Patents by Inventor James D. Velke

James D. Velke 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: 7753160
    Abstract: This invention relates to a lawn mower. In certain example embodiments, the lawn mower includes one or more of: (a) a cooling baffle for efficiently cooling a hydraulic fluid tank and/or fluid therein using air flow caused by a combustion engine used for driving mower cutting blade(s); (b) improved cockpit structure including fenders; (c) improved drive wheel(s) adjustment structure or assembly; (d) improved idler arm assembly for use in connection with the cutter deck and/or pump driving belt; and/or (e) improved hose routing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright, Luke Waesche
  • Patent number: 7647754
    Abstract: This invention relates to a lawn mower. In certain example embodiments, the lawn mower may be of the walk-behind type. In certain example embodiments of this invention, the lawn mower may have one or more of: (a) an improved handlebar weldment assembly, (b) an improved operator presence control (OPC) system and structure, (c) an improved speed control system structure, (d) an improve cam bar system for hydraulic pump control, (e) a return-to-neutral biasing system that biases hand lever(s) toward a neutral position but only from a reverse position (not from a forward position), and/or (f) an improved tracking adjustment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright, Luke Waesche
  • Patent number: 7624996
    Abstract: A walk-behind lawn mower includes at least one of: (a) a latch assembly for receiving a folded-up sulky for storage during transport and the like; (b) inboard mounted control rods extending downwardly from a handle control assembly area of the mower, so that actuator shafts for the hydraulic pumps are located on inboard sides of the pumps so as to oppose one another; (c) a handle control assembly for allowing the mower to be operated in an efficient manner with operator comfort during turns and the like; and/or (d) a pump lock-out system including a lever(s) for actuating both a braking force to be applied to at least one wheel of the mower and a pump lock-out system for causing the pumps to be locked in a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Patent number: 7607283
    Abstract: A lawn mower that includes, a deck lift system, is disclosed. The deck lift system may lift/lower the cutter deck, engine deck, engine, and handle control assembly together at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward R. Wright, William R. Wright, Luke Waesche, James D. Velke
  • Patent number: 7523795
    Abstract: A walk-behind lawn mower includes at least one of: (a) a latch assembly for receiving a folded-up sulky for storage during transport and the like; (b) inboard mounted control rods extending downwardly from a handle control assembly area of the mower, so that actuator shafts for the hydraulic pumps are located on inboard sides of the pumps so as to oppose one another; (c) a handle control assembly for allowing the mower to be operated in an efficient manner with operator comfort during turns and the like; and/or (d) a pump lock-out system including a lever(s) for actuating both a braking force to be applied to at least one wheel of the mower and a pump lock-out system for causing the pumps to be locked in a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Publication number: 20080314013
    Abstract: This invention relates to a lawn mower. In certain example embodiments, the lawn mower includes one or more of: (a) a cooling baffle for efficiently cooling a hydraulic fluid tank and/or fluid therein using air flow caused by a combustion engine used for driving mower cutting blade(s); (b) improved cockpit structure including fenders; (c) improved drive wheel(s) adjustment structure or assembly; (d) improved idler arm assembly for use in connection with the cutter deck and/or pump driving belt; and/or (e) improved hose routing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright, Luke Waesche
  • Patent number: 7428884
    Abstract: This invention relates to a lawn mower. In certain example embodiments, the lawn mower includes one or more of: (a) a cooling baffle for efficiently cooling a hydraulic fluid tank and/or fluid therein using air flow caused by a combustion engine used for driving mower cutting blade(s); (b) improved cockpit structure including fenders; (c) improved drive wheel(s) adjustment structure or assembly; (d) improved idler arm assembly for use in connection with the cutter deck and/or pump driving belt; and/or (e) improved hose routing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright, Luke Waesche
  • Publication number: 20080163596
    Abstract: A walk-behind lawn mower includes at least one of: (a) a latch assembly for receiving a folded-up sulky for storage during transport and the like; (b) inboard mounted control rods extending downwardly from a handle control assembly area of the mower, so that actuator shafts for the hydraulic pumps are located on inboard sides of the pumps so as to oppose one another; (c) a handle control assembly for allowing the mower to be operated in an efficient manner with operator comfort during turns and the like; and/or (d) a pump lock-out system including a lever(s) for actuating both a braking force to be applied to at least one wheel of the mower and a pump lock-out system for causing the pumps to be locked in a neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.,
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Patent number: 7364169
    Abstract: A walk-behind lawn mower includes at least one of: (a) a latch assembly for receiving a folded-up sulky for storage during transport and the like; (b) inboard mounted control rods extending downwardly from a handle control assembly area of the mower, so that actuator shafts for the hydraulic pumps are located on inboard sides of the pumps so as to oppose one another; (c) a handle control assembly for allowing the mower to be operated in an efficient manner with operator comfort during turns and the like; and/or (d) a pump lock-out system including a lever(s) for actuating both a braking force to be applied to at least one wheel of the mower and a pump lock-out system for causing the pumps to be locked in a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Patent number: 7325388
    Abstract: A lawn mower is provided. In certain example embodiments, the lawn mower includes an improved steering control system/assembly and/or an improved pump control linkage system/assembly. In certain example embodiments, the mower includes an engine deck supporting an engine that drives the at least one blade for cutting grass, the engine deck also supporting a first hydraulic pump that controls the right rear drive wheel and a second hydraulic pump that controls the left rear drive wheel. A deck lift system is for raising/lowering the engine deck relative to both a frame of the mower and a handle control assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Wright, Glenn T. Hubert, Luke Waesche, James D. Velke
  • Patent number: 7318311
    Abstract: A lawn mower is provided. In certain example embodiments, the lawn mower includes an improved deck lift system and/or an improved brake pump lock-out system. In certain example embodiments, a deck lift system may lift/lower the cutter deck, engine deck, engine, and handle control assembly together at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward R. Wright, William R. Wright, Luke Waesche, James D. Velke
  • Patent number: 7272920
    Abstract: A grass catcher is provided for attachment to a lawn mower such as a commercial lawn mower. In certain example embodiments, the catcher includes at least one baffle for causing a venturi effect during grass cutting operation. The presence of such a baffle may allow for reduced grass clogging and/or improved grass packing in the catcher during mower operation in certain example instances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Wright, James D. Velke, Glenn T. Hubert
  • Patent number: 6935093
    Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower deck lift system for raising and lowering the cutter deck assembly together with the engine deck and engine as a single unit in order to adjust the cutting height of the mower. Control arms may be of short enough length so that pivoting of the control arms an angle ? of fifteen degrees during raising or lowering of the cutter deck assembly causes the cutter deck assembly to move a vertical distance “d” of no more than about 2.5 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Patent number: 6935092
    Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower for operation by an operator. The operator can operate the mower while standing on a foot platform, or alternatively when sitting down on a selectively deployable seat. Thus, the mower includes both sitting and standing modes. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the foot platform is located between first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for approximate zero radius turning of the mower about a vertical turning axis. The foot platform is positioned near this vertical axis so that the operator when standing may be substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero radius turning of the mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright, William D. Patton
  • Patent number: 6912831
    Abstract: A zero turning radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero radius turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned near this turning point or axis so that the standing occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero radius is turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds. The low center of gravity created by the position of the riding platform for the standing operator also results in the mower having improved traction and being less likely to pop “wheelies” upon acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Patent number: 6868658
    Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower is provided with a deck lifting system. The operator can lift the cutter deck (and optionally the engine deck as well) by pulling upward/backward on a deck-lifting lever. Moreover, a latch system is provided for permitting the deck to be lowered and/or adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Publication number: 20040200202
    Abstract: A grass catcher is provided for attachment to a lawn mower such as a commercial lawn mower. In certain example embodiments, the catcher includes at least one baffle for causing a venturi effect during grass cutting operation. The presence of such a baffle may allow for reduced grass clogging and/or improved grass packing in the catcher during mower operation in certain example instances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Wright, James D. Velke, Glenn T. Hubert
  • Publication number: 20040103629
    Abstract: A zero turning radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero radius turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned near this turning point or axis so that the standing occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero radius is turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds. The low center of gravity created by the position of the riding platform for the standing operator also results in the mower having improved traction and being less likely to pop “wheelies” upon acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Publication number: 20040093840
    Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower is provided with an improved deck lifting system. The operator can efficiently lift the cutter deck (and optionally the engine deck as well) in an efficient manner by pulling upward/backward on a deck-lifting lever. Moreover, a latch system is provided for enabling the deck to be lowered and/or adjusted in an efficient manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Patent number: RE49179
    Abstract: A lawn mower is provided. In certain example embodiments, the lawn mower includes an improved steering control system/assembly and/or an improved pump control linkage system/assembly. In certain example embodiments, the The mower includes an engine deck supporting an engine that drives the at least one blade for cutting grass, the engine deck also supporting a first hydraulic pump that controls the right rear drive wheel and a second hydraulic pump that controls the left rear drive wheel. A deck lift system is for raising/lowering the engine deck relative to both a frame of the mower and a handle control assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Wright, Glenn T. Hubert, Luke B. Waesche, James D. Velke