Patents by Inventor Stephen H. Beals

Stephen H. Beals 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: 5943963
    Abstract: In combination with a lading tie-down strap a shield for protecting the strap where it passes cover a corner of lading stacked on the flatbed of a cargo vehicle, e.g. a bulkhead railway flatcar. At least one end of each lading tie-down strap will be wound on a winch mounted on a side of the flatbed. The shields are formed from pieces of fabric or the like which are foldable into sleeves embracing the tie-down straps. When embracing a tie-down strap a shield sleeve must be sufficiently flexible so as to be windable on a winch along with the strap. Strips of Velcro-tape on the shields serve to releasably retain the shields on the tie-down straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Ireco Incorporated
    Inventor: Stephen H. Beals
  • Patent number: 5848865
    Abstract: A shield for attachment to and removal from a lading tie-down strap for shielding the strap from learing engagement with a corner of lading or cargo. The shield is preferably molded from a plastic material such as polyurethane and is in the form of a generally rectangular shaped pad. The pad has two end portions interconnected by a transverse live hinge area. Each end portion has an integrally formed raised flap extending transversely thereacross. One of the flaps is hinged adjacent one longitudinal edge of the tab while the other flap is hinged adjacent the opposite side or edge. The distal end of each flap has a hook formation on its underside which is open toward the proximal end of the flap. In use, a tie-down strap is inserted under the flaps which may be temporarily lifted to permit insertion. One edge of the tie-down strap will be inserted in one of the hooks while the opposite edge of the strap will be inserted in the hook of the other strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Ireco, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen H. Beals
  • Patent number: 5662295
    Abstract: A cable wear guard for shielding a bight in a support cable from direct rubbing contact with the surface in an aperture such as the aperture in the flange on the underside of a rail car coupler or the aperture on the flange on a glad hand. The cable wear guard is particularly useful with the adjustable support assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,564 dated May 28, 1985. The cable wear guard for the bight in a cable passing through an aperture in the flange on a car coupler is generally U-shaped and formed of at least relatively rigid material. Preferably, the cable wear guard has an outwardly facing groove in which the cable bight is secured with a slippage fit so as to allow for adjustment for differences in the initial lengths of the opposing sides of a bight. The wear guard for a cable bight passing through the aperture in the flange on a glad hand is likewise U-shaped but provision for cable slippage therein may not be necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Ireco, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolph E. Nadherny, Stephen H. Beals