Patents by Inventor Donald R. Mast

Donald R. Mast 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: 7136785
    Abstract: A system and method for statistically analyzing a structural member design is provided to obtain a probability that the structural design will meet predetermined design criteria. The present invention provides for numerous spreadsheets, interrelated by way of a macro, to performing statistical analysis on a design, wherein one spreadsheet accepts design input variables. The design input variables are then evaluated by a number of recommended design criteria. If the design fails to meet the recommended design criteria, the user can establish the design (e.g., optimize it in one embodiment) using the optimization spreadsheet. The optimization spreadsheet established the structural member design by automatically adjusting various design inputs so that the structural member design satisfies as many design criteria as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Mast, Robert L. McNabb, Christopher J. Russo
  • Publication number: 20040194019
    Abstract: A system and method for statistically analyzing a structural member design is provided to obtain a probability that the structural design will meet predetermined design criteria. The present invention provides for numerous spreadsheets, interrelated by way of a macro, to performing statistical analysis on a design, wherein one spreadsheet accepts design input variables. The design input variables are then evaluated by a number of recommended design criteria. If the design fails to meet the recommended design criteria, the user can establish the design (e.g., optimize it in one embodiment) using the optimization spreadsheet. The optimization spreadsheet established the structural member design by automatically adjusting various design inputs so that the structural member design satisfies as many design criteria as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Donald R. Mast, Robert L. McNabb, Christopher J. Russo
  • Patent number: 6585059
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting a blade assembly to a motor grader includes an upper and a lower retainer pivotally coupled together. The upper and lower retainers are pivotable about a single axis with respect to each other for grasping the blade assembly therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Michael, Jr., Donald R. Mast, Wayne R. Tanner
  • Publication number: 20030042029
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting a blade assembly to a motor grader includes an upper and a lower retainer pivotally coupled together. The upper and lower retainers are pivotable about a single axis with respect to each other for grasping the blade assembly therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: David R. Michael, Donald R. Mast, Wayne R. Tanner
  • Patent number: 5586784
    Abstract: A rollover protective structure (ROPS) for use with construction machinery includes a two-post frame having upright posts attached between a base and canopy and cross members attached between the posts. The posts are constructed from a pair of angled post members to define a box-like cross-section for the posts. The posts have rounded interior corners and square interior corners between adjacent sides thereof. Reinforcing members are attached between the adjacent sides and across the rounded interior corners to uniformly stiffen the post. Additionally, reinforcing members are attached between the base and upright posts to reinforce the intersection thereof. The reinforcing members include an upper portion attached between the post and base and a lower portion attached between the upper portion and base. The upper portion and the lower portion are constructed to collapse sequentially to maintain resistance to additional load deformation as the rollover protective structure is deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Mast, Robert L. McNabb, Joseph A. Rapp
  • Patent number: 5529342
    Abstract: A rollover protective structure (ROPS) for use with construction machinery includes a two-post frame having upright posts attached between a base and canopy and cross members attached between the posts. The posts are constructed from a pair of angled post members to define a box-like cross-section for the posts. The posts have rounded interior corners and square interior corners between adjacent sides thereof. Reinforcing members are attached between the adjacent sides and across the rounded interior corners to uniformly stiffen the post. Additionally, reinforcing members are attached between the base and upright posts to reinforce the intersection thereof. The reinforcing members include an upper portion attached between the post and base and a lower portion attached between the upper portion and base. The upper portion and the lower portion are constructed to collapse sequentially to maintain resistance to additional load deformation as the rollover protective structure is deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Mast, Robert L. McNabb, Joseph A. Rapp
  • Patent number: 4132290
    Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided for an apparatus having a first member movable relative to a second member providing a plurality of spaced holes therein including: a housing secured to the first member; a lock pin extendably retractably mounted in the housing for insertion into the holes in the second member; and a powered control circuit having an actuated member movably mounted within the housing and connected to the lock pin, the actuator member providing differential force applying surfaces selectively exerting a predetermined locking force to hold the lock pin in the holes and a lower indexing force permitting substantially unrestricted relative movement between the first and second members and automatic insertion of the pin into one of the aligned holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1979
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Dezelan, Donald R. Mast