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).

  • Patent number: 11745771
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher C. Harkey, Aubra D. McKisic, Kenneth W. Huck
  • Patent number: 11654942
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Huck, Christopher C. Harkey, Lee Reitz, Kyle R. Coston
  • Patent number: 11273851
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 11124206
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20200398872
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher C. Harkey, Aubra D. McKisic, Kenneth W. Huck
  • Patent number: 10773735
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher C. Harkey, Aubra D. McKisic, Kenneth W. Huck
  • Publication number: 20200247435
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth Huck, Christopher C. Harkey, Lee Reitz, Kyle R. Coston
  • Publication number: 20200180662
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 10676109
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Trinity North American Freight Car, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Huck, Christopher C. Harkey, Lee Reitz, Kyle R. Coston
  • Patent number: 10597046
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20200010097
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Andrew Brown, Lee A, Reitz, Anthony R. Hiatt, Amy D. Brown, Daniel G. Cortez, Christopher C. Harkey
  • Patent number: 10449975
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 10442445
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 10343701
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20190202480
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    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
  • Publication number: 20190185026
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston
  • Patent number: 10266185
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20190016349
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher C. Harkey, Aubra D. McKisic, Kenneth W. Huck
  • Publication number: 20180222495
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Andrew Brown, Lee A. Reitz, Anthony R. Hiatt, Amy D. Brown, Daniel G. Cortez, Christopher C. Harkey
  • Publication number: 20180118229
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth Huck, Christopher C. Harkey, Lee Reitz, Kyle R. Coston