Patents by Inventor Robert F. Risley
Robert F. Risley 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).
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Publication number: 20120272561Abstract: An enclosure that converts to a blanket, a method for constructing the enclosure, and a method for converting the same into a blanket are disclosed. The enclosure includes a central panel, first-side and second-side panels and a sub-assembly. The central panel has a first end and an opposed second end. The central panel further has a transverse edge and an opposed edge. The first-side panel is connected along the transverse edge. The second-side panel is connected along the opposed edge. The sub-assembly, which includes a closing element and a protective element, is connected about a perimeter of the central panel. The closing element remains closed about a substantial portion of the perimeter when a firearm is present in the enclosure. The closing element is opened and the first-side and second-side panels unfolded in an outward manner from the central panel to form the blanket.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Inventor: Robert F. Risley
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Patent number: 7726461Abstract: In one embodiment, apparatus for controlling spacing of objects conveyed by an object conveyor and for selectively ejecting objects from the object conveyor include flights that extend transversely across the object conveyor to limit travel of the objects to control their relative spacing, and ejectors associated with the flights that can be selectively actuated to eject the objects whose travel has been limited by the associated flights.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2008Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Robert F Risley
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Publication number: 20100038209Abstract: In one embodiment, apparatus for controlling spacing of objects conveyed by an object conveyor and for selectively ejecting objects from the object conveyor include flights that extend transversely across the object conveyor to limit travel of the objects to control their relative spacing, and ejectors associated with the flights that can be selectively actuated to eject the objects whose travel has been limited by the associated flights.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2008Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventor: Robert F. Risley
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Patent number: 6401904Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for separating objects. The apparatus typically includes a separation conveyor that forms a shallow peak within a pitched region upon which an object can be temporarily balanced, and at least two guide rails extending along the separation conveyor in a laterally spaced relationship. Upstream from the pitched region, the guide rails laterally support objects travelling along the separation conveyor. Within the pitched region, the guide rails are laterally spaced so as to permit lateral tipping of the objects when within the pitched region. At least one nozzle is positioned at a lateral position within the pitched region of the separation conveyor and is oriented so as to be capable of selectively ejecting a gentle burst of gas transversely across the separation conveyor to laterally tip an object balanced on the shallow peak to cause the object to slide under its own weight in a desired direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1999Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Materials Handling Systems, Inc.Inventor: Robert F. Risley
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Patent number: 5924549Abstract: A container turning device comprising a conveyor section equipped with a turning ramp. The conveyor section is typically curved and powered by drive means including a drive motor, drive chains, and an internal drive conveyor. Wrapped about the drive conveyor is a frusto-conical conveyor belt that is preferably smooth-surfaced and composed of vulcanized rubber. The container turning ramp is substantially thin and is mounted to the curved conveyor section along an inner side of the section adjacent its entrance end. In a preferred arrangement, the turning ramp is provided with a substantially circular stop bumper that is rotatably mounted to the turning ramp adjacent its rear edge. The ramp is secured to the conveyor section such that the front edge of the turning ramp is positioned adjacent the entrance end of the conveyor section and just below the surface of the conveyor belt.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1998Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: Materials Handling Systems, Inc.Inventor: Robert F. Risley
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Patent number: 5762174Abstract: The invention provides both a vacuum combiner and vacuum conveyor for combining a plurality of lightweight containers arranged in a random order and width into a single row of containers, and moving the containers on a conveyor line to downstream workstations at high speed rates. The vacuum combiner includes one or more conveyor belt-type surfaces, while the vacuum conveyor has a single belt-type surface, all of which have openings defined therein. Both devices also have at least two guide rail assemblies, and a vacuum source that adds a "drag" or "weighing" force on the light-weight containers moved thereon. The conveyor belt-type surfaces of the combiner and the conveyor may or may not be moving at the same velocity. The guide rail assemblies are each comprised of a plurality of rods and rollers, wherein the rollers are aligned in a unique anti-jamming staggered or diamond pattern.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1997Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: AmbecInventors: Robert F. Risley, Paul E. Barkely, Gordon S. Lawless
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Patent number: 5605217Abstract: The invention provides both a vacuum combiner and vacuum conveyor for combining a plurality of lightweight containers arranged in a random order and width into a single row of containers, and moving the containers on a conveyor line to downstream workstations at high speed rates. The vacuum combiner includes one or more conveyor belt-type surfaces, while the vacuum conveyor has a single belt-type surface, all of which have openings defined therein. Both devices also have at least two guide rail assemblies, and a vacuum source that adds a "drag" or "weighing" force on the light-weight containers moved thereon. The conveyor belt-type surfaces of the combiner and the conveyor may or may not be moving at the same velocity. The guide rail assemblies are each comprised of a plurality of rods and rollers, wherein the rollers are aligned in a unique anti-jamming staggered or diamond pattern.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1995Date of Patent: February 25, 1997Assignee: AmbecInventors: Robert F. Risley, Paul E. Barkely, Gordon S. Lawless
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Patent number: 5311979Abstract: The invention provides a transport apparatus, or combiner, for transporting light-weight containers at high speed rates. The combiner includes one or more conveyor belt-type surfaces that have openings thereupon, a guide rail assembly, and a vacuum source that adds a "drag" or "weighting" force on the light-weight containers. The conveyor belt-type surfaces may or may not be moving at the same velocity. The guide rail assembly is comprised of rods and rollers, wherein the rollers are aligned in a unique anti-jamming staggered or diamond pattern. The guide rail assembly can be positioned such that it is substantially upright, or the guide rail assembly can be positioned such that it is sloped over the conveyor surfaces. The rods within the guide rail assembly may be substantially vertical, or they may be pitched forward. One vacuum source may be used for the plurality of conveyor surfaces, or one vacuum source may be used for each individual conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1993Date of Patent: May 17, 1994Assignee: AmbecInventors: Robert F. Risley, Paul E. Barkley, Gordon S. Lawless
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Patent number: 4331227Abstract: An arrangement for sorting a plurality of bottles, discharged from a bottle washer in random fashion, into spaced single file columns on a plurality of parallel conveyor belts arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction of bottle discharge. Guides selectively extend across the top of the conveyor belts in the direction of the discharge of bottles from the washer, and are utilized to divide the randomly discharged bottles into a number of fractional portions, with each fractional portion being directed onto one of the conveyor belts. The guides are side rails extending in the discharge direction of the bottles substantially transversely to the direction of travel of the conveyor belts. The guide rails serving a particular conveyor belt extend to the edge of that belt at which they are curved in the upstream direction from which the belt is traveling to facilitate an orderly discharge of a single column of spaced bottles onto that belt.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1981Date of Patent: May 25, 1982Assignee: PepsiCo Inc.Inventor: Robert F. Risley
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Patent number: 3995735Abstract: The disclosed conveyor system provides for a more organized and orderly flow of articles between a pair of spaced stations. The system generally comprises spaced infeed and discharge portions with an intermediate travel portion. Signal means provide for the formation of a train or slug of the articles on the infeed portion and thereafter their delivery downstream. Generally the articles within a slug are spaced from each other as they move downstream so that the system provides for a minimum of contact and pressure between the articles. The system provides for maximum accumulation so that production at the infeed station may continue up to a given period of time even while the discharge station is experiencing down-time. The one or more belt conveyors of the intermediate portion of the conveyor system are driven and controlled by an hydraulic system that automatically senses the need to stop for purposes of accumulation and when operation is again to be resumed.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1974Date of Patent: December 7, 1976Assignee: Jos. Schlitz Brewing CompanyInventor: Robert F. Risley