Patents by Inventor Frank J. McKenna, Jr.

Frank J. McKenna, Jr. 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).

  • Tray for fruit harvesting system
    Patent number: 5228279
    Abstract: A fruit harvesting apparatus is provided which includes a vehicle, a mechanism for moving the vehicle along the ground; a tray, coupled to the vehicle, for receiving picked fruit; a pivotable hopper, mounted to the vehicle, for temporarily storing the picked fruit; and a transfer system for transferring the picked fruit from the tray to the hopper. The apparatus further includes an elevator for selectively elevating the device and/or a titling device for selectively tilting the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Kathleen McKenna
    Inventors: Frank J. McKenna, Jr., Richard K. Horst, James F. Horst, Charles S. Wright, John D. Matthews
  • Tray for fruit harvesting system
    Patent number: 5187927
    Abstract: A fruit harvesting apparatus is provided which includes a vehicle having a front end and a back end; a mechanism for moving the vehicle along the ground; a tray, located at the back end of the vehicle, for receiving picked fruit; a pivotable hopper, mounted to the back end of the vehicle, for temporarily storing the picked fruit; and a transfer system for transferring the picked fruit from the tray to the hopper. The tray includes a bottom wall and a set of substantially vertical walls surrounding the bottom wall. The set of substantially vertical walls includes a back wall which is attached to the front end of the vehicle and a pair of side walls extending from opposite ends of the back wall. The tray further includes a channel formed at least partially by channel-forming sections of the bottom wall. The channel includes a rear edge defining a tray opening and a substantially planar lower wall sloping towards the tray opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Frank J. McKenna, Jr.
    Inventor: Frank J. McKenna, Jr.
  • Tray for fruit harvesting system
    Patent number: 5152129
    Abstract: A fruit harvesting apparatus is provided which includes a vehicle having a front end and a back end; a mechanism for moving the vehicle along the ground; a tray, located at the back end of the vehicle, for receiving picked fruit; a pivotable hopper, mounted to the back end of the vehicle, for temporarily storing the picked fruit; and a transfer system for transferring the picked fruit from the tray to the hopper. The tray includes a bottom wall and a set of substantially vertical walls surrounding the bottom wall. The set of substantially vertical walls includes a back wall which is attached to the front end of the vehicle and a pair of side walls extending from opposite ends of the back wall. The tray further includes a channel formed at least partially by channel-forming sections of the bottom wall. The channel includes a rear edge defining a tray opening and a substantially planar lower wall sloping towards the tray opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Frank J. McKenna, Jr.
    Inventor: Frank J. McKenna, Jr.
  • Tray for fruit harvesting system
    Patent number: RE35150
    Abstract: A fruit harvesting apparatus is provided which includes a vehicle, a mechanism for moving the vehicle along the ground; a tray, coupled to the vehicle, for receiving picked fruit; a pivotable hopper, mounted to the vehicle, for temporarily storing the picked fruit; and a transfer system for transferring the picked fruit from the tray to the hopper. The apparatus further includes an elevator for selectively elevating the device and/or a titling device for selectively tilting the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: McKenna: Kathleen
    Inventors: Frank J. McKenna, Jr., Richard K. Horst, James F. Horst, Charles S. Wright, John D. Matthews