Patents Examined by Thomas B. Will
  • Patent number: 11622506
    Abstract: The invention provides a lawn mower, which comprises a driving assembly, an impact protection assembly, a transmission assembly and a cutting assembly. The driving assembly comprises a motor. The impact protection assembly comprises a pressing member and an elastic piece. The pressing member presses the elastic piece towards the transmission assembly to drive the transmission assembly and the cutting assembly to synchronously rotate with the motor shaft. When the resistance of the cutting assembly is greater than a predetermined value, A relative rotation is generated between the transmission assembly and the motor shaft. According to the lawn mower, the impact protection assembly is arranged between the driving assembly and the transmission assembly, when the reaction force upon the cutting assembly from external obstacles is greater than the friction force of the impact protection assembly, the transmission assembly and the motor shaft rotate relatively, and the transmission assembly is protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Globe (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jianhua Dong, Wanchun Jiao
  • Patent number: 11619015
    Abstract: A traffic control marker is provided and described herein. The traffic control marker can be configured with a main marker body that is flexible and durable, the main marker body can be further configured with a reflective element that covers at least a portion of the main marker body. The main marker body can further be configured with an indentation or a channel that extends a portion of or alternatively the length of the main marker body. The reflective element is configured to be protected during a vehicle impact with the traffic control marker, such that at least a portion of the reflective element remains effective and reflective after the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventor: Robert K. Hughes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11612100
    Abstract: A converging row unit for planting seed potatoes includes a plurality of linear arrays of seed cups, each array disposed upon a flexible endless belt and having an upwardly moveable portion and a downwardly moveable portion. The upwardly moveable portion passes through a seed pick region wherein each seed cup can draw a seed, while the downwardly moveable portion progresses to a point of discharge of the seed. The upwardly movable portion is characterized by the linear arrays being laterally spaced apart from each other. The downwardly moveable portion is characterized by the seed cups of the plurality of linear arrays being alternately interleaved together in a single converged linear array extending to the point of discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventors: Rainer Borgmann, Evan Steel
  • Patent number: 11606900
    Abstract: A gardening tool, such as a mower, has a main body having an accessory, such as a mowing blade, and a motor for driving the accessory. A handle is rotatably connected to the main body. At least one operation assembly is associated with the handle for being operated by a user to control the motor when the handle is located in a predetermined position. A control system prevents the motor from being controlled by the operation assembly and halts the motor when the handle is located out of the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Chervon (HK) Limited
    Inventors: Toshinari Yamaoka, Fangjie Nie, Haishen Xu, Xiandian Shao
  • Patent number: 11603634
    Abstract: A traffic control device, for a roadway receiving vehicles travelling longitudinally along the roadway, includes a housing, which may be formed in two or more modular sections, mounted transversely across the roadway. A frame comprised of a shaft supporting tire puncturing members thereon is rotatable within the housing between stored and working positions for selectively puncturing tires. In modular embodiments, the shaft of each module includes a joiner plate supported at one end of the shaft to enable rigid connection between the shafts of adjacent modules. In some embodiments, offset counterweights are coupled to the frame to bias the tire puncture members towards the working position, and an upper stop member on the housing, formed of resilient material, is engaged by the frame in the working position and is adjustable in height to control position of the tire puncturing members in the working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Jonathon R. Mateychuk
  • Patent number: 11596103
    Abstract: A lawn mower includes a mower frame with a first connection point and a second connection point spaced apart from the first connection point. The lawn mower also includes a prime mover supported by the mower frame forward of the first and second connection points, a mower deck mounted to the mower frame, a cutting blade mounted below the mower deck, and an accessory releasably coupled to the mower frame. The accessory includes a first linkage member that extends from the accessory toward the first connection point, and a second linkage member that extends from the accessory toward the second connection point. A hook is coupled to an end of the first linkage member and engages the first connection point. A latch is coupled to an end of the second linkage member and is operable to engage the second connection point to selectively secure the accessory to the mower frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ariens Company
    Inventors: Ricky A. Cracraft, Daniel J. Gindt, Trenton J. Meyer, Brent P. Berglund
  • Patent number: 11596096
    Abstract: A mini-hopper for an agricultural row unit that has a fill tube supplying material to a hopper. A backflow preventer is disposed in the fill tube or in a line to the inlet to prevent flow of material from the mini-hopper through the fill tube when the mini-hopper is in a transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: Precision Planting LLC, AGCO do Brasil Soluções Agrícolas Ltda.
    Inventors: Jeremy Hodel, Timothy Kater, Tracy Leman, Jarlis Luiz Matter
  • Patent number: 11596094
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a device that allows a tire to adequately clean a soil cutting disc, maintains the critical seed planting depth, or prevents (1) punctures, (2) soil compaction, (3) premature wear, (4) tire readjustment, (5) operational problems, (6) rough surfaces that fill with mud and debris, and (7) tire removal to clean the gauge wheel or remove buildup. The present invention also provides a device with a gauge wheel for controlling the depth of a furrow created by a soil cutting disk that has one or more of these features. More specifically, the present invention comprises a gauge wheel assembly for farming with a centrally positioned hub, a plurality of spokes extending from the hub to at least one ground contacting finger that extend to an inner circular ring around the circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Matthew Hornung
  • Patent number: 11596092
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an in-line tandem axle assembly comprising: a tandem wheel arm (46); a pair of wheel connecting assemblies (44A, 44B), each comprising a hub (60A, 60B) and a spindle (58A, 58B); a pair of mounts (50A, 50B) coupled respectively to the pair of wheel connecting assemblies; a pair of wheels (52A, 52B) coupled respectively to the pair of wheel connecting assemblies, the pair of wheels separated by the tandem wheel arm and in a same fore-and-aft position; and plural pairs of parallel links (48A, 48B) of equal length pivotably mounted to the pair of mounts and pivotably mounted to the tandem wheel arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Anson Fanshier, Ross Duerksen, Douglas Grollmes
  • Patent number: 11589494
    Abstract: A system for managing material accumulation relative to ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement may include a ground engaging tool and an acoustic sensor configured to generate data indicative of an acoustic parameter of a sound produced as the ground engaging tool engages the ground when a ground engaging operation is performed within a field. Additionally, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the acoustic sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the data received from the acoustic sensor and determine a presence of material accumulation relative to the ground engaging tool based at least in part on the acoustic parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, James W. Henry
  • Patent number: 11582907
    Abstract: A grounds maintenance vehicle has a vehicle frame defining a column opening having a first end and a second end. An implement is coupled to the vehicle frame. A height adjustment column has a base and distal end, where the base is fixed to the implement. The distal end of the height adjustment column extends through the column opening from the first end beyond the second end. The height adjustment column defines a first locking structure and a plurality of height setting locations. A height selection tool is couplable to the height adjustment column and is translatable to each of the plurality of height setting locations. A second locking structure is coupled to the vehicle frame, where the second locking structure is configured to releasably engage the first locking structure such that the plurality of height setting locations are positioned beyond the second end of the column opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company Incorporated
    Inventor: Gary L. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 11582912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a separator for separating harvested berries from other plant matter. The invention particularly relates to a separator that can be fitted to, positioned above, or integrated with, a collection bin and as such allows for material harvested by an automatic berry harvester to be process prior to deposition of the berries in the collection bin. In particular the berry harvester can be a grape harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Aussie Wine Group Holdings Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Malcolm Villis, Peter Balnaves
  • Patent number: 11578467
    Abstract: A vehicle barrier apparatus and corresponding methods include a base and a vehicle receiving member coupled to the base and having proximal and distal ends. Also included is a deployable element rotatably coupled to the base and coupled to the vehicle receiving member at a mechanical coupler located closer to the distal end than to the proximal end. The deployable element is configured to receive a transfer force, from the vehicle receiving member, via the mechanical coupler, responsive to the vehicle receiving member receiving an applied force from a vehicle at the proximal end. The deployable element configured to deploy from a stored orientation to a deployed orientation responsive to the transfer force. Accordingly, vehicle force can be transferred and used to deploy the device effectively in a self-triggered configuration without hazards of stored energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Viken Detection Corporation
    Inventors: Gill W. McKenna, John P. Voccio, Peter J. Rothschild
  • Patent number: 11578466
    Abstract: A traffic barrier and soundwall system is disclosed having wide-flanged [or H-posts] vertical posts oriented with a flange facing a roadway. Traffic barriers are located between them. The barriers have recesses at the intersection of their backs and ends. An angle bracket is positioned in the recess to separate the post from the barrier. A U-shaped strap has a base and a pair of arms extending from the base. Traffic barriers are positioned against the posts so that the angle brackets in the recesses are adjacent to the road-facing flange of the post. A strap fastener connects an arm of the strap to the recess of each of the adjacent traffic barriers. In this way, the base of the strap surrounds the rearward-facing flange of the post to secure the traffic barriers to the post. Sound barrier panels are located on the top of the traffic barriers, secured between the webs of the neighboring posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Vandorf SW1 Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Clinton Alberson, Mark Christopher Ayton, Mohammed Talha Ghuman, Benjamin Fraser Powell
  • Patent number: 11570951
    Abstract: A forage harvester includes a shear bar and a panel that directs the crop material downstream of the shear bar. A processing component is disposed downstream of the panel. An impact sensor is coupled to the shear bar and operable to detect data related to a magnitude of a force applied to the shear bar. The panel is moveable from a first position to a second position. The first position of the panel forms a channel for directing the crop material in the direction of crop processing along a first path toward the processing component. The second position of the panel alters the channel to direct the crop material along an alternative path not including the processing component. In response to a sufficiently high impact force applied to the shear bar by debris moving with the crop material, the panel is moved from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Nathan A. Chaney
  • Patent number: 11564356
    Abstract: A cutting attachment includes a mounting bracket and a cutting deck. The mounting bracket is configured to couple to at least one hydraulic arm of a tractor or excavator. The cutting deck is coupled to the mounting bracket. The cutting deck includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a motor coupled to the inner surface, a blade carrier coupled to the outer surface and rotatable by the motor, and at least one blade coupled to the blade carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventor: Johnny E. Grice
  • Patent number: 11558989
    Abstract: A three-point hitch for an agricultural tractor includes a lift arm, a lower link arm, and a lift spindle disposed between the lift arm and link arm for transmitting a pivoting movement performed on the lift arm to the link arm. The lift spindle includes a first fastening section on the lift arm and a second fastening section on the link arm. An elongated hole is formed in the second fastening section along a longitudinal direction of the lift spindle, and a mounting pin extends through a fastening opening in the link arm and is mounted in the elongated hole. At least two spaced apart locking regions are formed along the elongated hole for receiving a shaped feature on the mounting pin. A movement of the link arm along the elongated hole is blocked when the shaped feature is received in one of the locking regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Achim Schibel, Werner Zahn
  • Patent number: 11555279
    Abstract: A pavement drain has a perimeter formed by sidewalls, and a drain aperture at the center of the perimeter. A drain surface is provided between form a path from the sidewalls to the drain aperture. A circular protrusion is concentric with the drain aperture and extends downwards from drain surface to engage with a drain pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Inventor: Jose Luis Cuellar
  • Patent number: 11547039
    Abstract: A fully-automatic transplanting combined machine includes a traction apparatus, operation apparatus and a control system. The operation apparatus is mounted on the traction apparatus with a main body frame and is towed behind the traction apparatus. The operation apparatus includes a rotary tillage furrowing system, a system for slightly preparing soil and opening narrow furrows, a planting system, and a soil covering compacting system which are arranged successively from front to back. The planting system includes more than one planting unit. The fully-automatic transplanting combined machine is capable of orderly performing rotary tillage, cleaning stubble, leveling a border check, opening a furrow, cutting narrow slits, transplanting, covering soil, compacting soil in untilled soil at one process, so as to create the soil requirements for high-speed transplanting of blanket seedlings such as rape and other crops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Nanjing Institute of Agricultural Mechanization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
    Inventors: Chongyou Wu, Qing Tang, Jun Wu, Min Zhang, Gang Wang, Lan Jiang
  • Patent number: 11540445
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a crop merger system for a harvester. The system includes a frame, first and second rollers mounted to the frame, and a belt disposed over the first and second rollers. The system includes a motor operably coupled to and configured to rotate the second roller. The system includes a controller configured to electronically receive as input a desired speed of the belt. The system includes a sensor configured to detect a measured characteristic associated with the crop merger system, and electronically transmit the measured characteristic to the controller. The controller is configured to determine a measured speed of the belt based on the measured characteristic, and if the desired speed and the measured speed are unequal, the controller is configured to regulate the motor to adjust a speed of the belt to be substantially equal to the desired speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jon M. McKinnis, Jr., Gregory Fasick, Madhu Pankaj, Robert Fackler