Patents Examined by Kristine M. Markovich
  • Patent number: 6502644
    Abstract: A leveling wheel assembly for a deep tillage ripper tool includes a support bracket fixed to the upper end of the ripper shank and a wheel support arm pivotally connected to the aft end of the bracket. Wheel support structure rotatably mounts a pair of leveling wheels offset several feet behind the ripper point. An adjustable downpressure spring provides an effective moment arm that decreases with spring compression to provide a generally constant downpressure as the wheels move vertically with respect to the shank over a substantial range of ripper depth changes and when large obstacles are encountered. The wheel support structure includes slots for adjusting the spacing of the leveling wheels and the angle of the wheels relative to the forward direction depending on soil conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David Lee Steinlage, Brian E. Myers
  • Patent number: 6484344
    Abstract: A retractable access ramp for improving the accessibility of a variety of commercial and other related structures. The retractable access ramp includes a housing that has a plurality of walls that define an interior space. The housing has an aperture through the housing. The aperture is for providing access to the interior space. The housing is adapted for being coupled to the steps such that a top wall of the housing is flush with a top surface of the steps. A base assembly is coupled in the interior space of the housing. The base assembly is selectively extendable from the housing. A ramp assembly is coupled to the base assembly. The ramp assembly is selectively extendable from the base assembly when the base assembly is extended from the housing. The ramp assembly is adapted for providing a smooth surface over the steps for wheeled vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Simon M. Cooper
  • Patent number: 6470606
    Abstract: A vehicle such as bull-dozer provided with a blade comprises a vehicle body having an operation room and is provided with a forward portion monitoring apparatus such as television camera set for picking up an image of a forward portion of a blade, and a display device on which an image of the forward portion of the blade monitored by the forward monitoring apparatus is displayed and the displayed image is observed in an operation room of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Nagahiro, Toshio Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 6418582
    Abstract: A bellows for an airplane boarding corridor for passengers, and a corridor including such bellows. A bellows actuator device of the invention has chambers that can be inflated and deflated on command to enable the bellows to be extended and to allow the bellows to be retracted, and it also returns the bellows to the retracted condition. Advantageously, the inflatable chambers of the actuator device of the invention form at least two rows of tubes disposed symmetrically or substantially symmetrically about a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the bellows, each row being individually inflatable. The present invention is mainly applicable to making equipment, in particular weatherproofing bellows, for airport boarding corridors for passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Le Joint Francais S.N.C.
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Petit
  • Patent number: 6318481
    Abstract: The apparatus serves as a length of drill string and has a valve actuatable from the surface that restricts the drilling fluid channel to produce a pressure drop within the apparatus. The pressure drop is used to move a piston which moves a side loading element against a well bore wall to urge the drill string toward the opposite wall to cause a progressing drill head to change direction. The housing that carries the side load element has a clutch that rotationally disengages the housing from the drill string when the element is extended. The drill string can drill as a rotary system while the side loading element is stationary relative to earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Quantum Drilling Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: William N. Schoeffler
  • Patent number: 6301810
    Abstract: A hammerless mechanical attachment system comprising a C-clamp member, a first wedge member, a second wedge member and a threaded tensioning device for attaching a tooth adapter to a base cutting edge of an implement. The C-clamp member has a generally C-shaped body with a forwardly facing abutment surface and a forwardly extending flange having a threaded aperture therein. The first wedge member has a forward side having a first wedge surface thereon, an opposite rearward side having a second abutment surface thereon positionable against the first abutment surface of the C-clamp member, and a through bolt hole disposed along a longitudinal axis parallel to the second abutment surface. The bolt hole is disposed in alignment with the threaded aperture in the flange when the second abutment surface is placed in abutment with the first abutment surface of the C-clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry D. Fidler
  • Patent number: 6289614
    Abstract: A stabilizing system for installation on existing dirt buckets which is used by engaging the ground surface being leveled with shock absorbing sleds affixed to the underside of the dirt bucket. The load characteristics of each shock absorber may be independently adjusted by hydraulic valving connected to each shock absorber. The minimum shock absorber pressure is set by inputting an inert gas into a connected fluid reservoir until the desired minimum pressure is reached. The maximum pressure is adjusted by the relief setting of a connected pressure control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: Raymond Anton Roselle, Matthew Bruce Revenaugh, Terry Lynn Houchin
  • Patent number: 6286236
    Abstract: An attachment adapted to be coupled with a zero turning radius prime mover is provided. This attachment includes a tongue adapted to be received by the zero turning radius prime mover, a mounting tab coupled with the tongue, and an implement coupled with the tongue. A first electric cylinder coupled with the prime mover is also coupled with the mounting tab and is able to move the tongue and implement up and down. This first cylinder also provides a downward force on the tongue and implement when it is in a lowered position. Still further, a second electric cylinder is coupled with the tongue for moving the implement from side to side or up and down. The implement may be any useful attachment such as a blade, a bucket, or a broom. In the preferred embodiment, the tab is comprised of a first bracket member rigidly coupled with the tongue and a second bracket member coupled with the first bracket member. The first electric cylinder is coupled with the second bracket member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Bowers Designs Inc.
    Inventor: Troy S. Bowers
  • Patent number: 6276869
    Abstract: A weed control plate (1) installed at the root of one of supports of various kinds so as to cover the ground around the root to prevent the propagation of weeds. The weed control plate (1) is a thin plate having a conical surface. The plate is provided in the center thereof with an opening (11) for passing the support. The plate has a single parting line (13) extending from the outer periphery to the inner periphery of the plate. Two edges of the plate which are divided by the parting line (13) are fastened so as to join together with bolts (30) and nuts (31), thereby firmly fastening the inner peripheral surface of the opening (11) to the outer periphery of the support. The conical surface (10) is curved convexly upward toward radially inward of the plate. The inner peripheral surface of the opening (11) has a curved surface (25) projecting inward over approximately the entire circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: Kuniaki Yakushinji
  • Patent number: 6263988
    Abstract: A downhole drill system including a primary drive shaft with a drill head coupled to a distal end of the primary drive and a drill head de-coupling assembly disposed therebetween. The drill head de-coupling assembly includes a ring shaped spacer assembly, positioned between the primary drive shaft and the drill head so as to maintain a gap therebetween subsequent to tightened coupling between the primary drive shaft and the drill head, and subsequent to extend use of the drill head, and a retention assembly structured to maintain the spacer assembly between the primary drive shaft and the drill head until affirmatively released thereby so as to permit removal of the spacer assembly from between the primary drive shaft and the drill head, leaving only the gap between the primary drive shaft and the drill head, and thereby facilitating removal of the drill head from the primary drive shaft subsequent to the extended use of the drill head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Jacob Matatof
  • Patent number: 6260293
    Abstract: A snow removal device that picks up snow from the ground and flicks the snow into impeller units that transport the snow into a discharge tube whence the snow is expelled from the system. The system primarily includes a pick-up assembly, an impeller assembly, and a discharge tube. The pick-up assembly has a drum array that includes rows of triple-stepped blade-like fingers distributed evenly around each drum of the array of drums. These fingers are stiffly flexible and can cleanly and efficiently pick up snow from uneven ground surfaces and flick the snow into the impeller assembly that is mounted parallel to the axis of the drum array. The impeller assembly includes a plurality of impeller units that transport the snow into the discharge tube. The impeller units are reversible in direction, allowing the snow to be discharged to the right or the left of the system, or to the right and left simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Snotech INC
    Inventor: James C. Monroe
  • Patent number: 6240658
    Abstract: A lightweight snowplow assembly for mounting to the front of a vehicle. The snowplow assembly is comprised of a V-shaped plow blade portion and a support structure. The plow blade portion includes a nose blade and adjacent side blades. Wear strip members are attached to the bottom of the blade portion and chute members are mounted to the top of each side blade. A mounting structure is attached to the support frame of the plow portion and is constructed and arranged to attach the snowplow assembly to the front of the vehicle. The mounting structure includes a mounting frame, a pair of bumper pads and top and bottom adjustable strap members. The strap members are attached to predetermined positions above and below the bumper of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventors: Gregory A. Knutson, William W. Wilkerson
  • Patent number: 6240662
    Abstract: A guard attachment for removably mounting to a plow blade having a blade edge. The guard attachment includes a guard member having an arcuate surface which is adapted to shield the blade of the plow such that the guard member may be brought into sliding engagement with the surface to be plowed without catching or snagging obstructions on the surface. Furthermore, the guard member includes a fastening mechanism which removably mounts the guard member to the plow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Jeff Borowiak
  • Patent number: 6210071
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for cutting rumble strips in the surface of a roadway. The apparatus is a self-propelled machine which includes a frame and a drive mechanism mounted to the frame and adapted for advancing the machine across the surface of the roadway. The machine also includes a generally cylindrical cutting drum that is mounted on the frame for rotation about an axis that is disposed generally parallel to the surface of the roadway. A plurality of cutting teeth are mounted on the outer surface of the drum in a predetermined pattern, and a mechanism is provided for rotating the cutting drum about its axis. The drum is maintained at a predetermined position with respect to the surface of the roadway so that the cutting teeth will cut into said surface a relatively constant, predetermined depth as the drum is rotated about its axis while the machine is advanced along the surface of the roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris McSharry
  • Patent number: 6206101
    Abstract: Method for overcoming friction between a coiled tube and the wall of a well by an oil- or gas well, and for enabling application of impact energy to loosen stuck objects in a well. Pressure changes are applied to a liquid flowing in the coiled tube by periodically shutting off the liquid flow at or near the outlet of the coiled tube. Pressure changes, pressure strokes, are applied by means of a valve device comprising a valve body (31) arranged to seal against a valve seat (45) and to shut off the liquid flow whenever the flow rate exceeds a predetermined value, and to remain shut until the pressure in the liquid upstream of the valve body (31) is lower than a predetermined value, and that the valve body (31) has a slide (3) arranged thereto, which is arranged to open for a liquid flow past the valve body (31), to reduce, thereby, the pressure in the liquid upstream of the valve body (31) whenever the pressure in the liquid upstream of the valve body (31) exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Bakke Technology AS
    Inventor: Stig Bakke
  • Patent number: 6203244
    Abstract: A screeding attachment for an industrial utility vehicle. The screed and vehicle in combination provide a low cost, maneuverable and versatile screeding unit for screeding small and medium size pavements such as driveways, sidewalks, slabs and surfaces inside buildings and the like. A see-through frame supported on castered wheels and a see-through distribution and deposition system for metering and depositing paving materials in the path of a grooved cylindrical screed provide an apparatus for continuously laying a screeded slab under the direct observation of an operator in the industrial utility vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Van-Boh Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Leslie Van Ornum
  • Patent number: 6199236
    Abstract: A vehicle service ramp including a ramp member having an inclined rear wall and a horizontal top wall. A slot extends along the rear wall and the top wall through which an arcuate chocking member protrudes slightly. The chocking member pivots as a vehicle tire ascends the rear wall and engages the front or rear ends of the chocking member. A rotatable shaft is mounted within the ramp member and includes a bent portion for engaging a fork on the chocking member allowing a user to manually pivot the chocking member. The shaft further includes a locking device for locking the chocking member about a vehicle's tire. An alarm also alerts a user whenever the chocking member pivots such as when the vehicle is descending or ascending the ramp member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Clarence D. Mullins
  • Patent number: 6190085
    Abstract: A barrier comprises posts, an impact-absorbing rail, and a pretensioned steel cable extending in the longitudinal direction of the barrier. The steel cable is arranged in an upwardly open undercut groove in cable holders on the posts. The impact-absorbing rail has the form of a downwardly open sectional rail, which covers the steel cable and the major part of the cable holders. An elongate fibre-optic light guide is fixed to a downwardly directed surface of this impact-absorbing rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: BCC Baltic Construction Company AB
    Inventor: Jerzy Kryszof Johansson
  • Patent number: 6182384
    Abstract: A tiltable bucket assembly having a working edge on the leading end of the bucket and a forward extending extension arms, a pair of support arms, a pair of first wheels, a pair of second wheels, a pair of bucket-rotational members, a bucket-pivoting member, a bucket-linking arm, and a displacement body having an output shaft disposed therein. The support arms are connected at one end to each corresponding first wheel and extend forward from the corresponding first wheel. The extension arms are connected to the support arms at a point away from the first wheels. The bucket-rotational members are attached at one end to the bucket at a point away from the working edge. The other end of the bucket-rotational members are linked to the corresponding first wheels so that vertical displacement of the first wheels result in a substantially equivalent vertical displacement of the other end of the bucket-rotational members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Martin Gaspard
  • Patent number: 6179518
    Abstract: An adjustable manhole cover frame suitable for mounting on a manhole basin has an outer ring, capable of resting on the top surface of the basin, and an inner ring engaging the outer ring by screw threads and having support for a manhole cover. The inner ring also has screw jacks having lower ends suitable for contacting the basin top and rotatable to lift the inner ring. The inner ring may be rotated within the outer ring to adjust the height of the manhole cover, and the screw jacks may be used both to stabilize the inner ring while the outer ring base remains close to or in contact with the top surface, and may also be used to lift both rings out of contact with the top surface when additional raising of the inner ring is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Ismail Cemil Suatac