Patents by Inventor Brian Keith Thomas

Brian Keith Thomas 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: 20180154398
    Abstract: A conveying system for intended use in sorting articles and related methods of conveying and sorting articles are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first conveyor extending in a first direction and a second conveyor extending in a second direction, with the directions intersecting. A transfer conveyor, such as a transpositor conveyor, may be provided for transferring articles from one of the first conveyors to one of the second conveyors. The system may be used to sort articles delivered from one or more storage locations for distribution, or may instead be used to sort articles for delivery to one or more storage locations. Related aspects and methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: James L. LAYNE, Brian Keith THOMAS, Steven C. FYE, Lewis W. WARD, Ervin PUSKAR
  • Patent number: 9604258
    Abstract: A conveying system for intended use in sorting articles and related methods of conveying and sorting articles are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first conveyor extending in a first direction and a second conveyor extending in a second direction, with the directions intersecting. A transfer conveyor, such as a transpositor conveyor, may be provided for transferring articles from one of the first conveyors to one of the second conveyors. The system may be used to sort articles delivered from one or more storage locations for distribution, or may instead be used to sort articles for delivery to one or more storage locations. Related aspects and methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SPAN TECH LLC
    Inventors: James L. Layne, Brian Keith Thomas, Steve C. Fye, Lewis W. Ward, Ervin Puskar
  • Publication number: 20150001137
    Abstract: A conveying system for intended use in sorting articles and related methods of conveying and sorting articles are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first conveyor extending in a first direction and a second conveyor extending in a second direction, with the directions intersecting. A transfer conveyor, such as a transpositor conveyor, may be provided for transferring articles from one of the first conveyors to one of the second conveyors. The system may be used to sort articles delivered from one or more storage locations for distribution, or may instead be used to sort articles for delivery to one or more storage locations. Related aspects and methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: James L. Layne, Brian Keith Thomas, Steve C. Fye, Lewis W. Ward, Ervin Puskar
  • Publication number: 20140305774
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus is for use with a driven conveyor comprising a modular link belt including a plurality of outer links along a lateral side of the conveyor. A follower is adapted for engaging the outer side links of the conveyor belt, said follower including a normal position to a disabling position. The following is follower adapted for disabling the drive in the disabling position, such as by actuating a switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: James L. Layne, Lewis W. Ward, Stephen C. Fye, Brian Keith Thomas, Ervin Puskar