Patents by Inventor Eric J. Hanson

Eric J. Hanson 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: 8225693
    Abstract: A control lever mechanism is provided for being mounted to a cowl of a main body of a materials handling vehicle. The control lever mechanism may comprise at least one lever structure including a control lever having a section which falls within or is approximately parallel with a lowermost view plane of a view zone of an operator, wherein the operator view zone includes at least one view plane positioned above the lowermost view plane, and apparatus for mounting the lever structure to the main body cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Hanson, Jason R. Kremer, Julien J. Schrenk
  • Publication number: 20120155100
    Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth a composite headlight assembly which increases the visibility and sight afforded to the driver of a vocational truck using such a composite lighting assembly. A composite lighting assembly includes a low beam light and a high beam light, as well as a turn signal and a parking light within one composite housing. As the overall size of the housing is limited by the size of the grill of the vehicle, the present disclosure increases the visibility and sight afforded to the driver by taking advantage of the untapped space within known composite headlight assemblies. More specifically, the turn signal and parking light may include a downwardly depending trapezoidal appendage increasing the overall area of the turn signal and parking light by at least ten percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Eric J. Hanson, Marcey Collins, Susan M. LaBounty, Greg C. Miller, Erik C. Wilson, George C.A. McCowan, Joe F. DeNatale, Kim Hemme
  • Publication number: 20100065377
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a vehicle power unit having a longitudinal centerline, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit and having a centerline offset from and generally parallel with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus movably coupled to the monomast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven C. Billger, Robert L. Eilerman, Kevin A. Gilliland, Eric J. Hanson, William J. Heidemann, Robert J. Henshaw, Jay L. Kuck, Jay G. Pollack, Craig J. Rekow, Adam M. Ruppert, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Publication number: 20090169949
    Abstract: A catalyst ink is provided comprising: a) solids, comprising: i) a catalyst material, and ii) a polymer electrolyte; b) an aqueous solvent; and c) a coalescing solvent. In some embodiments, the coalescing solvent is selected from the group consisting of alkanes, alkenes, amines, ethers, and aromatic compounds which may optionally be substituted. In some embodiments, the coalescing solvent is selected from the group consisting of partially fluorinated alkanes, partially fluorinated tertiary amines, fully fluorinated alkanes and fully fluorinated tertiary amines. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly comprising a catalyst layer comprising a coalescing solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Michael T. HICKS, Steven J. HAMROCK, Eric J. HANSON, Theresa M. WATSCHKE, Mark S. SCHABERG
  • Patent number: 7543877
    Abstract: A compressive member is used to bias a seat backrest into a predetermined position, generally upright as illustrated, relative to a seat base with the compressive member deforming to enable the seat to be pivoted by the application of force to the backrest. When used on a materials handling vehicle for which it is particularly applicable, the resiliently biased backrest attenuates forces that are transferred to the back of an operator occupying the seat when the vehicle is driven over irregularities in a floor supporting the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Hanson, Steven R. Pulskamp, Eric J. Kaiser, Ted R. Wagner, David T. Rench, George R. Wetterer
  • Patent number: 7520567
    Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement is provided for a working vehicle comprising an operator's seat having an adjustable feature. A first control element is arranged such that a first work operative position is defined. A seat adjusting element is further provided for enabling the operator to set the adjustable feature of the operator's seat. The seat adjusting element is positioned relative to the first control element such that the operator may selectively control the adjustable feature of the seat without significantly interrupting the first work operative position or without significantly interrupting a transition from a first task to a second task and/or from a first work operative position to a second work operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Billger, Michael P. Gallagher, Kevin A. Gilliland, Eric J. Hanson, Leroy M. Kluver, Jay G. Pollack, Steven R. Pulskamp, Adam M. Ruppert, Gary L. Topp
  • Publication number: 20080145712
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making fuel cell components via a roll to roll process are described. Spaced apart apertures are cut in first and second gasket webs that each include adhesives. The first and second gasket webs are transported to a bonding station on conveyers. A membrane web that includes at least an electrolyte membrane is also transported to the bonding station. At the bonding station, a gasketed membrane web is formed by attaching the first and second gasket webs to the membrane web. The first gasket web is attached to a first surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the first gasket web. The second gasket web is attached to a second surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the second gasket web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel M. Pierpont, Eric J. Hanson, Michael T. Hicks, Eric J. Iverson, David J. Miller, Scott A. Ripley
  • Patent number: 6585846
    Abstract: An apparatus and method provides for rotatably cutting and/or laminating layered structures or sheet material supported by webs. A rotary converting apparatus and method of the present invention converts a web comprising a cathode layered structure and a web comprising an anode layered structure into a series of layered electrochemical cell structures supported by a release liner. Employment of a rotary converting process of the present invention provides, among other benefits, for the creation of a product having a finished size, without need for downstream or subsequent cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Eric J. Hanson, John R. Wheeler, Alan P. Miller, David B. Pritchard, Donald G. Peterson, John R. Jacobson, Jeffrey J. Missling, James N. Dobbs, David C. Kramlich
  • Patent number: 6547229
    Abstract: A product stacking apparatus and method employs one or more stations, each including a stationary stacking platform or a conveyor upon which spaced-apart pucks are coupled for travel thereon. A product delivery apparatus drives one or more movable webs to which segmented product sheets are removably affixed. The product delivery apparatus includes one or more rotatable lamination interfaces associated with each of the stations for transferring product sheets from the webs to the pucks on a repetitive basis to produce a stack of product sheets on the respective pucks. Each of the segmented product sheets may define all or a portion of an electrochemical cell, all or a portion of a pad including layers of film or sheet material, wherein a portion of each of the layers is provided with a bonding feature, or all or a portion of a pack comprising layers of medical dressing. A puck need not be in motion during the transfer of the product sheet from the lamination roll to the puck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Eric J. Hanson, John R. Wheeler, Alan P. Miller, David B. Pritchard, Donald G. Peterson, John R. Jacobson, Jeffrey J. Missling, James N. Dobbs, David C. Kramlich
  • Patent number: 6517591
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a cathode material provided on a surface of a continuous thin-film substrate and a treated thin-film cathode having increased smoothness are disclosed. A web of untreated cathode material is moved between a feed mechanism and a take-up mechanism, and passed through a treatment station. The web of cathode material typically includes areas having surface defects, such as prominences extending from the surface of the cathode material. The surface of the cathode material is treated with an abrasive material to reduce the height of the prominences so as to increase an 85 degree gloss value of the cathode material surface by at least approximately 10. The web of cathode material may be subjected to a subsequent abrasive treatment at the same or other treatment station. Burnishing or lapping film is employed at a treatment station to process the cathode material. An abrasive roller may alternatively be used to process the web of cathode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company, Hydro-Quebec Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Hanson, Richard L. Kooyer
  • Patent number: 6322874
    Abstract: An electrostatic toner receptor layer comprised of a blend of an acrylic resin, a vinyl resin, a solution or dispersion grade rubber and a plasticizer. The resulting receptor layer provide durability and flexibility when applied to a crack resistance film for subsequent application to soft-sided vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald S. Steelman, Eric J. Hanson, Jennifer Jeannette
  • Patent number: 6235425
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a cathode material provided on a surface of a continuous thin-film substrate and a treated thin-film cathode having increased smoothness are disclosed. A web of untreated cathode material is moved between a feed mechanism and a take-up mechanism, and passed through a treatment station. The web of cathode material typically includes areas having surface defects, such as prominences extending from the surface of the cathode material. The surface of the cathode material is treated with an abrasive material to reduce the height of the prominences so as to increase an 85 degree gloss value of the cathode material surface by at least approximately 10. The web of cathode material may be subjected to a subsequent abrasive treatment at the same or other treatment station. Burnishing or lapping film is employed at a treatment station to process the cathode material. An abrasive roller may alternatively be used to process the web of cathode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company, Hydro-Quebec
    Inventors: Eric J. Hanson, Richard L. Kooyer
  • Publication number: 20010001053
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a cathode material provided on a surface of a continuous thin-film substrate and a treated thin-film cathode having increased smoothness are disclosed. A web of untreated cathode material is moved between a feed mechanism and a take-up mechanism, and passed through a treatment station. The web of cathode material typically includes areas having surface defects, such as prominences extending from the surface of the cathode material. The surface of the cathode material is treated with an abrasive material to reduce the height of the prominences so as to increase an 85 degree gloss value of the cathode material surface by at least approximately 10. The web of cathode material may be subjected to a subsequent abrasive treatment at the same or other treatment station. Burnishing or lapping film is employed at a treatment station to process the cathode material. An abrasive roller may alternatively be used to process the web of cathode material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: May 10, 2001
    Applicant: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Eric J. Hanson, Richard L. Kooyer
  • Patent number: D518269
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Henshaw, Eric J. Hanson, Roger J. Quinlan
  • Patent number: D554876
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Hanson, Steven R. Pulskamp, Brad A. Halbert, Eric J. Kaiser, David T. Rench, Ted R. Wagner, George R. Wetterer
  • Patent number: D576775
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Juergen Buchmann, Dean E. Davis, David W. Fox, Michael P. Gallagher, Eric J. Hanson, Jason R. Lesko, Jeffrey T. Mauch
  • Patent number: D655226
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Hanson, Gary C. Bryant, Joseph F. deNatale, Marcey Collins
  • Patent number: D655227
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Hanson, Gary C. Bryant, Paul X. Buescher, Marcey Collins, Susan M. LaBounty, Gregory C. Miller, Sandeep Premkumar, James R. Therrien, Erik C. Wilson, Joseph F. deNatale, Jerry Connett, Kim Hemme
  • Patent number: D655652
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Hanson, Jennifer E. Alday, Joseph F. deNatale, Brenda K. Baeumler, Shawn W. Hamrick, Marcey Collins
  • Patent number: D660207
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Hanson, Paul X. Buescher, Marcey Collins, Gregory C. Miller, James R. Therrien, Erik C. Wilson, George McCowan, Sandeep Premkumar, Joseph F. Denatale, Eric A. DeView, Robert B. Riggs, Kurt A. Ringger, Jerry Connett, Marianne Connett, legal representative