Patents by Inventor Benjamin G. Southern

Benjamin G. Southern 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: 9550475
    Abstract: An outrigger foot is configured to be disposed on an outrigger of a utility vehicle for detecting secure emplacement of the outrigger. The outrigger foot comprises a housing, a kingpin assembly, and a pad assembly. The housing is configured to be secured to the outrigger. The kingpin assembly is at least partially disposed within the housing. The kingpin assembly is adapted to be in a compressed position while the outrigger foot is securely in contact with the ground, and to be in an uncompressed position while the outrigger foot is free of secure contact with the ground. A proximity sensor is associated with the housing, such that the proximity sensor can detect a proximity of a portion of the kingpin assembly that is in the compressed position. The pad assembly is secured to the kingpin assembly for contacting the ground at various angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth K. Walker, Benjamin G. Southern