Patents by Inventor Andy R. KRIES
Andy R. KRIES 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).
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Publication number: 20230249720Abstract: A railroad freight car draft gear includes a friction clutch assembly with friction members arranged in operable combination with an actuator. Each friction member has an outer friction surface which slides along a mating friction surface. A spring assembly is provided for absorbing, dissipating, and returning energy imparted to the draft gear. Recesses are provided on the respective mating friction surfaces of the draft gear. A uniquely designed preformed friction modifying insert is pressed into each recess on the clutch assembly components. Each insert includes an elongated leg having projections extending radially outward from opposed surfaces on the insert leg. Each friction modifying insert is furthermore configured to include a convex inner contact surface to facilitate insertion and active contact along with flared inner edges to improve fit between the insert and related draft gear components.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2022Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Erich A. Schoedl, Donald E. Wilt, Andy R. Kries
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Patent number: 11560162Abstract: An energy absorption system for a railcar having an elongated sill with front and rear stops defining a pocket therebetween. To facilitate use of known railcar structures, the energy absorption system can be used in combination with a railcar also having a sill with center stops disposed between the front and rear stops. A coupler having a head portion and a shank portion is arranged in operable combination with the energy absorption system. The energy absorption system also includes a first cushioning assembly positioned in the sill pocket. A first follower is urged toward and engageable with the front stops under the influence of the first cushioning assembly and is operably engageable with a free end of the shank portion of the coupler. A second cushioning assembly is positioned in generally axial alignment with first cushioning assembly. A second follower is positioned and normally urged by the energy absorption system toward and configured to engage with the center stops.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: MINER ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Erich A. Schoedl, Andy R. Kries, Bradley J. Haymond, Kenneth A. James
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Patent number: 11472447Abstract: A railroad freight car coupling system utilizing purely mechanical cushioning assemblies at opposed ends of the car. Each cushioning assembly includes an elongated draft gear assembly including two individually operable and axially spaced assemblies for absorbing both buff and draft forces. Each draft gear assembly includes an axially elongated and hollow metal housing with a first open end and a second open end disposed in longitudinally spaced relation relative to each other. The draft gear assembly is provided with first and second spring biased assemblies at opposed open ends of the housing for absorbing, storing and returning energy directed against a railroad freight car with which the draft gear assembly is arranged in operable combination.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2021Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Andy R. Kries, Erich A. Schoedl, Keith A. Salis, Kenneth A. James, Richard B. Biehl
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Publication number: 20210331721Abstract: A railroad freight car coupling system utilizing purely mechanical cushioning assemblies at opposed ends of the car. Each cushioning assembly includes an elongated draft gear assembly including two individually operable and axially spaced assemblies for absorbing both buff and draft forces. Each draft gear assembly includes an axially elongated and hollow metal housing with a first open end and a second open end disposed in longitudinally spaced relation relative to each other. The draft gear assembly is provided with first and second spring biased assemblies at opposed open ends of the housing for absorbing, storing and returning energy directed against a railroad freight car with which the draft gear assembly is arranged in operable combination.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Andy R. KRIES, Erich A. Schoedl, Keith A. Salis, Kenneth A. James, Richard B. Biehl
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Publication number: 20200385033Abstract: An energy absorption system for a railcar having an elongated sill with front and rear stops defining a pocket therebetween. To facilitate use of known railcar structures, the energy absorption system can be used in combination with a railcar also having a sill with center stops disposed between the front and rear stops. A coupler having a head portion and a shank portion is arranged in operable combination with the energy absorption system. The energy absorption system also includes a first cushioning assembly positioned in the sill pocket. A first follower is urged toward and engageable with the front stops under the influence of the first cushioning assembly and is operably engageable with a free end of the shank portion of the coupler. A second cushioning assembly is positioned in generally axial alignment with first cushioning assembly. A second follower is positioned and normally urged by the energy absorption system toward and configured to engage with the center stops.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Erich A. SCHOEDL, Andy R. KRIES, Bradley J, HAYMOND, Kenneth A. JAMES
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Patent number: 10384696Abstract: A railroad car coupling system including a draft sill with front and rear stops, a coupler along with an energy management assembly for receiving and dissipating external forces experienced by the coupler. A yoke also forms part of the coupling system and is operably coupled to the coupler. The yoke includes top and bottom walls which each include two forward facing stops. A follower is mounted substantially between the top and bottom walls of the yoke for receiving forces experienced by the coupler. The follower is configured with two laterally spaced vertical extensions disposed toward opposed upper corners of the follower and two laterally spaced vertical extensions disposed toward opposed lower corners of the follower. Forward facing surfaces on the follower extensions arc arranged in generally coplanar relationship relative to each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: MINER ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Erich A. Schoedl, Kenneth A. James, Andy R. Kries
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Publication number: 20170166225Abstract: A railroad car coupling system including a draft sill with front and rear stops, a coupler along with an energy management assembly for receiving and dissipating external forces experienced by the coupler. A yoke also forms part of the coupling system and is operably coupled to the coupler. The yoke includes top and bottom walls which each include two forward facing stops. A follower is mounted substantially between the top and bottom walls of the yoke for receiving forces experienced by the coupler. The follower is configured with two laterally spaced vertical extensions disposed toward opposed upper corners of the follower and two laterally spaced vertical extensions disposed toward opposed lower corners of the follower. Forward facing surfaces on the follower extensions arc arranged in generally coplanar relationship relative to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2017Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventors: Erich A. SCHOEDL, Kenneth A. JAMES, Andy R. KRIES
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Patent number: 8807050Abstract: A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar including a housing with wall structure defining a central axis for the side bearing assembly and a multipiece cap. The cap is arranged in operable combination with the housing and includes a movable first member or spring seat and a movable second member or top cap carried by the first member. A spring resiliently urges the cap members toward railcar body structure. The cap members define cooperating angled surfaces therebetween for urging wall structure on the first member and wall structure on the second member into frictional engagement with the wall structure on the housing in response to a vertical load acting on the friction contacting surface on the cap. At least the top cap is structured to establish a coefficient of friction ranging between about 0.4 and about 0.9 with the railcar during operation of the side bearing assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Paul B. Aspengen, Erik D. Jensen, Michael D. VanMaldegiam, Adam J. Merges, Mark W. Stanek, Jeff Ballerini, Steve R. White, Andy R. Kries
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Patent number: 8752487Abstract: A low profile discharge gate assembly having a frame defining a discharge opening and including a gate slidably mounted on the frame for controlling the discharge of commodity through the gate assembly. Structure carried by and extending inwardly from three sides of the frame is arranged beneath a lower surface on the gate and boot flanges defined by the gate assembly frame further restrict the flow of commodity from the gate assembly. Less than 7.5 vertical inches separates a lower surface on the boot flanges from an upper surface on the mounting flanges of the gate assembly frame. An operating shaft assembly selectively controls movement of the gate between open an closed positions. Support structure further enhances rigidity and support for an end frame member through which the gate slidably moves.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignees: Miner Enterprises, Inc., Powerbrace CorporationInventors: Brian A. Senn, Andy R. Kries, Robert J. Worthington, Richard M. Charney
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Publication number: 20130068128Abstract: A low profile discharge gate assembly having a frame defining a discharge opening and including a gate slidably mounted on the frame for controlling the discharge of commodity through the gate assembly. Structure carried by and extending inwardly from three sides of the frame is arranged beneath a lower surface on the gate and boot flanges defined by the gate assembly frame further restrict the flow of commodity from the gate assembly. Less than 7.5 vertical inches separates a lower surface on the boot flanges from an upper surface on the mounting flanges of the gate assembly frame. An operating shaft assembly selectively controls movement of the gate between open an closed positions. Support structure further enhances rigidity and support for an end frame member through which the gate slidably moves.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Inventors: Brian A. SENN, Andy R. KRIES, Robert J. WORTHINGTON, Richard M. CHARNEY
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Publication number: 20120291660Abstract: A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar including a housing with wall structure defining a central axis for the side bearing assembly and a multipiece cap. The cap is arranged in operable combination with the housing and includes a movable first member or spring seat and a movable second member or top cap carried by the first member. A spring resiliently urges the cap members toward railcar body structure. The cap members define cooperating angled surfaces therebetween for urging wall structure on the first member and wall structure on the second member into frictional engagement with the wall structure on the housing in response to a vertical load acting on the friction contacting surface on the cap. At least the top cap is structured to establish a coefficient of friction ranging between about 0.4 and about 0.9 with the railcar during operation of the side bearing assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Inventors: Paul B. ASPENGEN, Erik D. JENSEN, Michael D. VanMALDEGIAM, Adam J. MERGES, Mark W. STANEK, Jeff BALLERINI, Steve R. WHITE, Andy R. KRIES
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Patent number: D781179Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: MINER ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Erich A. Schoedl, Andy R. Kries
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Patent number: D857554Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: MINER ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Erich A. Schoedl, Kenneth A. James, Andy R. Kries
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Patent number: D909911Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Andy R. Kries, Erich A. Schoedl, Bradley J. Haymond
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Patent number: D963520Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Erich A. Schoedl, Kenneth A. James, Andy R. Kries