Patents Examined by Gary Hartmann
  • Patent number: 9908571
    Abstract: A paving machine for spreading, leveling and finishing concrete having a main frame, center module, bolsters laterally movably, and a crawler track associated with respective aft and forward ends of the bolsters. A bolster swing leg for each crawler track supports an upright jacking column. A worm gear drive permits rotational movements of the crawler track and the jacking column. A hinge bracket is interposed between each swing leg and a surface of the bolsters to enable pivotal movements of the swing leg. A length-adjustable holder engages the pivot pin on the hinge bracket and pivotally engages the swing leg. The holder permits pivotal motions of the swing leg in its length-adjustable configuration and prevents substantially any motion of the swing leg in its fixed-length configuration. A feedback loop cooperates with transducers keeping the crawler tracks position. The paving machine can be reconfigured into a narrowed transport configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Guntert & Zimmerman Const. Div., Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Guntert, Jr., Gerald L. Dahlinger, Richard Wood Francis
  • Patent number: 9888621
    Abstract: A flange for securing a rotary blade to a shaft that includes a solid plate with: an axially oriented shaft hole substantially in the center of the plate; two or more additional blade holes for securing a blade to the flange; an embossment around the shaft hole, providing a profile for stopping blade rotation about the blade hole; and a depression on the back face of the plate opposite the embossment, which provides a welding surface to secure the plate to a shaft passing through the shaft hole. Also are assemblages that include a flange, such as a blade assembly system for attaching two or more blades to a shaft, a bladed shaft, an attachable farm implement including a bladed shaft, and a powered machine, which includes a bladed shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd M. Wehler, David Lienemann
  • Patent number: 9885160
    Abstract: A snow pusher, also known as a box plow has a blade that is configured to be disposed in a first position for pushing snow forwardly, as is typical of snow pushers, and is further configured to be disposed in a second position for pulling snow rearwardly. The blade of the snow pusher may be contained within a snow plow box that may be reversible, allowing the blade to be disposed at a rear of the box for pushing the snow forwardly and at a front of the box for pulling snow rearwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: Kevin Stone
  • Patent number: 9872426
    Abstract: A digging assembly for a plough. The digging assembly has a digging blade assembly that is moved through the soil to form a slot, and a closing tool assembly that forms a seed bed by partly closing the slot formed by the digging blade assembly. Following the closing tool assembly is a seed boot that delivers seed to the seed bed formed by the closing tool assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ausplow Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: John William Ryan, Richard Alec Woode, Carl Bernard Vance
  • Patent number: 9873991
    Abstract: A slipform paving machine includes a laser source for generating a laser reference plane. At least two laser receivers are mounted on the machine and intersect the laser reference plane. Inputs from the laser receivers are utilized to control distortion of the frame of the slipform paver machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Fritz, Martin Dahm, Martin Lenz
  • Patent number: 9867327
    Abstract: A tire for a furrow press roller comprises a sole via which the tire is mounted on a field roller support, a tread opposite to the sole, and two sidewalls connecting the tread to the sole. The sole, the tread and the sidewalls together delimit a non-inflatable chamber. The tread comprises at least one crest and two shoulders each connecting the crest to a respective sidewall. The chamber extends partially at least laterally under the shoulders and radially into the crest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: OTICO
    Inventor: Olivier Phely
  • Patent number: 9863102
    Abstract: An automotive building machine comprising a material bunker for accommodating therein pavement material to be laid is provided, the building machine being a road finisher or a charger. The material bunker comprises at least one lifting device, which is adapted to enter into releasable engagement with a movable tailgate of a truck supplying the material bunker with the pavement material and which is configured for displacing the movable tailgate of the truck between a first position and a second position. A method used for this purpose is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: JOSEPH VOEGELE AG
    Inventors: Steffen Fickeisen, Tobias Elser
  • Patent number: 9848526
    Abstract: The selective positioning of row units along a planter tool bar is facilitated by introducing an elongated channel of generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration intermediate the tool bar and a plurality of row unit head brackets. The channel is welded or otherwise fixed to the tool bar with the open edge of the ā€œCā€ facing away from the tool bar and the head brackets are fixed to the channel by clamping nut and bolt assemblies. The bolts extend through the clamping brackets and engage corresponding clamping nuts. The clamping nuts are positioned within the ā€œCā€ and may be slid along the inner edge of the channel to any preferred position. The bolts are then and tightened fixing the head bracket at the selected at location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerard James Gadzella, Marvin A. Prickel, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 9845040
    Abstract: A ramp deployment system for deploying and securing first and second ramps to the entrance of a container-type vehicle using a ratchet strap arrangement. The ratchet strap arrangement includes first and second ratchet strap devices each having a tightening strap coupled to a respective hook and collar mechanism that includes a closable hook operable to engage a collar to form a loop portion by the tightening strap around the undercarriage of the container-type vehicle. A ratchet mechanism is operatively coupled to the tightening strap for tightening or loosening the tightening strap relative to the first and second ramps when the ratchet strap mechanism is actuated. The ratchet mechanism is also engaged to a fixed length strap having a hook portion configured to engage the cross rungs of the first and second ramps and secure the ratchet strap arrangement securely between container-type vehicle and the first and second ramps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Universal Worldwide Ramp, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Smith, Vern Van Hoy, Vern Hurley
  • Patent number: 9839173
    Abstract: An agricultural implement having agricultural implement for supporting a plurality of gangs of disk blades extending generally laterally relative to a for travel direction. The implement has carrier frames pivotally connected to wheel assemblies for controlling the height of the carrier frames relative to the ground through hydraulic actuators acting on the wheel assemblies. A hydraulic control unit enables independent and individual control of each actuator through the use of three way valves that selectively connect or lock individual actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: James W. Henry
  • Patent number: 9820422
    Abstract: A cylindrical turf treatment rotor (10) adapted to be driven in rotation about a horizontal axis (10a), and provided with wear-resistant teeth (13) extending along one or more helical tracks (14a-14d) on the rotor, the teeth being individually attacked to the rotor so as to be capable of individual removal for replacement or refurbishing or for reconfiguring the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Richard Campey Limited
    Inventors: Richard John Campey, Simon Jonathan Gumbrill, Johannes Hendricus Wilhelmus Herman De Kort
  • Patent number: 9820423
    Abstract: A device for coupling towed agricultural machines comprising a fastener for fastening to a frame of the machine, a connecting arm extending substantially longitudinally away from the frame of the agricultural machine, and a coupling head comprising coupling mechanism. The coupling head allows said connecting arm to rotate relative to the towing apparatus about a first axis of rotation which is substantially perpendicular to an operating surface of the agricultural machine. The connecting arm is rotatably connected to the fastener about a second axis of rotation, and further comprises reversible locking mechanism for locking the rotation of the connecting arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: MASCHIO GASPARDO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Enrico Bragatto
  • Patent number: 9822496
    Abstract: A prefabricated form for use in constructing a casting cured concrete curb having a plurality of engaging pieces in which adjacent engaging pieces are abutted. Each of the engaging pieces has a fixing rod insertion hole formed therein. A plurality of spacer insertion holes are formed longitudinally and aligned respectively with the fixing rod insertion holes. The plurality of plate-shaped lower spacers are received respectively of the plurality of spacer insertion holes. Fixing rods are respectively inserted into the fixing rod insertion hole so as to engage the plate-shaped lower spacers. A plurality of upper spacers are engaged with the upper ends of the fixing rods so as to fix the engaging pieces in spaced relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Hae Young Park
  • Patent number: 9811953
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a productivity of a paving machine. The method includes receiving a signal, through a load monitoring device, indicative of a change in a load on a frame of the paving machine. The method also includes determining a sum value of the change in the load on the frame based on the signal received each time when a material is delivered to the paving machine, and when the signal indicates an increase in the load on the frame. The method further includes determining a weight of the material provided to the paving machine based on at least the sum value of the change in the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Nelson, Toby A. Frelich
  • Patent number: 9809951
    Abstract: A jetting system for an undersea trencher has jetting conduits extending aftward of its trench-cutting jetting swords. Jetting conduit nozzles direct liquid radially from their jetting conduits into the trench after the trench is excavated by the jetting sword cutting nozzles. The jetting conduits direct sufficient liquid into the trench to maintain the mix of trenched soil and water in the trench along the length of the conduits at not more than a super-critical density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventor: Michael W. N. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9801321
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement has a disk frame assembly connected to a pull hitch extending in a travel direction with frame members extending generally laterally with respect to the travel direction. At least one disk blade is connected to and supported by the frame members to till soil over which the agricultural tillage implement traverses. A disk scraper mounting member is connected to at least one frame member. A channel shaped disk scraper is connected to the disk scraper mounting member using a bolted joint connection. The channel shaped disk scraper has a square mounting end adjoining an inner perpendicular surface of the disk scraper mounting member. The channel shaped disk scraper is operable to scrape residue from the at least one disk blade and deflect it away from the travel direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Timothy R. Blunier
  • Patent number: 9802717
    Abstract: Materials and structures for absorbing energy. The materials and structures are well suited for arresting aircraft and other vehicles, although their purposes need not be so limited. Also detailed are packaging and other solutions for maintaining system integrity, especially (but not exclusively) when foam glass or other aggregate is employed and stabilizing the location of the aggregate is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Silvia C. Valentini, Shawn Patrick Doherty, Youhong Li
  • Patent number: 9797099
    Abstract: A system for varying the width of a molded concrete slab on the fly as the slab is being molded. Position and height of the paving machine relative to an external reference system are determined and controlled using at least two 3D stringless reference objects. An additional sensor provides a signal corresponding to a frame width and thus a concrete slab width, and an actuator controls the frame width actively as the paving machine advances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Engels, Matthias Fritz, Martin Lenz
  • Patent number: 9783074
    Abstract: The battery charging apparatus includes a charging pile, a driving member electrically coupled to the charging pile and powered by the charging pile, and a parking barrier positioned adjacent to the charging pile. The parking barrier includes a fixing base, a barrier mechanism, an elastic member, a connecting member. The barrier mechanism is rotatably coupled with the fixing base. The elastic member is positioned between the fixing base and the barrier mechanism. One end of the connecting member is coupled with the barrier mechanism, and another end of the connecting member is configured for coupling with the driving member powered. The barrier mechanism is driven to fall down when the driving member pulls the connecting member. The disclosure also supplies a parking barrier for the battery charging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: E-In Wu
  • Patent number: 9783940
    Abstract: A method for paving a steel bridge deck comprises laying consecutively a 0.6 mm-0.8 mm epoxy waterproofing bond material layer, a 30 mm-40 mm injectable self-flowing asphalt concrete material layer, a 0.4 mm-0.6 mm epoxy asphalt bond material layer, and a 25 mm-40 mm latex cement mortar poured asphalt concrete material layer onto the top of the steel bridge deck to form the steel bridge deck pavement structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SOUTHEAST UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Sang Luo, Qing Lu, Zhendong Qian, Jianwei Wang, Xinming Wang, Ke Zhong, Jian Zhou, Xu Yang, Xiaohao Wei, Jiahao Tian, Jun Yin