Patents by Inventor Brian P. Layfield

Brian P. Layfield 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: 10449954
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a method and apparatus for an active convertor dolly for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a system to connect a tractor to a trailer. The apparatus further includes a charge generating system for translating the mechanical motions or actions of the dolly into electricity or electrical energy so that this energy can be used to charge a battery or to power other functionality for either the dolly or the tractor-trailer. The active dolly may also operate to assist in shunting the tractor-trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Inventor: Brian P. Layfield
  • Publication number: 20180345952
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a method and apparatus for an active convertor dolly for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a system to connect a tractor to a trailer. The apparatus further includes a charge generating system for translating the mechanical motions or actions of the dolly into electricity or electrical energy so that this energy can be used to charge a battery or to power other functionality for either the dolly or the tractor-trailer. The active dolly may also operate to assist in shunting the tractor-trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Brian P. LAYFIELD
  • Patent number: 9956997
    Abstract: A converter dolly is provided for use with a tractor-trailer wherein the converter dolly additionally comprises dolly fairings which are located in front of the wheels of the converter dolly. The dolly fairings are preferably made of fibreglass, and improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the converter dolly, and thus reduce fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: LAYDON COMPOSITES LTD.
    Inventors: Brian P. Layfield, James D. Haws
  • Publication number: 20150307142
    Abstract: A converter dolly is provided for use with a tractor-trailer wherein the converter dolly additionally comprises dolly fairings which are located in front of the wheels of the converter dolly. The dolly fairings are preferably made of fibreglass, and improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the converter dolly, and thus reduce fuel consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Brian P. Layfield, James D. Haws
  • Patent number: 8919863
    Abstract: A drag reduction plate is provided for trailers that are towed by vehicles along a roadway or highway, where the trailer typically has a box-like construction having a bottom, top, front, back, and sides, and at least one wheel set near the back end and below the bottom thereof. The drag reduction plate is a rigid or semi-rigid plate secured to and depending vertically downwardly from the bottom of the trailer and being disposed along a portion of the length of the trailer forwardly of the at least one wheel set. A drag reduction structure comprises a drag reduction plate and a pair of deflector plates also depending vertically downwardly from the bottom of a trailer; and extending outwardly and rearwardly from the rear end of the rigid or semi-rigid plate in a region which is forward of the at least one wheel set. The outer edges of the deflector plates are located at positions which are wider than the outer width of the wheel set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Laydon Composites Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian P. Layfield, James D. Haws, Jeffrey V. Littlefield
  • Publication number: 20130285411
    Abstract: A drag reduction plate is provided for trailers that are towed by vehicles along a roadway or highway, where the trailer typically has a box-like construction having a bottom, top, front, back, and sides, and at least one wheel set near the back end and below the bottom thereof. The drag reduction plate is a rigid or semi-rigid plate secured to and depending vertically downwardly from the bottom of the trailer and being disposed along a portion of the length of the trailer forwardly of the at least one wheel set. A drag reduction structure comprises a drag reduction plate and a pair of deflector plates also depending vertically downwardly from the bottom of a trailer; and extending outwardly and rearwardly from the rear end of the rigid or semi-rigid plate in a region which is forward of the at least one wheel set. The outer edges of the deflector plates are located at positions which are wider than the outer width of the wheel set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Brian P. Layfield, James D. Haws, Jeffrey V. Littlefield
  • Patent number: D854470
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: LAYDON COMPOSITES LTD.
    Inventors: James D. Haws, Brian P. Layfield