Patents by Inventor Erik R. Slegelis

Erik R. Slegelis 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: 11858489
    Abstract: A riding lawn mower includes a chassis having longitudinal support beam, a drive wheel, an electric motor coupled to the drive wheel, a suspended subframe having a longitudinal subframe beam pivotally coupled to the longitudinal support beam about a pivot axis, and a suspension device coupled between the longitudinal subframe beam and the longitudinal support beam. The longitudinal subframe beam at least partially supports the electric motor. The drive wheel and the electric motor are configured to translate relative to the chassis via the pivotal coupling between the longitudinal support beam and the longitudinal subframe beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Erik R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch
  • Publication number: 20230192041
    Abstract: A riding lawn mower includes a chassis having longitudinal support beam, a drive wheel, an electric motor coupled to the drive wheel, a suspended subframe having a longitudinal subframe beam pivotally coupled to the longitudinal support beam about a pivot axis, and a suspension device coupled between the longitudinal subframe beam and the longitudinal support beam. The longitudinal subframe beam at least partially supports the electric motor. The drive wheel and the electric motor are configured to translate relative to the chassis via the pivotal coupling between the longitudinal support beam and the longitudinal subframe beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Erik R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch
  • Patent number: 11603078
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a machine including a prime mover, a drive pulley, a chassis, a subframe, a drive device, a drive belt, and a pulley arrangement. The drive pulley is coupled to the prime mover. The chassis is configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover. The subframe is pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via a suspension device. The drive device is configured to drive wheels of the machine. The drive device is configured to be driven by the prime mover. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the drive pulley to a driven pulley on the drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises at least one idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Erik R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch
  • Publication number: 20220176920
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a machine including a prime mover, a drive pulley, a chassis, a subframe, a drive device, a drive belt, and a pulley arrangement. The drive pulley is coupled to the prime mover. The chassis is configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover. The subframe is pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via a suspension device. The drive device is configured to drive wheels of the machine. The drive device is configured to be driven by the prime mover. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the drive pulley to a driven pulley on the drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises at least one idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Erik R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch
  • Patent number: 11267443
    Abstract: A machine includes a prime mover having a power take-off, a chassis configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover, a subframe pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis at a first location, at least one drive device configured to drive wheels of the machine, a drive belt and pulley arrangement. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via at least one suspension device at a second location. The at least one drive device is driven by the prime mover and is coupled to the subframe. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the power take-off of the prime mover to at least one drive pulley on the at least one drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises an idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis. The idler pulley is coupled to the chassis such that the rotational axis is spaced from the pivot axis by no greater than 1.5 times the diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Erik R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch
  • Publication number: 20170113721
    Abstract: A machine includes a prime mover having a power take-off, a chassis configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover, a subframe pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis at a first location, at least one drive device configured to drive wheels of the machine, a drive belt and pulley arrangement. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via at least one suspension device at a second location. The at least one drive device is driven by the prime mover and is coupled to the subframe. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the power take-off of the prime mover to at least one drive pulley on the at least one drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises an idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis. The idler pulley is coupled to the chassis such that the rotational axis is spaced from the pivot axis by no greater than 1.5 times the diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Erik R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch
  • Patent number: 9488149
    Abstract: A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Koenen, Stephen J. Ryczek, Bruce S. Lydy, Erik R. Slegelis, Steven J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20140299088
    Abstract: A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert J. Koenen, Stephen J. Ryczek, Bruce S. Lydy, Erik R. Slegelis, Steven J. Weber
  • Patent number: 8763579
    Abstract: A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Koenen, Stephen J. Ryczek, Bruce S. Lydy, Erik R. Slegelis, Steven J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20130312693
    Abstract: A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Koenen, Stephen J. Ryczek, Bruce S. Lydy, Erik R. Slegelis, Steven J. Weber
  • Patent number: 8516985
    Abstract: A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Koenen, Stephen J. Ryczek, Bruce S. Lydy, Erik R. Slegelis, Steven J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20120199089
    Abstract: A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert J. Koenen, Stephen J. Ryczek, Bruce S. Lydy, Erik R. Slegelis, Steven J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20110203864
    Abstract: A hood assembly for a lawn tractor that includes a removable air intake cowl to prevent debris and rain from entering into the open interior defined by the hood. The air intake cowl is removably mounted to the hood of the lawn tractor. The hood of the lawn tractor includes a series of engine intake openings that allow air to flow onto the internal combustion engine. The cowl is defined by a top wall and a pair of depending sidewalls that each include a series of air inlet openings. The air inlet openings extend generally perpendicular to the top panel of the hood and thus prevent debris and rain from reaching the engine intake openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen J. Ryczek, Erik R. Slegelis, Bruce S. Lydy, Steven J. Weber
  • Patent number: D622292
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Ryczek, Erik R. Slegelis, Dennis Hiller, Samuel Gerrits
  • Patent number: D626975
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Ryczek, Erik R. Slegelis, Dennis Hiller, Samuel Gerrits