Patents by Inventor LeRoy A. Winkler
LeRoy A. Winkler 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).
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Patent number: 10160606Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a conveyor surface for holding the objects; and a conveyor support for supporting the conveyor surface above the frame base. A wear guard associated with the axle support prevents track wear. A track wear prevention system includes a wear guard and a height detection module. Systems and methods for track wear prevention are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Mantissa CorporationInventors: David Patrick Erceg, J. David Fortenbery, Daniel H. Weckerle, Gonzalo Sotelo, LeRoy A. Winkler
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Patent number: 9422119Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a carrying tray for holding the objects; and a support for supporting the carrying tray above the frame base. A tilting mechanism including at least one gear having at least one cam is adapted for tilting the carrying tray toward at least one side of the conveyor. The present inventions may further include a tilt sensor for determining the direction of tilt of the tray. In addition, a drive motor and a driven member attached to the frame base may be included for moving the conveyor carts around the track.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Mantissa CorporationInventors: J. David Fortenbery, David Patrick Erceg, Gonzalo Sotelo, Charles P. Howell, III, Gregory P. Kissel, Daniel H. Weckerle, LeRoy A. Winkler, III
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Patent number: 8807320Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a carrying tray for holding the objects; and a support for supporting the carrying tray above the frame base. A tilting mechanism including at least one gear having at least one cam is adapted for tilting the carrying tray toward at least one side of the conveyor. The present inventions may further include a tilt sensor for determining the direction of tilt of the tray. In addition, a drive motor and a driven member attached to the frame base may be included for moving the conveyor carts around the track.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Mantissa CorporationInventors: J. David Fortenbery, David Patrick Erceg, Gonzalo Sotelo, Charles P. Howell, III, Gregory P. Kissel, Daniel H. Weckerle, LeRoy A. Winkler, III
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Publication number: 20130341157Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a carrying tray for holding the objects; and a support for supporting the carrying tray above the frame base. A tilting mechanism including at least one gear having at least one cam is adapted for tilting the carrying tray toward at least one side of the conveyor. The present inventions may further include a tilt sensor for determining the direction of tilt of the tray. In addition, a drive motor and a driven member attached to the frame base may be included for moving the conveyor carts around the track.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventors: J. David Fortenbery, David Patrick Erceg, Gonzalo Sotelo, Charles P. Howell, III, Gregory P. Kissel, Daniel H. Weckerle, LeRoy A. Winkler, III
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Patent number: 8376663Abstract: A package sorting system. The package sorting conveyor system includes a conveying track, at least one unloading station and an air-film lubricated entrance chute upstream of the unloading station to receive the package. In one embodiment, the entrance chute includes a plenum including a plurality of spaced apart apertures and an opening for communicating with an air supply; and a segmented conveying surface in communication with the apertures, wherein the segmented conveying surface includes at least one air-film lubricated bottom surface and at least one air-film lubricated side wall substantially perpendicular to the at least one bottom surface. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a positioner assembly for selectively positioning the outlet of the entrance chute.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Mantissa CorporationInventors: David Patrick Erceg, Leroy A. Winkler, III, Gonzalo Sotelo, Richard D. Carwile
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Publication number: 20110222972Abstract: A package sorting system. The package sorting conveyor system includes a conveying track, at least one unloading station and an air-film lubricated entrance chute upstream of the unloading station to receive the package. In one embodiment, the entrance chute includes a plenum including a plurality of spaced apart apertures and an opening for communicating with an air supply; and a segmented conveying surface in communication with the apertures, wherein the segmented conveying surface includes at least one air-film lubricated bottom surface and at least one air-film lubricated side wall substantially perpendicular to the at least one bottom surface. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a positioner assembly for selectively positioning the outlet of the entrance chute.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: David Patrick Erceg, Leroy A. Winkler, III, Gonzalo Sotelo, Richard D. Carwile
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Patent number: 6158568Abstract: A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. Each of the tilting conveyor carts includes a trailer frame base, a carrying tray for holding the objects and a tiltable support apparatus for supporting the carrying tray above the trailer frame base and for allowing tilting of the carrying tray towards at least one side of the conveyor to unload objects into unloading stations on at least one side of the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2000Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: Mantissa CorporationInventors: David Patrick Erceg, J. David Fortenbery, Leroy A. Winkler, III
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Patent number: 6112879Abstract: A package sorting conveyor system having at least one conveyor cart movable along a continuous track and at least one unloading station. The conveyor system includes a two-axis tiltable support apparatus for supporting the carrying tray on the conveyor cart and for allowing tilting of the carrying tray towards at least one side of the package sorting conveyor to unload a package into unloading stations on at least one side of the sorting conveyor. A transition zone funnel upstream of the unloading station receives the package from the conveyor cart. The transition zone funnel includes an inlet adjacent to the continuous track conveyor system at the unloading station for receiving the package discharged from the tiltable conveyor cart; an upwardly inclined downstream wall located downstream of the inlet for preventing the package from tipping over; and an outlet located downstream from the upwardly inclined downstream wall for discharging the package from the funnel.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1998Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Mantissa CorporationInventors: J. David Fortenbery, David Erceg, Leroy A. Winkler, III, Charles H. Lee
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Patent number: 6050390Abstract: A package sorting conveyor system having at least one conveyor cart movable along a continuous track and at least one unloading station. The conveyor system includes a two-axis tiltable support apparatus for supporting the carrying tray on the conveyor cart and for allowing tilting of the carrying tray towards at least one side of the package sorting conveyor to unload a package into unloading stations on at least one side of the sorting conveyor. A transition zone funnel upstream of the unloading station receives the package from the conveyor cart. The transition zone funnel includes an inlet adjacent to the continuous track conveyor system at the unloading station for receiving the package discharged from the tiltable conveyor cart; an upwardly inclined downstream wall located downstream of the inlet for preventing the package from tipping over; and an outlet located downstream from the upwardly inclined downstream wall for discharging the package from the funnel.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1997Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Mantissa CorporationInventors: J. David Fortenbery, David Erceg, Leroy A. Winkler, III, Charles H. Lee
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Patent number: 6009992Abstract: A tilting conveyor cart for a sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. Each of the tilting conveyor carts includes a trailer frame base, a carrying tray for holding the objects and a tiltable support apparatus for supporting the carrying tray above the trailer frame base and for allowing tilting of the carrying tray towards at least one side of the conveyor to unload objects into unloading stations on at least one side of the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1998Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Mantissa CorporationInventors: David Patrick Erceg, J. David Fortenbery, Leroy A. Winkler, III
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Patent number: 5220986Abstract: An improved discharge chute for a material handling system. The chute includes a generally elongated rectangularly shaped support backing. A sheet of low friction, wear resistant polymeric material is bonded to the upper surface of the support backing. In the preferred embodiment, the polymeric material is high density, textured polyethylene between about 15 and 50 mils in thickness. A second sheet of polymeric material is bonded to the lower surface of the support backing to prevent warping of the backing. A support frame is attached to the support backing for positioning one end of the chute adjacent to the discharge portion of the material handling system and the other end of the chute adjacent to a receiving station. Finally, a pair of dividers attached to the opposite sides of the support backing for confining the goods being discharged by the material handling system.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1992Date of Patent: June 22, 1993Assignee: Mantissa CorporationInventor: LeRoy A. Winkler, III