Patents by Inventor Jim Friant

Jim Friant 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).

  • Excavation apparatus and method
    Patent number: 7192093
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an excavation method is provided that includes the steps of: (a) contacting a rotating powered cutting head 440 of an excavator 400 with an excavation face 452, wherein, at any one time, a first set of the cutting elements is in contact with the excavation face and a second set of the cutting elements is not in contact with the excavation face, the cutting head excavating the excavation face in at least a first direction; and (b) during the contacting step, using an elongated support member 404 extending from the excavator 400 to a powered device 118 to apply a force to the excavator 400 in at least the first direction to provide at least a portion of the cutting force. The powered device 118 is located at a distance from the excavator 400.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Placer Dome Technical Services Limited
    Inventors: Eric Jackson, Jim Friant
  • Excavation apparatus and method
    Publication number: 20060000121
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an excavation method is provided that includes the steps of: (a) contacting a rotating powered cutting head 440 of an excavator 400 with an excavation face 452, wherein, at any one time, a first set of the cutting elements is in contact with the excavation face and a second set of the cutting elements is not in contact with the excavation face, the cutting head excavating the excavation face in at least a first direction; and (b) during the contacting step, using an elongated support member 404 extending from the excavator 400 to a powered device 118 to apply a force to the excavator 400 in at least the first direction to provide at least a portion of the cutting force. The powered device 118 is located at a distance from the excavator 400.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Applicant: Placer Dome Technical Services Limited
    Inventors: Eric Jackson, Jim Friant