Patents by Inventor Gary E. Mitas

Gary E. Mitas 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: 6488144
    Abstract: A fastener for splicing ends of conveyor belts together is provided having a rivet that is pre-inserted thereto to provide speed and ease in installation. The rivet is held in an aperture of the upper plate by an interference fit at the lower end thereof. Preferably, the interference fit is achieved by knurling of the lower end portion of the rivet shaft to create raised interference portions or ridges integral therewith that are sized to be in an interference fit in the upper plate aperture. The remainder of the shaft can be sized to provide clearance between it and the aperture. An applicator machine tool is also provided for automatically securing a strip of the pre-inserted rivet fasteners to a belt end in a fast and efficient manner. The tool uses operating members to first drive pilot nails through the belt lower surface into registry with the rivets, and thereafter the rivets are driven coordinated with the pilot nails that are withdrawn back through the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: John H. Winkelman, Joseph C. Vogrig, Gary E. Mitas
  • Patent number: 6374999
    Abstract: A fastener for splicing ends of conveyor belts together is provided having a rivet that is pre-inserted thereto to provide speed and ease in installation. The rivet is held in an aperture of the upper plate by an interference fit at the lower end thereof. Preferably, the interference fit is achieved by knurling of the lower end portion of the rivet shaft to create raised interference portions or ridges integral therewith that are sized to be in an interference fit in the upper plate aperture. The remainder of the shaft can be sized to provide clearance between it and the aperture. An applicator machine tool is also provided for automatically securing a strip of the pre-inserted rivet fasteners to a belt end in a fast and efficient manner. The tool uses operating members to first drive pilot nails through the belt lower surface into registry with the rivets, and thereafter the rivets are driven coordinated with the pilot nails that are withdrawn back through the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: John H. Winkelman, Joseph C. Vogrig, Gary E. Mitas
  • Publication number: 20020040841
    Abstract: A fastener for splicing ends of conveyor belts together is provided having a rivet that is pre-inserted thereto to provide speed and ease in installation. The rivet is held in an aperture of the upper plate by an interference fit at the lower end thereof. Preferably, the interference fit is achieved by knurling of the lower end portion of the rivet shaft to create raised interference portions or ridges integral therewith that are sized to be in an interference fit in the upper plate aperture. The remainder of the shaft can be sized to provide clearance between it and the aperture. An applicator machine tool is also provided for automatically securing a strip of the pre-inserted rivet fasteners to a belt end in a fast and efficient manner. The tool uses operating members to first drive pilot nails through the belt lower surface into registry with the rivets, and thereafter the rivets are driven coordinated with the pilot nails that are withdrawn back through the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: John H. Winkelman, Joseph C. Vogrig, Gary E. Mitas
  • Patent number: 5431371
    Abstract: A portable belt clamping and pulling apparatus is provided to grip and pull belt ends together for splicing belt ends of a conveyor belt. A pair of belt ends are clamped between respective pairs of I-beams, the clamped belt ends are pulled together by a come along mechanism, and the free ends of belt between the I-beams are maintained held together in a tension free environment to allow fastening together of the belt ends. The respective I-beams which clamp the belt ends are clamped together by a pair of clamping jaws which are slidable along the I-beams to any desired position therealong to accommodate different belt widths and allow positioning of the clamping jaws adjacent the sides of the belt regardless of the width of the belt. Thus, exerting the tension force close to the edges of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: William J. Daniels, Gary E. Mitas