Patents by Inventor William R. Coots

William R. Coots 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).

  • TIE PLATE SEPARATOR AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20200407923
    Abstract: Present embodiments relate to an apparatus and method which separates tie plates. More specifically, and without limitation, present embodiments relate to a tie plate separator which can retrieve tie plates from a pile and separates such for placement on a feeder, such as a conveyor for sequential feeding of the tie plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: William R. Coots, III, Coty T. Coots
  • Tie plate straightener and method
    Patent number: 10745208
    Abstract: A tie plate straightener includes a plurality of rollers having varying cross-section and differing elevations. The tie plate straightener includes directional wheels between the rollers and disposed in alignment with the lower elevations of the rollers. The straightener receives tie plates at an input and rotates the tie plates when the tie plate engages the directional wheels. The tie plate is thereby oriented and/or positioned so that the tie plate is supported above the directional wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: B & B METALS, INC.
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie plate separator and method thereof
    Patent number: 10427876
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: B&B METALS, INC.
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Plate straightener
    Patent number: 10329100
    Abstract: A tie plate straightener includes a plurality of rollers having varying cross-section and differing elevations. The tie plate straightener includes directional wheels between the rollers and disposed in alignment with the lower elevations of the rollers. The straightener receives tie plates at an input and rotates the tie plates when the tie plate engages the directional wheels. The tie plate is thereby oriented and/or positioned so that the tie plate is supported above the directional wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: B & B METALS, INC.
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie plate separator and method thereof
    Patent number: 10316471
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: B & B Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie plate separator and method thereof
    Patent number: 10112215
    Abstract: A tie plate separator is provided and methods thereof which allow for supplying of a batch of scrap material which needs at least some separation. The separation may occur by a rotating receiver structure having a plurality of holes to allow materials of preselected size to be retained within the receiver but allow other materials to fall through the holes so as to effectively separate at least one of the constituents of the batch of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: B&B Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie plate separator and method thereof
    Patent number: 10094071
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: B & B Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie Plate Separator and Method Thereof
    Publication number: 20170349377
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie plate separator and method thereof
    Patent number: 9752286
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: B&B Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie plate separator and method thereof
    Patent number: 9745150
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: B&B Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie plate separator and method thereof
    Patent number: 9745132
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: B&B Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie Plate Separator and Method Thereof
    Publication number: 20170174442
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie Plate Separator and Method Thereof
    Publication number: 20160355992
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Auxiliary drive system
    Patent number: 9446662
    Abstract: An auxiliary drive system including a transmission which is connectable to a prime mover and produces an output torque for driving a driveshaft, the transmission having at least first and second power takeoffs, a pump in fluid communication with a hydraulic motor, the hydraulic motor operably connected to the second power takeoff and in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump, a control valve to vary flow rate to the hydraulic motor, the second power takeoff driving a driveshaft operably connected to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: B & B Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie plate separator and method thereof
    Patent number: 9422673
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: B & B Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie Plate Separator and Method Thereof
    Publication number: 20160194156
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie plate separator and method thereof
    Patent number: 9328465
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: B & B Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie Plate Separator and Method Thereof
    Publication number: 20150251851
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie Plate Separator and Method Thereof
    Publication number: 20150144458
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: William R. Coots
  • Tie plate separator and method thereof
    Patent number: 9038542
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: B & B Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Coots