Patents by Inventor Wayne Swafford

Wayne Swafford 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: 6997666
    Abstract: An automated cart unloading/conveyor system for automated unloading of articles from a transport vehicle or cart to one or more transfer surfaces, conveyors, or other platforms. A specially configured cart carries articles to be transferred upon shelves. The cart is engaged by a cart drive mechanism which propels the cart along a path which interfaces with one or more diverter arms configured to interface with the cart to transfer articles from the cart onto one or more conveyors. In one embodiment, the cart may have multiple shelves which interface with multiple conveyors along the cart drive path, and further each shelf of the cart may be divided with a diverter arm positioned to interface with each divided portion of each shelf of the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Lowell Thomas Rodgers, Christopher Wayne Swafford
  • Patent number: 6234420
    Abstract: A string feeding device and method for dispensing string is provided. The string feeding device may be used to dispense string between adjacent stakes to support plants disposed between the stakes. The string feeding device includes a string container disposed about a longitudinal axis and a longitudinally extending tube. The tube has a first end and a second end with the first end being fixedly attached to the string container. Further, the tube includes a first hole extending through a side of the tube. String is fed from the string container through the first hole in the side of the tube and is further fed through an interior of the tube to thereby exit the second end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventors: Erik S. Vetne, Wayne Swafford