Patents by Inventor Mark E. Combs

Mark E. Combs 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: 9669852
    Abstract: A washout detector apparatus includes a detector member movably disposed in at least a portion of a detector housing, the detector housing is configured to be secured to a structure. A biasing device is disposed in and positioned to bias the detector member in a direction out from the portion of the detector housing towards a surface perpendicular to the structure. An indicator is coupled to the detector member to provide a condition of the surface based on movement of the detector member with respect to the surface. A method for making a washout detector apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventor: Mark E. Combs
  • Publication number: 20160052532
    Abstract: A washout detector apparatus includes a detector member movably disposed in at least a portion of a detector housing, the detector housing is configured to be secured to a structure. A biasing device is disposed in and positioned to bias the detector member in a direction out from the portion of the detector housing towards a surface perpendicular to the structure. An indicator is coupled to the detector member to provide a condition of the surface based on movement of the detector member with respect to the surface. A method for making a washout detector apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Mark E. Combs
  • Patent number: 9151002
    Abstract: A fastener apparatus for a railroad rail and tie includes a yoke plate support frame and a yoke plate. The yoke plate support frame includes opposing securing arms coupled by a perpendicular yoke plate support. The opposing securing arms are spaced apart to detachably seat the yoke plate support over the railroad tie. Attachment tabs extend above the perpendicular yoke plate support from the opposing securing arms. The yoke plate includes a first plate extending along a first plane, a second plate extending out from an edge of the first plate and along a second plane which is at a different angle from the first plane, and yoke plate attachment tabs coupled to the first plate and the second plate. The yoke plate attachment tabs are configured to detachably couple the yoke plate to the yoke plate support frame through the attachment tabs of the opposing securing arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventor: Mark E. Combs
  • Patent number: 9151001
    Abstract: An exemplary fastener apparatus for a railroad rail and tie includes a yoke plate, at least one securing tooth, and opposing securing arms. The yoke plate has a first plate extending along a first plane and a second plate extending out from an edge of the first plate and along a second plane which is at a different angle from the first plane. The securing tooth extends out from the second plate in a first direction. The opposing securing arms are spaced apart from each other a distance to detachably seat over the railroad tie and extend out from the first plate in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventor: Mark E. Combs
  • Publication number: 20140203096
    Abstract: A fastener apparatus for a railroad rail and tie includes a yoke plate support frame and a yoke plate. The yoke plate support frame includes opposing securing arms coupled by a perpendicular yoke plate support. The opposing securing arms are spaced apart to detachably seat the yoke plate support over the railroad tie. Attachment tabs extend above the perpendicular yoke plate support from the opposing securing arms. The yoke plate includes a first plate extending along a first plane, a second plate extending out from an edge of the first plate and along a second plane which is at a different angle from the first plane, and yoke plate attachment tabs coupled to the first plate and the second plate. The yoke plate attachment tabs are configured to detachably couple the yoke plate to the yoke plate support frame through the attachment tabs of the opposing securing arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Mark E. Combs
  • Publication number: 20130334331
    Abstract: An exemplary fastener apparatus for a railroad rail and tie includes a yoke plate, at least one securing tooth, and opposing securing arms. The yoke plate has a first plate extending along a first plane and a second plate extending out from an edge of the first plate and along a second plane which is at a different angle from the first plane. The securing tooth extends out from the second plate in a first direction. The opposing securing arms are spaced apart from each other a distance to detachably seat over the railroad tie and extend out from the first plate in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Mark E. Combs