Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Pletcher

Thomas R. Pletcher 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).

  • Horizontal Ejector Truck Body
    Publication number: 20170190274
    Abstract: A horizontal ejection system for a vehicle. An ejector is adapted to travel axially through the interior from the front to the back of the truck body. A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic circuit for moving the ejector, and an ejector signal processing system signals the hydraulic circuit. The ejector signal processing system includes one or more proximity switches for detecting the location of the ejector and triggering the movement of the ejector. The switches are disposed on the truck body to sense the location of both the ejector and the tailgate. As a result, the hydraulic circuit is signaled to control the hydraulic system and thereby move the ejector based on a position of the ejector and the tailgate, wherein, in combination, the ejector and the tailgate control a load of material within the truck body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Sydney W. Riggs, Ronald E. Wright, Thomas R. Pletcher, Michael D. Riggs
  • Horizontal ejector truck body
    Patent number: 9643526
    Abstract: A horizontal ejection system for a vehicle. An ejector is adapted to travel axially through the interior from the front to the back of the truck body. A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic circuit for moving the ejector, and an ejector signal processing system signals the hydraulic circuit. The ejector signal processing system includes one or more proximity switches for detecting the location of the ejector and triggering the movement of the ejector. The switches are disposed on the truck body to sense the location of both the ejector and the tailgate. As a result, the hydraulic circuit is signaled to control the hydraulic system and thereby move the ejector based on a position of the ejector and the tailgate, wherein, in combination, the ejector and the tailgate control a load of material within the truck body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Somerset Welding & Steel, Inc.
    Inventors: Sydney W. Riggs, Ronald E. Wright, Thomas R. Pletcher, Michael D. Riggs
  • Horizontal Ejector Truck Body
    Publication number: 20160159262
    Abstract: A horizontal ejection system for a vehicle. An ejector is adapted to travel axially through the interior from the front to the back of the truck body. A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic circuit for moving the ejector, and an ejector signal processing system signals the hydraulic circuit. The ejector signal processing system includes one or more proximity switches for detecting the location of the ejector and triggering the movement of the ejector. The switches are disposed on the truck body to sense the location of both the ejector and the tailgate. As a result, the hydraulic circuit is signaled to control the hydraulic system and thereby move the ejector based on a position of the ejector and the tailgate, wherein, in combination, the ejector and the tailgate control a load of material within the truck body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Sydney W. Riggs, Ronald E. Wright, Thomas R. Pletcher, Michael D. Riggs