Patents by Inventor Rodney G. Nicholas

Rodney G. Nicholas 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).

  • Pitter apparatus with rotary operated drive system
    Patent number: 8381643
    Abstract: A pitting knife assembly including a pitting knife mount and a pulley drive assembly coupled and configured to move the knife mount around a circular or substantially circular path, and a fruit pitting apparatus including such an assembly. During operation of the pitting knife assembly with at least one pitting knife mounted to the knife mount and a fruit conveying assembly positioned to convey fruit to the pitting knife assembly, the pitting knife can produce pitted fruit by moving into engagement with fruit conveyed by the conveying assembly (to pit the fruit) as the knife mount moves through a first portion of the path, and the pitting knife can then move out of engagement with (and away from) the pitted fruit as the knife mount moves through a second portion of the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ashlock Company, a division of Vistan Corp.
    Inventor: Rodney G. Nicholas
  • Pitter Apparatus with Rotary Operated Drive System
    Publication number: 20110232508
    Abstract: A pitting knife assembly including a pitting knife mount and a pulley drive assembly coupled and configured to move the knife mount around a circular or substantially circular path, and a fruit pitting apparatus including such an assembly. During operation of the pitting knife assembly with at least one pitting knife mounted to the knife mount and a fruit conveying assembly positioned to convey fruit to the pitting knife assembly, the pitting knife can produce pitted fruit by moving into engagement with fruit conveyed by the conveying assembly (to pit the fruit) as the knife mount moves through a first portion of the path, and the pitting knife can then move out of engagement with (and away from) the pitted fruit as the knife mount moves through a second portion of the path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: ASHLOCK COMPANY, A DIVISION OF VISTAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rodney G. Nicholas
  • Graphic recording system
    Patent number: 4500890
    Abstract: A graphic recording system wherein multiple recording elements are moved relative to a recording medium. The recording elements are selectively actuated for recording on the medium. A carriage supports the recording elements with the carriage and a recording element actuator being supported for movement relative to the recording medium and each other. During recording on the medium, the relative movement between the carriage and actuator is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Nicolet Instrument Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney G. Nicholas