Patents by Inventor Carl L. Hammonds

Carl L. Hammonds 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: 7913781
    Abstract: An omni-directional vehicle (ODV) with a circular frame revolvably coupled to an appendage ring using a full circumferential coupling assembly. The appendage ring serves as a point of attachment for a push bar, trailer, tool, vehicle chassis, or other device. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the frame are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the frame. Each wheel is powered independently and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The ODV is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The ODV can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Hammonds Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Patent number: 7905302
    Abstract: A powered omni-directional aircraft galley servicing vehicle that includes a circular frame and two drive wheels capable of independent powered forward and rearward rotation about a horizontal axis. The drive wheels are adapted to allow the vehicle to spin in place about a vertical axis which intersects the horizontal axis midway between the drive wheels and which is generally centered in the circular frame. A carrousel cabin is mounted to the frame on a lift such that it is capable of elevation to an aircraft galley. A partitioned lazy susan storage compartment rotates on the carrousel cabin to facilitate transfer of aircraft food and drink carts between an aircraft galley and the servicing vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Hammonds Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Patent number: 7762361
    Abstract: A powered omni-directional aircraft and ordinance handling vehicle which, in one embodiment, includes a circular frame and two drive wheels capable of independent powered forward and rearward rotation about a horizontal axis. The drive wheels are adapted to allow the vehicle to spin in place about a vertical axis which intersects the horizontal axis midway between the drive wheels and which is generally centered in the circular frame. A turret is rotatively mounted to the frame such that it is capable of rotation about the vertical axis, and an articulated ordinance handling arm is mounted to the turret. A castor is mounted to the frame for supporting the frame on the ground. A control system enables the vehicle to rotate in place to change headings while maintaining ordinance carried by the arm motionless with respect to the ground and to perform repetitive precise multi-axis motion control of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Hammonds Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Publication number: 20100155154
    Abstract: A vehicle with a omni-directional cab having a circular frame revolvably coupled to a chassis having an axle, wheels and passenger seats. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the cab are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the cab. Each wheel is powered independently and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The cab is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The cab can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the combined cab/chassis assembly can rotate about the vertical midpoint of the chassis axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Patent number: 7712556
    Abstract: An omni direction vehicle with a frame having a round surface about its perimeter with no apparatus mounted on the frame extending beyond the perimeter. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the frame are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the frame. Each wheel is powered independently of the other and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The vehicle is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The vehicle can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the vehicle requires a zero turning radius and requires only the space it occupies to change its forward orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Hammonds Technical Services, inc.
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Patent number: 7694758
    Abstract: A vehicle with a omni-directional cab having a circular frame revolvably coupled to a chassis having an axle, wheels and passenger seats. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the cab are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the cab. Each wheel is powered independently and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The cab is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The cab can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the combined cab/chassis assembly can rotate about the vertical midpoint of the chassis axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Hammonds Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Publication number: 20100084022
    Abstract: A liquid metering device that dispenses liquid into an adjacent reservoir at a precise ratio relative to the total volume of the adjacent reservoir as the reservoir is filled with liquid. The hydrostatic dispensing system includes an additive reservoir, a calibrated dispensing vessel, a hydrostatic pressure chamber, and a three-way valve that passively arms and dis-arms the system. The precise dispensing of liquid by a calibrated dispensing vessel into the adjacent reservoir is accomplished entirely through the management and arrangement of hydrostatic pressure creating a liquid piston generated by the addition of liquid to the adjacent reservoir and its subsequent application to the liquid in the calibrated vertical column that displaces the calibrated volume of liquid into the reservoir at the same rate that liquid is added to the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: CARL L. HAMMONDS
  • Patent number: 7690473
    Abstract: A powered omni-directional security, patrol and surveillance vehicle that includes a circular frame and two drive wheels capable of independent powered forward and rearward rotation about a horizontal axis. The drive wheels are adapted to allow the vehicle to spin in place about a vertical axis which intersects the horizontal axis midway between the drive wheels and which is generally centered in the circular frame. An observation platform including an operators control station is mounted to the frame on a lift such that it is capable of selective elevation for superior vantage points. A cab preferably encloses the operator's station. A plurality of swivel casters disposed on distal ends of telescopic outrigger arms are circumpositioned about the circular frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hammonds Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Patent number: 7581603
    Abstract: A powered omni-directional aircraft and ordinance handling vehicle which, in one embodiment, includes a circular frame and two drive wheels capable of independent powered forward and rearward rotation about a horizontal axis. The drive wheels are adapted to allow the vehicle to spin in place about a vertical axis which intersects the horizontal axis midway between the drive wheels and which is generally centered in the circular frame. A turret is rotatively mounted to the frame such that it is capable of rotation about the vertical axis, and an articulated ordinance handling arm is mounted to the turret. A castor is mounted to the frame for supporting the frame on the ground. A control system enables the vehicle to rotate in place to change headings while maintaining ordinance carried by the arm motionless with respect to the ground and to perform repetitive precise multi-axis motion control of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Hammonds Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Publication number: 20090205909
    Abstract: A powered omni-directional aircraft galley servicing vehicle that includes a circular frame and two drive wheels capable of independent powered forward and rearward rotation about a horizontal axis. The drive wheels are adapted to allow the vehicle to spin in place about a vertical axis which intersects the horizontal axis midway between the drive wheels and which is generally centered in the circular frame. A carrousel cabin is mounted to the frame on a lift such that it is capable of elevation to an aircraft galley. A partitioned lazy susan storage compartment rotates on the carrousel cabin to facilitate transfer of aircraft food and drink carts between an aircraft galley and the servicing vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Publication number: 20090205880
    Abstract: A powered omni-directional security, patrol and surveillance vehicle that includes a circular frame and two drive wheels capable of independent powered forward and rearward rotation about a horizontal axis. The drive wheels are adapted to allow the vehicle to spin in place about a vertical axis which intersects the horizontal axis midway between the drive wheels and which is generally centered in the circular frame. An observation platform including an operators control station is mounted to the frame on a lift such that it is capable of selective elevation for superior vantage points. A cab preferably encloses the operator's station. A plurality of swivel casters disposed on distal ends of telescopic outrigger arms are circumpositioned about the circular frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Publication number: 20090205908
    Abstract: A powered omni-directional aircraft and ordinance handling vehicle which, in one embodiment, includes a circular frame and two drive wheels capable of independent powered forward and rearward rotation about a horizontal axis. The drive wheels are adapted to allow the vehicle to spin in place about a vertical axis which intersects the horizontal axis midway between the drive wheels and which is generally centered in the circular frame. A turret is rotatively mounted to the frame such that it is capable of rotation about the vertical axis, and an articulated ordinance handling arm is mounted to the turret. A castor is mounted to the frame for supporting the frame on the ground. A control system enables the vehicle to rotate in place to change headings while maintaining ordinance carried by the arm motionless with respect to the ground and to perform repetitive precise multi-axis motion control of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Publication number: 20090084635
    Abstract: A powered omni-directional aircraft and ordinance handling vehicle which, in one embodiment, includes a circular frame and two drive wheels capable of independent powered forward and rearward rotation about a horizontal axis. The drive wheels are adapted to allow the vehicle to spin in place about a vertical axis which intersects the horizontal axis midway between the drive wheels and which is generally centered in the circular frame. A turret is rotatively mounted to the frame such that it is capable of rotation about the vertical axis, and an articulated ordinance handling arm is mounted to the turret. A castor is mounted to the frame for supporting the frame on the ground. A control system enables the vehicle to rotate in place to change headings while maintaining ordinance carried by the arm motionless with respect to the ground and to perform repetitive precise multi-axis motion control of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Publication number: 20090038862
    Abstract: An omni-directional vehicle (ODV) with a circular frame revolvably coupled to an appendage ring using a full circumferential coupling assembly. The appendage ring serves as a point of attachment for a push bar, trailer, tool, vehicle chassis, or other device. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the frame are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the frame. Each wheel is powered independently and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The ODV is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The ODV can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Publication number: 20090038861
    Abstract: An omni direction vehicle with a frame having a round surface about its perimeter with no apparatus mounted on the frame extending beyond the perimeter. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the frame are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the frame. Each wheel is powered independently of the other and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The vehicle is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The vehicle can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the vehicle requires a zero turning radius and requires only the space it occupies to change its forward orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Patent number: 7278836
    Abstract: A metering pump that is capable of delivering a constant, rate of fluid over a wide range of viscosities at infinitely variable delivery rates. Two identical pumping chambers are provided with one operating in the suction mode, and the other in the discharge mode with each cylinder switching modes at each pumping cycle, thereby providing continuous delivery of fluid in and out of the pump. The displacement of the chamber is large in order to facilitate operation at a very slow cycle speed of only one to four reciprocations per minute. The fluid valves are mechanically operated providing for positive sealing thus enabling the pump to operate at very slow speeds without leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Hammonds Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Patent number: 7258181
    Abstract: An omni direction vehicle (ODV) with a frame having a round surface about its perimeter rotatably coupled to a trailer mule hitch assembly having an axle, wheels and a fifth wheel plate located generally above the axle. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the ODV frame are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the frame. Each wheel is powered independently of the other and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The ODV is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The ODV can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the combined ODV/trailer mule hitch assembly can rotate about the center of the fifth wheel plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Hammonds Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Patent number: 7066353
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for proportionally injecting a liquid chemical into a fluid stream using a portion of the fluid stream as motive force for a chemical injection pump. The apparatus includes a paired single or double acting reciprocating injection pump and driver with the driver piston(s) having a surface area of three times the surface area of the injection piston(s). The portion of the fluid stream is passed through a prime mover to the pump and then discharged to atmosphere. A fluid product flow meter generates a signal which controls the cycling of the reciprocating pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Patent number: 7040425
    Abstract: A trailer mule vehicle with a frame, two independent drive wheels located at the rear of the frame on a common axis, two caster support wheels located at the front of the frame, and a fifth wheel plate generally centered between and positioned above the rear drive wheels. Each drive wheel is powered independently of the other and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The vehicle is capable of rotation about the center of the fifth wheel plate. The fifth wheel plate is mounted on an articulated arm which raises and lowers the fifth wheel plate for rapid coupling to and transportation of a semi-trailer without the need for retracting the semi-trailer's landing gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds
  • Publication number: 20060037787
    Abstract: An omni direction vehicle (ODV) with a frame having a round surface about its perimeter rotatably coupled to a trailer mule hitch assembly having an axle, wheels and a fifth wheel plate located generally above the axle. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the ODV frame are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the frame. Each wheel is powered independently of the other and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The ODV is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The ODV can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the combined ODV/trailer mule hitch assembly can rotate about the center of the fifth wheel plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Carl L. Hammonds