Patents by Inventor Merlin B. Halverson

Merlin B. Halverson 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: 7669875
    Abstract: A remotely releasable brake hose coupler for pressure fluid operated brake systems, such as on a motor truck and semi-trailer unit, and a retrieval mechanism for retrieving flexible hoses connected to the coupler. Pressure air from the truck tractor brake system is conducted through a valve to an actuator for effecting movement of a coupler member to release engagement with a corresponding coupler fitting mounted on a trailer. One or more air brake hoses connected to respective remotely releasable couplers are connected to tensioning mechanisms and to a movable boom mounted on the truck tractor for extending the hoses during a remote release operation and then retracting the hoses and couplers to a stored position when the remotely releasable couplers are disconnected from the trailer fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Cargotec Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Merlin B. Halverson, Harold E. King, Gregory J. Lehman
  • Patent number: 7401801
    Abstract: A remotely releasable brake hose coupler for pressure fluid operated brake systems, such as on a motor truck and semi-trailer unit, and a retrieval mechanism for retrieving flexible hoses connected to the coupler. Pressure air from the truck tractor brake system is conducted through a valve to an actuator for effecting movement of a coupler member to release engagement with a corresponding coupler fitting mounted on a trailer. One or more air brake hoses connected to respective remotely releasable couplers are connected to tensioning mechanisms and to a movable boom mounted on the truck tractor for extending the hoses during a remote release operation and then retracting the hoses and couplers to a stored position when the remotely releasable couplers are disconnected from the trailer fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Kalmar Industires USA, LLC
    Inventors: Merlin B. Halverson, Harold E. King, Gregory J. Lehman
  • Publication number: 20080136138
    Abstract: A remotely releasable brake hose coupler for pressure fluid operated brake systems, such as on a motor truck and semi-trailer unit, and a retrieval mechanism for retrieving flexible hoses connected to the coupler. Pressure air from the truck tractor brake system is conducted through a valve to an actuator for effecting movement of a coupler member to release engagement with a corresponding coupler fitting mounted on a trailer. One or more air brake hoses connected to respective remotely releasable couplers are connected to tensioning mechanisms and to a movable boom mounted on the truck tractor for extending the hoses during a remote release operation and then retracting the hoses and couplers to a stored position when the remotely releasable couplers are disconnected from the trailer fittings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: KALMAR INDUSTRIES USA, LLC
    Inventors: Merlin B. Halverson, Harold E. King, Gregory J. Lehman
  • Patent number: 6338605
    Abstract: A tractor (20) for unloading a trailer (12) from a railcar (14) is disclosed. The tractor (20) comprises a trigger actuator (34) and a bumper (30). The trigger actuator (34) is fixably mounted to the tractor (20) and remains stationary. The bumper (30) of the tractor (20) may be operated between an extended position and a retracted position. When the bumper (30) is in the extended position and the tractor (20) is adjacent to a stanchion (16), the trigger actuator (34) does not engage the trigger of the stanchion (16). When the bumper (30) is in the retracted position and the tractor (20) is adjacent to the stanchion (16), the trigger actuator (34) engages the trigger (28) of the stanchion (16) to operate the stanchion (16) from the raised position to the lowered position, thereby transferring the trailer (12) from the stanchion (16) to the tractor (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kalmar Industries USA Inc.
    Inventors: Merlin B. Halverson, Henry Lamb
  • Patent number: 5579860
    Abstract: A three-point mounting system including a single rear cab mount is provided for mounting the cab to, and isolating the cab from, the frame of a tractor. Two front cab mounts and a single rear cab mount individually connected to the cab at three different points couple the cab to the frame. The location of the three different points are chosen such that a reference line drawn vertically through the center of gravity of the cab will intersect at a point within a triangular area formed by a straight line connection of the three points. The single rear cab mount comprises an improved suspension member for reducing the transmission of shocks and vibrations from the frame to the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Ottawa Truck, Inc.
    Inventors: Merlin B. Halverson, Raymond J. Carter, Michael J. LeMieux
  • Patent number: 5330222
    Abstract: A frame isolation system is presented which enhances the ride quality of a terminal tractor. The isolation system includes an axle saddle provided with leading and trailing anti-torque links which permit the axle to move through a limited displacement to compensate for rough and uneven road surfaces. The terminal tractor includes a main frame and a rear axle, the axle saddle being rigidly coupled to the rear axle, and a resilient bumper positioned between the main frame and the axle saddle. The rear axle is also permitted to move through limited range of side to side oscillation because of the use of spherical bearings and ball joints between the anti-torque links and their respective connections with the axle saddle and the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Ottawa Truck, Inc.
    Inventors: Merlin B. Halverson, Raymond J. Carter