Patents by Inventor William D. Maile

William D. Maile 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: 20210378175
    Abstract: A utility machine, such as an outdoor power equipment unit such as a lawn mower, includes a work unit performing work in addition to motive power for the utility machine and a trailer occupied by an operator in a standing position. The operator may seamlessly step onto the trailer to operate the machine in stand-on mode and step off the trailer to operate the machine in walk-behind mode. The trailer remains in the deployed condition in both stand-on mode and walk-behind mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas E. Phillip, Aric Hamburg, William D. Maile, Craig Key, Brent P. Berglund, Michael Rukamp, Andrew Donati, Jeffrey M. Berchem, John Adams
  • Patent number: 11116130
    Abstract: A utility machine, such as an outdoor power equipment unit such as a lawn mower, includes a work unit performing work in addition to motive power for the utility machine and a trailer occupied by an operator in a standing position. The operator may seamlessly step onto the trailer to operate the machine in stand-on mode and step off the trailer to operate the machine in walk-behind mode. The trailer remains in the deployed condition in both stand-on mode and walk-behind mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
  • Patent number: 10625797
    Abstract: A utility machine includes a frame, a prime mover supported by the frame, and an operator control assembly coupled to the frame. The operator control assembly includes controls to operate the utility machine. The utility machine further includes a track drive system coupled to the frame to facilitate movement along a ground surface. The track drive system includes a drive wheel rotatably driven by the prime mover, an idler wheel rotatably supported by the frame, and a flexible track interconnecting the drive wheel and the idler wheel. The idler wheel is translatable relative to the frame and to the drive wheel to adjust an orientation of the frame relative to the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ariens Company
    Inventors: William D. Maile, Craig Key, Brett Bogenschutz, Travis Schisel, Scott E. Deschler
  • Publication number: 20190166758
    Abstract: A utility machine, such as an outdoor power equipment unit such as a lawn mower, includes a work unit performing work in addition to motive power for the utility machine and a trailer occupied by an operator in a standing position. The operator may seamlessly step onto the trailer to operate the machine in stand-on mode and step off the trailer to operate the machine in walk-behind mode. The trailer remains in the deployed condition in both stand-on mode and walk-behind mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
  • Publication number: 20190135359
    Abstract: A utility machine includes a frame, a prime mover supported by the frame, and an operator control assembly coupled to the frame. The operator control assembly includes controls to operate the utility machine. The utility machine further includes a track drive system coupled to the frame to facilitate movement along a ground surface. The track drive system includes a drive wheel rotatably driven by the prime mover, an idler wheel rotatably supported by the frame, and a flexible track interconnecting the drive wheel and the idler wheel. The idler wheel is translatable relative to the frame and to the drive wheel to adjust an orientation of the frame relative to the ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: William D. Maile, Craig Key, Brett Bogenschutz, Travis Schisel, Scott E. Deschler
  • Patent number: 10220895
    Abstract: A snow thrower includes a frame, a prime mover supported by the frame, and a handle assembly coupled to the frame. The handle assembly includes a grip for an operator to grasp. The snow thrower further includes an auger housing supported by the frame, and an auger blade rotationally coupled to and disposed within the auger housing. A track drive system is coupled to the frame to facilitate movement along a ground surface. The track drive system includes a drive wheel rotatably driven by the prime mover, an idler wheel rotatably supported by the frame, and a flexible track interconnecting the drive wheel and the idler wheel. The idler wheel is translatable relative to the frame to adjust an orientation of the auger housing relative to the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ariens Company
    Inventors: William D. Maile, Craig Key, Brett Bogenschutz, Travis Schisel, Scott E. Deschler
  • Patent number: 10221532
    Abstract: A skid shoe assembly for use on a snow thrower includes a bracket having a mounting portion configured to couple to the snow thrower and a support portion extending generally perpendicular from the mounting portion. The skid shoe assembly also includes a replaceable insert composed of a plastic material. The insert includes an elongated body extending generally parallel to the support portion and configured to engage a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ariens Company
    Inventors: William D. Maile, Robert Endter, Alex Huss
  • Publication number: 20180245298
    Abstract: A skid shoe assembly for use on a snow thrower includes a bracket having a mounting portion configured to couple to the snow thrower and a support portion extending generally perpendicular from the mounting portion. The skid shoe assembly also includes a replaceable insert composed of a plastic material. The insert includes an elongated body extending generally parallel to the support portion and configured to engage a ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: William D. Maile, Robert Endter, Alex Huss
  • Publication number: 20180105207
    Abstract: A work machine includes a machine frame, a prime mover supported by the machine frame, and wheels rotatably coupled to the machine frame and driven by the prime mover. The wheels are supported on a ground surface. The work machine further includes a steering assembly having a pivot frame pivotally coupled to the machine frame about a pivot axis. The steering assembly is pivotable about the pivot axis relative to the machine frame to turn the work machine. The steering assembly also includes a damping mechanism positioned between the pivot frame and the machine frame to inhibit oscillations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
  • Publication number: 20170267297
    Abstract: A snow thrower includes a frame, a prime mover supported by the frame, and a handle assembly coupled to the frame. The handle assembly includes a grip for an operator to grasp. The snow thrower further includes an auger housing supported by the frame, and an auger blade rotationally coupled to and disposed within the auger housing. A track drive system is coupled to the frame to facilitate movement along a ground surface. The track drive system includes a drive wheel rotatably driven by the prime mover, an idler wheel rotatably supported by the frame, and a flexible track interconnecting the drive wheel and the idler wheel. The idler wheel is translatable relative to the frame to adjust an orientation of the auger housing relative to the ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: William D. Maile, Craig Key, Brett Bogenschutz, Travis Schisel, Scott E. Deschler