Patents by Inventor Joseph W. Langenfeld

Joseph W. Langenfeld 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: 10240703
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Publication number: 20160245444
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Patent number: 9169613
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Publication number: 20140131992
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Patent number: 8517428
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Patent number: 8322969
    Abstract: The front end loader and method of the present invention provides front end loader lift arms that may be removed from an implement, such as a bucket, and secured to the bucket in a cantilevered position for storage of the lift arms. Connections on the implement and lift arms allow the lift arms to be securely interconnected with connections on the bucket without the use of tools or pins so that the center of gravity of the lift arms is above the bucket. The lift arms may then be removed from a utility vehicle. In this storage position, the lift arms are stored and maintained in a secure position so that they may later be easily and quickly reattached to the utility vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing, Co.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 8287226
    Abstract: A hand-operable connection assembly is described for quickly connecting and disconnecting a vehicle from a boom assembly. The connection assembly includes a tower and a bracket, the tower is rotatably secured to both an actuator and a boom arm while the bracket is secured to a vehicle or construction device. The tower and bracket interconnect via pins that seat in pockets, and the tower is secured or locked to the bracket via a hand-operable locking clevis that rotates about one of the pins and wraps around the curved exterior of one of the pockets. The center point of the exterior curvature is offset from the center point of the clevis rotation such that rotation of the clevis tightens the clevis against the pocket. The pins may be located at the two hinges connecting the boom arm and actuator to the tower, or the pins may be separated from the hinges. The exterior of the pocket may include a grind sheet designed to scrape against and secure a grind bar of the locking clevis in a locked configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 8221049
    Abstract: The pinching fingers implement of the present invention provides independent grasping claws that can be independently opened or closed, and also independently rolled forward and backward, to provide for the secure and versatile grasping, manipulation and transport of irregular items. An attachment bracket may extend between two pairs of pinching fingers to allow connection of a secondary implement between the pinching fingers. The attachment bracket and the secondary implements may be structured such that the secondary implement may be attached without tools by rotating the pinching fingers forward, scooping up the implement, rotating the fingers backwards and securing the secondary implement with rotatable stands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld
  • Publication number: 20110308635
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Patent number: 8007010
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Publication number: 20100148494
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westerndorf, Neal W. Westerndorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Patent number: 7717471
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Patent number: 7566197
    Abstract: The pinching fingers implement of the present invention provides independent grasping claws that can be independently opened or closed, and also independently rolled forward and backward, to provide for the secure and versatile grasping, manipulation and transport of irregular items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 7562473
    Abstract: A material-handling bucket which includes a blade with scarifying teeth on the rear of the bucket. By raising the bucket and rolling the bucket backward, the blade and teeth can be made to engage the ground to provide grading and scarifying capabilities for a conventional loader bucket. The blade and scarifying teeth, however, do not interfere with the normal loading operations of the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 7455010
    Abstract: The hydraulic cylinder assembly of the present invention provides an enlarged barrel and a compressible locking ring that secure a rod gland in the rod end of the cylinder. The tapered barrel prevents the rod gland from sliding into the cylinder and the locking ring seated in an annular groove prevents the rod gland from sliding out of the cylinder. A small hole in the cylinder barrel is provided through which the round ring may be punched out of the annular groove and easily removed with a screwdriver or pick. These features allow the hydraulic cylinder to be easily assembled and disassembled without compression tools and eliminate the need for threaded components, welds or bolts. The enlarged rod end of the cylinder barrel also provides a smooth cylinder barrel that is elegant in appearance and more easily manufactured, repaired and maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 7431554
    Abstract: The improved pinching fingers of the present invention are adapted for easy installation and use on conventional front-end loaders and skid steers. The pinching fingers are opened and closed by the hydraulic cylinder or cylinders used to rotate other common implements, eliminating the need for a separate hydraulic power system for opening and closing the fingers. The pinching fingers also include an equalizer bar and a novel linkage assembly that equalize pressure between the claws and thus allow one claw to continue closing even if the other claw is restricted. This feature allows the pinching fingers to more easily and safely handle irregular and tapered items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing, Co.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 7326026
    Abstract: A loader assembly is provided having a left boom arm and a right boom arm. The left boom arm includes a left tower, a left loader arm, a left lift cylinder, and a left attachment cylinder. The left tower is constructed for attachment to a bracket on a motor vehicle. The left loader arm includes a first end rotatably attached to the left tower, a second end constructed for attaching to an attachment, and a left lift cylinder/attachment cylinder rotation pin. The left lift cylinder includes a first end rotatably attached to the left tower, and a second end rotatably attached to the left loader arm at the left lift cylinder/attachment cylinder rotation pin. The left attachment cylinder includes a first end rotatably attached to the left loader arm at the left lift cylinder/attachment cylinder rotation pin, and a second end constructed for attaching to an attachment. The right boom arm includes a right tower, a right loader arm, a right lift cylinder, and a right attachment cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing, Co.
    Inventors: James Curtis Stender, Joseph W. Langenfeld, Neal W. Westendorf
  • Patent number: 7243593
    Abstract: Hydraulic cylinders that are ported at one end are disclose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 7241101
    Abstract: A double action grab fork is provided according to the invention. The double action grab fork includes an upper grab member, a lower grab member, and an arm. The upper grab member has an upper grab end and an upper grab body. The lower grab member has a lower grab end and a lower grab body. The upper grab end and the lower grab end are constructed for grasping an article. The arm has an upper end and a lower end. The upper end of the arm is rotatably attached to the upper grab body to allow rotation of the upper grab member relative to the upper end of the arm. The lower end of the arm is rotatably attached to the lower grab body to allow rotation of the lower grab body relative to the lower end of the arm. A grab teeth assembly for use with a bucket is provided, and a method for using the double action grab fork is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd Bauer, Joseph W. Langenfeld, Neal W. Westendorf
  • Patent number: 7160077
    Abstract: A grapple assembly for attachment to a boom assembly of a front end loader is provided. The grapple assembly includes a first pinching arm having a first end constructed for grappling an article and a second end constructed for attachment to the boom assembly at a first attachment arm connection, the first pinching arm having a first pinching arm connection. The grapple assembly also includes a second pinching arm having a first end constructed for grappling an article and a second end constructed for attachment to the boom assembly at a second attachment arm connection, the second pinching arm having a second pinching arm connection. A rotation arm constructed for attachment to the boom assembly at an attachment cylinder connection is provided, the rotation arm having a first rotation arm connection and a second rotation arm connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld