Patents by Inventor Kenneth R. Hepp

Kenneth R. Hepp 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: 10405524
    Abstract: An animal feeder includes a feed bin that is at least partially defined by a base, an interior panel extending upward from the base, and an exterior panel extending upward from the base. An intermediate structure is located between the interior panel and the exterior panel. The feed bin contains an opening that is covered by the intermediate structure when a predetermined weight is placed on the intermediate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: APOLLO INVESTMENT HOLDING CO. LLC
    Inventors: Keith W. McCord, Kenneth R. Hepp, Thomas J. Green
  • Publication number: 20170367306
    Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, an animal feeder. The animal feeder includes a base and a sidewall extending upward from the base. The sidewall and base at least partially define an inner cavity operable to hold an animal feed. A roof, operable to transition between an open position and a closed position, is located above the sidewall. In the open position, the roof is magnetically attached to a first magnetic feature such that a user can access the inner cavity. In the closed position, the roof is magnetically attached to a second magnetic feature such that the user cannot access the inner cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Keith W. McCord, Kenneth R. Hepp, Thomas J. Green
  • Publication number: 20160113247
    Abstract: An animal feeder includes a feed bin that is at least partially defined by a base, an interior panel extending upward from the base, and an exterior panel extending upward from the base. An intermediate structure is located between the interior panel and the exterior panel. The feed bin contains an opening that is covered by the intermediate structure when a predetermined weight is placed on the intermediate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Keith W. McCord, Kenneth R. Hepp, Thomas J. Green
  • Publication number: 20150320017
    Abstract: An animal feeder includes a feed bin configured to hold feed stock. The feed bin has a first feed port. The animal feeder also includes an outer housing positioned around at least a portion of the feed bin. The outer housing has a second feed port. The animal feeder further includes a magnet supported by one of the feed bin and the outer housing. The magnet magnetically couples the outer housing to the feed bin. The outer housing is movable relative to the feed bin between a first position, in which the outer housing is magnetically coupled to the feed bin such that the first feed port and the second feed port are at least partially aligned, and a second position, in which the outer housing is not magnetically coupled to the feed bin and the first feed port and the second feed port are out of alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Hepp, Thomas J. Green, Dennis P. Tronka, Roger V. Hajny
  • Patent number: 8931435
    Abstract: An animal feeder includes a feed bin configured to hold feed stock. The feed bin has a first feed port. The animal feeder also includes an outer housing positioned around at least a portion of the feed bin. The outer housing has a second feed port. The animal feeder further includes a magnet supported by one of the feed bin and the outer housing. The magnet magnetically couples the outer housing to the feed bin. The outer housing is movable relative to the feed bin between a first position, in which the outer housing is magnetically coupled to the feed bin such that the first feed port and the second feed port are at least partially aligned, and a second position, in which the outer housing is not magnetically coupled to the feed bin and the first feed port and the second feed port are out of alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Hepp, Thomas J. Green, Dennis P. Tronca, Roger V. Hajny
  • Publication number: 20120037080
    Abstract: An animal feeder includes a feed bin configured to hold feed stock. The feed bin has a first feed port. The animal feeder also includes an outer housing positioned around at least a portion of the feed bin. The outer housing has a second feed port. The animal feeder further includes a magnet supported by one of the feed bin and the outer housing. The magnet magnetically couples the outer housing to the feed bin. The outer housing is movable relative to the feed bin between a first position, in which the outer housing is magnetically coupled to the feed bin such that the first feed port and the second feed port are at least partially aligned, and a second position, in which the outer housing is not magnetically coupled to the feed bin and the first feed port and the second feed port are out of alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Hepp, Thomas J. Green, Dennis P. Tronca, Roger V. Hajny
  • Publication number: 20110088626
    Abstract: An animal feeder is mountable to an exterior support and includes an inner housing having a cavity for containing feed and an outer housing for selectively blocking and providing access to the cavity. Access is dependent upon a force exerted on the outer housing. The animal feeder also includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the force required to block access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Hepp, Keith W. McCord, Dennis P. Tronca, Roger V. Hajny, Thomas J. Green
  • Publication number: 20100326362
    Abstract: A hanger for hanging an object, such as a bird feeder, on an exterior support at a desired orientation relative to the exterior support. The hanger includes a first body having a hook at a first end thereof for mounting on the exterior support, a second body having one of a hook and a loop at a first end thereof for supporting the object, and a connector for orienting one of the first and second bodies with respect to the other of the first and second bodies. One of the first and second bodies includes a generally radially extending arm at a second opposite end thereof. The connector includes an opening defining a central axis for receiving the one of the first and second bodies, and a chamber proximate the opening for receiving the arm in one of a plurality of substantially fixed positions about the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Hepp, Patricia A. Hepp
  • Patent number: 7726259
    Abstract: An animal feeder including a housing for containing feed and defining a plurality of openings for providing access to the feed, the plurality of openings being substantially equally spaced between an upper end of the housing and a lower end of the housing. The feeder also includes a frame having an opening and being supported on the housing for movement relative to the housing between an opened position and a closed position. The feeder further includes a hanger for supporting the animal feeder, the hanger including an elongated member extending outwardly from the frame and being connectable to the exterior support, and a sleeve extending across at least a portion of the elongated member, the sleeve being connected to the frame and being operable to move the frame relative to the housing between the opened position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Hepp, Patricia A. Hepp
  • Patent number: 5695986
    Abstract: A low-cost compost bin with air tubes or air panels which is easy to assemble and use. The bin is comprised of two flexible sheets which form a cylinder. Two openings are located on opposing sides of the cylinder. As material to be composted is piled in the bin, perforated air tubes are positioned at vertically spaced intervals in the composting matter. The air tubes are placed in the composting matter so that each end of the tube faces one of the openings. The air tubes provide sufficient oxygen to the composting mass and therefore, no manual turning, stirring or tumbling is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Russell L. Wold
    Inventors: Russell L. Wold, Kenneth R. Hepp
  • Patent number: 5564368
    Abstract: A control system for use with a self-locking pen paneling arrangement includes a series of retaining bars which are movable from a first access position to a first retaining position in response to downward movement of an animal's neck toward the feeding area. A movable locking member is mounted to each retaining bar, and is engageable with a latch member when the retaining member is in its first retaining position. A release mechanism is operable to disengage the locking member from the latch member to provide movement of the retaining bar to its first access position. If desired, the retaining bar can be moved to a second retaining position, distinct from the first retaining position, in which movement of the release mechanism does not disengage the locking member from the latch member. This "locks out" certain animals to prevent withdrawal from the feeding area, to enable the operator to dehorn, vaccinate or perform any other procedure, treatment or operation on the animal as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Gardner Barn Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Hepp, Daryl G. Benson, Judd G. Batterman, Jerry D. Ash, Wilbert A. Rutz, Robert M. Downing
  • Patent number: 5174199
    Abstract: An oil filter crusher includes a housing within which a piston assembly is mounted for reciprocating movement. The crusher is connectable to an external source of pressurized air, and an air valve is located in the interior of the housing for controlling supply of pressurized air to the piston assembly. A door is mounted to the housing for movement between open and closed positions. An actuator arrangement is provided between the door and the air valve, for actuating the air valve upon closing of the door to initiate a crushing stroke of the piston assembly. A locking arrangement is provided between the piston assembly and the door, to prevent the door from being moved to its open position during the crushing stroke of the piston assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Gardner Barn Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David A. King, Kenneth R. Hepp