Patents by Inventor Peter D. Downey

Peter D. Downey 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: 6239711
    Abstract: A livestock sorter is provided for sorting hogs according to weight. The livestock sorter includes a chute having an entrance gate at a back end and a pair of exit gates at a front end. Latches secure the gates in a closed position. A platform within the chute is arranged to support a hog thereon. A scale mounted beneath the platform produces a weight signal representing a magnitude of the weight of the hog on the platform. A control system includes overweight and underweight responsive elements for releasing the appropriate exit gate latch corresponding to an overweight or underweight hog in relation to a predetermined weight. The control system includes an entrance gate latch control disables the entrance gate latch in response to an absence of weight on the scale. An entrance gate sensor is included for delaying the control system until the entrance gate is closed. The control system also includes a scale delay circuit which ensures that a transient weight signal will not release the exit gate latches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventors: Peter D. Downey, Brent E. Crowe