Patents by Inventor Larry D. Butler

Larry D. Butler 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: 5365970
    Abstract: A gravity flow chemigation system (10) is disclosed which generally consists of chemical supply tank (37), in which chemical (29) is contained, a supply line (37) connected to the bottom of chemical supply tank (36), and a low-level shutoff valve (11) suspended across an irrigation ditch (39) and partially below the surface of irrigation water (38). Chemical enters the valve (11) from supply line (37) through air vent tube (21) and inlet (18). The chemical (29) within supply line (37) will continue to flow through valve (11), out outlet (15) and through outlet screen (28) to mix with irrigation water (38) as long as the level of irrigation water (38) remains at a level above converging valve seat (16) of lower float valve (13). Once the level of irrigation water (38) falls below valve seat (16), lower float (17) will engage the lower converging valve seat (16) and close off the valve which will not reactivate until manually reset, even if the irrigation water level rises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Larry D. Butler
  • Patent number: 3943844
    Abstract: Apparatus for compacting discarded wastepaper, cardboard boxes and the like into bale form comprising a container having a floor, a platen movable downwardly toward the floor for compacting the material, and a drive means for pulling the platen downwardly. The drive means includes a pair of upright screws drivingly connected to opposite ends of the platen, a pair of pulleys engaged with the lower ends of the screws, and a pair of drive belts which connect the pulleys to a motor, which is positioned on the back wall of the container at substantially equal distances from each screw. Turning of the pulleys by the motor additionally rotates the screws thereby driving the platen up or down. A pair of circuit interrupting switches are electrically associated with the motor and engage the drive belts. The switches are operable to shut off the motor in response to belt breakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1976
    Assignee: Ann Arbor Baler Company
    Inventors: Wilbur R. Standbridge, Larry D. Butler, William H. Sivy