Patents by Inventor Vincent Andrew Prinzo
Vincent Andrew Prinzo 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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Publication number: 20240138293Abstract: A blade control system for a walk-behind lawnmower, the blade control system can include a first actuator having a lever and a cam. The first actuator can be pivotably supported about a first axis and movable between a first position and a second position. An arm assembly can be pivotably supported about a second axis different than the first axis. The arm assembly can include a switch disposed on the arm assembly and configured to selectively output a first ON signal and a first OFF signal, wherein a biasing force acts on the cam and the arm assembly, and the arm assembly pivots about the second axis in a direction opposite to a direction the cam pivots about the first axis when the cam moves to the second position in an absence of the biasing force.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2022Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Teegan L. ALDRIDGE, Vincent Andrew PRINZO
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Publication number: 20230189702Abstract: An adaptive cutting system for a electric lawnmower including a battery, a motor, a controller, a drive assembly, and a blade. The controller can be configured to adjust at least one of a cutting height of the blade and a ground speed output by the drive assembly based on a predetermined run time and a state of charge of the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventor: Vincent Andrew PRINZO
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Patent number: 9696749Abstract: Control devices and systems for self-propelled machinery and related methods are disclosed. In one aspect, a control device for self-propelled machinery includes a central portion disposed between a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion and at least one pressure sensitive trigger control provided over either the first or the second gripping portion. The trigger control can be configured to reduce a speed of the self-propelled machinery by actuating a portion of a potentiometer for varying an electrical signal carried by the control device. In some aspects, the control device can electrically communicate with a control unit of the self-propelled machinery.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2013Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Scott Kaskawitz, Vincent Andrew Prinzo, Arvic Gutierrez Macapagal
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Patent number: 9545054Abstract: Mechanisms for drive by wire control systems in walk-behind working machines can include a sensor and at least one resilient member. The sensor can be rotatable about a sensor axis and can be in communication with a control unit, while the at least one resilient member can cooperate with the sensor to bias the sensor about the sensor axis. Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to control an operating state of a transmission of the walk-behind machine. In addition, the mechanism can be configured such that if the drive by wire control system becomes inoperative, a change in the operating state of the transmission occurs, such that the transmission is non-operational if the drive by wire control system becomes inoperative.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Vincent Andrew Prinzo
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Patent number: 9470305Abstract: Variable speed control systems and methods for walk-behind working machines, such as lawnmowers and similar powered machines, can include a control lever with a lever arm that is selectively pivotable with respect to a machine handle between a first angular position at which a grip portion of the control lever is spaced apart from the handle by a first angle and a second angular position at which the control lever is proximate to the handle to control the working machine to be in one of a range of operating states corresponding to the angular position of the control lever. A control lever adjustment system is configured to selectively adjust the first angle to adjust a total possible angular travel of the control lever between the first angular position and the second angular position. In this way, an operator can set a range of operating states of the working machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Scott Kaskawitz, Vincent Andrew Prinzo, Brian Bender
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Patent number: 9338940Abstract: Drive systems and methods for implementing engine stall protection in a self-propelled machine are disclosed. In one aspect, a drive system of a self-propelled machine incorporating engine stall protection includes an engine being in communication with a control unit and transmitting power and an engine load signal to the control unit. An actuation mechanism can be actuatable to assign a desired ground speed of the self-propelled machine, the actuation mechanism being in communication with the control unit and transmitting a control signal corresponding to the desired ground speed to the control unit. In some aspects, the control unit is configured to control a transmission motor to achieve an actual ground speed of the self-propelled machine based on both the engine load signal and the control signal. In other aspects, the engine load signal is an engine speed signal, wherein engine speed is dependent on a load applied to the engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Andrew E. Bejcek, Vincent Andrew Prinzo
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Publication number: 20160113194Abstract: Mechanisms and related methods for drive by wire control systems in walk-behind working machines are provided herein. The mechanism can include a sensor and at least one resilient member. The sensor can be rotatable about a sensor axis and can be in communication with a control unit, while the at least one resilient member can cooperate with the sensor to bias the sensor about the sensor axis. Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to control an operating state of a transmission of the walk-behind machine. In addition, the mechanism can be configured such that if the drive by wire control system becomes inoperative, a change in the operating state of the transmission occurs, such that the transmission is non-operational if the drive by wire control system becomes inoperative.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2014Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventor: Vincent Andrew Prinzo
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Patent number: 9185843Abstract: Variable speed control systems and methods for walk-behind working machines, such as lawnmowers and similar powered machines, can include a control system base, a handle having a recess formed in an edge thereof, a control lever including a lever arm that is pivotably attached to the control system base and includes a grip portion, and a control connector connected between the control lever and a machine component. The control lever can be selectively pivotable with respect to the control system base between a first angular position at which the grip portion of the control lever is spaced apart from the handle to control the machine component to be in a first operating state and a second angular position at which at least a portion of the grip portion is positioned within the recess of the handle to control the machine component to be in a second operating state.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Scott Kaskawitz, Vincent Andrew Prinzo, Arvic Gutierrez Macapagal, Brian Bender
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Publication number: 20150237797Abstract: Drive systems and methods for implementing engine stall protection in a self-propelled machine are disclosed. In one aspect, a drive system of a self-propelled machine incorporating engine stall protection includes an engine being in communication with a control unit and transmitting power and an engine load signal to the control unit. An actuation mechanism can be actuatable to assign a desired ground speed of the self-propelled machine, the actuation mechanism being in communication with the control unit and transmitting a control signal corresponding to the desired ground speed to the control unit. In some aspects, the control unit is configured to control a transmission motor to achieve an actual ground speed of the self-propelled machine based on both the engine load signal and the control signal. In other aspects, the engine load signal is an engine speed signal, wherein engine speed is dependent on a load applied to the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2014Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Andrew E. Bejcek, Vincent Andrew Prinzo
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Publication number: 20150211627Abstract: Variable speed control systems and methods for walk-behind working machines, such as lawnmowers and similar powered machines, can include a control lever with a lever arm that is selectively pivotable with respect to a machine handle between a first angular position at which a grip portion of the control lever is spaced apart from the handle by a first angle and a second angular position at which the control lever is proximate to the handle to control the working machine to be in one of a range of operating states corresponding to the angular position of the control lever. A control lever adjustment system is configured to selectively adjust the first angle to adjust a total possible angular travel of the control lever between the first angular position and the second angular position. In this way, an operator can set a range of operating states of the working machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Scott Kaskawitz, Vincent Andrew Prinzo, Brian Bender
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Publication number: 20150135670Abstract: Variable speed control systems and methods for walk-behind working machines, such as lawnmowers and similar powered machines, can include a control system base, a handle having a recess formed in an edge thereof, a control lever including a lever arm that is pivotably attached to the control system base and includes a grip portion, and a control connector connected between the control lever and a machine component. The control lever can be selectively pivotable with respect to the control system base between a first angular position at which the grip portion of the control lever is spaced apart from the handle to control the machine component to be in a first operating state and a second angular position at which at least a portion of the grip portion is positioned within the recess of the handle to control the machine component to be in a second operating state.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Scott Kaskawitz, Vincent Andrew Prinzo, Arvic Gutierrez Macapagal, Brian Bender
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Publication number: 20140345416Abstract: Control devices and systems for self-propelled machinery and related methods are disclosed. In one aspect, a control device for self-propelled machinery includes a central portion disposed between a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion and at least one pressure sensitive trigger control provided over either the first or the second gripping portion. The trigger control can be configured to reduce a speed of the self-propelled machinery by actuating a portion of a potentiometer for varying an electrical signal carried by the control device. In some aspects, the control device can electrically communicate with a control unit of the self-propelled machinery.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Honda Motor Co., LtdInventors: Scott Kaskawitz, Vincent Andrew Prinzo, Arvic Gutierrez Macapagal
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Patent number: 8015785Abstract: A combination grass discharge and mulch plug insert apparatus and method are provided where the insert can include a first end configured for communication with a discharge opening of a lawnmower and a second end also configured for communication with the discharge opening. The first end can be configured for preventing discharge of grass clippings from the lawnmower, whereas the second end can be configured for allowing discharge of grass clippings through the second end. Further, the insert can be reversible such that it can be oriented in either a first position in which the first end is inserted into the discharge opening or a second position in which the second end is attached to the discharge opening. As a result, the lawnmower can be easily converted between mulching and side- or rear-discharge modes of operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2009Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Christopher T. Walker, Christopher W. Vaughn, Vincent Andrew Prinzo
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Publication number: 20100281838Abstract: A combination grass discharge and mulch plug insert apparatus and method are provided where the insert can include a first end configured for communication with a discharge opening of a lawnmower and a second end also configured for communication with the discharge opening. The first end can be configured for preventing discharge of grass clippings from the lawnmower, whereas the second end can be configured for allowing discharge of grass clippings through the second end. Further, the insert can be reversible such that it can be oriented in either a first position in which the first end is inserted into the discharge opening or a second position in which the second end is attached to the discharge opening. As a result, the lawnmower can be easily converted between mulching and side- or rear-discharge modes of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2009Publication date: November 11, 2010Inventors: Christopher T. Walker, Christopher W. Vaughn, Vincent Andrew Prinzo