Patents Assigned to Woods Equipment Company
  • Patent number: 7669395
    Abstract: An automated system for selecting the cutting height and orientation of a mower deck attached to a power vehicle. An actuator and a system of links and slotted members are configured to operatively couple to a mower deck carriage and a front portion of the mower deck. Operation of the actuator by extending or retracting an actuator length, working in concert with the system of links and members, causes the mower deck to lower or raise in relation to a surface underlying the mower deck. Operation of the actuator further permits the mower deck to be rotated about an axis to and from an operation orientation and a service and or storage orientation. The actuator maintains the position of the mower deck without assistance of additional locking mechanisms or load bearing members. The system is controllable through a single interface convenient to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Woods Equipment Company
    Inventors: Todd Wehler, Wayne Shaw
  • Patent number: 6631733
    Abstract: A fluid line connector assembly includes a first part defining a fluid channel; and a second part including an outer body and a member mounted for adjusting movement relative to the outer body in a direction normal to an axis of engagement in response to relative motion of the first part and the second part when the first part and the second part are connected, the member defining a fluid channel within the body. The first and second parts together define the axis of engagement along which the first and second parts are releasably connectable, the fluid channel of the first part being adapted to connect to the fluid channel of the second part, and, when the first and second parts are connected, the fluid channel of the second part remains in fluid flow connection with the fluid channel of the first part during adjusting movement of the member relative to the outer body of the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Woods Equipment Company
    Inventors: Lee A. Horton, Arthur A. Erickson
  • Patent number: 6619319
    Abstract: A non-spill, multi-line fluid connector includes a first part and a second part removably connected to the first part. Each of the first and second parts includes a plurality of fluid channels, each of which connects to a corresponding fluid channel of the other part without fluid spillage. The fluid channels in each part can be arranged concentrically, which enables the parts to be rotated relative to each other while maintaining the fluid connections. One part can be incorporated into a latch pin of a tool coupler, and the other part can be incorporated into a latch bracket attached to a hydraulically operated tool, wherein the latch bracket receives the latch pin to lock the tool to the tool coupler and to establish one or more hydraulic connections to the hydraulic tool. A locking assembly secures together the first part and the second part when fluid pressure is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Woods Equipment Company
    Inventors: Lee A. Horton, Arthur A. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20010035217
    Abstract: A fluid line connector assembly includes a first part defining a fluid channel; and a second part including an outer body and a member mounted for adjusting movement relative to the outer body in a direction normal to an axis of engagement in response to relative motion of the first part and the second part when the first part and the second part are connected, the member defining a fluid channel within the body. The first and second parts together define the axis of engagement along which the first and second parts are releasably connectable, the fluid channel of the first part being adapted to connect to the fluid channel of the second part, and, when the first and second parts are connected, the fluid channel of the second part remains in fluid flow connection with the fluid channel of the first part during adjusting movement of the member relative to the outer body of the second part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Woods Equipment Company, Delaware corporation
    Inventors: Lee A. Horton, Arthur A. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20010004904
    Abstract: A non-spill, multi-line fluid connector includes a first part and a second part adapted to be removably connected to the first part. Each of the first part and the second part includes a plurality of fluid channels that each connect to a corresponding fluid channel of the other part without fluid spillage. The fluid channels in each part can be arranged concentrically, which enables the parts to be rotated relative to each other while maintaining the fluid connections. One part can be incorporated into a latch pin of a tool coupler, and the other part can be incorporated into a latch bracket attached to a hydraulically operated tool, wherein the latch bracket receives the latch pin to lock the tool to the tool coupler and to establish one or more hydraulic connections to the hydraulic tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Applicant: WOODS EQUIPMENT COMPANY, A DELAWARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: LEE A. HORTON, ARTHUR A. ERICKSON