Patents by Inventor Kenneth D. Fritz

Kenneth D. Fritz 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: 6837168
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reversing train positioning system for engaging and moving a railroad car or trip of cars by engaging a bogey wheel truck frame. The train positioning system includes a dog carriage having a drive motor mounted on the dog carriage which operates to propel the dog carriage back and forth along a single tension chain in a carriage guideway provided alongside a railroad track. The carriage is supplied with electric power and hydraulic fluid from an attached flexible power track system which has a fixed end connected to a source of high pressure hydraulic fluid and a return sump and a source of electric power and a free end attached to move with the carriage. Alternatively, the entire hydraulic system may be carried on board the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Calbrandt, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Goldbeck, Calvin J. Brandt, Kenneth D. Fritz
  • Publication number: 20040112181
    Abstract: A mechanized device for externally grabbing and rotating the operating capstan of a railroad car bottom discharge gate is disclosed which utilizes a pair of spaced converging, opposed normally open gripper fingers operable between a closed and an open position, operated between a closed and an open position by a reciprocating fluid cylinder and a motor for rotating the gripper mechanism relative to the cylinder to thereby rotate the capstan to operate the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: CALBRANDT, INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Fritz
  • Patent number: 6748841
    Abstract: A mechanized device for externally grabbing and rotating the operating capstan of a railroad car bottom discharge gate is disclosed which utilizes a pair of spaced converging, opposed normally open gripper fingers operable between a closed and an open position, operated between a closed and an open position by a reciprocating fluid cylinder and a motor for rotating the gripper mechanism relative to the cylinder to thereby rotate the capstan to operate the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Calbrandt, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Fritz