Patents by Inventor Craig Mercier
Craig Mercier 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: 11878440Abstract: A system for unmanned aerial vegetation trimming includes an aerial vehicle configured for selectively controlled unmanned flight over and about the vegetation to be trimmed. The system also includes a cutting assembly having an adjustable cutting head selectively actuated for trimming the vegetation. The cutting head is adjustable on the cutting assembly for optimal positioning relative to the vegetation to be trimmed. A support assembly is coupled to the aerial vehicle and cutting assembly, the support assembly being retractably extended to suspend the cutting assembly from the aerial vehicle. The support assembly is configured to maintain consistent positioning of the cutting assembly relative to the aerial vehicle during actuation thereof to trim the vegetation.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Inventor: Craig Mercier
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Patent number: 11589566Abstract: A line management system for an outrigger structure is provided for guiding outrigger cords through cord passages to maintain an independent longitudinal displacement in order to prevent entanglement. The system includes a plurality of outrigger cords, cord management units, and retention devices. The plurality of cord management units are coupled to the outrigger structure and are longitudinally spaced one from the other along the outrigger structure. Each of the cord management units defines a plurality of transversely offset cord passages respectively guiding predetermined ones of outrigger cords to maintain an independent longitudinal displacement relative to the outrigger structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2017Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Inventor: Craig Mercier
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Patent number: 9781914Abstract: A system and method are provided for subvehicularly accessed treatment of ground surfaces about a rail track occupied by a rail vehicle. A mobile treatment unit having a propulsion mechanism for subvehicular passage between the rails occupied by the rail vehicle includes a dispensing portion for expelling a treatment material therefrom onto regions of the ground surface about the rails. The mobile treatment unit is maneuverable between the rails and maintains height clearance for unobstructed passage beneath the occupying rail vehicle. At least one sensor unit is coupled to the mobile treatment unit, which acquires environmental feedback data about the mobile treatment unit. A control unit is operably linked to the mobile treatment and sensor units, and receives the environmental feedback data. The control unit controls actuation of the mobile treatment unit responsive to the environmental feedback and/or a maneuver control command.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Inventor: Craig Mercier
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Patent number: 9717226Abstract: A line management system for an outrigger structure is provided for guiding outrigger cords through cord passages to maintain an independent longitudinal displacement in order to prevent entanglement. The system includes a plurality of outrigger cords, cord management units, and retention devices. The plurality of cord management units are coupled to the outrigger structure and are longitudinally spaced one from the other along the outrigger structure. Each of the cord management units defines a plurality of transversely offset cord passages respectively guiding predetermined ones of outrigger cords to maintain an independent longitudinal displacement relative to the outrigger structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2016Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Inventor: Craig Mercier
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Publication number: 20170042137Abstract: A system and method are provided for subvehicularly accessed treatment of ground surfaces about a rail track occupied by a rail vehicle. A mobile treatment unit having a propulsion mechanism for subvehicular passage between the rails occupied by the rail vehicle includes a dispensing portion for expelling a treatment material therefrom onto regions of the ground surface about the rails. The mobile treatment unit is maneuverable between the rails and maintains height clearance for unobstructed passage beneath the occupying rail vehicle. At least one sensor unit is coupled to the mobile treatment unit, which acquires environmental feedback data about the mobile treatment unit. A control unit is operably linked to the mobile treatment and sensor units, and receives the environmental feedback data. The control unit controls actuation of the mobile treatment unit responsive to the environmental feedback and/or a maneuver control command.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventor: CRAIG MERCIER
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Patent number: 9546079Abstract: A self-stabilizing hoist apparatus for a lifting system is provided for re-positioning articles which, due to their weight and form, are not readily movable manually. The apparatus includes a support section, a collar section, and a plurality of stabilization members. The support section is adapted for securement to the lifting system, and the collar section is coupled to the support section by the plurality of stabilization members which extend therebetween. The collar section is reconfigurable between open and closed configurations and includes a plurality of arm portions each pivotally coupled to at least one other of the arm portions. At least first and second ones of the arm portions terminate at a free end. The collar section in the closed configuration defines a loop slipped about for capturing the article. In the open configuration, free ends of the arm portions are detached from one another to interrupt the loop.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Inventor: Craig Mercier
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Patent number: 9493916Abstract: A system and method are provided for subvehicularly accessed treatment of ground surfaces about a rail track occupied by a rail vehicle. A mobile treatment unit having a propulsion mechanism for subvehicular passage between the rails occupied by the rail vehicle includes a dispensing portion for expelling a treatment material therefrom onto regions of the ground surface about the rails. The mobile treatment unit is maneuverable between the rails and maintains height clearance for unobstructed passage beneath the occupying rail vehicle. At least one sensor unit is coupled to the mobile treatment unit, which acquires environmental feedback data about the mobile treatment unit. A control unit is operably linked to the mobile treatment and sensor units, and receives the environmental feedback data. The control unit controls actuation of the mobile treatment unit responsive to the environmental feedback and/or a maneuver control command.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Inventor: Craig Mercier
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Patent number: 9392778Abstract: A line management system for an outrigger structure is provided for guiding outrigger cords through cord passages to maintain an independent longitudinal displacement in order to prevent entanglement. The system includes a plurality of outrigger cords, cord management units, and retention devices. The plurality of cord management units are coupled to the outrigger structure and are longitudinally spaced one from the other along the outrigger structure. Each of the cord management units defines a plurality of transversely offset cord passages respectively guiding predetermined ones of outrigger cords to maintain an independent longitudinal displacement relative to the outrigger structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Inventor: Craig Mercier
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Publication number: 20150021406Abstract: A system and method are provided for subvehicularly accessed treatment of ground surfaces about a rail track occupied by a rail vehicle. A mobile treatment unit having a propulsion mechanism for subvehicular passage between the rails occupied by the rail vehicle includes a dispensing portion for expelling a treatment material therefrom onto regions of the ground surface about the rails. The mobile treatment unit is maneuverable between the rails and maintains height clearance for unobstructed passage beneath the occupying rail vehicle. At least one sensor unit is coupled to the mobile treatment unit, which acquires environmental feedback data about the mobile treatment unit. A control unit is operably linked to the mobile treatment and sensor units, and receives the environmental feedback data. The control unit controls actuation of the mobile treatment unit responsive to the environmental feedback and/or a maneuver control command.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2013Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventor: Craig MERCIER
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Patent number: 8777085Abstract: A wheel resurfacing method and system for resurfacing a worn track wheel to its original profile are disclosed. The system comprises a support for maintaining the worn railway wheel, a welding device, a controller, and a surface processing device. The worn railway wheel's circumferential surface defining a flange and a tread surface is reconstituted using a welding material. The welding device and the worn railway wheel rotate one relative to the other at a predetermined rate to adaptively aggregate annular welding beads along the circumferential surface to form a curvilinear profile slanted away from the flange. A surface processing device is then applied to the welded layer to form a substantially uniform surface to reconstitute the worn railway wheel to its original profile.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Inventor: Craig Mercier
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Patent number: 8734050Abstract: A system and method are provided for depositing fragmentized stonework material in layers within a drainage trench extending alongside a roadway. The system includes a mobile platform, a dispensing arm portion, an actuating portion and a controller. The mobile platform defines a storage compartment for intermediately storing the fragmentized stonework material received from a predetermined source. The dispensing arm portion is coupled to extend transversely from the storage compartment and is selectively activated to convey and expel the fragmentized stonework material from the storage compartment into the drainage trench. The actuating portion couples the dispensing arm portion to the mobile platform in angularly displaceable manner.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2013Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Inventor: Craig Mercier
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Patent number: 8662375Abstract: A wheel resurfacing method and system for resurfacing a worn track wheel to its original profile are provided. The system comprises a support for maintaining the worn railway wheel, a welding device, a controller, and a surface processing device. The worn railway wheel's circumferential surface defining a flange and a tread surface is reconstituted using a welding material. The welding device and the worn railway wheel rotate one relative to the other at a predetermined rate to adaptively aggregate annular welding beads along the circumferential surface to form a curvilinear profile slanted away from the flange. A surface processing device is then actuated to smooth the welded layer to form a substantially uniform surface to reconstitute the worn railway wheel to its original profile.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Inventor: Craig Mercier
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Patent number: 8662376Abstract: A wheel resurfacing method and system for resurfacing a worn track wheel to its original profile are disclosed. The system comprises a support for maintaining the worn railway wheel, a welding device, a controller, and a surface processing device. The worn railway wheel's circumferential surface defining a flange and a tread surface is reconstituted using a welding material. The welding device and the worn railway wheel rotate one relative to the other at a predetermined rate to adaptively aggregate annular welding beads along the circumferential surface to form a curvilinear profile slanted away from the flange. A surface processing device is then applied to the welded layer to form a substantially uniform surface to reconstitute the worn railway wheel to its original profile.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Inventor: Craig Mercier
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Patent number: 8656632Abstract: A line management system for an outrigger structure is provided for guiding outrigger cords through cord passages to maintain an independent longitudinal displacement in order to prevent entanglement. The system includes a plurality of outrigger cords, cord management units, and retention devices. The plurality of cord management units are coupled to the outrigger structure and are longitudinally spaced one from the other along the outrigger structure. Each of the cord management units defines a plurality of transversely offset cord passages respectively guiding predetermined ones of outrigger cords to maintain an independent longitudinal displacement relative to the outrigger structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Inventor: Craig Mercier
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Publication number: 20130221073Abstract: A wheel resurfacing method and system for resurfacing a worn track wheel to its original profile are disclosed. The system comprises a support for maintaining the worn railway wheel, a welding device, a controller, and a surface processing device. The worn railway wheel's circumferential surface defining a flange and a tread surface is reconstituted using a welding material. The welding device and the worn railway wheel rotate one relative to the other at a predetermined rate to adaptively aggregate annular welding beads along the circumferential surface to form a curvilinear profile slanted away from the flange. A surface processing device is then applied to the welded layer to form a substantially uniform surface to reconstitute the worn railway wheel to its original profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventor: CRAIG MERCIER
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Publication number: 20130186938Abstract: A wheel resurfacing method and system for resurfacing a worn track wheel to its original profile are disclosed. The system comprises a support for maintaining the worn railway wheel, a welding device, a controller, and a surface processing device. The worn railway wheel's circumferential surface defining a flange and a tread surface is reconstituted using a welding material. The welding device and the worn railway wheel rotate one relative to the other at a predetermined rate to adaptively aggregate annular welding beads along the circumferential surface to form a curvilinear profile slanted away from the flange. A surface processing device is then applied to the welded layer to form a substantially uniform surface to reconstitute the worn railway wheel to its original profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2012Publication date: July 25, 2013Inventor: CRAIG MERCIER
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Publication number: 20120211471Abstract: A wheel resurfacing method and system for resurfacing a worn track wheel to its original profile are provided. The system comprises a support for maintaining the worn railway wheel, a welding device, a controller, and a surface processing device. The worn railway wheel's circumferential surface defining a flange and a tread surface is reconstituted using a welding material. The welding device and the worn railway wheel rotate one relative to the other at a predetermined rate to adaptively aggregate annular welding beads along the circumferential surface to form a curvilinear profile slanted away from the flange. A surface processing device is then actuated to smooth the welded layer to form a substantially uniform surface to reconstitute the worn railway wheel to its original profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventor: CRAIG MERCIER
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Patent number: 8177115Abstract: A wheel resurfacing method and system for resurfacing a worn track wheel to its original profile are disclosed. The system comprises a support for maintaining the worn railway wheel, a welding device, a controller, and a surface processing device. The worn railway wheel's circumferential surface defining a flange and a tread surface is reconstituted using a welding material. The welding device and the worn railway wheel rotate one relative to the other at a predetermined rate to adaptively aggregate annular welding beads along the circumferential surface to form a curvilinear profile slanted away from the flange. A surface processing device is then applied to the welded layer to form a substantially uniform surface to reconstitute the worn railway wheel to its original profile.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Inventor: Craig Mercier