Patents by Inventor Robert L. Mendenhall
Robert L. Mendenhall 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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Patent number: 9014939Abstract: A system incorporating one or more interrogators or readers on heavy construction equipment (e.g., loaders) detect signals emanating from signal transmitters on clothing or equipment of construction workers. Responsive to the detection of a signal emanating from behind the heavy equipment, or in another position relative to the heavy equipment, the driver is notified audibly of the danger such that the driver may stop the movement of the heavy equipment or causes the brakes to be applied and transmission to be disengaged automatically without operator involvement. In another version, a wet brake system (also known as a hydraulic brake system) is triggered automatically responsive to the detection of one or more signals emanating from behind a heavy piece of equipment, or in another position relative to the piece of heavy equipment. A hydraulic cylinder is configured to depresses a de-clutch brake pedal when personnel are identified in a danger zone.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
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Patent number: 8849522Abstract: A system incorporating one or more interrogators or readers on heavy construction equipment (e.g., loaders) detect signals emanating from signal transmitters on clothing or equipment of construction workers. Responsive to the detection of a signal emanating from behind the heavy equipment, or in another position relative to the heavy equipment, the driver is notified audibly of the danger such that the driver may stop the movement of the heavy equipment or causes the brakes to be applied and transmission to be disengaged automatically without operator involvement.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
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Patent number: 8295890Abstract: A system and method for detecting and storing mobile device usage by a driver of a vehicle. An antenna in a vehicle is configured and positioned to detect mobile device signals from the driver area in the vehicle. A processor in communication with the antenna analyzes the detected signals for frequency and strength. The antenna and processor may communicate with vehicle data collection systems (e.g., GPS, telemetry, etc.) such that the mobile device usage data may be collected along with the vehicle operation data. The mobile device usage data and vehicle operational data can be evaluated to determine the impact of mobile device usage by the driver of a vehicle. The data may be especially useful to the trucking, train, bus, and mass transit industries in order to educate drivers about the dangers associated with using mobile devices while driving.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Inventors: Robert L. Mendenhall, R. Jason Mendenhall, Gregory D. Miller, Gunter Karg
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Publication number: 20120117754Abstract: A truck configured to support one or more vacuum systems including one or more vacuum pick-up devices for vacuuming debris from a roadway, street, runway, parking lot or similar surface. One or more air nozzles positioned aft of a vacuum pick-up housing serve to disrupt the debris such that the vacuum pick-up devices are more efficiently able to vacuum the debris through vacuum ducts and ultimately into a debris container. Flaps forward of vacuum housings further contain disrupted debris so that the vacuum pick-up devices are able to vacuum the debris. The system is used by driving the truck over a subject area and activating an air source to disrupt debris on the subject area. The disrupted debris is then suctioned or vacuumed into vacuum ducts and deposited into a debris container. The debris container includes an exhaust fan for disseminating clean air separated from debris including dirt and dust.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
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Publication number: 20120015625Abstract: A system and method for detecting and storing mobile device usage by a driver of a vehicle. An antenna in a vehicle is configured and positioned to detect mobile device signals from the driver area in the vehicle. A processor in communication with the antenna analyzes the detected signals for frequency and strength. The antenna and processor may communicate with vehicle data collection systems (e.g., GPS, telemetry, etc.) such that the mobile device usage data may be collected along with the vehicle operation data. The mobile device usage data and vehicle operational data can be evaluated to determine the impact of mobile device usage by the driver of a vehicle. The data may be especially useful to the trucking, train, bus, and mass transit industries in order to educate drivers about the dangers associated with using mobile devices while driving.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Inventors: Robert L. Mendenhall, R. Jason Mendenhall, Greg Miller, Gunter Karg
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Patent number: 8060150Abstract: A system and method for detecting and storing mobile device usage by a driver of a vehicle. An antenna in a vehicle is configured and positioned to detect mobile device signals from the driver area in the vehicle. A processor in communication with the antenna analyzes the detected signals for frequency and strength. The antenna and processor may communicate with vehicle data collection systems (e.g., GPS, telemetry, etc.) such that the mobile device usage data may be collected along with the vehicle operation data. The mobile device usage data and vehicle operational data can be evaluated to determine the impact of mobile device usage by the driver of a vehicle. The data may be especially useful to the trucking, train, bus, and mass transit industries in order to educate drivers about the dangers associated with using mobile devices while driving.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Inventors: Robert L. Mendenhall, R. Jason Mendenhall, Gregory D. Miller, Gunter Karg
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Publication number: 20110237219Abstract: A system and method for detecting and storing mobile device usage by a driver of a vehicle. An antenna in a vehicle is configured and positioned to detect mobile device signals from the driver area in the vehicle. A processor in communication with the antenna analyzes the detected signals for frequency and strength. The antenna and processor may communicate with vehicle data collection systems (e.g., GPS, telemetry, etc.) such that the mobile device usage data may be collected along with the vehicle operation data. The mobile device usage data and vehicle operational data can be evaluated to determine the impact of mobile device usage by the driver of a vehicle. The data may be especially useful to the trucking, train, bus, and mass transit industries in order to educate drivers about the dangers associated with using mobile devices while driving.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2010Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventors: Robert L. Mendenhall, R. Jason Mendenhall, Gregory D. Miller, Gunter Karg
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Patent number: 8012265Abstract: A surface cleaning system having a storage container, debris collection apparatus and debris conduit is disclosed. Water discharged from spray nozzles configured in a circular arrangement forces debris into a debris collection ring and then a debris conduit. An auger, water pressure or air pressure is used to force the debris through debris conduit into the storage container for disposal. The design of the debris collection apparatus also facilitates the capture of most of the water used to force the debris into the debris collection apparatus. Accordingly, the system is able to reuse the water thereby extending the surface area that may be cleaned with a specified amount of water.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: The Mendenhall Family TrustInventors: Robert L. Mendenhall, Gilbert Cabrera
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Publication number: 20110139177Abstract: A surface cleaning system having a storage container, debris collection apparatus and debris conduit is disclosed. Water discharged from spray nozzles configured in a circular arrangement forces debris into a debris collection ring and then a debris conduit. An auger, water pressure or air pressure is used to force the debris through debris conduit into the storage container for disposal. The design of the debris collection apparatus also facilitates the capture of most of the water used to force the debris into the debris collection apparatus. Accordingly, the system is able to reuse the water thereby extending the surface area that may be cleaned with a specified amount of water.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Robert L. Mendenhall, Gilbert Cabrera
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Publication number: 20110139179Abstract: A surface cleaning system having a storage system including a debris separation tank and a water container, a collection tray, a series of nozzles configured to direct water from said storage system forward toward a ramp extending from a surface to be cleaned to the collection tray and a pump configured to draw debris and water from said collection tray and direct debris and water to the debris separation tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Robert L. Mendenhall, Gilbert Cabrera
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Patent number: 7578885Abstract: A surface cleaning system having a storage container, debris collection apparatus and debris conduit is disclosed. Water discharged from spray nozzles forces debris into a debris collection apparatus such that a series of rotating brushes can transport the debris to an open end of the debris conduit. An auger, water pressure or air pressure is used to force the debris through the debris conduit into the storage container for disposal. The storage container includes a single unit having multiple joined compartments or individual units for separating debris, particulates and water. The design of the debris collection apparatus also facilitates the capture of most of the water used to force the debris into the debris collection apparatus. Accordingly, the system is able to reuse the water thereby extending the surface area that may be cleaned with a specified amount of water.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Inventors: Robert L. Mendenhall, Gilbert Cabrera
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Patent number: 7527699Abstract: A surface cleaning system having a storage container, debris collection apparatus and debris conduit is disclosed. Water discharged from spray nozzles configured in a circular arrangement forces debris into a debris collection ring and then a debris conduit. An auger, water pressure or air pressure is used to force the debris through debris conduit into the storage container for disposal. The design of the debris collection apparatus also facilitates the capture of most of the water used to force the debris into the debris collection apparatus. Accordingly, the system is able to reuse the water thereby extending the surface area that may be cleaned with a specified amount of water.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2007Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
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Publication number: 20070215179Abstract: A surface cleaning system having a storage container, debris collection apparatus and debris conduit is disclosed. Water discharged from spray nozzles configured in a circular arrangement forces debris into a debris collection ring and then a debris conduit. An auger, water pressure or air pressure is used to force the debris through debris conduit into the storage container for disposal. The design of the debris collection apparatus also facilitates the capture of most of the water used to force the debris into the debris collection apparatus. Accordingly, the system is able to reuse the water thereby extending the surface area that may be cleaned with a specified amount of water.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2007Publication date: September 20, 2007Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
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Patent number: 5305696Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for treating particulate soil composition to remove volatilizable organic materials therefrom comprises separating fine particles of the soil from a gaseous mixture in a drum containing the fine particles and volatilized organic material, directing the separated fine particle heat exchange apparatus, indirectly heating the fine particles therein with hot exhaust gas to volatilize organic materials, and recovering the fine particles. The hot exhaust gas for heating the fine particles in the heat exchange apparatus is obtained from a furnace used to combust volatilized organic material.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1992Date of Patent: April 26, 1994Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
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Patent number: 5240412Abstract: A continuous method of removing volatilizable organic composition from particulate mineral composition comprises heating the organic composition contaminated mineral particles in a rotating drum and exposing the particles to said hot gases to volatilize the organic composition from the mineral particles while advancing the particles counter-current to the direction of hot gas flow, removing a gaseous composition from the drum comprising a mixture of the gases of combustion, volatilized organic composition and airborne fine mineral particles, separating the fine mineral particles from the hot gases and volatile volatilized organic composition returning the separated fine mineral particles into the drum near the hot end, mixing the fine particles with the coarse mineral particles advancing toward the hot drum end, continuing to heat the mixture of fine and coarse mineral particles until the concentration of volatilizable organic composition is less than about 100 parts per million, and recovering a mixture of cType: GrantFiled: November 21, 1991Date of Patent: August 31, 1993Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
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Patent number: 5085581Abstract: A continuous method of removing volatilizable organic composition from particulate mineral composition comprises heating the organic composition contaminated mineral particles in a rotating drum and exposing the particles to said hot gases to volatilize the organic composition from the mineral particles while advancing the particles counter-current to the direction of hot gas flow, removing a gaseous composition from the drum comprising a mixture of the gases of combustion, volatilized organic composition and airborne fine mineral particles, separating the fine mineral particles from the hot gases and volatile volatilized organic composition, returning the separated fine mineral particles into the drum near the hot end, mixing the fine particles with the coarse mineral particles advancing toward the hot drum end, continuing to heat the mixture of fine and coarse mineral particles until the concentration of volatilizable organic composition is less than about 100 parts per million, and recovering a mixture ofType: GrantFiled: May 24, 1990Date of Patent: February 4, 1992Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
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Patent number: 4957429Abstract: A continuous method of removing volatilizable organic composition from particulate mineral composition comprises heating the organic composition contaminated mineral particles in a rotating drum and exposing the particles to said hot gases to volatilize the organic composition from the mineral particles while advancing the particles counter-current to the direction of hot gas flow, removing a gaseous composition from the drum comprising a mixture of the gases of combustion, volatilized organic composition and airborne fine mineral particlles, separating the fine mineral particles from the hot gases and volatile volatilized organic composition, returning the separated fine mineral particles into the drum near the hot end, mixing the fine particles with the coarse mineral particles advancing toward the hot drum end, continuing to heat the mixture of fine and coarse mineral particles until the concentration of volatilizable organic composition is less than about 100 parts per million, and recovering a mixture ofType: GrantFiled: August 18, 1989Date of Patent: September 18, 1990Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
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Patent number: 4748921Abstract: A method of removing hazardous flammable hydrocarbons from soils comprises introducing the contaminated soil into a rotatable drum open at only one end, introducing flame and hot gases of combustion in the drum while rotating it to substantially expose the soil to the hot gases thereby heating the soil to a temperature sufficient to substantially vaporize all of the contaminant flammable hydrocarbons therein, and continuing to introduce the flame and hot gases whereby the vaporized hydrocarbon is burned in the drum with the exhaust gases of combustion then directed to atmosphere from the open port. The uncontaminated soil is then recovered from the drum.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1987Date of Patent: June 7, 1988Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
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Patent number: 4555182Abstract: An improved process for recycling asphaltic concrete comprises introducing asphaltic concrete particles at one end of an elongated rotating drum while supplying flame and hot gases of combustion to the drum at the opposite end, and introducing virgin aggregate into the drum intermediate the two ends. The asphaltic concrete is heated as it travels along a portion of the length of the drum and is recovered just prior to reaching the position along the drum length at which the aggregate is introduced. The aggregate is heated as it travels toward the end of the drum at which the flame and hot gases are introduced. Heated aggregate may be returned to the drum for further heating, and may be directed to the opposite drum end and mixed with the asphaltic concrete in a section of the drum.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1984Date of Patent: November 26, 1985Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
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Patent number: RE31905Abstract: In a process for producing asphalt-aggregate composition in which used asphaltic concrete is recycled by being heated and mixed in a rotatable drum into which flame and hot gases of combustion are directed, the improvement comprises introducing virgin aggregate in a hot zone of the drum and directly exposing the aggregate to the flame and/or hot gases of combustion, and introducing particles of asphalt-aggregate composition downstream from the hot drum input end, away from direct exposure to the flame and extremely hot gases, in a cooler temperature zone. An improved apparatus includes means for introducing the aggregate at the input drum end for direct exposure to the flame or hot-test gases, and means for introducing the used and recycled asphalt-aggregate composition in a cooler drum zone.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1982Date of Patent: June 4, 1985Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall