Patents by Inventor Derrick L. Smith

Derrick L. Smith 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).

  • Pallet refurbishing apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8978241
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for disassembling a wooden pallet by mechanically and automatically removing a pre-selected damaged board from the pallet, comprising a frame intended to be arranged in close proximity with a conveyor and a bi-directional rotating ram assembly mounted within the frame and carrying spikes thereupon. The invention is configured such that the ram assembly is moved into a board-engaging position to enable the spike to puncture and fasten to a predetermined (damaged) board of the pallet, and to thereafter be moved up and away from the pallet in order to remove and separate the board from the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: CLM Pallet Recycling, Inc.
    Inventors: Derrick L. Smith, Barry J. Davignon
  • PALLET REFURBISHING APPARATUS AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20140033495
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for disassembling a wooden pallet by mechanically and automatically removing a pre-selected damaged board from the pallet, comprising a frame intended to be arranged in close proximity with a conveyor and a bi-directional rotating ram assembly mounted within the frame and carrying spikes thereupon. The invention is configured such that the ram assembly is moved into a board-engaging position to enable the spike to puncture and fasten to a predetermined (damaged) board of the pallet, and to thereafter be moved up and away from the pallet in order to remove and separate the board from the pallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: CLM Pallet Recycling, Inc.
    Inventors: Derrick L. Smith, Barry J. Davignon