Patents by Inventor Ernest J. Larson

Ernest J. Larson 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: 20110139031
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for connecting a rail bogie to a bimodal hauling vehicle and converting the vehicle for use over either a railway or roadway are disclosed. An illustrative system for connecting a rail bogie to a bimodal hauling vehicle includes a receiver unit coupled to the vehicle. A king pin and bogie locking mechanism on the receiver unit can be used to releasably secure the rail bogie to the receiver unit during transitioning of the vehicle from a highway mode of operation to a railway mode of operation. The bogie locking mechanism can include a number of lock jaw members and a lock jaw actuator, which can be engaged to actuate the lock jaw members between an unlocked position and a locked position about a number of locking pins on the rail bogie frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Ernest J. Larson, JR., Roger D. Sims, Daniel R. Schneider, Daniel J. Schuller, Anthony J. Davis, Wyatt Compton
  • Patent number: 5826517
    Abstract: An intermodal vehicle for both highway and railway use. A bogie is rigidly and releasably connected to a trailer for supporting the trailer for transportation over a railway. The trailer has a retractable roadway tire assembly for extending and retracting roadway wheels on the underside on the trailer. When roadway wheels are extended, the trailer lifts the bogie off the ground for transporting the bogie to and from railway tracks. When roadway tires are retracted, the bogie supports the trailer for transportation over a railway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Ernest J. Larson, Jr.
    Inventors: Ernest J. Larson, Jr., Roger D. Sims
  • Patent number: 5539635
    Abstract: A radio program distribution system for creating custom recordings containing a requested plurality of musical programs. The system stores digital copies of musical programs and can selectively copy the programs onto custom recordings. Each participating broadcaster transmits program information to the system about each broadcasted program, and the system creates an entry in a database identifying the program, the time, the date and the broadcaster of each broadcast by a participating broadcaster. The system is connected to a telephone network, allowing customers to call into the system and request a custom recording containing desired musical programs. The customer requests which musical programs are desired by giving the time, date and broadcaster of when the program was heard on the radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Ernest J. Larson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5220870
    Abstract: A hauling vehicle for both highway and railway use is disclosed. A highway wheel assembly is permanently and slidably mounted to the underside of the vehicle. The highway wheel assembly includes a set of leaf springs and air bags which are used to raise and lower the vehicle to permit coupling of a railway wheel bogie for railway use and uncoupling of the railway wheel bogie for highway use. The air bags and leaf springs also permit the highway wheel assembly to be raised off the ground when the railway wheel bogie is coupled to the hauling vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Inventor: Ernest J. Larson