Patents by Inventor Ray C. Minor

Ray C. Minor 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: 11441278
    Abstract: A breakaway pole including an elongated pole body extending between a bottom end and an upper end and a base connected to the bottom end of the elongated pole body. The base includes an interior flange having at least one slot. The breakaway pole includes a breakaway clamp mounted on the at least one slot of the interior flange of the base. The breakaway clamp includes a nut and a clamp body. The clamp body has a tapered main body and two lateral breakaway flanges. The lower portion of the tapered main body is positioned within the slot of the interior flange of the base. The two lateral breakaway flanges extend laterally outward from the upper portion of the tapered main body so that the two lateral breakaway flanges contact the interior flange of the base laterally beyond the at least one slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: KEARNEY-NATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Ray C. Minor, Gregory David Mercier
  • Publication number: 20190145069
    Abstract: A breakaway pole including an elongated pole body extending between a bottom end and an upper end and a base connected to the bottom end of the elongated pole body. The base includes an interior flange having at least one slot. The breakaway pole includes a breakaway clamp mounted on the at least one slot of the interior flange of the base. The breakaway clamp includes a nut and a clamp body. The clamp body has a tapered main body and two lateral breakaway flanges. The lower portion of the tapered main body is positioned within the slot of the interior flange of the base. The two lateral breakaway flanges extend laterally outward from the upper portion of the tapered main body so that the two lateral breakaway flanges contact the interior flange of the base laterally beyond the at least one slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Kearney-National Inc.
    Inventors: Ray C. Minor, Gregory David Mercier
  • Patent number: 7232017
    Abstract: A pole vibration damping means includes an annular housing with internal radial pole encircling chambers in which lead spheres are provided for effecting damping of first mode harmonic vibrations with the assembly being attached to the upper end portion of the pole and operating in conjunction with a pole vibration damping device mounted medially for damping second harmonic mode vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Kearney-National Inc.
    Inventor: Ray C. Minor
  • Patent number: 5601274
    Abstract: A lighting pole bracket arm isolates vibrations that would otherwise pass through the lighting pole and into a lighting fixture mounted on the lighting pole. The bracket arm includes an upper member which is pivotally mounted to the lighting pole and a lower telescopic member, which is pivotally mounted to the lighting pole at a position below the upper member pivotal mount. The lower telescopic member includes an inner tube that is slidably received within an outer tube. A cylindrical oil-free sleeve bearing is press fit over the end of the inner tube that is received within the outer tube, and a second cylindrical oil-free sleeve bearing is press fit into the end of the outer tube that fits over the inner tube. A coil spring is housed within the outer tube between a closed end of the outer tube opposite from the end having the sleeve bearing and the end of the inner tube slidably received within the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Kearney-National, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray C. Minor, Phillip R. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 4624333
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the cold weather startup of a hydrostatic transmission in a skid-steer loader is disclosed wherein the flow of hydraulic fluid is directed through the hydraulic system for operating the work implement to heat up the hydraulic fluid before being directed into the hydrostatic transmission prior to engaging the drive to the transmission. By disconnecting the drive between the engine and the hydrostatic transmission, the fluid in the hydrostatic transmission can be warmed before engaging the drive to reduce the startup problems due to inherent resistances of cold hydrostatic transmissions. Utilization of the hydraulic control valve for controlling the operation of the work implement to direct the flow of hydraulic fluid over a relief valve built therein permits the hydraulic fluid to be heated quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: New Holland, Inc.
    Inventor: Ray C. Minor
  • Patent number: 4389154
    Abstract: A time delay device for the seat interlock mechanism on a skid-steer loader is disclosed wherein the boom structure will not be rendered inoperable for vertical movement, until the passage of a short predetermined period of time after the seat switch has indicated that the operator has left the loader seat. A solenoid valve is operable to stop the flow of fluid to the hydraulic cylinders moving the boom structure along a generally vertical path. A seat switch connected in the electrical circuit to the solenoid valve activates the solenoid valve to stop the fluid flow if the operator leaves the loader seat. The time delay device includes a capacitor, a resistor and a diode in series-parallel with both the source of electrical current and the solenoid valve and prevents the solenoid valve from restricting the flow of fluid through the hydraulic circuit to the boom lift cylinders for a short period of time after the seat switch has indicated that the operator has left the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: Sperry Corporation
    Inventors: Ray C. Minor, James W. Treichler, Carl E. Bohman
  • Patent number: 4385863
    Abstract: A seat interlock mechanism for a skid-steer loader is disclosed wherein the boom structure can be rendered inoperable for vertical movement if the operator leaves his seat. The hydraulic circuit for powering the hydraulic cylinders, which move the boom structure in a vertical direction, includes a solenoid valve that is capable of stopping the flow of fluid through the hydraulic circuit and, thereby, prevent the boom structure from vertically moving. An improved seat frame structure, incorporating a switch which senses the presence of an operator on the seat, provides greater sensitivity for the presence of the operator, so that the switch can control the solenoid valve to stop or permit the flow of fluid through the circuit. The improved seat frame includes a first member mounted to the loader frame and a second member biased away from the first member by a spring positioned beneath the center of gravity of that portion of the seat being biased upwardly by the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1983
    Assignee: Sperry Corporation
    Inventor: Ray C. Minor