Patents Assigned to B & B Metals, Inc.
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Patent number: 11898311Abstract: Present embodiments relate to a railroad tie plate distribution apparatus and method therefore. The tie plate distribution apparatus which may be used in manual or automatic distribution modes in order to place tie plates on a railroad tie in a spaced apart sequence as the apparatus moves over a track being serviced. The tie plate distributor includes an actuator to feed tie plates on to a railroad track system being serviced.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: B & B Metals, Inc.Inventor: Coty T. Coots
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Patent number: 11885075Abstract: Present embodiments relate to a tie plate orientation device. More specifically, but without limitation present embodiments relate to a tie plate orientation device that orients tie plates in a desired orientation for subsequent feeding, including an optional handheld magnetic device for manual assisted manipulation of the tie plates.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2023Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: B & B Metals, Inc.Inventor: Coty T. Coots
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Patent number: 11885074Abstract: Present embodiments relate to a tie plate dispenser which selectively changes the orientation of the tie plates being ejected, if needed. An actuator is used to flip the tie plate as it falls from an ejection location of the dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: B & B Metals, Inc.Inventor: Coty T. Coots
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Patent number: 11772903Abstract: Present embodiments relate to a tie plate dispenser which aligns tie plates for dispensing based on rail base rather than outer edges of the tie plate. Thus tie plates are aligned and located in a differing manner than prior art systems. Further, the tie plate dispenser includes an opening over which a magnet is disposed to retain a tie plate over the opening. The tie plate over the opening may be selectively released by disengaging the tie plate from the magnet.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: B & B Metals, Inc.Inventor: Coty T. Coots
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Patent number: 11578464Abstract: Present embodiments relate to a tie plate dispenser which selectively changes the orientation of the tie plates being ejected, if needed. An actuator is used to flip the tie plate as it falls from an ejection location of the dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: B & B METALS, INC.Inventor: Coty T. Coots
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Patent number: 11572660Abstract: Present embodiments relate to a tie plate orientation device. More specifically, but without limitation present embodiments relate to a tie plate orientation device that orients tie plates in a desired orientation for subsequent feeding, including an optional handheld magnetic device for manual assisted manipulation of the tie plates.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: B&B Metals, Inc.Inventor: Coty T. Coots
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Patent number: 11427408Abstract: Present embodiments relate to a tie plate dispenser which aligns tie plates for dispensing based on rail base rather than outer edges of tie plate. Thus tie plates are aligned and located in a differing manner than prior art systems. Further, the tie plate dispenser includes an opening over which a magnet is disposed to retain a tie plate over the opening. The tie plate over the opening may be selectively released by disengaging the tie plate from the magnet.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: B & B METALS, INC.Inventor: Coty T. Coots
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Patent number: 11299859Abstract: Present embodiments relate to a railroad tie plate distribution apparatus and method therefore. The tie plate distribution apparatus which may be used in manual or automatic distribution modes in order to place tie plates on a railroad tie in a spaced apart sequence as the apparatus moves over a track being serviced. The tie plate distributor includes an actuator to feed tie plates on to a railroad track system being serviced.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: B & B METALS, INC.Inventor: Coty T. Coots
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Patent number: 11136726Abstract: Present embodiments relate to a tie plate orientation device. More specifically, but without limitation present embodiments relate to a tie plate orientation device that orients tie plates in a desired orientation for subsequent feeding, including an optional handheld magnetic device for manual assisted manipulation of the tie plates.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: B & B METALS, INC.Inventor: Coty T. Coots
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Patent number: 10865527Abstract: A tie plate rotator which may be mounted in line of a tie plate distribution system along a horizontal or angled conveyor which may take various forms but functionally allows or provides for movement of tie plates from one location to a second. The tie plate rotator receives tie plates and senses a position of the field side or gauge side of the tie plate. Subsequently, the turner will rotate the tie plate if rotation to an alternate orientation is desirable. The tie plate turner also senses a position of the rotating structure so that a controller can determine a position of the tie plate rotator during operation. The tie plates are subsequently directed to a second conveyor for further processing of the tie plates.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: B & B METALS, INC.Inventor: Coty T. Coots
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Patent number: 10745208Abstract: A tie plate straightener includes a plurality of rollers having varying cross-section and differing elevations. The tie plate straightener includes directional wheels between the rollers and disposed in alignment with the lower elevations of the rollers. The straightener receives tie plates at an input and rotates the tie plates when the tie plate engages the directional wheels. The tie plate is thereby oriented and/or positioned so that the tie plate is supported above the directional wheels.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: B & B METALS, INC.Inventor: William R. Coots
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Patent number: 10427876Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: B&B METALS, INC.Inventor: William R. Coots
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Patent number: 10329100Abstract: A tie plate straightener includes a plurality of rollers having varying cross-section and differing elevations. The tie plate straightener includes directional wheels between the rollers and disposed in alignment with the lower elevations of the rollers. The straightener receives tie plates at an input and rotates the tie plates when the tie plate engages the directional wheels. The tie plate is thereby oriented and/or positioned so that the tie plate is supported above the directional wheels.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: B & B METALS, INC.Inventor: William R. Coots
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Patent number: 10316471Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: B & B Metals, Inc.Inventor: William R. Coots
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Patent number: 10112215Abstract: A tie plate separator is provided and methods thereof which allow for supplying of a batch of scrap material which needs at least some separation. The separation may occur by a rotating receiver structure having a plurality of holes to allow materials of preselected size to be retained within the receiver but allow other materials to fall through the holes so as to effectively separate at least one of the constituents of the batch of materials.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: B&B Metals, Inc.Inventor: William R. Coots
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Patent number: 10094071Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: B & B Metals, Inc.Inventor: William R. Coots
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Patent number: 9752286Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: B&B Metals, Inc.Inventor: William R. Coots
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Patent number: 9745132Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: B&B Metals, Inc.Inventor: William R. Coots
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Patent number: 9745150Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: B&B Metals, Inc.Inventor: William R. Coots
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Patent number: 9446662Abstract: An auxiliary drive system including a transmission which is connectable to a prime mover and produces an output torque for driving a driveshaft, the transmission having at least first and second power takeoffs, a pump in fluid communication with a hydraulic motor, the hydraulic motor operably connected to the second power takeoff and in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump, a control valve to vary flow rate to the hydraulic motor, the second power takeoff driving a driveshaft operably connected to the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: B & B Metals, Inc.Inventor: William R. Coots