Patents by Inventor Donald Darcey

Donald Darcey 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).

  • Publication number: 20030071133
    Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The present invention further is configured to facilitate the installation of threaded spikes or screws, as are utilized in high-speed, concrete and other cross-ties. A numerically controlled drilling station is therefore provided for selectively positioning a drill about the length of the cross-tie for drilling bores into the tie, along with a separate screwed pre-plating station which may include a template for positioning the tie, a plate dispenser (or manual plate loading means), and a positionable driving mechanisms for engaging and screwing threaded spikes or screws into the bores formed by the drilling station to securely pre-plate each plate on a tie, which may be wood or concrete, traditional or high-speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald D. Girouard, Gerald D. Girouard, Donald Darcey
  • Patent number: 6543118
    Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, aligned ties, a loader for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning a tie at each station during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Coastal Timbers Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald D. Girouard, Sr., Gerald D. Girouard, Jr., Donald Darcey
  • Patent number: 6131272
    Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, aligned ties, a loader for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning a tie at each station during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Coastal Timbers, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald D. Girouard, Sr., Gerald D. Girouard, Jr., Donald Darcey
  • Patent number: 6119327
    Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, juxtaposed ties in bulk, a loader or retriever for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning the single tie during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Coastal Timbers, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald D. Girouard, Sr., Gerald D. Girouard, Jr., Donald Darcey
  • Patent number: 5813103
    Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, juxtaposed ties in bulk, a loader or retriever for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning the single tie during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Coastal Timbers, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald David Girouard, Sr., Gerald David Girouard, Jr., Donald Darcey
  • Patent number: 5528807
    Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, juxtaposed ties in bulk, a loader or retriever for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning the single tie during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing and positioning the spikes and plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Coastal Timbers, Inc. (LA Corp)
    Inventors: Gerald D. Girouard, Sr., Gerald D. Girouard, Jr., Donald Darcey
  • Patent number: 5343606
    Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, juxtaposed ties in bulk, a loader or retriever for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning the single tie during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing and positioning the spikes and plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Coastal Timbers, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald D. Girouard, Sr., Gerald D. Girouard, Jr., Donald Darcey