Patents by Inventor Christopher C. Harkey
Christopher C. Harkey 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).
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Patent number: 11745771Abstract: According to some embodiments, a discharge door locking system for a railcar discharge door comprises a lock piston configured to move between a first position (not engaged with an operating beam coupled to a discharge door) and a second position (engaged). The locking system comprises a first and second input. Activation of the first input moves the lock piston to the first position, and activation of the second input moves the lock piston to the second position. The first input of the locking system is coupled to a first input of an operating cylinder coupled to the operating beam. The first input of the operating cylinder is configured to move the discharge door to the open position.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLCInventors: Christopher C. Harkey, Aubra D. McKisic, Kenneth W. Huck
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Patent number: 11654942Abstract: An apparatus includes a latch and a travelling nut. The latch couples to a deck of an auto rack car. The latch includes a body coupled to a hinge such that the body may rotate about the hinge from a first position to a second position. The body includes a key. The travelling nut engages a ball screw. The travelling nut includes a slot. The travelling nut rotates with the ball screw when the body is in the first position. The key engages the slot when the body is in the second position. The travelling nut and the latch adjust a height of the deck in the auto rack car when the body is in the second position and when the ball screw is turned.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth Huck, Christopher C. Harkey, Lee Reitz, Kyle R. Coston
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Patent number: 11273851Abstract: A railcar system that includes a railcar with a discharge opening and a longitudinal gate positioned adjacent to the discharge opening. The system further includes a driving system connected to the longitudinal gate that is configured to move the longitudinal gate between a closed position and an open position. The system further includes a controller connected to the driving system that causes the driving system to position the longitudinal gate in the closed position, position the longitudinal gate in the open position, and position the longitudinal gate to remain an at least partially open position. The longitudinal gate is less than fully open when the longitudinal gate is in the at least partially open position.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Andrew Brown, Lee A. Reitz, Anthony R. Hiatt, Amy D. Brown, Daniel G. Cortez, Christopher C. Harkey
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Patent number: 11124206Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first deck, and a second deck. The second deck is positioned within the railcar above the first deck. The second deck includes a first portion, a second portion coupled to a first end of the first portion, and a third portion coupled to a second end of the first portion opposite the first end. The second and third portions can move towards a center of the first portion such that the first portion is positioned above or beneath the second and third portions.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston
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Publication number: 20200398872Abstract: According to some embodiments, a discharge door locking system for a railcar discharge door comprises a lock piston configured to move between a first position (not engaged with an operating beam coupled to a discharge door) and a second position (engaged). The locking system comprises a first and second input. Activation of the first input moves the lock piston to the first position, and activation of the second input moves the lock piston to the second position. The first input of the locking system is coupled to a first input of an operating cylinder coupled to the operating beam. The first input of the operating cylinder is configured to move the discharge door to the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Christopher C. Harkey, Aubra D. McKisic, Kenneth W. Huck
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Patent number: 10773735Abstract: According to some embodiments, a discharge door locking system for a railcar discharge door comprises a lock piston configured to move between a first position (not engaged with an operating beam coupled to a discharge door) and a second position (engaged). The locking system comprises a first and second input. Activation of the first input moves the lock piston to the first position, and activation of the second input moves the lock piston to the second position. The first input of the locking system is coupled to a first input of an operating cylinder coupled to the operating beam. The first input of the operating cylinder is configured to move the discharge door to the open position. The second input of the locking system is coupled to a second input of the operating cylinder. The second input is configured to move the discharge door to the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLCInventors: Christopher C. Harkey, Aubra D. McKisic, Kenneth W. Huck
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Publication number: 20200247435Abstract: An apparatus includes a latch and a travelling nut. The latch couples to a deck of an auto rack car. The latch includes a body coupled to a hinge such that the body may rotate about the hinge from a first position to a second position. The body includes a key. The travelling nut engages a ball screw. The travelling nut includes a slot. The travelling nut rotates with the ball screw when the body is in the first position. The key engages the slot when the body is in the second position. The travelling nut and the latch adjust a height of the deck in the auto rack car when the body is in the second position and when the ball screw is turned.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Kenneth Huck, Christopher C. Harkey, Lee Reitz, Kyle R. Coston
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Publication number: 20200180662Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first side screen, a second side screen, and an adjustment system. The railcar includes a roof section. The first side screen is coupled to a side of the railcar. The second side screen is coupled to the side of the railcar. The second side screen overlaps a portion of the first side screen. The adjustment system is coupled to the railcar and is operable to adjust a vertical position of the roof section.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston, Brant R. Mc Ghee
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Patent number: 10676109Abstract: An apparatus includes a latch and a travelling nut. The latch couples to a deck of an auto rack car. The latch includes a body coupled to a hinge such that the body may rotate about the hinge from a first position to a second position. The body includes a key. The travelling nut engages a ball screw. The travelling nut includes a slot. The travelling nut rotates with the ball screw when the body is in the first position. The key engages the slot when the body is in the second position. The travelling nut and the latch adjust a height of the deck in the auto rack car when the body is in the second position and when the ball screw is turned.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Trinity North American Freight Car, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Huck, Christopher C. Harkey, Lee Reitz, Kyle R. Coston
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Patent number: 10597046Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first side screen, a second side screen, and an adjustment system. The railcar includes a roof section. The first side screen is coupled to a side of the railcar. The second side screen is coupled to the side of the railcar. The second side screen overlaps a portion of the first side screen. The adjustment system is coupled to the railcar and is operable to adjust a vertical position of the roof section.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2019Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Trinity North American Freight Car, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston, Brant R. McGhee
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Publication number: 20200010097Abstract: A railcar system that includes a railcar with a discharge opening and a longitudinal gate positioned adjacent to the discharge opening. The system Further includes a driving system connected to the longitudinal gate that is configured to move the longitudinal gate between a closed position and an open position. The system further includes a controller connected to the driving system that causes the driving system to position the longitudinal gate in the closed position, position the longitudinal gate in the open position, and position the longitudinal gate to remain an at least partially open position. The longitudinal gate is less than fully open when the longitudinal gate is in the at least partially open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Andrew Brown, Lee A, Reitz, Anthony R. Hiatt, Amy D. Brown, Daniel G. Cortez, Christopher C. Harkey
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Patent number: 10449975Abstract: A railcar system that includes a railcar with a discharge opening and a longitudinal gate positioned adjacent to the discharge opening. The system further includes a driving system connected to the longitudinal gate that is configured to move the longitudinal gate between a closed position and an open position. The system further includes a controller connected to the driving system that causes the driving system to position the longitudinal gate in the closed position, position the longitudinal gate in the open position, and position the longitudinal gate to remain an at least partially open position. The longitudinal gate is less than fully open when the longitudinal gate is in the at least partially open position.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Andrew Brown, Lee A. Reitz, Anthony R. Hiatt, Amy D. Brown, Daniel G. Cortez, Christopher C. Harkey
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Patent number: 10442445Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first side screen, a second side screen, and an adjustment system. The railcar includes a roof section. The first side screen is coupled to a side of the railcar. The second side screen is coupled to the side of the railcar. The second side screen overlaps a portion of the first side screen. The adjustment system is coupled to the railcar and is operable to adjust a vertical position of the roof section.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston, Brant R. McGhee
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Patent number: 10343701Abstract: A railcar security system that includes a railcar, a first sensor having a first sensor type and a first sensor location with respect to the railcar, a second sensor having a second sensor type and a second sensor location with respect to the railcar, a first lighting group linked with the first sensor, a second lighting group linked with the second sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive an arming signal, receive a trigger signal indicating a sensor of the plurality of sensors has been triggered, determine a sensor type and a sensor location for the sensor based on the trigger signal, activate the first lighting group when the determined sensor type and the determined sensor location correspond with the first sensor, and activate the second lighting group when the determined sensor type and the determined sensor location correspond with the second sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kyle R. Coston, Hiten Y. Mehta, Brant R. McGhee, Caglar Ozerdim, Victor M. Mankarious, Christopher C. Harkey, Kenneth W. Huck
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Publication number: 20190202480Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first side screen, a second side screen, and an adjustment system. The railcar includes a roof section. The first side screen is coupled to a side of the railcar. The second side screen is coupled to the side of the railcar. The second side screen overlaps a portion of the first side screen. The adjustment system is coupled to the railcar and is operable to adjust a vertical position of the roof section.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2019Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston, Brant R. McGhee
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Publication number: 20190185026Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first deck, and a second deck. The second deck is positioned within the railcar above the first deck. The second deck includes a first portion, a second portion coupled to a first end of the first portion, and a third portion coupled to a second end of the first portion opposite the first end. The second and third portions can move towards a center of the first portion such that the first portion is positioned above or beneath the second and third portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2019Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston
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Patent number: 10266185Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first deck, and a second deck. The second deck is positioned within the railcar above the first deck. The second deck includes a first portion, a second portion coupled to a first end of the first portion, and a third portion coupled to a second end of the first portion opposite the first end. The second and third portions can move towards a center of the first portion such that the first portion is positioned above or beneath the second and third portions.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston
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Publication number: 20190016349Abstract: According to some embodiments, a discharge door locking system for a railcar discharge door comprises a lock piston configured to move between a first position (not engaged with an operating beam coupled to a discharge door) and a second position (engaged). The locking system comprises a first and second input. Activation of the first input moves the lock piston to the first position, and activation of the second input moves the lock piston to the second position. The first input of the locking system is coupled to a first input of an operating cylinder coupled to the operating beam. The first input of the operating cylinder is configured to move the discharge door to the open position. The second input of the locking system is coupled to a second input of the operating cylinder. The second input is configured to move the discharge door to the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Christopher C. Harkey, Aubra D. McKisic, Kenneth W. Huck
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Publication number: 20180222495Abstract: A railcar system that includes a railcar with a discharge opening and a longitudinal gate positioned adjacent to the discharge opening. The system further includes a driving system connected to the longitudinal gate that is configured to move the longitudinal gate between a closed position and an open position. The system further includes a controller connected to the driving system that causes the driving system to position the longitudinal gate in the closed position, position the longitudinal gate in the open position, and position the longitudinal gate to remain an at least partially open position. The longitudinal gate is less than fully open when the longitudinal gate is in the at least partially open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2017Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Andrew Brown, Lee A. Reitz, Anthony R. Hiatt, Amy D. Brown, Daniel G. Cortez, Christopher C. Harkey
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Publication number: 20180118229Abstract: An apparatus includes a latch and a travelling nut. The latch couples to a deck of an auto rack car. The latch includes a body coupled to a hinge such that the body may rotate about the hinge from a first position to a second position. The body includes a key. The travelling nut engages a ball screw. The travelling nut includes a slot. The travelling nut rotates with the ball screw when the body is in the first position. The key engages the slot when the body is in the second position. The travelling nut and the latch adjust a height of the deck in the auto rack car when the body is in the second position and when the ball screw is turned.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Kenneth Huck, Christopher C. Harkey, Lee Reitz, Kyle R. Coston