Patents by Inventor Eric Merkt
Eric Merkt 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).
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Publication number: 20220174871Abstract: A motorized turf trimming system and method with integrated control for a carrier vehicle and rotary trimming attachments is disclosed. The system can be configured for automatically trimming around stationary objects such as trees, signposts, guard rail posts, barrier posts, light bases, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2022Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventor: Eric Merkt
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Patent number: 11291159Abstract: A device for trimming around stationary objects is disclosed as a rotary mowing attachment with a cutting head assembly slidably coupled to a carrier assembly that is positioned by a slope control circuit and controller. The cutting head assembly has at least two counter-rotating blades, at least one rotator motor configured to rotate the cutting head assembly about a cutting head central axis, at least one blade drive motor configured to drive the at least two counter-rotating blades, and at least one lateral motion drive motor configured to move the cutting head assembly position relative to the carrier assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: G2 Turftools, Inc.Inventor: Eric Merkt
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Publication number: 20200253119Abstract: A device for trimming around stationary objects is disclosed as a rotary mowing attachment with a cutting head assembly slidably coupled to a carrier assembly that is positioned by a slope control circuit and controller. The cutting head assembly has at least two counter-rotating blades, at least one rotator motor configured to rotate the cutting head assembly about a cutting head central axis, at least one blade drive motor configured to drive the at least two counter-rotating blades, and at least one lateral motion drive motor configured to move the cutting head assembly position relative to the carrier assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventor: Eric Merkt
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Patent number: 10674661Abstract: A method and device for trimming around stationary objects is disclosed as a rotary mowing attachment with a cutting head assembly slidably coupled to a carrier assembly that is positioned by a slope control circuit and controller. The cutting head assembly has at least two counter-rotating blades, at least one rotator motor configured to rotate the cutting head assembly about a cutting head central axis, at least one blade drive motor configured to drive the at least two counter-rotating blades, and at least one lateral motion drive motor configured to move the cutting head assembly position relative to the carrier assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: G2 Turftools, Inc.Inventor: Eric Merkt
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Publication number: 20190320581Abstract: A method and device for trimming around stationary objects is disclosed as a rotary mowing attachment with a cutting head assembly slidably coupled to a carrier assembly that is positioned by a slope control circuit and controller. The cutting head assembly has at least two counter-rotating blades, at least one rotator motor configured to rotate the cutting head assembly about a cutting head central axis, at least one blade drive motor configured to drive the at least two counter-rotating blades, and at least one lateral motion drive motor configured to move the cutting head assembly position relative to the carrier assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2018Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventor: Eric Merkt
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Patent number: 10123471Abstract: A gimbal is provided for attaching an implement to a three-point hitch. The gimbal has an implement plate comprising a first side and a second side wherein attached to the first side is an upper implement bracket for coupling to an upper implement arm and a lower bracket for coupling to a lower implement arm wherein the second side comprises a retaining cavity. A tow plate is received in the retaining cavity and is rotational relative to the implement plate. The tow plate comprises lower brackets arranged to connect to lift arms of the three point hitch and an upper bracket arranged to connect to a stabilizer arm of the three point hitch.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: G2 Turftools, Inc.Inventor: Eric Merkt
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Publication number: 20180271017Abstract: A turplaner is described comprising a rotational elongated cutter comprising a first side and a second side and a lift mechanism capable of independently altering a cut height of the first side of the rotational cutter and the second side of said rotational cutter based on a deviation between cut height and a desired cut profile. A hierarchical controller is in functional communication with the lift mechanism wherein the lift mechanism alters the cut height based on the deviation of cut height relative to the desired cut profile in response to the functional communication. The hierarchical controller comprises a laser guidance system comprising a planer laser beam, extending over the area, and at least one laser receiver on at least one of the first side or the second side wherein the laser receiver is a laser height above the cut height and in functional communication with the hierarchical controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2017Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventor: Eric Merkt
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Publication number: 20160095273Abstract: A gimbal is provided for attaching an implement to a three-point hitch. The gimbal has an implement plate comprising a first side and a second side wherein attached to the first side is an upper implement bracket for coupling to an upper implement arm and a lower bracket for coupling to a lower implement arm wherein the second side comprises a retaining cavity. A tow plate is received in the retaining cavity and is rotational relative to the implement plate. The tow plate comprises lower brackets arranged to connect to lift arms of the three point hitch and an upper bracket arranged to connect to a stabilizer arm of the three point hitch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventor: Eric Merkt
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Patent number: 9198339Abstract: A gimbal for attaching an implement to a three-point hitch is described. The gimball includes a tow plate comprising a first side and a second side wherein the tow plate comprises lower brackets on the first side arranged to connect to lift arms of the three point hitch and an upper bracket on the first side arranged to connect to a stabilizer arm of the three point hitch. An implement plate is rotationally attached to the tow plate wherein the implement plate comprises an upper implement bracket for coupling to an upper implement arm and a lower implement bracket for coupling to a lower implement arm.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: G2 Turftools, Inc.Inventor: Eric Merkt
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Patent number: 8794342Abstract: A turf seamer for seaming adjacent rows of turf is provided herein. The turf seamer has comprising a mounting frame with couplers for attachment to a transport vehicle for transport in a direction of travel. A conveyor carriage is attached to the mounting frame wherein the conveyor carriage comprises a front conveyor wheel and a rear conveyor wheel. A conveyor is on the conveyor carriage in a loop around the front conveyor wheel and the rear conveyor wheel. The conveyor has a multiplicity of conveyor base plates wherein each conveyor base plate is pivotally attached each adjacent conveyor base plate. Engagement pins extend from the conveyor base plates. The conveyor carriage also has a pivot for rotating the conveyor out of alignment of the direction of travel.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: O2 Turftools, Inc.Inventor: Eric Merkt
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Publication number: 20140174771Abstract: A gimbal for attaching an implement to a three-point hitch is described. The gimball includes a tow plate comprising a first side and a second side wherein the tow plate comprises lower brackets on the first side arranged to connect to lift arms of the three point hitch and an upper bracket on the first side arranged to connect to a stabilizer arm of the three point hitch. An implement plate is rotationally attached to the tow plate wherein the implement plate comprises an upper implement bracket for coupling to an upper implement arm and a lower implement bracket for coupling to a lower implement arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2014Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: G2 Turftools, Inc.Inventor: Eric Merkt
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Patent number: 7992649Abstract: A turf leveling device including a metering blade together with first and second horizontal and parallel main blades separated by first and second open distances. The blades are supported by a frame with spaced frame arms adapted to provide three point hitch attachment points. Skid plates mounted on left and right sides of the frame prevent the metering blade from scrapping or cutting elevated areas of the turf surface. The metering blade and the first and second main blades with deflectors effectively redistribute and level the gathered material. A vertically adjustable verticutting knife roller having keyed knife discs extending through slots in a grating insert is preferably disposed in the first open distance.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: g2 turftools, inc.Inventor: Eric Merkt
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Publication number: 20100319942Abstract: A turf leveling device includes a metering blade together with first and second horizontal and parallel main blades separated by first and second open distances. The blade are supported by a frame with spaced frame arms adapted to provide three point hitch attachment points. Skid plates mounted on left and right sides of the frame prevent the metering blade from scrapping or cutting elevated areas of the turf surface. The metering blade and the first and second main blades with deflectors effectively redistribute and level the gathered material. A vertically adjustable verticutting knife roller having keyed knife discs extending through slots in a grating insert is preferably disposed in the first open distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2007Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventor: Eric Merkt
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Publication number: 20100314145Abstract: A turf roller includes a water filled, cylindrical roller drum with smoothed hemispherical ends adapted to eliminate sharp edges of a regular cylinder. The roller drum is suspended from a roller frame having a towing tongue and bracing attached. A heavy duty front scrapper blade is disposed along the length of the front of the drum to scrape mud and debris from the rolling surface of the drum. A second, rear scrapper blade and a grass catching basket are disposed along the length of the rear of the drum to scrape and retain grass clippings from the rolling surface of the drum. High speed transport wheels are extendable by a hydraulic system and mechanical linkages to lift the roller from the turf surface for high speed transport. The high speed transport wheels are retractable above the surface for low speed turf rolling operations. The hydraulic system is preferably operated remotely by a tow vehicle operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2007Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventor: Eric Merkt
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Publication number: 20100314482Abstract: A rolled turf layer including a main frame tube supported by a frame assembly adapted for installation on a three point hitch of a vehicle such as a tractor. A pair of slides or extension members are slidably mounted in the main frame tube with outer ends extending in opposite direction therefrom. A pair of rearward extending outside frame arms are rigidly secured to the outer ends of the extension members. Each frame arm rotatably supports a cone shaft carrying an inward facing turf roller insert adapted for insertion into the interior center of a turf roll. Each turf roller insert is rigidly secured its supporting cone shaft which extends through bearings in the associated outside frame arm. The left and right turf roll inserts are inward facing and opposite each other. An electrically actuated brake assembly is mounted on one frame arm and is operated by a control on the supporting vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2007Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventor: Eric Merkt
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Publication number: 20100314141Abstract: A turfplaner system with a laser capable of emitting a planar light over an area and a device capable of being transported over the area. The device has a rotational elongated cutter and a pair of receivers for receiving the planar light wherein each receiver is a fixed vertical distance from the cutter and on separate ends of the cutter. A control mechanism moves the rotational cutter to maintain each receiver in a fixed vertical position relative to the planar light wherein as the turfplaner is transported over the area the cutter removes any material above a fixed distance below the planar light.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventor: Eric MERKT