Patents by Inventor John C. Spangler, Jr.

John C. Spangler, Jr. 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: 20160176326
    Abstract: A seat suspension system for a machine is provided. The seat suspension system includes a lower housing, an upper housing and an intermediate support member arranged to support the upper housing. A height adjustment assembly is arranged between the intermediate support member and the upper housing. The height adjustment assembly includes a plurality of swing links arranged and configured to move the upper housing in an upward direction and a rearward direction relative to the intermediate support member. A suspension assembly is arranged between the lower housing and the intermediate support member and movably supporting the intermediate support member and the upper housing on the lower housing. The suspension assembly includes a first scissor arm and a second scissor arm pivotally connected to the first scissor arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: J. Chase Catton, Jason R. Dare, Lalit Deshpande, John C. Spangler, JR., Mike Contratto, Steven D. Wetherell
  • Patent number: 8682528
    Abstract: A suspension system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The suspension system may have a seat operatively connected to a cabin floor of the mobile machine, a cylinder connected between the seat and the cabin floor, and a spring associated with the cylinder. The suspension system may also have at least one valve configured to regulate fluid flow into and out of the cylinder, and a controller in communication with the at least one valve. The controller may be configured to detect a failure condition of the suspension system. In response to detection of the failure condition, the controller may be further configured to cause the at least one valve to move to a default position at which fluid flow into and out of the cylinder is restricted by an amount that still allows fluid flow through the at least one valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Contratto, John C. Spangler, Jr., Charles E. Lewis, II, Florin M. Marcu, Kristen A. Gerstner
  • Publication number: 20130153320
    Abstract: A suspension system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The suspension system may have at least one sensor configured to detect a performance parameter of the mobile machine, and a seat operatively connected to a cabin floor of the mobile machine. The suspension system may also have a cylinder connected between the seat and the cabin floor, and a spring associated with the cylinder. The suspension system may additionally have a controller in communication with the at least one sensor. The controller may be configured to make a classification of an operation currently being performed by the mobile machine based on input from the at least one sensor, and to select for use in controlling movement of at least one of the cylinder and the spring one of a plurality of available maps stored in the memory of the controller based on the classification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Michael S. CONTRATTO, Charles E. Lewis, II, John C. Spangler, JR., Johnathan C. Catton
  • Publication number: 20130158791
    Abstract: A suspension system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The suspension system may have a seat operatively connected to a cabin floor of the mobile machine, a cylinder connected between the seat and the cabin floor, and a spring associated with the cylinder. The suspension system may also have at least one valve configured to regulate fluid flow into and out of the cylinder, and a controller in communication with the at least one valve. The controller may be configured to detect a failure condition of the suspension system. In response to detection of the failure condition, the controller may be further configured to cause the at least one valve to move to a default position at which fluid flow into and out of the cylinder is restricted by an amount that still allows fluid flow through the at least one valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Michael S. CONTRATTO, John C. Spangler, JR., Charles E. Lewis, II, Florin M. Marcu, Kristen A. Gerstner
  • Patent number: 8376820
    Abstract: An air induction system is provided for a work machine having at least one fender. The air induction system has an air inlet flow member and an air filter. The air filter is disposed within the at least one fender and accessible from outside of the work machine. The air filter is fluidly connected to and disposed downstream of the air inlet flow member. The air induction system also includes a conduit fluidly connected to and disposed downstream of the air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Stough, Patrick W. Laffan, John C. Spangler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7909404
    Abstract: A height adjustment system for a seat assembly of a machine includes a first support member and a second support member vertically spaced from the first support member. A pneumatic bladder is operatively connected to the first support member and the second support member for adjusting a distance between the first support member and the second support member. At least two guide pins interconnect the first support member and the second support member at opposing ends thereof. A locking device maintains an adjusted distance between the first support member and the second support member. The height adjustment system is preferably independent from and may be positioned in series with a suspension system for the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Spangler, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090289487
    Abstract: A height adjustment system for a seat assembly of a machine includes a first support member and a second support member vertically spaced from the first support member. A pneumatic bladder is operatively connected to the first support member and the second support member for adjusting a distance between the first support member and the second support member. At least two guide pins interconnect the first support member and the second support member at opposing ends thereof. A locking device maintains an adjusted distance between the first support member and the second support member. The height adjustment system is preferably independent from and may be positioned in series with a suspension system for the seat assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: John C. Spangler, JR.