Patents by Inventor Keith F. Hedrick

Keith F. Hedrick 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: 7290584
    Abstract: A wax pattern welding system and method for producing a pool of molten wax on an area of a surface of a wax component is provided. The wax pattern welding system includes a bar of heat conducting material and a heating element. The bar has a raised heating surface, which has a recessed area for retaining molten wax when the raised heating surface contacts the wax component, and a vent structure. The vent structure facilitates confining the pool of molten wax on an area of a surface of the wax component. In another embodiment, the pattern welding system includes an attachable plate of heat conducting material, which has a raised heating surface with a recessed area, and a vent structure. The attachable plate is configured to be fastened to the bar of heat conducting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: MPI Incorporated
    Inventors: Keith F. Hedrick, Keith B. Gardener
  • Publication number: 20040256076
    Abstract: A knife for heating the wax on the surface of a wax runner. The knife as a surface which is recessed in the center of the surface to permit melted wax to flow up into the recessed area and not flow away from the knife. Alternately, conformal heating surface which melts only that portion of the wax runner to which the pattern gate is affixed. Additionally an electrical circuit is provided which includes a heater and a temperature controller to limit the temperature at which wax is melted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Raymond H. Puffer,, Bruce S. Phipps, Daniel Walczyk, Rory Mackean, Jason Chalfant, Keith F. Hedrick