Patents by Inventor Alan Eugene Kirkland

Alan Eugene Kirkland has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8579623
    Abstract: A stabilizer assembly for use in an extruder having a screw rotating in a barrel is provided. The assembly comprises a plurality of rods that are secured to an interior of the barrel at one end. Each of the rods has an end that extends radially inwardly toward the center of the barrel. On the discharge end of the screw, there is a bearing member that is in contact with each of the opposite ends of the rods. The rods support the discharge end of the screw and stabilize its rotation in the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventors: Edward Williams, Alan Eugene Kirkland
  • Patent number: 8137092
    Abstract: A modular base is provided. A plurality of motor support members are secured to one another by a first linking member. Each motor support member has a mounting surface that is adapted to be secured to a motor, and the first linking member has a central axis and is dimensioned to support the motor. A plurality of extruder support members are secured to one another by a second linking member. Each extruder support member has a carriage that is adapted to be secured to an extruder, wherein the second linking member has a central axis and is dimensioned to support the extruder. An intermediate member having a mounting surface that is adapted to be secured to a transmission is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventors: Edward Williams, Alan Eugene Kirkland
  • Publication number: 20100203184
    Abstract: A stabilizer assembly for use in an extruder having a screw rotating in a barrel is provided. The assembly comprises a plurality of rods that are secured to an interior of the barrel at one end. Each of the rods has an end that extends radially inwardly toward the center of the barrel. On the discharge end of the screw, there is a bearing member that is in contact with each of the opposite ends of the rods. The rods support the discharge end of the screw and stabilize its rotation in the barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: GOOD EARTH TOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Edward Williams, Alan Eugene Kirkland
  • Patent number: 7764155
    Abstract: A method of extending the life of an extruder screw by affixing tiles of wear-resistant material along the crest of the extruder screw flighting threads, and optionally grinding the hardened material to remove any sharp edges. In another configuration of the present invention, plates of wear-resistant material are secured to the leading edges of the extruder screw threads to further prolong the life of the extruder screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Good Earth Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Williams, Alan Eugene Kirkland
  • Publication number: 20090291159
    Abstract: A modular base is provided. A plurality of motor support members are secured to one another by a first linking member. Each motor support member has a mounting surface that is adapted to be secured to a motor, and the first linking member has a central axis and is dimensioned to support the motor. A plurality of extruder support members are secured to one another by a second linking member. Each extruder support member has a carriage that is adapted to be secured to an extruder, wherein the second linking member has a central axis and is dimensioned to support the extruder. An intermediate member having a mounting surface that is adapted to be secured to a transmission is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: GOOD EARTH TOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Edward WILLIAMS, Alan Eugene KIRKLAND
  • Publication number: 20090268550
    Abstract: A method of extending the life of an extruder screw by affixing tiles of wear-resistant material along the crest of the extruder screw flighting threads, and optionally grinding the hardened material to remove any sharp edges. In another configuration of the present invention, plates of wear-resistant material are secured to the leading edges of the extruder screw threads to further prolong the life of the extruder screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Good Earth Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Williams, Alan Eugene Kirkland
  • Publication number: 20090258100
    Abstract: An improved extrusion assembly is disclosed which better adapts to thermal changes resultant from the transport of high-temperature extrudate. An extrusion screw present in the assembly includes a hollow portion. A biasing member is disposed in the hollow portion. When the assembly is transporting high-temperature extrudate, the biasing member's included Belleville washer component compensates for the thermal expansion and contraction of the extrusion screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: GOOD EARTH TOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Edward Williams, Alan Eugene Kirkland
  • Publication number: 20090258103
    Abstract: An extruder that is adapted to provide a flow of an extrudate is provided. There is a frame having a plurality of storage positions, a discharge position and a plurality of extruder heads. Each extruder head is secured to the frame and is movable between one of the storage positions and the discharge position. A sealing member is provided that is secured to the extruder. The sealing member is adapted to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the sealing member moves from the disengaged position to the engaged position so as to engage one of the extruder heads when it is in the discharge position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: GOOD EARTH TOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Edward Williams, Alan Eugene Kirkland
  • Publication number: 20090249934
    Abstract: A rotating cutting apparatus comprising a cutting blade holder with at least one hole on the outside diameter of the cutting blade holder into which cutting blades are inserted and bonded to the cutting blade holder. The cutting blade holder encloses a center hole, so that the rotating cutting apparatus can be mounted to a drive shaft of machinery or secured to a cup that can be mounted to the drive shaft of machinery and driven by the machinery. The cutting blade holder can be made of a less expensive material, with only the cutting blade being made of higher-grade materials that maintains its cutting edge well. Additionally, in some arrangements of the present invention, the cutting blade may be sharpened on two sides so that the rotating cutting apparatus can be used for longer periods of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: GOOD EARTH TOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Edward E. Williams, Alan Eugene Kirkland
  • Patent number: 7513676
    Abstract: A method of extending the life of an extruder screw by affixing tiles of wear-resistant material along the crest of the extruder screw flighting threads, and optionally grinding the hardened material to remove any sharp edges. In another configuration of the present invention, plates of wear-resistant material are secured to the leading edges of the extruder screw threads to further prolong the life of the extruder screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Good Earth Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Williams, Alan Eugene Kirkland
  • Patent number: RE45423
    Abstract: A method of extending the life of an extruder screw by affixing tiles of wear-resistant material along the crest of the extruder screw flighting threads, and optionally grinding the hardened material to remove any sharp edges. In another configuration of the present invention, plates of wear-resistant material are secured to the leading edges of the extruder screw threads to further prolong the life of the extruder screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Good Earth Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Williams, Alan Eugene Kirkland