Patents by Inventor Christopher E. Schafer
Christopher E. Schafer 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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Publication number: 20240101165Abstract: A locked-axle spring compression system and method configured to raise a rail vehicle wheel off a rail and transport the raised wheel along a rail is presented. In one embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a system that can raise the locked-axle rail wheel off the rail and allowing the locked-axle train to be transported off the main line. One or more coil springs can be disposed between the truck frame and the journal box to distribute the weight of the train and forces acting thereon. The present disclosure provides a technological solution missing from conventional systems by at least providing a platform for an actuator configured to exert a force on one or more train elements to compress the coil springs and allow the locked-axle wheel to be raised off a surface (e.g., railroad track rail), by overcoming the coil spring pressure to raise the wheel off the rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Henry R. Schafer, Mike E. Teaford, Christopher M. Romero, Edward M. Meyers, Timothy Webb, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Larry C. Valentine
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Publication number: 20240101166Abstract: A locked-axle spring compression system and method configured to raise a rail vehicle wheel off a rail and transport the raised wheel along a rail is presented. In one embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a system that can raise the locked-axle rail wheel off the rail and allowing the locked-axle train to be transported off the main line. One or more coil springs can be disposed between the truck frame and the journal box to distribute the weight of the train and forces acting thereon. The present disclosure provides a technological solution missing from conventional systems by at least providing a platform for an actuator configured to exert a force on one or more train elements to compress the coil springs and allow the locked-axle wheel to be raised off a surface (e.g., railroad track rail), by overcoming the coil spring pressure to raise the wheel off the rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: BNSF Railway CompanyInventors: Henry R. Schafer, Mike E. Teaford, Christopher M. Romero, Edward M. Meyers, Timothy Webb, Ryan L. Kimberlin, Larry C. Valentine
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Patent number: 8746746Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to a fitting configured to transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration. In example embodiments, the fitting may include a first member, a second member, a first gusset base extending from the first member, a second gusset base extending from the second member, and a hinge connecting the first member to the second member. In example embodiments, the first gusset base may include at least one first gusset and the second gusset base may include at least one second gusset. In example embodiments a distance between outermost portions of the at least one first and second gussets may be substantially the same as a distance separating the first member from the second member.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Inventors: Christopher E. Schafer, Charlie J. Schafer
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Patent number: 8127789Abstract: An apparatus that can be inserted into the bottom end of liquid delivery tube for retaining fluid in the tube to aid in drinking, utilizing a ball valve that for the most part only allows unidirectional flow of fluid through the valve and into the tube to prevent the level of fluid in the tube from significantly dropping and also creates a fluid free space at the end of the tube to prevent spillage.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2003Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: ARK Therapeutic Services, Inc.Inventors: Christopher E. Schafer, Rodney M. Ramsey
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Patent number: 7942606Abstract: An automatic water flow regulator apparatus and a system for controlling and regulating the level of groundwater in an agricultural field. An automatic flow regulator adapted for use in a buried tile line that responds to conditions upstream and downstream along the line in order to regulate flow. A system having a tile line buried in a field for draining water therefrom, a preferably manually operated terminal control stand positioned at the discharge end of the system, and one or more automatic water flow regulators along the line for controlling the flow of water therethrough in conjunction with said terminal control stand.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Inventor: Christopher E. Schafer
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Publication number: 20100276015Abstract: An automatic water flow regulator apparatus and a system for controlling and regulating the level of groundwater in an agricultural field. An automatic flow regulator adapted for use in a buried tile line that responds to conditions upstream and downstream along the line in order to regulate flow. A system having a tile line buried in a field for draining water therefrom, a preferably manually operated terminal control stand positioned at the discharge end of the system, and one or more automatic water flow regulators along the line for controlling the flow of water therethrough in conjunction with said terminal control stand.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Inventor: Christopher E. Schafer
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Patent number: 6302292Abstract: A storage, display and dispensing apparatus for tickets of various sizes that accounts for the tickets dispensed during a selected time period. The dispensing apparatus includes a bin housing for storing a pack of tickets, a ticket dispensing assembly through which the tickets are dispensed and includes a friction wheel assembly that is actuated as tickets passed through the tear bar assembly so that a count of such tickets is provided. A piezo electric sensing element is also employed to sense perforations between the tickets and to reset the friction wheel assembly count as a result thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Schafer Systems Inc.Inventors: Christopher E. Schafer, Ryan B. Gruhn, Philip R. Littler, Tim Caltrider, Glenn Miller, Ryan Littler, Dennis J. Deyen, James F. Popelka
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Patent number: 6230926Abstract: A storage, display and dispensing apparatus for tickets of various sizes. The dispensing apparatus includes a bin housing for storing a pack of tickets, a ticket dispensing assembly through which the tickets are dispensed and a piezo electric sensing element employed to sense perforations between the tickets as they pass through the dispensing assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2000Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Schafer Systems Inc.Inventors: Christopher E. Schafer, Ryan B. Gruhn
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Patent number: 6073572Abstract: The present invention concerns a floating dock that is secure, economical and durable. The dock is comprised of modular floating dock sections coupled together with flanges that fit into receiving sockets on the docking sections. The versatile dock sections can be arranged in a plethora of dock configurations, and modular pieces for end posts and other accessories can be added.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Schafer Systems Inc.Inventors: Ryan B. Gruhn, Michael E. Irlmeier, Philip R. Littler, Kurt L. McCuen, Christopher E. Schafer, Steve Irlmeier, deceased
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Patent number: 5868277Abstract: A hinged access display and dispensing device for lottery-type tickets is provided with a base which may be quickly secured by hand, but is thereafter difficult to remove. The device includes a box-like housing provided with a hook and a pair of legs and feet. The base is provided with a ridge and a pair of holes and associated resilient tongues extending over the holes. The housing is placed over the base with the hook cupping the ridge. The legs force the tongues downward allowing insertion of the feet through the holes. The housing is then moved rearward to allow the tongues to move to their original position, thereby preventing lateral movement of the legs and removal of the feet from the holes.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1996Date of Patent: February 9, 1999Assignee: Schafer Systems Inc.Inventor: Christopher E. Schafer
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Patent number: 5492398Abstract: A dual modular device for the display and dispensing of tickets is provided that includes a box type unit with two storage sections and a rear door that is pivotally mounted by a mounting assembly formed of cylindrical posts attached to each lower corner of the door and receivably journaled in cavities located in the lower rear portion of each sidewall of the unit. The door further includes side and top flanges that overlie the sidewalls and roof of the unit when the door is in a closed position to secure the sidewalls of the unit from being forced apart to gain access to the interior of the unit. The lower portion of the door also includes offset side edges to provide a door with approximately the same dimension as the inside measurement between the two sidewalls of the unit so that the lower portion of the door acts as a positioning guide when closing the door.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1994Date of Patent: February 20, 1996Assignee: Schafer Systems Inc.Inventor: Christopher E. Schafer
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Patent number: 5399005Abstract: A structure for the display and dispensing of tickets whereby top and bottom units are demountably attachable in a stackable arrangement. Each unit is of box-like configuration having a floor, a roof, a pair of sidewalls and an open rear end. A door is pivotally attached at a lower portion of the rear end and semi-permanently attachable in an opposite upper portion of the rear end of the unit to serve as a rear wall for the unit when in a closed position. The bottom unit has a front flange on the bottom portion of the front wall extending downward and rearward into a cavity in the top portion of the front wall to provide a forwardly extending lip portion engageable by the front flange of the top unit when the units are in a stacked relationship. The top unit also has a rear flange on its lower rear portion that extends through at least one opening in the roof of the bottom unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1993Date of Patent: March 21, 1995Assignee: Schafer Systems Inc.Inventor: Christopher E. Schafer
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Patent number: 5111939Abstract: The disclosure is of a stacked structure made up of a plurality of identical box-like units arranged one atop the other in a near vertical array in which each unit presents a front face angled to the vertical in such fashion that the front face of each unit forms a dihedral angle with its next lower and next upper unit. Each unit has a floor and a roof that diverge rearwardly relative to each other which causes each upward unit, resting via its floor on the roof of the next lower unit, to tilt forwardly so that its front face is at a lesser angle to the vertical than the angle between the front face of the next lower unit and the vertical. The configuration is such that the increments by which the angles decrease from bottom to top are equal. The units are basically transparent to expose the unit contents and each unit has a dispensing means in its rear part.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1990Date of Patent: May 12, 1992Inventor: Christopher E. Schafer
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Patent number: 5100038Abstract: The disclosed ticket dispenser is especially designed for the dispensing of series-connected lottery tickets and provides a box-like structure for containing the tickets which are exited through a slot in one of the structure walls. The structure is configured so as to provide guide and ticket-tensioning elements about the slot and further includes wings closing the slot at opposite edges. The wall of the structure in which the slot is provided is hinged to the rest of the structure and has a lockable catch releasable to afford access to the interior of the structure. Portions of the structure are shaped in such fashion as to prevent or minimize interior obstructions to the free travel of tickets via manual tensioning forces applied exteriorly of the structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1990Date of Patent: March 31, 1992Inventor: Christopher E. Schafer
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Patent number: 4995507Abstract: The disclosed ticket dispenser is especially designed for the dispensing of series-connected lottery tickets and provides a box-like structure for containing the tickets which are exited through a slot in one of the structure walls. The structure is configured so as to provide guide and ticket-tensioning elements about the slot and further includes wings closing the slot at opposite edges. The wall of the structure in which the slot is provided is hinged to the rest of the structure and has a lockable catch releasable to afford access to the interior of the structure. Portions of the structure are shaped in such fashion as to prevent or minimize interior obstructions to the free travel of tickets via manual tensioning forces applies exteriorly of the structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1988Date of Patent: February 26, 1991Inventor: Christopher E. Schafer
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Patent number: 4858806Abstract: The ticket display and dispenser is a box forming one or more compartments for containing one or more ticket chains made up of a plurality of end-to-end or side-to-side interconnected tickets arranged in series-connected fashion. Each chain of tickets is fed forwardly through a ticket-entry slot for upward travel over a display structure and then rearwardly through a ticket-re-entry slot for exit through a ticket-exit slot at the rear of the box. The open front of the box is closed by a transparent cover that overlies the display structure and tickets displayed thereon. The ticket exit is located at the rear of the apparatus and the cover is lockable in place to prevent unauthorized access to the tickets, usually of the lottery type.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1988Date of Patent: August 22, 1989Inventor: Christopher E. Schafer
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Patent number: 4821642Abstract: A hand-held printer in which tickets or the like are fed between a platen and an indicia-bearing printing wheel carried by a printing head. The platen is rotatable on a base on which the carrier is slidable vertically between an upper position in which the platen and wheel are spaced apart to receive the ticket therebetween and a down position in which the wheel presses the ticket against the platen. The printing wheel is inked by an associated inking wheel. Vertical movement of the carrier relative to the base is achieved manually by the gripping of elements located on the base and carrier. The printing head is selectively positionable crosswise of the platen to accommodate varying locations on the ticket to be printed. An adjustable ticket guide is provided to enable guiding of tickets of different dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1988Date of Patent: April 18, 1989Inventor: Christopher E. Schafer
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Patent number: D319264Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1988Date of Patent: August 20, 1991Inventor: Christopher E. Schafer
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Patent number: D329877Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1990Date of Patent: September 29, 1992Inventor: Christopher E. Schafer
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Patent number: D378507Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1995Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: Schafer Systems, Inc.Inventors: Christopher E. Schafer, Betty L. Schafer