Patents Assigned to Tractor Supply Company
  • Patent number: 11649951
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a tamper proof light emitting module comprising the steps of (a) pre-assembling the light emitting module into a testing configuration including a housing and one or more light emitting elements mounted within the housing, the housing including first and second housing components connected together using at least one removable fastener connecting the first and second housing components; (b) testing the light emitting module to confirm the light emitting elements are operable; (c) after step (b), removing the removable fastener; (d) replacing the removable fastener removed in step (c) with at least one breakaway fastener; and (e) tightening the breakaway fastener(s) until the head of the breakaway fastener(s) breaks off so that the breakaway fastener(s) is no longer removable, thereby creating a final, tamper proof configuration of the light emitting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Brian Kennemer, Christian D. Fogg, Fan Shi Jun
  • Patent number: 10267478
    Abstract: A light bar assembly may include a light bar housing having a bar length. The light bar housing may include a plurality of fins projecting from the light bar housing. The light bar housing may further include a plurality of fin gaps. Each fin gap may be disposed between adjacent respective fins. Each fin gap may also have a gap length running longitudinally along a majority of the bar length of the light bar housing. The light bar assembly may also include a wind shield disposed on the light bar housing. The wind shield may cover some, but not all, of the fin gaps along a majority of each respective gap length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Christian D. Fogg, Brian Kennemer, Ty Rager
  • Patent number: 10259377
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a frame having a straight central portion and first and second curved end portions, a plurality of spot light sources mounted on the straight central portion and aligned parallel to each other, and a plurality of diffuse light sources may be mounted on each of the curved end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Kennemer, Christian D. Fogg, Ty Rager, Adam Prater
  • Patent number: 10233668
    Abstract: A wrench apparatus is provided for applying torsion to a T-shape cross-section fence post. A wrench head has a lateral opening so that the wrench head can be placed laterally about the T-shape cross-section post. The wrench head includes first, second and third engagement surfaces arranged to simultaneously engage the three flanges of the fence post so that a torsional load can be simultaneously applied to all three flanges of the fence post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Brian Kennemer, Ty Rager
  • Patent number: 9743642
    Abstract: An automatic animal watering apparatus includes a dish having an automatic watering valve disposed therein. When the valve is first closed, a water level in the dish is at a maximum level, and a hydraulic source pressure acts only across a smaller cross-sectional area of a valve seat which is closed by the valve, thus requiring only a first lower buoyancy force acting on a valve actuator float to maintain the valve closed. The water level can then drop from the maximum water level to a minimum water level before the hydraulic force action on the valve overcomes the first lower buoyancy force on the actuator float and reopens the valve. Then when the valve opens, the hydraulic source pressure acts against a larger cross-sectional area of the valve, thus requiring the buoyancy forces acting on the float to rise to a second higher buoyancy force to reclose the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Ty Rager, Brian Kennemer, Mike Foster
  • Patent number: 9457631
    Abstract: A multi-use trailer hitch configured to allow a single hitch to be used for multiple trailer couplers. The hitch includes a ball and pin member attached to the yoke so that the hitch can couple with a Lunette eye ring coupler and a ball hitch coupler. The ball and pin member is designed to fit on the yoke and be easily secured with a retainer pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Brian Kennemer, Ty Rager, Adam Prater
  • Patent number: 9394017
    Abstract: A cart may comprise a body, an axle having an axis of rotation, at least one wheel, a forward support, and a rear support. The forward support may include a forward support hinged end, and a forward support free end, the forward support hingedly connected to the body at the forward support hinged end to pivot about a forward support axis. The rear support may include a rear support hinged end, and a rear support free end, the rear support hingedly connected to the body at the rear support hinged end to pivot about a rear support axis. The forward support free end may be configured to selectively connect to the rear support at the rear support free end by the axle to rotatably support the wheel, and the axis of rotation of the axle may be parallel to each of the forward support axis and the rear support axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Brian Kennemer, Ty Rager
  • Patent number: 9358563
    Abstract: A back pack sprayer apparatus for spraying liquids. The apparatus includes an integrally molded structure having an upper tank portion and a lower frame portion. A support stand can be connected to the molded structure, the support stand defining a supporting plane when the apparatus is in an upright position on the ground. The molded structure can have a front side defining a compound curve having an upper concave curve configured to receive an operator's back, and a lower convex curve terminating in a lowermost distal end forming a rearward angle of at least about 20 degrees with an axis normal to the supporting plane. The apparatus can include a pump, a hose, and a sprayer. A cover can be attached to the lower frame portion concealing the pump. The apparatus can include peripheral flanges and a lower drip rail which can help prevent liquid from contacting an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Brian Kennemer, Luke W. Michas
  • Patent number: 9205774
    Abstract: A light assembly for use in a work area that is mountable, portable, can be powered by moveable work equipment, and is capable of providing light necessary to adequately illuminate a work area so that work tasks can be completed. The mountable light assembly includes a housing containing a light source for illuminating a work area and a hanger for hanging the light assembly. The mountable light assembly may include an extension cord designed to be held in a storage compartment and pivotable wing housings containing wing light sources. For example, the light assembly may be designed to mount on the tailgate of a pickup truck and to draw power from a trailer power outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Brian Kennemer, Ty Rager
  • Patent number: 9156319
    Abstract: A drawbar apparatus for a cart, wagon or trailer. The drawbar apparatus includes a shaft having a first end suitable for connection to a cart, and a second end including a hitch coupling. The drawbar includes a handle member having a handle first end and a handle second end. The handle first end is pivotally connected to the shaft, and the handle second end includes a grip or gripping region. The handle member is selectively pivotal between a first position and a second position, the hitch coupling extending distally beyond the handle member in the first position, and the handle member extending distally beyond the hitch coupling in the second position. Some embodiments further include a lock configured to selectively secure the handle member when the handle member is in the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Brian Kennemer, Ty Rager
  • Publication number: 20150238987
    Abstract: A back pack sprayer apparatus for spraying liquids. The apparatus includes an integrally molded structure having an upper tank portion and a lower frame portion. A support stand can be connected to the molded structure, the support stand defining a supporting plane when the apparatus is in an upright position on the ground. The molded structure can have a front side defining a compound curve having an upper concave curve configured to receive an operator's back, and a lower convex curve terminating in a lowermost distal end forming a rearward angle of at least about 20 degrees with an axis normal to the supporting plane. The apparatus can include a pump, a hose, and a sprayer. A cover can be attached to the lower frame portion concealing the pump. The apparatus can include peripheral flanges and a lower drip rail which can help prevent liquid from contacting an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Brian Kennemer, Luke W. Michas
  • Patent number: D733945
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Brian Kennemer, Ty Rager
  • Patent number: D809168
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Brian Kennemer, Christian D. Fogg, Ty Rager, Adam Prater
  • Patent number: D820767
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Christian D. Fogg, Adam Prater, Brian Kennemer, Ty Rager
  • Patent number: D835323
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Christian D. Fogg, Brian Kennemer, Zhan Shengbing
  • Patent number: D923906
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Christian D. Fogg, Brian Kennemer, Ling Ye, Xiang Feng, Jianhao Zhu, Hong Xu
  • Patent number: D932727
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Ling Ye, Xiang Feng, Jianhao Zhu, Christian D. Fogg, Brian Kennemer
  • Patent number: D969953
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Christian D. Fogg, Spencer Carpenter, Mitchell Loren Wilgus
  • Patent number: D969954
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Christian D. Fogg, Spencer Carpenter, Mitchell Loren Wilgus
  • Patent number: D970075
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Tractor Supply Company
    Inventors: Christian Fogg, Ty Rager, Brian Kennemer, Fan Shi Jun