Patents by Inventor Todd W. Stecker

Todd W. Stecker 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: 6543367
    Abstract: There is disclosed a lightweight truck sideframe for use in a railway car. The truck sideframe is of lighter weight than conventional truck sideframes because of the removal of the double wall of the truck sideframe tension member, leaving a single wall tension member. Removal of this significant mass of metal requires reinforcement of the truck sideframe in several areas including in the tension member below the spring seat, in the compression member, and at the side wall window. The resulting truck sideframe construction is of lighter weight than conventional truck sideframes and exceeds the Association of American Railroad's requirements for strength and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Buckeye Steel Castings Company
    Inventors: Todd W. Stecker, Richard B. Polley, Roger D. Boster, II
  • Patent number: 6354226
    Abstract: There is disclosed a light weight truck bolster for railway car trucks. Metal has been removed in the compression and tension members of the bolster near the center bowl. One longitudinal rib is located in each end of the bolster arms and a pair of transversely extending vertical ribs are located on opposing sides of the center bowl and extend from the tension member to the compression member. The disclosed light weight truck bolster satisfies the Association of American Railroads (“A.A.R.”) design qualifications for truck bolsters while weighing significantly less than traditional truck bolsters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Buckeye Steel Castings Company
    Inventor: Todd W. Stecker
  • Publication number: 20010008108
    Abstract: There is disclosed a light weight truck bolster for railway car trucks. Metal has been removed in the compression and tension members of the bolster near the center bowl. One longitudinal rib is located in each end of the bolster arms and a pair of transversely extending vertical ribs are located on opposing sides of the center bowl and extend from the tension member to the compression member. The disclosed light weight truck bolster satisfies the Association of American Railroads (“A.A.R.”) design qualifications for truck bolsters while weighing significantly less than traditional truck bolsters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventor: Todd W. Stecker
  • Patent number: 6196134
    Abstract: There is disclosed a light weight truck bolster for railway car trucks. Metal has been removed in the compression and tension members of the bolster near the center bowl. One longitudinal rib is located in each end of the bolster arms and a pair of transversely extending vertical ribs are located on opposing sides of the center bowl and extend from the tension member to the compression member. The disclosed light weight truck bolster satisfies the Association of American Railroads (“A.A.R.”) design qualifications for truck bolsters while weighing significantly less than traditional truck bolsters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Buckeye Steel Castings Company
    Inventor: Todd W. Stecker
  • Patent number: 5943964
    Abstract: A light weight draft arm is provided for use in a railway car. The draft arm includes a center plate with a significant amount of material removed and lateral support members inboard and outboard of the center plate transversing the side walls. Removal of the material around the center plate along with the addition of the lateral support members decreases the overall weight of the draft arm while still maintaining its strength. With the exception of the enhancements around the center plate, the draft arm is conventional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Buckeye Steel Castings
    Inventors: John R. Downes, Todd W. Stecker