Patents by Inventor Kenneth Huck

Kenneth Huck 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: 11654942
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a latch and a travelling nut. The latch couples to a deck of an auto rack car. The latch includes a body coupled to a hinge such that the body may rotate about the hinge from a first position to a second position. The body includes a key. The travelling nut engages a ball screw. The travelling nut includes a slot. The travelling nut rotates with the ball screw when the body is in the first position. The key engages the slot when the body is in the second position. The travelling nut and the latch adjust a height of the deck in the auto rack car when the body is in the second position and when the ball screw is turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Huck, Christopher C. Harkey, Lee Reitz, Kyle R. Coston
  • Publication number: 20200247435
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a latch and a travelling nut. The latch couples to a deck of an auto rack car. The latch includes a body coupled to a hinge such that the body may rotate about the hinge from a first position to a second position. The body includes a key. The travelling nut engages a ball screw. The travelling nut includes a slot. The travelling nut rotates with the ball screw when the body is in the first position. The key engages the slot when the body is in the second position. The travelling nut and the latch adjust a height of the deck in the auto rack car when the body is in the second position and when the ball screw is turned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth Huck, Christopher C. Harkey, Lee Reitz, Kyle R. Coston
  • Patent number: 10676109
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a latch and a travelling nut. The latch couples to a deck of an auto rack car. The latch includes a body coupled to a hinge such that the body may rotate about the hinge from a first position to a second position. The body includes a key. The travelling nut engages a ball screw. The travelling nut includes a slot. The travelling nut rotates with the ball screw when the body is in the first position. The key engages the slot when the body is in the second position. The travelling nut and the latch adjust a height of the deck in the auto rack car when the body is in the second position and when the ball screw is turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Trinity North American Freight Car, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Huck, Christopher C. Harkey, Lee Reitz, Kyle R. Coston
  • Publication number: 20180118229
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a latch and a travelling nut. The latch couples to a deck of an auto rack car. The latch includes a body coupled to a hinge such that the body may rotate about the hinge from a first position to a second position. The body includes a key. The travelling nut engages a ball screw. The travelling nut includes a slot. The travelling nut rotates with the ball screw when the body is in the first position. The key engages the slot when the body is in the second position. The travelling nut and the latch adjust a height of the deck in the auto rack car when the body is in the second position and when the ball screw is turned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth Huck, Christopher C. Harkey, Lee Reitz, Kyle R. Coston
  • Patent number: 7856696
    Abstract: A moveable boom hinge apparatus is provided. The moveable boom hinge apparatus provides a mechanism offsetting the tip portion of a boom hinge from the base portion of a boom hinge when the tip and base portions are folded parallel to each other and securely position the tip portion of the boom when extended. Additionally, this moveable boom hinge apparatus provides a uniquely u-shaped link element and complementary u-shaped catch element that couple together in a way that sufficiently locks the tip portion into place with respect to the base portion and keeps structural loads of a boom hinge aligned with structural members of a boom hinge during its boom hinge's transition from the operational position to the non-operational position. This alignment significantly reduces bending moments that weaken structural materials over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Huck
  • Publication number: 20100146735
    Abstract: A moveable boom hinge apparatus is provided. The moveable boom hinge apparatus provides a mechanism offsetting the tip portion of a boom hinge from the base portion of a boom hinge when the tip and base portions are folded parallel to each other and securely position the tip portion of the boom when extended. Additionally, this moveable boom hinge apparatus provides a uniquely u-shaped link element and complementary u-shaped catch element that couple together in a way that sufficiently locks the tip portion into place with respect to the base portion and keeps structural loads of a boom hinge aligned with structural members of a boom hinge during its boom hinge's transition from the operational position to the non-operational position. This alignment significantly reduces bending moments that weaken structural materials over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Huck