Patents by Inventor C. TODD McDANIEL

C. TODD McDANIEL 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).

  • Multi-drive conveyor systems and methods of using same
    Patent number: 11325787
    Abstract: Disclosed is a conveyor system and method for advancing an item relative to a transport axis. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt and a modular drive assembly having at least one drive module and at least one take-up module. Each drive module and each take-up module has a housing and a pulley assembly positioned within the housing. The respective positions of the housings of the at least one drive module and the at least one take-up module relative to the transport axis are selectively adjustable to modify the conveyor movement pathway. Moreover, the drive module can also include a drive pulley removal apparatus that is detachably secured within the housing for selective removal and replacement of a drive pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Randy Dixon, C. Todd McDaniel
  • MULTI-DRIVE CONVEYOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING SAME
    Publication number: 20200339357
    Abstract: Disclosed is a conveyor system and method for advancing an item relative to a transport axis. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt and a modular drive assembly having at least one drive module and at least one take-up module. Each drive module and each take-up module has a housing and a pulley assembly positioned within the housing. The respective positions of the housings of the at least one drive module and the at least one take-up module relative to the transport axis are selectively adjustable to modify the conveyor movement pathway. Moreover, the drive module can also include a drive pulley removal apparatus that is detachably secured within the housing for selective removal and replacement of a drive pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: RANDY DIXON, C. TODD McDANIEL
  • Multi-drive conveyor systems and methods of using same
    Patent number: 10745206
    Abstract: Disclosed is a conveyor system and method for advancing an item relative to a transport axis. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt and a modular drive assembly having at least one drive module and at least one take-up module. Each drive module and each take-up module has a housing and a pulley assembly positioned within the housing. The respective positions of the housings of the at least one drive module and the at least one take-up module relative to the transport axis are selectively adjustable to modify the conveyor movement pathway. Moreover, the drive module can also include a drive pulley removal apparatus that is detachably secured within the housing for selective removal and replacement of a drive pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Randy Dixon, C. Todd McDaniel
  • MULTI-DRIVE CONVEYOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING SAME
    Publication number: 20190367287
    Abstract: Disclosed is a conveyor system and method for advancing an item relative to a transport axis. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt and a modular drive assembly having at least one drive module and at least one take-up module. Each drive module and each take-up module has a housing and a pulley assembly positioned within the housing. The respective positions of the housings of the at least one drive module and the at least one take-up module relative to the transport axis are selectively adjustable to modify the conveyor movement pathway. Moreover, the drive module can also include a drive pulley removal apparatus that is detachably secured within the housing for selective removal and replacement of a drive pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: RANDY DIXON, C. TODD McDANIEL
  • Multi-drive conveyor systems and methods of using same
    Patent number: 10427883
    Abstract: Disclosed is a conveyor system and method for advancing an item relative to a transport axis. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt and a modular drive assembly having at least one drive module and at least one take-up module. Each drive module and each take-up module has a housing and a pulley assembly positioned within the housing. The respective positions of the housings of the at least one drive module and the at least one take-up module relative to the transport axis are selectively adjustable to modify the conveyor movement pathway. Moreover, the drive module can also include a drive pulley removal apparatus that is detachably secured within the housing for selective removal and replacement of a drive pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: FEDEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Randy Dixon, C. Todd McDaniel
  • MULTI-DRIVE CONVEYOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING SAME
    Publication number: 20180222682
    Abstract: Disclosed is a conveyor system and method for advancing an item relative to a transport axis. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt and a modular drive assembly having at least one drive module and at least one take-up module. Each drive module and each take-up module has a housing and a pulley assembly positioned within the housing. The respective positions of the housings of the at least one drive module and the at least one take-up module relative to the transport axis are selectively adjustable to modify the conveyor movement pathway. Moreover, the drive module can also include a drive pulley removal apparatus that is detachably secured within the housing for selective removal and replacement of a drive pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: RANDY DIXON, C. TODD McDANIEL