Patents by Inventor James J. Rhoades

James J. Rhoades 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: 4951540
    Abstract: A shingle ridge cap cutter utilized for cutting uniform sections from roof shingles comprising a frame along which a shingle is guided to a manually operated cutter that comprises spaced blades that are moved to sever a section of the shingle. The cutter blades are provided in spaced-apart, non parallel relationship so that a combined rectangular and trapezoidal-shaped ridge cap is made by single movement of the cutter with the roof shingle positioned so that the cutter blades are aligned with the slots along one edge of the shingle. Provision is made for operation to prevent injury to the hands of the worker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James Cross, Jerry Henning, James J. Rhoades, Arthur B. Chubb, David B. Olsen
  • Patent number: 4838986
    Abstract: A tool for applying a molding strip on automobile and the like wherein the strip has a pressure sensitive adhesive or spring loaded clips thereon comprising a body defining a handle, a pair of rollers rotatably mounted at each end of the body in close proximity to the body. The length of the handle is preferably equal to the width of a human hand. The position and size of the rollers is such that the space between the handle and the strip which is to be applied is only sufficient for the fingers of the hand. Each roller has a configuration including a centrally located annular groove about the periphery and spaced radial edges about the periphery such that when the molding is placed on a surface of the automobile, the tool is gripped and placed on the strip with the rollers engaging the molding and the tool is moved longitudinally while applying pressure successively and continuously to the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Inventors: James J. Rhoades, Steven D. Kopriva
  • Patent number: 4766757
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake comprising a frame having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw and an anvil member adjustably secured to the movable jaw. The fixed jaw has a clamping surface movable between workpiece clamping and non-clamping positions relative to the clamping surface of the fixed jaw. A bending member is hingedly connected to the fixed jaw. The movable jaw is releasably locked in workpiece clamping position by a structure that includes a plurality of extensible links that are pivoted at one end to the movable jaw and at the other end to a handle. By manipulating the handle the links are moved to move the movable jaw into and out of locked clamping position. Each link is axially adjustable in length to lengthen or shorten it and includes a resilient portion to accommodate manufacturing variations or tolerances in the thickness of the sheet material being bent and to facilitate locking and unlocking of the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Break, Walter G. Marsh, James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4651553
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake comprising a plurality of C-shaped frame members that support a first member. The first member has a clamping surface. A second member is hinged to the first member and has a bending surface. A plurality of bars are pivoted to the frame members and support an anvil member that extends longitudinally of the first member. A cam support shaft is rotatably mounted on the frame members and a plurality of eccentric cams are secured on the shaft. Each bar is generally C-shaped and a cam is positioned between the upper and lower flanges thereof. A handle is secured to the shaft such that when the handle is operated, the eccentric cams are rotated to move the bars and, in turn, the anvil member into and out of clamping position. The shaft and eccentric cams are provided with circumferentially spaced teeth extending axially so that the cams are locked in any adjusted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4592518
    Abstract: A combined portable sheet bending brake and coil holder wherein the coil holder is mounted and removed from the brake without the use of tools. The brake comprises a frame having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, an anvil member secured to the fixed jaw, the movable jaw having a clamping surface movable between workpiece clamping and non-clamping positions relative to the anvil member. A bending member is hinged to the fixed jaw. The coil holder supports a coil of sheet material. The frame of the brake and the coil holder have interengaging hooks whereby the coil holder may be mounted and removed from the frame. When the coil holder is in position, the coil is positioned such that the leading edge of the coil may be extended between the clamping surfaces and clamped to permit cut off of a desired length of sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur B. Chubb, Richard J. MacLeod, James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4512174
    Abstract: A combined sheet bending brake and platform comprising a base, first and second bending members hinged to one another, an anvil member for clamping a work piece of sheet material on the first member such that moving the second member relative to the first member will bend the sheet material and a platform extending longitudinally for at least a portion of the length of the sheet bending brakes along the base generally parallel and opposite to the hinge axis of the two members such that the area overlying the brake is generally unobstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4494397
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake comprising a plurality of C-shaped frame members that support a first member. The first member has a clamping surface. A second member is hinged to the first member and has a bending surface. A plurality of bars are pivoted to the frame members and support an anvil member that extends longitudinally of the first member. A cam support shaft is rotatably mounted on the frame members and a plurality of eccentric cams are secured on the shaft. Each bar is generally C-shaped and a cam is positioned between the upper and lower flanges thereof. A handle is secured to the shaft such that when the handle is operated, the eccentric cams are rotated to move the bars and, in turn, the anvil member into and out of clamping position. The shaft and eccentric cams are provided with circumferentially spaced teeth extending axially so that the cams are locked in any adjusted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4493200
    Abstract: A portable sheet bending brake comprising a first member defining a clamping surface extending longitudinally, a second member extending longitudinally and hinged to the fixed member, and an anvil member extending longitudinally of the sheet bending brake that is moved into and out of clamping position with the fixed member. A floating compensator comprising a compensator member is pivoted to the bending member and a workpiece engaging pad is pivoted to the compensator member such that as the bending member is swung to bend a workpiece, the pad engages the surface of the workpiece and remains in contact with the workpiece at the same area by the relative pivotal action of the bending member, the compensator member and the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4489583
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake comprising a plurality of C-shaped frame members that support a first member. The first member has a clamping surface. A second member is hinged to the first member and has a bending surface. A plurality of bars are pivoted to the frame members and support an anvil member that extends longitudinally of the first member. A cam support shaft is rotatably mounted on the frame members and a plurality of eccentric cams are secured on the shaft. Each bar is generally C-shaped and a cam is positioned between the upper and lower flanges thereof. A handle is secured to the shaft such that when the handle is operated, the eccentric cams are rotated to move the bars and, in turn, the anvil member into and out of clamping position. A cover is provided on each bar to enclose the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4445356
    Abstract: A combined portable sheet bending brake and coil holder wherein the coil holder is mounted and removed from the brake without the use of tools. The brake comprises a frame having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, an anvil member secured to the fixed jaw, the movable jaw having a clamping surface movable between workpiece clamping and non-clamping positions relative to the anvil member. A bending member is hinged to the fixed jaw. The coil holder supports a coil of sheet material. The frame of the brake and the coil holder have interengaging hooks whereby the coil holder may be mounted and removed from the frame. When the coil holder is in position, the coil is positioned such that the leading edge of the coil may be extended between the clamping surfaces and clamped to permit cut off of a desired length of sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur B. Chubb, Richard J. MacLeod, James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4372142
    Abstract: A sheet bending brake comprising a frame having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw and an anvil member adjustable secured to the movable jaw. The fixed jaw has a clamping surface movable between workpiece clamping and non-clamping positions relative to the clamping surface of the fixed jaw. A bending member is hingedly connected to the fixed jaw. The movable jaw is releasably locked in workpiece clamping position by a structure that includes an oval shaped spring device member having opposed ends and opposed walls. The spring device is pivoted at one end to said movable jaw and at the other end to a handle for manipulating the jaw and comprises a pair of links each of which comprises front and rear walls. The front walls are pivoted to one another and a wedge is positioned between the rear walls so that as the thickness of workpiece varies the spring device will pivot to accommodate the different thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4364254
    Abstract: A combined sheet bending brake, table and coil support. The sheet bending brake includes a base, a first bending member having a clamping surface mounted on the base and a second bending member having a bending surface hinged to the first member, an anvil member extending longitudinally of the first bending member which clamps a workpiece by applying pressure to the anvil member to clamp the workpiece on the clamping surface of the first member. The table is mounted on the sheet bending brake, and extends horizontally and rearwardly of the brake along the base. The coil support comprises a base, a pair of supports carried by the base, which include a plurality of rollers for supporting a roll of sheet stock, and clamping surface on which the edge of the uncoiled sheet stock is clamped. The coil stand is mounted on the base of the sheet bending brake such that the axis of the roll of sheet stock extends transversely of the longitudinal axis of the sheet bending brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur B. Chubb, James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4353546
    Abstract: A dally practice apparatus for practicing the wrapping of a first end or a rope around a saddlehorn, a second end of said rope being coupled to a load which applies tension to said rope when said load is lifted, said first end of said rope extending towards said rider for steering said rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Inventor: James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4246817
    Abstract: A coil stand for dispensing sheet aluminum trim or the like comprising a pair of supports carried by a base, one of which is adjustable longitudinally of the base to accommodate sheet rolls of differing widths. An arcuate array of rollers is carried by each support with the rollers of the supports being in opposed coaxial pairs. A pair of low friction spring biased keeper bars are carried by the respective supports to hold a roll of sheet stock against the rollers for free rotation. A cutting bar is cantilevered from the base for selectively clamping unrolled sheet stock against a support surface and provides a cutting edge for cooperation with a utility knife or the like for manually severing a desired amount of uncoiled sheet stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter G. Marsh, James J. Rhoades, Frank Nolan
  • Patent number: 4240279
    Abstract: A brake for bending sheet metal comprising a pair of spaced base rails and a plurality of C-shaped members positioned on the base rails at longitudinally spaced points. Each C-shaped member comprises a lower arm fixed to the rails and an upper arm spaced from and overlying the lower arm. A first member is fixed on the lower arms of the C-shaped members and has a clamping surface. An anvil member is adapted to be locked on the first member to clamp a piece of sheet metal between the anvil member and the clamping surface of the first member. A second member having a bending surface is pivoted to the first member. The anvil member is generally L-shaped with a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The vertical portion has longitudinally spaced notches therein through which the upper arm of each C-shaped member extends. The anvil member is resiliently mounted on the upper arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1980
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 3943744
    Abstract: A louver cutter comprising a body having a pair of spaced arms, the lower arm defining a base and the upper arm overlying the base. A lower die pad is rotatably mounted on the base for rotation about a vertical axis and is lockable in any adjusted position. A lower die block is fastened to the lower die pad such that the lower die pad has a portion projecting upwardly and spaced from the lower die block. A piston is slidable for vertical movement in said upper arm and means are provided for moving the piston toward and away from the lower die block. An upper die block is mounted on the piston and has an opening into which the piston extends. A fastener holds the upper die block on the piston. The upper die block has a vertical surface and a horizontal surface engaging the vertical and horizontal surfaces of a cutter blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1976
    Assignee: Tapco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter G. Marsh, James J. Rhoades