Brian G Pfeifer

US Patent:

6416041, Jul 9, 2002

Filed:

Dec 26, 1996

Appl. No.:

08/772559

Inventors:

Dean Leo Sicking - Lincoln NE
John Douglass Reid - Lincoln NE
Ronald Keith Faller - Lincoln NE
Brian George Pfeifer - Lincoln NE
Barry Thomas Rosson - Lincoln NE
John Robert Rohde - Lincoln NE

Assignee:

The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln NE

International Classification:

A01K 300

US Classification:

256 131, 256 59

Abstract:

To reduce the tendency for high center of mass vehicles to roll, or vault over a guardrail barrier or dive under it, the guardrail barrier has outer curved portions selected to adjust the moment of inertia of the guardrail barrier by providing a sufficiently high moment of inertia to slow the vehicle but sufficiently low to avoid excessive force against the occupant compartment. A central portion connecting the outer curves sized to provide an effective depth of 12. 25 inches to capture high bumper vehicles and small vehicles and an area of 1. 99 inches to provide rigidity enough to the curved portions to avoid flattening and penetration. The outer curves are asymmetrical.

US Patent:

6505820, Jan 14, 2003

Filed:

Oct 1, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/410635

Inventors:

Dean L. Sicking - Lincoln NE
Brian G. Pfeifer - Lincoln NE

Assignee:

Kothmann Enterprises, Inc. - Big Spring TX

International Classification:

A01K 300

US Classification:

256 131, 256 17, 256 59, 404 6, 404 9, 404 10

Abstract:

To reduce the danger of bodily harm to occupants of vehicles that leave the roadway, a guardrail system includes a guardrail terminal and a guardrail. The guardrail terminal includes cutting members positioned to cut said guardrail as guardrail moves within said guardrail terminal and the guardrail terminal moves with respect to the guardrail to cut the guardrail when impacted by a vehicle.

US Patent:

7111827, Sep 26, 2006

Filed:

Sep 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/236755

Inventors:

Dean L. Sicking - Lincoln NE, US
Brian G. Pfeifer - Lincoln NE, US

Assignee:

Kothmann Enterprises, Inc. - Big Spring TX

International Classification:

A01K 3/00

US Classification:

256 131, 256 17, 256 59, 404 6, 404 9, 404 10

Abstract:

To reduce the danger of bodily harm to occupants of vehicles that leave a roadway, a guardrail system includes an energy-absorption system is provided. The energy-absorption system including a cutting mechanism positioned to cut a guardrail section upon impact by a vehicle to decelerate the vehicle.

US Patent:

7708514, May 4, 2010

Filed:

Mar 31, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/813228

Inventors:

Charles E. Benedict - Tallahassee FL, US
Brian G. Pfeifer - Tallahassee FL, US
Christian A. Yates - Tallahassee FL, US
Scott K. Bladen - Bristol FL, US

Assignee:

BEC Companies, Inc. - Tallahassee FL

International Classification:

B63B 27/00
B61B 3/00
B61C 11/00

US Classification:

4141426, 4141403, 414282, 414626, 414236, 104 98, 105 77

Abstract:

A system and method for automated handling, transferring and storing conventional cargo storage containers on a cargo ship wherein the containers are stored in a multi-tier cell system and are manipulated by powered transfer units which are selectively moveable along an intersecting overhead track system such that containers may be simultaneously retrieved from, moved or placed within any of the cells of the ship. The transfer units are equipped both with hoists, which control spreader beams which are selectively secured to the cargo containers, and guide stabilizers, which prevent undesirable movement of the cargo containers when they are elevated above the cell structures such that the containers may be manipulated even during rough sea conditions such that the system is essentially continuously operable as a floating supply distribution system.

US Patent:

7753637, Jul 13, 2010

Filed:

Mar 1, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/681083

Inventors:

Charles E. Benedict - Tallahassee FL, US
Brian G. Pfeifer - Tallahassee FL, US
James R. Dobbs - Tallahassee FL, US
Scott K. Bladen - Bristol FL, US
Christian A. Yates - Tallahassee FL, US
Richard E. Lackinger - Tallahassee FL, US

International Classification:

B63B 27/00
B65G 67/60

US Classification:

4141403, 4141413

Abstract:

A port storage and distribution system for facilitating the transfer and/or storage of international shipping containers between container ships and ground transport carriers wherein an overhead grid guide track structure is provide that permits overhead transfer units to selectively engage and convey containers as required between the various ships, carriers and storage area without requiring multiple transfers of containers between different handling equipment. The system provides for container scanning and is either fully automated or partially manually controlled.

US Patent:

7850412, Dec 14, 2010

Filed:

May 2, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/743531

Inventors:

Charles E. Benedict - Tallahassee FL, US
Brian G. Pfeifer - Tallahassee FL, US
Christian A. Yates - Tallahassee FL, US
Scott K. Bladen - Bristol FL, US
Richard E. Lackinger - Tallahassee FL, US
James R. Dobbs - Tallahassee FL, US

Assignee:

BEC Companies, Inc. - Tallahassee FL

International Classification:

B65G 1/04
B63B 35/44

US Classification:

414281, 414807, 114 44

Abstract:

A system and method for the safe storage of boats wherein a storage structure is provided having a first section in which boats are stored in vertically oriented cells with each boat being carried within a boat storage unit such that the units may be stacked one upon another and wherein at least one transfer vehicle is provided for selectively engaging and conveying the boat storage units along an overhead grid track system between the first section and a second section wherein the grid track system is at least partially oriented over a body of water such that the at least one transfer vehicle may be used to either lift or lower a boat contained within a boat storage unit relative to the body of water and move the storage unit to and from a storage position in one of the vertical storage cells of the first section of the storage structure.

US Patent:

7909558, Mar 22, 2011

Filed:

May 2, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/743561

Inventors:

Charles E. Benedict - Tallahassee FL, US
Brian G. Pfeifer - Tallahassee FL, US
Christian A. Yates - Tallahassee FL, US
Scott K. Bladen - Bristol FL, US
Richard E. Lackinger - Tallahassee FL, US
James R. Dobbs - Tallahassee FL, US

Assignee:

BEC Companies, Inc. - Tallahassee FL

International Classification:

E04H 6/08

US Classification:

414234

Abstract:

A system and method for the safe storage of vehicles wherein a storage structure is provided having a first section in which vehicles are stored in vertically oriented cells with each vehicle being carried within a vehicle storage unit such that the units may be stacked one upon another and wherein at least one transfer vehicle is provided for selectively engaging and conveying the vehicle storage units along an overhead grid track system between the first section and a second section wherein the grid track system is at least partially oriented over a roadway such that the at least one transfer vehicle may be used to either lift or lower a vehicle contained within a vehicle storage unit relative to the roadway and move the vehicle storage unit to and from a storage position in one of the vertical storage cells of the first section of the storage structure.

US Patent:

7931431, Apr 26, 2011

Filed:

Sep 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/515380

Inventors:

Charles E. Benedict - Tallahassee FL, US
Brian G. Pfeifer - Tallahassee FL, US
Christian A. Yates - Tallahassee FL, US
Scott K. Bladen - Bristol FL, US
James R. Dobbs - Tallahassee FL, US

Assignee:

BEC Companies, Inc. - Tallahassee FL

International Classification:

B65G 1/00

US Classification:

414281, 4141371, 280755

Abstract:

A material handling system for use in storing and moving goods within multi-level storage warehouses, ocean going vessels and the like wherein storage areas are provided on at least one of the levels and wherein goods are automatically transferred to and from the storage areas and between the various levels by self-propelled load transfer vehicles. The load transfer vehicles move across the surface of the various levels and are also movable under their own power within open vertical trunks between the levels to thereby move goods to any desired area within the system, warehouse or vessel.