Patents by Inventor Steven N. Winkel

Steven N. Winkel 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: 20190152360
    Abstract: An operator seat system is provided that includes an operator seat and an armrest control center with an I/O (input/output) system that is connected to and moves with the operator seat. An armrest control center mount system may include a seat mount and an armrest control center mount that are attached to each other with an adjustment system that allows adjustment of the armrest control center with respect to the operator seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Nathan P. Brooks, Steven N. Winkel
  • Publication number: 20190135348
    Abstract: A chassis frame includes side rails and cross-members that intersect at a number of intersection points, which collectively define a chassis frame with front and rear portions that define a main support section and an integral engine support section. Each side rail includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and first and second side plates extending between the top and bottom plates. The first and second side plates each have a first end coupled to a bottom surface of the top plate and a second end coupled to the top surface of the bottom plate. Each cross-member includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and first and second side plates extending between the top plate and bottom plates. The first and second side plates each have a first end coupled to a bottom surface of the top plate and a second end coupled to the top surface of the bottom plate. A plurality of gusset portions is formed between the top plates of the side rails and cross-members at each intersection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Blaine A. Schwalbe, Brian Pilney, Steven N. Winkel
  • Publication number: 20190135347
    Abstract: A chassis frame including a first section and a second section. The first section includes a top plate having a first thickness, a bottom plate, and a plurality of side plates extending from the top plate to the bottom plate. The second section includes a top plate having a second thickness, a bottom plate, and a plurality of side plates extending from the top plate to the bottom plate. The first section and the second section are joined at least one transition joint. Each transition joint includes a protrusion configured to engage a pocket. Each pocket is defined by angular edges of the top and bottom plates of the first section. Each protrusion defined by angular edges of the top and bottom plates of the second section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Blaine A. Schwalbe, Brian Pilney, Steven N. Winkel
  • Publication number: 20190134656
    Abstract: An armrest control center can be configured on with respect to an armrest of a chair in an operator cab of an agricultural machine to have physical inputs which can be quickly and easily controlled by an operator in the cab to affect automatically controlled sprayer boom functions so that the operator is not distracted by cumbersome menus on a computer screen. Such physical inputs can include push buttons and/or a joystick. Such sprayer boom functions can include activating or deactivating automatic sprayer boom height control, adjusting automatic sprayer boom height settings, and folding and/or unfolding the sprayer boom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Nathan P. Brooks, Steven N. Winkel
  • Publication number: 20190135171
    Abstract: An ambient light controller in an agricultural machine can control multicolor lights arranged in an operator cab of the machine to project light around structures in the cab to areas that are perceivable by a forward facing operator to convey useful information about the machine to the operator. The lights can be projected around such structures by using light pipes. The lights can preferably be in a color which minimizes glare inside the cab to avoid distraction. The light controller can monitor various functions of the machine, such as boom height, and change colors and/or patterns of the lights to indicate states corresponding to the conditions, such as a normal state and a fault state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Nathan P. Brooks, Steven N. Winkel, Robert Schnell
  • Publication number: 20190135345
    Abstract: A chassis frame including a top plate, a bottom plate spaced apart from the top plate, a plurality of side plates extending from the top plate to the bottom plate, a plurality of mounting tabs extending from at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate and being integrally formed therewith, and a plurality of mounting brackets permanently coupled to at least one of the top plate and the plurality of side plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Blaine A. Schwalbe, Brian J. Pilney, Steven N. Winkel
  • Patent number: 10266209
    Abstract: An engine compartment side panel is configured for toolless mounting and includes a main body having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a bottom edge. The side panel further includes at least one tab disposed at a location along a length of the bottom edge of the main body. In addition, a handrail is coupled to an outer surface of the main body at a plurality of handrail mounting locations and at least one mounting arm is coupled to an inner surface of the main body at a respective one of an at least one mounting arm mounting locations. Each mounting arm is configured to be removably coupled to an engine compartment support frame. Further, each of the at least one mounting arm mounting location is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of handrail mounting locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Blaine Schwalbe, Ross Christiansen, Steven N. Winkel
  • Publication number: 20190079547
    Abstract: A front overhead display panel can be configured in an operator cab of an agricultural machine so that an operator can quickly monitor current states of multiple functions of the machine while maintaining a forward view of the agricultural field. The display panel can include multiple multicolor indicators with each multicolor indicator corresponding to a function of the machine. A display controller can monitor current states of the functions and illuminate the indicators with select colors corresponding to the states. States can include activation, deactivation and/or susceptibility to machine control. Functions can include control with respect to spray sections, product pumps, rinse systems, steering modes, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Nathan P. Brooks, Steven N. Winkel
  • Publication number: 20190059351
    Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural sprayer can be configured with a spray boom, adjustable width wheels and rear wheel spray nozzles arranged over rear wheels of the adjustable width wheels, so that the rear wheel nozzles ensure proper coverage of an agricultural field behind the rear wheels according to location. A control system can determine front wheel nozzles disposed on the spray boom that are counterpart spray nozzles to the rear wheel nozzles based on a width of the wheels, and implement activation/deactivation states of the rear wheel nozzles based on the counterpart front spray nozzles. The activation/deactivation states of the spray nozzles can be determined by geographic location of the machine using a UPS location. The rear wheel nozzles can be arranged with respect to fenders of the rear wheels, so that the rear wheel nozzles move laterally with the rear wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Nathan P. Brooks, Steven N. Winkel, Blaine A. Schwalbe
  • Publication number: 20190031245
    Abstract: An engine hood mounting system includes an engine hood having at least one engine hood pivot support disposed on an inner surface thereof, at least one pivot joint located on a chassis frame of the agricultural machine, and at least one pivot bar assembly configured to interfit with a respective pivot joint and engine hood pivot support. The at least one pivot bar assembly includes an outer pivot bar having a first end and a second end and an inner pivot bar disposed within the outer pivot bar having a first end and a second end. The outer pivot bar and the inner pivot bar are coupled to each other via at least one fastener. Further, the at least one pivot bar assembly, its respective engine hood pivot support, and its respective pivot joint are oriented along a rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Blaine Schwalbe, Lawrence R. Borucki, JR., Ross Christiansen, Steven N. Winkel
  • Publication number: 20190023325
    Abstract: An engine compartment side panel is configured for toolless mounting and includes a main body having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a bottom edge. The side panel further includes at least one tab disposed at a location along a length of the bottom edge of the main body. In addition, a handrail is coupled to an outer surface of the main body at a plurality of handrail mounting locations and at least one mounting arm is coupled to an inner surface of the main body at a respective one of an at least one mounting arm mounting locations. Each mounting arm is configured to be removably coupled to an engine compartment support frame. Further, each of the at least one mounting arm mounting location is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of handrail mounting locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Blaine Schwalbe, Ross Christiansen, Steven N. Winkel
  • Publication number: 20180327025
    Abstract: Electronically controlled hydraulic valves can be directly mounted to rear steering cylinders of a four wheel steering machine to improve steering, reduce space consumption, reduce leak points and allow ease of routing. The valves can receive hydraulic fluid from a pump and release hydraulic fluid to tank, while controlling an amount of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder via inlets and outlets in direct contact. The valves can be controlled by a controller that is also in communication with position sensors configured to sense positions of the front and rear steering cylinders, so that the directly mounted valves in the rear can be correspondingly controlled to follow steering in the front.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Kerry J. Treinen, Blaine A. Schwalbe, Nathan P. Brooks, Roy A. Bittner, Steven N. Winkel
  • Patent number: 10118650
    Abstract: An engine access door slide track system of an agricultural machine includes a support frame, a first engine access door, and a second engine access door. The support frame includes a plurality of frame members, a top track coupled to one of the plurality of frame members, and a bottom track included in one of the plurality of frame members. The first engine access door includes a top guide configured to interfit with the top track and a bottom guide configured to interfit with the bottom track. The second engine access door is coupled to the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Blaine Schwalbe, Ross Christiansen, Steven N. Winkel
  • Publication number: 20180288932
    Abstract: Agricultural machines such as sprayers can be improved by providing a pressure relief system in the operator cab to allow the operator cab to be pressurized while avoiding over-pressurization. The pressure relief system can be arranged to allow air to freely escape from the operator cab during what would otherwise be an over-pressurization event, such as a door or window being closed. In one aspect, the pressure relief system can include a spring-loaded pressure relief valve configured to passively allow air to escape from the cab in order to maintain a cab pressure at or below a predetermined threshold, such as 100 Pascals. In addition, interior and exterior pressures can be monitored for implementing a closed loop control for the pressurization system to enable a more comfortable experience for the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Steven N. Winkel, Nathan Brooks
  • Publication number: 20180257521
    Abstract: The armrest of an operator's chair in a cab of an agricultural machine is configured to include a support attachment for enabling multiple touchscreens to be supported by and oriented with the chair. The support attachment allows multiple arms supporting the touchscreens to be joined below the armrest. The multiple arms can advantageously rotate around an axis defined by the support attachment, and the touchscreens can advantageously move to face multiple directions and lock in a desired position. As a result, when an operator adjusts the seat in the cab for optimum driving conditions, the touchscreens can better adjust with the operator accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Roy A. Bittner, Steven N. Winkel
  • Patent number: 9757868
    Abstract: A cutting tool includes a housing and a pair of cutting blades at least partially extending from the housing. At least a first of the cutting blades is movable. The cutting tool also includes a drive mechanism including a cam and a ratchet mechanism. At least a portion of the ratchet mechanism is drivably coupled to the first cutting blade. The cutting tool further includes a motor for providing torque to the cam to actuate the ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism includes a follower that is translatable in a direction transverse to a rotational axis of the cam in response to rotation of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven N. Winkel, Troy C. Thorson, Todd M. Gehring, William W. Strohfeldt, Matthew Mergener, Scott Anderson
  • Patent number: D838295
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Blaine A. Schwalbe, Karl M. Luebke, Nathan P. Brooks, Douglas Montgomery, Roy A. Bittner, Lawrence R. Borucki, Jr., Steven N. Winkel, Michael Bertotto, Ross P. Christiansen, Andrew D. Jacobson
  • Patent number: D839162
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Blaine A. Schwalbe, Steven N. Winkel, Ross P. Christiansen
  • Patent number: D840440
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Blaine A. Schwalbe, Nathan P. Brooks, Roy A. Bittner, Steven N. Winkel
  • Patent number: D840917
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Nathan P. Brooks, Steven N. Winkel