Patents by Inventor Paul M. Elhardt

Paul M. Elhardt 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: 7448191
    Abstract: A mower deck lift system includes a transport lock for locking the mower deck in a transport position, a height of cut control knob connected to a height of cut cam having a plurality of mower deck height settings, and a height of cut pawl movable to engage or disengage the height of cut cam at each mower deck height setting. A transport lock crank may be locked in a transport position preventing the height of cut pawl from engaging the height of cut cam, or unlocked to allow the height of cut pawl to engage the height of cut cam. A transport lock indicator integrated into the height of cut control knob is connected to the transport lock crank, and is movable with the transport lock crank between the transport position and an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Paul M. Elhardt, Franklin P. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20080261771
    Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: FALLBROOK TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Jon M. Nichols, Brad P. Pohl, Daniel J. Dawe, Oronde J. Armstrong, Charles B. Lohr, Loren T. McDaniel, Matthew P. Simister, Fernand A. Thomassy, Ghayyurul I. Usmani, Paul M. Elhardt, Terry L. Stewart, Peter D. Poxton, Elton L. Eidson
  • Publication number: 20080248917
    Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: FALLBROOK TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Jon M. Nichols, Brad P. Pohl, Daniel J. Dawe, Oronde J. Armstrong, Charles B. Lohr, Loren T. McDaniel, Matthew P. Simister, Fernand A. Thomassy, Ghayyurul I. Usmani, Paul M. Elhardt, Terry L. Stewart, Peter D. Poxton, Elton L. Eidson
  • Publication number: 20080236319
    Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: FALLBROOK TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Jon M. Nichols, Brad P. Pohl, Daniel J. Dawe, Oronde J. Armstrong, Charles B. Lohr, Loren T. McDaniel, Matthew P. Simister, Fernand A. Thomassy, Ghayyurul I. Usmani, Paul M. Elhardt, Terry L. Stewart, Peter D. Poxton, Elton L. Eidson
  • Publication number: 20080190087
    Abstract: A mower deck lift system includes a transport lock for locking the mower deck in a transport position, a height of cut control knob connected to a height of cut cam having a plurality of mower deck height settings, and a height of cut pawl movable to engage or disengage the height of cut cam at each mower deck height setting. A transport lock crank may be locked in a transport position preventing the height of cut pawl from engaging the height of cut cam, or unlocked to allow the height of cut pawl to engage the height of cut cam. A transport lock indicator integrated into the height of cut control knob is connected to the transport lock crank, and is movable with the transport lock crank between the transport position and an unlocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Paul M. Elhardt, Franklin P. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20070155580
    Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Jon M. Nichols, Brad P. Pohl, Daniel J. Dawe, Oronde J. Armstrong, Charles B. Lohr, Loren T. McDaniel, Matthew P. Simister, Fernand A. Thomassy, Ghayyurul I. Usmani, Paul M. Elhardt, Terry L. Stewart, Peter D. Poxton, Elton L. Eidson
  • Patent number: 6213235
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a work vehicle, such as a tractor, having a frame, a compartment, a hood coupled to the frame and configured to at least partially cover the compartment when disposed in a closed position; and a mechanism coupling the hood to the frame, the mechanism configured to move the hood between the closed position and at least one at least partially opened position, the mechanism including at least one four-bar linkage, a first bar of the linkage including a portion of the frame and a second bar of the linkage including a portion of the hood, the vehicle further having a support member configured to engage the at least one linkage at predetermined positions and thereby immobilize the hood against further changes in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Elhardt, Thomas G. Lykken, Thompson M. Rivers