Patents Assigned to Excel Industries, Inc.
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Patent number: 10334780Abstract: A lawn mower includes a mower frame that is able to articulate between a rear frame portion and a forward frame portion. In one embodiment, the rear frame portion is supported by two main drive wheels and carries an engine and controls for operating the mower. The forward frame portion carries a mowing deck which is suitable for cutting grass. The frame may be latched in a lowered mowing position by a releasable frame latch, but, when frame latch is released, the rear frame portion and the forward frame portion may be folded with respect to each other to provide access to the underside of the raised portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian Roy Funk
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Patent number: 10293667Abstract: Provided is a rearwardly-pivoting door having a pivoting arc in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle. The door may be pivotally coupled with the vehicle by a hinge assembly at a rear portion of the door and a front portion is slidably engaged in a channel receiver when the door is in a closed position. The hinge assembly and channel receiver resist lateral movement of the door to maintain an occupant within a seating area of the vehicle. One or more securing devices may be utilized to maintain the door in an opened or closed position. The securing device may be mechanical and/or magnetic.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: John Michael Gagas, David Marshall, William Morris, Colin Mitchell Phillips, Jayme Rochelle Rietcheck, Jeffry Brown
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Patent number: 10054477Abstract: A weight-measuring system for measuring a weight amount of one or more items loaded into a bed of a vehicle is provided. The weight amount can be used to determine whether a weight limit has been exceeded and whether some additional action should be taken. In addition, one type of weight-measuring system is operable under varied conditions, such as rapid weight fluctuations, and is capable of measuring a weight amount when the bed is in various positions (e.g., transporting mode or ground-level, loading mode).Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: John Michael Gagas, Larry Golladay, Hassan Ali Alabdulsalam, Abdulaziz Essa Aldossary, Nhat Tran, Huong Thu Nguyen, Omar Abdullah Alsaiari, Salem Hamadah Alarnoos
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Patent number: 10051786Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a stand-on mower having 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: GrantFiled: July 13, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Paul W. Mullet, Brian R. Funk, Robert C. Esau
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Patent number: 10021833Abstract: A mower includes mower frame, an engine and a drive arrangement as well as first and second drive wheels and at least one non-drive wheel. A jackshaft assembly is mounted to the frame and is belt powered by the engine. The jackshaft carries a deck drive pulley. The deck drive pulley is operably connected to the cutting deck by a deck drive belt. The deck drive pulley is spaced away from the cutting deck farther than an engine mounted pulley would be spaced away from the cutting deck. This allows the height of the cutting deck to be adjusted while limiting misalignment of the cutting deck drive belt.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Brian Lee Nebel, Brian Roy Funk
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Patent number: 9629307Abstract: A mower deck includes at least one cutting chamber with a spindle-mounted rotary cutting blade. The cutting chamber includes an upper wall and a sidewall. The sidewall presents a discharge opening. A cut-off baffle extends between the spindle and the sidewall discharge opening. The cut-off baffle adjusts between an open position in which the discharge opening is at least partially unobstructed and a closed position in which more of the discharge opening is obstructed. A spreader plate lies over the upper corner of the cutting chamber near the discharge opening opposite the cut-off baffle. The spreader plate adjusts between a first retracted position spaced away from the discharge opening and a second extended position closer to the discharge opening. The cut-off baffle and the spreader plate may be adjusted to control the discharge of grass clippings from the cutting chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Thomas James Gaeddert, Derek Jordan Christophel
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Patent number: 9616837Abstract: A roll bar assembly includes an upper portion which is movably mounted at least indirectly to a vehicle frame. The upper portion is able to be secured in a raised position and is also able to fold forward to a folded-forward position for shipping.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian Lee Nebel
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Publication number: 20170050600Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Applicant: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian Lee Nebel
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Patent number: 9573548Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2016Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
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Publication number: 20160236640Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
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Patent number: 9327632Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a plurality of wheels and a cargo bed assembly. A cargo bed translation mechanism is operable between the vehicle frame and the cargo bed to translate the cargo bed between a range of positions including a first transport position, a plurality of raised position a variety of loading positions. A cargo bed dumping mechanism is operable for tipping the cargo bed to dump the contents of the cargo bed at least from the transport position and the raised positions.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventor: Harlan John Bartel
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Patent number: 9327670Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian Lee Nebel
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Publication number: 20160050847Abstract: A lawn mower includes a mower frame that is able to articulate between a rear frame portion and a forward frame portion. In one embodiment, the rear frame portion is supported by two main drive wheels and carries an engine and controls for operating the mower. The forward frame portion carries a mowing deck which is suitable for cutting grass. The frame may be latched in a lowered mowing position by a releasable frame latch, but, when frame latch is released, the rear frame portion and the forward frame portion may be folded with respect to each other to provide access to the underside of the raised portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2014Publication date: February 25, 2016Applicant: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian Roy Funk
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Patent number: 9107343Abstract: An apparatus for mounting grass collection bags to a riding lawn mower includes a mounting assembly fixed to a riding lawn mower frame and a lid assembly for carrying removable grass clippings collection bags. The mounting assembly includes slotted brackets that are adapted to receive transverse base pins that are fixed to the lid assembly. An operator may hang the lid assembly by its transverse base pins on the mounting assembly slotted brackets in a hanging position and then rotate the lid assembly up into a raised, operating position. As the lid assembly is rotated to the raised, operating position, a releasable latch mechanism connected to the mounting assembly receives and captures the lid assembly latch pins. With this grass clippings collection unit, a single operator can install or remove the lid assembly, making it possible to rapidly reconfigure the mower for collecting clippings or for not collecting clippings.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Gaeddert, Steven P. Tieszen
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Patent number: 8955832Abstract: An operator seat suspension apparatus includes a seat having a seat structure including longitudinal, upright flanges and a vehicle having a frame including longitudinal, upright flanges spaced away from the longitudinal, upright flanges of the seat structure. A set of isolators is fixed to and connects between the upright flanges of the seat structure and the upright flanges of the vehicle frame. The isolators are adapted to allow displacement in shear in the vertical and the longitudinal directions in response to shock forces in either direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventor: Harlan John Bartel
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Publication number: 20150013298Abstract: A mower deck includes at least one cutting chamber with a spindle-mounted rotary cutting blade. The cutting chamber includes an upper wall and an outer extent bounded at least partially by a side wall. The side wall presents a discharge opening. A cut-off baffle extends between the spindle and the outer extent of the cutting chamber. The cut-off baffle adjusts between an open position in which the discharge opening is at least partially unobstructed and a closed position in which more of the discharge opening is obstructed. A spreader plate lies over the upper corner of the cutting chamber near the discharge opening. The spreader plate adjusts between a first retracted position spaced away from the discharge opening and a second extended position closer to the discharge opening. The cut-off baffle and the spreader plate may be adjusted to control the discharge of grass clippings from the cutting chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas James Gaeddert, Derek Jordan Christophel
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Patent number: 8905434Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 18, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian Lee Nebel
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Patent number: 8708400Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a plurality of wheels and a cargo bed assembly. A cargo bed translation mechanism is operable between the vehicle frame and the cargo bed to translate the cargo bed between a range of positions including a first transport position, a plurality of raised position a variety of loading positions. A cargo bed dumping mechanism is operable for tipping the cargo bed to dump the contents of the cargo bed at least from the transport position and the raised positions.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventor: Harlan J. Bartel
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Patent number: 8528924Abstract: A rollover protection system unlocks and lowers from a raised position to a lowered position suitable for clearing a low hanging obstacle when an operator manually applies a force to an operator lever. The rollover protection system returns to the raised position when the operator ceases applying force to the operator lever.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Brian L. Nebel
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Patent number: 8430427Abstract: An improved counterweight apparatus for vehicles includes a counterweight support structure, a set of separately installable and removable counterweights and a retaining plate. Each counterweight is shaped to be received by the counterweight support structure and each counterweight has at least one retaining plate surface. The retaining plate is retained adjacent to the counterweight support structure and can be moved between a retracted position and an advanced position. The retaining plate has a first surface located to register with the retaining plate surface of each counterweight. When a counterweight is placed in the counterweight support structure and the retaining plate is moved to the advanced position, the first surface of the retaining plate engages the retaining plate surface of the counterweight to secure the counterweight support structure. A counterweight can be removed from the counterweight support structure if the retaining plate is moved to the retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2012Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Gaeddert, Derek Jordan Christophel