Patents by Inventor Tracy Eugene Wheeler

Tracy Eugene Wheeler 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: 6394257
    Abstract: An elevatable conveyor for moving articles between different material handling equipment comprises a frame and a carriage mounted on the frame to move in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the frame. The carriage carries first and second conveyors capable of moving the material thereon and having different vertical elevations on the carriage. A cylinder is connected to the frame, and the cylinder has a cylinder rod connected to the carriage. The cylinder is operable to move the carriage and the first and second conveyors in a substantially vertical direction between first and second vertical positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Digital Audio Disc Corporation
    Inventor: Tracy Eugene Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5979606
    Abstract: An elevatable conveyor section having a base, a conveying element for supporting articles to be conveyed and scissors-linkage. The scissors-linkage has first ends connected with respect to first ends of the base and conveying element and second ends connected with respect to second ends of the base and conveying element. A lift has a linearly moving component connected to a perimeter of the conveying element. The lift is operated to selectively move the moving component and the attached conveying element up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Digital Audio Disc Corporation
    Inventor: Tracy Eugene Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5714998
    Abstract: An inspection system for use with a moving conveyor (20) having a video camera (80) mounted above the conveyor (20) and first and second prisms (60, 62) mounted below the camera (80) but above the part (28) to be inspected. The prisms (60, 62) are oriented to be parallel to two opposite ends (30, 36) of the part to be inspected. Therefore, as the conveyor (20) moves the part (28) below the prisms (60, 62) to an inspection location between the prisms, the camera (80) provides simultaneous images of the ends (30,36) of the part (28) as well the part's upper surface (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Digital Audio Disc Corporation
    Inventor: Tracy Eugene Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5673782
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotating an article includes a first housing member mountable on a side of the article conveyor, and a second housing member mountable on the opposite side of the article conveyor. A motor having a shaft is mounted on the first housing member. The motor is arranged to drive a frictional drive roller. The frictional drive roller in turn drives a first end portion of an approaching article. A pin is mounted on the second housing member and arranged to contact a second end portion, i.e., a second end portion opposite the first end portion, of the article while the frictional drive roller drives the first end portion. The pin functions to inhibit motion of the second end portion and thereby establishes a pivot position about which the article rotates approximately ninety degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Digital Audio Disc Corporation
    Inventors: Tracy Eugene Wheeler, Rick Lee Tiefel
  • Patent number: 5655647
    Abstract: A pass-through conveyor having a power conveyor pivotally attached to a based that effectively conveys small and light weight articles in a lowered conveying position. The powered conveyor may be pivoted to an elevated position allowing access past the conveyor gate. The conveyor is supported in an elevated position by a spring support mechanism without the need for mechanical latches or locks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Digital Audio Disc Corporation
    Inventor: Tracy Eugene Wheeler