Patents by Inventor Estel L. Lovitt

Estel L. Lovitt 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: 6238009
    Abstract: A wheel adapter that adapts a conventional vehicle hub to a wheel having a large inward offset, thereby permitting the original wheel track of the vehicle to be changed to match the width of a railroad track so the tires of the vehicle will sit on the railroad track. The adapter locates the wheel to avoid contact with a brake caliper on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Mitchell Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Estel L. Lovitt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5649490
    Abstract: The subject invention is an improved apparatus structured and adapted to support rail wheels on an over-the-road vehicle that is adapted accordingly to ride over railroad rails as well as over the ground on roadways, such apparatus being adapted to support as well as raise or lower the railroad wheels as needed for such purpose, and with a basic structure comprising one or more vertically disposed support members affixed to the main frame of the vehicle, there being affixed to each such vertically disposed support members affixed to the main frame of the vehicle, a reciprocally movable lifting arm, each such support member having a rail wheel affixed to the lower end of each such lifting arm, with the lowest movable extent of such lifting arm adapted to position the affixed rail wheel to the rail level, with the extreme upper vertical movement of such lifting arm being positioned away from the rail in the retracted position so that the vehicle can travel over the road or ground without impediment from the rai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: Estel L. Lovitt
  • Patent number: 5310275
    Abstract: The subject apparatus is an improved coupling apparatus utilized for various work vehicles, on which is integrally disposed a front end functional member capable of a plurality of movements and work functions controlled by the operator of the work vehicle, such coupling apparatus comprising a connecting member which is comprised of an upright support member wherein such support member has parallel vertical slots to receive movable connecting arms from the work vehicle, along with a V-shaped guide on the upper portion to receive a portion of the device to be coupled to the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: Estel L. Lovitt
  • Patent number: 5119723
    Abstract: The subject invention is an improved apparatus adapted to facilitate the installation of railroad ties, either by automatic or semi-automatic members. The apparatus incorporating the features of the subject invention comprises, in general, a pair of laterally disposed stabilizing and leveling arms flexibly mounted to each side of a vehicle that is capable of riding on railroad tracks, and wherein each said stabilizing and leveling arm is in turn comprised of two flexible subarms flexibly mounted together in the manner of a parallelogram structure. Mounted at the end of the parallelgram-like subarms are flat brace members. Integrally affixed to the end of such flat brace members are self-levelling jacks. A flexible movable boom member is integrally mounted to a portion of such vehicle, with such boom member having a rotatable holding device rotatably and integrally affixed to the end of the boom arm, such holding device adapted to hold a portion of a tie member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Inventor: Estel L. Lovitt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5088882
    Abstract: The subject apparatus is a coupling device utilized and adapted for various work vehicles, and on which is integrally disposed a front end functional or working member capable of a plurality of movement and work functions controlled by the operator of the work vehicle, such coupling device comprising a tandem connecting member which is comprised of a pair of opposing support arms disposed in parallel fashion in a generally upright position, and wherein such support arms diverge in V-shaped fashion on the lower parts thereof, with the lower part of such arms connected by a horizontal bar member, and the outboard sides of the support arms are flanked by identical flanged secondary support members, and these latter members are, in turn, flanked by support collars, with additional connecting means provided to connect the apparatus to the adjoining ears of additional work member to be connected to the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: Estel L. Lovitt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4960359
    Abstract: The subject device is an operational apparatus for front end loaders. The apparatus can be adapted directly onto the front end loader linkage arms at the attaching points that normally a bucket is attached to or can adapted by the means of a quick coupling attachment. The subject device should be used with a quick coupling device but is not limited to this device for its operation. The subject device herein is specifically adapted to a front end loader as an operational apparatus to perform various work functions such as a mobile crane, a front end loader, a fork lift or similar work functions in construction or railroad use but with an added dimension, that being the ability to swing 90.degree.. Such a unit comprises an auxiliary operational mechanism having dimensional power motions when attached to a front end loader and is basically a swinging, lifting and tilting member for three dimensional movement actuated by hydraulic cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Inventor: Estel L. Lovitt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4941408
    Abstract: The subject invention is an improved frame mechanism adapted to be deployed and otherwise integrally affixed on a land based motor vehicle that is adapted to retrofitted with rail wheels in addition to conventional land based wheels, in order to enable the motor vehicle to ride on railroad tracks, in addition to being capable of being driven on non-rail surfaces. The apparatus incorporating the features of the subject invention comprises, in general, a longitudinally extending support system adapted to hold the rail wheels therein, which support system is connected to the motor vehicle base frame in a transverse manner, said support system being constructed to be laterally shortened or elongated to move the wheel members inwardly or outwardly to correspondingly adjust the distance between the rail wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Inventor: Estel L. Lovitt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4281868
    Abstract: An improvement in rail threading devices having at least four rollers mounted on two rectangular plates. Each rectangular plate is fastened by a stud to a framing member which allows movement of the rectangular plate relative to the framing member. The framing members are mechanically attached together so that the rollers will straddle a section of rail and grip the rail from the underside of the rails' upper section when the device is lifted by a crane. The mechanical attachment of the framing members is such that the device can be used to lift a rail which is on the ground and further allow the rollers to be separated when the tension on an attached crane cable is relaxed thereby providing for ease in removal or attachment of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Mitchell Equipment Corp.
    Inventor: Estel L. Lovitt
  • Patent number: D443577
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Mitchell Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Estel L. Lovitt, Jr.
  • Patent number: D443578
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Mitchell Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Estel L. Lovitt, Jr.
  • Patent number: RE38779
    Abstract: A wheel adapter that adapts a conventional vehicle hub to a wheel having a large inward offset, thereby permitting the original wheel track of the vehicle to be changed to match the width of a railroad track so the tires of the vehicle will sit on the railroad track. The adapter locates the wheel to avoid contact with a brake caliper on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Mitchell Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Estel L. Lovitt, Jr.
  • Patent number: D445077
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Mitchell Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Estel L. Lovitt, Jr.
  • Patent number: D431513
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Mitchell Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Estel L. Lovitt, Jr.