Patents Represented by Attorney Law Office of John W. Harbst
  • Patent number: 7798436
    Abstract: A portable chipper apparatus having a chipping disc with front and rear faces and a series of slots extending through the disc. A knife is arranged on the front face of the disc in proximate relation relative to each slot. At least two shredder/detanglers are secured to the rear face of the disc. Each shredder/detangler includes a base and at least three generally planar and substantially identical paddles arranged in spaced and generally parallel relation relative to each other. The paddles extend from the base at an angle and projects away from the rear face of the chipping disc. The paddles on each shredder/detangler have a continuous elongated linear cutting edge for impacting with and further reducing and cutting the size of the chipped material engaged by the paddles. Each shredder/detangler further includes an impeller at a distal end of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: James A. Cornelius
  • Patent number: 7793595
    Abstract: A railcar operating shaft assembly mounted on a gate assembly frame for moving a gate between closed and open positions. The operating shaft assembly includes an operating shaft and a capstan assembly provided at each end of the operating shaft. Each capstan assembly includes first and second axially aligned and conjoined but separate members. The first member is releasably coupled in non-rotatable relation relative to a free end of the operating shaft and is mountable on the gate assembly frame for rotation about a fixed axis. The second member of each capstan assembly is releasably conjoined in non-rotatable relation relative to the first member such that rotational movements imparted to the second member are transferred to the first member and to the operating shaft coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignees: Miner Enterprises, Inc., Powerbrace Corporation
    Inventor: Rudoplh S. Fortuna
  • Patent number: 7784410
    Abstract: A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar having a bolster with an upper surface and a walled receptacle upstanding from the upper surface of the bolster. An inner surface of the walled receptacle defines an open-top cavity wherein the side bearing assembly is accommodated. The constant contact side bearing assembly includes a spring and a base. The side bearing assembly base is configured to loosely fit within the walled receptacle and a gap is defined between an outer surface of the side bearing assembly base and the inner surface of the walled receptacle. A railcar engaging surface portion on a friction member is biased by the spring against an underside of the railcar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. O'Donnell, Paul B. Aspengren
  • Patent number: 7753349
    Abstract: A radial cushioning apparatus including an inner member, an outer member, and an elastomer. The inner member accommodates a shaft passing endwise therethrough. The outer member is arranged in radially spaced relation from the inner member. The elastomer is secured to the inner and outer members and defines a plurality of collapsible spaces into which elastomer material can flex thereby cushioning radial deflection of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Miner Elastomer Products Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald W. Kerr, Shellie Wonsowski, Michael P. Molitor, Terry J. Koehn, Richard J. Beranek
  • Patent number: 7739819
    Abstract: An advertising sign configured for use in combination with a free standing security system having first and second sides and which is adapted to be arranged in proximity to an ingress/egress opening to a store. The advertising sign has axially aligned open ends and is sized and shaped to slidably fit over a lengthwise portion of the free standing security system. The advertising sign has first and second opposed side edges along with top and bottom edges. The advertising sign further includes first and second surfaces between the edges with an advertisement disposed upon each of the first and second surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Imageforward, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Hansen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7658024
    Abstract: A universal digging tooth attachment apparatus adapted to be secured to a forward edge of a bucket lip of an earth moving implement. The universal digging tooth attachment has a first element with an elongate section defining a first generally planar surface for abutting and engaging along the length thereof with one face of the bucket lip of the earth moving implement and a second element. The second element has an elongate section defining a second generally planar surface for abutting and engaging along the length thereof with the bucket lip of the earth moving implement directly opposite from the elongate section of the first element. One of the first and second elements has an earth engaging tooth projecting therefrom. A slip joint operably connects the first and second elements to each other to allow for adjustment of a distance between the first and second planar surfaces to accommodate attachment of the digging tooth to implements having bucket lips of differing thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: H&L Tooth Company
    Inventors: Brian L. Launder, Charles Clendenning
  • Patent number: 7654205
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling discharge of commodity from a railcar having a hopper with at least two transversely spaced discharge openings and two laterally spaced and commonly joined pivotal doors arranged in registry with the two discharge openings. The control apparatus includes a transversely extending operating shaft and a linkage system operably connecting the operating shaft to the doors. A drive mechanism is operably connectable to the linkage system. The drive mechanism includes a powered driver for selectively operating the linkage mechanism to either simultaneously move the doors into their closed position or to simultaneously move the doors from their closed position. The powered driver of the drive mechanism is operably connected to a lever radially extending from the operating shaft. To releasably hold and maintain the doors in their closed position, a lock assembly is arranged in operable combination with the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Guadalupe L. Galvan
  • Patent number: 7624884
    Abstract: A railroad car draft gear including a housing having an open end with a friction clutch assembly arranged in operable combination therewith. An elongated elastomeric spring assembly is disposed within the housing for storing energy during axial compression of the draft gear. A spring seat is arranged within the housing between the spring assembly and an end portion of each friction member forming part of the friction clutch assembly. The spring seat defines a surface, arranged in direct contacting relation with an end of the spring assembly, and defines at least one surface incongruity for limiting radial expansion with the elastomeric spring at the end of the spring assembly arranged in direct contacting relation with the spring seat along at least two axes when an axial load is applied to the draft gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Palermo, Richard A. Carlstedt, Kris C. Jurasek
  • Patent number: 7506465
    Abstract: An advertising sign configured for use in combination with an upstanding security system having a detection apparatus. The advertising sign comprises a substrate with a generally rectangularly shaped outer edge configuration having first and second generally parallel and planar surfaces, with a multicolor advertising copy printed across substantially the entirety of at least one of the planar surfaces with solvent inks thereby yielding protection to the substrate against exposure to atmospheric elements and thereby prolonging the life of the sign during use. The substrate also defines an opening spaced a predetermined distance from at least two edges of the printed substrate to facilitate alignment of the opening relative to the detection apparatus of the security system whereby allowing passage of a signal from the detection apparatus of the security system to pass through the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: ImageForward, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Hansen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7493865
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling discharge of commodity from a railcar having a hopper with at least two transversely spaced discharge openings and two laterally spaced and commonly joined pivotal doors arranged in registry with the two discharge openings. The control apparatus includes a transversely extending operating shaft and a linkage system operably connecting the operating shaft to the doors. A drive mechanism is operably connectable to the linkage system. The drive mechanism includes a driver for selectively operating the linkage mechanism to either simultaneously push the doors into their closed position or to simultaneously pull the doors from their closed position. The drive mechanism further includes a lever radially extending from the operating shaft and operably connected to the driver. To releasably hold and maintain the doors in their closed position, a lock assembly is arranged in operable combination with the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Guadalupe L. Galvan
  • Patent number: 7490819
    Abstract: A one-piece elastomeric spring having four spaced end portions all joined to and extending from a common body portion. Two end portions are commonly disposed to each side of an axis of the spring such that each end portion can independently deflect when a force is applied thereto. The one-piece spring is formed from a preform formed from an elastomer which is normally free of spring-like characteristics. The elastomer from which the preform is created has a molecular structure along with a ratio of plastic strain to elastic strain greater than 1.5 to 1. The molecular structure of the preform is oriented in at least one direction so as to allow a predetermined spring rate to be imparted to the preform whereby transmuting the preform into an elastomeric spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Miner Elastomer Products Corporation
    Inventor: Michael P. Molitor
  • Patent number: 7473373
    Abstract: A stormwater pollution management apparatus for a stormwater basin including a water intake assembly having a first end and a second end generally aligned along an axis and includes a hollow inverted T-shaped connector. A horizontal intake projects in a first direction from one side of the T-shaped connector toward the first end of the water intake assembly. The axially elongated intake defines a series of openings along the length and about the periphery thereof. An outlet projects in a second direction from a second side of the T-shaped connector toward the second end of the water intake assembly. A wrapper extends along and about the generally horizontal intake for creating an energy differential between the sediment water flowing into the water intake assembly and the water in the basin thereby affecting separation of particulate sediment from the water flowing into the water intake assembly. A hollow riser extends upwardly from the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Inventor: Perry W. Danler
  • Patent number: 7449856
    Abstract: A universal controller for an automatic door system including a door carried on a frame for movement along a predetermined path of movement between open and closed positions. The universal controller includes a housing for mounting the controller in a stationary position relative to the door frame and an assembly including a processor carried by the housing for processing data operatively received from a plurality of sensors and relating to the operation of the movable door. The processor is configured to generate operational values which are transmitted to and control a drive motor used to move the door between the open and closed positions. The assembly further includes an arrangement for adjusting the operational values generated by the processor and transmitted to the drive motor. A modular harness connects the controller to the drive motor and to the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Motion Access, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael A. Valencia, Joseph P. Madden, Gilbert F. Valencia, Robert L. Oakley
  • Patent number: 7441508
    Abstract: A mattress edge sewing machine including a frame having a material supporting surface, a sewing station defined by a needle bar mounted in the frame for generally vertical reciprocatory movements along a fixed centerline, and a feeding mechanism for pulling material through the sewing station of the machine. The feeding mechanism includes upper and lower positively driven feed rollers which are continually biased into operable engagement with each other. The feed rollers are arranged less than 0.8625 inches, measured in the direction of material advancement, separates the centerline of the feed rollers from the centerline of the needle bar. The needle bar is moved in timed relation relative to the movements of the looper, and with the needle bar traversing a distance in a single vertical direction at a ratio greater than 3:1 relative to the distance in a single lateral direction traversed by the looper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Faber, Bob C. Turner
  • Patent number: 7430794
    Abstract: A method for replacing a damaged brake beam on a railcar having a car body supported on a railcar truck. The railcar truck includes a wheel and axle assembly mounted between a pair of laterally spaced side frames. The side frames include structure, on an inboard side thereof, for guiding and supporting the brake beam, and with the structure on the side frame members defining a predetermined lateral distance therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Powerbrace Corporation
    Inventors: Lee Ann Steffen, legal representative, John J. Steffen
  • Patent number: 7387075
    Abstract: A hinge structure including a universal adapter located toward one end of and for allowing the hinge structure to be pivotally connected to different stationary brackets having differing pivot axes. The universal adapter defines multiple openings disposed in spaced, generally parallel relation relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher C. Gaydos, Rudolph S. Fortuna
  • Patent number: 7338034
    Abstract: An elastomeric spring including an elongated elastomeric body defining a longitudinal axis for the spring and having first and second longitudinal ends. An outer surface of the elastomeric body extends between the first and second ends and has four generally planar sides, with each planar side of the outer surface being disposed to one side of and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spring so as to reduce radial bulging of the spring in all directions when an axial load is applied to the spring. The outer surface of the elastomeric body further includes four angled corner sections extending between the first and second ends of the elastomeric body and disposed a substantially common distance from the longitudinal axis of the spring. One corner section is disposed between any two adjoining sides on the outer surface of the elastomeric body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aspengren, Steve R. White, Erik D. Jensen, Adam J. Merges, Michael L. McGuigan
  • Patent number: D570208
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Powerbrace Corporation
    Inventor: Brian A. Senn
  • Patent number: D576644
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: H&L Tooth Company
    Inventors: Charles Clendenning, Russell N. Drake