Patents by Inventor James D. Ruff

James D. Ruff 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).

  • Article distribution and sorting system
    Patent number: 9102477
    Abstract: A radial distribution system includes a base member for receiving product for distribution to a plurality of conveyors, a plurality of gate members radially-spaced around the base member and configured to move between an open position and a closed position, and a vibration member configured to vibrate the base member. The vibration causes product received on the base member to move on the base member in a substantially circular manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Denio Kirkbride, Greg Robert Lambier, Rudy Sanchez, Steve Crawford, David Hufford, James D. Ruff
  • Clamp
    Patent number: 8978894
    Abstract: A clamp is described and which includes a base portion, a handle which is affixed to the base portion, a moveable clamp portion which is individually pivotally attached to the base portion; a pair of force transmitting couplings pivotally attached to the handle, and the movable clamp portion; and an elongated resilient biasing member with a distal end, and which is mounted on the movable clamp portion, and which is further operable to engage an adjacent object of interest and hold it in a given orientation relative to a vibratory conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Key Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Woiler, Dean D. Dunham, Michael Jones, Michael J. Opp, James D. Ruff
  • Clamp
    Publication number: 20150067992
    Abstract: A clamp is described and which includes a base portion, a handle which is affixed to the base portion, a moveable clamp portion which is individually pivotally attached to the base portion; a pair of force transmitting couplings pivotally attached to the handle, and the movable clamp portion; and an elongated resilient biasing member with a distal end, and which is mounted on the movable clamp portion, and which is further operable to engage an adjacent object of interest and hold it in a given orientation relative to a vibratory conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: KEY TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Woiler, Dean D. Dunham, Michael Jones, Michael J. Opp, James D. Ruff
  • ARTICLE DISTRIBUTION AND SORTING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20130306435
    Abstract: A radial distribution system includes a base member for receiving product for distribution to a plurality of conveyors, a plurality of gate members radially-spaced around the base member and configured to move between an open position and a closed position, and a vibration member configured to vibrate the base member. The vibration causes product received on the base member to move on the base member in a substantially circular manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Denio Kirkbride, Greg Robert Lambier, Rudy Sanchez, Steve Crawford, David Hufford, James D. Ruff
  • Article distribution and sorting system
    Patent number: 8517169
    Abstract: A radial distribution system includes a base member for receiving product for distribution to a plurality of conveyors, a plurality of gate members radially-spaced around the base member and configured to move between an open position and a closed position, and a vibration member configured to vibrate the base member. The vibration causes product received on the base member to move on the base member in a substantially circular manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventors: Charles Denio Kirkbride, Greg Robert Lambier, Rudy Sanchez, Steve Crawford, David Hufford, James D. Ruff
  • ARTICLE DISTRIBUTION AND SORTING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20110005896
    Abstract: A radial distribution system includes a base member for receiving product for distribution to a plurality of conveyors, a plurality of gate members radially-spaced around the base member and configured to move between an open position and a closed position, and a vibration member configured to vibrate the base member. The vibration causes product received on the base member to move on the base member in a substantially circular manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Charles Denio Kirkbride, Greg Robert Lambier, Rudy Sanchez, Steve Crawford, David Hufford, James D. Ruff