Patents by Inventor Ralph Ratsep

Ralph Ratsep 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: 20200329649
    Abstract: A method of stacking sod rolls can include: (a) moving a head of a sod handling apparatus to a sod pick-up location containing a plurality of sod rolls; (b) picking up a first sod roll with a first sod carrier, picking up a second sod roll with a second sod carrier, and picking up a third sod roll with a third sod carrier; (c) moving the head to a sod drop-off location; (d) depositing the first sod roll from the first sod carrier at the sod drop-off location; (e) after depositing the first sod roll, moving the second sod carrier and the third sod carrier toward the first sod carrier to reduce the spacing between the second and third sod rolls; and (f) depositing the second and third sod rolls at the drop-off location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Gerardus J. Brouwer, Ralph Ratsep, Robert Milwain, Mathias Marie Gerardus Hendriks
  • Patent number: 10743479
    Abstract: A method of stacking sod rolls can include the steps of: a) moving a head of a sod handling apparatus into a sod pickup location containing a plurality of sod rolls; b) picking-up a first sod roll with a first sod carrier, picking-up a second sod roll with a second sod carrier, and picking-up a third sod roll with a third sod carrier; c) moving the head to a sod drop-off location; d) releasing the first sod roll from the first sod carrier at the sod drop-off location; e) after releasing the first sod roll, moving the second sod carrier toward the first sod carrier and moving the third sod carrier toward the first sod carrier to reduce the spacing between the second and third rolls of sod; and f) depositing the second sod roll and third sod roll at the drop-off location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: 1045929 Ontario Limited
    Inventors: Gerardus J. Brouwer, Ralph Ratsep, Robert Milwain, Mathias Marie Gerardus Hendriks
  • Publication number: 20170367270
    Abstract: A method of stacking sod rolls can include the steps of: a) moving a head of a sod handling apparatus into a sod pickup location containing a plurality of sod rolls; b) picking-up a first sod roll with a first sod carrier, picking-up a second sod roll with a second sod carrier, and picking-up a third sod roll with a third sod carrier; c) moving the head to a sod drop-off location; d) releasing the first sod roll from the first sod carrier at the sod drop-off location; e) after releasing the first sod roll, moving the second sod carrier toward the first sod carrier and moving the third sod carrier toward the first sod carrier to reduce the spacing between the second and third rolls of sod; and f) depositing the second sod roll and third sod roll at the drop-off location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Gerardus J. BROUWER, Ralph RATSEP, Robert MILWAIN, Mathias Marie Gerardus HENDRIKS
  • Patent number: 8676451
    Abstract: An apparatus for spraying a treatment liquid onto grass growing on a ground surface includes a plurality of rotatable discs spaced laterally apart across the path of travel. Each disc has a plurality of cutters which are adapted to penetrate the ground surface and to cut holes therein as the apparatus travels forwardly. The holes are spaced apart along the path of travel and are also spaced apart laterally. The apparatus also includes a set of nozzles positioned on the apparatus above the grass such that each nozzle is spaced rearwardly along the path of travel from its associated disc but is aligned along the path of travel with such disc. The nozzles are adapted to spray the treatment liquid. The apparatus also including a controller for causing the nozzles to spray the treatment liquid into the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brouwer Sod Farms Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerardus J. Brouwer, Ralph Ratsep
  • Publication number: 20110100275
    Abstract: An apparatus for spraying a treatment liquid onto grass growing on a ground surface includes a plurality of rotatable discs spaced laterally apart across the path of travel. Each disc has a plurality of cutters which are adapted to penetrate the ground surface and to cut holes therein as the apparatus travels forwardly. The holes are spaced apart along the path of travel and are also spaced apart laterally. The apparatus also includes a set of nozzles positioned on the apparatus above the grass such that each nozzle is spaced rearwardly along the path of travel from its associated disc but is aligned along the path of travel with such disc. The nozzles are adapted to spray the treatment liquid. The apparatus also including a controller for causing the nozzles to spray the treatment liquid into the holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Gerardus J. Brouwer, Ralph Ratsep
  • Patent number: 5788452
    Abstract: A forklift vehicle having front wheels mounted on retractible horizontally extending legs which are normally locked in position, by cylinder operated locking pins, to slide plates on the rear frame of the vehicle. To collapse the vehicle, the fork carriage is rolled forwardly on the front legs; locking pins are hydraulically extended from the fork carriage into the legs while the rear locking pins are hydraulically retracted, and then the mast carriage is retracted retracting the front legs with it. The procedure is reversed to extend the front legs. An operator protective cage and seat extends rearwardly of the rear vehicle frame and can be collapsed upwardly and forwardly, further shortening the vehicle length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Gerardus J. Brouwer
    Inventors: Gerardus J. Brouwer, Don Milwain, Ralph Ratsep