Patents by Inventor Craig Witty

Craig Witty 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).

  • Publication number: 20220217903
    Abstract: A mower includes a frame, a blade assembly, and a reel. The blade assembly is supported by the frame for rotation about a first axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The reel is supported by the frame for rotation about a second axis. The reel defines an outer diameter relative to the second axis and engages the blade assembly at a contact location in the engaged position. The outer diameter defines a tangent at the contact location. A force in a direction substantially parallel to the tangent is operable to produce a first torque in a first direction about the first axis when the blade assembly is in the engaged position. The weight of the blade assembly is operable to produce a second torque in a second direction about the first axis when the blade assembly is in the engaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Kersey, Craig Witty
  • Patent number: 9743583
    Abstract: A method of securing a blade to an apparatus for cutting vegetation, wherein the apparatus includes a first and a second blade contacting structure. The method includes providing an elongated blade that is configured and arranged to be relatively flexible; and positioning the elongated blade between the first blade contacting structure and the second blade contacting structure such that the first blade contacting structure makes contact with a first surface of the elongated blade and the second blade contacting structure makes contact with a second surface of the elongated blade. The positioning step results in a plurality of bending forces being applied to the first and second surfaces of the elongated blade via the first and second blade contacting structures, thereby bending the elongated blade, and whereby the bending forces secure the elongated blade to the apparatus for cutting vegetation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: O-SAGE POWER EQUIPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Craig Witty
  • Publication number: 20160374266
    Abstract: A method of securing a blade to an apparatus for cutting vegetation, wherein the apparatus includes a first and a second blade contacting structure. The method includes providing an elongated blade that is configured and arranged to be relatively flexible; and positioning the elongated blade between the first blade contacting structure and the second blade contacting structure such that the first blade contacting structure makes contact with a first surface of the elongated blade and the second blade contacting structure makes contact with a second surface of the elongated blade. The positioning step results in a plurality of bending forces being applied to the first and second surfaces of the elongated blade via the first and second blade contacting structures, thereby bending the elongated blade, and whereby the bending forces secure the elongated blade to the apparatus for cutting vegetation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Craig Witty
  • Patent number: 7562516
    Abstract: A mowing apparatus includes a reel mechanism and a cutting mechanism. The reel mechanism rotates about a first central axis in a first direction. The cutting mechanism rotates about a second central axis in a second direction opposite of the rotation of the first direction. The cutting mechanism is positioned eccentric to the reel mechanism wherein the first central axis is offset from the second central axis by a distance less than 10% of the diameter of a reel diameter. The reel mechanism and the cutting mechanism are configured to have at least one cutting blade contact at least one reel bar during the rotation of the cutting mechanism about the second central axis such that vegetation is cut at a section of a rotary path of the reel mechanism that is greater than 10% of a circumference of the rotary path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: O-Sage, LLC
    Inventor: Craig Witty
  • Publication number: 20080245046
    Abstract: A mowing apparatus for cutting vegetation is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a reel mechanism and a cutting mechanism. The reel mechanism includes a plurality of reel bars. The reel mechanism rotates about a first central axis in a first direction. The cutting mechanism includes a plurality of cutting blades. The cutting mechanism rotates about a second central axis in a second direction opposite of the rotation of the first direction. The cutting mechanism is positioned eccentric to the reel mechanism wherein the first central axis is offset from the second central axis by a distance less than 10% of the diameter of a reel diameter. Each of the plurality of cutting blades is straight and each of the plurality of reel bars is helical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Craig Witty
  • Patent number: 7386974
    Abstract: An apparatus (20) for mowing vegetation is disclosed herein. The apparatus (20) generally includes a reel mechanism (21) and a cutting mechanism (22). The reel mechanism (21) preferably includes a plurality of reel bars (30) that rotate in a first direction. The cutting mechanism (22) preferably includes a plurality of cutting blades (40) that rotate in a second direction opposite of the first direction. Each of the plurality of cutting blades (40) is preferably disposed concentrically within the plurality of reel bars (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: O-Sage LLC
    Inventor: Craig Witty
  • Publication number: 20060107643
    Abstract: An apparatus (20) for mowing vegetation is disclosed herein. The apparatus (20) generally includes a reel mechanism (21) and a cutting mechanism (22). The reel mechanism (21) preferably includes a plurality of reel bars (30) that rotate in a first direction. The cutting mechanism (22) preferably includes a plurality of cutting blades (40) that rotate in a second direction opposite of the first direction. Each of the plurality of cutting blades (40) is preferably disposed concentrically within the plurality of reel bars (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Inventor: Craig Witty
  • Patent number: 5996884
    Abstract: A novel hybrid beverage container having a rigid body and flexible polymer film ends is disclosed herein. The hybrid container may be folded in a closed state for storage, and erected for a filling state. The top end of the container has a recloseable access for filling and sealing the container with a beverage. The container may also have a handle device. In one preferred embodiment, the rigid body is composed of a polyethylene coated fiberboard material. In another embodiment, the rigid body is composed of a mineral filled polyolefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Pepsico, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Frisk, Craig Witty
  • Patent number: 5806719
    Abstract: The system includes a rigid container having a fitment coupling, and a flexible pouch with a fitment thereon which is placed within a recess of the rigid container. The fitment has an annular attachment member which engages with a mating member on the fitment coupling. In this manner, the fitment is secured to the rigid container thereby allowing an user/consumer to dispense the contents of the flexible pouch by gripping the container. In an alternate embodiment, the rigid container permits the user to grasp the pouch to dispense the contents without raising the rigid container from a table. Various fitments may be employed in practicing the present invention such as flip cap, screw cap, tamper-proof fitments, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SA
    Inventors: Craig Witty, Craig Boyd