Patents by Inventor Francis J. Forte

Francis J. Forte 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: 4707880
    Abstract: A heavy-duty caster assembly with a pintle and swivel plate mounted on top of a wheel carrying horn that minimizes pintle bending and breaking with the addition of a powdered metal washer around the pintle locked on top of the swivel plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Stewart-Warner Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Doyle, Francis J. Forte, Edward Galkowski
  • Patent number: 4339842
    Abstract: A combination caster and fixed support that supports an article either for rolling motion on a dual wheel assembly or alternatively supports the article on a floor engaging foot that raises the caster wheels from the floor. A central horn, having a vertical swivelling pintle, carries wheels on the opposite sides thereof supported on a common axle that permits the wheels to go up and down a limited distance relative to the horn to compensate for uneven floors. A threaded pad vertical support rod is received centrally in the horn between the wheels and carries a universally mounted channel-shaped pad at its lower end that selectively engages the floor as the threaded rod is lowered to raise the caster wheels off the floor. In the raised position of the foot the pad is locked in a tilted position between abutments on the lower end of the support rod and a lower surface on the horn so that the pad may easily pass over inclined floor surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: Stewart-Warner Corporation
    Inventors: Frank J. Fontana, Francis J. Forte