Patents by Inventor Allison L. Bowker

Allison L. Bowker 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: 11794790
    Abstract: A fixture system for rail transport of wind turbine blades upon a consist of flatcars using a root-support fixture, a blade-support fixture, and first and second guide post that intermittently engage the tip-end portion of the wind turbine blade to limit lateral movement thereof, such that movement of the consist around a curved railway section urges the wind turbine blade against the first or second guide posts, which urges the wind turbine blade to urge the blade-support fixture to move laterally, thereby laterally reorienting the blade upon the consist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: BNSF Logistics , LLC
    Inventors: John L. Ferris, Andrew J. Sullivan, Allison L. Bowker
  • Publication number: 20230033154
    Abstract: A railcar consist of flatcars for transporting continuous rail sections configured for top loading and end unloading of the rail sections. The consist includes a tie-down flatcar and plural support flatcars. The tie-down flatcar includes a rail securement rack with plural removable rail clamping shelves that facilitate top loading and clamping of the rail sections in place. Each of the plural support flatcars have a roller rack fixed to it. The roller racks include plural roller shelves with rollers to support the rail sections. The roller shelves are pivotally mounted to the roller racks between a loading position that provides clearance for placement of the rail sections from above the consist, and a transport position that supports the rail sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: BNSF Logistics, LLC
    Inventors: Allison L. Bowker, Roger W. Roby, James W.V. Tabije
  • Patent number: 11492024
    Abstract: A railcar consist of flatcars for transporting continuous rail sections configured for top loading and end unloading of the rail sections. The consist includes a tie-down flatcar and plural support flatcars. The tie-down flatcar includes a rail securement rack with plural removable rail clamping shelves that facilitate top loading and clamping of the rail sections in place. Each of the plural support flatcars have a roller rack fixed to it. The roller racks include plural roller shelves with rollers to support the rail sections. The roller shelves are pivotally mounted to the roller racks between a loading position that provides clearance for placement of the rail sections from above the consist, and a transport position that supports the rail sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: BNSF Logistics, LLC
    Inventors: Allison L. Bowker, Roger W. Roby, James W. V. Tabije
  • Publication number: 20220126886
    Abstract: A fixture system for rail transport of wind turbine blades upon a consist of flatcars using a root-support fixture, a blade-support fixture, and first and second guide post that intermittently engage the tip-end portion of the wind turbine blade to limit lateral movement thereof, such that movement of the consist around a curved railway section urges the wind turbine blade against the first or second guide posts, which urges the wind turbine blade to urge the blade-support fixture to move laterally, thereby laterally reorienting the blade upon the consist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: BNSF Logistics, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Ferris, Andrew J. Sullivan, Allison L. Bowker
  • Publication number: 20200369299
    Abstract: A railcar consist of flatcars for transporting continuous rail sections configured for top loading and end unloading of the rail sections. The consist includes a tie-down flatcar and plural support flatcars. The tie-down flatcar includes a rail securement rack with plural removable rail clamping shelves that facilitate top loading and clamping of the rail sections in place. Each of the plural support flatcars have a roller rack fixed to it. The roller racks include plural roller shelves with rollers to support the rail sections. The roller shelves are pivotally mounted to the roller racks between a loading position that provides clearance for placement of the rail sections from above the consist, and a transport position that supports the rail sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: BNSF Logistics, LLC
    Inventors: Allison L. Bowker, Roger W. Roby, James W.V. Tabije