Patents by Inventor Michael D. VanMaldegiam

Michael D. VanMaldegiam 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: 8807050
    Abstract: A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar including a housing with wall structure defining a central axis for the side bearing assembly and a multipiece cap. The cap is arranged in operable combination with the housing and includes a movable first member or spring seat and a movable second member or top cap carried by the first member. A spring resiliently urges the cap members toward railcar body structure. The cap members define cooperating angled surfaces therebetween for urging wall structure on the first member and wall structure on the second member into frictional engagement with the wall structure on the housing in response to a vertical load acting on the friction contacting surface on the cap. At least the top cap is structured to establish a coefficient of friction ranging between about 0.4 and about 0.9 with the railcar during operation of the side bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aspengen, Erik D. Jensen, Michael D. VanMaldegiam, Adam J. Merges, Mark W. Stanek, Jeff Ballerini, Steve R. White, Andy R. Kries
  • Publication number: 20120291660
    Abstract: A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar including a housing with wall structure defining a central axis for the side bearing assembly and a multipiece cap. The cap is arranged in operable combination with the housing and includes a movable first member or spring seat and a movable second member or top cap carried by the first member. A spring resiliently urges the cap members toward railcar body structure. The cap members define cooperating angled surfaces therebetween for urging wall structure on the first member and wall structure on the second member into frictional engagement with the wall structure on the housing in response to a vertical load acting on the friction contacting surface on the cap. At least the top cap is structured to establish a coefficient of friction ranging between about 0.4 and about 0.9 with the railcar during operation of the side bearing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Paul B. ASPENGEN, Erik D. JENSEN, Michael D. VanMALDEGIAM, Adam J. MERGES, Mark W. STANEK, Jeff BALLERINI, Steve R. WHITE, Andy R. KRIES
  • Patent number: 8201504
    Abstract: A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar including a housing with wall structure defining a central axis for the side bearing assembly and a multipiece cap. The cap is arranged in operable combination with the housing and includes a movable first member and a movable second member carried by the first member. A portion of the second member extends beyond the housing and defines a friction surface for the cap. A spring resiliently urges the friction surface of the cap into frictional contact with railcar body structure. The cap members define cooperating angled surfaces therebetween for urging wall structure on the first member and wall structure on the second member into frictional engagement with the wall structure on said housing in response to a vertical load acting on the friction contacting surface on the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. O'Donnell, Erik D. Jensen, Paul B. Aspengren, Michael D. VanMaldegiam, Paul A. Perlongo, Mark W. Stanek, Adam J. Merges
  • Publication number: 20110011301
    Abstract: A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar including a housing with wall structure defining a central axis for the side bearing assembly and a multipiece cap. The cap is arranged in operable combination with the housing and includes a movable first member and a movable second member carried by the first member. A portion of the second member extends beyond the nousing and defines a friction surface for the cap. A spring resiliently urges the friction surface of the cap into frictional contact with railcar body structure. The cap members define cooperating angled surfaces therebetween for urging wall structure on the first member and wall structure on the second member into frictional engagement with the wall structure on said housing in response to a vertical load acting on the friction contacting surface on the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: William P. O'Donnell, Erik D. Jensen, Paul B. Aspengren, Michael D. VanMaldegiam, Paul A. Perlongo, Mark W. Stanek, Adam J. Merges
  • Patent number: 7044061
    Abstract: An elastomer spring element arranged in operable combination with structure for inhibiting localized heat deterioration of the elastomer spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. O'Donnell, Michael D. VanMaldegiam, Erik D. Jensen, Donald E. Wilt, Michael S. Dillon
  • Patent number: 6862999
    Abstract: A railroad car energy absorption apparatus is disclosed. The railroad car energy absorption apparatus includes a spring assembly having an elastomer spring element arranged in operable combination with structure for inhibiting localized heat deterioration of the elastomer spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. O'Donnell, Michael D. VanMaldegiam, Erik D. Jensen, Donald E. Wilt, Michael S. Dillon
  • Patent number: 6792871
    Abstract: A railroad car energy absorption apparatus is disclosed. The railroad car energy absorption apparatus includes a spring assembly having an elastomer spring element arranged in operable combination with structure for inhibiting localized heat deterioration of the elastomer spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. O'Donnell, Michael D. VanMaldegiam, Erik D. Jensen, Donald E. Wilt, Michael S. Dillon
  • Publication number: 20040129170
    Abstract: A railroad car energy absorption apparatus is disclosed. The railroad car energy absorption apparatus includes a spring assembly having an elastomer spring element arranged in operable combination with structure for inhibiting localized heat deterioration of the elastomer spring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: William P. O'Donnell, Michael D. VanMaldegiam, Erik D. Jensen, Donald E. Wilt, Michael S. Dillon
  • Publication number: 20040089193
    Abstract: A railroad car energy absorption apparatus is disclosed. The railroad car energy absorption apparatus includes a spring assembly having an elastomer spring element arranged in operable combination with structure for inhibiting localized heat deterioration of the elastomer spring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: William P. O'Donnell, Michael D. VanMaldegiam, Erik D. Jensen, Donald E. Wilt, Michael S. Dillon
  • Patent number: RE44177
    Abstract: A railroad car energy absorption apparatus is disclosed. The railroad car energy absorption apparatus includes a spring assembly having an elastomer spring element arranged in operable combination with structure for inhibiting localized heat deterioration of the elastomer spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. O'Donnell, Michael D. VanMaldegiam, Erik D. Jensen, Donald E. Wilt, Michael S. Dillon