Patents Assigned to PORTEC
  • Patent number: 6530729
    Abstract: In a method and system for tying a tire of a vehicle on a load carrying platform, at least first and second integral winch and chock assemblies are aligned at both ends of at least one of the tires of the vehicle so that a chock surface of the respective assemblies abuts the tire at both ends thereof. Each of the assemblies is providing with a winding mandrel. The winch and chock assemblies are locked to the platform to prevent lateral, longitudinal and vertical movement of the assemblies. A tire harness connects to the two winch and chock assemblies, the tire harness wrapping around a top portion of the tire. At least one or both of the winding mandrels of the winch and chock assemblies are then rotated to tighten the harness on the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Portec Rail Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Tatina
  • Patent number: 6464039
    Abstract: A retrofit for an actuator element in a railway track lubricating apparatus for applying lubricant to a rail of a railway track includes a housing with a chamber, an enclosure block, a spacer element for occupying the space in existing actuator elements, a T-shaped plunger with a base adjacent a coil spring, and an actuator stem movable in a bore in the top of the housing, and wherein the stem is supported by and in sealed communication with a bushing that is placed within the cavity of the bore. A hydraulic fluid inlet opening is located at the bottom of the housing and a hydraulic fluid outlet opening is located at the top of the housing. A second embodiment provides an actuator element for use in new lubricating systems whereby the actuator element is mounted onto the rail and does not involve a spacer element in the chamber of the actuator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Portec Rail Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William T Urmson, Frank T. Lenco, John W. Mospan
  • Patent number: 6422479
    Abstract: A T-shaped electrically insulated member for securing to rails having electric current passing therethrough. The electrically insulated rail member includes a metallic core and an electrically insulating material encasing the metallic core. The electrically insulated rail member can be used as a gauge plate or a switch plate. Bushings are received by the electrically insulated rail member for receipt of fasteners secured to adjacent rail members. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the electrically insulated rail member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Portec Rail Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Adkins, William T. Urmson, Jr., John S. Cooper, John W. Mospan
  • Patent number: 6374948
    Abstract: A device for lubricating a track or a rail that is adapted to be mounted tog wheeled vehicle. The device includes a frame member adapted to be mounted to the vehicle and an arm pivotally attached to the frame member. A roller, which is adapted to ride on the rail, mounts to the arm. A lubricating nozzle is secured to the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Portec Rail Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Stack, William G. Angel, W. Thomas Urmson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6305614
    Abstract: A T-shaped electrically insulated member for securing to rails having electric current passing therethrough. The electrically insulated rail member includes a metallic core and an electrically insulating material encasing the metallic core. The electrically insulated rail member can be used as a gauge plate or a switch plate. Bushings are received by the electrically insulated rail member for receipt of fasteners secured to adjacent rail members. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the electrically insulated rail member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Portec Rail Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Adkins, William T. Urmson, Jr., John S. Cooper, John W. Mospan
  • Patent number: 6170756
    Abstract: A T-shaped electrically insulated member for securing to rails having electric current passing therethrough. The electrically insulated rail member includes a metallic core and an electrically insulating material encasing the metallic core. The electrically insulated rail member can be used as a gauge plate or a switch plate. Bushings are received by the electrically insulated rail member for receipt of fasteners secured to adjacent rail members. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the electrically insulated rail member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Portec Rail Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Adkins, William T. Urmson, Jr., John S. Cooper, John W. Mospan
  • Patent number: 6050395
    Abstract: Apparatus for converting a standard non-knife edge conveyor or power turn into a knife edge conveyor or power turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Portec, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Shannon, Rodney Mishmash
  • Patent number: 6030158
    Abstract: A securement system for vertically upstanding articles on a platform such as paper rolls inside a boxcar includes vertical anchor channels, the anchor channels having notches along their length for setting a position of spools carried by the channels. The spools hold coiled webbing and one of the webbings includes a ratchet buckle fastener. The webbings can be uncoiled from the spools to the desired length to wrap around the vertical articles and secure the vertical articles using the fastener. In an alternative embodiment, movable elements finctioning as anchors for ends of the webs are vertically positionable along verticle anchor channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Portec Rail Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Tatina, David P. Morgan, Clayton Baker
  • Patent number: 5992568
    Abstract: A device for lubricating a track or a rail that is adapted to be mounted to a wheeled vehicle. The device includes a frame member adapted to be mounted to the vehicle and an arm pivotally attached to the frame member. A roller, which is adapted to ride on the rail, mounts to the arm and receives a guide. A lubricating nozzle attaches to the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Portec Rail Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Craig, William T. Urmson, Jr., Peter C. Lounsberry
  • Patent number: 5899646
    Abstract: A securement system for a centerbeam railcar for securing lumber or like products includes overhead spools for holding polyester webbing straps, and columns arranged along a length of the railcar having horizontally arranged intermediate web posts for receiving the straps partially wrapped around the intermediate web posts, and winches secured to a bottom side sill of the floor structure of the railcar for receiving an end of the webbing straps to pull the webbing straps tight on the cargo. A plurality of the intermediate web posts are provided vertically arranged to change the effective holding shape of the web onto a varying cargo height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Portec Rail Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Tatina, Eugene J. Korzenko
  • Patent number: 5732827
    Abstract: The invention is a screening apparatus for classifying material of different sizes. A screen is rotatably mounted on a frame for rotation around a first axis which is angled upwardly away from the horizontal, at an angle of from 0 to 30 degrees. The screen is symmetrical about the axis and has an open upper inlet end and a lower outlet end. The screen has a cylindrical portion extending from the inlet end towards the outlet end, having a diameter larger than its length, and a conical portion extending from the cylindrical portion towards the outlet end, tapering inwardly to a central outlet opening, the lowest point of the outlet opening being substantially higher than the lowest point of the screen. The frame is pivotally mounted on a trailer for pivoting about a longitudinal axis near a lower side edge of the trailer. The open inlet end of the screen faces one side of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Portec Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Dorscht
  • Patent number: 5687814
    Abstract: An assembly for applying one or more materials to the rails of a railroad track includes a mounting bracket for mounting the assembly to a vehicle adapted to travel on the rails. A connecting arm is coupled to the mounting bracket, and at least one nozzle is connected to an end of the connecting arm. The nozzle arm has a hollow channel through which material flows to be applied to a rail surface. A nozzle port is in fluid communication with the nozzle channel when the nozzle arm is in an operative position. The nozzle arm is biased toward the operative position and is adapted to move away from the operative position in response to contact with an obstruction and is returned to the operative position following the contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Portec Inc., RMP Division
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Craig, William T. Urmson, Jr., Dennis Bell
  • Patent number: 5641037
    Abstract: The invention is a wiping bar of a rail lubrication apparatus of the type used with a rail having a base with outwardly extending flanges, a head, and a web connecting the base and the head, where the lubrication apparatus is comprised of a wiping bar and a first set of clamps for maintaining the wiping bar in position with respect to the rail. The lubrication apparatus also comprises a pump actuator and a second set of clamps for maintaining the pump actuator in position with the rail. The rail lubrication apparatus may be used with a pump, responsive to the pump actuator, for pumping a lubricant from a reservoir to the wiping bar to form a complete rail lubrication system. Specifically, the wiping bar of the present invention includes an improved distribution blade over those known in the art. Further, the wiping bar of the present invention includes the improvement of coating the surface of the wiping bar contacting the lubricant with an anti-stick material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Portec, Inc., R M P Division
    Inventors: Bruce R. Wise, William T. Urmson, Jr., John W. Mospan
  • Patent number: 5598914
    Abstract: A plurality of spiral sidewall sections are provided and are connected to the center support pole of a spiral chute which is used to transport articles from an upper location to a lower location to provide a sidewall located between the original sidewall of the spiral chute and the center support pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Portec, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Sulzer, John Ivey
  • Patent number: 5518085
    Abstract: An assembly for applying a solid material, such as a lubricant or an anti-slip material, to wheels. The system includes a pair of spring actuated members located on opposite ends of a holder for the solid material to urge the holder upwardly along guide pins to force the solid material to contact a wheel as it passes over a rail and the solid material element. The solid material element is held or "pinched" between the wheel flange and the gage face of the rail, thereby applying the material to the wheel which, in turn, transfers the material to the rail surface. The upward motion of the solid material is counteracted by a braking arrangement, including a brake release, so that a wheel passing over the release, releases the braking arrangement to allow the solid material to move upwardly to contact a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Portec - RMP Division
    Inventors: Howard M. Houser, Jr., Bruce R. Wise, William T. Urmson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5503331
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a railway or railroad track joint, and more particularly, to an improved electrically insulated bonded rail joint incorporating a non-conductive spacer in or associated with a rail bonding adhesive. The present invention also relates to a method for bonding such electrically insulated rail joints. The present invention provides more control over the spacing of the adhesive layer to achieve a stronger joint and more predictable and stable electrical insulation of a track circuit with improved bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Portec-RMP Division
    Inventors: William T. Uramson, Jr., John M. Downey, John W. Mospan
  • Patent number: 5484111
    Abstract: The hammers provide multiple impact points for debris, by providing impact points via tips at different radii from the axis of rotation of the hammer mill. The tips preferably are at substantially the same radius from the axis of rotation of the hammer about the hammer support shaft, so that efficiency is maintained even as the hammers lay back. The multiple impact points produce a more effective result, by partially sizing the debris on initial impact, before more precise final sizing in the grinding chamber. Angled surfaces on the hammer tips provide more effective shearing and tearing action than with conventional bar hammers. Wear patterns are such that grinding efficiency as the hammers wear down is maintained throughout the life of the replaceable tips. Preferably, the hammers weigh substantially more than conventional hammers, to provide a higher energy impact, and to reduce the tendency of the hammers to lay back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Portec Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Dorscht, Patrick J. Hogan
  • Patent number: 5482152
    Abstract: A sortation table having apparatus to gradually slow moving articles to a stop and return the articles to a position for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Portec, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Sulzer
  • Patent number: 5394958
    Abstract: A rail lubrication apparatus of the type used with a rail having a base with outwardly extending flanges, a head, and a web connecting the base and the head, is comprised of a wiping bar and a first set of clamps for maintaining the wiping bar in position with respect to the rail. The lubrication apparatus also comprises a pump actuator and a second set of clamps for maintaining the pump actuator in position with the rail. The rail lubrication apparatus may be used with a pump, responsive to the pump actuator, for pumping a lubricant from a reservoir to the wiping bar to form a complete rail lubrication system. The clamps, wiping bar, and pump actuator are each of a unique construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Portec Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald K. Junk, William T. Urmson, Jr., Thomas R. Walker
  • Patent number: 5394977
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for facilitating the replacement of an endless conveyor belt having arcuate outer and inner edge portions. During the operation of the endless conveyor belt a plurality of cooperating pairs of guide rollers are in contact with shoulder portions of the endless conveyor belt adjacent to the arcuate outer edge portion to maintain the endless conveyor belt moving in a desired path. One of each cooperating pairs of rollers is mounted for movement between a first location whereat the cooperating pair of rollers are located to contact the shoulder portions and a second location whereat the cooperating pairs of rollers are spaced apart a distance permitting passage of the shoulder portions therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Portec, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth N. Cline