Patents by Inventor Lee A. Horton

Lee A. Horton 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: 10161102
    Abstract: An excavator attachment alignment tool has cooperating tool body portions mounted to a cross tube defining an axis. The tool body portions are moveable relative to the cross tube to define a lower hook portion having surfaces to accommodate and support an engaged excavator attachment pin parallel with the tool axis, with the lower hook portion positionable for lifting engagement with the excavator attachment pin. Aligned cylindrical bushings are mounted to opposed surfaces of the body portions in alignment with the tool axis, with the cross tube engaged and extending generally between the bushings, with spacing of the cooperating tool body portions fixedly adjustable along the tool axis for accommodating a width of an associated excavator link or stick to which an excavator attachment is to be attached or removed; and wherein the tool body portions are mounted in a manner to resist independent rotation of either body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Lee A. Horton
  • Patent number: 9801736
    Abstract: A prosthetic liner and liner pin alignment device has a support, and a body extending from the support. The body has a cup defining an inner wall surface defining a liner-receiving recess having a longitudinal axis and defining a liner pin-receiving guide hole to a liner pin-receiving pin guide aperture. The liner pin-receiving pin guide aperture has a central axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the liner-receiving recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventors: Lee A. Horton, Leslie J. Horton
  • Publication number: 20170189209
    Abstract: A prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device has a support, and a body extending from the support. The body has a cup defining an inner wall surface defining a sleeve-receiving recess having a longitudinal axis and defining a sleeve pin-receiving guide hole to a sleeve-pin receiving pin guide aperture. The sleeve pin-receiving pin guide aperture has a central axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve-receiving recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Lee A. Horton, Leslie J. Horton
  • Publication number: 20170030048
    Abstract: An excavator attachment alignment tool has cooperating tool body portions mounted to a cross tube defining an axis. The tool body portions are moveable relative to the cross tube to define a lower hook portion having surfaces to accommodate and support an engaged excavator attachment pin parallel with the tool axis, with the lower hook portion positionable for lifting engagement with the excavator attachment pin. Aligned cylindrical bushings are mounted to opposed surfaces of the body portions in alignment with the tool axis, with the cross tube engaged and extending generally between the bushings, with spacing of the cooperating tool body portions fixedly adjustable along the tool axis for accommodating a width of an associated excavator link or stick to which an excavator attachment is to be attached or removed; and wherein the tool body portions are mounted in a manner to resist independent rotation of either body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventor: Lee A. Horton
  • Patent number: 9435100
    Abstract: A rock ripping tool mountable to an excavation machine for engagement with a substrate has a rotatable tool body, a pair of side plates and a curved back plate mounted to the body, a bottom plate with an angled leading edge mounted to span a space between side plates, and a plurality of teeth, including a first set mounted to the front edge, the tip of each tooth lying on an arc having a first radius, a second set mounted to the bottom and/or back plate, the tip of each tooth lying an arc having a second radius greater than the first radius, and a third set of teeth mounted to the bottom plate and/or the back plate, with the tip of each tooth lying on an arc having a third radius greater than the first and second radii. Each tooth is configured to engage the substrate sequentially and individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Lee A. Horton
  • Publication number: 20150247302
    Abstract: A rock ripping tool mountable to an excavation machine for engagement with a substrate has a rotatable tool body, a pair of side plates and a curved back plate mounted to the body, a bottom plate with an angled leading edge mounted to span a space between side plates, and a plurality of teeth, including a first set mounted to the front edge, the tip of each tooth lying on an arc having a first radius, a second set mounted to the bottom and/or back plate, the tip of each tooth lying an arc having a second radius greater than the first radius, and a third set of teeth mounted to the bottom plate and/or the back plate, with the tip of each tooth lying on an arc having a third radius greater than the first and second radii. Each tooth is configured to engage the substrate sequentially and individually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventor: Lee A. Horton
  • Patent number: 9043963
    Abstract: A tree stump excavation tool for use mounted for rotation from an excavation machine arm has first and second side plates extending from a body and a unitary plate mounted to lower ends of the side plates. The unitary plate has a generally helical profile and defines a blade with multiple, pointed teeth integrally formed along its forward edge. The teeth, disposed for cutting engagement with a substrate of soil and stump roots, are laterally spaced apart along the axis of rotation of the tool and angularly spaced in a direction of substrate ripping motion, wherein the teeth are engaged separately and in sequence for cutting the substrate. An excavation machine with a tree stump excavation tool is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Inventor: Lee A Horton
  • Patent number: 8966791
    Abstract: A staggered edge bucket excavation tool has a body formed by side-leading edge plates, a back sheet, and a plate with a front leading edge spanning a region of the bucket between edge plates. The tool defines a volume for receiving material excavated from a hard packed substrate. Two or more teeth may be mounted along the front leading edge, with each tooth defining a forward surface non-aligned with forward surfaces of all other teeth, thereby disposed for individual, sequential initial engagement with the substrate during excavation. The teeth define a flat plane generally parallel to the planar plate. Each tooth defines an excavation angle between a surface of the tooth and the axis of rotation, and the excavation angle of each tooth being different from excavation angles of all other teeth. In implements, the front leading edge defines multiple edge portions or defines a single multiple edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Lee A. Horton
  • Publication number: 20140230292
    Abstract: A staggered edge bucket excavation tool has a body formed by side-leading edge plates, a back sheet, and a plate with a front leading edge spanning a region of the bucket between edge plates. The tool defines a volume for receiving material excavated from a hard packed substrate. Two or more teeth may be mounted along the front leading edge, with each tooth defining a forward surface non-aligned with forward surfaces of all other teeth, thereby disposed for individual, sequential initial engagement with the substrate during excavation. The teeth define a flat plane generally parallel to the planar plate. Each tooth defines an excavation angle between a surface of the tooth and the axis of rotation, and the excavation angle of each tooth being different from excavation angles of all other teeth. In implements, the front leading edge defines multiple edge portions or defines a single multiple edge portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Lee A. Horton
  • Publication number: 20140207253
    Abstract: A prosthetic sleeve and sleeve pin alignment device has a support, and a body extending from the support. The body has a cup defining an inner wall surface defining a sleeve-receiving recess having a longitudinal axis and defining a sleeve pin-receiving guide hole to a sleeve-pin receiving pin guide aperture. The sleeve pin-receiving pin guide aperture has a central axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve-receiving recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Lee A. Horton, Leslie J. Horton
  • Publication number: 20140190043
    Abstract: A tree stump excavation tool for use mounted for rotation from an excavation machine arm has first and second side plates extending from a body and a unitary plate mounted to lower ends of the side plates. The unitary plate has a generally helical profile and defines a blade with multiple, pointed teeth integrally formed along its forward edge. The teeth, disposed for cutting engagement with a substrate of soil and stump roots, are laterally spaced apart along the axis of rotation of the tool and angularly spaced in a direction of substrate ripping motion, wherein the teeth are engaged separately and in sequence for cutting the substrate. An excavation machine with a tree stump excavation tool is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Lee A. Horton
  • Patent number: 7992329
    Abstract: A single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool (SPRB) for use mounted to an arm of an excavation machine has a body mounted for rotation from the arm and a pair of generally flat, side plates mounted to the body and narrowing from a first width in a region of the body to a second, relatively smaller width at a tip region spaced from the body. A single ripper tooth is mounted in the tip region of the ripper bucket. One or more plates are mounted to span a region between the side plates, rearward of the ripper tooth in a direction of ripping motion, to define, with the side plates, a ripper bucket volume for receiving material ripped from the substrate during ripping motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Lee A. Horton
  • Publication number: 20110126434
    Abstract: An angled edge bucket excavation tool for excavation use is mounted to an arm of an excavation machine, such as an excavator or loader. The tool has a body mounted for rotation from the arm, a pair of generally flat, non-similar side leading edge plates mounted to the body, a pair of side plates and a formed back sheet mounted to the body and the side leading edges, an angled front leading edge plate mounted to span the region of the angled edge bucket between the side leading edge plates constructed with or without teeth, the angled leading edge attached to the back sheet and the side plates defining, together, an angled edge bucket volume for receiving material excavated from the hard packed substrate during excavation action. Methods of use are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Lee A. Horton
  • Publication number: 20110000108
    Abstract: A single pointed ripper bucket excavation tool (SPRB) for use mounted to an arm of an excavation machine has a body mounted for rotation from the arm and a pair of generally flat, side plates mounted to the body and narrowing from a first width in a region of the body to a second, relatively smaller width at a tip region spaced from the body. A single ripper tooth is mounted in the tip region of the ripper bucket. One or more plates are mounted to span a region between the side plates, rearward of the ripper tooth in a direction of ripping motion, to define, with the side plates, a ripper bucket volume for receiving material ripped from the substrate during ripping motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Lee A. Horton
  • Patent number: 7739815
    Abstract: A ripper tooth for use mounted on an excavation tool having a tool body mounted for rotation on an excavation machine arm, the ripper tooth being mounted to the tool body for ripping engagement with a substrate. The ripper tooth has first and at least second portions, each with a tip disposed for ripping engagement with the substrate. The first and second portions are laterally spaced apart generally along the axis of rotation of the tool relative to the arm, and the first and second portions are angularly spaced apart generally in a direction of substrate ripping motion. The first portion is disposed on a first axis and the second portion is disposed on a second axis, the first and second axes being different. Ripper excavation tools with one or more ripper teeth of the disclosure mounted to the tool body are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Lee A. Horton
  • Patent number: 7322133
    Abstract: A multi-shank ripper excavation tool has a body mounted from an arm, e.g. a dipper arm or a boom arm, and at least first and second shanks mounted to the body. Each shank is perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the tool, and each the shank includes a ripper tooth positioned for ripping engagement with a substrate. The shanks and ripper teeth are laterally spaced apart along the axis of rotation relative to the arm, and the ripper teeth are angularly spaced apart in a direction of substrate ripping motion. In some implementations, plates are mounted to span a region between two or more shanks, rearward of the teeth in a direction of ripping motion, and define, with the shanks, a bucket volume for receiving material ripped from the substrate. Methods for ripping excavation of a substrate employing the above excavation tools mounted on a dipper stick or a boom arm are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Lee A. Horton
  • Publication number: 20040148820
    Abstract: An excavating tool for pivotal attachment about an axis to the outboard end of the dipperstick of an excavating system, the tool having multiple shanks offset longitudinally of the axis and offset radially about the axis. The tool does not have a bucket configuration. The shanks are arranged on the axis so the, as the tool is rotated about the axis, the shanks engage the substrate serially and axially offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Lee A. Horton
  • Patent number: 6631733
    Abstract: A fluid line connector assembly includes a first part defining a fluid channel; and a second part including an outer body and a member mounted for adjusting movement relative to the outer body in a direction normal to an axis of engagement in response to relative motion of the first part and the second part when the first part and the second part are connected, the member defining a fluid channel within the body. The first and second parts together define the axis of engagement along which the first and second parts are releasably connectable, the fluid channel of the first part being adapted to connect to the fluid channel of the second part, and, when the first and second parts are connected, the fluid channel of the second part remains in fluid flow connection with the fluid channel of the first part during adjusting movement of the member relative to the outer body of the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Woods Equipment Company
    Inventors: Lee A. Horton, Arthur A. Erickson
  • Patent number: 6619319
    Abstract: A non-spill, multi-line fluid connector includes a first part and a second part removably connected to the first part. Each of the first and second parts includes a plurality of fluid channels, each of which connects to a corresponding fluid channel of the other part without fluid spillage. The fluid channels in each part can be arranged concentrically, which enables the parts to be rotated relative to each other while maintaining the fluid connections. One part can be incorporated into a latch pin of a tool coupler, and the other part can be incorporated into a latch bracket attached to a hydraulically operated tool, wherein the latch bracket receives the latch pin to lock the tool to the tool coupler and to establish one or more hydraulic connections to the hydraulic tool. A locking assembly secures together the first part and the second part when fluid pressure is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Woods Equipment Company
    Inventors: Lee A. Horton, Arthur A. Erickson
  • Patent number: 6460569
    Abstract: A multi-line fluid connector has a pin and a receptacle, each including a plurality of fluid channels, and a fluid connector make-before-break connections between the fluid channels of the pin and corresponding fluid channels of the receptacle when the pin is moved into engagement with the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: WEC, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee A. Horton, Arthur A. Erickson