Michael Lynn Foreman

US Patent:

49714813, Nov 20, 1990

Filed:

Feb 10, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/308456

Inventors:

Michael J. Foreman - Carrollton TX

Assignee:

Communications Conveyor Co., Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

B65G 5116

US Classification:

406 15

Abstract:

The present invention describes a stop device for stopping a carrier traveling in a pneumatic tube. The invention also includes a terminal comprising the stop device. The stop device includes a pneumatic tube having an exhaust aperture and a shutoff aperture and a pressure sensing monitor in fluid communication with the shutoff aperture. The pressure monitor senses the pressure change in the shutoff aperture caused by the carrier's movement past the shutoff aperture and activates a switch shutting off the pneumatic source. The carrier impacts an end stop and settles down on a catch which was also activated by the pressure monitor. The carrier is held in front of a door through which the carrier may be readily retrieved.

US Patent:

51277735, Jul 7, 1992

Filed:

Jan 28, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/647427

Inventors:

Michael J. Foreman - Carrollton TX
Harold R. Greene - Farmers Branch TX

Assignee:

Comco Systems - Dallas TX

International Classification:

B65G 5130

US Classification:

406179

Abstract:

A pneumatic transport system includes a pneumatic transport tube having a stop device mounted therein. A window aperture is defined through a wall of the transport tube such that a pneumatic tube carrier is presented for retrieval through the window aperture upon its arrival. A pneumatic pressure source is provided to cause the carrier to move through the transport tube.

US Patent:

55846130, Dec 17, 1996

Filed:

Mar 22, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/621072

Inventors:

Harold R. Greene - Farmers Branch TX
Michael J. Foreman - Carrollton TX

Assignee:

ComCo Systems - Dallas TX

International Classification:

B65G 5120

US Classification:

406 19

Abstract:

A pneumatic transmission system having a carrier automatic braking system contains a transport conduit having a first end and a second end and being capable of permitting the transfer of a carrier therethrough, a first station for sending and receiving a carrier located on one end of the transmission conduit and a second station for sending and receiving a carrier located on the other end of the transmission conduit. A pair of motor blowers, each capable of moving a volume of air in opposing directions through a conduit, are enclosed within a supply branch which is connected to one of the stations. The first motor blower blows air to move the carrier from one station to the other. The second motor blower is activated, to operate concurrently with the first motor blower, when the carrier is detected some predetermined location along the transport conduit. The opposing motors create an air block between the first and second motor blowers which prohibits air from entering or exiting the conduit on the air block side of the carrier as the carrier moves along the transport conduit. The change in differential pressure across the carrier slows the carrier as it approaches its destination station.

US Patent:

49849395, Jan 15, 1991

Filed:

May 1, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/345403

Inventors:

Michael J. Foreman - Carrollton TX
Harold R. Greene - Farmers Branch TX

Assignee:

ComCo Systems - Dallas TX

International Classification:

B65G 5120
B65G 5134

US Classification:

406 84

Abstract:

A pneumatic transmission system is provided. The system comprises a transmission tube having a first end and a second end. A blower adapted to force air from the first end to the second end of the transmission tube is interconnected to the first end of the transmission tube. A vacuum source having a capacity at least as great as that of the blower is connected to the transmission tube proximal the second end. The vacuum source creates a flow of air from the second end of the transmission tube to the vacuum source, thereby decelerating a carrier being transmitted to the second end of the transmission tube.

US Patent:

53618912, Nov 8, 1994

Filed:

Jun 16, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/078606

Inventors:

Harold R. Greene - Farmers Branch TX
Michael J. Foreman - Carrollton TX

Assignee:

Comco Systems - Dallas TX

International Classification:

B65G 2500

US Classification:

198797

Abstract:

A tape conveyor system for moving a carriage along a path having at least one vertical curve and at least one horizontal curve comprises a carriage track, a tape guide, and a carriage. A block on the tape is movably positioned between two elements on the carriage to effect movement of the carriage along the carriage track. The tape guide orients the tape width horizontally during each vertical curve and vertically during each horizontal curve. The carriage track has two opposing channels, and the carriage has wheels in each channel so that the carriage can move along both horizontal and vertical track portions in a stable manner. A container can be mounted to the carriage via a leveling mechanism which cooperates with cam guide surfaces on the carriage track to control the orientation of the container. Two cam followers are mounted on opposite ends of a leveler arm such that one of the cam followers can be actuated by contact with a cam guide surface to effect the rotation of the transport container with respect to the carriage as the carriage negotiates a vertical curve. A tape drive comprises two smooth rolls and a toothed cog wheel positioned between the rolls such that the tape passes around one roll, then the cog wheel and then the other roll, with the passage from the cog wheel to the second roll being substantially immediately to provide a reverse curvature of the tape.