Patents by Inventor Terral A. Ridgell

Terral A. Ridgell 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).

  • Publication number: 20180362256
    Abstract: A conveyor belt and belt modules with plug-in accessories, such as sideguards. The accessories have plugs that plug into sockets in the belt or individual belt modules. Lugs and mounting slots and tabs and detents on the plugs and sockets help guide, register, and lock the accessories in place. The plugs and sockets allow the accessories to be locked and unlocked by twisting the plugs in the sockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: David W. Bogle, Terral A. Ridgell, Warren E. Cancienne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10155625
    Abstract: A conveyor belt and belt modules with plug-in accessories, such as sideguards. The accessories have plugs that plug into sockets in the belt or individual belt modules. Lugs and mounting slots and tabs and detents on the plugs and sockets help guide, register, and lock the accessories in place. The plugs and sockets allow the accessories to be locked and unlocked by twisting the plugs in the sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David W. Bogle, Terral A. Ridgell, Warren E. Cancienne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9517889
    Abstract: A conveyor belt and belt modules with plug-in accessories, such as sideguards. The accessories have plugs that plug into sockets in the belt or individual belt modules. Lugs and mounting slots and tabs and detents on the plugs and sockets help guide, register, and lock the accessories in place. The plugs and sockets allow the accessories to be locked and unlocked by twisting the plugs in the sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David W. Bogle, Terral A. Ridgell, Warren E. Cancienne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8776998
    Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt constructed of belt modules having hooked structure to hold belt rows together during splicing for easier hinge-rod insertion and to accommodate an elongated belt edge portion permitting hinge-rod growth and a method for splicing such a belt together. The modules include a pivot end that hooks into a mating receptacle on the module of a consecutive belt row. An aperture through the receptacle and the pivot end is aligned with the apertures of other hinge elements to form a lateral passageway for a hinge rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David C. Weiser, Gilbert J. MacLachlan, Terral A. Ridgell
  • Patent number: 8695790
    Abstract: A fastening system for joining two ends of a conveyor belt segment includes an inhibiting surface for controlling movement of the ends relative to each other. The inhibiting surface is offset from an inner surface of a conveyor belt segment employing the fastening system and engages a surface of a corresponding conveyor belt segment to reduce tenting of the conveyor belt segment ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Terral A. Ridgell, Michael V. Piehler, Kevin W. Guernsey, John H. Kuchler, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130081928
    Abstract: A fastening system for joining two ends of a conveyor belt segment includes an inhibiting surface for controlling movement of the ends relative to each other. The inhibiting surface is offset from an inner surface of a conveyor belt segment employing the fastening system and engages a surface of a corresponding conveyor belt segment to reduce tenting of the conveyor belt segment ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Terral A. Ridgell, Michael V. Piehler, Kevin W. Guernsey, John H. Kuchler, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110278136
    Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt constructed of belt modules having hooked structure to hold belt rows together during splicing for easier hinge-rod insertion and to accommodate an elongated belt edge portion permitting hinge-rod growth and a method for splicing such a belt together. The modules include a pivot end that hooks into a mating receptacle on the module of a consecutive belt row. An aperture through the receptacle and the pivot end is aligned with the apertures of other hinge elements to form a lateral passageway for a hinge rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David C. Weiser, Gilbert J. MacLachlan, Terral A. Ridgell
  • Publication number: 20010052451
    Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt module including a base member and an attachment member bonded together by an electromagnetically welded bond material that forms a fused joint between the base member and the attachment member. The joint is formed between a base weld region and an attachment weld region with the electromagnetically welded bond material forming a firm bond at the interface between the two regions. A welding workstation includes a high-frequency generator with its output coupled to a work coil. A fixture nests the base and attachment members together with the bond material at the joint close to the work coil. Ferromagnetic or other electrically conductive particles capable of carrying eddy currents embedded in the bond material are heated inductively by the high-frequency signal emitted by the work coil. The heat is also transferred to the adjacent weld regions of the base and attachment members to fuse them together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Hans Ruoss, Terral A. Ridgell, Christopher G. Greve