Patents by Inventor Robert Whitling

Robert Whitling 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: 8007196
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the system includes a tubular female end portion of the first pole section and a male end portion of the second pole section that is insertable into the female end portion. Additionally, the system includes a locking nut including a body portion and a neck portion and is threadingly engaged with the male end portion. Furthermore, the system includes a biased locking sleeve assembly that includes a locking sleeve having an internal cavity such that the locking sleeve fits over the locking nut neck portion, and a biasing device located within the interior cavity of the locking sleeve for applying opposing forces to the locking nut and the locking sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Robert Whitling, Gregory Francisco, William Dale Jones
  • Patent number: 8002491
    Abstract: A system and a method for securely connecting, or interlocking two pole sections together to ensure that they do not disconnect during use. The system includes a tubular female end portion of the first pole section and a male end portion of the second pole section that is insertable into the female end portion. The system additionally includes a locking nut threadingly engaged with the male end portion that is rotatable on the male end portion to longitudinally transition the locking nut into contact with the female end portion to fixedly interlock the male and female end portions. Furthermore, the system includes a biased locking sleeve assembly slidably and rotatably mounted on a locking assembly portion of the second pole. The locking sleeve assembly can include a locking sleeve and a biased plunger slidingly positioned within an interior of the locking sleeve for applying a locking force to the locking nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Whitling, Gregory Francisco, William Dale Jones
  • Publication number: 20090245924
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the system includes a tubular female end portion of the first pole section and a male end portion of the second pole section that is insertable into the female end portion. Additionally, the system includes a locking nut including a body portion and a neck portion and is threadingly engaged with the male end portion. Furthermore, the system includes a biased locking sleeve assembly that includes a locking sleeve having an internal cavity such that the locking sleeve fits over the locking nut neck portion, and a biasing device located within the interior cavity of the locking sleeve for applying opposing forces to the locking nut and the locking sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Whitling, Gregory Francisco, William Dale Jones
  • Publication number: 20090242065
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the system includes a tubular female end portion of the first pole section and a male end portion of the second pole section that is insertable into the female end portion. The system additionally includes a locking nut threadingly engaged with the male end portion that is rotatable on the male end portion to longitudinally transition the locking nut into contact with the female end portion to fixedly interlock the male and female end portions. Furthermore, the system includes a biased locking sleeve assembly slidably and rotatably mounted on a locking assembly portion of the second pole. The locking sleeve assembly can include a locking sleeve and a biased plunger slidingly positioned within an interior of the locking sleeve for applying a locking force to the locking nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Whitling, Gregory Francisco, William Dale Jones
  • Publication number: 20060288537
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a handling pole including a pole section, a pole adapter connected to one end of the pole section, and a spade member connected to the other end of the pole section. The pole adapter may include an upper sleeve and the spade member may include a lower sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Gregory Francisco, Robert Whitling