Patents by Inventor Robert M. McFall

Robert M. McFall 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: 6261045
    Abstract: A material transfer system for transferring a material from a source to an open-topped receptacle wherein the material is capable of gravitationally flowing from a source utilizes a circular, rotary dumper having a plurality of open-topped compartments which extend radially from the vertical center axis of the dumper to the outer periphery thereof and a port-defining bottom within each of dumper compartment through which the contents of the compartment can be discharged. The dumper is supported for rotation about its vertical center axis, and a motor is adapted to rotate the dumper about the vertical center axis so that on one side of the vertical center axis of the dumper, the open tops of the compartments are movable into and out of vertical registry with material flowing therein from a source and so that on the opposite side of the vertical center axis of the dumper, the ports of the compartments are movable into and out of vertical registry with an open-topped receptacle to be filled from the dumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Robert M. McFall
  • Patent number: 6179021
    Abstract: A material transfer system for loading a pair of spaced, open-topped receptacles with a material capable of gravitationally flowing toward the open-topped receptacles from a source along a material flow path having a segment along which the material falls downwardly utilizes an elongated support frame mounted adjacent the receptacles and a divider mechanism which is positionable in vertical registry with and thereby covers the spacing defined between the two receptacles. A motor is drivingly connected to the divider mechanism for moving the mechanism along the length of the support frame and into a position at which the divider mechanism is positionable in vertical registry with the segment of the material path through which the material falls downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Robert M. McFall
  • Patent number: 6082827
    Abstract: A dumping apparatus for a conveying system for transporting a load from one site to another site at which the load is dumped from the apparatus includes a carriage which is supportable by a track for movement therealong and a dump bed which is supported by the carriage for pivotal movement relative thereto about both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. The apparatus also includes mechanisms interposed between the carriage and the dump bed for pivoting the dump bed about the vertical axis to a desired position thereabout and for pivoting the dump body about a horizontal axis so that the dump bed can be tilted so as to dump the dump bed at any location about the horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Robert M. McFall
  • Patent number: 5839565
    Abstract: An improved belt tripper system for discharging particulate material from the upper run of an endless conveyor belt includes a belt tripper having a frame which is supported upon a pair of parallel guide rails and which is adapted to be guided along the guide rails in the event that the guide rails have a curved section along the length thereof. The frame may be segmented or wheeled, and the endless conveyor belt, which may be a track-following belt, is comprised substantially of elastomeric material and is adapted to flex laterally to accommodate the movement of the belt through a curve. In addition, guide rollers may be disposed at selected locations along the upper belt run to aid the maneuvering of the upper belt run through a curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: Robert M. McFall
  • Patent number: 5098248
    Abstract: A conveyor loader for loading railroad cars or the like with coal or other crushed, ground or particulate material includes a support providing a guideway extending along the line of railroad cars and a line of segmented carriages rollably mounted upon the guideway. An endless belt of elastomeric construction is supported by the line of carriages for movement of an upper run of the belt between the ends of the carriage lines. Motors are associated with each of the line of carriages and the conveyor belt for moving the carriage line and the belt in either of two directions relative to its supporting structure. During a loading operation with the loader, coal or other particulate material is delivered to the upper run of the belt from a central loading station and conveyed to an end of the belt where it is directed into a railroad car to be loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Robert M. McFall
  • Patent number: 4988253
    Abstract: A conveyor loader for loading railroad cars or the like with coal or other crushed, ground or particulate material includes a support providing a guideway extending along the line of railroad cars and a line of segmented carriages rollably mounted upon the guideway. An endless belt of elastomeric construction is supported by the line of carriages for movement of an upper run of the belt between the ends of the carriage lines. Motors are associated with each of the line of carriages and the conveyor belt for moving the carriage line and the belt in either of two directions relative to its supporting structure. During a loading operation with the loader, coal or other particulate material is delivered to the upper run of the belt from a central loading station and conveyed to an end of the belt where it is directed into a railroad car to be loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Inventor: Robert M. McFall
  • Patent number: 4793462
    Abstract: Apparatus for the overhead loading of one or more containers positioned on a straight or curved path proximate the apparatus, the apparatus having a support proximate the path, a transport rail structure on the support, a plurality of gondolas mounted on the support for movement therealong, the gondolas and containers being proportioned such that each container can accommodate the simultaneous dumping of at least two gondolas, and a tipple mechanism on each gondola for dumping the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Inventor: Robert M. McFall