Patents by Inventor Brian S. Gearhart

Brian S. Gearhart 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: 11731183
    Abstract: A turret head assembly for forming an article includes at least one smoothing roller. Each of the at least one smoothing roller is rotatably mounted on a respective at least one roller support member. The turret head assembly further includes an upper ring member and a lower ring member. The upper and lower ring members include respective apertures located in the centers thereof. The at least one roller support member extends between the upper ring member and the lower ring member. The turret head assembly further includes a turret head-assembly support member defining a turret-head axis. The turret-head-assembly member extends through the respective apertures in the upper and lower ring members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: BELVAC PRODUCTION MACHINERY, INC.
    Inventors: Brian S. Gearhart, Erika Sheaffer Love, Gerald Meador
  • Patent number: 10751783
    Abstract: Presented herein are container forming machines, forming ram assemblies, and methods for making and for using forming ram assemblies. A forming ram assembly is presented for a container forming machine, which includes a turret assembly with a cam rail. The ram assembly includes a mounting rail for attaching to the turret assembly. A cam follower is mounted to the mounting rail and configured to rollably seat against the cam rail. Connected to the cam follower is a forming die which moves as the cam follower traverses the cam rail. A knockout tool is mounted inside the forming die and includes a stepped segment. A drive cylinder moves the knockout tool within the forming die. An O-ring is seated inside a complementary channel of the knockout tool. An annular knockout guide is seated on the stepped segment of the knockout tool, located between and abutting the O-ring and forming die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: BELVAC PRODUCTION MACHINERY, INC.
    Inventors: Brian S. Gearhart, Stephen C. Burnette
  • Patent number: 10710142
    Abstract: Presented herein are container forming machines, forming ram assemblies, and methods for making and for using forming ram assemblies. A forming ram assembly is presented for a container forming machine, which includes a turret assembly with a cam rail. The ram assembly includes a mounting rail for attaching to the turret assembly. A cam follower is mounted to the mounting rail and configured to rollably seat against the cam rail. Connected to the cam follower is a forming die which moves as the cam follower traverses the cam rail. A knockout tool is mounted inside the forming die and includes a stepped segment. A drive cylinder moves the knockout tool within the forming die. An O-ring is seated inside a complementary channel of the knockout tool. An annular knockout guide is seated on the stepped segment of the knockout tool, located between and abutting the O-ring and forming die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: BELVAC PRODUCTION MACHINERY, INC.
    Inventors: Brian S. Gearhart, Stephen C. Burnette
  • Publication number: 20180326469
    Abstract: A turret head assembly for forming an article includes at least one smoothing roller. Each of the at least one smoothing roller is rotatably mounted on a respective at least one roller support member. The turret head assembly further includes an upper ring member and a lower ring member. The upper and lower ring members include respective apertures located in the centers thereof. The at least one roller support member extends between the upper ring member and the lower ring member. The turret head assembly further includes a turret head-assembly support member defining a turret-head axis. The turret-head-assembly member extends through the respective apertures in the upper and lower ring members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Brian S. Gearhart, Erika S. Love, Gerald Meador
  • Publication number: 20180207705
    Abstract: Presented herein are container forming machines, forming ram assemblies, and methods for making and for using forming ram assemblies. A forming ram assembly is presented for a container forming machine, which includes a turret assembly with a cam rail. The ram assembly includes a mounting rail for attaching to the turret assembly. A cam follower is mounted to the mounting rail and configured to rollably seat against the cam rail. Connected to the cam follower is a forming die which moves as the cam follower traverses the cam rail. A knockout tool is mounted inside the forming die and includes a stepped segment. A drive cylinder moves the knockout tool within the forming die. An O-ring is seated inside a complementary channel of the knockout tool. An annular knockout guide is seated on the stepped segment of the knockout tool, located between and abutting the O-ring and forming die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Brian S. Gearhart, Stephen C. Burnette