Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Steele

Thomas W. Steele 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: 8276736
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus includes a first conveyor apparatus and a second conveyor apparatus. The first conveyor apparatus is positionable adjacent to a feed conveying device. The first conveyor apparatus is configured to pivot about a position adjacent to the feed conveyor device or move laterally adjacent to the feed conveyor. The second conveyor apparatus is configured to move such that the second conveyor apparatus maintains a position substantially parallel to the first conveyor apparatus when the first conveyor apparatus moves or pivots. In some embodiments, the second conveyor apparatus may also be configured to move along a path so that the second conveyor apparatus is extendable beyond an end of the first conveyor apparatus. The path may be a linear path and may be substantially parallel to the length of the first conveyor apparatus such as a path that extends in a direction that is a few degrees off of being perfectly parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: FLSmidth A/S
    Inventor: Thomas W. Steele
  • Publication number: 20120024662
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus includes a first conveyor apparatus and a second conveyor apparatus. The first conveyor apparatus is positionable adjacent to a feed conveying device. The first conveyor apparatus is configured to pivot about a position adjacent to the feed conveyor device or move laterally adjacent to the feed conveyor. The second conveyor apparatus is configured to move such that the second conveyor apparatus maintains a position substantially parallel to the first conveyor apparatus when the first conveyor apparatus moves or pivots. In some embodiments, the second conveyor apparatus may also be configured to move along a path so that the second conveyor apparatus is extendable beyond an end of the first conveyor apparatus. The path may be a linear path and may be substantially parallel to the length of the first conveyor apparatus such as a path that extends in a direction that is a few degrees off of being perfectly parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: FLSmidth Spokane Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Steele
  • Patent number: 5590482
    Abstract: An earthen material excavator includes, a) a base undercarriage comprising running gear to move the excavator over the ground; b) a slewing platform; c) a plurality of booms operatively connected to one another, one of the booms being operatively connected with the slewing platform; and d) a digging bucket apparatus mounted to another of the booms, the bucket apparatus including, i) a rigid digging assembly having a fore earth working end and an aft non-earth-working end, the digging assembly comprising an internal throat positioned between the assembly fore and aft ends; and ii) a substantially rigid earthen material container removably mounted relative to the aft end of the rigid digging assembly, the rigid earthen container being mounted in communication with the throat to receive earthen material transferred from the rigid digging assembly through the throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: R. A. Hanson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy S. Peterson, Thomas W. Steele, Robert D. Walker