Patents by Inventor David R. Early

David R. Early 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: 8469643
    Abstract: A two-piece anchor assembly has a retainer and an interlocking link. The link is a unitary component that is formed by a single forging step. The link is secured to the floor of a railway flatcar by the retainer. A steel band is connected at one end to a load bearing surface of the link of a first anchor assembly and at another end to a load bearing surface of the link of a second anchor assembly. A tensile force is then applied to the steel banding and crimped with a clip in order to secure cargo. The load bearing surface has an enhanced banding radius, which reduces the risk of band breakage when the steel band is subjected to a high tensile force by preventing “creasing” at contact locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Ireco, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Early, Rudolph E. Nadherny, Barry T. Glass
  • Publication number: 20090324357
    Abstract: A two-piece anchor assembly has a retainer and an interlocking link. The link is a unitary component that is formed by a single forging step. The link is secured to the floor of a railway flatcar by the retainer. A steel band is connected at one end to a load bearing surface of the link of a first anchor assembly and at another end to a load bearing surface of the link of a second anchor assembly. A tensile force is then applied to the steel banding and crimped with a clip in order to secure cargo. The load bearing surface has an enhanced banding radius, which reduces the risk of band breakage when the steel band is subjected to a high tensile force by preventing “creasing” at contact locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: David R. Early, Rudolph E. Nadherny, Barry T. Glass
  • Patent number: 7621706
    Abstract: A two-piece anchor assembly has a retainer and an interlocking link. The link is a unitary component that is formed by a single forging step. The link is secured to the floor of a railway flatcar by the retainer. A steel band is connected at one end to a load bearing surface of the link of a first anchor assembly and at another end to a load bearing surface of the link of a second anchor assembly. A tensile force is then applied to the steel banding and crimped with a clip in order to secure cargo. The load bearing surface has an enhanced banding radius, which reduces the risk of band breakage when the steel band is subjected to a high tensile force by preventing “creasing” at contact locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Ireco, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Early, Rudolph E. Nadherny, Barry T. Glass
  • Patent number: 7435044
    Abstract: A removable adapter system allows a freight car sidewall with lading tie anchors to accommodate rub rails for cargo transportation and to remove the rub rails when desired. Bolts specially configured to fit between a lading tie anchor and the associated indentation in the sidewall are spaced apart for aligning vertical strips. The vertical strips include a plurality of attachment members which hold rub rails that run from at or spaced from the front or back wall of the freight car to at or spaced from the door opening. The adapter system can be applied and removed with standard hand tools, so the sidewall is easily changed from a lading tie anchor system to a rub rail system and back to a lading tie anchor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Ireco, LLC
    Inventors: Rudolph E. Nadherny, David R. Early
  • Patent number: 7249920
    Abstract: A retainer having an elongated body secures one end of a cargo-engaging strapping to a wall anchor of a cargo transport unit wall. In operation, a loop is formed in the strapping and passed from a first side of the anchor to a second side, where the retainer is inserted within the loop, such that the loop engages a portion of a strapping-engaging surface of the retainer body. Then the loop is pulled toward the anchor until the retainer seats against the anchor. Finally, the portion of the strapping extending from the first side is pulled toward the second side, whereby a loose end of the loop is secured against the anchor. The retainer prevents strapping slippage along the anchor, which preserves the tension in the strapping and prevents the cargo from shifting and becoming damaged. The retainer also allows for improved application and removal of the strapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Ireco, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Early, Rudolph E. Nadherny
  • Patent number: D523326
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Ireco, LLC
    Inventors: Rudolph E. Naderney, David R. Early