Patents Assigned to Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
  • Patent number: 10815100
    Abstract: A utility system may include at least one moveable arm, and at least one grappling assembly connected to the at least one moveable arm. The grappling assembly may include an upper claw including one or more lower grasping surfaces, and a lower claw including one or more upper grasping surfaces. The lower claw may be pivotally secured to the upper claw. The upper claw may be configured to close with respect to the lower claw. The lower claw may be configured to be wedged into at least a portion of the moveable arm so that the upper claw may compressively grasp a structure between the one or more lower grasping surfaces and the one or more upper grasping surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: WESTENDORF MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Daniel Keith Yarnell, Matthew N. Westendorf
  • Patent number: 10414633
    Abstract: A utility system may include at least one moveable arm, and at least one grappling assembly connected to the moveable arm. The grappling assembly includes an upper claw, a lower claw, and fasteners to pivotally secure the lower claw to the upper claw. The upper claw includes lower grasping surfaces and coupling openings. The lower claw includes upper grasping surfaces and mating openings. Each mating opening is axially aligned with one of the coupling openings. The upper and lower claws rotate about the fasteners at first pivot axes when the fasteners are retained within first coupling openings of the upper claw and within the mating openings of the lower claw. The upper and lower claw rotate about the fasteners at different, second pivot axes when the fasteners are retained within second coupling openings of the upper claw and within the mating openings of the lower claw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf
  • Patent number: 10293873
    Abstract: A bracket stabilization system is configured to be secured to a tractor. The bracket stabilization system includes a cross bar linking bracket that extends between opposed first and second lateral brackets extending from opposite sides of the tractor. The cross bar linking bracket securely couples the opposed first and second lateral brackets together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Neal W. Westendorf
  • Patent number: 10240703
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Patent number: 9555842
    Abstract: An adapter bracket assembly is configured to allow a tractor to operatively connect to a different, otherwise incompatible utility component. The adapter bracket assembly includes an attachment member configured to securely connect to an attachment bracket that is compatible with the tractor, and a component-engaging member that is configured to securely connect to the different utility component in order to securely and operatively connect the different utility component to the tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Neal Walter Westendorf
  • Patent number: 9169613
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Patent number: 8875615
    Abstract: A two piston cylinder providing asymmetrical expansion and retraction capabilities is disclosed having two linked expansion chambers and a single chamber for retraction. The retraction chamber is situated between the two expansion chambers, and the expansion chambers are linked together by a tube passing through the piston that provides hydraulic fluid to both the retraction chamber and one of the expansion chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Neal W. Westendorf
  • Publication number: 20140131992
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Patent number: 8601934
    Abstract: A two piston cylinder providing asymmetrical expansion and retraction capabilities is disclosed having two linked expansion chambers and a single chamber for retraction. The refraction chamber is situated between the two expansion chambers, and the expansion chambers are linked together by a tube passing through the piston that provides hydraulic fluid to both the retraction chamber and one of the expansion chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Neal W. Westendorf
  • Patent number: 8517428
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Patent number: 8408862
    Abstract: The hydraulic cylinder and line guard of the claimed invention substantially surrounds and protects both a hydraulic cylinder and portions of a hydraulic line. The guard also significantly reduces the visual appearance of the hydraulic lines. While maintaining the flexibility of the hydraulic lines at pivot points, the guard inhibits movement of the line near the cylinder thereby reducing wear on the line. The claimed invention also achieves the important objective of providing an aesthetically pleasing and easily replaceable guard for hydraulic cylinders and lines. The improved guard is achieved by utilizing a resilient guard to cover both the cylinder and the line. The guard may be formed from a single stretchable resilient tube that is deformed to enclose both the line and the cylinder, wherein a cross-section of the guard is defined primarily by combined cross sections of the cylinder adjacent to the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Neal W. Westendorf
  • Patent number: 8287226
    Abstract: A hand-operable connection assembly is described for quickly connecting and disconnecting a vehicle from a boom assembly. The connection assembly includes a tower and a bracket, the tower is rotatably secured to both an actuator and a boom arm while the bracket is secured to a vehicle or construction device. The tower and bracket interconnect via pins that seat in pockets, and the tower is secured or locked to the bracket via a hand-operable locking clevis that rotates about one of the pins and wraps around the curved exterior of one of the pockets. The center point of the exterior curvature is offset from the center point of the clevis rotation such that rotation of the clevis tightens the clevis against the pocket. The pins may be located at the two hinges connecting the boom arm and actuator to the tower, or the pins may be separated from the hinges. The exterior of the pocket may include a grind sheet designed to scrape against and secure a grind bar of the locking clevis in a locked configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld
  • Publication number: 20120205907
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device includes a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly includes a first frame, a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers held to the first frame, and a first coupling member. The second assembly comprises a second frame, a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers held to the second frame, and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a shaft having a spiral track, and the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a projection arrangement constructed to engage the spiral track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Matthew N. Westendorf
  • Patent number: 8221049
    Abstract: The pinching fingers implement of the present invention provides independent grasping claws that can be independently opened or closed, and also independently rolled forward and backward, to provide for the secure and versatile grasping, manipulation and transport of irregular items. An attachment bracket may extend between two pairs of pinching fingers to allow connection of a secondary implement between the pinching fingers. The attachment bracket and the secondary implements may be structured such that the secondary implement may be attached without tools by rotating the pinching fingers forward, scooping up the implement, rotating the fingers backwards and securing the secondary implement with rotatable stands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld
  • Publication number: 20110308635
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Patent number: 8007010
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Publication number: 20100148494
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westerndorf, Neal W. Westerndorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Patent number: 7717471
    Abstract: A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Langenfeld, Matthew N. Westendorf, Neal W. Westendorf, James Curtis Stender, Mitch Gibler
  • Patent number: 7566197
    Abstract: The pinching fingers implement of the present invention provides independent grasping claws that can be independently opened or closed, and also independently rolled forward and backward, to provide for the secure and versatile grasping, manipulation and transport of irregular items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 7562473
    Abstract: A material-handling bucket which includes a blade with scarifying teeth on the rear of the bucket. By raising the bucket and rolling the bucket backward, the blade and teeth can be made to engage the ground to provide grading and scarifying capabilities for a conventional loader bucket. The blade and scarifying teeth, however, do not interfere with the normal loading operations of the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld