Patents by Inventor David A. Rorabaugh

David A. Rorabaugh 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: 8556354
    Abstract: A tensioning system for a tracked vehicle. The present invention provides for adjusting tension of a track by moving the sprocket relative to the rollers in a substantially vertical direction. The system comprises a sprocket assembly, a roller assembly, a track, and a tension adjustment assembly. The tension adjustment assembly includes a tension bolt threaded through a tension nut. The bolt threads through the nut and contacts the roller assembly. As the bolt is threaded or unthreaded, the sprocket assembly is moved relative to the roller assembly in a substantially vertical direction. As the assemblies move relative to each other, tension in the track is resultantly adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Levi M. Johnson, David A. Rorabaugh
  • Publication number: 20120274130
    Abstract: A tensioning system for a tracked vehicle. The present invention provides for adjusting tension of a track by moving the sprocket relative to the rollers in a substantially vertical direction. The system comprises a sprocket assembly, a roller assembly, a track, and a tension adjustment assembly. The tension adjustment assembly includes a tension bolt threaded through a tension nut. The bolt threads through the nut and contacts the roller assembly. As the bolt is threaded or unthreaded, the sprocket assembly is moved relative to the roller assembly in a substantially vertical direction. As the assemblies move relative to each other, tension in the track is resultantly adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Levi M. Johnson, David A. Rorabaugh
  • Patent number: 8240783
    Abstract: A tensioning system for a tracked vehicle. The present invention provides for adjusting tension of a track by moving the sprocket relative to the rollers in a substantially vertical direction. The system comprises a sprocket assembly, a roller assembly, a track, and a tension adjustment assembly. The tension adjustment assembly includes a tension bolt threaded through a tension nut that is secured to the sprocket assembly. The bolt threads through the nut and contacts the roller assembly. As the bolt is threaded or unthreaded, the sprocket assembly is moved relative to the roller assembly in a substantially vertical direction. As the assemblies move relative to each other, tension in the track is resultantly adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Levi M. Johnson, David A. Rorabaugh
  • Publication number: 20100194188
    Abstract: A tensioning system for a tracked vehicle. The present invention provides for adjusting tension of a track by moving the sprocket relative to the rollers in a substantially vertical direction. The system comprises a sprocket assembly, a roller assembly, a track, and a tension adjustment assembly. The tension adjustment assembly includes a tension bolt threaded through a tension nut that is secured to the sprocket assembly. The bolt threads through the nut and contacts the roller assembly. As the bolt is threaded or unthreaded, the sprocket assembly is moved relative to the roller assembly in a substantially vertical direction. As the assemblies move relative to each other, tension in the track is resultantly adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Levi M. Johnson, David A. Rorabaugh
  • Publication number: 20100168933
    Abstract: A turret mounted compact tool carrier. The tool carrier is a small, ride-on machine. The tracked substructure is connected to the upper section of the machine by a 360 degree turret, which allows the upper section of the machine to face any direction, independent of the direction of the tracks. The distance between the tracks is adjustable, depending on particular application. An operator rides on a platform at the back of the upper section, while a work tool is connected to the front of the upper section. Thus, the operator always maintains a line-of-sight parallel to the direction of operation of the work tool, resulting in a greater degree of safety. The machine has lift arms that are extendable, allowing the work tool to be pushed without operating the tracks. These features give the tool carrier the ability to fully operate in narrow spaces and with limited operation of the tracks, resulting in more efficient use and less ground damage than traditional skid loaders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Rorabaugh
  • Publication number: 20090110493
    Abstract: An assembly for installation of a silt fence. The assembly comprises a cutting member, a silt fence guide, and a spool of silt fence material. The cutting member may be a plow blade, a trenching assembly, or another cutting means. A vibrator may be utilized to enhance the effectiveness of a plow blade. The silt fence guide may be a grab wheel adapted to place the silt fence material into an opened trench or other means. The spool of silt fence material is preferably adjustable to change a position at which the silt fence material contacts the silt fence guide. Preferably, a roller or similar means is used to compact the soil proximate installed fence. Alternatively, a second cutting member and a second silt fence guide may be utilized to cut another trench. A second spool of silt fence material allows simultaneous installation of two fences. The assembly may be adapted to cut a curved path behind a work vehicle traveling in a generally straight direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Rorabaugh, David R. Bazzell
  • Publication number: 20090095946
    Abstract: A silt fence with configurable barrier sections. The silt fence comprises a plurality of posts mounted on or in the ground, a fence panel, an apron panel, and a plurality of configurable barrier sections. The fence panel is secured in a vertical position to the posts and has a fence toe adapted to be buried in the ground. The apron panel is attached to the fence panel and extends from the fence panel to rest on the ground. An apron toe is also adapted to be buried in the ground to prevent erosion. Each of the plurality of configurable barrier sections has a panel edge and an apron edge, with the panel edge attachable to the fence panel perpendicular to the length of the fence panel and the apron edge attachable to the apron panel perpendicular to the length of the apron panel. The configurable barrier sections may be flexible or removable, and may be positioned in a barrier position or a cleaning position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Bazzell, David A. Rorabaugh, Edward L. McCombs, Kelvin P. Self
  • Patent number: 7011166
    Abstract: An automatic pipe handling system for automatically transporting pipe sections to and from a horizontal boring machine. The system comprises a pipe handling assembly, a pipe lubrication assembly, a makeup/breakout assembly, and an automatic control system. The pipe handling assembly stores pipe sections and transports the pipe sections to and from the drill string of a boring machine. As the pipe handling assembly transports a pipe section, the pipe lubrication assembly lubricates the appropriate pipe joints. The makeup/breakout assembly secures the drill string and pipe joints so that pipe sections can be added to or removed from the drill string. A programmed controller automatically operates the pipe handling system and its components by synchronizing the operations of the pipe handling system. The controller sequences and times the operation of each aspect of the pipe handling system during both the boring operation and the backreaming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoff D. Koch, Brad E. Mitchell, David A. Rorabaugh
  • Patent number: 6550547
    Abstract: An automatic pipe handling system for automatically transporting pipe sections to and from a horizontal boring machine. The system comprises a pipe handling assembly, a pipe lubrication assembly, a makeup/breakout assembly, and an automatic control system. The pipe handling assembly stores pipe sections and transports the pipe sections to and from the drill string of a boring machine. As the pipe handling assembly transports a pipe section, the pipe lubrication assembly lubricates the appropriate pipe joints. The makeup/breakout assembly secures the drill string and pipe joints so that pipe sections can be added to or removed from the drill string. A programmed controller automatically operates the pipe handling system and its components by synchronizing the operations of the pipe handling system. The controller sequences and times the operation of each aspect of the pipe handling system during both the boring operation and the backreaming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Payne, Cody L. Sewell, Kelvin P. Self, J. Kevin Wilda, David A. Rorabaugh
  • Patent number: 6179065
    Abstract: An automatic pipe handling system for automatically transporting pipe sections to and from a horizontal boring machine. The system comprises a pipe handling assembly, a pipe lubrication assembly, a makeup/breakout assembly, and an automatic control system. The pipe handling assembly stores pipe sections and transports the pipe sections to and from the drill string of a boring machine. As the pipe handling assembly transports a pipe section, the pipe lubrication assembly lubricates the appropriate pipe joints. The makeup/breakout assembly secures the drill string and pipe joints so that pipe sections can be added to or removed from the drill string. A programmed controller automatically operates the pipe handling system and its components by synchronizing the operations of the pipe handling system. The controller sequences and times the operation of each aspect of the pipe handling system during both the boring operation and the backreaming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Payne, Cody L. Sewell, Kelvin P. Self, J. Kevin Wilda, David A. Rorabaugh