Patents by Inventor Vernon W. Hinkle

Vernon W. Hinkle 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: 6161985
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus and a method of raising a manhole ring during construction or repair of roads are shown and described. The apparatus and method include formation of a manhole collar by use of a form that rests on a manhole cone and trimming the form to have its top edge at the correct elevation and orientation to properly receive the manhole ring. After the manhole ring is received on the form, a single monolithic pour of concrete creates a concrete collar that fills and seals the vertical space between the manhole cone and ring and the manhole ring is thus secured and sealed at the proper elevation that results in the manhole ring and its cover being level with the surrounding pavement. The apparatus includes an accurate custom-trimming assembly indexed off of the pavement surface for trimming the form to the proper dimensions for the particular site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Vernon W. Hinkle
    Inventors: Vernon W. Hinkle, John D. Tensen
  • Patent number: 5934820
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, for raising a manhole ring during construction or roads, that includes placing a generally tubular form on a manhole cone in an excavation, and a method and trimming/cutting tool for adjusting the height of the form. Preferably, the cutting tool is positioned inside the form and is rotated around to cut a ring of material off of the top of the form. The cutting tool is set at an elevation, indexed off of the pavement around the excavation, which results in the form being cut to a height that can support a manhole ring at a proper elevation to be flush with the pavement surface of a particular site. Once the manhole ring is placed on the trimmed form, a single pour of concrete may be done to create a concrete collar that fills and seals the vertical space between the manhole cone and ring. The form may include a stabilizing system for holding the form in place on the manhole cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Vernon W. Hinkle