Patents by Inventor Brady P. Ballman

Brady P. Ballman 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: 8522981
    Abstract: A screening machine of the type used to separate or classify mixtures of solid particles of different sizes includes a fixed base and a perforate screen mounted for movement relative to the base during a screening operation. The screens are pre-tensioned and mounted in a perimeter frame for separating various granular and particulate material. The frame is slid into the side of the machine in a direction parallel with two opposing bevel lips at the ends of the frame which mate in the screening machine with a complementary channel such that when the screen is raised into sealing contact in the screening machine, the bevel ends of the screen panel frame align the screen panel in the machine. The bevels on the screen panel frame provide a positive sealing surface for contact with the adjacent portions of the channel to prevent product from escaping off of the screen during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Rotex Global, LLC
    Inventor: Brady P. Ballman
  • Patent number: 8261915
    Abstract: A screening machine of the type used to separate or classify mixtures of solid particles of different sizes includes a machine frame and a perforate screen panel mounted for movement relative to the machine frame during a screening operation. The screen panels are pre-tensioned mesh screen material mounted in a peripheral rim for separating various granular and particulate materials. The screen panel is slid into the side of the machine frame in a direction orthogonal to the direction particulate matter moves when the screening machine is operating. The screen panel peripheral rim has a shaped or other cross section adapted to hold a large seal member that provides a positive sealing surface for contact with the machine frame to prevent particulate matter from escaping off of the screen panel during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Rotex Global, LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. Bailey, Brady P. Ballman, Nicholas P. Gardner, James G. Potter
  • Publication number: 20110314652
    Abstract: A screening machine of the type used to separate or classify mixtures of solid particles of different sizes includes a fixed base and a perforate screen mounted for movement relative to the base during a screening operation. The screens are pre-tensioned and mounted in a perimeter frame for separating various granular and particulate material. The frame is slid into the side of the machine in a direction parallel with two opposing bevel lips at the ends of the frame which mate in the screening machine with a complementary channel such that when the screen is raised into sealing contact in the screening machine, the bevel ends of the screen panel frame align the screen panel in the machine. The bevels on the screen panel frame provide a positive sealing surface for contact with the adjacent portions of the channel to prevent product from escaping off of the screen during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: ROTEX GLOBAL, LLC
    Inventor: Brady P. Ballman
  • Publication number: 20110036759
    Abstract: A screening machine of the type used to separate or classify mixtures of solid particles of different sizes includes a fixed base and a perforate screen mounted for movement relative to the base during a screening operation. The screens are pre-tensioned and mounted in a perimeter frame for separating various granular and particulate material. The frame is slid into the side of the machine in a direction parallel with two opposing bevel lips at the ends of the frame which mate in the screening machine with a complementary channel such that when the screen is raised into sealing contact in the screening machine, the bevel ends of the screen panel frame align the screen panel in the machine. The bevels on the screen panel frame provide a positive sealing surface for contact with the adjacent portions of the channel to prevent product from escaping off of the screen during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: Rotex, Inc.
    Inventor: Brady P. Ballman
  • Publication number: 20110000828
    Abstract: A screen panel assembly is used with a screening machine. The screen panel assembly includes first and second generally planar screen panels and a coupling between the first and second screen panels that includes latching mechanisms to temporarily secure the screen panels together. An overlap region between the first and second screen panels permits lifting of the second screen panel by a lifting force exerted upon the first screen panel while inhibiting the passage of material being screened between the two adjacent screen panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: ROTEX GLOBAL, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Richard Dressler, E. Stephens Paxton, Jeffrey D. Pielage, Brady P. Ballman, James Potter
  • Publication number: 20100108579
    Abstract: A screen frame assembly is provided for use with a screening machine. The screen frame assembly includes first and second generally planar screen frames and a coupling between the first and second screen frames that includes a tab in the first screen frame and a receiving slot in the second screen frame. The receiving slot is configured to receive the tab and includes a centering feature for laterally aligning the first and second screen frames relative to one another. The centering feature may include a pair of opposed inwardly angled edges of the receiving slot. The coupling may include an overlap region between the first and second screen frames that is engageable to thereby permit lifting of the second screen frame by a lifting force exerted upon the first screen frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Rotex Global. LLC
    Inventors: Brady P. Ballman, Gerald Barth, Brian Blazer, Anthony Boberschmidt, James Potter, Douglas Steinriede
  • Publication number: 20100018910
    Abstract: A screening machine of the type used to separate or classify mixtures of solid particles of different sizes includes a fixed base and a perforate screen mounted for movement relative to the base during a screening operation. The screens are pre-tensioned and mounted in a perimeter frame for separating various granular and particulate material. The frame is slid into the side of the machine in a direction parallel with two opposing bevel lips at the ends of the frame which mate in the screening machine with a complementary channel such that when the screen is raised into sealing contact in the screening machine, the bevel ends of the screen panel frame align the screen panel in the machine. The bevels on the screen panel frame provide a positive sealing surface for contact with the adjacent portions of the channel to prevent product from escaping off of the screen during use. The sealing contact of the screen panel is enhanced by a seal member on the screen panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: ROTEX GLOBAL, LLC
    Inventor: Brady P. Ballman
  • Publication number: 20090230029
    Abstract: A screening machine of the type used to separate or classify mixtures of solid particles of different sizes includes a machine frame and a perforate screen panel mounted for movement relative to the machine frame during a screening operation. The screen panels are pre-tensioned mesh screen material mounted in a peripheral rim for separating various granular and particulate materials. The screen panel is slid into the side of the machine frame in a direction orthogonal to the direction particulate matter moves when the screening machine is operating. The screen panel peripheral rim has a shaped or other cross section adapted to hold a large seal member that provides a positive sealing surface for contact with the machine frame to prevent particulate matter from escaping off of the screen panel during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Rotex Global, LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. Bailey, Brady P. Ballman, Nicholas P. Gardner, James G. Potter
  • Publication number: 20080223761
    Abstract: A screening machine includes a vibratory carrier and a vibratory drive operatively coupled to the vibratory carrier for imparting vibratory motion thereto. The screening machine includes a screen assembly selectively coupled to the vibratory carrier so that the vibratory motion is transmitted to the screen assembly. A sealing mechanism including at least one rotary cam having a cam surface and at least one actuator being accessible to a user of said screening machine is coupled to the rotary cam. Actuation of the actuator to rotate the cam urges the screen assembly and the carrier into sealing engagement with a confronting surface of the screening machine. The screening machine further includes at least one stop positioned relative to the sealing mechanism to limit rotational movement of the rotary cam in at least one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: ROTEX, INC.
    Inventors: Brady P. Ballman, Nicholas P. Gardner, James G. Potter
  • Patent number: 6763948
    Abstract: A screening machine of the type used to separate or classify mixtures of solid particles of different sizes includes a fixed base and a perforate screen deck mounted for movement relative to the base during a screening operation. Leaf springs connect the tail end of the screen deck to the fixed base so that the leaf springs support the tail end of screen deck for movement relative to the base. The leaf springs are oriented horizontally to avoid introducing vertical movement to the screen deck as it moves to and from the head and tail ends. The leaf springs are offset or deflected when the machine is at rest or in the neutral mid-point of its stroke. This arrangement advantageously utilizes the bias of the leaf springs to accelerate, assist or enhance movement of the screen deck during portions of its stroke and likewise to decelerate, hinder or retard the movement during other portions of its stroke. With an appropriate offset, an increase in the effectiveness of the screening process (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Rotex, Inc.
    Inventors: Brady P. Ballman, Daniel Ferris, Stephen C. Mitchell, Jeff Pielage, Anthony J. Yanka
  • Publication number: 20030015460
    Abstract: A screening machine of the type used to separate or classify mixtures of solid particles of different sizes includes a fixed base and a perforate screen deck mounted for movement relative to the base during a screening operation. Leaf springs connect the tail end of the screen deck to the fixed base so that the leaf springs support the tail end of screen deck for movement relative to the base. The leaf springs are oriented horizontally to avoid introducing vertical movement to the screen deck as it moves to and from the head and tail ends. The leaf springs are offset or deflected when the machine is at rest or in the neutral mid-point of its stroke. This arrangement advantageously utilizes the bias of the leaf springs to accelerate, assist or enhance movement of the screen deck during portions of its stroke and likewise to decelerate, hinder or retard the movement during other portions of its stroke. With an appropriate offset, an increase in the effectiveness of the screening process (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: Rotex, Inc.
    Inventors: Brady P. Ballman, Daniel Ferris, Stephen C. Mitchell, Jeff Pielage, Anthony J. Yanka
  • Patent number: 6073979
    Abstract: A clamp for securing a removable cover on a screening machine is an over-center mechanical clamp which includes two distinct clamping force adjustment mechanisms. A first clamping force adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of clamping positions on a support bracket mounted on the cover. The clamp handle assembly is selectively positioned in one of the clamping positions on the support bracket to provide incrementally different clamping force levels. Additionally, irrespective of the clamping position, rotation of a threaded rod of the clamp adjusts the clamping force. A force level indicator is provided on the clamp to indicate the clamping force produced by the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Rotex, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nawalaniec, Brady P. Ballman
  • Patent number: 6070736
    Abstract: A screen frame and screen are secured into sealing engagement within a screening machine by a screen frame sealing mechanism and method which allows the user to simultaneously raise an entire side of the screen frame into sealing engagement. Advantageously, the entire screen frame can be raised into sealing engagement to prevent the escape of fine material being screened and avoid metal-to-metal contact during the screening process from a single location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Rotex, Inc.
    Inventors: Brady P. Ballman, William W. Heyob
  • Patent number: 6053329
    Abstract: A mounting structure for a screen frame and/or a top cover to a vibratory frame of a screening machine requires only an initial one time adjustment and includes a pair of elastomeric restraints each including a compressible bumpers on a head-end of the screen frame or top cover and a pair of compressible rollers on a foot-end of the screen frame or top cover. The screening machine mounting structure accounts for the manufacturing tolerances between the screen frame or top cover and the vibratory box frame to provide a snug fit. The rollers allow for easy screen frame or top cover installation and removal and prevent metal-to-metal contact between the respective components which generates wear and noise during operation. Further, the mounting structure according to this invention can be retrofittable into existing screening machines as well as being original equipment and is useful for securing other components of the screening machine in addition to the screen frame and top cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Rotex, Inc
    Inventor: Brady P. Ballman