Patents by Inventor Troy D. Dolan

Troy D. Dolan 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: 20030201057
    Abstract: The invention is a method of joining two belt ends together, either laterally or longitudinally, and the resulting belt. The two ends can be of two different belts being joined, a short section added to replace a damaged section of a belt, or two ends of the same belt. Moreover, the belt or belts can be damaged or intentionally cut in preparation of their joining. The belt ends are stripped of their rubber or elastomeric coating that covers the cord core, and the ends can be fashioned in any shape such that one belt end complements the other end when abutted. The ends are joined and a new rubber layer is then bonded to the belt above and below the cord core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Troy D. Dolan, Joseph Gibson
  • Publication number: 20020014299
    Abstract: The invention is a method of splicing two damaged ends of a conveyor belt together such that the resultant spliced belt is stronger than typical splice methods. The damaged belt is cut apart and the ends are prepared so that the ends may be spliced together. The belt ends are stripped of the rubber coating that covers the cord core through cutting or abrading the coating away. The belt ends can be prepared in any fashion from blunt end cuts to stepping the cut of the core such that the steps of one end of the belt complement the steps of the other end of the belt. The prepared belt ends are mated together and sewn. A new layer of rubber is then placed over the sewn portion of the belt. The new layer of rubber is then vulcanized, through either hot or cold vulcanization techniques. The resultant sewn and vulcanized belt is a stronger belt than a belt repaired by only mechanical or vulcanization methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Troy D. Dolan, Joseph Gibson
  • Patent number: 6283274
    Abstract: The present invention describes a tensioner that automatically increases the effective torque on the support arm over time. The tensioner is comprised of a torsion cam engaging the support arm of the scraper blade assembly, a torsion cable engaging the cam, a tension rod with a spring surrounding the rod secured to the torsion cable. Over time, as the scraper blade wears down and the spring force decreases, the torsion cam is slowly rotated to increase the torque arm of the invention and thereby increase the effective torque on the support arm and compensate for the decrease in spring force. This invention may be adapted for use with any existing scraper blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventors: Troy D. Dolan, Joseph Gibson
  • Patent number: 6041913
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an invention having to do with a method and apparatus for supporting and tensioning cleaning blades that are in contact with a moving conveyor belt. The method and apparatus disclosed herein comprise locating an elongate support bar under the return side of a conveyor belt and positioning its length transverse to the direction of travel of the conveyor belt. The support bar has mounted spatially along its length several individual spring loaded piston-cylinder assemblies. Support plates are connected to the extensible end of each piston-cylinder assembly and cleaner blades are removably attached to the support plates. Each piston/cylinder assembly has an adjustable spring tensioning adjustment for the proper tensioning of each blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Conveyor Services Corporation
    Inventor: Troy D. Dolan
  • Patent number: 5799776
    Abstract: A conveyor belt scraper blade support assembly having an elongate support bar extending transversely in excess of the width of the conveyor belt, external foundation support brackets operatively arranged to engage each end of the support bar, extensible/retractable device located between the brackets and the support bar arranged for controlled reciprocal movement of the support bar toward and away from the support brackets, spring loaded piston/cylinder assemblies mounted spatially along the length of the support bar for urging the pistons toward the conveyor belt, a blade attachment device on the piston for attaching and supporting a scraper blade thereto, a scraper blade mounted in the blade attachment device, and shock absorbing device between the brackets and the support bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Troy D. Dolan
  • Patent number: 5722528
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for cleaning a conveyor belt. The invention comprises locating a support bar under the return side of a conveyor belt and positioning it transverse to the direction of travel of the conveyor belt. The support bar has mounted on it several individual piston-cylinder apparatus which have pneumatic or hydraulic connections to a manifold assembly. Support plates are connected to the extensible end of the piston-cylinder apparatus and cleaner blades are removeably attached to the support plates. The cleaner blades and piston-cylinder apparatus are arranged adjacently with one another along the length of the support bar, and the blade assemblies have side edges with tongue and groove connections so that each adjacent cleaning blade has a sliding engagement with one another. Connecting to the manifold assembly on the support bar are pneumatic supply and return lines that emanate from a pressure source having a regulator and a two way valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Conveyor Services Corp.
    Inventor: Troy D. Dolan