Mark Davidson

US Patent:

6533103, Mar 18, 2003

Filed:

Jul 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/917075

Inventors:

Thomas P. Hartness - Greenville SC
Robert C. Beesley - Greenville SC
Mark W. Davidson - Greer SC

Assignee:

Hartness International - Greenville SC

International Classification:

B65G 1526

US Classification:

198594, 1983811, 1984791

Abstract:

An apparatus for the transfer of articles is provided. The apparatus includes a first conveyor that moves in a first direction and a second conveyor that moves in a second direction opposite from the first direction. The second conveyor is spaced from the first conveyor. A transfer device is substantially disposed between the first and second conveyors. The transfer device includes a transfer plate that is used to transfer articles between the first and second conveyors. The transfer plate overlaps more of the second conveyor than the first conveyor. The transfer plate may be under the first conveyor and over the second conveyor, and the axis of revolution may be in the middle or offset from the middle between the conveyors.

US Patent:

6883296, Apr 26, 2005

Filed:

Aug 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/637740

Inventors:

Thomas P. Hartness - Greenville SC, US
Mark W. Davidson - Greer SC, US
Robert Leslie Dillard - Easley SC, US
David Lee Scott - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

Hartness International, Inc. - Greenville SC

International Classification:

B65B043/26
B65B005/00

US Classification:

53492, 53247, 53534, 533812, 533822, 533823

Abstract:

A case packing and case flap separation apparatus is disclosed for packing articles into cases and closing the cases. The cases typically have first and second major and minor flaps interconnected by tab-locks and held in folded positions adjacent vertical ends and sides of the cases. The apparatus includes a conveyor having a radial transport path adapted to transport successive cases through an article insertion section, first and second tab slitting sections, and a case exit section. Tab slitters are associated with the first and second slitting sections adapted to sever the tab-locks so that the major and minor flaps can be separated. First and second flap guides are associated with the first and second slitting section adapted to engage and elevate the separated major flaps away from the vertical walls after the tab-locks have been severed. Preferably, the case packing station and first and second tab slitting sections are located in proximity along the transport path so that the tab-locks are severed while the articles are inserted and gripped in the cases. By gripping the articles with the pickup heads, the articles and their cases can be guided by the pickup heads through the slitting sections as well as weighted down.

US Patent:

7021453, Apr 4, 2006

Filed:

Nov 13, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/712405

Inventors:

Thomas P. Hartness - Greenville SC, US
Mark W. Davidson - Greer SC, US
Frank Brennan - Greenville SC, US
Robert C. Beesley - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

Hartness International, Inc. - Greenville SC

International Classification:

B65G 17/06

US Classification:

198697, 1986991, 1984761, 1984791, 1984801, 1988037, 1988039, 1988441, 198850

Abstract:

Various conveyor designs are disclosed, along with related link designs, suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction. The conveyor may include a plurality of connected links. Each link may have a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport. Each link may have a body, a slider, at least one gripping member, and a gear drive mechanism interconnecting the slider and gripping member. The slider is slidable along the length of the body to selectively move the gripping member between a first position and a second position via the gear drive mechanism. The gripping member when in first position is disposed in an open position, and the gripping member when in the second position is disposed in a gripping position for contacting one of the objects to hold the object during transport. The gear drive mechanism may be a rack and pinion mechanism, the gripping member may have one or more gripping arms, and the gripping arms may or may not be offset from the gear drive mechanism.

US Patent:

7036658, May 2, 2006

Filed:

Nov 13, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/712406

Inventors:

Thomas P. Hartness - Greenville SC, US
Mark W. Davidson - Greer SC, US
Frank Brennan - Pelzer SC, US
Robert C. Beesley - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

Hartness International, Inc. - Greenville SC

International Classification:

B65G 25/00

US Classification:

1988037, 1984682

Abstract:

Various conveyor designs suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction and various related link designs are disclosed. The conveyor may include a plurality of the connected links. Each link may have a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport, a conveying surface, and at least one gripping member moveable along at least a portion of length of the link from a first position to a second position. The gripping member when in the first position is disposed below the conveying surface of the link, and the gripping member when in the second position is disposed above the conveying surface of the link for contacting one of the objects to hold the object during transport. Various designs of gripping members and related elements are disclosed, including spring loaded, cam driven, rack and pinion, and overhead designs. Various elements of the disclosed designs may be combined in various ways to form numerous link and conveyor options.

US Patent:

7055676, Jun 6, 2006

Filed:

Nov 13, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/712407

Inventors:

Thomas P. Hartness - Greenville SC, US
Mark W. Davidson - Greer SC, US
Frank Brennan - Pelzer SC, US
Robert C. Beesley - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

Hartness International, Inc. - Greenville SC

International Classification:

B65G 25/00

US Classification:

1988037, 1984682

Abstract:

A conveyor suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction, and a related link are disclosed. The link may include a link body having a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport, each link body having a conveying surface. At least one gripping member is movably secured to the link body and has a gripping arm extendable from the conveying surface of the link body. Each gripping member is moveable between a first opened position and a second gripping position. The gripping arm is located so as to be able to contact one of the objects when the gripping member is in the second position to hold the object relative to the link body during transport. Various options for link designs are disclosed, including slidable and/or pivotable designs.

US Patent:

7055677, Jun 6, 2006

Filed:

Mar 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/809806

Inventors:

Thomas P. Hartness - Greenville SC, US
Mark W. Davidson - Greer SC, US
Frank Brennan - Greenville SC, US
Robert C. Beesley - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

Hartness International, Inc. - Greenville SC

International Classification:

B65G 25/00

US Classification:

1988037, 1984682

Abstract:

A conveyor suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction, and related links, are disclosed. The conveyor includes a plurality of connected links, each link having a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport. Each link also has a body, a cam follower member, and at least one gripping member. A gear drive mechanism may be used to interconnect the cam follower member and the gripping member. The cam follower member is movable to selectively move the gripping member between a first position and a second position. The gripping member when in first position is disposed in an open position, and the gripping member when in the second position is disposed in a gripping position for contacting one of the objects to hold the object during transport. Gear-drive mechanisms of various designs may be used to interconnect the cam follower member and gripping member. A releasable holding member, such as a spring-loaded ratchet member, may be used to secure the gripping member in the second position.

US Patent:

7114535, Oct 3, 2006

Filed:

Aug 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/650490

Inventors:

Thomas P. Hartness - Greenville SC, US
Mark W. Davidson - Greer SC, US

Assignee:

Hartness International, Inc. - Greenville SC

International Classification:

B05B 3/04

US Classification:

141145, 141 1, 141178, 141180

Abstract:

Continuous circular motion filling machine is provided for filling containers. The machine includes a rotating platform having an in-feed section disposed to receive empty containers and an out-feed section disposed to transfer filled containers from the rotating platform. A filling turret is disposed generally above the rotating platform and is rotatable at a speed corresponding generally to that of the rotating platform. The turret includes a plurality of filling elements movable between a rest position and a filling position as the turret rotates. Radially extensible and retractable indexing arms are spaced around the platform. The arms are at a retracted position at the in-feed section and are subsequently extended as the rotating platform rotates so as to index the containers into groups on the rotating platform between respective indexing arms. Each group of containers is arranged in a desired pattern and spacing between adjacent arms corresponding to a pattern and spacing of the filling elements.

US Patent:

7207434, Apr 24, 2007

Filed:

Sep 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/948844

Inventors:

Thomas P. Hartness - Greenville SC, US
Mark W. Davidson - Greer SC, US
Frank Brennan - Greenville SC, US
Robert C. Beesley - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

Hartness International, Inc. - Greenville SC

International Classification:

B65G 25/00

US Classification:

1988037, 1984682

Abstract:

A conveyor is disclosed suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction. The conveyor includes a plurality of connected links, each link having a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport. Each link has a conveying surface and at least one movable gripping member extending from the conveying surface of the link. Each gripping member is movable from a first opened position to a second gripping position. The gripping members each include a gripping arm having a pivot point, a gripping end spaced from the pivot point, and a cam follower extending outward from the gripping arm between the pivot point and the gripping end. The gripping arm is located so as to be able to contact one of the objects via the gripping end when the gripping member is in the second position to hold the object relative to the link during transport. Each link includes at least one spring member urging the gripping members toward the second position.

Author:

Mark Davidson

ISBN #:

0393061191

Author:

Mark Davidson

ISBN #:

0789701839

Author:

Mark Davidson

ISBN #:

0789704013

Author:

Mark Davidson

ISBN #:

0952622815

Author:

Mark Davidson

ISBN #:

0952622823

Author:

Mark Davidson

ISBN #:

0952622866

Author:

Mark Davidson

ISBN #:

0952622882

Author:

Mark G. Davidson

ISBN #:

0821825097

Address:

5712 Sable Way, Atlanta, GA 30349

Phone:

404 435-5085

VIN:

JTHBE96S270025885

Make:

LEXUS

Model:

GS 350

Year:

2007