Patents by Inventor Gerald M. O'Connor

Gerald M. O'Connor 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: 6367616
    Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Lapeyre, Christopher G. Greve, Gerald M. O'Connor, Mark B. Costanzo, John J. Carbone
  • Publication number: 20020020609
    Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Robert S. Lapeyre, Christopher G. Greve, Gerald M. O'Connor, Mark B. Costanzo, John J. Carbone
  • Patent number: 6318544
    Abstract: A belt conveyor whose article-conveying characteristics can be changed as the belt is running. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of movable assemblies supporting an article-supporting element and an adjustable element. The adjustable element coacts with an adjustment control element supported in the conveyor frame as the belt is running. The coaction causes the adjustable element to move the article-supporting element to provide a different article-conveying characteristic to articles supported at the conveying surface of the belt in zones defined by the adjustment control elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald M. O'Connor, Robert S. Lapeyre, Christopher G. Greve
  • Patent number: 6209714
    Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Lapeyre, Christopher G. Greve, Gerald M. O'Connor, Mark B. Costanzo, John J. Carbone
  • Patent number: 6148990
    Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Lapeyre, Christopher G. Greve, Gerald M. O'Connor, Mark B. Costanzo, John J. Carbone