Patents by Inventor Michael D. Case
Michael D. Case 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).
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Patent number: 11789484Abstract: A foot pedal for a mobile machine may include a foot support, an arm, and a mounting frame. The arm may have a first end coupled to the foot support and a second end opposite the first end. The arm may have a change in curvature, a concave side, and a convex side opposite the concave side. The mounting frame may be configured to be mounted to a surface extending in a first direction. The convex side may face the surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jason Rex Dare, Michael D. Case, Mihai Lazaroiu, Hunter Smalley, Carson Osmond, Reid Gramm, Tim Carstens
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Patent number: 11573591Abstract: An input device for performing control functions of a machine having a work tool may include a left-hand joystick mounted on a left armrest of an operator's seat, and a right-hand joystick mounted on a right armrest of an operator's seat. Each of the left-hand and right-hand joysticks may include a base portion configured to conform to and least partially cradle an operator's hand, a handle extending from the base portion with a proximal end of the handle being connected to the base portion, and a distal end of the handle supporting a head portion of the joystick. The head portion of the joystick may include a front surface including a configurable face plate. The configurable face plate may include one of a pair of upshift and downshift buttons or a roller configured to perform one of discrete or continuously variable shifting, respectively, of a transmission of the machine. The handle may include a thumb rest area at the distal end of the handle transitioning into the head portion of the joystick.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Case, Mihai Lazaroiu, Aaron R. Hayes, Brad R. Van De Veer
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Publication number: 20220228345Abstract: A work machine, an implement control console, a plurality of unique implement control pods, and a method of installing an implement control pod onto a work machine are disclosed. The work machine comprises a power unit, a locomotive device, an implement arm, a work tool, and an implement control console for controlling one or more functions of the work machine's components. The implement control console comprises a universal mounting bracket and an implement control pod, where the plurality of unique implement control pods may be installed, one at a time, to the universal mounting bracket. Advantageously, the plurality of unique implement control pods share a number of components, while the design of each implement control pod allows for concurrent one-handed operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Case, Mihai Lazaroiu, Rafael R. Dela Rosa, Brad Robert Van De Veer, Keegan Roach
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Publication number: 20210318713Abstract: An input device for performing control functions of a machine having a work tool may include a left-hand joystick mounted on a left armrest of an operator's seat, and a right-hand joystick mounted on a right armrest of an operator's seat. Each of the left-hand and right-hand joysticks may include a base portion configured to conform to and least partially cradle an operator's hand, a handle extending from the base portion with a proximal end of the handle being connected to the base portion, and a distal end of the handle supporting a head portion of the joystick. The head portion of the joystick may include a front surface including a configurable face plate. The configurable face plate may include one of a pair of upshift and downshift buttons or a roller configured to perform one of discrete or continuously variable shifting, respectively, of a transmission of the machine. The handle may include a thumb rest area at the distal end of the handle transitioning into the head portion of the joystick.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2020Publication date: October 14, 2021Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Michael D. CASE, Mihai LAZAROIU, Aaron R. HAYES, Brad R. VAN DE VEER
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Publication number: 20130160737Abstract: A steering and engine speed control mechanism for operating a vehicle. The control mechanism has a control handle mounted on the vehicle. The control handle is configured to deflect about an axis by movement of an operator's hand. A steering direction of the vehicle is related to a deflection angle of the control handle about the axis. An actuating element for changing the speed of the engine of the vehicle is attached to the control handle and is conveniently movable by an operator's digit to a plurality of positions to effect the desired speed of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLCInventors: Michael D. Case, Joseph M. Biggerstaff, William Ryan Haar, Tim Newlin, Eric Potter
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Patent number: 8100218Abstract: A steering and engine speed control mechanism for operating a vehicle. The control mechanism has a control handle mounted on the vehicle. The control handle is configured to deflect about an axis by movement of an operator's hand. A steering direction of the vehicle is related to a deflection angle of the control handle about the axis. An actuating element for changing the speed of the engine of the vehicle is attached to the control handle and is conveniently movable by an operator's digit to a plurality of positions to effect the desired speed of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2009Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Inventors: Michael D. Case, Joseph M. Biggerstaff, William Ryan Haar, Tim Newlin, Eric Potter
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Publication number: 20110088961Abstract: A steering and engine speed control mechanism for operating a vehicle. The control mechanism has a control handle mounted on the vehicle. The control handle is configured to deflect about an axis by movement of an operator's hand. A steering direction of the vehicle is related to a deflection angle of the control handle about the axis. An actuating element for changing the speed of the engine of the vehicle is attached to the control handle and is conveniently movable by an operator's digit to a plurality of positions to effect the desired speed of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLCInventors: Michael D. CASE, Joseph M. BIGGERSTAFF, William Ryan HAAR, Tim NEWLIN, Eric POTTER
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Patent number: 6899616Abstract: A mass flow grain monitor is located adjacent the upper end of the clean grain elevator assembly of a harvester and includes a load cell having a member that is subject to slight deformation under loads for use in generating an output signal that is proportional to the load. As the grain flow reaches the top of the elevator assembly, its direction is changed such that a centrifugal force is exerted by the moving flow that is proportional to the mass of the grain flow at that instant. Such centrifugal force is directed vertically against the deformable member of the load cell which is itself generally horizontally disposed when the harvester is on level ground so that the entire weight of the deformable member can be treated as tare and zeroed out of the system when it is calibrated with the harvester on level ground.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: ACOO CorporationInventors: David L. Murray, Michael D. Case
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Patent number: 6144482Abstract: A polarization-independent polychromatic light modulator applies one or more pairs of predetermined RF drive frequencies to an acousto-optic transducer of an acousto-optic modulator body upon which a single beam of randomly polarized or unpolarized polychromatic input light is incident. No precursor polarization separation elements are employed. For each optical wavelength to be extracted from the incident beam, two RF drive frequencies are employed. The acoustic waves launched into the acousto-optic medium by the application of the two frequencies of a given RF drive frequency pair produce respective +1 and -1 order output beam components of the selected output wavelength (as well as a zeroth order beam for that wavelength).Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1998Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: Neos Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Eddie H. Young, Huey-Chin Ho, Michael D. Case, Robert V. Belfatto, Sr.