Patents by Inventor Robert E. Maine, Jr.

Robert E. Maine, 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: 11787637
    Abstract: An active drive spiral conveyor belt system includes a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis, a plurality of modules, a plurality of cross-rods joining together the plurality of modules, and an infeed system. The drum can include a plurality of drive bars, each with a drive member extending therefrom, and spaced an arc length. At least some of the plurality of cross-rods or modules can include a drive end configured to engage with the drive members. The plurality of modules can be configured to be collapsible relative to each other and the plurality of cross-rods. The infeed system can be configured to collapse the spacing between adjacent drive ends prior to transiting into engagement with a cooperating drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Salsone, Thomas O. Perdue, Robert E. Maine, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220212873
    Abstract: An active drive spiral conveyor belt system includes a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis, a plurality of modules, a plurality of cross-rods joining together the plurality of modules, and an infeed system. The drum can include a plurality of drive bars, each with a drive member extending therefrom, and spaced an arc length. At least some of the plurality of cross-rods or modules can include a drive end configured to engage with the drive members. The plurality of modules can be configured to be collapsible relative to each other and the plurality of cross-rods. The infeed system can be configured to collapse the spacing between adjacent drive ends prior to transiting into engagement with a cooperating drive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Salsone, Thomas O. Perdue, Robert E. Maine, JR.
  • Patent number: 11305938
    Abstract: An active drive spiral conveyor belt system includes a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis, a plurality of modules, a plurality of cross-rods joining together the plurality of modules, and an infeed system. The drum can include a plurality of drive bars, each with a drive member extending therefrom, and spaced an arc length. At least some of the plurality of cross-rods or modules can include a drive end configured to engage with the drive members. The plurality of modules can be configured to be collapsible relative to each other and the plurality of cross-rods. The infeed system can be configured to collapse the spacing between adjacent drive ends prior to transiting into engagement with a cooperating drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Salsone, Thomas O. Perdue, Robert E. Maine, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11279563
    Abstract: A plate element is disclosed that is capable of use in a wire conveyor belt assembly having multiple spaced rods. The plate element may include a plate body having a planar base surface, one or more engagement elements to engage one or more of the spaced rods, and an interface element that extends away from the planar base surface to form a raised interface surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignees: Cambridge International, Inc., Prince Castle LLC
    Inventors: Sajid A. Safvi, Robert E. Maine, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue
  • Publication number: 20210179359
    Abstract: A plate element is disclosed that is capable of use in a wire conveyor belt assembly having multiple spaced rods. The plate element may include a plate body having a planar base surface, one or more engagement elements to engage one or more of the spaced rods, and an interface element that extends away from the planar base surface to form a raised interface surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Sajid A. Safvi, Robert E. Maine, JR., Thomas O. Perdue
  • Publication number: 20210061572
    Abstract: An active drive spiral conveyor belt system includes a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis, a plurality of modules, a plurality of cross-rods joining together the plurality of modules, and an infeed system. The drum can include a plurality of drive bars, each with a drive member extending therefrom, and spaced an arc length. At least some of the plurality of cross-rods or modules can include a drive end configured to engage with the drive members. The plurality of modules can be configured to be collapsible relative to each other and the plurality of cross-rods. The infeed system can be configured to collapse the spacing between adjacent drive ends prior to transiting into engagement with a cooperating drive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Frank Salsone, Thomas O. Perdue, Robert E. Maine, JR.
  • Patent number: 10654651
    Abstract: A modular eye link conveyor belt and method of assembling a modular eye link conveyor belt includes (a) welding a plurality of eyelets and bar links to a cross wire having a predetermined module width to form at least one first module row; (b) welding a plurality of eyelets and bar links to a cross wire having a predetermined module width to form at least one second module row; connecting the first module row and the second module row with a cross rod extending through the plurality of eyelets and thereby forming a first module; repeating steps (a) and (b) and forming a second module; and connecting the first module and the second module with a cross rod extending through the plurality of eyelets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Maine, Jr., George H. Messick, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue, Jeffrey D. Ulchak
  • Publication number: 20190263593
    Abstract: A modular eye link conveyor belt and method of assembling a modular eye link conveyor belt includes (a) welding a plurality of eyelets and bar links to a cross wire having a predetermined module width to form at least one first module row; (b) welding a plurality of eyelets and bar links to a cross wire having a predetermined module width to form at least one second module row; connecting the first module row and the second module row with a cross rod extending through the plurality of eyelets and thereby forming a first module; repeating steps (a) and (b) and forming a second module; and connecting the first module and the second module with a cross rod extending through the plurality of eyelets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Robert E. Maine, JR., George H. Messick, JR., Thomas O. Perdue, Jeffrey D. Ulchak
  • Patent number: 10287098
    Abstract: A modular eye link conveyor belt and method of assembling a modular eye link conveyor belt includes (a) welding a plurality of eyelets and bar links to a cross wire having a predetermined module width to form at least one first module row; (b) welding a plurality of eyelets and bar links to a cross wire having a predetermined module width to form at least one second module row; connecting the first module row and the second module row with a cross rod extending through the plurality of eyelets and thereby forming a first module; repeating steps (a) and (b) and forming a second module; and connecting the first module and the second module with a cross rod extending through the plurality of eyelets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Maine, Jr., George H. Messick, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue, Jeffrey D. Ulchak
  • Patent number: 10118766
    Abstract: A splice link for a conveyor belt includes an outer locking bar including at least one lower tab and an offset portion, an inner connector bar including at least one opening configured to receive the at least one lower tab on the outer locking bar and a front face having an upper tab, the offset portion on the outer locking bar configured to engage the upper tab of the inner connector bar. A further aspect of the disclosure includes a conveyor belt including a plurality of spaced tractive rods, a plurality of parallel pairs of edge bar links interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, and a splice link disposed between adjacent pairs of edge bar links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Perdue, Robert E. Maine, Jr., George H. Messick, Jr., Jeffrey D. Ulchak, Melody Elizabeth Fernaays
  • Publication number: 20180252026
    Abstract: An architectural panel includes a mesh defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of flaps configured for attachment to the mesh within the plurality of openings, the flaps being movable to allow air flow through the openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Frank R. BARCUS, III, Robert E. MAINE, JR., George H. MESSICK, JR., Matthew Charles O'CONNELL, Thomas O. PERDUE, Hendrik Arie PHILLIPS, Thomas Claude ROSS, Jeffery D. ULCHAK
  • Publication number: 20180162648
    Abstract: An eye link conveyor belt including a plurality of eyelets and a plurality of cross rods, the plurality of eyelets including openings on each end and the plurality of cross rods extending through the openings to thereby connect the plurality of eyelets together; and a plurality of wire forms connected to the conveyor belt, the wire forms including at least one protrusion extending above a planar product support surface of the conveyor belt. A plurality of side plates can be secured to the conveyor belt by the wire forms and also extend above the planar product support surface of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Maine, Jr., George H. MESSICK, JR., Thomas O. PERDUE, Jeffery D. ULCHAK, Charles E. HENNIGAR
  • Patent number: 9994396
    Abstract: An eye link conveyor belt including a plurality of eyelets and a plurality of cross rods, the plurality of eyelets including openings on each end and the plurality of cross rods extending through the openings to thereby connect the plurality of eyelets together; and a plurality of wire forms connected to the conveyor belt, the wire forms including at least one protrusion extending above a planar product support surface of the conveyor belt. A plurality of side plates can be secured to the conveyor belt by the wire forms and also extend above the planar product support surface of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Maine, Jr., George H. Messick, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue, Jeffery D. Ulchak, Charles E. Hennigar
  • Patent number: 9863154
    Abstract: An architectural mesh panel includes a plurality of spaced rods and a plurality of adjacent rows of pickets, each of the rows of pickets including at least a plurality of first links, a plurality of second links and a plurality of third links, the plurality of first links have a first spacing, the plurality of second links have a second spacing, and the plurality of third links have a third spacing, wherein each of the rows of pickets includes at least two adjacent first links defining a closely spaced link area, wherein each of the rows of pickets includes at least one second link disposed adjacent the closely spaced link area on each side thereof, wherein the closely spaced link area creates a simulated moiré appearance of a moving stripe to an observer whose viewpoint is continuously changing from one side of the architectural mesh panel towards the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: George H. Messick, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue, Matthew C. O'Connell, Jeffrey D. Ulchak, Robert E. Maine, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9776799
    Abstract: A conveyor belt system includes a conveyor belt and a sensor assembly integrated in the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of wickets, and a plurality of interconnecting rods about which the wickets hinge. The sensor assembly includes a load-bearing member and a sensor fitted in the load-bearing member. The load-bearing member is coupled to two adjacent rods such that a belt tension is sustained between the adjacent rods. A method of using a conveyor belt system include pinging the sensor assembly using a reader with an antenna positioned on a conveyor frame, collecting a signal from the sensor assembly using the reader, and processing the collected data to determine a history of belt tension and to estimate overall belt elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Ulchak, Robert E. Maine, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue
  • Publication number: 20170267455
    Abstract: A conveyor belt configured for a direction of travel, the conveyor belt including a plurality of connecting rods; and a spiral overlay; wherein each of the connecting rods has a flattened oblong cross section. In addition, a method a manufacturing a connector rod for a conveyor, belt includes providing a connector rod having a circular cross section; rolling the connector rod along a longitudinal axis thereof, and thereby producing a flattened oblong cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Larry Vaughn WINDSOR, JR., William CANNON, Alan Scott HENRY, Brian Jon ROBINSON, Jason Vance TODD, Ralph Buck TRAVIS, JR., Robert E. MAINE, JR., Thomas Claude ROSS
  • Publication number: 20170260004
    Abstract: A splice link for a conveyor belt includes an outer locking bar including at least one lower tab and an offset portion, an inner connector bar including at least one opening configured to receive the at least one lower tab on the outer locking bar and a front face having an upper tab, the offset portion on the outer locking bar configured to engage the upper tab of the inner connector bar. A further aspect of the disclosure includes a conveyor belt including a plurality of spaced tractive rods, a plurality of parallel pairs of edge bar links interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, and a splice link disposed between adjacent pairs of edge bar links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas O. PERDUE, Robert E. MAINE, JR., George H. MESSICK, JR., Jeffrey D. ULCHAK, Melody Elizabeth Fernaays
  • Publication number: 20170129708
    Abstract: A modular eye link conveyor belt and method of assembling a modular eye link conveyor belt includes (a) welding a plurality of eyelets and bar links to a cross wire having a predetermined module width to form at least one first module row; (b) welding a plurality of eyelets and bar links to a cross wire having a predetermined module width to form at least one second module row; connecting the first module row and the second module row with a cross rod extending through the plurality of eyelets and thereby forming a first module; repeating steps (a) and (b) and forming a second module; and connecting the first module and the second module with a cross rod extending through the plurality of eyelets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Maine, JR., George H. Messick, JR., Thomas O. Perdue, Jeffrey D. Ulchak
  • Patent number: D919922
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: Cambridge International, Inc., Prince Castle LLC
    Inventors: Sajid A. Safvi, Robert E. Maine, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue
  • Patent number: D978473
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: Sajid A. Safvi, Robert E. Maine, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue