Patents by Inventor Thomas O. Perdue

Thomas O. Perdue 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: 20240083681
    Abstract: A conveyor belt is provided that includes a first lateral end, a second lateral end, a plurality of rods, and a plurality of links. The plurality of rods are spaced apart from one another and each extends from the first lateral end to the second lateral end. The plurality of links interconnect the plurality of rods and include a first link coupled to two adjacent rods of the plurality of rods at the first lateral end. The first link includes a tail that extends laterally outward past an outermost portion of the plurality of rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Prahlad N. SAGAR, Amit PRABHU, Thomas O. PERDUE
  • Patent number: 11787637
    Abstract: An active drive spiral conveyor belt system includes a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis, a plurality of modules, a plurality of cross-rods joining together the plurality of modules, and an infeed system. The drum can include a plurality of drive bars, each with a drive member extending therefrom, and spaced an arc length. At least some of the plurality of cross-rods or modules can include a drive end configured to engage with the drive members. The plurality of modules can be configured to be collapsible relative to each other and the plurality of cross-rods. The infeed system can be configured to collapse the spacing between adjacent drive ends prior to transiting into engagement with a cooperating drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Salsone, Thomas O. Perdue, Robert E. Maine, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11493110
    Abstract: A splice system for a conveyor belt system includes a plurality of spaced tractive rods; a plurality of rows of flat wire pickets transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, wherein at least one of the rows of flat wire pickets includes an outer edge link on each end thereof, the outer edge link including a reverse-turn closed edge on an outer side thereof; and wherein movement of at least one of the plurality of rods is restricted by the reverse-turn closed edge on the outer edge link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Ulchak, Thomas O. Perdue, George H. Messick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11465852
    Abstract: A flatwire conveyor belt assembly includes pickets defining a leading link and a trailing link, wherein adjacent pickets are coupled with a cross-rod that extends through openings formed in the leading link and in the trailing link of adjacent pickets. Top plates are coupled to the pickets and define a conveying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: George H. Messick, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue, Remco van der Ende, Melody E. Fernaays
  • Publication number: 20220212873
    Abstract: An active drive spiral conveyor belt system includes a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis, a plurality of modules, a plurality of cross-rods joining together the plurality of modules, and an infeed system. The drum can include a plurality of drive bars, each with a drive member extending therefrom, and spaced an arc length. At least some of the plurality of cross-rods or modules can include a drive end configured to engage with the drive members. The plurality of modules can be configured to be collapsible relative to each other and the plurality of cross-rods. The infeed system can be configured to collapse the spacing between adjacent drive ends prior to transiting into engagement with a cooperating drive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Salsone, Thomas O. Perdue, Robert E. Maine, JR.
  • Patent number: 11305938
    Abstract: An active drive spiral conveyor belt system includes a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis, a plurality of modules, a plurality of cross-rods joining together the plurality of modules, and an infeed system. The drum can include a plurality of drive bars, each with a drive member extending therefrom, and spaced an arc length. At least some of the plurality of cross-rods or modules can include a drive end configured to engage with the drive members. The plurality of modules can be configured to be collapsible relative to each other and the plurality of cross-rods. The infeed system can be configured to collapse the spacing between adjacent drive ends prior to transiting into engagement with a cooperating drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Salsone, Thomas O. Perdue, Robert E. Maine, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11279563
    Abstract: A plate element is disclosed that is capable of use in a wire conveyor belt assembly having multiple spaced rods. The plate element may include a plate body having a planar base surface, one or more engagement elements to engage one or more of the spaced rods, and an interface element that extends away from the planar base surface to form a raised interface surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignees: Cambridge International, Inc., Prince Castle LLC
    Inventors: Sajid A. Safvi, Robert E. Maine, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue
  • Patent number: 11053081
    Abstract: A direct drive spiral conveyor belt system that includes a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis and define a drive member, a belt configured to engage the drum and define a belt drive feature, and an engagement control ramp configured to rotate with the drum and selectively engage the belt. The engagement control ramp includes a first portion defining a first radial distance from the drum axis and a second portion defining a second radial distance from the drum axis, with the first radial distance being greater than the second radial distance. The second portion of the engagement control ramp is configured to selectively engage the belt and allow the belt drive feature to transition into engagement with the drive member as the drum rotates about the drum axis and the belt moves along the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Perdue, Frank Salsone
  • Publication number: 20210179359
    Abstract: A plate element is disclosed that is capable of use in a wire conveyor belt assembly having multiple spaced rods. The plate element may include a plate body having a planar base surface, one or more engagement elements to engage one or more of the spaced rods, and an interface element that extends away from the planar base surface to form a raised interface surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Sajid A. Safvi, Robert E. Maine, JR., Thomas O. Perdue
  • Publication number: 20210164539
    Abstract: A splice system for a conveyor belt system includes a plurality of spaced tractive rods; a plurality of rows of flat wire pickets transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, wherein at least one of the rows of flat wire pickets includes an outer edge link on each end thereof, the outer edge link including a reverse-turn closed edge on an outer side thereof; and wherein movement of at least one of the plurality of rods is restricted by the reverse-turn closed edge on the outer edge link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Ulchak, Thomas O. Perdue, George H. Messick, JR.
  • Patent number: 11014751
    Abstract: A conveyor belt having a plurality of spaced tractive rods including opposing inner and outer ends, and a support surface transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, wherein at least one of the inner and outer ends of at least some of the plurality of spaced tractive rods includes a cone shaped end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Perdue, George H. Messick, Jr., Crystal A. Willey, Frank Salsone
  • Patent number: 10941834
    Abstract: A splice system for a conveyor belt system includes a plurality of spaced tractive rods; a plurality of rows of flat wire pickets transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, wherein at least one of the rows of flat wire pickets includes an outer edge link on each end thereof, the outer edge link including a reverse-turn closed edge on an outer side thereof; and wherein movement of at least one of the plurality of rods is restricted by the reverse-turn closed edge on the outer edge link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Ulchak, Thomas O. Perdue, George H. Messick, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210061572
    Abstract: An active drive spiral conveyor belt system includes a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis, a plurality of modules, a plurality of cross-rods joining together the plurality of modules, and an infeed system. The drum can include a plurality of drive bars, each with a drive member extending therefrom, and spaced an arc length. At least some of the plurality of cross-rods or modules can include a drive end configured to engage with the drive members. The plurality of modules can be configured to be collapsible relative to each other and the plurality of cross-rods. The infeed system can be configured to collapse the spacing between adjacent drive ends prior to transiting into engagement with a cooperating drive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Frank Salsone, Thomas O. Perdue, Robert E. Maine, JR.
  • Publication number: 20210053762
    Abstract: A flatwire conveyor belt assembly includes pickets defining a leading link and a trailing link, wherein adjacent pickets are coupled with a cross-rod that extends through openings formed in the leading link and in the trailing link of adjacent pickets. Top plates are coupled to the pickets and define a conveying surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: George H. Messick, JR., Thomas O. Perdue, Remco van der Ende, Melody E. Fernaays
  • Patent number: 10858191
    Abstract: A flatwire conveyor belt assembly includes pickets defining a leading link and a trailing link, wherein adjacent pickets are coupled with a cross-rod that extends through openings formed in the leading link and in the trailing link of adjacent pickets. Top plates are coupled to the pickets and define a conveying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: George H. Messick, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue, Remco van der Ende, Melody E. Fernaays
  • Publication number: 20200354152
    Abstract: A direct drive spiral conveyor belt system that includes a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis and define a drive member, a belt configured to engage the drum and define a belt drive feature, and an engagement control ramp configured to rotate with the drum and selectively engage the belt. The engagement control ramp includes a first portion defining a first radial distance from the drum axis and a second portion defining a second radial distance from the drum axis, with the first radial distance being greater than the second radial distance. The second portion of the engagement control ramp is configured to selectively engage the belt and allow the belt drive feature to transition into engagement with the drive member as the drum rotates about the drum axis and the belt moves along the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas O. Perdue, Frank Salsone
  • Patent number: 10654651
    Abstract: A modular eye link conveyor belt and method of assembling a modular eye link conveyor belt includes (a) welding a plurality of eyelets and bar links to a cross wire having a predetermined module width to form at least one first module row; (b) welding a plurality of eyelets and bar links to a cross wire having a predetermined module width to form at least one second module row; connecting the first module row and the second module row with a cross rod extending through the plurality of eyelets and thereby forming a first module; repeating steps (a) and (b) and forming a second module; and connecting the first module and the second module with a cross rod extending through the plurality of eyelets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Maine, Jr., George H. Messick, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue, Jeffrey D. Ulchak
  • Publication number: 20200079592
    Abstract: A flatwire conveyor belt assembly includes pickets defining a leading link and a trailing link, wherein adjacent pickets are coupled with a cross-rod that extends through openings formed in the leading link and in the trailing link of adjacent pickets. Top plates are coupled to the pickets and define a conveying surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: George H. Messick, JR., Thomas O. Perdue, Remco van der Ende, Melody E. Fernaays
  • Patent number: D919922
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: Cambridge International, Inc., Prince Castle LLC
    Inventors: Sajid A. Safvi, Robert E. Maine, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue
  • Patent number: D978473
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: Sajid A. Safvi, Robert E. Maine, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue