Patents by Inventor Robert E. Bullington

Robert E. Bullington 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: 7389723
    Abstract: A strap joint rotator is for use in a strapping machine of the type for feeding a strapping material around a load, positioning, tensioning and sealing the strapping material around the load. The strap joint rotator includes a driven wheel having an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the sealed strap loop, a first drive operably connected to the driven wheel for rotating the driven wheel and a pinch wheel having an axis of rotation parallel to and spaced from the driven wheel. The driven wheel and pinch wheel are moveable toward one another and engageable with one another and moveable away from and disengaged from one another. A second drive is operably connected to the driven wheel and the pinch wheel for moving the driven wheel and pinch wheel parallel to their axes of rotation into the strap loop plane and out of the strap loop plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Bullington
  • Patent number: 6817826
    Abstract: A coil handling device for engaging a coil having a depth and an interior surface defining a diameter and defining a longitudinal axis, is configured to engage the coil with the longitudinal axis oriented vertically and reorient the coil to position the longitudinal axis horizontally. The handling device includes a transport assembly, a lift assembly and a manipulating assembly. The manipulating assembly is mounted to the lift assembly and includes a pair of spaced apart support arms and a pivoting carriage carried by the support arms. The carriage includes a locking arm for engaging the interior surface of the coil along the depth of the coil and a thrust lever including a bearing arm and a lever arm disposed at an obtuse angle to one another opposite the locking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Bullington, Stanislaw Witczak, Bobby L. Goin
  • Patent number: 6499932
    Abstract: A coil handling device for engaging a coil having a depth and an interior surface defining a diameter and defining a longitudinal axis, is configured to engage the coil with the longitudinal axis oriented vertically and reorient the coil to position the longitudinal axis horizontally. The handling device includes a transport assembly, a lift assembly and a manipulating assembly. The manipulating assembly is mounted to the lift assembly and includes a pair of spaced apart support arms and a pivoting carriage carried by the support arms. The carriage includes a locking arm for engaging the interior surface of the coil along the depth of the coil and a thrust lever including a bearing arm and a lever arm disposed at an obtuse angle to one another opposite the locking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Bullington, Stanislaw Witczak, Bobby L. Goin
  • Publication number: 20020197143
    Abstract: A coil handling device for engaging a coil having a depth and an interior surface defining a diameter and defining a longitudinal axis, is configured to engage the coil with the longitudinal axis oriented vertically and reorient the coil to position the longitudinal axis horizontally. The handling device includes a transport assembly, a lift assembly and a manipulating assembly. The manipulating assembly is mounted to the lift assembly and includes a pair of spaced apart support arms and a pivoting carriage carried by the support arms. The carriage includes a locking arm for engaging the interior surface of the coil along the depth of the coil and a thrust lever including a bearing arm and a lever arm disposed at an obtuse angle to one another opposite the locking arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Robert E. Bullington, Stanislaw Witczak, Bobby L. Goin
  • Publication number: 20020176770
    Abstract: A coil handling device for engaging a coil having a depth and an interior surface defining a diameter and defining a longitudinal axis, is configured to engage the coil with the longitudinal axis oriented vertically and reorient the coil to position the longitudinal axis horizontally. The handling device includes a transport assembly, a lift assembly and a manipulating assembly. The manipulating assembly is mounted to the lift assembly and includes a pair of spaced apart support arms and a pivoting carriage carried by the support arms. The carriage includes a locking arm for engaging the interior surface of the coil along the depth of the coil and a thrust lever including a bearing arm and a lever arm disposed at an obtuse angle to one another opposite the locking arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Robert E. Bullington, Stanislaw Witczak, Bobby L. Goin
  • Patent number: 5826499
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing and deflecting strap applied about a load in a baling and strapping machine having a strap chute portion, a movable platen with a range of variable positioning, a channel with a strap outlet disposed through the movable platen, wherein the channel is generally non-parallel to the strap chute portion. The apparatus includes generally a plurality of at least two strap inlet passages, each strap inlet passage having a strap entry and a strap exit, and a common strap outlet passage having a strap exit coupled to the strap chute portion, wherein the strap exit of each strap inlet passage is coupled to the strap outlet passage. The plurality of strap inlet passages are arranged at an angle relative to the channel and adjacent the movable platen along the range of variable positioning thereof, whereby strap supplied from the strap outlet of the channel is capturable by one of the plurality of strap inlet passages and deflected into the strap chute portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Bullington
  • Patent number: 4536248
    Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed in which a tensioned plastic strap loop is placed about an article. The invention includes a laterally adjustable forward guide. The guide is pivotally connected to the feed nip of the drive mechanism so as to provide a constant gap between the nip and guide. The rear end of the guide rests upon and moves with the forward gripper. Thus, a guide is provided which minimizes abrasion, can receive straps of different widths, and be easily and quickly cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Cyklop International Emil Hoffman KG
    Inventors: Robert E. Bullington, James L. Discavage
  • Patent number: 4253227
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus, and a new metal seal for use in securing overlying portions of generally flat, non-metallic strap with little or no strap bulging under applied seal-closing forces and with a firm interlock between the applied seal and embraced strap portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Assignee: Cyklop Strapping Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Bullington