Patents by Inventor Donald B. Schnotala

Donald B. Schnotala 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: 7971421
    Abstract: A walk reel mower includes a pair of inclined rigid links for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for rolling about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of vertical support arms for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for pitching about a transverse axis. An integrated gearbox houses both the traction and reel drives, including the differential that is part of the traction drive, as well as a parking brake. A flexible drive shaft powers the cutting reel from the gearbox and is made from materials that do not require petroleum based lubricants to avoid the possibility of damage to the turf or grass. A single control handle located on the handle of the mower actuates both the reel and traction drives. The reel cutting unit includes a back plate which has a portion formed as a hollow beam for strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Gerald E. Goman, Robert D. Patton, Donald B. Schnotala
  • Publication number: 20100269476
    Abstract: A walk reel mower includes a pair of inclined rigid links for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for rolling about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of vertical support arms for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for pitching about a transverse axis. An integrated gearbox houses both the traction and reel drives, including the differential that is part of the traction drive, as well as a parking brake. A flexible drive shaft powers the cutting reel from the gearbox and is made from materials that do not require petroleum based lubricants to avoid the possibility of damage to the turf or grass. A single control handle located on the handle of the mower actuates both the reel and traction drives. The reel cutting unit includes a back plate which has a portion formed as a hollow beam for strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Gerald E. Goman, Christopher C. Dickey, Robert D. Patton, Donald B. Schnotala
  • Patent number: 7748204
    Abstract: A walk reel mower includes a pair of inclined rigid links for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for rolling about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of vertical support arms for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for pitching about a transverse axis. An integrated gearbox houses both the traction and reel drives, including the differential that is part of the traction drive, as well as a parking brake. A flexible drive shaft powers the cutting reel from the gearbox and is made from materials that do not require petroleum based lubricants to avoid the possibility of damage to the turf or grass. A single control handle located on the handle of the mower actuates both the reel and traction drives. The reel cutting unit includes a back plate which has a portion formed as a hollow beam for strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Gerald E. Goman, Robert D. Patton, Donald B. Schnotala
  • Publication number: 20090038284
    Abstract: A walk reel mower includes a pair of inclined rigid links for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for rolling about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of vertical support arms for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for pitching about a transverse axis. An integrated gearbox houses both the traction and reel drives, including the differential that is part of the traction drive, as well as a parking brake. A flexible drive shaft powers the cutting reel from the gearbox and is made from materials that do not require petroleum based lubricants to avoid the possibility of damage to the turf or grass. A single control handle located on the handle of the mower actuates both the reel and traction drives. The reel cutting unit includes a back plate which has a portion formed as a hollow beam for strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Gerald E. Goman, Christopher C. Dickey, Robert D. Patton, Donald B. Schnotala
  • Patent number: 7395652
    Abstract: A walk reel mower includes a pair of inclined rigid links for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for rolling about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of vertical support arms for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for pitching about a transverse axis. An integrated gearbox houses both the traction and reel drives, including the differential that is part of the traction drive, as well as a parking brake. A flexible drive shaft powers the cutting reel from the gearbox and is made from materials that do not require petroleum based lubricants to avoid the possibility of damage to the turf or grass. A single control handle located on the handle of the mower actuates both the reel and traction drives. The reel cutting unit includes a back plate which has a portion formed as a hollow beam for strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Gerald E. Goman, Christopher C. Dickey, Robert D. Patton, Donald B. Schnotala
  • Patent number: 7191584
    Abstract: A walk reel mower includes a pair of inclined rigid links for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for rolling about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of vertical support arms for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for pitching about a transverse axis. An integrated gearbox houses both the traction and reel drives, including the differential that is part of the traction drive, as well as a parking brake. A flexible drive shaft powers the cutting reel from the gearbox and is made from materials that do not require petroleum based lubricants to avoid the possibility of damage to the turf or grass. A single control handle located on the handle of the mower actuates both the reel and traction drives. The reel cutting unit includes a back plate which has a portion formed as a hollow beam for strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Gerald E. Goman, Robert D. Patton, Donald B. Schnotala
  • Patent number: 6622464
    Abstract: A walk reel mower includes a pair of inclined rigid links for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for rolling about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of vertical support arms for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for pitching about a transverse axis. An integrated gearbox houses both the traction and reel drives, including the differential that is part of the traction drive, as well as a parking brake. A flexible drive shaft powers the cutting reel from the gearbox and is made from materials that do not require petroleum based lubricants. A single control handle located on the handle of the mower actuates both the reel and traction drives. The reel cutting unit includes a back plate which has a portion formed as a hollow beam for strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Gerald E. Goman, Christopher C. Dickey, Robert D. Patton, Donald B. Schnotala
  • Publication number: 20020095922
    Abstract: A walk reel mower includes a pair of inclined rigid links for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for rolling about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of vertical support arms for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for pitching about a transverse axis. An integrated gearbox houses both the traction and reel drives, including the differential that is part of the traction drive, as well as a parking brake. A flexible drive shaft powers the cutting reel from the gearbox and is made from materials that do not require petroleum based lubricants to avoid the possibility of damage to the turf or grass. A single control handle located on the handle of the mower actuates both the reel and traction drives. The reel cutting unit includes a back plate which has a portion formed as a hollow beam for strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Gerald E. Goman, Christopher C. Dickey, Robert D. Patton, Donald B. Schnotala
  • Patent number: 4970852
    Abstract: A grass catcher (40) for a reel mower (10). Catcher (40) includes a vent (94) which is offset relative to the longitudinal axis (55) of the catcher (40). Catcher (40) also preferably includes a panel (78a) which prevents air and grass from escaping catcher (40) on the side of catcher (40) favored by spiral blades (27) of rotating cutting reel (26). Vent (94) is preferably formed by a pair of partitions (96 and 100) which intercept the flow of air and grass and serve to dissipate the kinetic energy of the air to the point where the grass is separated out and falls to the bottom of catcher (40). A pair of slots (108 and 110) permit the egress of air from within catcher (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Joseph M. Check, Donald B. Schnotala, Michael G. Roy