Patents by Inventor Robert L. Fix

Robert L. Fix 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: 6345932
    Abstract: A control system for an industrial vehicle having an articulated frame with front and rear movably connected frame halves. The control system includes a steering mechanism disposed between the frame halves and is configured to pivot the rear frame half about the front frame half. A first hydraulic actuator is operably connected with the steering mechanism. An offset mechanism is disposed between the frame halves and is configured to displace the rear frame half with respect to the front frame half in a direction generally toward one of the lateral sides of the vehicle. A second hydraulic actuator is operably connected with the offset mechanism. A hydraulic circuit includes a hydraulic fluid source and a selector valve device connected with the fluid source and with each of the first and second actuators. The selector valve is configured to selectively direct hydraulic fluid to the first actuator to operate the steering mechanism and alternatively to the second actuator to operate the offset mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Robert L. Fix
  • Patent number: 5178253
    Abstract: An apparatus for displacing a conveyor includes a conveyor frame which displaceably supports a conveyor belt. A first mount rigidly supports the conveyor frame as a second mount is affixed to a vehicle; the first mount being pivotably connected to the second mount at a pivot axis. A link member is pivotally connected to the first mount. An extendable device pivotally connect the link member and the second mount, the extendable device axially extends and retracts resulting in displacement of the link member. There are a plurality of extendable devices, at least some of which are located on opposed lateral sides of said pivot axis, each extendable device, when retracted, extends those extendable devices on the opposed lateral side of the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Robert L. Fix
  • Patent number: 4797057
    Abstract: A tow truck of the wheel-lift type is provided. In a first embodiment, a telescopic boom is supported by parallelogram linkage which is actuated by a hydraulic motor which is slightly inclined to the horizontal, the inner end of the boom, in its travel position being above and somewhat forwardly of the ring gear housing of the rear axle of the tow truck. The parallelogram linkage supports the boom through a boom support structure which permits it to be swung in a substantially horizontal plane, about substantially vertical pinions. The grid, which engages the wheels, includes a movable member which engages a wheel and raises it relative to the boom and grid, without movement of the boom. In a second embodiment, a substantially vertical post supports a parallelogram linkage which in turn supports a substantially horizontal extensible boom having a wheel grid at its outer end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Jerr-Dan Corportion
    Inventors: Gary L. Shoup, Allen B. Coffman, Robert L. Fix
  • Patent number: 4731916
    Abstract: A pair of fixed parallel transport rails for the outrigger box of a mobile crane are installed at the bottom of the crane chassis frame. The outrigger box is held on the chassis frame by four removable tapered pins. One jack cylinder on the outrigger box is trunnion mounted so that it can be tilted to clear the bottom of the chassis frame during removal and installation of the outrigger box. The outrigger box is equpped with transport track engaging rollers. To remove the outrigger box from the crane chassis, the box is unweighted to allow ready removal of the tapered pins. The outrigger box is then lowered until its rollers are resting on the two transport rails. A collar which retains the trunnion mounted jack cylinder of the outrigger box upright is released, and that jack cylinder is lowered to a stabilized inclined position where it can pass under the chassis frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Kidde, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Fix
  • Patent number: 4664411
    Abstract: A pair of fixed parallel transport rails for the outrigger box of a mobile crane are installed at the bottom of the crane chassis frame. The outrigger box is held on the chassis frame by four removable tapered pins. One jack cylinder on the outrigger box is trunnion mounted so that it can be tilted to clear the bottom of the chassis frame during removal and installation of the outrigger box. The outrigger box is equipped with transport track engaging rollers. To remove the outrigger box from the crane chassis, the box is unweighted to allow ready removal of the tapered pins. The outrigger box is then lowered until its rollers are resting on the two transport rails. A collar which retains the trunnion mounted jack cylinder of the outrigger box upright is released, and that jack cylinder is lowered to a stabilized inclined position where it can pass under the chassis frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Kidde, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Fix