Patents by Inventor Stuart J. Ledingham

Stuart J. Ledingham 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: 6543608
    Abstract: The present invention provides a guide rail support bracket assembly for supporting a conveyor system guide rail through a support rod. The assembly includes a support bracket having a mounting segment configured to be mounted to a conveyor body. The support bracket is preferably formed by cutting and bending a generally flat metal plate. A support segment is connected at one end to the mounting segment and at another end, spaced from the mounting segment, to an angled clamping section. The support rod is clamped into the clamping section by an eyebolt that fits through a clamping hole formed in the angled clamping section. The eyebolt is drawn into the angled clamping section by a clamping knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart J. Ledingham, David N. Padgett
  • Patent number: 6533108
    Abstract: A clip designed for use in a conveyor system comprises an upper portion adapted to receive a wear strip and hold it firmly in place, a front portion having a J-shaped clamp adapted to grip to a supporting cross member, and a rear portion adapted for mounting on the cross member. The clip is securely mounted to the cross member and a wear strip is inserted into the upper portion of the clip where it is held firmly, such that the weight borne by the wear strip from the conveyor chain is thereby transferred to the supporting cross member. The clip is designed so as to accommodate varying thickness of cross members and to provide a squaring effect to resist lateral forces from the wear strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham
  • Patent number: 6533110
    Abstract: A guide rail spacer is provided that can be adjusted among a plurality of predetermined fixed positions with respect to the guide rail which it supports. The spacer can also be secured when not in use such that it does not interfere with conveyor line operations while remaining readily available for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham
  • Publication number: 20030047426
    Abstract: Chain guide assemblies for conveyor systems including matched chain guide strips and preassembled straps that interconnect and locate the chain guide strips in constant perpendicular spacing. In certain aspects, the matched chain guide strips are preassembled with the straps to form preassembled chain guide assemblies. The chain guide assemblies can describe straight segments as well as circle segments. The chain guide assemblies present a relatively open configuration to facilitate cleaning and servicing the chain guide assemblies and attached conveyor chains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham
  • Patent number: 6516933
    Abstract: A readily bendable rolling conveyor guide is provided. The guide includes axle-positioning members having notches. The axle-positioning members slidably engage channels mounted to a structural support member. A plurality of axles carrying rotatable elements and spacers are disposed between the axle-positioning members. Due to the notches in the axle-positioning members and the unique cross-section of the exterior of the channels, the assembled guide may be bent at small radii without causing distortion of the channels or interference between the axle-positioning members and the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham
  • Publication number: 20020189923
    Abstract: A unitized vertical support for attaching auxiliary equipment to a conveyor system or other industrial application. The support is made of a tube having one end in a molded plastic base. When plastic is injected into the mold, plastic flows into the tube during the molding process, thus creating a unitized support which presents movement of the tube relative to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham
  • Patent number: 6493939
    Abstract: A flange includes a housing having a body with a reinforcing member encased within the housing. The flange can be configured to house a bearing. The flange can alternatively be configured to act as a leveler for machinery. The flange is formed by a) preparing a mold for the housing, b) preparing a metallic band for insertion into a space in the mold, c) suspending the band within the mold, d) introducing a thermosetting material into the mold to encase the band, and e) cooling the thermosetting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham
  • Publication number: 20020121428
    Abstract: A guide rail support bracket assembly for supporting a conveyor system guide rail through a support rod. The assembly includes a support bracket having a mounting segment configured for mounting to a conveyor body. In one aspect, the support bracket is formed by cutting and bending a generally flat metal plate. A support segment is connected to the mounting segment and, spaced from the mounting segment, to an angled clamping section. The support rod is clamped into the clamping section by an eyebolt that fits through a clamping hole formed in the angled clamping section. The eyebolt is drawn into the angled clamping section by a clamping knob. In certain aspects, an extension segment is interposed between the mounting and the support segments to space the support segment further from a conveyor body. In other aspects, the support bracket and clamping sections are separate pieces pivotably joined by a fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Stuart J. Ledingham, David N. Padgett
  • Patent number: 6427829
    Abstract: A unitized vertical support for attaching auxiliary equipment to a conveyor system or other industrial application. The support is made of a tube having one end in a molded plastic base. When plastic is injected into the mold, plastic flows into the tube during the molding process, thus creating a unitized support which presents movement of the tube relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Solus Industrial Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham
  • Publication number: 20010027911
    Abstract: The present invention provides a guide rail support bracket assembly for supporting a conveyor system guide rail through a support rod. The assembly includes a support bracket having a mounting segment configured to be mounted to a conveyor body. The support bracket is preferably formed by cutting and bending a generally flat metal plate. A support segment is connected at one end to the mounting segment and at another end, spaced from the mounting segment, to an angled clamping section. The support rod is clamped into the clamping section by an eyebolt that fits through a clamping hole formed in the angled clamping section. The eyebolt is drawn into the angled clamping section by a clamping knob.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Stuart J. Ledingham, David N. Padgett
  • Patent number: 6287045
    Abstract: A guide rail splice sleeve provides for adjustable housing, gripping, and connecting of sequential guide rail segments. The device includes an elongated central member, first and second tension bars detachably connected to the central member at opposite ends thereof, and fastening elements for securely connecting the first and second tension bars independently to the central member. The independent connection of each tension bar to the central member permits sequential guide rail segments to be gripped or adjusted independently of the other. Additionally, the sleeve may include a hand tightening device so that the fastening elements may be adjusted without the need for tools. Also, the sleeve may include an extension for spanning any gap between non-abutting ends of adjacent guide rail segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart J. Ledingham, Jeffrey J. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20010014190
    Abstract: A flange bearing comprises a housing having a body with a reinforcing member encased therein. The housing provides strength and resistance to stress fracturing without the use of heavy materials, such as cast iron, or the use of ribs and recesses which can harbor contaminates. The bearing is preferably lightweight and easily cleaned. Also, a leveler constructed in accordance with the present invention provides similar advantages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventor: STUART J. LEDINGHAM
  • Patent number: 6250841
    Abstract: A guide rail splice sleeve device provides for adjustable housing, gripping, and connecting of sequential guide rails. The device includes an elongated central member, a first and second tension bar detachably connected to the central member at opposite ends thereof, and fastening elements for securely connecting the first and second tension bars independently to the central member. Advantageously the central member and tension bars have integral flanges to aid in support of the guide rails. The independent connection of each tension bar to the central member permits sequential guide rail segments to be gripped or adjusted independently of the other. Additionally, the sleeve may include a hand tightening device so that the fastening elements may be adjusted without the need for tools. Also, the sleeve may include an extension for spanning any gap between non-abutting ends of adjacent guide rail segments connected by the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham
  • Patent number: 6189685
    Abstract: The present invention provides a guide rail support bracket assembly for supporting a conveyor system guide rail through a support rod. The assembly includes a support bracket having a mounting segment configured to be mounted to a conveyor body. The support bracket is preferably formed by cutting and bending a generally flat metal plate. A support segment is connected at one end to the mounting segment and at another end, spaced from the mounting segment, to an angled clamping section. The support rod is clamped into the clamping section by an eyebolt that fits through a clamping hole formed in the angled clamping section. The eyebolt is drawn into the angled clamping section by a clamping knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart J. Ledingham, David N. Padgett
  • Patent number: 6135271
    Abstract: A guide rail spacer is provided that can be adjusted among a plurality of predetermined fixed positions with respect to the guide rail which it supports. The spacer can also be secured when not in use such that it does not interfere with conveyor line operations while remaining readily available for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham
  • Patent number: 6105757
    Abstract: A rail comprising a rail member and at least one plug is used to direct the flow of objects along a predetermined path of an assembly line or conveyor belt system or to support the weight of the objects thereon. In its preferred embodiments, a stainless steel member has a generally U-shaped cross-section and a polished outer surface which is of particular advantage for use with PET plastic products. One or more plugs provide structural integrity and prevent rotation of the rail member in a clamp of the rail guide support assembly which is used to grip the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham
  • Patent number: 6053654
    Abstract: A splice sleeve device provides for adjustable housing, gripping, and connecting of sequential guide rails. The device includes an elongated central member, a first and second tension bar located on opposite ends of the central member, and a first and second retention device to detachably secure the first and second tension bars to the central member, respectively. The dual retention device, accomplished by the first and second tension bars, allows a guide rail to be adjusted while the abutting sequential guide rail remains secure. In an additional embodiment, the sleeve is designed for use with a conveyor line having a radius turn. The sleeve has a shim that allows a guide rail to slide along a guide rail housing area when the guide rail housing area is tightened so as to adjust for gaps created in the arcuate conveyor line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham
  • Patent number: 5971618
    Abstract: A flange bearing comprises a housing having a body with a reinforcing member encased therein. The housing provides strength and resistance to stress fracturing without the use of heavy materials, such as cast iron, or the use of ribs and recesses which can harbor contaminates. The bearing is preferably lightweight and easily cleaned. Also, a leveler constructed in accordance with the present invention provides similar advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham
  • Patent number: 5967295
    Abstract: A flexible guide rail support post comprises a support bracket for mounting to a frame element, a guide element secured to the support bracket, and an actuating member extending through the guide element and having a handle at one end and a guide rail clamp at the other end. A spring surrounds that portion of the actuating member between the handle and the guide element. The guide rail support is movable inwardly and outwardly via movement of the actuating member with respect to the guide element. The inner diameter of the guide element and the outer diameter of the actuating member are selected so that the actuating member and associated guide rail clamp is permitted to move in a range of directions. A spacer is provided for locking the actuating member in at least two fixed positions with respect to the guide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham
  • Patent number: 5819911
    Abstract: A flexible guide rail support post comprises a support bracket for mounting to a frame element, a guide element secured to the support bracket, and an actuating member extending through the guide element and having a handle at one end and a guide rail clamp at the other end. A spring surrounds that portion of the actuating member between the handle and the guide element. The guide rail support is movable inwardly and outwardly via movement of the actuating member with respect to the guide element. The inner diameter of the guide element and the outer diameter of the actuating member are selected so that the actuating member and associated guide rail clamp is permitted to move in a range of directions. A spacer is provided for locking the actuating member in at least two fixed positions with respect to the guide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart J. Ledingham