Patents by Inventor Keith A. Sparks, II

Keith A. Sparks, II 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: 11767197
    Abstract: Embodiments of a vacuum material handler or lifting device and system of this disclosure provide a modular design that allows a power pack to be mounted directly to the pad or remotely mounted on host equipment to minimize lift weight. The pad, which includes an integral, pad reservoir, may be arranged, to accept a rotator or a tilting mechanism for position when used on mobile equipment. The power pack is independent of the pad and can be transferred to multiple pads, thereby permitting a single power pack to service the different pads. The control mechanism may reside on the pad to further facilitate modularity. Safety checks used for remote operation may be used to minimize the risk of danger in the event of remote vacuum hose or vacuum failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Vacuworx Global, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Solomon, Luis Guevara, Keith A. Sparks, II
  • Publication number: 20230182322
    Abstract: A vacuum material handler (10) has a vacuum beam (12) supported by an adaptor block (60) attached to a rotator (50). A vacuum pad (40) is carried beneath the vacuum beam (12). The vacuum beam (14) has a motor (20) that powers a pump (30). The adaptor block (60) has a body (64) and arms (70/71) having receivers thereon for receiving an upper pin assembly that may be carried by host equipment. The host equipment locates foe upper pin assembly within foe receivers where the upper pin (66) may be clamped into place, thereby conducting all heavy lifting with foe host equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventor: Keith A. Sparks, II
  • Publication number: 20230126647
    Abstract: A system and method for moving objects such as drill, pipe with vacuum power. A vacuum beam (14) is mounted on a boom. A vacuum pad (12) is pivotally attached to the vacuum beam (14). A power device (18) is operatively connected to a vacuum pump (16) with a drive belt (32) for creating vacuum pressure. Vacuum pressure from the vacuum pad (12) is used to grasp and release the object, e.g., the drill pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventor: Keith A. Sparks, II
  • Publication number: 20220380181
    Abstract: Embodiments of a vacuum material handler or lifting device and system of this disclosure provide a modular design that allows a power pack to be mounted directly to the pad or remotely mounted on host equipment to minimize lift weight. The pad, which includes an integral, pad reservoir, may be arranged, to accept a rotator or a tilting mechanism for position when used on mobile equipment. The power pack is independent of the pad and can be transferred to multiple pads, thereby permitting a single power pack to service the different pads. The control mechanism may reside on the pad to further facilitate modularity. Safety checks used for remote operation may be used to minimize the risk of danger in the event of remote vacuum hose or vacuum failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: William J. Solomon, Luis Guevara, Keith A. Sparks, II
  • Patent number: D746665
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: The Crosby Group LLC
    Inventors: Keith A. Sparks, II, Roger E. Beall