Patents by Inventor James A. Thomas, Sr.

James A. Thomas, Sr. 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: 5449063
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention comprises at least one and preferably a plurality, of rollers provided with recesses which are mounted on the drive and trailing assemblies of a conveyor system. The recesses of each roller include abutment surfaces angularly disposed relative to the central axes of their respective drive or trailing assemblies and are sized to receive, support and align the belt. Alternative embodiments employing polygonal rollers, rollers with a single wall forming two angled abutment surfaces and rollers with support surfaces disposed to receive multiple belt segments are also provided. The rollers, in addition, may include sets of the recesses distributed in circumferential rows about their periphery, including an odd number of sets of recesses to reduce wear on the roller. A method for estimating the optimum size and configuration of the rollers of the invention for helical woven wire endless belts is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Lindberg Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Thomas, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5282532
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention comprises at least one, and preferably a plurality, of rollers provided with recesses in their peripheral surfaces and mounted on the drive and trailing assemblies of a conveyor system. At least one side wall of each recess is angularly disposed relative to the central axes of the respective drive or trailing assemblies and the recesses are sized to receive therein a portion of the belt contacting the rollers. The bottom and side walls of the recesses act against the engaged portion of the belt to propel the belt through the system, support the belt and maintain the belt in proper tracking alignment. Alternative embodiments employing polygonal rollers, alternately slotted rollers and rollers with "single sided" recesses are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Lindberg Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Thomas, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5160020
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention comprises at least one roller with a plurality of recesses in its peripheral surface, mounted on the drive and trailing assemblies of a conveyor system. The recesses of each roller are angularly disposed relative to the central axes of their respective drive or trailing assemblies and are sized to receive a portion of an endless conveyor belt contacting the rollers. The bottom and size walls of the recesses act against the engaged portion of the belt to propel the belt through the system, support the belt and maintain the belt in proper tracking alignment. The recesses are preferably distributed in circumferential rows about the periphery of the roller and, in multi-row rollers, in a parallel relation across the width of the roller. A method for estimating the optimum size and configuration of the rollers of the invention for helical woven wire endless belts is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Lindberg Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Thomas, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5073095
    Abstract: An electromagnetic reciprocating piston fluid pump having a housing defining a piston guide, an inlet port, and an outlet port, and a piston disposed in the piston guide. A blocking oscillator periodically energizes a solenoid coil to reciprocate the piston in the piston guide and valves provide for unidirectional fluid flow through the pump. A soft rubber bumper and a semi-rigid plastic washer are disposed at the output end of the piston guide to noiselessly terminate the displacement of the piston at the end of its pumping stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Purolator Product Company
    Inventor: James A. Thomas, Sr.