Patents by Inventor Robert L. Steele
Robert L. Steele 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: 9573605Abstract: A continuous assist braking and control system (10) operable to control the movement, speed and acceleration of a zipline rider (32) traversing a zipline (12). A brake line (40) is entrained around first and second reels (50, 52), and suspended above the zipline (12). The rider (32) is tethered to the brake line (40). A brake (56) is coupled to at least one of the reels (50, 52). When the brake (56) is disengaged, the brake line (40) is pulled along with the rider (32) as the rider (32) traverses the zipline (12). When the brake (56) is engaged, the reels' rate of rotation is slowed, thereby slowing the brake line (40) and the rider (32). When the brake (56) is engaged to stop the reels' rotation, the brake line (40) is brought to a stop, thereby arresting the motion of rider (32).Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Ziptrek Ecotours Inc.Inventors: Charles Z. Steele, David E. Udow, Robert L. Steele
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Publication number: 20140196990Abstract: A continuous assist braking and control system (10) operable to control the movement, speed and acceleration of a zipline rider (32) traversing a zipline (12). A brake line (40) is entrained around first and second reels (50, 52), and suspended above the zipline (12). The rider (32) is tethered to the brake line (40). A brake (56) is coupled to at least one of the reels (50, 52). When the brake (56) is disengaged, the brake line (40) is pulled along with the rider (32) as the rider (32) traverses the zipline (12). When the brake (56) is engaged, the reels' rate of rotation is slowed, thereby slowing the brake line (40) and the rider (32). When the brake (56) is engaged to stop the reels' rotation, the brake line (40) is brought to a stop, thereby arresting the motion of rider (32).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: ZIPTREK ECOTOURS INC.Inventors: Charles Z. STEELE, David E. UDOW, Robert L. STEELE
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Patent number: 8708109Abstract: A continuous assist braking and control system (10) operable to control the movement, speed and acceleration of a zipline rider (32) traversing a zipline (12). A brake line (40) is entrained around first and second reels (50, 52), and suspended above the zipline (12). The rider (32) is tethered to the brake line (40). A brake (56) is coupled to at least one of the reels (50, 52). When the brake (56) is disengaged, the brake line (40) is pulled along with the rider (32) as the rider (32) traverses the zipline 12). When the brake (56) is engaged, the reels' rate of rotation is slowed, thereby slowing the brake line (40) and the rider (32). When the brake (56) is engaged to stop the reels' rotation, the brake line (40) is brought to a stop, thereby arresting the motion of rider (32).Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Ziptrek Ecotours Inc.Inventors: Charles Z. Steele, David E. Udow, Robert L. Steele
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Publication number: 20110162917Abstract: A continuous assist braking and control system (10) operable to control the movement, speed and acceleration of a zipline rider (32) traversing a zipline (12). A brake line (40) is entrained around first and second reels (50, 52), and suspended above the zipline (12). The rider (32) is tethered to the brake line (40). A brake (56) is coupled to at least one of the reels (50, 52). When the brake (56) is disengaged, the brake line (40) is pulled along with the rider (32) as the rider (32) traverses the zipline 12). When the brake (56) is engaged, the reels' rate of rotation is slowed, thereby slowing the brake line (40) and the rider (32). When the brake (56) is engaged to stop the reels' rotation, the brake line (40) is brought to a stop, thereby arresting the motion of rider (32).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2007Publication date: July 7, 2011Inventors: Charles Z. Steele, David E. Udow, Robert L. Steele
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Patent number: 7381137Abstract: Braking and motion-arrest apparatus for braking the arrival of a zipline cable rider at a landing platform and arresting the rider's motion to retain the rider at the platform. A frame is mounted on the cable to allow longitudinal rolling movement of the frame along the cable. A self-closing one-way latch is provided at the forward end of the frame. The latch includes a pair of capture plates which are normally inwardly biased toward one another, on opposite sides of the cable. The rider is tethered to a pulley block which rolls along the cable and collides with the latch. The collision force drives the plates laterally away from the cable, allowing the pulley block to roll through the latch. After the pulley block rolls past the latch, the plates' normal biasing closes the latch, preventing the pulley block from rolling back through the latch.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2005Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Ziptrek Ecotours, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Steele, Charles Z. Steele, David E. Udow
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Patent number: 4615891Abstract: A novel method of formulating dairy cow rations based on regulation of the content of non-structural carbohydrates and neutral detergent fiber in the total daily ration, including both forage and grain portions, is disclosed. Feedstuffs analyzed to determine the percentages of non-structural carbohydrate and neutral detergent fiber contained thereby were fed in various proportions to test groups of cows under controlled conditions, and to commercial herds under actual field conditions to determine the effects, if any, on milk production by varying the proportion of the total daily ration constituted by non-structural carbohydrates. Also, the proportion of non-structural carbohydrates to neutral detergent fiber in the ration was calculated and compared with milk production levels. It was established that milk production was optimized when the total daily ration, including at least one grain and one forage, consists of between about 30% and 45% non-structural carbohydrates, depending upon forage type.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1985Date of Patent: October 7, 1986Assignee: Agway Inc.Inventors: James E. Nocek, Darwin G. Braund, Robert L. Steele, Charles A. Macgregor
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Patent number: 4346077Abstract: The invention comprises an improved method for administering calcium dosages to periparturient dairy cows, resulting in significant decreases in the incidence of milk fever and retained placenta. The single dosage comprises 18 to 36 grams of readily absorbable calcium, preferably finely powdered calcium carbonate in an amount which provides about 30 grams of available calcium. The dosage, preferably in the form of one or more compacted pellets, is administered orally within a period of 0 to 8 hours (preferably 0-2 hours) after parturition. The oral dosage is forcefully administered, as opposed to being offered to the cow in the form of a feed or drinking water supplement.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1981Date of Patent: August 24, 1982Assignee: Agway, Inc.Inventors: Darwin G. Braund, Thomas J. Fronk, Richard L. Goings, John W. Peters, Robert L. Steele
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Patent number: 4158930Abstract: A compound nutational carriage mechanism for a game, ambulatory toy or the like including a first disc member having a curvilinear periphery and a second disc member having a similar curvilinear periphery. The disc members are operably connected in such a manner that planar extensions of the disc members mutually intersect and form an angular relationship therebetween and the line of intersection of the planes extends perpendicular to a third plane. An axle is connected to the first and second disc members and lies in alignment with the line of intersection of the planar extentions of the first and second disc members.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1977Date of Patent: June 26, 1979Inventor: Robert L. Steele
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Patent number: 4118513Abstract: Dairy cattle rations are formulated to optimize milk production by balancing the proportion of soluble and insoluble protein in the total dietary protein. The ration may include both forage and concentrate portions, in which case the forage portion may consist of grazing and/or available stored forage with the composition of the concentrate being adjusted as required to provide the required balance of soluble and insoluble protein. The total protein intake is established according to standard recommended levels based on a particular cow or herd's production level, and other factors. The proportion of the total protein which is soluble in the cow's rumen is limited to not more than 25%, but some soluble protein, preferably in a range of about 10% to 20% is provided since it is this protein which is used by the microorganisms in the rumen which are, in turn, used by the cow as protein.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1976Date of Patent: October 3, 1978Assignee: Agway, Inc.Inventors: Darwin G. Braund, Kendall L. Dolge, Richard L. Goings, Robert L. Steele