Patents by Inventor Mearl K. Bridges

Mearl K. Bridges 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).

  • Publication number: 20030183119
    Abstract: A railway system to enhance loading and unloading of at least one railway car. The system comprises at least one sliding surface engageable with a moveable portion of a railway track for moving a first predetermined end of a first railway car to a predetermined position. At least one platform of a predetermined size, height, and grade is disposed adjacent a railway track. The platform has a first end and a second end. The first end is aligned with the first predetermined end of the first railway car when the first railway car is moved to a predetermined position. The first railway car can be loaded and unloaded without removing the first railway car from the railway track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Richard C. Hathaway, Mearl K. Bridges, John M. Barr
  • Patent number: 5901649
    Abstract: The invention is a system for transporting highway vehicles on railway vehicles. It has rail cars positionable relative to one another at an angle of at least about 50 degrees. Each car has a deck for highway vehicles. The system has a railroad terminal with a first track with switch(es) connected to spur(s) so trucks supporting a first set of car ends may be kept on the first track, while a second set of trucks supporting a second set of car ends is placed on the spur(s). The rail cars are thereby placed in a zig-zag configuration. For each of the rail cars, a truck supporting one end remains on the first track while a truck supporting the other end is placed on a spur. A vector parallel to the direction of travel of a truck along the tracks supporting it has a vector component of at least about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: KACI Terminals System, Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard C. Hathaway, Mearl K. Bridges, John M. Barr, Donald R. Klein, Edmond S. Miksch
  • Patent number: 5836251
    Abstract: System and method for loading and unloading highway vehicles for transportation over railroad lines. The system has a number of railroad vehicles, each having a deck for highway vehicles. The deck extends from a central portion of the vehicle to one or both ends of the railway vehicle. The invention includes a terminal which has at least one stationary railroad track portion which is connected to a railroad system outside of the terminal. The terminal also has number of moveable railroad track segments. These segments can be positioned in a first configuration in which they are aligned so that railroad vehicles can be rolled from one or more of the stationary railroad track segments onto the moveable railroad track segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Kaci Terminal System Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard C. Hathaway, Mearl K. Bridges, John M. Barr, Donald R. Klein
  • Patent number: 5584521
    Abstract: A modular rail system supports accessories on a pickup truck bed. The system comprises first and second rail assemblies overlying the top surfaces of the first and second truck bed side walls for releasably connecting with the side walls. A flexible cover overlies the bed for covering and providing protection for the bed. A locking mechanism is likewise provided and is associated with the cover and the rail assemblies for lockingly attaching the cover to the rail assemblies and securing the cover in place over the truck bed. The first and second rail assemblies include first and second elongate members having at least one outboard elongated channel and at least two inboard elongated channels for receiving a mating portion of an accessory or an attachment for an accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: CR&I Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Hathaway, Mearl K. Bridges, Donald R. Klein
  • Patent number: 5480206
    Abstract: A modular rail system is provided for supporting accessories on a pick-up truck bed. The system comprises first and second rail assemblies overlying the top surfaces of the first and second truck bed side walls for releasably connecting with the side walls. A flexible cover overlies the bed for covering and providing protection for the bed. A locking mechanism is likewise provided and is associated with the cover and the rail assemblies for lockingly attaching the cover to the rail assemblies and securing the cover in place over the truck bed. The rail system may additionally include a tie-down bar, a light bar, a utility box, a camper top, and a single or multi-piece bed liner, each of which is supported and connected to the rail assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: CR&I Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Hathaway, Mearl K. Bridges, Donald R. Klein
  • Patent number: 5263761
    Abstract: A modular rail system is provided for supporting accessories on a pick-up truck bed. The system comprises first and second rail assemblies overlying the top surfaces of the first and second truck bed side walls for releasably connecting with the side walls. A flexible cover overlies the bed for covering and providing protection for the bed. A locking mechanism is likewise provided and is associated with the cover and the rail assemblies for lockingly attaching the cover to the rail assemblies and securing the cover in place over the truck bed. The rail system may additionally include a tie-down bar, a light bar, a utility box, a camper top, and a single or multi-piece bed liner, each of which is supported and connected to the rail assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: CR&I Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Hathaway, Mearl K. Bridges, Donald R. Klein