Patents by Inventor Martin Kirchmair

Martin Kirchmair 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: 11267337
    Abstract: A noise reducing system for a tracked vehicle, the tracked vehicle comprising a cab and at least one track that extends along a direction of travel of the vehicle and comprises at least a plurality of bars, such as metal bars, transverse to the direction of travel. The noise reducing system comprising a control unit and an acoustic wave emitter connected to the control unit for being controlled by the control unit, the noise reducing system comprising an acoustic input and being configured to emit an acoustic equalization wave, phase shifted with respect to the noise and determined on the basis of the acoustic input, to reduce the noise, in particular the noise generated by the tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: PRINOTH S.P.A.
    Inventors: Riccardo Spadoni, Martin Kirchmair, Gabriel Spielman
  • Publication number: 20220017163
    Abstract: A crawler vehicle for ski runs has a frame; a cab; two tracks; a user interface located in the cab; a plurality of sensors configured to acquire signals correlated to the operation of the crawler vehicle, to the weather and/or snow conditions, and to the position of the crawler vehicle in relation to reference points and/or possible obstacles; a control unit for processing said signals and providing additional signals; and at least one projector for projecting on surfaces outside the cab, in particular on the ski run, at least one contoured beam as a function of at least one of the additional signals to provide one piece of information to the driver and/or human beings in the vicinity of the crawler vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Martin Kirchmair, Andreas Muigg, Richard Casartelli, Alberto Paoletti
  • Publication number: 20220002958
    Abstract: A snow groomer vehicle includes a frame, a tool connected to the frame through a front connecting device equipped with an actuator assembly operable to determine a relative position of the tool with respect to the frame, a satellite navigation device and a control system. The control system includes a processing unit and a memory device, containing a target map representing a desired surface to be obtained by processing the snowpack over a region. The processing unit determines a position and orientation of the frame from the data provided with satellite navigation device and determines a configuration of the tool as a function of the position and orientation of the frame and of the target map, so that the passage of the tool causes a removal of the snowpack that conforms the snowpack to the target map. The actuator assembly is operated so as to bring the tool into the determined configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Martin Kirchmair, Alberto Paoletti, Richard Casartelli
  • Publication number: 20210316800
    Abstract: Track for a tracked vehicle comprising an outside face, which, in use, is in contact with the ground while the tracked vehicle moves forward; an internal face on the back side of the outside face and which, in use, is not in contact with the ground; a first lateral end which, in use, is faced to the outside of the tracked vehicle; a second lateral end which, in use, is faced to the inner side of the tracked vehicle; wherein the track comprises: at least a first belt which is configured to be wound on a rear wheel and a front wheel and extending to a forward direction; a plurality of crosslinks transverse to the forward direction connected to at least the first belt and along the outside face of the track; a guide assembly connected along the inner face of the track and configured to define a seat assembly for the front wheel and the rear wheel; and cutting devices fixed along the inner face of the track and wherein the distance between the cutting device and the first end is smaller than the distance between
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Markus Straninger, Martin Kirchmair, Gregor Maurer
  • Publication number: 20210201883
    Abstract: A noise reducing system for a tracked vehicle, the tracked vehicle comprising a cab and at least one track that extends along a direction of travel of the vehicle and comprises at least a plurality of bars, such as metal bars, transverse to the direction of travel. The noise reducing system comprising a control unit and an acoustic wave emitter connected to the control unit for being controlled by the control unit, the noise reducing system comprising an acoustic input and being configured to emit an acoustic equalization wave, phase shifted with respect to the noise and determined on the basis of the acoustic input, to reduce the noise, in particular the noise generated by the tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Riccardo Spadoni, Martin Kirchmair, Gabriel Spielman
  • Patent number: 10875584
    Abstract: A snow groomer; the snow groomer comprising a support frame; a driver's cabin, which is fitted on the support frame; two track conveyors, which are fitted on opposite sides of the support frame; and a passenger cabin, which is distinct from the driver's cabin and is fitted on the support frame; the passenger cabin comprising a bearing structure; the bearing structure defining a protection cell configured to resist external loads; the bearing structure comprising housing seats; the passenger cabin comprising panels of transparent material, such as glass, which are housed in the housing seats of the bearing structure and are supported by the bearing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: PRINOTH S.P.A.
    Inventors: Riccardo Spadoni, Martin Kirchmair
  • Patent number: 10800257
    Abstract: A tracked vehicle comprising: a first and a second track; a generator assembly configured to generate mechanical power; a group of work devices coupled to the generator assembly; a first and a second drive wheel coupled to the first and to the second track, respectively, and to the generator assembly; a user interface configured to receive commands from an operator; and a control unit connected to the user interface to receive commands from the operator; the control unit being configured to: measure an amount of time elapsed between a command sent by the operator and a subsequent command sent by the operator; and set the tracked vehicle to a blocked state if the amount of time measured is greater than a first time interval threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Prinoth S.p.A.
    Inventor: Martin Kirchmair
  • Publication number: 20200317088
    Abstract: A user interface for a snow groomer or other tracked vehicle, such as tracked carrier to carry and enable use of work equipment on various terrains, is provided. The user interface may comprise an input device, an output device and a controller. The controller is configured to receive from the input device an indication of a desired snow grooming distance, and the controller is further configured to measure a distance traveled by the snow groomer, and to cause the output device to convey a remaining distance to be traveled by the snow groomer, the remaining distance being the difference between the desired snow grooming distance and the distance traveled by the snow groomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Jonathan Thibault, Martin Kirchmair, Michel Pelletier, Patrick Hebert, Francis Gendron, Ariane Authier, Stephane Bergeron, Francois Paquet
  • Patent number: 10625629
    Abstract: A user interface for a snow groomer or other tracked vehicle, such as tracked carrier to carry and enable use of work equipment on various terrains, is provided. The user interface may have an input device, an output device and a controller. The controller is configured to receive from the input device an indication of a desired snow grooming distance, and the controller is further configured to measure a distance traveled by the snow groomer, and to cause the output device to convey a remaining distance to be traveled by the snow groomer, the remaining distance being the difference between the desired snow grooming distance and the distance traveled by the snow groomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Prinoth Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Thibault, Martin Kirchmair, Michel Pelletier, Patrick Hebert, Francis Gendron, Ariane Authier, Stephane Bergeron, Francois Paquet
  • Publication number: 20190375472
    Abstract: A cross-link for tracks of snow groomers, the cross-link comprising a section bar, which has an elongated shape, extends in a first direction, is limited by an outer surface and comprises a portion for fixing to at least one belt of a track of a snow groomer, and it is provided with an inner cavity, which extends through the section bar in the first direction, and is open at the side in the first direction; wherein the inner cavity is filled, at least in part, with a filling material comprising metal foam, and in certain embodiments, the inner cavity is completely filled with the filling material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Gregor Maurer, Martin Kirchmair
  • Publication number: 20190375370
    Abstract: A tracked vehicle comprising a first and a second track, a mechanical power generator assembly; an assembly of operating devices coupled to the generator assembly; a first and a second drive wheel coupled respectively to the first and to the second track, and to the generator assembly; a user interface to receive inputs from an operator; and a control unit coupled to the user interface to receive inputs; the control unit being coupled to the mechanical power generator assembly and being configured to enable or disable starting of the mechanical power generator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Martin Kirchmair, Richard Casartelli
  • Publication number: 20190210672
    Abstract: A transverse bar for tracks of snow groomers is defined by a section bar, which extends in a direction, and is provided with an inner cavity, which extends through the section bar in the direction, is laterally open in the direction, and is at least partially filled with a water-repellent polymer filling material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Martin Kirchmair, Gregor Maurer
  • Publication number: 20190202510
    Abstract: Support device for a tracked vehicle, in particular for a tracked vehicle configured for preparing ski slopes, wherein the tracked vehicle comprises a track comprising at least a first belt and a plurality of transverse metal elements, fixed to at least the first belt; a front wheel; and a rear wheel; the support device comprising at least a first plurality of support wheels configured to be arranged between the rear wheel and the front wheel inside the track, and a second belt closed in a loop and stretched around the plurality of support wheels and configured to be arranged inside the track; the support wheels and the second belt being shaped so as to provide a shape coupling, such as between an inner face of the second belt and an outer face of the support wheels; the second belt, such as an outer face of the second belt, being configured to be arranged in contact with an inner face of the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Martin Kirchmair, Gregor Maurer
  • Publication number: 20190161133
    Abstract: A belt for tracked vehicles suitable for being driven in a closed loop between a front wheel and a rear wheel of the vehicle along a longitudinal direction and for supporting a plurality of transverse bars adapted to stick in the ground along at least a portion of the lower run of the belt loop; the belt comprising a fabric multi-layer internal structure embedded in vulcanized rubber, wherein at least a portion of the fabric fiber of at least one layer is made of aramid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Martin Kirchmair, Gregor Maurer
  • Publication number: 20190135352
    Abstract: A snow groomer; the snow groomer comprising a support frame; a driver's cabin, which is fitted on the support frame; two track conveyors, which are fitted on opposite sides of the support frame; and a passenger cabin, which is distinct from the driver's cabin and is fitted on the support frame; the passenger cabin comprising a bearing structure; the bearing structure defining a protection cell configured to resist external loads; the bearing structure comprising housing seats; the passenger cabin comprising panels of transparent material, such as glass, which are housed in the housing seats of the bearing structure and are supported by the bearing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Riccardo Spadoni, Martin Kirchmair
  • Publication number: 20190054823
    Abstract: A tracked vehicle comprising: a first and a second track; a generator assembly configured to generate mechanical power; a group of work devices coupled to the generator assembly; a first and a second drive wheel coupled to the first and to the second track, respectively, and to the generator assembly; a user interface configured to receive commands from an operator; and a control unit connected to the user interface to receive commands from the operator; the control unit being configured to: measure an amount of time elapsed between a command sent by the operator and a subsequent command sent by the operator; and set the tracked vehicle to a blocked state if the amount of time measured is greater than a first time interval threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: Prinoth S.p.A.
    Inventor: Martin Kirchmair
  • Publication number: 20180354390
    Abstract: A snow groomer or other tracked vehicle, such as tracked carrier to carry and enable use of work equipment on various terrains, is provided. The snow groomer may comprise a chassis, an operator cabin mounted to the chassis from which operation of the snow groomer is controlled, track assemblies for causing the snow groomer to advance, a power plant in a driving relationship with the track assemblies, and a tiller assembly attached at the rear of the chassis. The operator cabin comprises a seating system that includes an operator seat, a base, and a seat carriage mounted to the base, which allows the operator seat both to move in a direction transverse to the direction of motion of the snow groomer, and to pivot about an axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Jonathan Thibault, Martin Kirchmair, Michel Pelletier, Patrick Hebert, Francis Gendron, Ariane Authier, Stephane Bergeron, Francois Paquet
  • Patent number: 10144462
    Abstract: A crawler vehicle drive system, in particular for a crawler vehicle configured to groom ski slopes, having: a drive wheel rotating about a first rotation axis; an idle wheel rotating about a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis); and a track looped around the drive wheel and the idle wheel, and comprising a plurality of belts made of an elastomeric material and a plurality of metal grousers fixed to the belt; wherein at least one belt has at least one continuous toothed strip extending along the inner face of the belt and configured to mesh with the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: PRINOTH S.p.A.
    Inventors: Martin Kirchmair, Gregor Maurer, Martin Runggaldier
  • Patent number: 10059391
    Abstract: A supporting device for a crawler vehicle configured to groom ski slopes, is mounted between a rear wheel and a front wheel, resting along the inside of a traction portion of the track, and has a plurality of rollers much smaller in diameter than the rear wheel; a belt looped around the rollers; and a structure configured to support the rollers and to push the rollers and the belt against the inside of the traction portion of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: PRINOTH S.P.A.
    Inventors: Martin Kirchmair, Gregor Maurer, Martin Runggaldier
  • Publication number: 20170113743
    Abstract: A crawler vehicle drive system, in particular for a crawler vehicle configured to groom ski slopes, having: a drive wheel rotating about a first rotation axis; an idle wheel rotating about a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis); and a track looped around the drive wheel and the idle wheel, and comprising a plurality of belts made of an elastomeric material and a plurality of metal grousers fixed to the belt; wherein at least one belt has at least one continuous toothed strip extending along the inner face of the belt and configured to mesh with the drive wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Kirchmair, Gregor Maurer, Martin Runggaldier