Patents by Inventor Kenneth A. Bratlie

Kenneth A. Bratlie 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: 6019568
    Abstract: A portable, low-profile tipper, for dumping the contents from a trailer containing dumpable material, includes a towable, elongated frame having a back end with a deck pivotally attached thereto. The deck has a backstop for positioning the trailer during dumping. Actuators raise and lower the deck to effect dumping. The tipper includes a chute for guiding the dumpable material from the bottom of the trailer past the back end of the frame. Pivotally mounted to the deck rear end beneath the location of the rear end of a trailer supported on the deck is a gate which contains on the deck any materials spilled from the trailer during dumping until it is desired to remove the material from the deck, whereupon the gate can be opened when the tipping platform is elevated and the spilled material permitted to discharge onto a supplementary chute that guides the material away from the tipper frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Columbia Trailer Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Bratlie
  • Patent number: 5509723
    Abstract: A portable rotary trailer tipper is provided for emptying the trailer contents through opening the open top of the trailer. The tipper includes an elongated transport that is portable and supports a trailer inverter. A platform for supporting the trailer is positioned along one side of the transport. A dumping chute for receiving the material dumped from the trailer is positioned along the opposite side of the transport. A trailer positioned upon the platform is engaged by the inverter then rotated upwardly and across the transport to dump material from the trailer into the chute. The chute directs the dumped material into a landfill site. A method of emptying material successively from a stream of trailers is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Columbia Trailer Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Bratlie
  • Patent number: 5458451
    Abstract: A portable low-profile tipper for dumping the contents from a trailer containing a dumpable material, includes a towable elongated and angled frame having a portion resting on the ground during dumping for greater stability. A deck is pivotally attached at an elevated position to the frame back end. The deck has a backstop for positioning the trailer during dumping. Actuators raise and lower the deck to dump the trailer contents. The tipper has a chute with fixed and pivoting components cooperating to guide the dumpable material from the trailer past the frame back end. Front and back stabilizers extend outwardly from the frame. The front stabilizers lift and lower the frame front end between a low-profile dumping position and a raised towing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Columbia Trailer Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Bratlie, David J. Miller
  • Patent number: 5344271
    Abstract: A portable low-profile tipper for dumping the contents from a trailer containing a dumpable material, includes a towable elongated and angled frame having a portion resting on the ground during dumping for greater stability. A deck is pivotally attached at an elevated position to the frame back end. The deck has a backstop for positioning the trailer during dumping. Actuators raise and lower the deck to dump the trailer contents. The tipper has a chute with fixed and pivoting components cooperating to guide the dumpable material from the trailer past the frame back end. Front and back stabilizers extend outwardly from the frame. The front stabilizers lift and lower the frame front end between a low-profile dumping position and a raised towing position. A method of successively removing the contents from a plurality of trailers using the tipper is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Columbia Trailer Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Bratlie, David J. Miller
  • Patent number: 5080548
    Abstract: A portable low-profile tipper for dumping the contents from a trailer containing a dumpable material, includes a towable elongated frame having a back end with a deck pivotally attached thereto. The deck has a backstop for positioning the trailer during dumping. Actuators raise and lower the deck between a lowered position adjacent the frame and a raised position for dumping the trailer contents. The tipper includes a chute having fixed and pivoting components which cooperate to guide the dumpable material from a back opening of the trailer past the frame back end. The tipper frame has outwardly extending front and back stabilizers. The front stabilizers lift and lower a front end of the frame between a low-profile dumping position for receiving the trailer and a raised towing position for hitching and towing the tipper between dumping locations. A method of successively removing the contents from a plurality of trailers using the tipper is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Columbia Trailer Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Bratlie, David J. Miller