Shiftably Mounted Guide (e.g., Material Distributor) Patents (Class 242/397.2)
  • Patent number: 11912529
    Abstract: In a conventional method for extracting a cable, a power cable is reeled in by rotating a reel drum using a drive motor, and therefore there are cases where a power cable in a conduit cannot be extracted with the driving force of the drive motor when a large extraction force is required to extract the power cable from the conduit. The present invention is capable of directly transmitting, to a cable drum (5), a rotational force of rubber tires (9) whose outer circumferential portions are made of elastic rubber, by rotating the rubber tires (9) while bringing the rubber tires (9) into intimate contact with outer faces of the cable drum (5), and is capable of reliably rotating the cable drum (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: INTE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshitsugu Ienaga
  • Patent number: 11724906
    Abstract: In accordance with example embodiments a hose reel system including a layout guide is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Ag Premier, Inc.
    Inventor: Mick Zoske
  • Patent number: 11485605
    Abstract: A strap winding, storage, and dispensing assembly for storing and dispensing a plurality of straps includes a spacing element engaged to and extending between a pair of plates. Each of a set of strap stowing units engaged to the pair of plates comprises a spindle having a winding element and a braking element operationally engaged thereto. The spindle can engage a respective end of a strap so that the strap is removably engaged to the spindle. The winding element is positioned to selectively rotate the spindle, in a first direction, to coil the strap therearound. The braking element is engaged to a respective one of the plates and is positioned to selectively engage the spindle, to prevent rotation thereof, to retain the strap therearound. The braking element also is positioned to selectively disengage the spindle so that the spindle can rotate in a second direction to uncoil the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventor: David Sury
  • Patent number: 10544018
    Abstract: A lift assembly comprises a base, a drive mechanism, a flexible drive element extending from the drive mechanism along a fleet axis, and a sheave directing the drive element from the fleet axis to an output axis. The sheave is coupled to the base at a first sheave mount aligned with the fleet axis. The assembly can further include a second sheave mount aligned with the fleet axis and configured to be coupled to the sheave to allow the sheave to be de-coupled from the first sheave mount and coupled to the second sheave mount, resulting in substantially no change in a fleet angle of the fleet axis. Preferably, the sheave is positioned on a first side of the fleet axis when coupled to the first sheave mount, and the sheave is positioned on a second side of the fleet axis (e.g., opposite the first side) when coupled to the second sheave mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, III
  • Patent number: 10287147
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, system and method for use for winding and unwinding reels having a level wind carriage adapted to lay a cable back and forth across a drum of a spool by changing travel direction when contacting a first ring and a second ring of a tripping bar respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Reel Power Licensing Corp.
    Inventor: Benton Frederick Baugh
  • Patent number: 10280034
    Abstract: A system for carrying a tether guide, including a counter-balanced support system with two pivot points, where a first pivot allows the tether guide to travel up and down and the second pivot allows the tether guide to match the tether angle. Both pivots may be passive pivots. A shuttle that carries the tether guide may be electronically cammed to follow variable pitch helical grooves of a winch drum as the tether guide traverses across the drum length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Makani Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Abhimanyu Belani, Elias Patten
  • Patent number: 9821981
    Abstract: A basket assembly coupling assembly is provided. The basket assembly coupling assembly is structured to support a unitary housing component. That is, a unitary sidewall is thin and subject to wear and tear resulting from stress on the unitary sidewall when the hose, and more specifically the basket assembly, is wound. The basket assembly coupling assembly is structured to support the unitary sidewall proximate the coupling of the basket assembly to the unitary sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: THE AMES COMPANIES, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Blaszczak, Peter Arcati
  • Patent number: 9248999
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved level wind arm for a winch drum assembly, and a winch drum assembly incorporating such a level wind arm. The level wind arm includes a cross member adapted to bias against an outwardly extending portion of rope, the cross member being concave so that more force is required for the rope spindle associated with the cross member to “climb” the slope of the cross member, causing a momentary pause in motion of the spindle after it reaches the end of wind stroke. This momentary pause allows for rope being wound onto the drum to rise up the end wall of the drum to create a new layer which is aligned and consistent with the layer below, without causing gaps in the rope or other circumstances which could lead to the rope accumulating at any one point, or becoming tangled. The present invention also includes means of ensuring that tension is maintained in the rope, and that the rope does not jump off the reel and, for example, into the clutch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Harry Xydias
  • Patent number: 9139400
    Abstract: A hose reel has a latch assembly for catching a ratchet element on a hose reel spool. The hose reel includes a hose reel frame and a hose reel guide arm, both of which are capable of mounting the latch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Shakal, Scott F. Hill
  • Patent number: 8783597
    Abstract: A device for evenly winding a hose on a reel is provided, comprising, (1) a static shaft; (2) a pulley, adapted to move along the shaft, in an oscillatory motion in ±x directions, and further adapted to receive the hose, be made to rotate by the hose, and convert a motion of the hose, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the x-axis, to a rotation of the pulley, and as a result of the rotation, to the oscillatory motion in the ±x directions; and (3) a pulley housing, configured for containing the hose within and further configured for moving along the shaft with the pulley, thus ensuring that the hose travels with the pulley, in the oscillatory motion along the shaft. Additionally, the system may include a mechanism, configured for engaging the hose with the shaft, without impeding the even winding motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hydro-Industries Tynat Ltd.
    Inventor: Ehud Nagler
  • Publication number: 20140151488
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing, rotating and feeding a high pressure hose, including: a first rotatable drum with a helical groove; a second rotatable drum; and at least one actuator for rotating the first and second drums. For rotation of the first and second drums in first and second opposite directions, respectively, a hose and a cable are coilable into the helical groove such that the hose is in compressive engagement with the cable and the first drum. For rotation of the first and second drums in the second and first directions, respectively, the hose is uncoilable from the first drum and displaceable beyond the apparatus and the cable is coilable about the second drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: STONEAGE, INC.
    Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
  • Patent number: 8720811
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing, rotating and feeding a high pressure hose, including: a first rotatable drum with a helical groove; a second rotatable drum; and at least one actuator for rotating the first and second drums. For rotation of the first and second drums in first and second opposite directions, respectively, a hose and a cable are coilable into the helical groove such that the hose is in compressive engagement with the cable and the first drum. For rotation of the first and second drums in the second and first directions, respectively, the hose is uncoilable from the first drum and displaceable beyond the apparatus and the cable is coilable about the second drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Stoneage, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
  • Publication number: 20130299621
    Abstract: A system for storing, rotating and feeding a high pressure hose. A first portion of the hose is disposable about the drum and a guide arm engages a second portion of the hose. An actuator assembly rotates a cage and the guide arm so that the guide arm rotates relative to the cage such that the hose is rotated. Relative rotation in one direction causes the first portion of the hose to uncoil from the drum and displace along the guide arm and causes a third portion of the high pressure hose in an output port to displace out of the output port away from the guide arm. Relative rotation in an opposite direction causes the second portion of the high pressure hose to coil about the drum and causes the third portion of the high pressure hose to displace into the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
  • Patent number: 8468657
    Abstract: A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Boa Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Soderberg, Michael Joseph Nickel, Sean Cavanagh, James Paul Goodman
  • Patent number: 7946521
    Abstract: A winch drum assembly has a barrel to receive a line, and a spooling device for guiding the line onto the barrel. The line is wound onto the barrel at a point that moves axially with respect to the barrel, and the orientation of the line on the barrel is adapted to change at least once per revolution of the barrel, so that radially adjacent layers of line are non-parallel. Spooling gear is described for guiding the line and the barrel can have ramps and walls to guide the line in the different directions. Non-parallel layers of line exhibit a reduced tendency to interfere with one another, so that the spooled line comes off the barrel more consistently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Deep Tek Winch IP Limited
    Inventor: Alexander Charles Crawford
  • Patent number: 7931225
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water hose winding device. The winding device main body includes a water hose winding rack, a water inlet adapter, a water hose exit guide hole, a driving motor, and a gearing component. The water outlet end of the water hose is configured with a wireless winding control mechanism, which includes a radio signal transmitter and a control switch. The winding device main body is configured with a radio signal receiver to receive the wireless control signal transmitted by the radio signal transmitter, and the driving end radio signal receiver is electrically connected to the driving motor. When the driving end radio signal receiver receives the wireless control signal, it can start or shut off the driving motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventor: Hsin-Fa Wang
  • Patent number: 7810764
    Abstract: A device for guiding a hose of an industrial robot, having at least one supply line, with a guide element wherein the hose can move against the restoring force of a restoring element. The guide element has an axial guide segment for guiding the hose in its longitudinal direction and a compensation segment adjoining the guide segment. The compensation segment is formed by a housing configured such that a lateral deflection of the supply line—in relation to the longitudinal direction—is made possible in the housing across an axial section. The guide element is formed so that it can swing open. At the entry side into the guide element the hose is surrounded by an abutment for the restoring element. The abutment may be inserted in the guide element or mounted in a fastening clamp block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Leoni Elocab GmbH
    Inventor: Claude Burlot
  • Patent number: 7748685
    Abstract: A winch assembly (10) comprises a winch drum (18) rotatable about a first axis and carrying a spoolable medium, such as wireline (14) for use in deploying and retrieving tooling into and from a well bore. A carriage sheave (30) mounted on a drive screw (34) is positioned adjacent the winch drum (18), wherein the drive screw (34) is rotatable about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis. In use, the carriage sheave (30) engages the spoolable medium and is translated by the drive screw (34) in reverse directions to follow the fleeting motion of the spoolable medium as the medium is paid out and/or in from the winch drum (18). In a disclosed embodiment, the winch drum (18) is mounted vertically on a tubular body (22), through which tubular body (22) the spoolable medium extends into the well bore. In one embodiment the winch assembly (10) forms part of a subsea well intervention system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Expro North Sea Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Richards
  • Patent number: 7717402
    Abstract: A power or manually operated winch mechanism for handling the running rigging lines of a sailing yacht. The winch includes a winding drum, operating in conjunction with a level wind mechanism, which winds and stores the line during line retrieving operations and controllably releases the line when desired. Novel level wind features enable the lines to be appropriately tensioned during retrieval, to assure proper windup of the line in organized coils on the drum. During line release, the line is placed under tension by the level wind mechanism and thus positively drawn from the unwinding winch drum even when the line is not under load from the sail to which it is attached. The arrangement enables lines to be automatically released from one winch and retrieved on a second which, under a common control, as when tacking or resetting the sails of a yacht, all without the necessity of any physical line handling by crew members, resulting in a significant improvement in the safety and convenience of the crew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Samuel J. Mann
  • Publication number: 20100102775
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a retractable overhead charging cord dispenser which has multi-positioning capability to provide plug-in electric power to PHEVs parked at various positions in a garage or the like. An illustrative embodiment of the retractable overhead charging cord dispenser includes an arm assembly, a cord guide arm carried by the arm assembly, a cord storage device provided in the arm assembly and a retractable charging cord extendable from the cord storage device and extending through and protruding from the cord guide arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Bala Chander, Ted James Miller, David W. Schultz, Dale Gilman
  • Patent number: 7681827
    Abstract: An arranging-line mechanism comprises a cam, an axle connecting to the cam, a sliding element and a transmitting mechanism to drive the cam and the axle. The cam comprises an inclined surface and the sliding element to slide thereon. When the axle revolves, the transmitting mechanism drives the cam to revolve. A power line is wound regularly via the sliding element to slide on the inclined surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Hsiang Chiu, Wei-Chueh Liao, Chun-Hung Chu, Fu-Ping Lin
  • Patent number: 7669795
    Abstract: A reel assembly (1) comprising a pivotable guide arrangement (4) for guiding material to and from a drum portion (2) of the reel assembly, the guide arrangement being resiliently biased towards an undeflected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Ian Anthony Brown
  • Patent number: 7568650
    Abstract: The present invention provides an alternate design for a level-wind mechanism that eliminates the requirement for the line to be threaded through an enclosed, or multiple device line guide. The present invention guides the line via an open slot created between one or more line guides that pivots about its supporting structure. The line guide(s) oscillate back and forth in concert across the axial length of the spool in order to evenly distribute the line that is being wound upon the spool. Further, the line guide is capable of being pivoted from a first position of line retrieve to a second position of line dissemination when it is desired to pay out the line from the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Kore Gear, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig H. Barker
  • Publication number: 20090127370
    Abstract: A reel assembly (1) comprising a pivotable guide arrangement (4) for guiding material to and from a drum portion (2) of the reel assembly, the guide arrangement being resiliently biased towards an undeflected position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Ian Anthony Brown
  • Publication number: 20080302904
    Abstract: A device for processing sheets, rolls or the like, preferably sheets or rolls of corrugated paper, into useful articles. More specifically, the invention relates to a paper wrapping device that can convert a sheet or strip of paper into a useful article comprising a plurality of wrapped paper layers, suitable for use as a support member or a pallet stringer. Also the invention provides a device that contains a conveying unit which transfers a material, such as paper, to a forming unit which produces a core layer and further wraps additional layers in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around said core in one or more layers to form a support member having a solid wrap of continuous layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Donald W. Pistner
  • Publication number: 20080230645
    Abstract: An endpiece which forms an integral part of a mandrel used to support a roll of material engages a guide. The endpiece comprises a cylindrical part which can be inserted into the mandrel, a collar which rests against a facing surface of the endpiece, and a projecting attachment. A guiding and retaining groove is provided along the length of the projecting attachment to form a guide path. A cooperating guide is provided on a bracket that supports the roll of material. The guide is disposed on an inner side of the bracket and comprises slightly-projecting flats which form and define a channel to receive the projecting attachment of the endpiece as so enable the endpiece to be inserted and retained therein. The channel extends into a part for receiving the endpiece following the insertion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Maurice Granger
  • Patent number: 7370823
    Abstract: A method for laying elongated winding material, such as for example wire, insulated or non-insulated strands, glass fibers, and the like, in which the strand-type material is wound in layers onto rotationally symmetrically shaped winding spools, the winding material being guided to a winding spool via a deflecting roller for the laying, and for the distribution on the winding spool the deflecting roller is moved essentially parallel to the axial direction, a sensor unit acquiring the position of the spool flange as well as the winding diameter of the winding material, and control signals for the movement of the deflecting roller being derived from the measurement values of the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Niehoff GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Lämmermann, Rudolf Bader, Wolfgang Beck, Bernhard Enzensberger
  • Patent number: 7344103
    Abstract: A reel assembly is provided that rotatably couples a hub to a support, such that the hub is generally, vertically positioned. A frame is coupled with the support so that the frame may rotate about a generally vertical axis, independently of the hub and the support. A level-wind system is coupled with the frame so that the level-wind may reciprocally, vertically move a flexible line as the hub is rotated. A cover assembly may be provided to substantially enclose the hub while permitting the hub to freely rotate within the cover. A distal end of the support may be coupled with a nearly limitless number of different bases for portable and permanently mounted uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Eley Corporation
    Inventor: Craig Eley
  • Patent number: 7152672
    Abstract: The combination workover and drilling rig of the present invention combines a capability to drill a well, as well as perform well maintenance and service, using either or both tubing with threaded tubular connections or coiled tubing. A mast and a coiled tubing injector are independently mounted to a support platform and can be operated independently of each other. The coiled tubing injector is selectably elevatable into a stowed position, a ready position, or an operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Tommie C. Gipson
  • Patent number: 7150425
    Abstract: A reel assembly for storing a hose, an electrical cord, or other items. The reel assembly includes a base, a spool rotatably mounted to the base, and a guide arm adjustably mounted to the base for guiding the direction in which a hose, for example, is extended from the reel and for guiding the hose onto the reel as the hose is wound upon the reel. A spring is operably connected between the spool and the base to bias the spool in a rotational direction in which the hose is wound onto the spool, thereby automatically retracting the hose after use. A pawl mechanism is mounted to the guide arm, and cooperates with a pair of ratchet teeth sets on the spool to selectively lock the spool against rotation in a hose-winding direction, thereby maintaining the hose in a desired extended position for use. The relative orientation of the ratchet teeth sets and the pawl mechanism, which is mounted to the guide arm, prevents “latch-out” when the hose is disposed in its fully extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Reelcraft Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Banaszkiewicz, Edward L. Walter, Sanford R. Penn
  • Patent number: 7143972
    Abstract: The present invention is related to guiding cable, wire, chain etc. (7) on to a cable drum, orderly and layered, such that the moments of force experienced by the device according to the present invention is minimized thereby providing a simpler design that is cheaper to manufacture and maintain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: I.P. Huse AS
    Inventor: Steinar Finnøy
  • Patent number: 7108217
    Abstract: A device for storing a cable, especially an electric cable in a cable drum of a vacuum cleaner. The device including a pendulous body with rollers mounted on an axle and a supply space. The supply space has the rollers arranged on the entry side to guide the cable to the pendulous body. The pendulous body having at least a first and at least a second roller between which the cable can be guided as the pendulous object swings around the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Silvio Hamm, Manfred Prell
  • Patent number: 6883743
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reel suspension for a high-pressure hose for mounting to a service vehicle. The reel suspension includes a first U-shaped frame having a reel shaft mounted thereto. The reel suspension further includes a second U-shaped frame hinged to said first U-shaped frame to form a jointed frame. In addition, the reel suspension has mounting means for making a hinged connection between the second U-shaped frame and the service vehicle, as well as means for securing the first U-shaped frame in a plurality of positions relative to said second U-shaped frame and for securing the second U-shaped frame in a plurality of positions relative to the service vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Rior B.V./Rioned
    Inventor: Adrianus Cornelis Schellekens
  • Publication number: 20040262443
    Abstract: A device for storing a cable, especially an electric cable in a cable drum of a vacuum cleaner. The device including a pendulous body with reels mounted on an axle and a supply space. The supply space has the reels arranged on the entry side to guide the cable to the pendulous body. The pendulous body having at least a first and at least a second reel between which the cable can be guided as the pendulous object swings around the axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Silvio Hamm, Manfred Prell
  • Patent number: 6655627
    Abstract: A spooler is used for storing and distributing an elongate, flexible member. The spooler has a base and a rotary support rotatably and detachably mounted to the base. A plurality of load-bearing arms are detachably connected to and extend radially from the rotary support. At least one spool guide is included, each spool guide being slidably located and selectively mounted along one of the load-bearing arms. Each spool guide extends substantially vertically from one of the load-bearing arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Scott L. Patton
  • Patent number: 6595495
    Abstract: A wire winding and ordering device for an electromotive winch is installed at a front opening of a winch. The wire winding and ordering device includes a transversal displacement element and a longitudinal displacement element. The longitudinal displacement element is movably combined with a transversal displacement element and is penetrated through by a twisting wire so as to clamp the wire. Thereby, the twisting wire with or without burden can be rewound in order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Shinn Fu Corporation
    Inventor: Victor Hung
  • Publication number: 20030116670
    Abstract: A Motorized Hose Reel includes a structure having spaced apart side walls and a top wall which could be fitted to a solar panel to store energy, to recharge the batteries or direct power to the motor to rotate the hose reel forward or reverse by remote control or the power to the motor could be plugged in to a house receptacle or other available power by manual switches forward and reverse. A reciprocating hose guide carried on support rods is also driven by the same motor. A fluid connection is provided through the other side wall to supply fluid to a hose carried on the reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Dalvin Marshell Gentry
  • Patent number: 6561451
    Abstract: A measuring cable travel sensor includes a housing and a cable drum which is arranged in the housing rotatably and longitudinally displaceably in the longitudinal direction of the travel sensor. The measuring cable is guided into and out of the housing through a stationary cable guide. The travel sensor has a longitudinal drive for displacing the cable drum, including a spindle drive comprising a screwthreaded spindle and a spindle nut screwable thereon. The longitudinal drive has an additional transmission for transmitting rotary movement of the cable drum to the spindle drive for producing cable drum displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: ASM Automation Sensorik Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus-Manfred Steinich
  • Patent number: 6543713
    Abstract: A wire fence roller apparatus includes a framework, a rotatable elongated drum, a pair of guide plates, and a wire guiding arrangement. The drum is mounted to a pivotal end portion of the framework for undergoing pivotal movement therewith. The drum is thus swingable with the pivotal end portion of the framework toward and away from a stationary end portion of the framework so as to dispose the drum in an operative position wherein the drum extends between and is rotatably mounted to the opposite end portions of the framework to permit winding or unwinding of wire fence about or from the drum with rotation of the drum and in an inoperative position wherein the drum is released from and angularly displaced away from the stationary end portion of the framework to permit loading and unloading of the wire fence onto and from the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Frolander, Michael R. Frolander
  • Patent number: 6530432
    Abstract: The injector of the invention provides a means and method for injecting either coiled tubing or conventional stalked tubing into and from a well by developing axial forces in the tubing. The curvature of the coiled tubing is simultaneously selectably altered on the opposite side of the injector from the wellhead. To develop traction on the tubing, the injector relies upon an array of opposed pairs of annularly grooved driven rollers which are urged into contact with the tubing. The pairs of rollers are mounted in an alternating pattern 90° apart so that the tubing is well supported and urged into roundness. Integral with the injector, but deactivated when the injector is used with stalked tubing, is a selectably operable tubing straightener which serves to straighten the tubing before entry into the well and also to recurve the tubing when being withdrawn from the well to control its arcuate path between the injector and the tubing storage reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Coiled Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Tommie C. Gipson
  • Publication number: 20030038210
    Abstract: The invention is a retractable hose guide for guiding a hose through and around gardens, flowerbeds and other yard emplacements. The retractable hose guide is permanently placed in the ground. It overcomes the problems of being a permanent obstacle in the yard, of being susceptible to damage, of having to be removed after each use, or of presenting a safety hazard. A hose may be moved freely around the yard, being guided by the retractable hose guide, thus avoiding damage either to the hose or to the landscaping. The retractable hose guide is placed in the stored position by pressing on the cover by hand or foot, compressing the spring and allowing the spool to be hidden in the body. The retractable hose guide is secured in place by engaging bayonet tabs into bayonet sockets by a simple twist of the cover by hand or foot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Brian D. Peck
  • Publication number: 20020104915
    Abstract: 1A movable machine including a frame having an end, an electrical motor on the frame, a cable electrically connected to the motor and adapted to be connected to a source of power, and a sheave bracket assembly mounted on the frame end. The sheave bracket assembly includes a mounting plate, two spaced apart sheaves rotatably mounted on the mounting plate, the cable extending between the sheaves, and hinged arms connecting the mounting plate to the frame end for permitting pivotal movement of the mounting plate relative to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventor: Ronald D. Hanlon
  • Publication number: 20010035473
    Abstract: A spooler is used for storing and distributing an elongate, flexible member. The spooler has a base and a rotary support rotatably and detachably mounted to the base. A plurality of load-bearing arms are detachably connected to and extend radially from the rotary support. At least one spool guide is included, each spool guide being slidably located and selectively mounted along one of the load-bearing arms. Each spool guide extends substantially vertically from one of the load-bearing arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: Scott L. Patton
  • Patent number: 6273188
    Abstract: A trailer (10) has a dropped center section (12) defining a well (16) for a coiled tubing reel (22). A mast (30) has a pair of posts (34) on which a carriage (32) is mounted for movement along posts (34). An injector head (36) is supported on carriage (32) for pivotal movement in a vertical plane relative to mast (30) and for horizontal movement along a tubular support member (38) of carriage (32) relative to mast (30). Mast (30) is pivotally mounted on the rear end of trailer (10) for movement away from trailer (10) for positioning over a wellhead. In a stored position, mast posts (34) fit alongside the ends of reel (22) so that to the total height of the stored coiled tubing rig is no more than 13½ feet for over the road travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Terry L. McCafferty, Joseph K. Flowers, Matthew E. Wilson, Rod W. Shampine, Larry D. Welch