Patents by Inventor Randall Mark Foster

Randall Mark Foster 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: 10124962
    Abstract: A roll-formed steel slat for use in a reciprocating floor slat conveyor system. The roll-formed steel slat is formed in a manner so as to have an upper, load-carrying surface, and a pair of downwardly depending side legs. Each side leg terminates in a foot. One foot is vertically offset from the other to provide a “hold-down” function that prevents the slat from vertically rising as the slat reciprocates back-and-forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jackson, Randall Mark Foster, Nathan Keeley, Victor Matthews, Scott Delamarter
  • Patent number: 10112779
    Abstract: A roll-formed steel slat for use in a reciprocating floor slat conveyor system. The roll-formed steel slat is formed in a manner so as to have an upper, load-carrying surface, and a pair of downwardly depending side legs. Each side leg terminates in a foot. One foot is vertically offset from the other to provide a “hold-down” function that prevents the slat from vertically rising as the slat reciprocates back-and-forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jackson, Randall Mark Foster, Nathan Keeley, Scott Delamarter
  • Publication number: 20180257869
    Abstract: A roll-formed steel slat for use in a reciprocating floor slat conveyor system. The roll-formed steel slat is formed in a manner so as to have an upper, load-carrying surface, and a pair of downwardly depending side legs. Each side leg terminates in a foot. One foot is vertically offset from the other to provide a “hold-down” function that prevents the slat from vertically rising as the slat reciprocates back-and-forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jackson, Randall Mark Foster, Nathan Keeley, Victor Matthews, Scott Delamarter
  • Publication number: 20180251317
    Abstract: A roll-formed steel slat for use in a reciprocating floor slat conveyor system. The roll-formed steel slat is formed in a manner so as to have an upper, load-carrying surface, and a pair of downwardly depending side legs. Each side leg terminates in a foot. One foot is vertically offset from the other to provide a “hold-down” function that prevents the slat from vertically rising as the slat reciprocates back-and-forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jackson, Randall Mark Foster, Nathan Keeley, Scott Delamarter
  • Publication number: 20180222684
    Abstract: An all-aluminum cross-drive member for a drive unit assembly that is used to reciprocate floor slats back and forth in a conveyor system, The cross-drive member is extruded or milled from a single piece of aluminum, One side of the member carries connecting pieces for linking the member to floor slats, with the member driving the floor slats back and forth as the member is likewise moved lengthwise in back and forth movement, The other side of the member has stiffening ribs that extend lengthwise for giving the member sufficient stiffness to carry loading forces in lieu of the steel cross-drives used in the past.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: John Cook, Tim Toth, Jared Murphy, Lucas Pagano, Edward Worth, Nathan Keeley, Randall Mark Foster
  • Patent number: 9969559
    Abstract: A roll-formed steel slat for use in a reciprocating floor slat conveyor system. The roll-formed steel slat is formed in a manner so as to have an upper, load-carrying surface, and a pair of downwardly depending side legs. Each side leg terminates in a foot. One foot is vertically offset from the other to provide a “hold-down” function that prevents the slat from vertically rising as the slat reciprocates back-and-forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jackson, Randall Mark Foster, Nathan Keeley, Victor Matthews, Scott Delamarter
  • Patent number: 9963298
    Abstract: A roll-formed steel slat for use in a reciprocating floor slat conveyor system. The roll-formed steel slat is formed in a manner so as to have an upper, load-carrying surface, and a pair of downwardly depending side legs. Each side leg terminates in a foot. One foot is vertically offset from the other to provide a “hold-down” function that prevents the slat from vertically rising as the slat reciprocates back-and-forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jackson, Randall Mark Foster, Nathan Keeley, Scott Delamarter
  • Publication number: 20170283179
    Abstract: A roll-formed steel slat for use in a reciprocating floor slat conveyor system. The roll-formed steel slat is formed in a manner so as to have an upper, load-carrying surface, and a pair of downwardly depending side legs. Each side leg terminates in a foot. One foot is vertically offset from the other to provide a “hold-down” function that prevents the slat from vertically rising as the slat reciprocates back-and-forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jackson, Randall Mark Foster, Nathan Keeley, Scott Delamarter
  • Publication number: 20170144841
    Abstract: A roll-formed steel slat for use in a reciprocating floor slat conveyor system. The roll-formed steel slat is formed in a manner so as to have an upper, load-carrying surface, and a pair of downwardly depending side legs. Each side leg terminates in a foot. One foot is vertically offset from the other to provide a “hold-down” function that prevents the slat from vertically rising as the slat reciprocates back-and-forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jackson, Randall Mark Foster, Nathan Keeley, Victor Matthews, Scott Delamarter
  • Publication number: 20170101271
    Abstract: Side-by-side reciprocating floor slats have side wings that provide lateral supports. The upper side wings on one slat rest on bearing surfaces on the side wings of underlying slats. The upper wings have beads that create grooves in the bearing surfaces for the purpose of establishing lateral spacing between slats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: John Cook, Daniel Jackson, Randall Mark Foster
  • Publication number: 20170029216
    Abstract: A roll-formed steel slat for use in a reciprocating floor slat conveyor system. The roll-formed steel slat is formed in a manner so as to have an upper, load-carrying surface, and a pair of downwardly depending side legs. Each side leg terminates in a foot. One foot is vertically offset from the other to provide a “hold-down” function that prevents the slat from vertically rising as the slat reciprocates back-and-forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jackson, Randall Mark Foster, Nathan Keeley, Victor Matthews, Scott Delamarter
  • Patent number: 9090193
    Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a moving headboard for use in connection with a reciprocating floor slat system. It is particularly well-suited for use in connection with load-hauling trailers that have built-in reciprocating floor slat conveyors for unloading the trailer. Trailers of this kind are used in lieu of hydraulic lifts and involve inching the load off the trailer. The moving headboard sweeps the trailer floor clean during the unloading process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: John Cook, Kenneth Stout, Daniel Jackson, Randall Mark Foster
  • Publication number: 20140294545
    Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a moving headboard for use in connection with a reciprocating floor slat system. It is particularly well-suited for use in connection with load-hauling trailers that have built-in reciprocating floor slat conveyors for unloading the trailer. Trailers of this kind are used in lieu of hydraulic lifts and involve inching the load off the trailer. The moving headboard sweeps the trailer floor clean during the unloading process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: John Cook, Kenneth Stout, Daniel Jackson, Randall Mark Foster
  • Patent number: 7789218
    Abstract: Opposite end sections (20, 26) of a piston/cylinder drive unit (14) are clamped to longitudinally spaced apart transverse mounting beams (10, 12), by a fixed clamp parts connected to the mounting beams (10, 12) and removable clamp parts that are connected by bolts to the fixed clamp parts. The piston rod end sections (20, 26) include longitudinal passageways having outer end openings that project outwardly from the clamps. Manifolds are secured to the mounting beams (10, 12) outwardly of the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). A detachable coupling connects ports in the manifold with the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). The piston cylinder drive unit (14) can be detached from the frame by first detaching the fluid couplings and then detaching the clamps which clamp the piston rod end sections (20, 26) to the mounting beams (10, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Randall Mark Foster, John Scott Cook, Kenneth A. Stout
  • Patent number: 7736114
    Abstract: A trailer (T) and a dock (D) are provided with substantially identical slat conveyors (10, 12). Each conveyor (10, 12) has alternating conveyor slats (36, 36?) and lifting/holding slats (38, 38?). The trailer (T) is backed up to the dock (D). Upper portions of the lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) are coupled together at their ends. The confronting ends of the conveying slats (36, 36?) are also coupled together. A mechanism carried by the dock (D) raises and lowers the upper portions of the two sets of lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) a drive mechanism carried by the dock (D) where it reciprocates both sets of conveying slats (36, 36?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Raymond Keith Foster, Randall Mark Foster, John Scott Cook
  • Patent number: 7604109
    Abstract: A trailer (T) and a dock (D) are provided with substantially identical slat conveyors (10, 12). Each conveyor (10, 12) has alternating conveyor slats (36, 36?) and lifting/holding slats (38, 38?). The trailer (T) is backed up to the dock (D). Upper portions of the lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) are coupled together at their ends. The confronting ends of the conveying slats (36, 36?) are also coupled together. A mechanism carried by the dock (D) raises and lowers the upper portions of the two sets of lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) a drive mechanism carried by the dock (D) where it reciprocates both sets of conveying slats (36, 36?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Raymond Keith Foster, Randall Mark Foster, legal representative, John Scott Cook
  • Patent number: 7556141
    Abstract: A base structure (10) for a reciprocating slat conveyor is formed from a plurality of cellular base sections (18) that are connected by tongue and groove joints (28, 30). Each section is constructed from a lower wall (20), an upper wall (22) placed vertically above the lower wall (20), first and second opposite side portions (22, 24) connected to the upper and lower walls (22, 20) and a plurality of divider walls (26) spaced apart between the side portions (22, 24) and extending vertically between the upper and lower walls (20, 22). Each base section (18) comprises at least one elongated guide beam (36) that extends upwardly from the upper wall (22). The guide beam (36) has a top (42) on which an elongated bearing (14) is placed. The bearing (14) snaps onto the top (20) and a conveyor slat (16) snaps onto the bearing (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Keith Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Randall Mark Foster, Kenneth A. Stout, Michael Christopher House
  • Publication number: 20090078540
    Abstract: Opposite end sections (20, 26) of a piston/cylinder drive unit (14) are clamped to longitudinally spaced apart transverse mounting beams (10, 12), by a fixed clamp parts connected to the mounting beams (10, 12) and removable clamp parts that are connected by bolts to the fixed clamp parts. The piston rod end sections (20, 26) include longitudinal passageways having outer end openings that project outwardly from the clamps. Manifolds are secured to the mounting beams (10, 12) outwardly of the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). A detachable coupling connects ports in the manifold with the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). The piston cylinder drive unit (14) can be detached from the frame by first detaching the fluid couplings and then detaching the clamps which clamp the piston rod end sections (20, 26) to the mounting beams (10, 12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Randall Mark Foster, John Scott Cook, Kenneth A. Stout
  • Publication number: 20090078541
    Abstract: Opposite end sections (20, 26) of a piston/cylinder drive unit (14) are clamped to longitudinally spaced apart transverse mounting beams (10, 12), by a fixed clamp parts connected to the mounting beams (10, 12) and removable clamp parts that are connected by bolts to the fixed clamp parts. The piston rod end sections (20, 26) include longitudinal passageways having outer end openings that project outwardly from the clamps. Manifolds are secured to the mounting beams (10, 12) outwardly of the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). A detachable coupling connects ports in the manifold with the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). The piston cylinder drive unit (14) can be detached from the frame by first detaching the fluid couplings and then detaching the clamps which clamp the piston rod end sections (20, 26) to the mounting beams (10, 12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Randall Mark Foster, John Scott Cook, Kenneth A. Stout
  • Publication number: 20090020396
    Abstract: A base structure (10) for a reciprocating slat conveyor is formed from a plurality of cellular base sections (18) that are connected by tongue and groove joints (28, 30). Each section is constructed from a lower wall (20), an upper wall (22) placed vertically above the lower wall (20), first and second opposite side portions (22, 24) connected to the upper and lower walls (22, 20) and a plurality of divider walls (26) spaced apart between the side portions (22, 24) and extending vertically between the upper and lower walls (20, 22). Each base section (18) comprises at least one elongated guide beam (36) that extends upwardly from the upper wall (22). The guide beam (36) has a top (42) on which an elongated bearing (14) is placed. The bearing (14) snaps onto the top (20) and a conveyor slat (16) snaps onto the bearing (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Randall Mark Foster, Kenneth A. Stout, Michael Christopher House