Patents by Inventor Larry Hixon

Larry Hixon 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: 9951887
    Abstract: A pipe clamp wedge is disclosed that can be used with an existing pipe clamp anchor to secure a brake line pipe to a rail car. The wedge has a cradle portion having a concave side receiving the pipe, and a convex wedge side opposite the concave side. The cradle portion has a height increasing in a longitudinal direction, and a pair of opposed channels on lateral sides of the wedge are adapted to receive tabs on the pipe anchor. A pair of tabs on the wedge extends in the opposite direction from the tabs on the pipe anchor on either side of the cradle portion. Thus, the wedge can be slid onto the anchor, tightening around the pipe as the wedge moves in the longitudinal direction onto the anchor, and the wedge is dimensioned so that when the wedge cannot move further, the tabs on the wedge extend beyond the pipe anchor and may be bent up (toward the railcar) to secure the wedge. The parts of the combination are adapted so that sliding the pipe onto the anchor and bending the tabs may be done with a hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: STRATO, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Foxx, Zhen Liu, Jennifer Mak, Larry Hixon
  • Publication number: 20170089490
    Abstract: A pipe clamp wedge is disclosed that can be used with an existing pipe clamp anchor to secure a brake line pipe to a rail car. The wedge has a cradle portion having a concave side receiving the pipe, and a convex wedge side opposite the concave side. The cradle portion has a height increasing in a longitudinal direction, and a pair of opposed channels on lateral sides of the wedge are adapted to receive tabs on the pipe anchor. A pair of tabs on the wedge extends in the opposite direction from the tabs on the pipe anchor on either side of the cradle portion. Thus, the wedge can be slid onto the anchor, tightening around the pipe as the wedge moves in the longitudinal direction onto the anchor, and the wedge is dimensioned so that when the wedge cannot move further, the tabs on the wedge extend beyond the pipe anchor and may be bent up (toward the railcar) to secure the wedge. The parts of the combination are adapted so that sliding the pipe onto the anchor and bending the tabs may be done with a hammer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Michael J. FOXX, Jennifer Mak, Larry Hixon, Zhen Liu
  • Patent number: 8893626
    Abstract: A railway car truck incorporating an interconnection between the side frame and bearing adapter is characterized by a low lateral spring constant relative to the longitudinal spring constant. The interconnection provides a proportional restoring force with minimal internal friction and hysteresis. In embodiments, the interconnection comprises compressed elastomeric members positioned between the thrust lug of the side frame and the bearing adapter in the longitudinal direction and a low friction interface between the roof of the pedestal jaw and the top of the bearing adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: STRATO, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Berg, George Currier, Larry Hixon, Kevin McGarvey, Jason Reiling
  • Publication number: 20140060380
    Abstract: The invention relates to a railway car truck incorporating a novel interconnection between the side frame and bearing adapter characterized by a low lateral spring constant relative to the longitudinal spring constant. The interconnection provides a proportional restoring force with minimal internal friction and hysteresis. In embodiments, the interconnection comprises compressed elastomeric members positioned between the thrust lug of the side frame and the bearing adapter in the longitudinal direction and a low friction interface between the roof of the pedestal jaw and the top of the bearing adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: STRATO, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Berg, George Currier, Larry Hixon, Kevin McGarvey, Jason Reiling
  • Patent number: 8474383
    Abstract: The invention relates to a railway car truck incorporating a novel transom attached below the spring seat, having elastomeric fittings and a central opening to receive the truck bolster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Strato, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Berg, George Currier, Larry Hixon, Kevin McGarvey, Jason Reiling
  • Patent number: 7631774
    Abstract: A trolley hanger for supporting brake hose connections between rail cars which hangs securely on a trolley rod, and preferably is directly connected to an intermediate hose flange, a train line support casting flange, or trolley pipe flange, prevents lateral and rotational movement of a brake hose connection, thereby reducing unwanted brake hose uncoupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Strato, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Foxx, Larry Hixon, Lin Hua
  • Publication number: 20080223247
    Abstract: A trolley hanger for supporting brake hose connections between rail cars which hangs securely on a trolley rod, and preferably is directly connected to an intermediate hose flange, a train line support casting flange, or trolley pipe flange, prevents lateral and rotational movement of a brake hose connection, thereby reducing unwanted brake hose uncoupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: MICHAEL FOXX, Larry Hixon, Lin Hua
  • Patent number: D559084
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Strato, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Foxx, Larry Hixon, Lin Hua
  • Patent number: D779299
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Strato, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Foxx, Zhen Liu, Larry Hixon, Jennifer Mak