Patents Examined by Leslie J. Paperner
  • Patent number: 4897015
    Abstract: A robot arm in which a hand or end effector placed at the end of, and pivotally joined to first and second pivotally coupled arms is caused to experience linear, straight line motion in response to a single rotary actuator at the far end of the further most arm. A series of belts and pulleys of different sizes coordinate the motion of the two arms and the hand in order to produce straight line or radial motion in response to a single rotary actuator. The robot arm has particular application in semiconductor wafer handling systems in such capacity as transferring wafers between storage cassettes and test platforms and in this application is married to Z and .theta. motion drives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: ADE Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Abbe, David G. Baker
  • Patent number: 4867626
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for collating and stacking building components, such as roof tiles. The apparatus comprises pairs of shelves for receiving and supporting tiles which are fed into the shelves continuously by means of a conveyor arrangement. The shelves are moved downwards towards a stack support positioned beneath the shelves. As a pair of shelves becomes the lowermost pair, the two shelves move apart releasing the tile carried thereon onto the stack support to form part of a stack. When the stack is complete, the stack support is removed and the number of shelves between the uppermost and lowermost shelf increased to enable a predetermined number of tiles to be stored in the shelves while the stack support is being replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Redline Roof Tiles Limited
    Inventor: Bhushan K. Oberoi
  • Patent number: 4850781
    Abstract: A wicket type bag stacking machine is provided with apparatus for accumulating articles being stacked on a temporary stack so that stacked articles on the production stacking station can be removed. Upon removal of stacked articles from the production stacking station an empty stacking station is provided and the articles temporarily stacked on the temporary stack are positioned on the production stacking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Rene F. DeBin, William Van Der Gucht
  • Patent number: 4836739
    Abstract: A device for tilting vehicles is disclosed which is adjustable and allows a vehicle to be manually tilted readily by an individual. The device has two identical V-shaped units. When the vehicle is upright the device rests on a central horizontal base. The vehicle can be rocked to one side or the other to rest on one of the arms of the "V" and thereby expose the underside of the vehicle. The lengths of the arms of the "V" are adjustable to adapt the device to different vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Inventors: George C. Cappelletto, Richard K. O'Genski
  • Patent number: 4836741
    Abstract: A hitch apparatus for detachably connecting a bucket to a power operated boom of a self propelled backhoe or excavator vehicle in which the hitch includes a body having a pair of upstanding side walls for hinge mounting onto the manipulative end of the boom. At the underside of the body secured in a relatively forward location of a bottom wall connecting the sidewalls is a hook member defining a transverse jaw channel in which to receive a transverse hingepin extending between spaced apart support lugs secured to the backside of the bucket. Rearwardly extending downward from the backside of the bottom wall is an elongated transverse sleeve adapted to be received intervening between the lugs of the bucket and containing a cyindrical rotatably displaceable bushing within the bore of the sleeve. The bushing is formed having an eccentric internal bore that by arcuate displacement of the bushing can be axially aligned with opposite apertures in the lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Consolidated Technologies, Corp.
    Inventors: Paul T. St. Louis, Charles L. Welch
  • Patent number: 4836731
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cubing paving stones or similar stones which are not adapted to forming a self-supporting unit through the means of pressure applied to opposite sides of a tier of such stones. In the present invention, the stones on a flat pallet are contacted with side pressure to bring the stones into a compact unit on the pallet. While the stones are so clamped, the pallet is clamped along its opposite side edges and transported, with the tier of stones thereon, to a location above a previously deposited tier of such stones or a pallet. When so positioned, the pallet is withdrawn from its supporting position beneath the stones and the stones settle gently onto the previously laid tier or pallet. The force applied to the stones on the pallet is chosen to be less than the force that would be required to urge the stones against one another to form a self-supporting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Builders Equipment Company
    Inventor: Daniel P. Abrahamson
  • Patent number: 4836610
    Abstract: A collector cart includes a body having an open rear end, which is closed by a canopy pivotally mounted adjacent its front end on the body adjacent its front end. The body has a support pivotally connected to caster wheel supports and a tow bar attached to a riding lawn mower hitch bar. Telescoping chutes connect the mower outlet with a canopy port to fill the cart with debris. When the cart is to be dumped, a linkage mechanism is activated by an operator, who remains on the mower, raising a lift handle to initially cause rearward shifting of the canopy relative to the body to release a locking connection of the rear of the canopy to the rear of the body. The body is released from its tow bar at the same time so that continued raising of the lift handle by the operator causes the body to pivot to a dumping position while the canopy pivots away from the body due to a rope of a fixed length connecting the front of the canopy to the mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Brinly-Hardy Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Doering, Garland E. Caudill, Henry L. Johnson, Bruce A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4834604
    Abstract: Machine for moving casing or pipe from a horizontal position adjacent a well to a vertical position over the well bore. The machine includes a boom movable between a lowered position and a raised position by a hydraulic ram. A strongback grips the pipe and holds the same until the pipe is vertically positioned. Thereafter, an hydraulic ram on the strongback is actuated thereby lowering the pipe or casing onto the string suspended in the well bore and the additional pipe or casing joint is threaded thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Lee C. Moore Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Brittain, Cecil Jenkins, William P. Adelman, Joseph R. Woolslayer
  • Patent number: 4832177
    Abstract: A hinged channel for receiving steel bars (11, 12), cut to predetermined lengths and discharged from a rolling mill is described. The steel bars are slowed down during or at the end of entry into the hinged channel. After stopping or just before stopping, they are fed onto an underlying cooling bed by opening the hinged channel. The hinged channel has at least two parallel, randomly chargeable channels (5, 6) with different cross-sections. As a function of the cross-section or diameter of the discharged steel bar either the channel with the smaller diameter or that with the larger diameter is charged. A common pivotable cover (10) is provided for both channels, which closes the same in one position and releases the same in the other position so that the steel bar located in one of the channels can drop onto the cooling bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventors: Georg Bollig, Cyril Pazderka
  • Patent number: 4832558
    Abstract: Presented is an apparatus for handling flat panes of plate glass. After manufacture, flat panes of glass are stored in large warehouses prior to distribution to glass distributors and wholesalers. Flat panes of glass are stored standing on edge, with multiple panes making up a "block" in which the individual panes are in close abutting relation to each other. "Blocks" of glass are supported on wood stringers lying flat on a concrete floor, and wood spacer members separate one "block" from the next adjacent "block." The apparatus of this invention includes a steel frame the lower edge of which is provided with adjustable "feet" that project under a "block" of glass and which can separate one or more panes from the "block." After elevating the selected and separated panes of glass above the remaining "block", telescoping fingers mounted on the upper edge of the frame move into position behind the separated panes to retain the separated panes on the frame for movement to a desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Russell W. Tauscheck
  • Patent number: 4830567
    Abstract: A lift for tilting a wheelchair intended for use by a physician, dentist or the like in treating a wheelchair bound patient. The wheelchair lift assembly is portable, light weight and easily adapted to any wheelchair structure so as to provide proper support for the chair and occupant as well as provide the necessary angle of repose. The wheelchair lift assembly generally includes a frame, piston and lift linkage for causing rotation of the wheelchair about its rear wheels and stabilizer bars that support the wheelchair in the tilted position and prevent over rotation. Also provided is a detachable footrest support for the comfort of the wheelchair occupant when the wheelchair is lifted by the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventor: Isadore B. Rachman
  • Patent number: 4830436
    Abstract: A vehicle body having a frame, a pair of side dumpable compartments, and a rear dumpable compartment. Each of the side dumpable compartments is rotatably mounted to the frame such that the axis of rotation is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body. Each of the side dumpable compartments has a well on the side of the compartment opposite the axis of rotation. A hydraulic actuator is disposed between the side dumpable compartment and the frame so as to cause the rotation and unloading of the side compartment. The rear dumpable compartment is rotatably connected to the frame such that the axis of rotation is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body. This rear dumpable compartment has a tailgate that is selectably openable for permitting the dumping of material from the interior of this rear compartment. A hydraulic arm extends between the rear dumpable compartment and the frame so as to cause the rear dumpable compartment to rotate about its axis and to dump the materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventors: C. Leon Sockwell, John F. Kitterman, Kent B. Kitterman, Richard F. Koenig
  • Patent number: 4828452
    Abstract: A material handling vehicle is provided which is capable of operation on the highway, off-road and on railroad tracks. The vehicle includes a lower truck chassis having an engine and a first operator's cab and an upper structure which includes an upper structure operator's cab and a material handling implement. In the travel mode of operation, the engine is directly connected to the torque converter of a powershift transmission to provide a rotational output to the drive wheels. In the off-road or remote operating mode of the excavator, the transmission is controlled so as to prohibit the connection between the torque converter and the transmission gears. However, a power take-off on the transmission is coupled to a hydraulic pump which provides hydraulic fluid under pressure to a hydraulic motor which, in turn, may provide rotational power to a secondary input to the transmission to provide drive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: The Gradall Company
    Inventor: Jack A. Bolitho
  • Patent number: 4828449
    Abstract: A trailer having a storage compartment for a lift truck or other device that can be utilized to load material onto the trailer or unload material from the trailer. A loading and unloading ramp for the lift truck is attached to the trailer for pivotal movement from an outwardly and downwardly inclined position where the free end rests on the ground surface to a generally vertically disposed stored or over-the-road position. A winch mechanism is mounted on the trailer and includes a lift cable connected with the outer end of the ramp for raising and lowering the ramp. The lift truck compartment is a recess adjacent the forward end of the trailer which extends transversely of the load carrying surface and includes a supporting surface offset downwardly from the load carrying surface of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Inventor: Billy J. Traylor
  • Patent number: 4826390
    Abstract: Apparatus for lifting and supporting wallboard or other sheet material for horizontal or vertical installation on a ceiling or side wall of a structure. A pair of spaced apart identical pivot arms attach at one end to studs, joists or the like available in a building under construction and the other ends are connected together by an elongated bar or rod member. A clip or hanger supports the sheet material when the apparatus is in a vertical position and when translated toward the attachment to vertical studs the arms lock in this horizontal position. The apparatus can be operated in right or left direction of pivot. The apparatus can be easily stored in a small space by removal of the interconnecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Inventor: Ronald Paxton
  • Patent number: 4826237
    Abstract: An improved dump body (18) includes opposite hinged side doors (34) and a hinged rear door (60). The side doors (34) include a latch assembly (42) and are particularly adapted to shed material in their down positions during unloading when the dump body (18) is level so that the side doors can then be raised and positively secured in their up positions without manual cleaning. The rear door (60) includes top and bottom hinges, and a latch assembly (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Rugby Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Gerhard P. Socha
  • Patent number: 4826474
    Abstract: An improved forklift device for unloading palletized articles from the bed of a flatbed truck may be removably carried in "piggyback" fashion on the rear end of the truck. The device has a fork structure adapted to liftingly engage one of the pallets, a wheeled, ground-supportable frame, and an articulated linkage structure which interconnects the frame and the fork structure and is movable between a fully lowered and rearwardly retracted position and a fully raised and forwardly extended position. The forklife may be propelled along the ground by an engine-driven hydraulic drive system, and is also provided with a hydraulic actuating system for pivoting gantry and boom portions of the linkage, and pivoting the fork structure relative to the linkage. In unloading the articles the fork structure may be moved a substantial distance laterally across the truck bed to liftingly engage the pallet of an article on the far side of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Butterworth Jetting Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur J. Holmes
  • Patent number: 4826389
    Abstract: A tractor-implement combination comprising a tractor frame supported on front and rear wheels and having left and right side plate means has a horizontal tube structure extending through the side plate means to oppositely, transversely spaced open ends. A transverse beam is slidably mounted within the tube and has opposite end portions projecting transversely outwardly of the open ends of the tube. A pair of implement supports detachably secured to said end portions and an implement is carried on the implement supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Paul A. Meyer, Michael Bedis
  • Patent number: 4824307
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated handling of battery plate stacks is disclosed. The apparatus includes an endless drive unit having a plurality of upstanding pockets which open to receive the plates and to assemble a predetermined number of them side by side in a vertically arranged stack. The drive unit includes a single revolution clutch which permits the drive unit to move a predetermined amount and then stop each time it is signaled by a controller that the proper number of plates has been inserted into a particular pocket. Thus, movement of the drive unit is interrupted while the plates are being inserted into the pockets and commences again when the pockets are loaded. The stacks of plates then are blocked and centered as they move through the apparatus in their pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Tekmax Inc.
    Inventors: Peter E. Johnson, David A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4824308
    Abstract: A device for the separation, lifting and removal of complete flat elements includes an open structure, suited to receive in its lower central part a storage for the metal sheets and two lateral stands, each supporting at its lower end a set of rollers leaning against and guiding the metal sheet to be separated and lifted. Further, one of the lateral stands presents under its set of rollers a template which horizontally displaces the top metal sheet of the pile.The other lateral stand also presents at its lower end the set of rollers and a template, which receives the displaced metal sheet and lifts it from the pile of metal sheets. In one form of execution of the device, each stand is provided with two hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, one being for the vertical movement and one for the horizontal movement. Another form of execution of the device includes two lateral stands being provided with a single cylinder with a vertical stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Omera Spa
    Inventors: Flavio Carboniero, Aldo Pontini