Patents by Inventor Brian R. Funk

Brian R. Funk has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11724658
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Eric M. Biggs, Brian R. Funk, Ronald E. Lefevre, Royce A. Steinert, James A. Wright, Brian L. Nebel
  • Publication number: 20230071515
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a stand-on terrain working vehicle having a foot-operated parking brake system. The parking brake system includes a pedal assembly having a first pedal and a second pedal, an actuator coupled to the pedal assembly, a brake configured to be actuated between a set/engaged state and a released/disengaged state, and an over-center linkage. When the first pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the set/engaged state, and when the second pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the released/disengaged state. The over-center linkage is configured to bias the brake towards one of the set/engaged state and the released/disengaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Brian R. FUNK, Robert C. ESAU, Brian L. NEBEL
  • Publication number: 20220369550
    Abstract: An electric terrain working vehicle having a parking brake actuated in response to an operator presence system detecting the presence of, or the absence of, an operator in relation to the electric terrain working vehicle. The operator presence system may send a signal to a controller and the controller may command the actuation of the parking brake between an engaged stated and a disengaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Royce A. Steinert, Brian R. Funk
  • Patent number: 11498532
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a stand-on terrain working vehicle having a foot-operated parking brake system. The parking brake system includes a pedal assembly having a first pedal and a second pedal, an actuator coupled to the pedal assembly, a brake configured to be actuated between a set/engaged state and a released/disengaged state, and an over-center linkage. When the first pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the set/engaged state, and when the second pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the released/disengaged state. The over-center linkage is configured to bias the brake towards one of the set/engaged state and the released/disengaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian R. Funk, Robert C. Esau, Brian L. Nebel
  • Publication number: 20220295702
    Abstract: A steering lever pivot assembly may have a two-axis polymer housing pivotally coupled to a terrain working vehicle at opposing bosses and comprising a pair of reciprocal housing portions, a steering lever pivotally coupled to the two-axis polymer housing, the steering lever having a connecting portion for coupling to a first system of the terrain working vehicle, a clasp coupled to the steering lever and the two-axis polymer housing and having a mounting portion for coupling to a first system of the terrain working vehicle, and a pair of bushings that receive one of the opposing bosses therein. In some aspects, the two-axis polymer housing provides a first axis of rotation at the pivotal coupling between the steering lever and the two-axis polymer housing and a second axis of rotation through the opposing bushings, which may be axially aligned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Brian R. Funk, James A. Wright, Tyler A. Yost
  • Patent number: 11357170
    Abstract: A steering lever pivot assembly may have a two-axis polymer housing pivotally coupled to a terrain working vehicle at opposing bosses and comprising a pair of reciprocal housing portions, a steering lever pivotally coupled to the two-axis polymer housing, the steering lever having a connecting portion for coupling to a first system of the terrain working vehicle, a clasp coupled to the steering lever and the two-axis polymer housing and having a mounting portion for coupling to a first system of the terrain working vehicle, and a pair of bushings that receive one of the opposing bosses therein. In some aspects, the two-axis polymer housing provides a first axis of rotation at the pivotal coupling between the steering lever and the two-axis polymer housing and a second axis of rotation through the opposing bushings, which may be axially aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian R. Funk, James A. Wright, Tyler A. Yost
  • Publication number: 20220080914
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Harlan J. BARTEL, ERIC M. BIGGS, BRIAN R. FUNK, RONALD E. LEFEVRE, ROYCE A. STEINERT, JAMES A. WRIGHT, BRIAN L. NEBEL
  • Patent number: 11198408
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Eric M. Biggs, Brian R. Funk, Ronald E. Lefevre, Royce A. Steinert, James A. Wright, Brian L. Nebel
  • Publication number: 20210309189
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a stand-on terrain working vehicle having a foot-operated parking brake system. The parking brake system includes a pedal assembly having a first pedal and a second pedal, an actuator coupled to the pedal assembly, a brake configured to be actuated between a set/engaged state and a released/disengaged state, and an over-center linkage. When the first pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the set/engaged state, and when the second pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the released/disengaged state. The over-center linkage is configured to bias the brake towards one of the set/engaged state and the released/disengaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Brian R. Funk, Robert C. Esau, Brian L. Nebel
  • Patent number: 11071248
    Abstract: A mower may have a frame, a floor pan affixed to the frame, and a cutting deck suspended from the floor pan. A height of the cutting deck over a terrain surface may be adjustable with a lift system. The lift system may couple the cutting deck to the floor pan and move the cutting deck between a minimum height and a maximum height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian R. Funk, James A. Wright, Tyler A. Yost
  • Patent number: 10939616
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a mower having a first portion and a second portion that is movable relative to the first portion to adjust a cutting height of the mower. The adjustment of the second portion may be facilitated, for example, by a height adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian R. Funk, Brian Lee Nebel, Robert C. Esau
  • Patent number: 10640030
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a translating cargo assembly for a vehicle. The translating cargo assembly may include a translation mechanism, which may be affixed to a cargo frame of the vehicle. The translating cargo assembly may also include a carrier frame that is coupled with the translation mechanism and configured to mate with cargo implements. A drive mechanism, such as a rotary actuator, may be coupled with the translation mechanism. The rotary actuator may be effective to translate the carrier frame through a range of positions including a transport position, in which the carrier frame may be adjacent to the cargo frame, and a loading position, in which the carrier frame may be proximate ground level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Royce A. Steinert, Brian R. Funk, David L. Marshall
  • Patent number: 10631459
    Abstract: A stand-on mower may have 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: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul W. Mullet, Brian R. Funk, Robert C. Esau
  • Publication number: 20200101920
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: HARLAN J. BARTEL, ERIC M. BIGGS, BRIAN R. FUNK, RONALD E. LEFEVRE, ROYCE A. STEINERT, JAMES A. WRIGHT, BRIAN L. NEBEL
  • Publication number: 20180249630
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: PAUL W. MULLET, BRIAN R. FUNK, ROBERT C. ESAU
  • Patent number: 10051786
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Mullet, Brian R. Funk, Robert C. Esau
  • Publication number: 20180043812
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a translating cargo assembly for a vehicle. The translating cargo assembly may include a translation mechanism, which may be affixed to a cargo frame of the vehicle. The translating cargo assembly may also include a carrier frame that is coupled with the translation mechanism and configured to mate with cargo implements. A drive mechanism, such as a rotary actuator, may be coupled with the translation mechanism. The rotary actuator may be effective to translate the carrier frame through a range of positions including a transport position, in which the carrier frame may be adjacent to the cargo frame, and a loading position, in which the carrier frame may be proximate ground level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Royce A. Steinert, Brian R. Funk
  • Publication number: 20180014460
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: PAUL W. MULLET, BRIAN R. FUNK, Robert C. ESAU
  • Patent number: 8240420
    Abstract: A steering lever mechanism for a mower vehicle includes a lever assembly and a base which is fixed to the mower vehicle for mounting the lever assembly to the mower. The lever assembly includes a pivot assembly and a lever portion. The lever portion is pivotably mounted to the pivot assembly for rotation about a longitudinal axis between an inboard position and an outboard position. The pivot assembly is also pivotably mounted to the base for rotation of the pivot bracket portion and the lever portion about a transverse axis between a rear position, an intermediate neutral position and a forward position. A rotation measuring device is associated with the base and the pivot assembly for measuring the forward and rear rotation of the lever assembly. A sensor for activating parking breaks is also associated with the base for sensing the lever assembly when it is in the outboard position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Brian R. Funk
  • Patent number: 7856799
    Abstract: A lawn mower drive arrangement delivers power to a mower deck of a lawn mower vehicle. The drive arrangement includes a prime mover and a drive sheave, at least one mower deck sheave for powering at least one cutting blade and an endless engaging the drive sheave and at least one mower deck sheave. The drive sheave is oriented such that its axis of rotation is generally transverse. Guide pulleys engage the tension side and the slack side of the endless belt between the drive sheave and at least one mower deck sheave. The guide pulleys are positioned such that the endless belt twists by an acute angle substantially less than 60 degrees between the drive sheave and the guide pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventors: Brian R. Funk, Darrin S. Hiebert