Patents by Inventor Charles P. Howell, III

Charles P. Howell, III 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).

  • Independent discharge sorting conveyor
    Patent number: 9422119
    Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a carrying tray for holding the objects; and a support for supporting the carrying tray above the frame base. A tilting mechanism including at least one gear having at least one cam is adapted for tilting the carrying tray toward at least one side of the conveyor. The present inventions may further include a tilt sensor for determining the direction of tilt of the tray. In addition, a drive motor and a driven member attached to the frame base may be included for moving the conveyor carts around the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Mantissa Corporation
    Inventors: J. David Fortenbery, David Patrick Erceg, Gonzalo Sotelo, Charles P. Howell, III, Gregory P. Kissel, Daniel H. Weckerle, LeRoy A. Winkler, III
  • Independent discharge sorting conveyor
    Patent number: 8807320
    Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a carrying tray for holding the objects; and a support for supporting the carrying tray above the frame base. A tilting mechanism including at least one gear having at least one cam is adapted for tilting the carrying tray toward at least one side of the conveyor. The present inventions may further include a tilt sensor for determining the direction of tilt of the tray. In addition, a drive motor and a driven member attached to the frame base may be included for moving the conveyor carts around the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Mantissa Corporation
    Inventors: J. David Fortenbery, David Patrick Erceg, Gonzalo Sotelo, Charles P. Howell, III, Gregory P. Kissel, Daniel H. Weckerle, LeRoy A. Winkler, III
  • INDEPENDENT DISCHARGE SORTING CONVEYOR
    Publication number: 20130341157
    Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a carrying tray for holding the objects; and a support for supporting the carrying tray above the frame base. A tilting mechanism including at least one gear having at least one cam is adapted for tilting the carrying tray toward at least one side of the conveyor. The present inventions may further include a tilt sensor for determining the direction of tilt of the tray. In addition, a drive motor and a driven member attached to the frame base may be included for moving the conveyor carts around the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: J. David Fortenbery, David Patrick Erceg, Gonzalo Sotelo, Charles P. Howell, III, Gregory P. Kissel, Daniel H. Weckerle, LeRoy A. Winkler, III