Patents by Inventor Robert E. Fox

Robert E. Fox 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).

  • Publication number: 20160089803
    Abstract: A small food cutting device comprising: a lid, the lid comprising: an inner ceiling; a lid wall enclosing the inner ceiling; a base, configured to mate with the lid, the base comprising: an inner floor; a base wall enclosing the inner floor; and wherein the base is configured to hold a plurality of small foods, with the lid laying on top of the plurality of small foods and forming a gap between the lid and the base, the gap generally aligned to the mid-height of the small foods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Robert E. Fox
  • Patent number: 6251324
    Abstract: An applicator for applying streams of a sealant onto a glass block and a method for applying streams of a sealant onto a glass block. The applicator is guided manually along the edges of the vertical surfaces of the glass block, while the sealant is being dispensed onto it, thereby accurately positioning the correct amount of the sealant at the intended location along the edges onto the vertical surfaces. The applicator can be easily used on-site and is appropriate for sealing glass blocks to obtain oddly shaped or oddly sized glass walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Trend Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Forte, Robert E. Fox
  • Patent number: 6033200
    Abstract: An apparatus for the prefabrication of glass blocks panel is provided. Glass blocks are spaced on a spacing rack such that upper and lower slots are formed between adjacent blocks and ajoint cavity defined therebetween. A pair of moving manifolds disposed at right angles to each other communicate with the glass blocks assembled on the spacing rack to internally caulk and seal the blocks together. The moving manifolds include vertically disposed feed tube devices, each including a pair of elongated feed tubes which are in a spring-like relation. The feed tubes include an aperture disposed on opposing surfaces proximate to the distal ends for simultaneous dispensing sealant into the upper and lower slots of adjacent glass blocks and a protruding distal end portion for simultaneously compressing the sealant into the lower and upper and lower slots of adjacent glass blocks as the sealant is released. The sealant used may be silicone, or any other adhesive that adheres naturally to glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Trend Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Fox
  • Patent number: 5890335
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the prefabrication of glass blocks panel, and the panel formed thereby is provided. Glass blocks are spaced on a spacing rack such that upper and lower slots are formed between adjacent blocks and a joint cavity defined therebetween. A pair of moving manifolds disposed at right angles to each other communicate with the glass blocks assembled on the spacing rack to internally caulk and seal the blocks together. The moving manifolds include vertically disposed feed tube devices, each including a pair of elongated feed tubes which are in a spring-like relation. The feed tubes include an aperture disposed on opposing surfaces proximate to the distal ends for simultaneous dispensing sealant into the upper and lower slots of adjacent glass blocks and a protruding distal end portion for simultaneously compressing the sealant into the lower and upper and lower slots of adjacent glass blocks as the sealant is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Trend Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Fox
  • Patent number: 5705742
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for motoring an engine using an external drive motor for the purpose of performing tests on same. The system and method is capable of operating in three separate modes, a horsepower testing mode, a valve train testing mode, and a lap simulation mode. In the lap simulation mode, for example, the operator may select by way of a computer how many laps are to be run, the length of each lap, and the exact RPM to be used during each second or time period of every lap. In such a manner, the operator may simulate actual races so as to determine how a particular engine or components thereof will stand up to anticipated racing conditions. Another aspect of this invention is the use of a laser affixed to the block for the purpose of measuring vertical valve movement during motoring of the engine. The use of such a laser overcomes numerous problems in the prior art caused by vibration, lighting, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Trend Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Fox, David Fox, David L. Lanham
  • Patent number: 5348101
    Abstract: A hydraulic rockshaft control circuit which includes a three-way valve that normally operates the rockshaft is connected to the lift cylinder on a trailing implement. A hitch lock valve connected to the rockshaft control valve maintains the rockshaft in a preselected position regardless of changes in pressure at the valve output. The extend side of the lift cylinder is connected to the control valve output so that the tractor hitch control is used to operate the trailing implement cylinder. To overcome the inability of the three-way valve to positively retract the trailing implement cylinder, a reducing/relieving valve is connected to the retract side of the cylinder and is adjusted to provide just enough pressure to retract the cylinder and raise the implement wheels from ground contact when the extend side is connected to return pressure.A position feedback system on the implement is connected to the hitch control unit (HCU) on the tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Fox, William L. Smith, Jr., Thomas E. Boe
  • Patent number: 5339906
    Abstract: A feedback mechanism for providing an implement position signal includes a rotary potentiometer mounted on the implement frame adjacent the rockshaft with the axis of the potentiometer shaft extending parallel to the rockshaft. A linkage structure includes a potentiometer arm connected to a rockshaft arm by a link such that the angle the potentiometer arm forms with the link is acute when the implement is in the transport position and obtuse when the implement is in the lowered field-working range. At the lowermost position of the implement, the link and potentiometer arm approach an overcenter position. The linkage structure provides amplified rotation of the potentiometer shaft relative to the rockshaft when the implement is in the field-working range of positions, while rotation of the shaft is reduced relative to rockshaft rotation when the implement is raised above the field-working position. In the preferred embodiment, rotation of the rockshaft 10.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Fox, William L. Smith, Jr., Donald R. Flugrad, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5191718
    Abstract: A masonry block spacer tool includes two opposing base plates each having four pins for nesting the corners of masonry blocks therein as the blocks are being assembled into a wall or panel, and a cross-member between the plates whose ends snap fit into the base plates and form one of the four pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Trend Products Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Fox
  • Patent number: 5119567
    Abstract: A reusable spacer tool comprises a pair of opposed spacer members each having a plurality of ears projecting from a base portion toward the opposite member, the ears being arranged for reception in the joints between adjacent blocks to space apart edges of the blocks when the spacer members overlie opposite faces of the block at the corners, and tie means extending between the spacer members and removably secured thereto releaseably hold the members against opposite faces of the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Trend Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Fox
  • Patent number: 5063729
    Abstract: A cotton path blockage detector has an acoustic output directed toward the discharge door floor on the cotton picking unit directly behind and to one side of the stream of cotton coming off a doffer. When the unit is operating properly, the floor area is generally clear of cotton and a first distance signal is provided. When a blockage occurs, the area begins to fill with cotton and debris, causing a decrease in the monitored distance. A threshold distance signal which is less than the distance signal to the floor causes an alarm to be activated to warn the operator of a plug. To prevent false alarms where the blockage may only be temporary, a slew rate limitation is built into the processing circuit.In another aspect of the invention, the signal radiated into the cotton conveying path is reflected by cotton, and a doppler circuit detects the presence of a doppler shift in frequency indicating moving cotton in the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Fox, James J. Phelan
  • Patent number: 4662160
    Abstract: A conveyor is mounted on the slope side of a cotton basket. Lift structure pivots the basket until the slope side of the basket angles slightly downwardly toward the trailer or module builder which receives the cotton. The conveyor moves the cotton from the basket, and a metering bar positioned above and inwardly from the dump end of the conveyor when the basket is in the dump position is rotated with the conveyor drive to assure a smooth continuous flow of cotton without bunching or stalling on the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Bruce L. Hubbard, Kenneth C. McConnell, Robert E. Fox
  • Patent number: 4635047
    Abstract: An element placed within a cotton conveying duct of a cotton harvester above the air discharge jet is shaped to shed cotton and supports a vacuum opening which communicates with a simple differential pressure switch through a vacuum conduit. The aspiration effect of normal air flow over the opening provides a vacuum in the conduit which maintains the switch open, but if air velocity in the duct drops below a preselected value due to a plug, low fan speed or faulty hose, the vacuum decreases and the switch closes to energize a warning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Fox, Bruce L. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 4529043
    Abstract: A double latch system for maintaining an implement outrigger in a folded position, including a primary latch member which receives a locking pin to secure the outrigger in the raised position, and a pivoting secondary latch having a hooked end which automatically aligns with a latch pin when the locking pin is removed from a storage position for insertion into the primary latch. To lower the outrigger, the locking pin must first be removed from the primary latch, and the secondary latch hook must be pivoted and held away from the latch pin by lifting the secondary latch and inserting the locking pin in the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: James K. Jensen, Robert E. Fox
  • Patent number: 4469185
    Abstract: An improved cutter wheel that is particularly useful with tilling apparatus for sod seeding purposes. The cutter wheel is mounted for rotation by a drive structure that includes a drive shaft. The cutter wheel includes a central disk portion with an outer periphery defining a plurality of equally spaced slots, each for receiving a tip-holding insert. A bullet-shaped tungsten carbide tip is soldered or brazed to the tip-holder and the holder is welded to the disk. The disk periphery is shaped to allow cutting clearance for the tip, to protect the tip from breaking off, and to provide rear support for the tip-holder. The angle at which the tip is connected to the holder is chosen so that the brazed or soldered joint is loaded primarily in compression as the wheel cuts through the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Fox, Wendell D. Reece
  • Patent number: 4322034
    Abstract: A hydraulic rate control system for maintaining a selected application rate at varying ground speeds. The application rate is selected through an operator control which permits the operator to dial in the spray tip size, the width of the spray pattern per tip and the desired spray rate in gallons per acre, and this application rate can be changed on the go. A ground-driven hydraulic oil pump directs its entire flow through a variable orifice, adjusted through manipulation of the operator control, and the oil pressure acts against a balance valve which maintains the pressure of the chemical to be sprayed equal to the oil pressure at the variable orifice. As the ground speed increases or decreases, the oil pressure and thus the chemical pressure increases or decreases accordingly to maintain the selected application rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1982
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Fox
  • Patent number: 4250968
    Abstract: An improved cutter wheel that is useful in conjunction with tilling apparatus for sod seeding purposes. The wheel has a body fashioned from sheet metal. The periphery is characterized by smooth contours which define the teeth and gullets. The wheel is devoid of hooked sections or notches as well as abrupt gullets where stringy material such as Bermuda grass could become caught or hairpin to cause wrapping. Different teeth are offset in opposite directions from the plane of the body to increase the effective cutting width. Additionally, the symmetry of the cutter wheel is such that it can be mounted for rotation in either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Fox
  • Patent number: 4217835
    Abstract: A depth control skid and seed boot assembly is disclosed that is particularly useful in a sod seeding implement for adjusting the maximum depth of cut of a cutting wheel and for adjusting the depth of the seed boot independently of each other. An arm rotatably mounting a pair of cutting wheels slidably receives the forward section of the skid. The rear of the skid is bolted to a bracket assembly vertically positionable with respect to the arm for adjusting the depth of cut. The bracket assembly pivotally carries the seed boot which is yieldingly and adjustably held in position with respect to the ground by a bolt and spring assembly. The seed boot can pivot upwardly against the bias of the spring out of the way of obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Fox
  • Patent number: D755021
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Robert E. Fox