining main tank placed therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: James P. Crocker, Caleb Carroll
  • Publication number: 20210123678
    Abstract: Melting kettles for use on vehicles for continuous processing of material for applying lines, stripes, bitumen, crack sealant or the like. The kettles disclosed herein provide heat transfer by use of oil jacketed tanks. A coil may be placed along a lower section for heat transfer through a burner for heating recirculated oil. A coil may be placed in a lower section and an upper section for heating an oil jacket, as well as heat transfer from the entire circumference of a coil placed in the upper section. An upper coil can be fluidly coupled to a lower coil and positioned within the chamber a spaced apart distance from the interior wall of the melter kettle. A mixer system rotates paddles to cause continuous transfer of material around the upper coil. The melter kettle is cylindrical, but can be corrugated to increase heatable surface area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Patent number: 10883232
    Abstract: A pavement striping devices for heating and applying thermoplastic material to a road surface is provided. The pavement striping device includes of: a hopper for holding a supply of particulate thermoplastic marking material in a non-molten state, an air or oil-heat transfer medium melting kettle having a series of coaxial conveyored or unconveyored conduits within, a plastic extruder for transporting the thermoplastic particulate from the hopper to the series of coaxial conveyored or unconveyored conduits with the air or oil-heat transfer medium melting kettle, a heating mechanism for heating the air or oil-heat transfer medium melting kettle and the plastic extruder to a temperature suitable for melting thermoplastic, and a means for driving the stream of molten thermoplastic through the series of coaxial conveyored or unconveyored conduits to a sprayer or extrusion die, all of which form a means by which the molten thermoplastic is directed to the pavement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Waterblasting, LLC
    Inventor: James P Crocker
  • Publication number: 20200232170
    Abstract: A grinder head for high pressure mobile cleaning of roadways. The grinder head combines a rotating spinner member having polycrystalline diamond cutting tips which work in combination with ultra-high pressurized fluid for removing roadway stripes and the like matters from a roadway with damaging the underlying surface. The cutting tips having a polycrystalline diamond cutting material and are positioned along an outer rim of the spinner member in either a single or staggered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Patent number: 10703552
    Abstract: A liquid drink concentrate dispensing system is provided. It includes a concentrate storage container and a housing with a piercing device for providing a flow path for selective discharge of drink concentrate into a cup for diluting with water. The storage container includes a pump to effect selective discharge of the concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Inventors: Charlee Crocker, James P. Crocker
  • Publication number: 20200114918
    Abstract: The invention involves a low speed control system and method for automatically regulating the speed of work vehicles or equipment and, more particularly, vehicles that apply, remove or modify roadways or road markings. The system includes a controller, a speed display, at least one rotary encoder or the like, and one or more Eddy current or mechanical brakes for inhibiting motion of the vehicle at the operator's control. The brakes may be pneumatic, spring operated, Eddy current, or hydraulic that are controlled in response to feedback from the at least one rotary encoder for compliance with the preset speed on the speed display. In another embodiment, a throttle control is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Publication number: 20190234403
    Abstract: An improvement to surface marking devices for pumping and circulating melted thermoplastic material to various surfaces including roads, parking lots and the like is provided. The pump for melted thermoplastic is comprised of a cold section and a hot section. The hot section is connected to a fluid or electric motor, or alternatively, an internal combustion engine for providing rotation to the pump. The connection to provide rotation to the hot section is through the cold section, which is spaced away from the hot section and connected with shafting to provide rotation to the hot section. A heating jacket is secured to the hot section for transferring heat from an external source to the hot section. The spacing between the hot and cold sections provides the ability to rebuild the hot section of the pump without removal from the cold section and without removal from the vehicle to which it is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Patent number: 10352006
    Abstract: The present device is a rumble strip forming apparatus for reducing the amount of reactive force transferred to the transporter. The rumble strip forming apparatus includes a transport, a lift device, a grinder, and a drive means that connect drive portions of the transport to the grinder to synchronize engagement of a cutting device with the pavement with forward movement of the transport while providing rearward movement of the grinder drum during cutting. The grinder is configured to provide both rotation of a pavement cutter and up and down movement of the pavement cutter while portions of the grinder remain in contact with the pavement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Waterblasting, LLC
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Patent number: 10265648
    Abstract: The present system relates to a water and debris recovery system for a water blasting device suitable for mounting upon the frame of a mobile vehicle for easy transport and use. The system includes a liquid reservoir connected to a high pressure fluid pump for directing ultra-high pressure water through a blast head to remove the coatings or markings from a surface. The blast head includes a shroud which surrounds the blasting area to at least partially contain the water and debris dislodged from the surface. A vacuum pump is secured to the shroud with the vacuum passing through a cyclone type separator, allowing the water and debris to settle to the bottom portion of the cyclone. The tank includes a floating floor and bladder assembly that allows the same space to be utilized for clean as well as dirty water while maintaining separation of the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Waterblasting, LLC
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Publication number: 20180371711
    Abstract: A rumble strip forming machine is provided which includes a transport, a lift device, a grinder, and a drive means that connect drive portions of the transport to the grinder to synchronize engagement of a cutting device with the pavement with forward movement of the transport. The grinder is configured to provide both rotation of a pavement cutter and up and down movement of the pavement cutter while portions of the grinder remain in contact with the pavement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventor: James P. Crocker