Patents by Inventor Gary D. Swearingen

Gary D. Swearingen 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: 6966430
    Abstract: A multipressure plenum system for supporting a conveyor belt of a gas supported belt conveyor and method of operation. The multipressure plenum system includes a multipressure plenum having a support surface including a plurality of apertures and a chamber in fluid communication with the apertures. The chamber of the plenum is in selective fluid communication with a first source of gas at a first pressure, and is in selective fluid communication with a second source of gas at a second pressure. Gas from the first source of gas at the first pressure flows through the apertures in the plenum to form a gas cushion which supports the conveyor belt above the plenum. Gas from the second source of gas at the second pressure selectively flows through the apertures in the plenum to provide additional support to the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Gary D. Swearingen, James A. Hicks, Paul Grisley
  • Publication number: 20040118661
    Abstract: A multipressure plenum system for supporting a conveyor belt of a gas supported belt conveyor and method of operation. The multipressure plenum system includes a multipressure plenum having a support surface including a plurality of apertures and a chamber in fluid communication with the apertures. The chamber of the plenum is in selective fluid communication with a first source of gas at a first pressure, and is in selective fluid communication with a second source of gas at a second pressure. Gas from the first source of gas at the first pressure flows through the apertures in the plenum to form a gas cushion which supports the conveyor belt above the plenum. Gas from the second source of gas at the second pressure selectively flows through the apertures in the plenum to provide additional support to the conveyor belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Gary D. Swearingen, James A. Hicks, Paul Grisley
  • Patent number: 6575294
    Abstract: A conveyor belt skirt assembly adapted to be attached to a conveyor mechanism to retain conveyed material on a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt skirt assembly includes a mounting mechanism having first and second clamping members and a conveyor belt skirt adapted to be attached between the first and second clamping members. The conveyor belt skirt includes a relatively thin upper portion and a relatively thick lower portion. The upper portion of the skirt includes an offset wall forming a pocket adapted to receive the first clamping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Gary D. Swearingen, Steven E. Brody
  • Patent number: 6454083
    Abstract: An impact cradle for supporting a moving conveyor belt. The impact cradle includes a plurality of support structures. Each support structure includes an elongate support member and first and second wing cushion support members for supporting impact bars. Each wing cushion support member includes a first end including a plurality of apertures and a second end including a plurality of apertures. Each aperture in the first end of a wing cushion support member is spaced apart a uniform distance from a counterpart aperture in the second end of the wing cushion support member. A first fastener and a second fastener are inserted respectively through a selected pair of counterpart apertures to connect the first and second ends of the wing cushion support member to the support member. Each pair of counterpart apertures is adapted to dispose the wing cushion support member at a selected inclined angle with respect to the support member to conform to the inclined edges of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: James R. Burkhart, Corey A. Noord, Gary D. Swearingen
  • Publication number: 20020011400
    Abstract: An impact cradle for supporting a moving conveyor belt. The impact cradle includes a plurality of support structures. Each support structure includes an elongate support member and first and second wing cushion support members for supporting impact bars. Each wing cushion support member includes a first end including a plurality of apertures and a second end including a plurality of apertures. Each aperture in the first end of a wing cushion support member is spaced apart a uniform distance from a counterpart aperture in the second end of the wing cushion support member. A first fastener and a second fastener are inserted respectively through a selected pair of counterpart apertures to connect the first and second ends of the wing cushion support member to the support member. Each pair of counterpart apertures is adapted to dispose the wing cushion support member at a selected inclined angle with respect to the support member to conform to the inclined edges of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: James R. Burkhart, Corey A. Noord, Gary D. Swearingen