Patents by Inventor Albert E. Sparling

Albert E. Sparling 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).

  • Publication number: 20250122027
    Abstract: A merge conveying system configured to receive packages from two or more upstream conveyors and merge the packages to a downstream conveyor. The merge conveying system includes a buffer guard rail configured to reduce package jams within the merge conveyor by providing a temporary overflow path for packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Gerald T. Guerra, Albert E. Sparling, Alexander Philip Brown, Jacob Groshek
  • Patent number: 11192721
    Abstract: A skate wheel conveyor system includes a pair of frame sides of a frame assembly. A plurality of preassembled rollers is received between the pair of frame members. Each of the rollers includes a plurality of wheels interposed between a plurality of spacers and a shaft receiving the plurality of wheels and the plurality of spacers. A quick assembly system retains the rollers between the pair of frame members and minimizing deflections of the preassembled rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: LEWCO, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald T. Guerra, Albert E. Sparling, Mark Bosley, Justin Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 10988314
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a drive assembly and a plurality of rollers configured to singulate a plurality of conveyed articles travelling on the plurality of rollers along a direction of travel. Each of the plurality of rollers having a drive end and a base end. The drive end having a drive sheave including a plurality of grooves and a plurality of peaks interposed between the plurality of grooves formed on a surface thereof. The drive assembly is coupled to the drive end of at least one of the plurality of rollers by a drive belt. At least a first portion of the plurality of rollers is disposed at an angle with respect to the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: LEWCO, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald T. Guerra, Albert E. Sparling, Charles J. Fresch
  • Publication number: 20200391948
    Abstract: A skate wheel conveyor system includes a pair of frame sides of a frame assembly. A plurality of preassembled rollers is received between the pair of frame members. Each of the rollers includes a plurality of wheels interposed between a plurality of spacers and a shaft receiving the plurality of wheels and the plurality of spacers. A quick assembly system retains the rollers between the pair of frame members and minimizing deflections of the preassembled rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Gerald T. Guerra, Albert E. Sparling, Mark Bosley, Justin Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 10793360
    Abstract: A skate wheel conveyor system includes a pair of frame sides of a frame assembly. A plurality of preassembled rollers is received between the pair of frame members. Each of the rollers includes a plurality of wheels interposed between a plurality of spacers and a shaft receiving the plurality of wheels and the plurality of spacers. A quick assembly system retains the rollers between the pair of frame members and minimizing deflections of the preassembled rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: LEWCO, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald T. Guerra, Albert E. Sparling, Mark Bosley, Justin Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20200130937
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a drive assembly and a plurality of rollers configured to singulate a plurality of conveyed articles travelling on the plurality of rollers along a direction of travel. Each of the plurality of rollers having a drive end and a base end. The drive end having a drive sheave including a plurality of grooves and a plurality of peaks interposed between the plurality of grooves formed on a surface thereof. The drive assembly is coupled to the drive end of at least one of the plurality of rollers by a drive belt. At least a first portion of the plurality of rollers is disposed at an angle with respect to the direction of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Gerald T. Guerra, Albert E. Sparling, Charles J. Fresch
  • Patent number: 10556745
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a drive assembly and a plurality of rollers configured to singulate a plurality of conveyed articles travelling on the plurality of rollers along a direction of travel. Each of the plurality of rollers having a drive end and a base end. The drive end having a drive sheave including a plurality of grooves and a plurality of peaks interposed between the plurality of grooves formed on a surface thereof. The drive assembly is coupled to the drive end of at least one of the plurality of rollers by a drive belt. At least a first portion of the plurality of rollers is disposed at an angle with respect to the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: LEWCO, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald T. Guerra, Albert E. Sparling, Charles J. Fresch
  • Publication number: 20200039750
    Abstract: A skate wheel conveyor system includes a pair of frame sides of a frame assembly. A plurality of preassembled rollers is received between the pair of frame members. Each of the rollers includes a plurality of wheels interposed between a plurality of spacers and a shaft receiving the plurality of wheels and the plurality of spacers. A quick assembly system retains the rollers between the pair of frame members and minimizing deflections of the preassembled rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Gerald T. Guerra, Albert E. Sparling, Mark Bosley, Justin Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 10472179
    Abstract: A cartridge bearing assembly for a roller conveyor system includes a housing having a first end, a second end opposing the first end, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A pair of bearings is spaced from each other and disposed in the housing. An shaft is received by the pair of bearings. The shaft is formed from a plastic material. A spring is disposed about a first portion of the shaft intermediate the pair of bearings. The spring biases the shaft outwardly from the first end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: LEWCO, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald T. Guerra, Albert E. Sparling, Charles J. Fresch
  • Publication number: 20180257870
    Abstract: A cartridge bearing assembly for a roller conveyor system includes a housing having a first end, a second end opposing the first end, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A pair of bearings is spaced from each other and disposed in the housing. An shaft is received by the pair of bearings. The shaft is formed from a plastic material. A spring is disposed about a first portion of the shaft intermediate the pair of bearings. The spring biases the shaft outwardly from the first end of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Gerald T. Guerra, Albert E. Sparling, Charles J. Fresch
  • Publication number: 20180237224
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a drive assembly and a plurality of rollers configured to singulate a plurality of conveyed articles travelling on the plurality of rollers along a direction of travel. Each of the plurality of rollers having a drive end and a base end. The drive end having a drive sheave including a plurality of grooves and a plurality of peaks interposed between the plurality of grooves formed on a surface thereof. The drive assembly is coupled to the drive end of at least one of the plurality of rollers by a drive belt. At least a first portion of the plurality of rollers is disposed at an angle with respect to the direction of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Gerald T. Guerra, Albert E. Sparling, Charles J. Fresch
  • Patent number: 9981804
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a drive assembly and a plurality of rollers configured to singulate a plurality of conveyed articles travelling on the plurality of rollers along a direction of travel. Each of the plurality of rollers having a drive end and a base end. The drive end having a drive sheave including a plurality of grooves and a plurality of peaks interposed between the plurality of grooves formed on a surface thereof. The drive assembly is coupled to the drive end of at least one of the plurality of rollers by a drive belt. At least a first portion of the plurality of rollers are disposed at an angle with respect to the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: LEWCO, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald T. Guerra, Albert E. Sparling, Charles J. Fresch
  • Publication number: 20170166405
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a drive assembly and a plurality of rollers configured to singulate a plurality of conveyed articles travelling on the plurality of rollers along a direction of travel. Each of the plurality of rollers having a drive end and a base end. The drive end having a drive sheave including a plurality of grooves and a plurality of peaks interposed between the plurality of grooves formed on a surface thereof. The drive assembly is coupled to the drive end of at least one of the plurality of rollers by a drive belt. At least a first portion of the plurality of rollers are disposed at an angle with respect to the direction of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Gerald T. Guerra, Albert E. Sparling, Charles J. Fresch