Patents Examined by Gary S. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11634873
    Abstract: A kerb barrier includes: a first barrier member having a length, the first barrier defining a cavity; and a second barrier member in the cavity of the first barrier that extends substantially along the length of the first barrier member, wherein a base of the second barrier member is fixable to a base of the first barrier member, wherein, upon side impact, a region of the first barrier member is configured to bend relative to the second barrier member about a first bending point defined by the first barrier member, wherein the first barrier member is configured to act on the second barrier member such that the region of the first barrier member and a region of the second barrier member are configured to bend about a second bending point defined by the second barrier member, wherein the second bending point is spaced apart from the first bending point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: THREE SMITH GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: Luke Smith, Lee Scothern, Robert Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 11634892
    Abstract: A lock pin assembly including a main body, a pin assembly, and a lock assembly. The main body includes a first bore extending longitudinally inwardly from a main body outer face and a second bore extending radially inwardly. The pin assembly is threadably disposable in the first bore to an inserted position and includes a pin body having a pin body outer face and a pin body inner face. The pin assembly also includes a rotatable shaft extending longitudinally through the pin body, wherein the rotatable shaft is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a cam rotationally coupled to the rotatable shaft. The lock assembly is disposed in the second bore and is biased radially inwardly to inhibit removal of the pin assembly from the main body when the pin assembly is at the inserted position and the rotatable shaft is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Hensley Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Karthik Halike Gururaj, Sean M. Pitts
  • Patent number: 11617293
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a first ground-engaging implement and a second ground-engaging implement connected to a chassis. The first ground-engaging implement moves within a first movement envelope with respect to the chassis, and the second ground-engaging implement moves within a second movement envelope with respect to the chassis. A lift arm is connected to the chassis and positioned between the first and second ground-engaging implements. The lift arm moves along a range of movement between a raised position and a lowered position. The lift arm is entirely positioned outside both of the first movement envelope and the second movement envelope within the entire range of movement between the raised position and the lowered position, such that the lift arm is permitted to move along the entire range of movement between the raised position and the lowered position without abutting the first movement envelope or the second movement envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Curtis P. Thoreson
  • Patent number: 11619031
    Abstract: A tool bit includes a threaded portion, a shank, a shoulder, an anti-rotation segment and a working portion. The threaded portion may be centered about and extend longitudinally along a first axis. The shank may be centered about the first axis and extend longitudinally along the first axis. The shank may be disposed between the threaded portion and the shoulder. The anti-rotation segment may be disposed between the shoulder and the working portion of the tool bit. The working portion may be oriented to extend lengthwise away from the first axis and to extend lengthwise along another axis that is transverse to the first axis. The working portion may include a planar cutting surface that includes a working edge. The planar cutting surface may be oriented transverse to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David Bruno Parzynski, Jr., Thomas Marshall Congdon
  • Patent number: 11613874
    Abstract: A ground engaging tip of a tip assembly for a base edge of a ground engaging implement has an adapter configured for attachment to the base edge of implement and having a forwardly extending adapter nose. The ground engaging tip has a rear edge, a top outer surface, and a bottom outer surface. The top outer surface and the bottom outer surface extend forward from the rear edge of the ground engaging tip and converge at a front edge of the ground engaging tip. The ground engaging tip also has a nose cavity, within the ground engaging tip and defined between the converging top and bottom outer surfaces of the ground engaging tip, for receiving the adapter nose therein. The nose cavity includes a wear indicator extending from an inner surface of the nose cavity, into the ground engaging tip, toward the bottom outer surface of the ground engaging tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Serrurier, Eric Sinn, Mihai Mircea Balan, Jason Jura
  • Patent number: 11613859
    Abstract: A system that is towed behind a vehicle to remove snow and ice from pavement. The system includes a trailer. The trailer includes a longitudinal substantially rigid frame structure, a trailer hitch connected to a front end of the trailer for selective connection-disconnection to the vehicle, and a suspension appliance connected to a rear portion of the trailer to separate at least a rear portion of the frame structure from the pavement. At least two additive snow and ice removal tools are connected to the frame structure and located underneath the trailer and over the pavement, each of the tools enabling a different type of snow and ice removal from the pavement when towing the system behind the vehicle to remove snow and ice from the pavement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Richard F. Thomson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11613875
    Abstract: A lug member is provided for a wear member retention system for an implement. The lug member includes an elongated body having a length dimension. A wear member engagement portion extends toward a distal end of the elongated body. A compression bolt assembly engaging portion is adjacent a proximal end of the elongated body. The compression bolt assembly engaging portion defines at least one bore configured to receive a compression bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Campomanes, Adam M. Dean
  • Patent number: 11612096
    Abstract: An agricultural toolbar has a center section and opposite wings which are horizontally foldable between transport and field positions. The toolbar has a hydraulic system which is very adaptable to many different hydraulically controlled features and options, without sacrificing the primary purpose of the system, which is accurately controlling the operating height of the toolbar, to achieve optimal planting depth of modern precision seed and fertilizer application systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Harvest International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Alan Sivinski
  • Patent number: 11603647
    Abstract: A tooth assembly having an adapter, a tooth, and a pin. The adapter and the tooth each have a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the adapter is adapted to be combined with an earth-digging implement. The second portion of the adapter is adapted to be combined with the tooth. The second portion of the adapter has an opening adapted to receive an engagement member extending from the second portion of the tooth. The first portion of the tooth is adapted to engage the material being displaced by the implement and the second portion is adapted to be combined with the adapter. The second portion of the tooth has an opening adapted to receive an engagement member extending from the second portion of the adapter. The pin is inserted through openings in both the adapter and the tooth to secure the two components together during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Pengo Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Reese, Richard Willems
  • Patent number: 11598074
    Abstract: A tooth mounting structure for a bucket includes a tooth adapter and a tooth. The tooth adapter includes a mounting portion mounted to the bucket and a nose portion extending from the mounting portion. The tooth includes an internal space for inserting the nose portion. The nose portion includes a rectangular tip portion, a rectangular base end portion and an octagonal connecting portion. An inner surface of the tooth is formed along an outer surface of the nose portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Takanori Nagata, Daijirou Tanaka, Yudai Furudate, Tatsuo Aira, Monta Kondou
  • Patent number: 11598069
    Abstract: Microdredging systems comprising a pumping platform and loading platform. In certain embodiments, system operates autonomously and is adapted to allow the loading platform undock from the pumping platform for disposal of the removed sediment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Coolfish Robotics LLC
    Inventor: Francis Newton Parks, III
  • Patent number: 11598055
    Abstract: Applicator and method for applying melted rubber to pavement comprises a melting vat having a substantially planar bottom with a surface area, and a wide-area a heating element beneath the melting vat having a surface area more than half the surface area of the planar bottom of the melting vat and positioned beneath the melting vat. The heating element may be comprised of an aluminum oxide ceramic blanket. A double-walled construction of the vat with exhaust holes in the outer wall allows exhaust to evenly melt rubber in the vat to reduce burning of the rubber, flame blowouts, and improve fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: David W. Price, II
  • Patent number: 11585049
    Abstract: A screed assembly, for a paving machine, may include a frame, a main screed and a screed plate. Additionally, the screed assembly may include an overload support system mounted on the screed assembly. Further, the overload support system may be configured to contact the surface extending beneath the screed assembly and to support the screed assembly during transport on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Schuette
  • Patent number: 11578468
    Abstract: A ram-resistant bollard system for prevention of ingress of vehicles onto a sensitive area that will completely stop a 15000 lb. truck, travelling at 30 mph in less than 3.3 ft wherein the bollard system comprises an upright element inserted into a base-plate which is secured onto a foundation structure made from two H-beams each made from a one-piece extruded metal form, wherein the two H-beams are connected to each other via at least one lower connector plate, partially overlapping and connected to the flanges on the lower surface of both H-beams, and wherein the base-plate is positioned above the flanges of the upper surface of the two H-beams, so as to be to be partially overlapping and connected to the top side of both H-beams via a plurality of small rectangular connection plates that are orthogonally positioned between the base-plate and the flanges of the H-beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Reliance Foundary
    Inventor: Shane Kramps
  • Patent number: 11577923
    Abstract: A portable dock plate which includes a planar ramp that has opposing side members, the ramp also has a top end and a bottom end, the top end includes a lip portion. The dock plate has a first wheel assembly and a second wheel assembly. The first wheel assembly includes a wheel, wheel lock linkage, a first locking pin with corresponding first locking pin holes, a lip-lowering apparatus and a lip-raising apparatus. The second wheel assembly has a wheel and a second locking pin with corresponding second locking pin holes. The dock plate also includes opposing handrails which are connected to the opposing side members, each handrail includes a moveable lever-handle for movement and placement of the dock plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Leum Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Grant Leum, Eric Demerath
  • Patent number: 11572669
    Abstract: A control system for a grading machine includes a circle angle sensor coupled to a circle. The circle is coupled to and supports a grading blade, and the circle angle sensor is configured to measure an angular position of the circle. The control system also includes a blade load sensor configured to measure a load on the grading blade. The control system also includes a circle drive system including a circle drive motor and a controller. The circle drive motor is configured to engage with and rotate the circle around a circle axis, and the controller is configured to control the rotation of the circle under a circle rotation command by monitoring the angular position of the circle and the load on the grading blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathaniel K. Harshman
  • Patent number: 11558992
    Abstract: A coupling device for attaching a power lift of a tractor to an attachment includes a link mounting region having coupling units for the articulation of an upper link and two lower links of the power lift, and an apparatus mounting region for fixing the attachment. A coupling unit assigned to the upper link is movable in a translatory manner in a vertical direction running perpendicular to a transverse direction. The coupling units are movably disposed on a device base of the coupling device, and the coupling units assigned to the two lower links are movable in a translatory manner in the transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jens Letscher, Florian Reinmuth
  • Patent number: 11558993
    Abstract: A soil monitoring system for an agricultural tillage implement includes a sensor configured to be coupled to a frame of the agricultural tillage implement. The sensor is configured to be directed toward a region of a soil surface. In addition, the sensor is configured to emit an output signal toward the region of the soil surface and to receive a return signal indicative of a profile of the soil surface within the region. Furthermore, the soil monitoring system includes a controller configured to identify a rough soil profile in response to determining that at least one variation in the profile of the soil surface within the region is greater than a first threshold value, and/or in response to determining that a number of variations in the profile of the soil surface within the region is greater than a second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
    Inventor: Michael George Kovach
  • Patent number: 11560679
    Abstract: A safety trailer is shown including first and second platforms, at least one of said first and second platforms having an axle and wheels attached thereto; a plurality of interconnected wall sections positioned between and connected to the first and second platforms, the plurality of wall sections defining a protected work area on a side of the trailer; and wherein the trailer supports a ballast member, the ballast member being positioned near a first side of the trailer and the wall sections near a second, opposing side of the trailer, the ballast member offsetting, at least partially, a weight of the plurality of wall sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Concaten, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin K. Groeneweg, David Meyerink, Duane Meyerink, Le Roy Severson
  • Patent number: 11555295
    Abstract: A ground engaging tool locking system includes a pin having a first, proximal head region and a second, distal end region spaced from the first, proximal head region along an axis. The pin includes a groove located between the first, proximal head region and the second, distal end region. A biasing element is disposed at least partially within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Joy Global Surface Mining Inc
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Voelz, Richard Nicoson, James Popp, Matt Gross