Patents Examined by Gary S. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11371223
    Abstract: The present fastener securely couples a first body to a second body, where the fastener includes an elongate arcuate body curved along a longitudinal axis and having a cross-sectional area taken planar normal to the longitudinal axis, the elongate arcuate body includes a first portion separated along the longitudinal axis from a second portion with the cross-sectional area of the elongate body increasing from the first portion to the second portion. The fastener further includes a retaining portion configured to selectively secure the elongate arcuate body in the inserted configuration. In use, the present fastener is configured to be inserted into a passage delineated between a first body and a second body which are overlapping at least in part, to selectively lock the first body and the second body in the coupled configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventor: Robert S. Bierwith
  • Patent number: 11369052
    Abstract: A system for monitoring basket plugging for agricultural implements includes a basket assembly configured to be supported by an agricultural implement and a range sensor positioned relative to the basket assembly such that the range sensor is configured to transmit detection signals towards an interior of the basket assembly and receive return signals based on reflection of the detection signals off at least one surface. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the range sensor. The controller is configured to analyze data received from the range sensor as the basket assembly rotates relative to the range sensor to determine when the basket assembly is experiencing a plugged condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Cozza, Scott Glovier, Raul Espinosa
  • Patent number: 11371220
    Abstract: A ground engaging tool assembly includes a ground engaging tip, an adapter, and a wear cap. The ground engaging tip has a ground engaging portion and a coupling portion including an interior surface defining a coupler pocket with an adapter opening and first and second lug openings. The adapter includes a mounting nose with first and second retention lugs extending from sides of the mounting nose along oblique taper angles. The mounting nose is disposed within the coupler pocket of the ground engaging tip with the first and second retention lugs extending into the first and second lug openings, respectively. The base includes a shoulder surface and a retention surface that define a mounting groove therebetween. The wear cap includes a mounting rail that is disposed within the mounting groove of the adapter to mount the wear cap thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon H. McCaffrey, Mihai M. Balan
  • Patent number: 11371221
    Abstract: A ground engaging tool assembly includes a ground engaging tip, an adapter, and a wear cap. The ground engaging tip has a ground engaging portion and a coupling portion including an interior surface defining a coupler pocket with an adapter opening and first and second lug openings. The adapter includes a mounting nose with first and second retention lugs extending from sides of the mounting nose along oblique taper angles. The mounting nose is disposed within the coupler pocket of the ground engaging tip with the first and second retention lugs extending into the first and second lug openings, respectively. The base includes a shoulder surface and a retention surface that define a mounting groove therebetween. The wear cap includes a mounting rail that is disposed within the mounting groove of the adapter to mount the wear cap thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon H. McCaffrey, Mihai M. Balan
  • Patent number: 11365530
    Abstract: A retainer sleeve for use with a lock in a ground engaging tool. The retainer sleeve can include a skirt extending part way around a retainer axis to form a portion of an annulus. The retainer sleeve can further include a plurality of legs joined to the skirt and formed to mate with a lock cavity of the ground engaging tool. The plurality of legs can form an inner surface shaped to rotatably receive an outer surface of the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Wells, Jason Jura, Eric Sinn, Doug Serrurier
  • Patent number: 11365529
    Abstract: A bolt retention assembly defines a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, and a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The bolt retention assembly includes an adapter including a forward abutment portion and a rearward horizontally oriented saddle portion. The adapter may also define an interior aperture. The bolt retention assembly further includes a slide including a forward threaded portion configured to fit within the interior aperture of the adapter, and a rearward horizontally oriented pronged portion configured to pass through the rearward horizontally oriented saddle portion of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan R. Bjerke
  • Patent number: 11359341
    Abstract: A bollard device including a frame insertable in a horizontal plane. A base plate is disposed on the frame and has a hole. A movable part is received within the hole and moves vertically between a retracted position, wherein an upper end thereof is flush with the base plate, and an extended position wherein the upper end of the movable part extends beyond the base plate to create an obstacle. The frame includes a plurality of metallic supports defining an underground housing for the movable part and guides by which the movable part slides vertically. Actuating element is housed either in the frame or in the movable part and is configured to permit the vertical movement of the movable part. The movable part includes a stem and a protective tubular member disposed on the stem and constrained thereon by removable coupling element permitting the protective tubular member to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: FAAC S.P.A.
    Inventors: Riccardo Demaria, Samuele Magnoni
  • Patent number: 11346078
    Abstract: A work equipment for a motor grader comprising: a drawbar including: a drawbar plate and an outer peripheral-side rib that is integrally fixed to the drawbar plate so as to protrude from a lower surface of the drawbar plate; and a circle including a circle plate that protrudes outside of the outer peripheral-side rib in the radial direction and forms a lower-side gap between a lower end of the outer peripheral-side rib and the circle plate; and an outer peripheral-side wall portion that is connected to the outer peripheral side of the circle plate, has a cylindrical shape surrounding the outer peripheral-side rib from an outer peripheral side of the outer peripheral-side rib, and forms a clearance between the lower surface of the drawbar plate and the outer peripheral-side wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kota Yamaguchi, Yuji Asai, Toshihiro Yone
  • Patent number: 11346077
    Abstract: An adaptor configured to move a work vehicle implement includes a work vehicle portion that includes a first receiver interface configured to couple to a work vehicle. The first receiver interface includes at least one receiver locking feature configured to non-movably couple the work vehicle portion to the first connector interface. The adaptor also includes a work implement portion moveably coupled to the work vehicle portion and a second connector interface configured to couple to a second receiver interface of the work vehicle implement. The adaptor also includes a track system comprising a slot disposed within the work vehicle portion and a slider disposed on the work implement portion, wherein the slider is configured to move along the slot, and at least one actuator configured to actuate the work implement portion with respect to the work vehicle portion along a guide path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Richard Carter Eckrote
  • Patent number: 11339563
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a haunch height and related systems and methods includes a support angle. The support angle includes first and second flanges, and a surface of the first flange includes a hole. The apparatus also includes a coil rod and a rotatable nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TRUETECH BRIDGE, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Brodowski, Zachary Wysong
  • Patent number: 11337354
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling weeds, which includes a tine formation adapted to remove or disrupt targeted weeds, and a tine support assembly adapted to support the tine for movement about a first control axis in a generally vertical direction between an engaged position wherein the tine formation in use contacts a ground surface for removal or disruption of targeted weeds and a disengaged position wherein the tine formation is substantially retracted from the ground surface. The tine support assembly is further adapted to support the tine for movement about a second control axis in a generally horizontal direction. The tine support assembly further includes a first actuation mechanism adapted to effect movement of the tine about the first control axis, and a second actuation mechanism adapted to effect movement of the tine about the second control axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: AGERRIS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Mark Calleija, Salah Sukkarieh
  • Patent number: 11330753
    Abstract: A rotary tiller comprises a frame, a cylindrical drum rotatable relative to the frame, a plurality of tines extending from the cylindrical drum, a motor at least partially disposed within the cylindrical drum, wherein the motor is configured to rotate a motor output member, and a transmission at least partially disposed within the cylindrical drum and configured to engage the motor output member. The transmission is operable to drive rotational movement of the cylindrical drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Ardisam, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Ruppel, Randy L. Schamberger, David P. Flesch, Robert J. Ruppel
  • Patent number: 11332898
    Abstract: An access control system is provided for controlling access to an area secured by perimeter protection defining a secure perimeter. The access control system comprises a portable container configured to be stored, transported and installed repeatedly as a closed container. The portable container is further configured to be operated repeatedly as an open container and closed container with a permanent barrier section constituted by the portable container and configured to secure a perimeter. At least one operational barrier section is configured to be operational in an open state to allow access through the secure perimeter and in a closed state to block access through the secure perimeter. The operational barrier section is configured to be fully contained within the closed container when not installed is also configured to operate outside of the portable container in either open or closed state and to change between open and closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Mobile Gate Security A/S
    Inventors: Lars Kramer, Thomas Grumstrup
  • Patent number: 11326315
    Abstract: A rotatable plow shovel apparatus for clearing a path without having to lift includes a plow blade and a shaft housing having a curved front face coupled to a back side of the plow blade. A shaft aperture extends through a top side of the shaft housing to proximal a bottom side and the back face has a plurality of adjustment apertures extending through to the shaft aperture. A handle shaft has a vertical engagement portion rotatably engaged within the shaft aperture and an angled extension portion coupled to the engagement portion. A locking pin is coupled to the engagement portion and is selectively engageable with each of the plurality of adjustment apertures of the shaft housing to lock the handle shaft in a straight position, at least one alternative left tilt position, and at least one alternative right tilt position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventor: David Dougherty
  • Patent number: 11326314
    Abstract: A cable anchor deflector bracket includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is coupled to a guardrail at a location adjacent to a cable anchor bracket, which is an attachment point where a cable couples to the guardrail. The second portion slopes outwardly away from the guardrail and is proximate to an end of the cable anchor bracket and the end of the cable anchor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    Inventors: Roger P. Bligh, D. Lance Bullard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11319681
    Abstract: A bollard system may include a bollard, a carrier device having a recess adapted to carry the bollard in a stowed configuration, and a pivot rod fixedly secured to the bollard and received by a pivot carrier of the carrier device. The bollard may be adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the pivot rod between a deployed configuration and the stowed configuration. The bollard system may also include a lock plate adapted to be received by the carrier device to maintain the bollard in the deployed configuration. The bollard system may further include a cover plate carried by the carrier device and adapted to cover at least a portion of the recess of the carrier device in both the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: 8-Koi, Inc.
    Inventor: Otto Edward Herrera
  • Patent number: 11306461
    Abstract: A ground engaging tip of a ground engaging tip assembly includes an adapter that attaches to the base edge and having a forwardly extending adapter nose, and a ground engaging tip. The tip has a rear edge and a top and bottom outer surfaces. The top and bottom outer surfaces extend forward from the rear edge of the ground engaging tip and converge at a front edge of the tip. The tip includes first and second side outer surfaces extending forward from the rear edge to the front edge. Tip includes a nose cavity for receiving the adapter nose therein. The nose cavity has first and second side inner surfaces opposite the first and second side outer surfaces, respectively. The nose cavity has an aperture and a retention channel on at least one of the first and second side inner surfaces. The retention channel extends from the rear edge to the aperture and guides a lug of the adapter into the aperture during installation of the ground engaging tip on the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Serrurier, Eric Sinn, Jason Jura, Mihai Mircea Balan
  • Patent number: 11304352
    Abstract: An agricultural implement having a rolling basket which includes a plurality of elongated members arranged in a substantially cylindrical shape. A stationary internal scraper is disposed in the inner chamber of the rolling basket and is adapted for breaking up a material from the inner chamber as the rolling basket is rotated around the major axis of rotation of the rolling basket. The internal scraper extends in an upward direction with respect to the major axis of rotation of the rolling basket with the upper edge of the internal scraper distally spaced away from and above the major axis of rotation of the rolling basket and with the lower edge of the internal scraper distally spaced away from and above the major axis of rotation of the rolling basket. The upper edge of the internal scraper is positioned above the lower edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Summers Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis E. Westlind
  • Patent number: 11306449
    Abstract: A spool-less system for deployment, recovery and manipulation of a traversable road covering track. The system includes an arcuate guide member detachably coupled to a retaining member; the guide member and retaining member defining a volume for receiving a roll of traversable road covering; the guide member arranged to contact the roll along a first arcuate range and the retaining member configured to contact the roll along a second arcuate range; and wherein the guide member and retaining member are detachably coupleable having, a first position in which, the guide member and retaining member are separated at a first diameter whereby the roll of traversable road covering may be deployed or recovered when the host machine is in motion, and a second position in which, the guide member and retaining member are separated at a second diameter in which the roll of traversable road covering is retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: FAUN TRACKWAY LIMITED
    Inventors: Neil Wigley, Paul Godridge, Dafydd Roberts
  • Patent number: 11297756
    Abstract: An agricultural device including a first frame portion rotatably carrying a second frame portion for carrying at least one agricultural module, the second frame portion being rotatable relative to the first frame portion between a first position generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of the device and a second position generally parallel to the direction of travel of the device, the first frame portion having a pair of rolling elements for supporting the first frame along a support surface. The pair of rolling elements is laterally movable relative to the first frame portion in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the device. The pair of rolling elements continuously laterally surrounds the second frame when viewed from behind a forward direction of travel of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventors: Charles H. Martin, Dominic R. Martin