Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Forney

Thomas M. Forney 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: 6213315
    Abstract: The disclosed bulk bag storage rack facilitates both storage and unloading of a bulk bag and thereby eliminates the standard handling techniques heretofore required in transferring a bulk bag from a conventional rack to the bag unloader. The storage rack includes a bag suspension frame to which the bulk bag is attached. A base is shiftably intercoupled with the frame so as to permit vertical shifting between vertically expanded and contracted conditions. During storage, the rack is vertically contracted and the bag attached to the frame rests on the base, whereby the frame provides essentially no support to the bag. When it is desired to unload the bag, the frame is maintained at a desired height and the base is allowed to shift downwardly relative the frame. This eliminates the support provided by the base and the bag is consequently suspended from the frame. An unloading station includes a stand to support the frame at the desired height and a stop for limiting downward movement of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: BKD Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Forney, Dean A. Weber