Patents by Inventor William R. Kennedy

William R. Kennedy 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: 20040175238
    Abstract: A form installed in a mine for making a permanent mine stopping or seal of pourable and hardenable material includes first and second form walls in spaced, generally parallel relation to one another. Each of the first and second form walls includes a portable wall section including a plurality of elongate upright panels secured together in general parallel, side-by-side relation. Each panel includes a lower panel member having a lower end and an upper panel member extending from the lower panel member and having an upper end in substantial engagement with a roof of the mine passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20040067730
    Abstract: A mine air crossing includes opposite side walls and a deck extending from side wall to side wall. Each side wall includes a plurality of sections assembled side-by-side and interconnected by quick-connections. Similarly, each deck may include deck sections assembled side-by-side and interconnected by quick-connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6715961
    Abstract: A method of supporting opposite first and second walls of a mine passageway includes providing an elongate beam having opposite first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. The beam is configured to have substantial columnar strength for bearing a substantial longitudinal load applied to the beam generally longitudinally of the beam and substantial bending strength for bearing a substantial transverse load applied to the beam generally transversely of the beam. The method further includes selecting first and second locations on the first and second walls, respectively, providing suitable areas for supporting the first and second walls, and positioning the first end of the beam at the first location and the second end of the beam at the second location so that the beam extends between the first and second walls of the mine passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6688813
    Abstract: A portable wall section for incorporation in a mine stopping or for use as a mine permanent stopping or seal form, comprising vertically extensible panels secured in side-by-side relation, a stopping installed in a mine, a stopping system utilizing one or more of said sections, and methods of installing the stopping and form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Jack Kennedy Metal Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6682263
    Abstract: A mine stopping installed in a mine passageway includes a lower tier of elongate panels extending generally vertically in side-by-side relation from a floor of the passageway. Each panel of the lower tier has a lower end adjacent the floor and an upper end spaced from a roof of the passageway. An upper tier of elongate panels extends generally vertically in side-by-side relation from the lower tier of panels to the roof. An upper end of each upper tier panel is adjacent the roof and a lower end of each upper tier panel abuts the upper end of respective lower tier panels. An elongate brace is connected to at least one of the lower and upper tiers for reinforcing the stopping against deflection and for inhibiting lateral movement of the lower tier panels relative to the upper tier panels. A method of installing a multiple tier stopping is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6669551
    Abstract: A mine ventilation structure with a deck made up of panels of inverted channel shape modified to be of relatively light weight yet strong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20030147706
    Abstract: A mine stopping installed in a mine passageway includes a plurality of elongate panels extending generally vertically in side-by-side relation from a floor to a roof of the passageway to at least partially close the passageway. A generally horizontal elongate brace extends generally between the walls of the passageway adjacent to the panels. A generally vertical column extends from the floor to the roof and is adapted for reinforcing the brace. Braces and anchor beams for stoppings are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20030143942
    Abstract: A mine stopping installed in a mine passageway includes a lower tier of elongate panels extending generally vertically in side-by-side relation from a floor of the passageway. Each panel of the lower tier has a lower end adjacent the floor and an upper end spaced from a roof of the passageway. An upper tier of elongate panels extends generally vertically in side-by-side relation from the lower tier of panels to the roof. An upper end of each upper tier panel is adjacent the roof and a lower end of each upper tier panel abuts the upper end of respective lower tier panels. An elongate brace is connected to at least one of the lower and upper tiers for reinforcing the stopping against deflection and for inhibiting lateral movement of the lower tier panels relative to the upper tier panels. A method of installing a multiple tier stopping is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6594954
    Abstract: A power mine door installation utilizing compressed air from the compressed air system available in the mine as the power source for a hydraulic door-operating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20030126798
    Abstract: A power mine door installation utilizing compressed air from the compressed air system available in the mine as the power source for a hydraulic door-operating mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20030129937
    Abstract: A mine ventilation structure with a deck made up of panels of inverted channel shape modified to be of relatively light weight yet strong.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20030082010
    Abstract: A mine stopping installed in a mine passageway includes a rigid wall extending across the passageway to close the passageway. The wall includes a first wall section extending from one side of the passageway at a first angle and a second wall section extending from an opposite side of the passageway at an oblique angle relative to the opposite side such that the wall sections are arranged in a non-coplanar, non-parallel relationship with respect to one another. A method of installation is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20030079423
    Abstract: A mine door leaf of hollow construction with the hollow infilled with a fluent filling material which, when solidified, attaches to the enclosing components of the door leaf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20030017005
    Abstract: A portable wall section for incorporation in a mine stopping or for use as a mine permanent stopping or seal form, comprising vertically extensible panels secured in side-by-side relation, a stopping installed in a mine, a stopping system utilizing one or more of said sections, and methods of installing the stopping and form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6457906
    Abstract: A mine stopping installed in a mine passageway having air flowing through the passageway in a first direction includes a rigid wall extending across the passageway to close the passageway and an opening in the wall to permit the passage of air therethrough. The wall extends between the opening and one side of the passageway at an oblique angle with respect to the direction of air flow through the passageway whereby air flowing through the passageway strikes the wall at the oblique angle thereby to reduce the dynamic air pressure exerted on said wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6425820
    Abstract: A mine door system including at least two doors positioned in a mine passageway in spaced relation forming an airlock. The doors include at least one leaf movable between open and closed positions to allow passage into and out of the airlock. A control system controls operation of leaf movement actuators such that in normal operation, at least one door is always closed to control flow of air in the mine. A power source is included to effect movement of the leafs by the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Jack Kennedy Metal Products and Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20020098046
    Abstract: A method of supporting opposite first and second walls of a mine passageway includes providing an elongate beam having opposite first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. The beam is configured to have substantial columnar strength for bearing a substantial longitudinal load applied to the beam generally longitudinally of the beam and substantial bending strength for bearing a substantial transverse load applied to the beam generally transversely of the beam. The method further includes selecting first and second locations on the first and second walls, respectively, providing suitable areas for supporting the first and second walls, and positioning the first end of the beam at the first location and the second end of the beam at the second location so that the beam extends between the first and second walls of the mine passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6419324
    Abstract: A method of sealing off a mine passageway. The method involves installing a plurality of vertical panels side by side across the passageway to form a stopping. The stopping has gaps between adjacent panels and gaps between the panels and adjacent mine surfaces defining the mine passageway. The method further comprises holding an injector in or closely adjacent the gaps, and injecting a fluent sealing material under pressure into the gaps to form a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6394707
    Abstract: A mine roof support designed to extend vertically in a mine passageway. The support includes a containment structure having at least two telescoping containment members freely telescopically movable relative to one another, and a filler material introducible into the containment structure to form a column of material extending vertically in the passageway. Each containment member defines an interior space for receiving the filler material. The material is hardenable inside the containment structure to form a yieldable column whereby in the event of a mine convergence, the yieldable material yields while providing continued support and the telescoping containment members move freely relative to one another to permit such yielding without damage to the containment structure. A method of installing such a roof support is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Jack Kennedy Metal Products & Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6379084
    Abstract: A stopping system for use in mines. The stopping system includes a king post truss for reinforcing the stopping panels against excessive deflection due to a pressure differential across the stopping panels. The truss has a variable length to accommodate convergence and divergence of the mine walls on which the truss is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Jack Kennedy Metal Products and Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Kennedy, John M. Kennedy