Means Is Confined To One Of The Vehicles Patents (Class 414/345)
  • Patent number: 11277964
    Abstract: A vehicle to discharge root crop to define a root crop heap, includes a drive device to drive the vehicle, a crop bunker to contain the crop to be discharged, a discharge device to discharge the root crop from the crop bunker. The vehicle further includes a control device to control the discharge device to create the root crop heap with defined heap parameters, where the heap parameters include one or more of: a defined heap location, a defined heap width, and a defined heap orientation, and the heap is the root crop heap on a ground of a field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: EXEL INDUSTRIES
    Inventors: Bernhard Fuchs, Michael Gallmeier
  • Patent number: 11273898
    Abstract: A cargo compartment module for an aircraft, including at least one floor, at least one side wall that is connected to the floor, upper installation points for connecting the side wall to the main deck, in particular transverse supports of the main deck, lower installation points for connecting the side wall to frames and/or other structural elements of the aircraft, wherein the side wall has reinforcements such that the side wall in an installed state forms part of the load-bearing structure of the aircraft and/or supports the main deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: TELAIR INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Huber
  • Patent number: 11252870
    Abstract: A crop cart unloading system for efficiently unloading a harvested crop from a crop cart. The crop cart unloading system generally includes a hopper having a floor conveyor movably positioned with respect to a lower floor, a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from the lower floor, an unloading door movably connected to an unloading end of the hopper, and an upper opening defined by an upper edge of the plurality of sidewalls for receiving a field crop. The hopper is pivotally connected to a support frame having a plurality of wheels. A first actuator is connected between the support frame and the hopper to lift the unloading end of the hopper. An unloading conveyor is attached to the unloading end of the hopper to receive and discharge a field crop from the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Safe-T-Pull, Inc.
    Inventor: Burnell R. Kringstad
  • Patent number: 11234357
    Abstract: A system for monitoring field conditions during the performance of an agricultural operation by an agricultural machine may generally include a support arm configured to be coupled to and extend from an agricultural machine such that, when the agricultural machine makes a pass across a field along a given swath, a portion of the support arm extends across or is positioned over at least a portion of an adjacent swath within the field. The system may also include a sensor provided in association with the support arm, with the sensor being configured to detect a parameter indicative of a field condition associated with the adjacent swath. In addition, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, with the controller being configured to monitor the field condition based on sensor data received from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Schoeny, Trevor Stanhope
  • Patent number: 10834874
    Abstract: A crop cart unloading system for efficiently unloading a harvested crop from a crop cart. The crop cart unloading system generally includes a hopper having a floor conveyor movably positioned with respect to a lower floor, a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from the lower floor, an unloading door movably connected to an unloading end of the hopper, and an upper opening defined by an upper edge of the plurality of sidewalls for receiving a field crop. The hopper is pivotally connected to a support frame having a plurality of wheels. A first actuator is connected between the support frame and the hopper to lift the unloading end of the hopper. An unloading conveyor is attached to the unloading end of the hopper to receive and discharge a field crop from the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Safe-T-Pull, Inc.
    Inventor: Burnell R. Kringstad
  • Patent number: 10392204
    Abstract: Equipment for moving a pallet includes lifting elements arranged to be fitted under the pallet. The lifting element includes a chain, which is formed of vertebrae pivoted to each other. A rolling element equipped with a lifting functionality is arranged in at least some of the vertebrae. The equipment includes a frame, underneath which a resting station for the lifting element is arranged. In addition, the chain has one degree of freedom, which is downwards, so that the chain can be taken from on top of the frame to the resting station under the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Actiw Oy
    Inventors: Juho Kauhanen, Janne Auvinen, Eetu Mustonen
  • Patent number: 10314285
    Abstract: A system and method for exiting an overhead area in an aircraft. An egress apparatus is automatically moved from a closed state to an open state in response to opening a hatch that closes an opening in an overhead area in an aircraft. The apparatus comprises a platform attached to a substantially vertical structure by a first hinge structure. A guide panel is attached to the platform by a second hinge structure. The apparatus is configured to be moved from a closed state to an open state. The platform extends outward from the substantially vertical structure and under the opening in an overhead area in an aircraft when the apparatus is the open state. The guide panel extends upward from the platform when the apparatus is in the open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Marius I. Ursescu, Carl Aaron Davison, Andrew P. Keleher, Edward W. Gillette, Kenneth G. Davis, Andrew Francis Szerlag
  • Patent number: 10225986
    Abstract: A crop cart unloading system for efficiently unloading a harvested crop from a crop cart. The crop cart unloading system generally includes a hopper having a floor conveyor movably positioned with respect to a lower floor, a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from the lower floor, an unloading door movably connected to an unloading end of the hopper, and an upper opening defined by an upper edge of the plurality of sidewalls for receiving a field crop. The hopper is pivotally connected to a support frame having a plurality of wheels. A first actuator is connected between the support frame and the hopper to lift the unloading end of the hopper. An unloading conveyor is attached to the unloading end of the hopper to receive and discharge a field crop from the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Safe-T-Pull, Inc.
    Inventor: Burnell R. Kringstad
  • Patent number: 9945753
    Abstract: A cargo loading system for loading freight into or out of the cargo hold, the system comprising: a tilt control means which can be actuated by control signals in such a way that variances in tilt of a palletized load can be immediately righted; a control panel for actuation by personnel; a power source to the control panel; and a trailer base connected to the tilt control means for accepting freight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: United Aeronautical Corp.
    Inventor: Donald M. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9920972
    Abstract: A portable cooling unit is disclosed for cooling perishable items such as strawberries at a worksite such as a field where the strawberries are harvested. The cooling unit includes a conveyor trailer for receiving pallets of perishable items and conveying the pallets through a number of cooling chambers within the conveyor trailer. The cooling unit further includes a refrigeration trailer for supplying independent cold air flow paths to the different cooling chambers of the conveyor trailer. The conveyor and refrigeration trailers may operate as a self-sustained cooling unit, without any external connections to power or working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Azzopardi Technology Group, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Azzopardi
  • Patent number: 9764676
    Abstract: An improved trailer for loading and unloading a heat exchanger tube bundle is disclosed. The trailer provides for the transport of tube bundles and includes seal pans which capture debris and other materials falling from the tube bundle during transport. The present invention also provides for the periodic placement of slideable supports under a bundle as it is pushed onto a trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Austin Industrial Services, LP
    Inventor: Thomas B. Boisture
  • Patent number: 9457971
    Abstract: First imaging device collects first image data, whereas second imaging device collects second image data of a storage portion. A container identification module identifies a container perimeter of the storage portion in at least one of the collected first image data and the collected second image data. A spout identification module is adapted to identify a spout of the transferring vehicle in the collected image data. An image data evaluator determines whether to use the first image data, the second image data, or both based on an evaluation of the intensity of pixel data or ambient light conditions. An alignment module is adapted to determine the relative position of the spout and the container perimeter and to generate command data to the propelled portion to steer the storage portion in cooperative alignment such that the spout is aligned within a central zone or a target zone of the container perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: Deere & Company, Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Zachary T. Bonefas, Mark M. Chaney, Jeremiah K. Johnson, Aaron J. Bruns, Herman Herman, Carlos Vallespi-Gonzalez, Jose Gonzalez Mora
  • Patent number: 9313951
    Abstract: Present invention is an adjustable transfer device for unloading processed crop onto a container of a transport vehicle including a control arrangement with an electronic control unit, among other integrated components. Electronic control unit calculates position of expected point of incidence of crop flow on the container within field of view of optical image capture device, displays image of container together with symbol representing calculated expected point of incidence of crop flow on container on display, receives adjustment inputs from user interface for adjusting position of actuator and thus of adjustable transfer device, updates position of symbol in image on display, receives confirmation input from user interface once symbol in image on display is in appropriate position, derives at least one feature in image representing container, and tracks container within output signal of image processing system based on retrieved image feature and controls actuator accordingly to fill container with crop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventors: Herman Herman, Zachary T. Bonefas, Carlos Vallespi-Gonzalez, Johannes Josef Zametzer
  • Patent number: 9174805
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for loading and unloading aircraft, the apparatus comprising a first conveyor for conveying articles from an area outside of an aircraft to an entrance to a cargo compartment of the aircraft, and a second conveyor for conveying articles from an end of the first conveyor into the cargo compartment, the second conveyor being telescopically extendable from the first conveyor, wherein the second conveyor comprises an endless flexible member extending between a tail end of the second conveyor adjacent the first conveyor and a head end of the second conveyor segment at a distal end of the second conveyor, and a driver for driving the endless member to convey articles along the second conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Mallaghan Engineering Ltd.
    Inventor: Ronan Mallaghan
  • Patent number: 9109333
    Abstract: A hopper insert for the hopper of a paving machine is installed above a hopper conveyor that conveys asphalt material in a hopper conveying direction. The hopper insert has a front end and a rear end and a plurality of walls that together define an opening adjacent to the hopper conveyor. The opening to the hopper conveyor increases in width from front end of the hopper insert to the rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Roadtec, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Campbell, David Swearingen
  • Publication number: 20140365170
    Abstract: A grain cart including a hopper for transporting harvested material. The hopper can include a first opening for receiving harvested material discharged from a harvesting vehicle, a second opening for unloading harvested material from the hopper, and a conveyor assembly operatively connected to the second opening so as to allow harvested material to be unloaded from the hopper using the conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly can include a sump operatively connected to the second opening of the hopper so as to receive harvested material from the hopper, a conveyor housing including a discharge opening for discharging harvested material from the conveyor assembly, and a conveyor operatively connected to the sump so as to move harvested material from the sump to the discharge opening of the conveyor housing. The sump can include a moisture sensor designed to detect the moisture content of harvested material passed through the sump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Micheal D. VAN MILL
  • Patent number: 8840357
    Abstract: A material transfer system including a first vehicle and a second vehicle. The first vehicle has a pressurized compartment maintaining a first air pressure therein. The ambient air outside of the pressurized compartment is at a second air pressure, with the first air pressure being different than the second air pressure thereby defining a pressure differential. The second vehicle has a material discharge device. The material discharge device is capable of delivering material to the first vehicle. The second vehicle having a reservoir for receiving the material. The material passing from the reservoir into the pressurized compartment without substantial loss of the pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Noel W. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20140205400
    Abstract: In a method for milling an opencast mining surface or for milling off layers of an asphalt or concrete traffic surface with a milling machine removing the ground surface, by milling the ground surface along a predetermined milling track and by transporting the milled material via a conveying device to at least one container of a truck that travels along next to the milling machine, a relative position between the container and the conveying device is automatically controlled to regulate the loading of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried von Schönebeck, Stefan Wagner
  • Patent number: 8647039
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a system for loading and unloading loose cargo, such as preferably pieces of luggage or the like, in a cargo hold of a plane, including conveying the loose cargo towards the inner end of the cargo hold during loading, or away from it during unloading, and including transport of the loose cargo between the level of the tarmac and the cargo hold opening. The loose cargo may during loading be conveyed into the fuselage in a direction transversal to the longitudinal axis of the plane and also in the longitudinal direction of the plane, and deposited, in the cargo hold. Loose cargo conveyed back into the plane of the cargo hold opening during unloading may be conveyed off transversely to the longitudinal axis of the plane through the cargo hold opening. Moreover the invention proposes intermediate conveyor means herefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Telair International AB
    Inventor: Anders Helmner
  • Patent number: 8562276
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a system for loading and unloading loose cargo (6), such as preferably pieces of luggage or the like, in a cargo hold (1) of a plane, including conveying the loose cargo (6) towards the inner end of the cargo hold (1) during loading, or away from it during unloading, and including transport of the loose cargo (6) between the level of the tarmac and the cargo hold opening. In the system of the invention, the loose cargo (6) may during loading be conveyed into the fuselage in a direction transversal to the longitudinal axis of the plane and also in the longitudinal direction of the plane, and deposited in the cargo hold (1). Loose cargo (6) conveyed back into the plane of the cargo hold opening during unloading may be conveyed off transversely to the longitudinal axis of the plane through the cargo hold opening. Moreover the invention proposes intermediate conveyor means (2) herefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Telair International AB
    Inventor: Anders Helmner
  • Publication number: 20130251484
    Abstract: A grain cart has a wheel supported container with an inclined auger unloading conveyor having an inclined lower section positioned to receive grain from the container and an upper section supported for folding movement between a stored position adjacent the container and an inclined discharge position projecting upwardly, forwardly and laterally outwardly from the left side wall of the container. The upper section of the auger conveyor has a tubular housing with an askewed discharge spout supporting a pivotable flow control spout for tilting movement on a horizontal axis extending parallel to the left side wall of the container for discharge of grain laterally across an open top rectangular semi-trailer within a vertical plane perpendicular to the left side wall of the cart. The flow control spout is tilted by a remotely controlled actuator for filling and topping off the semi-trailer including all four corner portions of the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: James E. Wood, Joshua P. Gaerke
  • Publication number: 20130189057
    Abstract: A turf cutter device, an infill extractor/collector device, and a turf wind-up device are used to facilitate the cost-effective removal of an infilled synthetic turf and the subsequent installation of a new turf at the same site, with minimal subsurface disruption. An infill extractor/collector device mounted on a motorized vehicle moves a relatively narrow strip of filled artificial turf from the surface, in front of the vehicle, and directs the strip to an infill removal station. The infill removal station inverts the strip and redirects the strip back toward the front of the vehicle, after agitating the strip to extract the infill. After redirecting the strip toward the front of the vehicle, the vehicle drives over the unfilled strip. Meanwhile, the extractor/collector device moves the extracted infill rearwardly to a bag located in a trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: TECHNOLOGY LICENSING CORP.
    Inventor: TECHNOLOGY LICENSING CORP.
  • Publication number: 20130045067
    Abstract: A system for managing the transfer of agricultural material from a material-transferring vehicle to a material-receiving vehicle. An unloading chute is adapted to transfer material from a first storage container of the material-transferring vehicle to a material-receiving vehicle alongside the material-transferring vehicle. A location-determining receiver is adapted to estimate position data for guiding the material-transferring vehicle. An image sensor is mounted on the material-transferring vehicle or the first storage container for estimating a lateral separation distance between the first storage container and the material-receiving vehicle for receiving the material. An electronic data processing system guides the material-transferring vehicle based on the estimated position data and the estimated lateral separation distance, to maintain a generally constant target lateral separation distance between the material-transferring vehicle and the material-receiving vehicle during the transfer of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Terence D. Pickett, Brandon M. McDonald
  • Patent number: 8359695
    Abstract: The present invention generally pertains to a mechanical sweeper. The mechanical sweeper comprises a pickup broom for lifting debris toward a first belt conveyor. The sweeper further comprises a second deployable conveyor assembly mounted on a turntable and adapted for conveying the debris from the first conveyor to an auxiliary vehicle such as a dump truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: 9089-1557 Quebec Inc. (Entretien de Stationnement M.A.)
    Inventors: Michel Arsenault, Stéphane Arsenault
  • Publication number: 20130019580
    Abstract: A bidirectional material source vehicle including a base unit and at least one material gathering device. The base unit is movable in a first travel direction and a generally opposite second travel direction. The at least one material gathering device is carried by the base unit. The at least one material gathering device is positioned at a first end of the base unit when the base unit is traveling in the first travel direction, and is positioned at a second end of the base unit when the base unit is traveling in the second travel direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Alan D. Sheidler
  • Patent number: 8257007
    Abstract: A cargo loader operable to load cargo into an opening of an enclosed trailer. The loader has an elongated bed with a front portion and a rear open portion. The opening of the trailer is positioned adjacent to the rear open portion of the bed. A pair of sidewalls flank the rear open portion and define an interior cargo receiving area. A carriage is moveably mounted to the bed and coupled to a drive assembly operable to move the carriage between the front portion and the rear open portion. The carriage is positioned on the front portion to allow cargo to be loaded into the cargo receiving area. The carriage is configured to push a ram longitudinally along the bed to push the cargo inside the cargo receiving area into the opening of the enclosed trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Container Stuffers, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel S. Williams, Troy D. Williams
  • Patent number: 8191688
    Abstract: Industrial truck, in particular fork lift, having an exchangeable battery block (13) and a battery case (3) which accommodates the battery block (13), with the battery case (3) having a lateral access opening (7) to slide the battery block (13) with a first end first into the battery case (3) and pull the battery block (13) with its first end last out of the battery case (3), with the battery block (13) accommodated in the battery case (3) being supported near its first end with at least one independent roller (25) on the battery case bottom (5), characterized in that that on the battery block (13) accommodated in the battery case (3), a projection (21) at the first end opposite the second end of said battery block, which projects over a front edge section (29) of the battery case bottom (5) near the access opening (7) and over the underside of the battery case bottom (5) downward, is provided as lifting abutment for a battery transport device (33), in particular a fork lift device to lift the battery block (
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rolf Bögelein, Franz Hatzl, Oleg Plastinin, Ralf Werner, Christoph Zeidler
  • Patent number: 8132282
    Abstract: The present invention generally pertains to a self-propelled mechanical sweeper. The mechanical sweeper comprises a pickup broom for lifting debris toward a first belt conveyor. The sweeper further comprises a second deployable conveyor assembly mounted on a turntable and adapted for conveying the debris from the first conveyor to an auxiliary vehicle such as a dump truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: 9089-1557 Quebec Inc. (Entretien de Stationnement M.A.)
    Inventors: Michel Arsenault, Stéphane Arsenault
  • Patent number: 8126620
    Abstract: A grain transfer control system, and method of use thereof, for automatedly controlling the transfer of grain from a mobile transferor-type vehicle, such as a combine harvester, to a mobile transferee-type vehicle, such as a crop transport, by varying the position and speed of the transferor-type and transferee-type vehicles relative to one another during the transfer operation, especially by varying the position and rate of walk of the discharge spout along at least a portion of the length of a grain holding receptacle of the transferee-type vehicle, to effect a generally even fill of the grain holding receptacle of the transferee-type vehicle along the length of the grain holding receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Justin R. Ringwald, Christopher A. Foster
  • Patent number: 7744332
    Abstract: A method and system for storing and temporarily relocating a trash container so as to decongest a thoroughfare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas W. Martin
  • Publication number: 20090028677
    Abstract: A cargo loader operable to load cargo into an opening of an enclosed trailer. The loader has an elongated bed with a front portion and a rear open portion. The opening of the trailer is positioned adjacent to the rear open portion of the bed. A pair of sidewalls flank the rear open portion and define an interior cargo receiving area. A carriage is moveably mounted to the bed and coupled to a drive assembly operable to move the carriage between the front portion and the rear open portion. The carriage is positioned on the front portion to allow cargo to be loaded into the cargo receiving area. The carriage is configured to push a ram longitudinally along the bed to push the cargo inside the cargo receiving area into the opening of the enclosed trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: CONTAINER STUFFERS, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel S. Williams, Troy D. Williams
  • Patent number: 7476060
    Abstract: A bulk material system generally consisting of a container having an upper wall, a vertical wall and an opening in the vertical wall; a support frame detachably mountable on the upper and vertical walls of the container; a hopper mounted on the support frame; a material conveying conduit mounted on the frame having an inlet communicating with an outlet of the hopper for receiving material therefrom and an end portion with an outlet insertable through the vertical wall opening of the container when the frame is detachably mounted on the container; and a conduit supported on the support frame having an outlet communicating with the material conveying conduit and an inlet communicable with a source of gas under pressure, function to supply gas under pressure to the material conveying conduit for pneumatically conveying material fed from the hopper into the material conveying conduit, therethrough, into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: The Young Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Boroch
  • Patent number: 7223057
    Abstract: A trailer which can be used to tow a vehicle and which can be towed by the same vehicle while that vehicle is inside the trailer and lowered down to ground level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: William B. Bellis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7192237
    Abstract: A series of transport carts are positioned in side by side relation in fore and aft extending spaced apart rows disposed along a delivery van to leave an aisle between them. The carts have wheel supported upright frames with bottom supports for the products disposed at a level above the floor of the van and open fronts from which the carts can be unloaded. The carts have rear posts which are disengageably locked in track sections provided in longitudinally spaced relation along the van side walls. Pallets with discs projecting downwardly from the floors of the pallets support the product stacks on the cart bottom supports. A hand truck with a bifurcated nose plate defining disc receiving arms engages under each pallet to enable removal of a pallet and product stack from the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventors: Norman C. Strohfus, Robert W. Grace, David J. Glancy
  • Patent number: 7189437
    Abstract: An exemplary method for using a mobile plating system is provided that includes locating the mobile plating system at a desired location for plating, positioning an external vacuum pump from an interior position of a mobile storage volume of the mobile plasma plating system to an exterior position, and coupling the external vacuum pump to a vacuum chamber within the mobile storage volume of the mobile plasma plating system using a flexible piping segment, rigid coupling with a dampening effect, or other arrangement operable to reduce and/or eliminate the mechanical vibrations within the vacuum chamber due to the operation of the external vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Basic Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Kidd, Craig D. Harrington, Daniel N. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 7175379
    Abstract: A handling device is provided for a battery block (1) of an industrial truck having a lateral battery extraction opening. The handling device includes a pallet truck (3) and a battery receptacle (4) mountable on the pallet truck (3). The battery receptacle (4) on the pallet truck (3) can be inserted underneath a battery block (1) that is located in the industrial truck, whereupon the battery block (1) can be lifted and removed from the industrial truck. The battery receptacle (4) has a load-bearing frame by means of which the weight of the battery block (1) can be supported on the tines of the fork of the pallet truck (3). In one development, the handling device includes a battery tray on which the battery block (1) can be set down by the battery receptacle (4) that is located on the pallet truck (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Still GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Sellhorn, Christof-Walter Funk
  • Patent number: 7156604
    Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading aircrafts comprises a tiltable first conveyor part (7) adjustable in height and provided with a conveyor path (11) advancing and removing luggage (59), such as suitcases, parcels and the like cargo items, to and from the apparatus. The apparatus comprises further a second conveyor part (8) extendable from the first conveyor part and being adapted to be moved through an opening in the aircraft and into the cargo compartment of said aircraft. This second conveyor part (8) comprises a conveyor path advancing or removing the luggage to or from the storing site inside the cargo compartment. The second conveyor part (8) comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected conveyor units (30, 31) with their respective activatable conveyor paths and their respective sets of wheels (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: RASN A/S c/o SAS
    Inventor: Lars Thøgersen
  • Patent number: 7040980
    Abstract: A combine harvester for harvesting grain and seed crops includes a double unloading auger system for unloading in both directions of travel harvested feed grains produced in one round or two lengths of a field to storage area of transport vehicle. The double unloading auger system has a first main unloading auger assembly being selectively operable for discharging the harvested grain from a first side of the combine harvester to the transport vehicle and a second main unloading auger assembly being selectively operable for discharging the harvested grain from a second side of the combine harvester to the transport vehicle. A pair of transverse auger is located in a bottom wall of the grain tank and is selectively reversibly driven for delivery of the harvested grain from the grain tank to either the first main unloading auger assembly or the second main unloading auger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Frederick J. Kestel
  • Patent number: 7033125
    Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading aircrafts comprises a tiltable first conveyor part (7) adjustable in height and provided with a conveyor path (11) advancing and removing luggage (59), such as suitcases, parcels and the like cargo items, to and from the apparatus. The apparatus comprises further a second conveyor part (8) extendable from the first conveyor part and being adapted to be moved through an opening in the aircraft and into the cargo compartment of said aircraft. This second conveyor part (8) comprises a conveyor path advancing or removing the luggage to or from the storing site inside the cargo compartment. The second conveyor part (8) comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected conveyor units (30, 31) with their respective activatable conveyor paths and their respective sets of wheels (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Rampsnake A/S
    Inventor: Lars Thøgersen
  • Patent number: 6921238
    Abstract: A trailer which can be used to tow a vehicle and which can be towed by the same vehicle while that vehicle is inside the trailer and lowered down to ground level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Inventor: William B. Bellis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6893200
    Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading aircrafts comprises a tiltable first conveyor part (7) adjustable in height and provided with a conveyor path (11) advancing and removing luggage (59), such as suitcases, parcels and the like cargo items, to and from the apparatus. The apparatus comprises further a second conveyor part (8) extendable from the first conveyor part and being adapted to be moved through an opening in the aircraft and into the cargo compartment of said aircraft. This second conveyor part (8) comprises a conveyor path advancing or removing the luggage to or from the storing site inside the cargo compartment. The second conveyor part (8) comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected conveyor units (30, 31) with their respective activatable conveyor paths and their respective sets of wheels (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: RASN A/S
    Inventor: Lars Thøgersen
  • Patent number: 6858119
    Abstract: An exemplary mobile plating system is provided for performing a plating process using virtually any known or available deposition technology for coating or plating as substrate. The mobile plating system may include a vacuum chamber positioned in a mobile storage volume, an external vacuum pump, and a control circuitry to control the operation of some or all of the operations of the external vacuum pump. The external vacuum pump is positioned in the mobile storage volume when the mobile plating system is in transit, and is positioned external to the mobile storage volume when the mobile plating system is stationary and in operation. The external vacuum pump may be mounted on a skid, and, in operation, the external vacuum pump couples with the vacuum chamber to assist with producing a desired pressure in the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Basic Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Kidd, Craig D. Harrington, Daniel N. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 6726431
    Abstract: A container handling system includes a vehicle adapted to carry a container, the vehicle being equipped with a hoist for lifting containers, and, a trailer towable by the vehicle so as to provide tandem transport of containers. The trailer is adapted to receive a container from the vehicle via the vehicle hoist, and is further adapted to selectively hoist a received container in furtherance of unloading the received container, or dump contents therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Jay C. Morrell
  • Patent number: 6655892
    Abstract: A series of transport carts (21) are positioned in side by side relation in fore and aft extending spaced apart rows disposed along a delivery van (22) to leave an aisle (58) between them. The carts have wheel supported frames (28) with bottom supports (131) for the products disposed at a level above the floor of the van and open fronts from which the carts can be unloaded. The carts have rear posts (58) which are disengageably locked in track sections (66, 67) provided in longitudinally spaced relation along the van side walls. Pallets (30) with discs (34) projecting downwardly from the floors of the pallets support the product stacks on the cart bottom supports. A hand truck with a bifurcated nose plate defining disc receiving arms engages under each pallet to enable removal of a pallet and product stack (31) from the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman C. Strohfus, Robert W. Grace, David J. Glancy
  • Publication number: 20030170102
    Abstract: A drive over conveyor pit assembly includes a mainframe including a grain pit located between and adjacent a plurality of drive over sections. Attached to the mainframe are a plurality of entrance ramps and a pair of exit ramps. Each ramp is pivotably attached to an end of the drive over sections. The drive over conveyor pit assembly includes a drive over pit coupled to a grain conveyor in such a configuration to be transported with the main grain conveyor by a single tow vehicle. The assembly includes a drive over conveyor pit hydraulically positioned for transportation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Steve J. Mast, Brent C. Mast
  • Publication number: 20030136670
    Abstract: An exemplary method for using a mobile plating system is provided that includes locating the mobile plating system at a desired location for plating, positioning an external vacuum pump from an interior position of a mobile storage volume of the mobile plasma plating system to an exterior position, and coupling the external vacuum pump to a vacuum chamber within the mobile storage volume of the mobile plasma plating system using a flexible piping segment, rigid coupling with a dampening effect, or other arrangement operable to reduce and/or eliminate the mechanical vibrations within the vacuum chamber due to the operation of the external vacuum pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Jerry D. Kidd, Craig D. Harrington, Daniel N. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20030121776
    Abstract: An exemplary mobile plating system is provided for performing a plating process using virtually any known or available deposition technology for coating or plating as substrate. The mobile plating system may include a vacuum chamber positioned in a mobile storage volume, an external vacuum pump, and a control circuitry to control the operation of some or all of the operations of the external vacuum pump. The external vacuum pump is positioned in the mobile storage volume when the mobile plating system is in transit, and is positioned external to the mobile storage volume when the mobile plating system is stationary and in operation. The external vacuum pump may be mounted on a skid, and, in operation, the external vacuum pump couples with the vacuum chamber to assist with producing a desired pressure in the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Jerry D. Kidd, Craig D. Harrington, Daniel N. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 6503379
    Abstract: An exemplary mobile plating system and method are provided for performing a plating process using virtually any known or available deposition technology for coating or plating. The mobile plating system may include a vacuum chamber positioned in a mobile storage volume, an external vacuum pump, and a control module to control the operation of some or all of the operations of the external vacuum pump. The external vacuum pump is positioned in the mobile storage volume when the mobile plating system is in transit, and is positioned external to the mobile storage volume when the mobile plating system is stationary and in operation. The external vacuum pump may be mounted on a skid, and, in operation, the external vacuum pump couples with the vacuum chamber to assist with producing a desired pressure in the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Basic Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Kidd, Craig D. Harrington, Daniel N. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20020154972
    Abstract: A livestock unloading system for unloading livestock from a storage unit of a transport vehicle to a processing plant or storage facility. The unloading system includes a conveyor system whereby livestock ride from the storage unit to their destination. The conveying system includes a telescoping end that extends into and retracts from a coop during the unloading process. A system of hydraulics controls the speed of the conveyor, aids in the leveling of the machine, adjusts both the angle and tier of unloading, and levels and controls the telescoping end of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Steven C. Sinn, Voris G. Feather, James Pyle
  • Patent number: 6443836
    Abstract: Apparatus for lifting a cotton receiving basket of a cotton harvester above a frame thereof including a plurality of upstanding fluid lift cylinders disposed at spaced locations around the basket, each of the lift cylinders has a cylinder body including an outer surface having a vertical extent at least equal to a maximum height that the basket is to be lifted above the frame, each of the cylinder bodies being fixedly mounted to the frame and the cylinders having extendable rods attached to the basket such that when the rods are moved telescopically upwardly the basket is lifted relative to the frame; and at least one lateral support bracket fixedly mounted to the basket and engaged with the outer surface of one of the cylinder bodies for moving therealong in engagement therewith when the basket is lifted for preventing lateral movement of the basket relative to the one of the cylinder bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Horejsi, Travis A. Schaeffer