Patents Assigned to The Toro Company
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Patent number: 12197227Abstract: Autonomous machine navigation techniques may determine vision-based pose data based on feature data and object recognition data extracted from images. The vision-based pose data may be used to generate a three-dimensional point cloud that represents at least a work region. The vision-based pose data may be used to determine an operational vision-based pose relative to the three-dimensional point cloud.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Trevor M. Porter, Alexander S. Frick
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Patent number: 12188191Abstract: A modular boom for attaching to a prime mover and configured to dispense a solution to remove snow and deice a surface. The boom includes a boom shroud having a main body extending from a first end to a second end. The main body of the boom shroud has a substantially wedge shaped portion with an edge configured to engage a snow pile or windrow of snow and cause snow to flow about the wedge shaped portion. The boom shroud includes an opening in a bottom of the main body that provides access to an interior cavity. The modular boom includes a boom pipe positioned within the interior cavity of the boom shroud and has ends that extend beyond the boom shroud. The boom pipe having spaced apart apertures along the length configured to dispense the solution onto the surface. The modular boom also includes first and second end caps configured to support the end of the boom pipe and to connect to the first and second ends of the boom shroud to provide structural rigidity to the modular boom.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2024Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: David Voigt, Jordan Smith
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Patent number: 12180664Abstract: A method of operating a deicing system remotely, including connecting a control for the deicing system with the deicing system. When the control and the deicing system are connected, the method includes providing functionality for controlling operation of the deicing system, including control of application rates, and managing workflow and operation including job tracking.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2021Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: David Voigt, Jordan Smith, Seth Ferkenstad, Derek Meyer
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Patent number: 12173787Abstract: A system and method are described to help ensure that gears contained within the transmission system are shifted to the correct position before the user can apply the throttle. An electronic control unit (ECU) is connected to a shift position sensor that measures a position of a shifting axle within the engine. If the shift position sensor provides measurement data indicating that the shifting assembly is rotationally positioned to engage a specific gear, the ECU allows the user actuated throttle input to control the throttle level of the engine. If the shift position sensor provides measurement data indicating that the shifting assembly is rotationally positioned in between positions that actuate specific gears (also known as a “dead zone”), the ECU prevents the user actuated throttle input from controlling the throttle level of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2023Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Jeremy Fohrenkamm, Nathan Wiater, Ryan Foss, Greg L. Lawrence
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Patent number: 12161060Abstract: A mobile turf sprayer operates to spray a product onto a turf site. In some embodiments the mobile turf sprayer identifies a plurality of regions of the turf site to be sprayed and automatically sprays product onto those regions as the mobile turf sprayer moves about the turf site.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: William J. Jugovich, Todd A. Otto, Steven R. Peterson, Brannon W. Polk, Steve A. Swinney, II
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Patent number: 12157443Abstract: An outdoor grounds maintenance vehicle is self-propelled by a hydrostatic traction drive system that provides dynamic braking to the vehicle without the need for separate service brakes acting on the wheels of the vehicle. An engine kill device can be manually actuated by the operator to access the dynamic braking of the traction drive system by reducing the speed of the prime mover that powers the pump of the traction drive system. This provides an auxiliary braking system that can be used in an emergency or on demand by the operator in the event the accelerator pedal does not properly control the pump swashplates. The operator can control the rate at which the auxiliary brake system reduces the speed of the prime mover to zero.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Matthew J. Decker, Luke R. Nahorniak, John B. Heckel
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Publication number: 20240381819Abstract: An emitter (200B) comprises an inlet section, at least one pressure reducing section, and an outlet section. The inlet section includes inlet features defining inlet apertures in fluid communication with a lateral flow path. The at least one pressure reducing section is in fluid communication with the inlet section, and the at least one pressure reducing section includes resistance features configured and arranged to reduce pressure in irrigation water flowing through the at least one pressure reducing section. The outlet section is in fluid communication with the at least one pressure reducing section and an at least one outlet aperture in the lateral. The outlet section includes at least one suspension feature configured and arranged to keep any debris in suspension in the irrigation water so that it flows (221) out the at least one outlet aperture with the irrigation water.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2022Publication date: November 21, 2024Applicant: The Toro CompanyInventors: William C. Taylor, JR., Brian D. Hu, Daniel Trinidad, David S. Martin, Michael R. Knighton
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Patent number: 12146287Abstract: A compact utility loader incorporating a boom of adjustable length. The boom may include one or more lift arm assemblies, with each lift arm assembly including a first lift arm that telescopically receives a second lift arm. Each lift arm assembly also includes a telescoping actuator adapted to telescopically extend and retract its second lift arm relative to its first lift arm. A load-sensing system may be provided and adapted to limit lift arm assembly extension based at least in part upon a tool load applied at a tool supported by the boom.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2021Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: John P. Azure, Jeffrey R. Frank, David A. Murray
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Publication number: 20240373798Abstract: An emitter (2200) comprises a floor (2201), a first rail (2204a), and a second rail (2202b) defining at least one pressure reducing section (2208) including first opposing features in a first region to provide a first incremental exponent versus flow rate behavior and second opposing features in a second region to provide a second incremental exponent versus flow rate behavior. The first and second incremental exponent versus flow rate behaviors being different and providing a more consistent overall incremental exponent versus flow rate behavior over a pressure range. The emitter (2200) can be connected to a lateral (2227) having an inner wall (2228), at least a portion of the inner wall (126A, 2228) defining a lateral flow path (2229). The first and second rails (2202A) are operatively connected to the inner wall (2228) and the floor (2201) interconnects distal ends of the first and second rails (2202A).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2022Publication date: November 14, 2024Applicant: The Toro CompanyInventors: William C. Taylor, Jr., Brian D. Hu, Daniel Trinidad, David S. Martin, Michael R. Knighton
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Patent number: 12124262Abstract: This disclosure provides an autonomous machine system having a scheduling controller configured to determine one or more windows of availability over a time period when the autonomous machine is allowed to operate to perform one or more operational tasks; determine a total operation time over the time period; and determine an operating schedule for a work region that assigns one or more operational tasks to the one or more windows of availability based on the total operation time. The autonomous machine may be commanded to operate in the work region according to the operating schedule.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2020Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Ryan Douglas Ingvalson, Alexander Steven Frick, Jason Thomas Kraft, Timothy Bertram Cleveland
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Patent number: 12108701Abstract: A walk power mower having a cutting deck supported upon the ground by a front and rear wheel(s). The mower includes a traction drive system incorporating a bidirectional transmission adapted to propel the mower alternatively in both forward and reverse directions. In some embodiments, the mower may include a single bidirectional transmission (e.g., powering only rear wheel(s) or only front wheel(s) of the mower), while in other embodiments, two bidirectional transmissions may be provided to power both the front and the rear wheel(s). In other embodiments, the mower may include a bidirectional transmission powering the rear wheel(s), while the front wheel(s) may be attached to the deck via a caster assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2023Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Todd A. Porter, Steven J. Svoboda
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Patent number: 12096720Abstract: A rotary lawn mower has one or more grass cutting blades that are rotatable in opposite directions about a vertical axis or axes. Each blade is double edged having front and rear cutting edges on each end of the blade. Each blade end has a front sloped face inboard of the front cutting edge and a rear sloped face inboard of the rear cutting edge. These faces create air flow within the cutting chamber when cutting grass regardless of the direction of rotation of the blade. The direction of rotation of each blade is reversed to switch between discharge and mulching modes of operation. A flow director has a curved vertical guide wall that guides the grass clippings through a discharge opening in the discharge mode and that guides the flow of grass clippings away from the discharge opening in the mulching mode.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2023Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Jason J. Henry, Chris A. Wadzinski
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Patent number: 12097522Abstract: A mechanism is described to resist or prevent rotation of portions of an irrigation sprinkler riser when in its lowered or popped-down position. Hence, when a pedestrian walks over a lowered sprinkler or a lawn mower rolls over a sprinkler, for example, the riser will remain fixed in its rotational orientation relative to its outer body and surroundings. By resisting or preventing this rotation, this rotational locking mechanism prevents damage to the internal transmission, gears, and arc trip mechanisms of the sprinkler, as well as prevents the watering arc from being accidentally adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventor: Travis L. Onofrio
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Publication number: 20240306316Abstract: Described herein is an irrigation controller having a rotating user interface where the front side of the user interface can be rotated 180 degrees so that it faces the inside of the controller housing. This functionality allows the user to install or modify the irrigation wiring while also programming the irrigation settings and/or schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2024Publication date: September 12, 2024Applicant: The Toro CompanyInventors: Steve Kish, Matt Hall, Chris Asmus, Rengan Rajendran, Saroj Manandhar
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Patent number: 12069984Abstract: An outdoor power equipment unit, such as a lawn mower, includes a frame movable over the ground. A handle assembly is provided on the frame to allow an operator to walk on the ground behind the handle assembly while operating the unit. A traction drive and a ground grooming or working implement are carried on the frame. A traction control hand grip and an implement control bail are carried on the handle assembly. Both the hand grip and the bail are movable relative to the handle assembly by flexure provided by first and send compliant mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2021Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Chris A. Wadzinski, Jeff Weber, Shawn S. Monitor
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Patent number: 12073974Abstract: A power transformer assembly is described that includes a light positioned and configured to illuminate a terminal block that is at least partially composed of transparent or translucent materials. Illuminating the terminal block provides additional light in this area to facilitate making or removing wire connections.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Hyok Lee, William Baptist
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Publication number: 20240260521Abstract: In one or more examples of the present disclosure, irrigation control software is provided for a computerized irrigation system. The irrigation control software may provide various user interfaces capable of allowing users to create, assign, organize, and save facility maintenance-related electronic notes to a remote database or central irrigation server that is accessible by mobile devices of authorized users. The electronic irrigation notes may be linked to one or more sprinklers or geospatial areas within the irrigation system, may be assigned to one or more authorized users, may include text or images descriptive or indicative of an issue or a maintenance task associated therewith, and may be archived to create maintenance log histories to help monitor issues associated with specific sprinklers or geospatial areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2024Publication date: August 8, 2024Applicant: The Toro CompanyInventors: Russ Huffman, Norma Frotton, Burnett Jones, John Dalman, Adam Munir
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Patent number: 12048267Abstract: A handle assembly for an autonomous vehicle such as a lawn mower is provided and may include a cradle adapted to receive a mobile computer. The handle assembly may be configured in both an autonomous mode position and a manual mode position. The vehicle may operate autonomously when the handle assembly is in the autonomous mode position, and be adapted to move under manual operator control, e.g., for perimeter training, when the handle assembly is in the manual mode position.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2019Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Alexander Steven Frick, Jason Thomas Kraft, Aaron Yarrow Curtis, Kevin Dale Docken, Khari Sekou Clarke
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Patent number: D1044880Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2023Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Kenneth G. Grant, Duncan K. Grant, Frank Z. Asztalos
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Patent number: D1059425Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2022Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Philip C. Dretzka, Daniel A. Phipps, Aaron A. Hernandez