Patents Examined by H. Shackelford
  • Patent number: 6233852
    Abstract: A coupler device for adapting a variety of excavator apparatuses to engage a variety of excavating buckets. The coupler device has a mounting plate, a connecting device for connecting the mounting plate to the excavator apparatus, and a device for connecting the mounting plate to the excavating bucket. The device connecting the mounting plate to the excavator apparatus may include a plurality of holes adapted to fit a variety of excavator apparatuses. The device for connecting the mounting plate to the excavating bucket may include a front hook, a rear hook, and a device moving the rear hook with respect to the front hook to adapt to a variety of excavating buckets. The device for moving the rear hook may include a captured bolt threaded through a cast box support that is attached to the slidable plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Pemberton, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Bruce Pemberton
  • Patent number: 6230477
    Abstract: A two-row cane harvester 10 simultaneously harvests two rows of sugar cane in a green tropical cane field. Gatherer chains 62, 64 lift fallen cane stalks upwardly and support the fallen cane stalks as the harvester 10 moves through the cane field. A pair of topper mechanisms 54 top the cane stalks while base cutters 80 base cut the cane. A pair of transversely spaced turnaround devices 62 each move the cane transversely past the respective topper mechanism and toward a centerline 22 of the harvester, and thrust the topped cane stalks in a direction away from the harvester movement such that the topped cane stalks do not interfere with the cane moving toward the topper mechanisms by the gatherer chains. Base cut cane is received base first into the harvester intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Caillouet
  • Patent number: 6202331
    Abstract: In an arm with an attachment removable unit, a reinforcing plate 14 is provided in a space between a pair of bracket portions 12, 12 which are formed by extending the opposite side walls of an arm so as to protrude from the upper and lower walls thereof. An attachment removable unit 100 is housed in the space between the of bracket portions 12, 12. In the state where the attachment 2 is attached to the arm 1, a second hook 7 for engaging a second pin 17 for coupling with the attachment 2 is disposed on a substantially straight line connecting between a pin 19 for connecting with the arm 1 and a first hook 6 for engaging a first pin 18 for connecting with the attachment 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6196309
    Abstract: An apparatus for pulling objects from a well is described. The apparatus may comprise an elongated housing having an internal chamber. The housing will be connected to a work string such as wireline or coiled tubing. A skirt is attached to the housing, with the skirt having an inner portion. The skirt will contain a first window and a second window, with the first window having a first load shoulder and the second window having a second load shoulder. The apparatus further contains a mandrel disposed within the inner portion of the skirt, and two dog members disposed about the mandrel. The dog member have a first surface that cooperates with the first load shoulder and a second surface that cooperates with the second load shoulder. The dog members distributes a pull force which is exerted on the apparatus to the first and second load shoulder so that the effective tensional strength of the skirt is enhanced. The mandrel will have a second end containing an angled shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Felix F. Estilette, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6189304
    Abstract: A zero turning radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero radius turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned near this turning point or axis so that the standing occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero radius turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds. The low center of gravity created by the position of the riding platform for the standing operator also results in the mower having improved traction and being less likely to pop “wheelies” upon acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Patent number: 6189305
    Abstract: A zero-turning-radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing-occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing-occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero-radius-turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned at this turning point so that the standing-occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero-radius-turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Wright, James Velke
  • Patent number: 6185918
    Abstract: This Power air blower fan head mobilizer of matted vegetation solves the problem of blowing leaves and other debris matted together by wind or rain. A flexible serrated mobilizer probe (composed of metal, plastic, or composite) is inserted into the terminal fan head air nozzle of an air or leaf blower in such a way that a mass of often wet debris is stirred, tossed, moved, and cut. Thus, the invention opens pathways into the matted mass so that airflow is effective. The device includes a curved sharp terminus, which acts as a vegetation cutter on both flat and irregular surfaces. Large stemmed vegetation and small limbs can also be sawed in two because the probe has coarse and fine serrations on its respective lateral sides. In addition, the 5 inch projecting curved probe terminus provides a spring skid to reduce weight of the power air blower, thus saving energy of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Dewey Allen Nelson
  • Patent number: 6182429
    Abstract: A zero-turning radius self-propelled power lawn mower includes a standing platform structure for supporting a standing operator during mower operation. The mower has a combination parking brake and pump lockout structure which, when actuated, simultaneously applies a braking force to rear drive wheels and prevents hydro pumps from being moved from their neutral positions. The mower also includes a biasing system for automatically returning hand control levers to their neutral positions when they are not being manipulated by an operator. Unique cutter deck structure, caster structure, grass catcher structure, and steering control levers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Patent number: 6182427
    Abstract: A pull-type harvesting machine is adapted for laterally offset attachment to a tractor. The machine has a frame and a harvesting head supported by the frame including a cutting apparatus for cutting crops as the machine is towed across a field, and a gear box operably connected with the cutting apparatus. A pull tongue is pivotally coupled to the frame about a first vertical axis for varying the position of the machine relative to the tractor. A mechanical drive line extends along and is rotatably supported by the pull tongue for supplying driving power to the cutting apparatus through the gear box. The gear box is pivotally mounted on the header about a second vertical axis spaced from the first vertical axis. The drive line includes a fixed position portion and a telescoping portion supported at fore and aft ends by the tongue and the gear box, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Gehl Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Loehr
  • Patent number: 6178670
    Abstract: There is provided an improved apparatus for recovery of sea-bed material. Known apparatus suffer from problems such as low recovery rate and capital cost. The invention, therefore, provides a recovery apparatus comprising a vehicle upon which are mounted a duct permitting communication between the sea-bed and a location remote therefrom, structure to introduce sea-bed material into the duct and structure to advance sea-bed material through the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Rotech Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Hector Fillipus Alexander Van Drentham Susman, Kenneth Roderick Stewart
  • Patent number: 6176310
    Abstract: An assembly for sealing the annular space between the inner cylindrical surface of a tubular member and the outer surface of a cylindrical member having a separate upper and lower seal member each of which are sealably and translatably positioned on the cylindrical member outer cylindrical surface, each of the upper and lower seal members having a circumferentially outwardly displaceable sealing lip and including a tubular actuator positioned between the upper and lower seal members having end portions for radially outwardly displacing the upper and lower sealing lips and including a downwardly displaceable seal energizer for moving the upper seal member towards the lower seal member to cause the actuator to concomitantly, radially outwardly expand the circumferential sealing lips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: ERC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Smith, Floyd J. Lane
  • Patent number: 6164707
    Abstract: A fluid-carrying swivel joint has a stepped bearing race arrangement on interconnecting hubs having an improved bore seal capability. The stepped arrangement allows more ball bearings per adjacent race which allows equal distribution of hydrostatic end loading to each bearing race, thereby enabling maximum total end loading while minimizing load concentration on a particular bearing race section due to increased total ball and race contact area. A straight bore type seal is used to reduce surface area subject to axial pressure and to minimize rotational friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Tep Ungchusri, Sergio A. Castillo
  • Patent number: 6154987
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cutting tooth for a trencher chain. The tooth includes a base portion aligned along a first plane. The base portion includes structure for allowing the cutting tooth to be connected to the trencher chain. The tooth also includes a distal portion that is generally obliquely aligned with respect to the first plane. A curved transition is located between the distal portion and the base portion. The curved transition curves away from the first plane and at least partially forms a cupped portion that extends from a leading end to a trailing end of the cutting tooth. The tooth also includes a hardened tip positioned at a region of the leading end that is located farthest from the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Larry James Rumer, John H. Walgren
  • Patent number: 6141891
    Abstract: A snow plow cover for protecting a snow plow blade and a mounting and a motion control attached thereto harness from environmental elements during periods of non-use. The snow plow cover is configured to form fit and envelop the snow plow blade and mounting and motion control harness attached thereto. The cover is formed of a tarpaulin type material and includes grommets for anchoring the cover either to the ground or for tying the cover about the snow plow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: Joseph M. Troccola
  • Patent number: 6138446
    Abstract: A zero-turning radius self-propelled power lawn mower includes a standing platform structure for supporting a standing operator during mower operation. The mower has a combination parking brake and pump lockout structure which, when actuated, simultaneously applies a braking force to rear drive wheels and prevents hydro pumps from being moved from their neutral positions. The mower also includes a biasing system for automatically returning hand control levers to their neutral positions when they are not being manipulated by an operator. Unique cutter deck structure, caster structure, grass catcher structure, and steering control levers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Patent number: 6138444
    Abstract: The brush cutter (10) includes a rearwardly positioned tractor (11) and a forwardly positioned cutter assembly (12). The outboard rectilinear cutting blades (49 and 51) rotate in their forward arcs toward each other and toward the longitudinal plane (28), so as to urge the cut vegetation inwardly toward the adjacent blades for mulching. The leading skirt (31) of the cutter deck (30) is positioned forwardly of the blades so as to engage and bend the taller brush and young trees in the direction of movement of the brush cutter before the lower portions of the vegetation are cut, thereby inducing the vegetation to fall in the path of the brush cutter, so that it is overrun by the brush cutter and mulched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Robert M. Torras, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6131377
    Abstract: A deep groove ground-contacting roller for a reel type mower assembly having a plurality of interfitting intermediate roller segments and matching end segments mounted on a transverse bearing mounted axle rod in tight abutment. Stop rings engage the end segments and the axle rod to fix the roller segments on the rod to form a roller body. Each roller segment includes a cylindrical hub and a disc element extending radially therefrom with converging planar annular side surfaces intersecting to form a rounded ground-contacting ridge. The disc elements and the hub sections combine to form a deep groove with angled side surfaces and a right circular cylindrical bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventors: James Rice, Robert E. Erickson
  • Patent number: 6129629
    Abstract: The present invention describes an intake zone (4a) for an axial separator (4) consisting of a rotor (6) that is configured as a cone in its front area, is tapered in the direction of the flow of materials and has a sleeve (12, 13, 16) or an intake zone for a similar axial flow threshing and separating device having at least one similar separating rotor (6) arranged downstream from a single or multi-cylinder threshing machine with a feed cylinder (3) connected thereto. The upper sleeve (12) of the intake zone (4a) has a semi-circular cross-section at the beginning of the rotor intake continuously running as far as the end of the intake zone (20) into an eccentric cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the remaining upper sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Dammann, Franz Heidjann, Bodo Kuhn
  • Patent number: 6128838
    Abstract: A heated bucket system for significantly reducing the accumulation of frozen mud and ice within a bucket thereby maintaining the bucket's dirt moving capacity. The inventive device includes a bucket attachable to an arm of a backhoe or other machinery, a pump attached to the coolant system of the backhoe, an inflow tube fluidly connected to the pump, a heat tube attached to the back member of the bucket preferably in a sinusoidal pattern and fluidly connected to the inflow tube, and an outflow tube fluidly connected to the heat tube opposite of the inflow tube and fluidly connected to the coolant system of the backhoe. In operation, the pump draws the heated coolant within the coolant system and pumps it through the heat tube attached to the bucket. The heat from within the coolant is exchanged with the bucket thereby maintaining the temperature of the bucket above freezing. The coolant is then returned to the coolant system through an outflow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Gary W. Morlock
  • Patent number: 6122903
    Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering a mower unit, having a control lever movable between a first terminal position and a second terminal position for raising and lowering the mower unit, a link mechanism for raising the mower unit with movement from the first terminal position to the second terminal position of the control lever, a first stopper for holding the control lever in the first terminal position, a second stopper for holding the control lever in the second terminal position, and an assist mechanism for applying a force to the link mechanism to raise the mower unit only when the control lever is located between the first terminal position and the second terminal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Hayashi, Masatake Murakawa, Kazuaki Kurohara, Nobuyuki Yamashita, Mikio Yuki, Eriya Harada