Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Akin

Thomas A. Akin 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: 20110175343
    Abstract: An identification system for marking a component which in use is subject to wear includes an identification disk which comprises generally parallel upper and lower faces and a thickness which is defined between the upper and lower faces, a unique identifying marking which is provided on at least the upper face and which corresponds to the identity of the component, a cavity which is formed in the body of the component and extends from the outer surface of the body to a depth that is greater than the thickness of the disk, and a lip which is formed from a portion of the body adjacent the cavity and which, when the disk is positioned in the cavity, overlaps an outer peripheral portion of the upper face to thereby secure the disk in the cavity without obscuring the identifying marking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Pipe Maintenance, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Thomas Akins
  • Patent number: 4565104
    Abstract: A linear actuator for rotating a load, such as an antenna, in which the load is pivoted about a load pivot axis and a drive point on an arm extending from the load is driven along a path of travel defined by a frame pivoted about a frame pivot axis parallel to the load pivot axis and normal to the path of travel, the load pivot axis being equally distant from the drive point and the frame pivot axis. The structure of the linear actuator reduces loss of moment arm at the extremes of travel and minimizes stress on the components of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Akin