Patents Assigned to Macton Corporation
  • Patent number: 10000221
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pit cover and method of installing the same. The pit cover includes a plate having a hole defining an area. A block having a threaded hole may be affixed to a bottom surface of the plate such that the threaded hole aligns with the area. A support is associated with the foundation and a groove is defined by one of the pit cover or the support. A protrusion is defined by the other one of the pit cover or the support. The groove narrows from a first width towards a second width. The first width is disposed relative to the second width such that insertion of the protrusion into the groove causes an end of the protrusion to pass the first width prior to passing the second width. The protrusion interacts with the groove to align the pit cover at a predetermined position relative to the foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Macton Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan W. Knapp, Mark O'Donnell, Stephen Schumacher, Thomas Taylor
  • Patent number: 9764933
    Abstract: Provided is a system and method for positioning a load including an apparatus having a plurality of columns. Each column has a first support and a motor adapted to move the first support along an axis of the column. A second support is connected to at least two of the first supports and a track member for receiving a portion of a vehicle is connected to the second support. Load and position sensors are coupled to the apparatus for transmitting load and position signals. A controller is in communication with the columns and receives the load and position signals to compare the load and position signals to generate at least one control signal that is sent to at least one of said motors for controlling the position of at least one of said first supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Macton Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan W. Knapp, Peter McGonagle, Mark O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 9764934
    Abstract: A lifting apparatus and controller therefore, where the lifting apparatus includes independently driven lifting columns and independently driven wheels that are controlled by a controller having a number of sensors such as limit sensors, position sensors, rotation sensors, laser sensors, torque sensors and the like. The independent motors for lifting and driving may also be removed easily to provide for improved servicing and maintenance. The various sensor signals are used to calculate, coordinate and calibrate the apparatus for precise and safe movement by the motors in order to perform lifting and positioning operations, for example rail car repair and service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Macton Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan W. Knapp, Peter McGonagle, Mark O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 8397643
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a wheelset from a railroad vehicle includes a frame configured for motion with respect to the railroad vehicle. The apparatus also includes a lifting yoke cooperatively associated with the frame. The yoke is configured to engage flanges of the wheelset. The apparatus further includes at least one lifting screw interposed between the frame and the lifting yoke, such that upon rotation of the at least one lifting screw, the yoke may be raised and lowered to selectively engage the flanges of the wheelset. A “universal” lifting yoke can include a first portion which engages the at least one lifting screw, a set of extendable transverse members having outward ends, and flange-engaging blocks secured to the outward ends of the extendable transverse members and configured to engage the flanges of the wheelset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Macton Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Esposti, Stanislaw Kostrzewski, Thomas Hannon, Thomas E. Young
  • Publication number: 20110226150
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a wheelset from a railroad vehicle includes a frame configured for motion with respect to the railroad vehicle. The apparatus also includes a lifting yoke cooperatively associated with the frame. The yoke is configured to engage flanges of the wheelset. The apparatus further includes at least one lifting screw interposed between the frame and the lifting yoke, such that upon rotation of the at least one lifting screw, the yoke may be raised and lowered to selectively engage the flanges of the wheelset. A “universal” lifting yoke can include a first portion which engages the at least one lifting screw, a set of extendable transverse members having outward ends, and flange-engaging blocks secured to the outward ends of the extendable transverse members and configured to engage the flanges of the wheelset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Macton Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Esposti, Stanislaw Kostrzewski, Thomas Hannon, Thomas E. Young
  • Patent number: 7900562
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a wheelset from a railroad vehicle includes a frame configured for motion with respect to the railroad vehicle. The apparatus also includes a lifting yoke cooperatively associated with the frame. The yoke is configured to engage flanges of the wheelset. The apparatus further includes at least one lifting screw interposed between the frame and the lifting yoke, such that upon rotation of the at least one lifting screw, the yoke may be raised and lowered to selectively engage the flanges of the wheelset. A “universal” lifting yoke can include a first portion which engages the at least one lifting screw, a set of extendable transverse members having outward ends, and flange-engaging blocks secured to the outward ends of the extendable transverse members and configured to engage the flanges of the wheelset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Macton Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Esposti, Stanislaw Kostrzewski, Thomas Hannon, Thomas E. Young
  • Publication number: 20090145326
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a wheelset from a railroad vehicle includes a frame configured for motion with respect to the railroad vehicle. The apparatus also includes a lifting yoke cooperatively associated with the frame. The yoke is configured to engage flanges of the wheelset. The apparatus further includes at least one lifting screw interposed between the frame and the lifting yoke, such that upon rotation of the at least one lifting screw, the yoke may be raised and lowered to selectively engage the flanges of the wheelset. A “universal” lifting yoke can include a first portion which engages the at least one lifting screw, a set of extendable transverse members having outward ends, and flange-engaging blocks secured to the outward ends of the extendable transverse members and configured to engage the flanges of the wheelset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Macton Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Esposti, Stanislaw Kostrzewski, Thomas Hannon, Thomas E. Young