Gerald L Claxton

US Patent:

59970138, Dec 7, 1999

Filed:

Jul 23, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/898897

Inventors:

Gerald L. Claxton - Fresno CA

Assignee:

UpRight, Inc. - Selma CA

International Classification:

B60P 116

US Classification:

280 6154

Abstract:

A stabilizing suspension system is provided for vehicles carrying telescopic booms or aerial work platforms having a fixed axle and a oscillating axle. Hydraulic cylinders are connected to each end of the oscillating axle, each cylinder being capable of extending and retracting. An off level sensor senses the angle of tilt of the chassis in both left and right directions and, when a predetermined threshold of tilt has been detected, the hydraulic cylinder on the downhill side of the chassis is locked against retracting, but is free to move in the downhill direction to allow the downhill wheel to remain in contact with the ground.

US Patent:

42705819, Jun 2, 1981

Filed:

Mar 26, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/023751

Inventors:

Gerald L. Claxton - Fresno CA
Darrell C. Horn - Fresno CA

Assignee:

Up-Right, Inc. - Berkeley CA

International Classification:

B21F 2902

US Classification:

140 57

Abstract:

A wire retaining clip has a mid-portion extending across the back of a vineyard post and forwardly extending arms with helical turns on the ends thereof. The retaining clip is engaged with a tensioned, horizontal trellis wire so that the trellis wire is bent sharply rearwardly of the front edges of the post and is locked into the turns of the clip. The retaining clip prevents the trellis wire from pulling away from the front of the post, prevents movement of the post along the length of the trellis wire and utilizes the tension of the trellis wire to restrain twisting of the post. An installing tool provides for easy installation of the retaining clips.

US Patent:

50741080, Dec 24, 1991

Filed:

Aug 13, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/566111

Inventors:

Gerald L. Claxton - Fresno CA
Kenneth R. Penfold - Kingsbury CA

Assignee:

American Grape Harvesters, Inc. - Selma CA

International Classification:

A01D 4626
A01D 4628

US Classification:

56330

Abstract:

A grape harvesting picking head is provided having a pair of C-shaped arms which are each independently pivotally suspended at their upper ends. A reaction mass which forms the drive system carries a pair of cranks which drive a pair of connecting rods which are connected to each of the C-shaped arms. The cranks have a large throw relative to the length of the connecting rods, so that relative motion occurs between the shaker rails carried at the lower ends of the C-shaped arms, the relative motion causing a "snapping" action to help harvest the grapes. The distance between shaker rails is automatically adjusted "on the fly," the adjustment being facilitated by two halves of the picking head being free to articulate about a central axis and providing a hydraulic cylinder between these two sections of the picking head which balances the weight of the two sections and allows the two sections to float relative to each other as the machine moves down the row of plants.

US Patent:

42471265, Jan 27, 1981

Filed:

Sep 27, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/079503

Inventors:

Gerald L. Claxton - Fresno CA

Assignee:

Up-Right, Inc. - Berkeley CA

International Classification:

B60S 912

US Classification:

280 6H

Abstract:

A generally rectangular frame having a vertical support column at each corner thereof mounted for vertical movement relative to the frame. Four hydraulic rams, all of the same diameter and one for each support columns, are used are used to connect the frame to the columns, with the two rams at one end causng raising or lowering of the frames by contraction or extension of the rams while corresponding movement of the other end of the frame is caused by opposite movement of the rams thereat. A hydraulic control system selectively: raises or lowers the frame relative to all four columns, raises or lowers the frame relative to one side only of the frame, or or raises one side of the frame while lowering the other. Additionally, the system allows the columns at one end of the frame to move freely, in equal and opposite directions relative to the frames.

US Patent:

46571124, Apr 14, 1987

Filed:

Apr 25, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/856050

Inventors:

Michael D. Ream - Lafayette CA
Gerald L. Claxton - Fresno CA

Assignee:

Up-right, Inc. - Berkeley CA

International Classification:

E04G 122

US Classification:

182 63

Abstract:

A pedestal scaffold type having a base member, a telescopic mast mounted vertically on the base member and a work cage mounted in cantilever manner from the upper end of the mast. The majority of the nested tubular mast sections are of rectangular cross-section and are formed of thin-walled sheet aluminum with rounded corners and vertical stiffening ribs on each side thereof extending the height thereof. Plastic slide blocks at the inner corners of the upper end and at the outer corners of the lower end of the mast section distribute the forces between the sections to relatively large areas of the aluminum sheet which forms the mast sections.

US Patent:

42507006, Feb 17, 1981

Filed:

Jun 15, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/048800

Inventors:

Darrell C. Horn - Fresno CA
Gerald L. Claxton - Fresno CA

Assignee:

Up-Right, Inc. - Berkeley CA

International Classification:

A01D 4600

US Classification:

56330

Abstract:

A mechanical grape harvester for trellis-supported grape vines having relatively rigid shaker members for engaging and shaking the rigid trunk structure of the vine and having relatively flexible striker rods for striking against the limber portions of the vine growth trained along the trellis wire. The shaker members and striker rods are both operated at minimal speeds to reduce leaf removal and plant damage.

US Patent:

46214887, Nov 11, 1986

Filed:

Jul 31, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/636158

Inventors:

Gerald L.. Claxton - Fresno CA

Assignee:

Up-Right, Inc. - Berkeley CA

International Classification:

A01D 4626

US Classification:

56330

Abstract:

A picking head for a mechanical grape harvester, the picking head having an oscillatable frame and a pair of opposed shaker rails supported on and below the picking head frame. Two sets of longitudinally spaced counterweights are mounted on the picking head frame for rotation about vertical axes, each set including upper and lower eccentric weights. The weights are rotated so that the longitudinal forces cancel out and the transverse forces are additive. The rotative forces of the upper and lower weights in each set are 180. degree. out of phase with each other and related to each other in magnitude so as to minimize the amount of transverse reactive force transmitted from the picking head to the main frame of the harvester. A link suspension enables the center of oscillation of the picking head to be below the picking head frame.

US Patent:

40167119, Apr 12, 1977

Filed:

Jun 9, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/585103

Inventors:

Gerald L. Claxton - Fresno CA

Assignee:

Up-Right, Inc. - Berkeley CA

International Classification:

A01D 4600

US Classification:

56330

Abstract:

In a mechanical harvesting machine having horizontal striker rods, each of which is secured at one end to a vertical oscillating shaft, the improvement whereby the rod tips which strike the vine are inclined outwardly from the rod, away from the longitudinal centerline of the machine, thereby enabling the vertical shafts to be widely spaced to increase the angle of the rods to the centerline so that the striking contact of the rods on the vines is predominantly by the inclined tips rather than by the sides of the rods. The rods are resilient and the tips are weighted so that the tips will flex in and out of the vine when the shafts are oscillated to deliver a series of localized impulses to the fruit on the vine.