Patents by Inventor Dan L. Otterson

Dan L. Otterson 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: 7857108
    Abstract: A cart having a frame for conveying cargo. The cart includes at least one brake assembly mounted within the frame of the cart. The brake assembly is configured to provide braking by engaging and disengaging a rear wheel axle. The cart further includes a control mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage the brake assembly by rotation of a cart handle. In addition, the cart includes a brake release device configured to disengage the brake assembly when carts are nested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Smarte Carte, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Louis Amdahl, Dan L. Otterson
  • Publication number: 20090127808
    Abstract: A cart having a frame for conveying cargo. The cart includes at least one brake assembly mounted within the frame of the cart. The brake assembly is configured to provide braking by engaging and disengaging a rear wheel axle. The cart further includes a control mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage the brake assembly by rotation of a cart handle. In addition, the cart includes a brake release device configured to disengage the brake assembly when carts are nested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Smarte Carte, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan L. Otterson
  • Patent number: 7448476
    Abstract: A cart having a frame for conveying cargo. The cart includes at least one brake assembly mounted within the frame of the cart. The brake assembly is configured to provide braking by engaging and disengaging a rear wheel axle. The cart further includes a control mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage the brake assembly by rotation of a cart handle. In addition, the cart includes a brake release device configured to disengage the brake assembly when carts are nested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Smart Carte, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan L. Otterson
  • Publication number: 20040144601
    Abstract: A cart having a frame for conveying cargo. The cart includes at least one brake assembly mounted within the frame of the cart. The brake assembly is configured to provide braking by engaging and disengaging a rear wheel axle. The cart further includes a control mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage the brake assembly by rotation of a cart handle. In addition, the cart includes a brake release device configured to disengage the brake assembly when carts are nested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Dan L. Otterson
  • Patent number: 6142283
    Abstract: A cart management apparatus for retaining and vending carts such as luggage carts, shopping carts, and strollers, includes a retaining rail for receiving cart keys disposed on the carts, a rotatable paddlewheel including a plurality of paddles, at least one of which projects into the retaining rail to provide an obstruction therein, an electromagnetic brake coupled to the paddlewheel to selectively inhibit rotation of the paddlewheel and restrict removal of cart keys from the rail, and a one-way clutch, also coupled to the paddlewheel to allow free rotation of the paddlewheel in a return direction to allow cart keys to be inserted into the retaining rail when carts are returned to the apparatus. The preferred apparatus may be used with existing carts which are retrofit with cart keys that are suitable for being retained within the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Smarte Carte, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith L. Amdahl, Dan L. Otterson, Christopher J. Rogney, Mark G. Bussey, Fred C. Zimmerman, Verne L. Severson
  • Patent number: 6125985
    Abstract: A cart management apparatus for retaining and vending carts such as luggage carts, shopping carts, and strollers, includes a retaining rail for receiving cart keys disposed on the carts, a rotatable paddlewheel including a plurality of paddles, at least one of which projects into the retaining rail to provide an obstruction therein, an electromagnetic brake coupled to the paddlewheel to selectively inhibit rotation of the paddlewheel and restrict removal of cart keys from the rail, and a one-way clutch, also coupled to the paddlewheel to allow free rotation of the paddlewheel in a return direction to allow cart keys to be inserted into the retaining rail when carts are returned to the apparatus. The preferred apparatus may be used with existing carts which are retrofit with cart keys that are suitable for being retained within the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Smarte Carte, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith L. Amdahl, Dan L. Otterson, Christopher J. Rogney, Mark G. Bussey, Fred C. Zimmerman, Verne L. Severson
  • Patent number: 5921373
    Abstract: A cart management apparatus for retaining and vending carts such as luggage carts, shopping carts, and strollers, includes a retaining rail for receiving cart keys disposed on the carts, a rotatable paddlewheel including a plurality of paddles, at least one of which projects into the retaining rail to provide an obstruction therein, an electromagnetic brake coupled to the paddlewheel to selectively inhibit rotation of the paddlewheel and restrict removal of cart keys from the rail, and a one-way clutch, also coupled to the paddlewheel to allow free rotation of the paddlewheel in a return direction to allow cart keys to be inserted into the retaining rail when carts are returned to the apparatus. The preferred apparatus may be used with existing carts which are retrofit with cart keys that are suitable for being retained within the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Smart Carte, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith L. Amdahl, Dan L. Otterson, Christopher J. Rogney, Mark G. Bussey, Fred C. Zimmerman, Verne L. Severson
  • Patent number: 5526916
    Abstract: A cart management apparatus for retaining and vending carts such as luggage carts, shopping carts, and strollers, includes a retaining rail for receiving cart keys disposed on the carts, a rotatable paddlewheel including a plurality of paddles, at least one of which projects into the retaining rail to provide an obstruction therein, an electromagnetic brake coupled to the paddlewheel to selectively inhibit rotation of the paddlewheel and restrict removal of cart keys from the rail, and a one-way clutch, also coupled to the paddlewheel to allow free rotation of the paddlewheel in a return direction to allow cart keys to be inserted into the retaining rail when carts are returned to the apparatus. The preferred apparatus may be used with existing carts which are retrofit with cart keys that are suitable for being retained within the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Smarte Carte, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith L. Amdahl, Dan L. Otterson, Christopher J. Rogney, Verne L. Severson