Patents by Inventor Richard W. Gilman
Richard W. Gilman 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: 9884722Abstract: A tracking apparatus and method for urging a mistracking conveyor belt back towards a correct travel path are provided. The apparatus and method both utilize downstream shifting of an end portion of an idler roller due to mistracking of the conveyor belt for directing or steering the belt back toward its correct travel path and a reaction force from the belt due to the steering thereof for energizing a tilting action of the idler roller to raise the downstream end portion thereof. In this manner, the tilting of the idler roller is not mechanically coupled to the downstream shifting of the roller end portion allowing the belt tracking apparatus herein to be bi-directional for use with conveyor belts that may be run in opposite travel directions.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing CompanyInventors: Daniel J. Kuiper, Brett E. DeVries, Richard W. Gilman
-
Patent number: 9845198Abstract: A tracking apparatus and method for urging a mistracking conveyor belt back towards a correct travel path are provided. The apparatus and method both utilize downstream shifting of an end portion of an idler roller due to mistracking of the conveyor belt for directing or steering the belt back toward its correct travel path and a reaction force from the belt due to the steering thereof for energizing a tilting action of the idler roller to raise the downstream end portion thereof. In this manner, the tilting of the idler roller is not mechanically coupled to the downstream shifting of the roller end portion allowing the belt tracking apparatus herein to be bi-directional for use with conveyor belts that may be run in opposite travel directions.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing CompanyInventors: Daniel J. Kuiper, Brett E. DeVries, Richard W. Gilman
-
Patent number: 9586765Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner is provided having a removable cleaner assembly that may be easily connected and disconnected from an elongate support member. The cleaner assembly includes one or more scraper blades mounted to an angle bar, an interface between the blades and the angle bar, and an interface between the blades and the support member. The blades have bodies that cover or surround the interfaces and reduce the likelihood of debris entering the interfaces and binding the blades to the angle bar and/or the support member. The cleaner further includes a securing mechanism with a pair of clamps for clamping the angle bar against seats of the elongate support. The clamps cause the angle bar to hold a base portion of the blades against the support member which permits the blade base portions to transmit loading from the conveyor belt directly to the support member.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing CompanyInventors: Marcus L. Krosschell, Brett E. DeVries, Richard W. Gilman
-
Publication number: 20160264358Abstract: A tracking apparatus and method for urging a mistracking conveyor belt back towards a correct travel path are provided. The apparatus and method both utilize downstream shifting of an end portion of an idler roller due to mistracking of the conveyor belt for directing or steering the belt back toward its correct travel path and a reaction force from the belt due to the steering thereof for energizing a tilting action of the idler roller to raise the downstream end portion thereof. In this manner, the tilting of the idler roller is not mechanically coupled to the downstream shifting of the roller end portion allowing the belt tracking apparatus herein to be bi-directional for use with conveyor belts that may be run in opposite travel directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Daniel J. Kuiper, Brett E. DeVries, Richard W. Gilman
-
Patent number: 9346622Abstract: A tracking apparatus and method for urging a mistracking conveyor belt back towards a correct travel path are provided. The apparatus and method both utilize downstream shifting of an end portion of an idler roller due to mistracking of the conveyor belt for directing or steering the belt back toward its correct travel path and a reaction force from the belt due to the steering thereof for energizing a tilting action of the idler roller to raise the downstream end portion thereof. In this manner, the tilting of the idler roller is not mechanically coupled to the downstream shifting of the roller end portion allowing the belt tracking apparatus herein to be bi-directional for use with conveyor belts that may be run in opposite travel directions.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing CompanyInventors: Daniel J. Kuiper, Brett E. DeVries, Richard W. Gilman
-
Publication number: 20150360880Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner is provided having a removable cleaner assembly that may be easily connected and disconnected from an elongate support member. The cleaner assembly includes one or more scraper blades mounted to an angle bar, an interface between the blades and the angle bar, and an interface between the blades and the support member. The blades have bodies that cover or surround the interfaces and reduce the likelihood of debris entering the interfaces and binding the blades to the angle bar and/or the support member. The cleaner further includes a securing mechanism with a pair of clamps for clamping the angle bar against seats of the elongate support. The clamps cause the angle bar to hold a base portion of the blades against the support member which permits the blade base portions to transmit loading from the conveyor belt directly to the support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Marcus L. Krosschell, Brett E. DeVries, Richard W. Gilman
-
Patent number: 9085419Abstract: A removable cartridge cleaner assembly is provided that has an insertion device for ease in installing an elongate cartridge assembly carrying belt cleaner assemblies onto an elongate support extending across a conveyor belt in an operative position thereon. In one form, an elongate lever handle pivotally connected to the elongate cartridge assembly can be used to generate a leveraged insertion force, preferably by an operator that does not need to reach into the operating envelope of the conveyor system, e.g. beyond tensioning mechanisms or under the belt. The handle and the cartridge assembly can have an over-center locking mechanism therebetween for providing the operator tactile feedback as to when pivoting of the lever handle has caused the cartridge assembly to be shifted to its operative position on the support.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2014Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing CompanyInventors: Daniel J. Kuiper, Brett E. DeVries, Gregory Lee Westphall, Richard W. Gilman
-
Publication number: 20140283358Abstract: A removable cartridge cleaner assembly is provided that has an insertion device for ease in installing an elongate cartridge assembly carrying belt cleaner assemblies onto an elongate support extending across a conveyor belt in an operative position thereon. In one form, an elongate lever handle pivotally connected to the elongate cartridge assembly can be used to generate a leveraged insertion force, preferably by an operator that does not need to reach into the operating envelope of the conveyor system, e.g. beyond tensioning mechanisms or under the belt. The handle and the cartridge assembly can have an over-center locking mechanism therebetween for providing the operator tactile feedback as to when pivoting of the lever handle has caused the cartridge assembly to be shifted to its operative position on the support.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: Daniel J. Kuiper, Brett E. DeVries, Gregory Lee Westphall, Richard W. Gilman
-
Patent number: 8757360Abstract: A removable cartridge cleaner assembly is provided that has an insertion device for ease in installing an elongate cartridge assembly carrying belt cleaner assemblies onto an elongate support extending across a conveyor belt in an operative position thereon. In one form, an elongate lever handle pivotally connected to the elongate cartridge assembly can be used to generate a leveraged insertion force, preferably by an operator that does not need to reach into the operating envelope of the conveyor system, e.g. beyond tensioning mechanisms or under the belt. The handle and the cartridge assembly can have an over center locking mechanism therebetween for providing the operator tactile feedback as to when pivoting of the lever handle has caused the cartridge assembly to be shifted to its operative position on the support.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing CompanyInventors: Daniel J. Kuiper, Brett E. DeVries, Gregory Lee Westphall, Richard W. Gilman
-
Publication number: 20130284565Abstract: A tracking apparatus and method for urging a mistracking conveyor belt back towards a correct travel path are provided. The apparatus and method both utilize downstream shifting of an end portion of an idler roller due to mistracking of the conveyor belt for directing or steering the belt back toward its correct travel path and a reaction force from the belt due to the steering thereof for energizing a tilting action of the idler roller to raise the downstream end portion thereof. In this manner, the tilting of the idler roller is not mechanically coupled to the downstream shifting of the roller end portion allowing the belt tracking apparatus herein to be bi-directional for use with conveyor belts that may be run in opposite travel directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: Flexible Steel Lacing CompanyInventors: Daniel J. Kuiper, Brett E. DeVries, Richard W. Gilman
-
Publication number: 20110203904Abstract: A removable cartridge cleaner assembly is provided that has an insertion device for ease in installing an elongate cartridge assembly carrying belt cleaner assemblies onto an elongate support extending across a conveyor belt in an operative position thereon. In one form, an elongate lever handle pivotally connected to the elongate cartridge assembly can be used to generate a leveraged insertion force, preferably by an operator that does not need to reach into the operating envelope of the conveyor system, e.g, beyond tensioning mechanisms or under the belt. The handle and the cartridge assembly can have an over center locking mechanism therebetween for providing the operator tactile feedback as to when pivoting of the lever handle has caused the cartridge assembly to be shifted to its operative position on the support.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: Daniel J. Kuiper, Brett E. DeVries, Gregory Lee Westphall, Richard W. Gilman
-
Patent number: 7815040Abstract: Impact bed assemblies are provided, both static and dynamic, for absorbing impact forces taken by conveyor belts. The static and dynamic bed assemblies generally are constructed to optimize their impact absorption capacities while minimizing their space requirements under the belt.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2009Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing CompanyInventors: Daniel J. Kuiper, Brett E. DeVries, Richard W. Gilman
-
Publication number: 20090294257Abstract: Impact bed assemblies are provided, both static and dynamic, for absorbing impact forces taken by conveyor belts. The static and dynamic bed assemblies generally are constructed to optimize their impact absorption capacities while minimizing their space requirements under the belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Daniel J. Kuiper, Brett E. DeVries, Richard W. Gilman