Patents by Inventor Robert J. Wegener

Robert J. Wegener 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: 8936414
    Abstract: A support system supports a pipe or conduit. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus, systems and methods include support beams extending across an excavated opening. For example, a pair of beams may be positioned to span the excavated opening with the opposing ends of the beams supported on the ground above the excavated opening. Support rods may be positioned to extend through and/or from the beams and into the excavated opening. In one exemplary embodiment, the support rods include a J-hook configured for receipt within an opening in pipe or conduit support members positioned beneath and supporting the pipe or conduit. In another exemplary embodiment, a pipe contacting support member is positioned beneath and contacting a pipe for supporting the pipe and fully excavating the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: Robert J. Wegener
  • Patent number: 8303217
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a support system for supporting a conduit. In one exemplary embodiment, the system includes support beams extending across an excavated opening. For example, a pair of beams may be positioned to span the excavated opening with the opposing ends of the beams supported on the ground above the excavated opening. Support rods may be positioned to extend through and/or from the beams and into the excavated opening. In one exemplary embodiment, the support rods include a J-hook configured for receipt within an opening in sections of curved sheet pile positioned beneath a conduit. By using a plurality of rods, the individual sections of curved sheet pile may be connected to the beams to provide a support structure for the curved sheet pile and, correspondingly, the conduit extending above the curved sheet pile and below the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Terra Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Jinnings, Robert J. Wegener
  • Publication number: 20120207549
    Abstract: A support system supports a pipe or conduit. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus, systems and methods include support beams extending across an excavated opening. For example, a pair of beams may be positioned to span the excavated opening with the opposing ends of the beams supported on the ground above the excavated opening. Support rods may be positioned to extend through and/or from the beams and into the excavated opening. In one exemplary embodiment, the support rods include a J-hook configured for receipt within an opening in pipe or conduit support members positioned beneath and supporting the pipe or conduit. In another exemplary embodiment, a pipe contacting support member is positioned beneath and contacting a pipe for supporting the pipe and fully excavating the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Robert J. Wegener
  • Patent number: 8061934
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, curved sheet pile is driven underneath an existing conduit using a pile driver guided hydraulically by an excavator or other heavy machinery. By vibrating the curved sheet piles, the soil is placed in suspension, which allows the piles to be directed through the soil along an arcuate path that has a curvature that substantially matches the radius of curvature of the piles. Once the pile is positioned as desired, each individual pile sheet can be welded to one another to form a unitary structure. In one exemplary embodiment, the curved sheet pile is inserted beneath a conduit using a vibratory pile driver that rotates about a fixed pivot element on an excavator or other heavy machine for positioning the pile driver to advance the curved sheet pile along a fixed arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Terra Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Jinnings, Robert J. Wegener
  • Patent number: 8016518
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes a plurality of individual curved sheet piles that are positioned beneath an underground conduit, such as a raceway, to support the conduit during excavation. In one exemplary embodiment, the individual sections of curved sheet pile are interfit and/or interconnected. This allows the individual sections to work in combination with one another to support the conduit. Specifically, opposing ends of a length of interfit and/or interconnected curved sheet piles extend into unexcavated soil on both sides of an excavated hole to form a bridge across the hole that supports the conduit and any soil or other subterranean material positioned above the curved sheet pile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Terra Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Jinnings, Robert J. Wegener
  • Publication number: 20100296872
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, curved sheet pile is driven underneath an existing conduit using a pile driver guided hydraulically by an excavator or other heavy machinery. By vibrating the curved sheet piles, the soil is placed in suspension, which allows the piles to be directed through the soil along an arcuate path that has a curvature that substantially matches the radius of curvature of the piles. Once the pile is positioned as desired, each individual pile sheet can be welded to one another to form a unitary structure. In one exemplary embodiment, the curved sheet pile is inserted beneath a conduit using a vibratory pile driver that rotates about a fixed pivot element on an excavator or other heavy machine for positioning the pile driver to advance the curved sheet pile along a fixed arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: TERRA SHIELD, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Jinnings, Robert J. Wegener
  • Patent number: 7771140
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, curved sheet pile is driven underneath an existing conduit using a pile driver guided hydraulically by an excavator or other heavy machinery. By vibrating the curved sheet piles, the soil is placed in suspension, which allows the piles to be directed through the soil along an arcuate path that has a curvature that substantially matches the radius of curvature of the piles. Once the pile is positioned as desired, each individual pile sheet can be welded to one another to form a unitary structure. In one exemplary embodiment, the curved sheet pile is inserted beneath a conduit using a vibratory pile driver that rotates about a fixed pivot element on an excavator or other heavy machine for positioning the pile driver to advance the curved sheet pile along a fixed arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Terra Shield, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Jinnings, Robert J. Wegener
  • Publication number: 20100074694
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, curved sheet pile is driven underneath an existing conduit using a pile driver guided hydraulically by an excavator or other heavy machinery. By vibrating the curved sheet piles, the soil is placed in suspension, which allows the piles to be directed through the soil along an arcuate path that has a curvature that substantially matches the radius of curvature of the piles. Once the pile is positioned as desired, each individual pile sheet can be welded to one another to form a unitary structure. In one exemplary embodiment, the curved sheet pile is inserted beneath a conduit using a vibratory pile driver that rotates about a fixed pivot element on an excavator or other heavy machine for positioning the pile driver to advance the curved sheet pile along a fixed arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: TERRA SHIELD, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Jinnings, Robert J. Wegener
  • Publication number: 20100074690
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a support system for supporting a conduit. In one exemplary embodiment, the system includes support beams extending across an excavated opening. For example, a pair of beams may be positioned to span the excavated opening with the opposing ends of the beams supported on the ground above the excavated opening. Support rods may be positioned to extend through and/or from the beams and into the excavated opening. In one exemplary embodiment, the support rods include a J-hook configured for receipt within an opening in sections of curved sheet pile positioned beneath a conduit. By using a plurality of rods, the individual sections of curved sheet pile may be connected to the beams to provide a support structure for the curved sheet pile and, correspondingly, the conduit extending above the curved sheet pile and below the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Terra Shield, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Jinnings, Robert J. Wegener
  • Publication number: 20100074698
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes a plurality of individual curved sheet piles that are positioned beneath an underground conduit, such as a raceway, to support the conduit during excavation. In one exemplary embodiment, the individual sections of curved sheet pile are interfit and/or interconnected. This allows the individual sections to work in combination with one another to support the conduit. Specifically, opposing ends of a length of interfit and/or interconnected curved sheet piles extend into unexcavated soil on both sides of an excavated hole to form a bridge across the hole that supports the conduit and any soil or other subterranean material positioned above the curved sheet pile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: TERRA SHIELD, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Jinnings, Robert J. Wegener
  • Patent number: D793963
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Terra Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert J. Wegener