Patents by Inventor Richard A. Stearn

Richard A. Stearn 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).

  • Suspended load positioning stabilizing system
    Patent number: 4705180
    Abstract: A wire rope or cable stabilizing system for applying a balancing force to a suspended load to maintain vertical movement of the load perpendicular to the surface upon which the load is to be placed. The balancing force is effected to balance the lateral loading forces which may be applied to the suspended load such as may be due to, for example, the list or trim of a vessel, or the wind loading forces encountered when removing or replacing a hatch cover during a loading or unloading operation of a ship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald P. Lamer, Norbert W. Lenius, Richard A. Stearn
  • Mobile hoist
    Patent number: 4236859
    Abstract: A straddle-type mobile hoist having loading slings operatively connected to automatically equalize the loading applied through the slings and adapted to vary the lateral spacing between slings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Stearn, Gerald P. Lamer, Norbert W. Lenius
  • Straddle carriers for containers
    Patent number: 4159778
    Abstract: A straddle carrier consisting of an inverted U-shaped frame, having a pair of vertically extending legs that define an elongated container carrying bay with each leg supported by a plurality of wheels is disclosed herein. First and second engines are respectively supported on the legs and each engine drives a plurality of pumps which supply pressurized fluid for driving and steering the vehicle, as well as pumps for supplying fluid to a plurality of other functions. The hydraulic circuit for performing the plurality of other functions as well as the steering function is designed so that all of the functions may be operated from the pumps driven by one of the engines in case of power failure in the other engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1979
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventors: Philip Pueschner, William K. Holmes, Duane L. Thiele, Richard A. Stearn, Norbert W. Lenius, Lynn L. Keller
  • Hoisting mechanism for straddle carrier spreader and straddle carrier steering system
    Patent number: 4143781
    Abstract: A hoisting mechanism for a spreader of a straddle carrier is disclosed herein. The hoisting mechanism includes two fluid rams respectively located at diagonal corners of a generally inverted U-shaped frame. One fluid ram is connected to one end of the spreader through three parallel flexible members with the intermediate flexible member connected to one corner of the spreader and the two outer flexible members are connected to the opposite corner of the spreader. The disclosure also shows a unique steering linkage for steering all eight wheels that support the straddle carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1979
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventors: Norbert W. Lenius, Richard A. Stearn