Patents by Inventor Thomas S. Ruffner

Thomas S. Ruffner 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: 20160152284
    Abstract: A cab enclosure for a machine includes a cab enclosure framework formed of a plurality of frame members. The cab enclosure framework defines a plurality of cab enclosure sides. The cab enclosure further includes a plurality of brackets secured to at least two frame members of a first cab enclosure side. The cab enclosure further includes a mounting frame having a substantially planar shelf portion and an attachment portion. The attachment portion is secured to the plurality of brackets and extends around the shelf portion. The cab enclosure further includes a panel including a peripheral portion secured to the shelf portion of the mounting frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Wiese, Thomas S. Ruffner
  • Publication number: 20150183377
    Abstract: A chamber assembly disposed in an operator cab of a machine is disclosed. The chamber assembly includes a base member and a plurality of side walls for defining a cavity therebetween. The base member includes one or more first holes to drain fluid contained in the cavity. One of the plurality of side walls includes one or more openings to fluidly communicate the cavity with an air conditioning system of the machine. The chamber assembly further includes a lining member detachably disposed on the base member. The lining member includes one or more second holes to allow the fluid to flow therethough and communicate with the first holes of the base member. The lining member further includes one or more projections to abut the base member. The lining member further includes a receptacle member to hold one or more vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: THOMAS S. RUFFNER, Kurt L. Winckler
  • Publication number: 20150066290
    Abstract: A light indicator system for a machine is disclosed. The light indicator system includes a single light assembly positioned on an exterior facing surface of an operator cab of the machine. The light assembly is positioned such that it is viewable from outside the machine. The light indicator system also includes a payload monitoring module configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of payload on the machine. The light indicator system further includes a transmission module configured to generate a signal indicative of a mode of operation of the machine. The light indicator system includes a controller communicably coupled to the light assembly, the payload monitoring module, and the transmission module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: THOMAS S. RUFFNER, Shaun A. Smyth, Kurt L. Winckler, Anthony S. Cooksey, James Tarelli, Thomas R. Springer
  • Patent number: 4529346
    Abstract: A locking and securing means is disclosed which includes a base member, a threaded member and a sprocket. The base member defines vertically extending fingers with gaps therebetween and a threaded bore. The threaded member with a flat or irregular shape on its upper leg segment extends through this bore to a desired position. The sprocket, which is mounted on the threaded member prior to insertion into the bore, has radially extending teeth to mesh with the base-member-defined gaps and an internal shape to mate with the threaded-member shape. The threaded member is thus secured to a fixed height or position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Aubel, Patrick A. Jenkins, Thomas S. Ruffner