Patents Assigned to Excel Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11889786
    Abstract: A mower with one or more wing decks that includes one or more manual lifting mechanisms for the one or more wing decks. The manual lifting mechanism may shift between retracted and extended positions, where in the extended position a handle can be positioned further away from the wing deck. When the handle is in the extended position, a user can manually engage the handle and lift the wing deck from a lowered configuration to a raised configuration, using less force than would be required if the handle was in the retracted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Nebel, Thomas J. Gaeddert, Philip Lowell Hochstetler
  • Patent number: 11860662
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to control devices for controlling features or functions of apparatuses and devices. At a high level, the control devices described herein provide an input locus that is positioned within a handle of the control devices. The input locus may have a fixed position such that the control device may resist movement in response to forces applied to the handle in force vectors passing through the input locus. Further, the handle may pivot or rotate about the input locus in response to forces applied to the handle in force vectors that are offset from the input locus to generate inputs and/or controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Brian L Nebel
  • Patent number: 11724658
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Eric M. Biggs, Brian R. Funk, Ronald E. Lefevre, Royce A. Steinert, James A. Wright, Brian L. Nebel
  • Patent number: 11716932
    Abstract: A mower may have a frame, a cutting deck coupled to the frame, a side discharge opening on a lateral side of the cutting deck, a discharge chute coupled to the lateral side of the cutting deck, a mounting frame coupled proximate the discharge opening, the discharge chute movable between an extended position and a retracted position. A distal end of the discharge chute is spaced away from the side discharge opening in the extended position. The distal end of the discharge chute being positioned such that the top edge of the discharge chute is substantially parallel (e.g., +/?10 degrees) to the mounting frame in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Gaeddert, Michael L. Webb
  • Patent number: 11498532
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a stand-on terrain working vehicle having a foot-operated parking brake system. The parking brake system includes a pedal assembly having a first pedal and a second pedal, an actuator coupled to the pedal assembly, a brake configured to be actuated between a set/engaged state and a released/disengaged state, and an over-center linkage. When the first pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the set/engaged state, and when the second pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the released/disengaged state. The over-center linkage is configured to bias the brake towards one of the set/engaged state and the released/disengaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian R. Funk, Robert C. Esau, Brian L. Nebel
  • Patent number: 11357170
    Abstract: A steering lever pivot assembly may have a two-axis polymer housing pivotally coupled to a terrain working vehicle at opposing bosses and comprising a pair of reciprocal housing portions, a steering lever pivotally coupled to the two-axis polymer housing, the steering lever having a connecting portion for coupling to a first system of the terrain working vehicle, a clasp coupled to the steering lever and the two-axis polymer housing and having a mounting portion for coupling to a first system of the terrain working vehicle, and a pair of bushings that receive one of the opposing bosses therein. In some aspects, the two-axis polymer housing provides a first axis of rotation at the pivotal coupling between the steering lever and the two-axis polymer housing and a second axis of rotation through the opposing bushings, which may be axially aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian R. Funk, James A. Wright, Tyler A. Yost
  • Patent number: 11247627
    Abstract: A operator protection apparatus unlocks and lowers from a raised position to a lowered position suitable for clearing a low hanging obstacle when an operator applies a force to an operator lever or pedal. The operator protection apparatus returns to the raised position when the operator ceases applying force to the operator lever or pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian Lee Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
  • Patent number: 11198408
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Eric M. Biggs, Brian R. Funk, Ronald E. Lefevre, Royce A. Steinert, James A. Wright, Brian L. Nebel
  • Patent number: 11071248
    Abstract: A mower may have a frame, a floor pan affixed to the frame, and a cutting deck suspended from the floor pan. A height of the cutting deck over a terrain surface may be adjustable with a lift system. The lift system may couple the cutting deck to the floor pan and move the cutting deck between a minimum height and a maximum height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian R. Funk, James A. Wright, Tyler A. Yost
  • Patent number: 10981589
    Abstract: A steering lever mechanism for a mower vehicle includes a lever assembly and a base which is fixed to the mower vehicle for mounting the lever assembly to the mower. The lever assembly includes a pivot assembly and a lever portion. The lever portion is pivotably mounted to the pivot assembly for rotation about a longitudinal axis between an inboard position and an outboard position. The pivot assembly is also pivotably mounted to the base for rotation of the pivot bracket portion and the lever portion about a transverse axis between a rear position, an intermediate neutral position and a forward position. A rotation-measuring device is associated with the base and the pivot assembly for measuring the forward and rear rotation of the lever assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian Roy Funk
  • Patent number: 10939616
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a mower having a first portion and a second portion that is movable relative to the first portion to adjust a cutting height of the mower. The adjustment of the second portion may be facilitated, for example, by a height adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian R. Funk, Brian Lee Nebel, Robert C. Esau
  • Patent number: 10640030
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a translating cargo assembly for a vehicle. The translating cargo assembly may include a translation mechanism, which may be affixed to a cargo frame of the vehicle. The translating cargo assembly may also include a carrier frame that is coupled with the translation mechanism and configured to mate with cargo implements. A drive mechanism, such as a rotary actuator, may be coupled with the translation mechanism. The rotary actuator may be effective to translate the carrier frame through a range of positions including a transport position, in which the carrier frame may be adjacent to the cargo frame, and a loading position, in which the carrier frame may be proximate ground level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Royce A. Steinert, Brian R. Funk, David L. Marshall
  • Patent number: 10631459
    Abstract: A stand-on mower may have a deck with at least one deck wing. The mower may include a stand-on operator platform, a rear wheel axis positioned forward of the stand-on operator platform, a main deck having main deck blades with rotational axes positioned forward of the rear wheel axis, one or more deck wings, and front wheels positioned forward of the rotational axes of the main deck blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul W. Mullet, Brian R. Funk, Robert C. Esau
  • Patent number: 10562479
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to an operator protection apparatus having at least one over-center linkage. In some aspects, an operator protection apparatus can be raised and lowered by an operator from a seated position, for example, on a terrain working vehicle. Additionally, the at least one over-center linkage may automatically lock in the operator protection apparatus in a raised position. Accordingly, a mechanical force is then required to overcome the lock, and allow the operator protection apparatus to return to a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
  • Patent number: 10563751
    Abstract: Embodiments for a cooling apparatus for a continuously variable transmission are provided. The cooling apparatus includes a housing that may enclose a drive assembly, a driven assembly, and a belt of the continuously variable transmission. A fan may pull air into the housing via an intake opening. The air may be circulated around the enclosed components and exhausted through an output opening of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Royce A. Steinert
  • Patent number: 10524418
    Abstract: A multi-blade lawnmower includes a cutting deck with generally adjacent cutting chambers. The cutting chambers each include a cutting blade. The cutting chambers have at least one of the following: (a) a side discharge opening and (b) a rear discharge opening. Each side discharge opening either communicates with the next cutting chamber or, as in the case of the last cutting chamber, discharges grass from side of the cutting deck. When a side discharge opening is present, a side discharge baffle plate is available for either blocking the side discharge opening or being stored in a non-blocking inactive position inside the cutting deck. When a rear discharge opening is present, a rear discharge baffle plate is available for either blocking the rear discharge opening or being stored within the cutting deck in non-blocking inactive position inside the cutting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James Aaron Wright
  • Patent number: 10493939
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a lever-actuated operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the lever-actuated operator protection apparatus can be raised and lowered by an operator from a seated position, for example, on a terrain working vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
  • Patent number: 10442385
    Abstract: A rollover protection apparatus unlocks and lowers from a raised position to a lowered position suitable for clearing a low hanging obstacle when an operator applies a force to an operator lever or pedal. The rollover protection apparatus returns to the raised position when the operator ceases applying force to the operator lever or pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian Lee Nebel
  • Patent number: 10414374
    Abstract: A lockable device is arranged for blocking the control lever slot of a zero turn radius (ZTR) vehicle. In one embodiment, the lockable device includes a first portion and a second portion which adjust between a contracted position and an expanded position. The lockable device presents first and second projecting members which can be placed under the edges of a control lever slot of a ZTR vehicle. The lockable device may be contracted to be received by a ZTR control lever slot and then may be expanded so that the first and second projecting members of the lockable device are received under the edges of the control lever slot. The lockable device may also be integral within the vehicle. An integral lock or a padlock may be used to secure the lockable device in the expanded position in a control lever slot to prevent movement of a control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Harlan John Bartel
  • Patent number: 10377333
    Abstract: A operator protection apparatus unlocks and lowers from a raised position to a lowered position suitable for clearing a low hanging obstacle when an operator applies a force to an operator lever or pedal. The operator protection apparatus returns to the raised position when the operator ceases applying force to the operator lever or pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian Lee Nebel, Royce A. Steinert