Patents by Inventor Craig A. Bude

Craig A. Bude 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).

  • Publication number: 20240109729
    Abstract: A return roller assembly that is designed for use as part of a conveyor assembly to improve the ability to clean the conveyor assembly. The return roller assembly includes a roller shaft that extends between side walls of a conveyor frame. A plurality of support rollers are positioned along the length of the roller shaft to support a lower run of a continuous conveyor belt. A spacer is positioned between each of the support rollers to define the position of the rollers along the roller shaft. The spacer can be snapped onto the roller shaft and includes a series of standoffs that space the inner surface of the spacer from the roller shaft. A series of cleaning fins extend radially from the outer surface of the spacer and impart rotation to the spacer relative to the roller shaft during cleaning with a spray of water. The spacer can be formed from an extrusion cut to length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Dorner Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: David Waldenberger, Craig Bude
  • Patent number: 7735638
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a conveyor frame assembly that includes a pair of spaced side rails joined by one or more cross supports. Each of the side rails includes a dedicated wire channel and self-contained air flow cavity that enhances the functionality of the conveyor frame assembly. The air flow cavity and the wire channel are formed as part of the side rails separate from typical attachment slots that receive T-shaped connectors. The cross supports utilized with the conveyor frame assembly are attached to the side rails by upper and lower connectors that are each accessible from the top of the conveyor frame assembly. Specifically, the cross support includes a center web and laterally offset attachment webs that allow for easy and convenient construction and field modification of the conveyor frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Dorner Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Paul Hau, Leroy Hundley, Craig Bude, Michael Hosch, Ryan Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080210529
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a conveyor frame assembly that includes a pair of spaced side rails joined by one or more cross supports. Each of the side rails includes a dedicated wire channel and self-contained air flow cavity that enhances the functionality of the conveyor frame assembly. The air flow cavity and the wire channel are formed as part of the side rails separate from typical attachment slots that receive T-shaped connectors. The cross supports utilized with the conveyor frame assembly are attached to the side rails by upper and lower connectors that are each accessible from the top of the conveyor frame assembly. Specifically, the cross support includes a center web and laterally offset attachment webs that allow for easy and convenient construction and field modification of the conveyor frame assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: DORNER MFG. CORP.
    Inventors: Paul Hau, Leroy Hundley, Craig Bude, Michael Hosch, Ryan Johnson
  • Patent number: 7207435
    Abstract: A locking assembly for use with drive sprockets positioned to drive a conveyor belt supported by a conveyor frame assembly. The locking device includes a main body that extends through each of the drive sprockets positioned along a drive shaft of the conveyor assembly. The locking device includes spaced receiving notches that each receive one of the drive sprockets to maintain a desired spacing between the drive sprockets when the locking device is in its locking position. The locking device is movable to a release position to independently release each of the drive sprockets from the locking device. Once released, each of the drive sprockets are movable along the length of the drive shaft to facilitate cleaning of the conveyor assembly. When the locking device is in its locking position, the combination of the locking device and drive sprockets is movable along the longitudinal length of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Dorner Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Craig A. Bude, Michael A. Hosch, Scott M. Hall, Daniel E. Ertel
  • Publication number: 20070045087
    Abstract: A locking assembly for use with drive sprockets positioned to drive a conveyor belt supported by a conveyor frame assembly. The locking device includes a main body that extends through each of the drive sprockets positioned along a drive shaft of the conveyor assembly. The locking device includes spaced receiving notches that each receive one of the drive sprockets to maintain a desired spacing between the drive sprockets when the locking device is in its locking position. The locking device is movable to a release position to independently release each of the drive sprockets from the locking device. Once released, each of the drive sprockets are movable along the length of the drive shaft to facilitate cleaning of the conveyor assembly. When the locking device is in its locking position, the combination of the locking device and drive sprockets is movable along the longitudinal length of the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Craig Bude, Michael Hosch, Scott Hall, Daniel Ertel