Patents by Inventor Thomas D. Cravens

Thomas D. Cravens 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).

  • Rack type pipe feeder for a pipe fusion machine
    Patent number: 9394106
    Abstract: A rack feeds sticks of pipe to a machine for serial fusion to the trailing end of a pipeline. Multiple independent spaced apart feeders support transverse bundles of sticks of pipe on beams. Legs which support the beams above the ground have jacks to vary the height and slope of the beams. The slope is set so that sticks tend to roll toward the lower front end of the beam where roller assemblies receive the sticks of pipe as they are manually rolled, one at a time, off the beams. All of the rack components are modular and interchangeably connectable so that the feeder can be quickly adapted for a variety of conditions and applications. The level of the lead end of the pipe can be hydraulically adjusted for vertical orientation with the fusion machine and the pipe fed on by hydraulically powered roller to provide a single operator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy A. Lyon, Thomas D. Cravens
  • RACK TYPE PIPE FEEDER FOR A PIPE FUSION MACHINE
    Publication number: 20150071753
    Abstract: A rack feeds sticks of pipe to a machine for serial fusion to the trailing end of a pipeline. Multiple independent spaced apart feeders support transverse bundles of sticks of pipe on beams. Legs which support the beams above the ground have jacks to vary the height and slope of the beams. The slope is set so that sticks tend to roll toward the lower front end of the beam where roller assemblies receive the sticks of pipe as they are manually rolled, one at a time, off the beams. All of the rack components are modular and interchangeably connectable so that the feeder can be quickly adapted for a variety of conditions and applications. The level of the lead end of the pipe can be hydraulically adjusted for vertical orientation with the fusion machine and the pipe fed on by hydraulically powered roller to provide a single operator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: MCELROY MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Lyon, Thomas D. Cravens
  • Rack type pipe feeder for a pipe fusion machine
    Patent number: 8464410
    Abstract: A rack feeds sticks of pipe to a machine for serial fusion to the trailing end of a pipeline. Multiple independent spaced apart feeders support transverse bundles of sticks of pipe on beams. Legs which support the beams above the ground have jacks to vary the height and slope of the beams. The slope is set so that sticks tend to roll toward the lower front end of the beam where roller assemblies receive the sticks of pipe as they are manually rolled, one at a time, off the beams. All of the rack components are modular and interchangeably connectable so that the feeder can be quickly adapted for a variety of conditions and applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: McElroy Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Lyon, Thomas D. Cravens, Bobby L. Murray