Patents by Inventor Robert C. Roberts, Jr.

Robert C. Roberts, Jr. 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: 7793891
    Abstract: A modular railway diamond crossing incorporates sets of acute and obtuse angle castings. The rail connections to the castings have a fine taper to minimize joint impacts. The castings are spaced apart with a combination of rails and cast blocks. The outside block is a tapered design that maintains the flangeway and holds the castings and rails together. The inside block comprises a tapered common center casting. This unit also maintains the flangeway and a longitudinal distance between the castings. The center casting is a common part to all such crossings regardless of the crossing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corp.
    Inventors: Russell R. Hein, Robert C. Roberts, Jr., Brian Weaver
  • Patent number: 7472837
    Abstract: A guide rail support assembly includes a brace and a guide rail positioned on the brace. A hook device having a base and two hooks extending from the base and around the brace and secures the guide rail to the brace. The brace has no apertures such that the hooks extend completely around the brace without penetrating any portion of the brace. Adjustment shims are positioned adjacent the brace and a spring clip is mounted adjacent the base and the adjustment shims for securing the hook device to the brace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corp.
    Inventors: Brian Weaver, Robert C. Roberts, Jr., Mark Sutcliffe
  • Patent number: 7467748
    Abstract: A guide rail support assembly includes a brace and a guide rail positioned on the brace. A hook device having a base and two hooks extending from the base and around the brace and secures the guide rail to the brace. The brace has no apertures such that the hooks extend completely around the brace without penetrating any portion of the brace. Adjustment shims are positioned adjacent the brace and a spring clip is mounted adjacent the base and the adjustment shims for securing the hook device to the brace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corp.
    Inventors: Brian Weaver, Robert C. Roberts, Jr., Mark Sutcliffe
  • Patent number: 6971610
    Abstract: A railway crossing has a plate with a pocket that defines a crossing angle for enabling one railway line to cross over another at virtually any angle. The pocket closely receives continuous long beams and divided beams. The pocket also has protrusions for restricting longitudinal horizontal movement of the beams. Each divided beam has three separate, discontinuous segments, including two outer segments and one inner segment. The segments are reversible such that the inner segments may be interchangeably positioned with each other, and the outer segments may be interchangeably positioned with each other. Fasteners secure the beams to the plate and resist both vertical movement and lateral horizontal movement. Each fastener has a wedge brace, a clip, and a wedge. The wedge prevents pull-apart of the plate and the beams due to thermal forces, mechanical forces, and surface discontinuities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation
    Inventors: Russell R. Hein, Robert C. Roberts, Jr., Brian Weaver