Patents by Inventor Brock E. Ferguson

Brock E. Ferguson 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: 8029583
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a gas filter may include a movable support, a plurality of orifices, and a control system. The orifices may be arranged on the support for selective discharge of cleaning gas toward corresponding ones of filter openings disposed in a segment of a partition in the gas filter when the support is proximate that segment. The orifices may be grouped into at least first and second groups of orifices that may be fluidly connected to first and second valves configured for selective delivery of cleaning gas The control system may be configured to activate the first valve to cause a discharge of cleaning gas from the first group of orifices when the support is proximate a first segment and to activate the second valve to cause a discharge of cleaning gas from the second group of orifices when the support is proximate a second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Western Pneumatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Brock E. Ferguson, Rick D. Palahniuk
  • Patent number: 7857337
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved collapsible step assembly for recreational vehicles. The movable step apparatus comprises a mounting frame, at least one step mounted to the frame through a linkage assembly, and a pivot rod with a longitudinal axis of rotation. In use, the pivot rod is rotatably mounted to the frame and rotates the linkage assembly and the at least one step between an extended position and a retracted position. Rotating the pivot rod in a first direction moves the step to the extended position, and rotating the pivot rod in the opposite direction moves the step to the retracted position. The linkage assembly includes a link which is movable in the direction of the link toward extension of the step to contact a stop of the frame that reacts against a gravitational load acting on the step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Brock E. Ferguson, Richard W. Raley
  • Patent number: 7677584
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved collapsible step assembly for recreational vehicles. The movable step apparatus comprises a mounting frame, at least one step mounted to the frame through a linkage assembly, and a pivot assembly having a pivot rod with a longitudinal axis of rotation. In use, the pivot rod is rotatably mounted to the frame and rotates the linkage assembly and the steps between an extended position and a retracted position. Rotating the pivot rod in a first direction moves the step to the extended position, and rotating the pivot rod in the opposite direction moves the step to the retracted position. A two-part linkage is rotatably engaged between the pivot rod and the step linkage and transfers downward forces on the step when retracted and when extended to the drive unit so that the step stays in its position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. Raley, Brock E. Ferguson, Ronald R. Jellison
  • Publication number: 20090189365
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved collapsible step assembly for recreational vehicles. The movable step apparatus comprises a mounting frame, at least one step mounted to the frame through a linkage assembly, and a pivot rod with a longitudinal axis of rotation. In use, the pivot rod is rotatably mounted to the frame and rotates the linkage assembly and the at least one step between an extended position and a retracted position. Rotating the pivot rod in a first direction moves the step to the extended position, and rotating the pivot rod in the opposite direction moves the step to the retracted position. The linkage assembly includes a link which is movable in the direction of the link toward extension of the step to contact a stop of the frame that reacts against a gravitational load acting on the step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Brock E. Ferguson, Richard W. Raley
  • Publication number: 20090151572
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a gas filter may include a movable support, a plurality of orifices, and a control system. The orifices may be arranged on the support for selective discharge of cleaning gas toward corresponding ones of filter openings disposed in a segment of a partition in the gas filter when the support is proximate that segment. The orifices may be grouped into at least first and second groups of orifices that may be fluidly connected to first and second valves configured for selective delivery of cleaning gas The control system may be configured to activate the first valve to cause a discharge of cleaning gas from the first group of orifices when the support is proximate a first segment and to activate the second valve to cause a discharge of cleaning gas from the second group of orifices when the support is proximate a second segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Western Pneumatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Brock E. Ferguson, Rick D. Palahniuk
  • Publication number: 20080157500
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved collapsible step assembly for recreational vehicles. The movable step apparatus comprises a mounting frame, at least one step mounted to the frame through a linkage assembly, and a pivot assembly having a pivot rod with a longitudinal axis of rotation. In use, the pivot rod is rotatably mounted to the frame and rotates the linkage assembly and the steps between an extended position and a retracted position. Rotating the pivot rod in a first direction moves the step to the extended position, and rotating the pivot rod in the opposite direction moves the step to the retracted position. A two-part linkage is rotatably engaged between the pivot rod and the step linkage and transfers downward forces on the step when retracted and when extended to the drive unit so that the step stays in its position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Richard W. Raley, Brock E. Ferguson, Ronald R. Jellison
  • Publication number: 20080116012
    Abstract: A platform lift for a vehicle suitable for supporting and vertically moving platforms, beds, shelves and the like. The platform lift has at least a first platform suspended by a plurality of tension members, such as cables, and guided by a plurality of columns so that the first platform is movable vertically between a first platform stowed position and a first platform ready position. All of the columns supporting the platform are to one side of a center of the first platform. The platform lift includes a slack sensor and fall protection. The platform lift can include a second platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Brock E. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7360815
    Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle with one or more slide-out sections and a compact operating mechanism for moving each slide-out section between extended and retracted positions. In one form, the vehicle has a primary slide-out section and a secondary slide-out section mounted to extend and retract relative to the primary slide-out section. In that case, the vehicle has at least two operating mechanism, at least one for each sliding section. Each operating mechanism has two slide modules, one module is mounted to the slide-out section and the other is mounted to a stationary part of the vehicle. One module includes a drive and the other includes a drive member, such as a drive screw, that interact to extend and retract the slide-out section. A track and glide arrangement can be used to facilitate relative sliding between the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Kunz, Brock E. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7258382
    Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle with one or more slide-out sections and a compact operating mechanism for moving each slide-out section between extended and retracted positions. In one form, the vehicle has a primary slide-out section and a secondary slide-out section mounted to extend and retract relative to the primary slide-out section. In that case, the vehicle has at least two operating mechanism, at least one for each sliding section. Each operating mechanism has two slide modules, one module is mounted the slide-out section and the other is mounted to a stationary part of the vehicle. One module includes a drive and the other includes a drive member, such as a drive screw, that interact to extend and retract the slide-out section. A track and glide arrangement can be used to facilitate relative sliding between the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Kunz, Brock E. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 6471275
    Abstract: An electronic slide-out room synchronization system is provided to synchronize multiple actuators of a slide-out room so that the slide-out room has accurate alignment during extension or retraction while further providing a proper seal at full extension or retraction. The system comprises two linear actuators such as lead screw mechanisms or hydraulic cylinders in communication with a controller activated by an activation or room switch located inside a recreational vehicle. The linear actuators, when signaled via the controller, move the slide-out room between a retracted position and an extended position. If the controller determines, by receiving signals from a sensor, that one of the linear actuators is moving faster or is extended or retracted further than the other linear actuator, the controller synchronizes the actuators so that they extend and retract in unison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Kwikee Products Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Kunz, Brock E. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 6082421
    Abstract: An automated finger jointer for milling finger joint profiles into the ends of short blocks of wood, assembling the blocks and compressing the blocks together to provide a long pieces of wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Western Pneumatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Nicol, Brock E. Ferguson, Kenneth D. Shoemaker