Patents by Inventor Kurt D. Dietrich

Kurt D. Dietrich 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: 8430208
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed a centrifugally-operated apparatus that comprises at least a shaft with an axis of rotation and a pawl that is coaxially mounted on the shaft with at least a portion of the pawl being movable radially inwardly and outwardly from the shaft. The axis of rotation of the shaft passes through the pawl, at a location that is radially offset from the center of mass of the pawl. Rotation of the shaft and pawl above a predetermined speed can cause at least the movable portion of the pawl to be moved radially outward from the shaft, in which position an engaging end of the movable portion of the pawl may engage with a component such as a ratchet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen Griffiths, Kurt D. Dietrich
  • Patent number: 8430207
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed a preassembled and pretorqued friction brake comprising at least a pressure plate, a ratchet ring, a friction ring, and a backing plate. Further disclosed is a centrifugally-operated safety device comprising the preassembled and pretorqued friction brake, and methods of making.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen Griffiths, Kurt D. Dietrich
  • Patent number: 8430206
    Abstract: Herein are disclosed fall-protection safety devices comprising a load-bearing housing comprised of a composite polymeric material, and also comprising a load-bearing anchorage plate connected to the load-bearing housing by at least one load-bearing connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen Griffiths, Kurt D. Dietrich
  • Publication number: 20120298451
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed a centrifugally-operated apparatus that comprises at least a shaft with an axis of rotation and a pawl that is coaxially mounted on the shaft with at least a portion of the pawl being movable radially inwardly and outwardly from the shaft. The axis of rotation of the shaft passes through the pawl, at a location that is radially offset from the center of mass of the pawl. Rotation of the shaft and pawl above a predetermined speed can cause at least the movable portion of the pawl to be moved radially outward from the shaft, in which position an engaging end of the movable portion of the pawl may engage with a component such as a ratchet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen Griffiths, Kurt D. Dietrich
  • Patent number: 8256574
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed a centrifugally-operated apparatus that comprises at least a shaft with an axis of rotation and a pawl that is coaxially mounted on the shaft with at least a portion of the pawl being movable radially inwardly and outwardly from the shaft. The axis of rotation of the shaft passes through the pawl, at a location that is radially offset from the center of mass of the pawl. Rotation of the shaft and pawl above a predetermined speed can cause at least the movable portion of the pawl to be moved radially outward from the shaft, in which position an engaging end of the movable portion of the pawl may engage with a component such as a ratchet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen Griffiths, Kurt D. Dietrich
  • Publication number: 20110315483
    Abstract: Herein are disclosed fall-protection safety devices comprising a load-bearing housing comprised of a composite polymeric material, and also comprising a load-bearing anchorage plate connected to the load-bearing housing by at least one load-bearing connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen Griffiths, Kurt D. Dietrich
  • Publication number: 20110315481
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed a centrifugally-operated apparatus that comprises at least a shaft with an axis of rotation and a pawl that is coaxially mounted on the shaft with at least a portion of the pawl being movable radially inwardly and outwardly from the shaft. The axis of rotation of the shaft passes through the pawl, at a location that is radially offset from the center of mass of the pawl. Rotation of the shaft and pawl above a predetermined speed can cause at least the movable portion of the pawl to be moved radially outward from the shaft, in which position an engaging end of the movable portion of the pawl may engage with a component such as a ratchet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen Griffiths, Kurt D. Dietrich
  • Publication number: 20110315482
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed a preassembled and pretorqued friction brake comprising at least a pressure plate, a ratchet ring, a friction ring, and a backing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen Griffiths, Kurt D. Dietrich
  • Patent number: 5876171
    Abstract: A conversion press (20) which is readily reconfigurable to process shells of different sizes includes an endless belt (68) having a single lane of apertures (86) formed therein for transporting shells (S) along a progression of end-forming tooling (60, 62) comprising seven stations (58a-g) along an end path (59) through the press. A tab-forming tooling path (100) extends from a tab stock feeder (104) to a tab-staking station (58f) adjacent the discharge end of the press, the tab-forming path oriented at an oblique angle to the end path. The tab-forming tools (94, 96) are mounted on tab bases (112, 110) which are slidably adjustable on stationary and reciprocating press members (34, 44) along the tab path toward and away from the tab-staking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Dayton Reliable Tool & Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Martin, Kurt D. Dietrich, Stephen G. Short