Patents by Inventor Kent Merrill

Kent Merrill 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).

  • Multi-mode ship for transporting vehicles
    Patent number: 6966272
    Abstract: The multi-mode ship uses bulk cargo flow-through vehicle decks that are capable of supporting commercial vehicles, military vehicles, and other general cargo. Bulk cargo is loaded into the multi-mode ship with a bulk cargo transport system. Bulk cargo is loaded on board the multi-mode ship and is discharged from some or all of the vehicle decks, where the bulk cargo flows downward through the vehicle decks and settles on the bottom of the multi-mode ship. The bulk cargo then piles upward through the vehicle decks until it reaches the desired load. The bulk cargo transport system includes conveyors, upper and lower, and at least one vertical conveyor for transporting bulk cargo to, from, and within a cargo hold of the multi-mode ship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Great American Lines, Inc.
    Inventors: Avrum A. Freelund, Byron M. Sugahara, Kent A. Merrill, Ronald E. Williamson
  • MULTI-MODE SHIP FOR TRANSPORTING VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20050193937
    Abstract: The multi-mode ship uses bulk cargo flow-through vehicle decks that are capable of supporting commercial vehicles, military vehicles, and other general cargo. Bulk cargo is loaded into the multi-mode ship with a bulk cargo transport system. Bulk cargo is loaded on board the multi-mode ship and is discharged from some or all of the vehicle decks, where the bulk cargo flows downward through the vehicle decks and settles on the bottom of the multi-mode ship. The bulk cargo then piles upward through the vehicle decks until it reaches the desired load. The bulk cargo transport system includes conveyors, upper and lower, and at least one vertical conveyor for transporting bulk cargo to, from, and within a cargo hold of the multi-mode ship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Avrum Freelund, Byron Sugahara, Kent Merrill, Ronald Williamson