Patents Examined by Robert Pezzuto
  • Machine group and method for cleaning ballast of a track
    Patent number: 9416509
    Abstract: A machine group for cleaning ballast of a track includes a first machine, having an endless clearing chain for ballast cleaning, and a second machine preceding the former with regard to a working direction and having a pick-up device for picking up cleaned ballast pre-deposited on the track. A third machine is arranged to precede the second machine. The third machine has two shoulder excavating devices for picking up the ballast located in a shoulder region of a ballast bed, and a second screening plant for cleaning the picked-up ballast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Plasser & Theurer, Export von Bahnbaumachinen, Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Josef Theurer, Herbert Woergoetter
  • Work vehicles
    Patent number: 9408345
    Abstract: In a work vehicle, because of growing need to equip a DPF for exhaust gas countermeasures near an engine and a request of increasing the size of a fuel tank, a system including the fuel tanks provided below a floor step and on left and right sides of a transmission case has been employed. However, when a lawn mower is installed between front wheels and rear wheels, an increasing width of a vehicle body becomes a problem. To solve the problem, a locus of the raising and lowering operation of a lawn mower 5 is specified by a parallel link formed of left and right front links 43, 43 and left and right mid links 45, 45, and in a work vehicle where the lawn mower 5 is freely raised and lowered, the left and right mid links 45, 45 are respectively disposed between a transmission case 3 and fuel tanks 16L, 16L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: ISEKI & CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsugi, Hirotaka Toda
  • Wear member stabilization on excavator lip
    Patent number: 9409258
    Abstract: A wear member stabilization system can include a wear member having recesses formed therein on opposing sides of an excavator lip receiving slot, the recesses receiving therein respective stabilization abutments which protrude outwardly from respective opposing inner and outer sides of the lip. A method of stabilizing a wear member on an excavator lip can include welding stabilization abutments to respective inner and outer sides of the lip, sliding the wear member onto the excavator lip, thereby engaging the stabilization abutments with respective recesses formed in the wear member, the stabilization abutments contacting lateral sides of the recesses between a forward end of the excavator lip and an opening extending through the excavator lip, thereby limiting lateral movement of the wear member relative to the excavator lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Black Cat Blades, Ltd.
    Inventor: John A. Ruvang
  • Ground engaging member accumulation determination
    Patent number: 9405039
    Abstract: A sensor to be mounted to an implement senses a region proximate a flow by ground engaging member of the implement. A electronics receives signals from the sensor and identifies accumulation on the grounding engaging member based upon the signals. The electronics outputs signals based upon the identified accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Noel W. Anderson
  • Digging and backfill apparatus
    Patent number: 9399853
    Abstract: A mobile digging and backfill system for removing and collecting material above a buried utility. The system comprises a mobile chassis, a collection tank mounted to the chassis, a water pump mounted to the chassis for delivering a pressurized liquid flow against the material for loosening the material at a location, a vacuum pump connected to the collection tank so that an air stream created by the vacuum pump draws the material and the fluid from the location into the collection tank, and at least one backfill reservoir mounted to the chassis for carrying backfill for placement at the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: McLaughlin Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Robert Maybury, John William Gilman
  • Drive system for driving a chopper and feeder device of a harvesting machine
    Patent number: 9398744
    Abstract: A drive system (1) for a harvesting machine has a drive train (4) connected by a coupling device (5) with a drive motor (6). The drive train (4) has a hydrostatic transmission (10) with a variable displacement pump (11) and a hydraulic motor (12) connected in a closed circuit to the pump (11). The hydraulic motor (12) is connected to a feeder device (2). For quickly stopping the feeder device (2), the pump (11) is set to a displacement of zero by an electronic control system (15) and the feeder device (2) is braked by a pressure protection device (40). For a chopper device (3), the hydraulic motor (12) is cut off by the electronic control system (15). The drive train (4) is isolated from the drive motor (6) by uncoupling the coupling device (5) and the pump (11) is set to the maximum displacement volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Linde Hydraulics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Richter, Thomas Loeffler, Bernward Welschof
  • Land roller implement having multi-roller wings with fold-over subframes
    Patent number: 9392738
    Abstract: A land roller implement with fold-out wings features at least one raisable/lowerable roller on each wing that is carried on a movable subframe that is pivotally mounted to the main frame of the wing. The movable subframe is pivotal up into a folded position overlying the main frame of the wing so that the raisable/lowerable roller is elevated overtop of an adjacent roller on the same wing. This minimizes the width of the implement when the wings are folded in to lie longitudinally of the implement for transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: Travis Mark Fehr
  • Wavy disc blade with notches
    Patent number: 9392737
    Abstract: A wavy disc blade is provided. The wavy disc blade includes a first side, a second side, a central portion having at least one opening, and a wavy portion adjacent to, extending radially from and circumferentially about the central portion. The wavy portion includes a plurality of waves extending from the central portion to an edge portion, the waves forming a plurality of crests and valleys between the central portion and the edge portion. The wavy disc blade also includes a plurality of teeth formed along the edge portion. At least one of a first beveled portion may be formed on the first side at and along the edge portion and a second beveled portion may be formed on the second side at and along the edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: NATT TOLLS GROUP INC.
    Inventor: Donald Joseph Sanderson
  • Cutting drum for agricultural machine
    Patent number: 9386741
    Abstract: A rotatable cutting drum comprising knife holders for attaching cutter knives thereto. Each knife holder comprises a forward member and a rear member and a knife connecting portion. The rear member extends from the connecting portion towards the rotational axis of the drum and has an extension member which extends circumferentially of the rotational axis in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the drum. The forward member extends from the connecting portion towards the drum rotation axis and abutts with the extension member of an adjacent knife holder positioned forward of the knife holder in the direction of rotation of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: AGCO INTERNATIONAL GmbH
    Inventors: Lindenmuller Helge, Burkart Franz
  • Wire harness integrated with rotational mold
    Patent number: 9386746
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprising rotationally molding a snout of a corn row divider assembly, the snout comprising a double-walled structure; rotationally molding a first conduit into a surface of the double-walled structure, the first conduit extending from an aft end of the snout to a location proximal to the fore end of the snout; attaching a sensor to the snout at a location proximal to the fore end of the snout; inserting a first wire harness into the first conduit, the first wire harness extending between the aft end of the snout and the location proximal to the fore end; and connecting the first wire harness to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Randy Lohrentz, Timothy Dan Buhler, Steven R. Tippery
  • Plant trimming apparatus and methods of using the same
    Patent number: 9386744
    Abstract: A plant trimming apparatus comprising a container having top and bottom end regions and a grate supported therein. A cutting blade and a fan blade are rotatably supported within the container. The fan blade is operative to create an air flow from the top end region to the bottom end region+vortex. The apparatus comprises a blade motor including a shaft, wherein the cutting blade and the fan blade are supported on the shaft. The cutting blade includes a plurality of forward or rear leaning blades that cooperate with the grate openings to cut parts off the plant. The blade has an outer ring extending between each of the plurality of blades. A lid assembly is attached to an upper rim portion of the container and supports an agitator motor that is connected to an agitator arm that is disposed within the container above the grate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: EASY TRIM, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph D. Black, Michael D. Cross
  • Adjustable baler feeder duct
    Patent number: 9386750
    Abstract: A baler having an adjusting mechanism, for setting the upper end of the upper wall in a predetermined position, and the lower end of the upper wall is designed to pivot around an axis near the entry point of the feeder into the lower end of the upper wall, such that the cross section of the feeder duct is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Didier O. M. Verhaeghe, Jonas Van Den Broucke, Jolan Heyns
  • Plant trimmer
    Patent number: 9380805
    Abstract: A leafy plant trimmer that is operable by a single person has a basket that is rotated in relation to a stationary sling in order to trim plants placed within the basket. The basket and the sling are housed within a trimmer body that is pivotally connected to a pivot stand. The trimmer body can be rotated between a product loading position for filling the basket and an in-use position for trimming the plants within the basket. A motor housed in the trimmer body spins the basket through a drive shaft. The motor is electrically connected to a timer such that the trimmer can be operated at designated time intervals. Trimmings are expelled from the trimmer body through a debris hole and collected below. A first receptacle attachment and a second receptacle attachment are positioned below the trimmer body and allow a receptacle to be positioned for collecting the trimmings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventor: Russell Elbridge Holcomb
  • Separating device
    Patent number: 9380745
    Abstract: A separating device formed with rotationally driven components and stationary components has at least one crop-treatment element for processing crop. The crop-treatment element extends transversely to the rotational direction (R) of the components, at least in sections. The crop-treatment element has a substantially cuboid cross-section and a front edge with a curved course optimized in terms of flow, and which faces a rotational direction (R) and away from a conveyance direction (FR) of the crop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Holtmann, Markus Pellmann
  • Soil spreading scraper device
    Patent number: 9374938
    Abstract: A soil spreading scraper device comprises a cutting blade for cutting a top layer of soil from the ground, a kicker for throwing the cut soil rearward from the cutting blade, and an impeller member rotatable within a plane of rotation extending upward and rearward from the cutting blade for capturing the soil thrown by the kicker and spreading the cut soil generally radially outward relative to an axis of rotation of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: DYNAMIC DITCHERS INC.
    Inventor: Mark C. Thompson
  • Synthetic field grooming processes and conditioning grooming apparatus
    Patent number: 9371617
    Abstract: Disclosed is a synthetic athletic field grooming apparatus configured to be pulled by a vehicle to maintain the synthetic athletic field. The apparatus comprises a frame having a coupling mechanism for mounting the apparatus to the vehicle. At least one broom channel is coupled to the frame rearward of the coupling mechanism, and forward and aft rows of brushes are attached to the broom channel. The aft row of brushes is spaced apart from and rearward of the forward row of brushes to allow infill of the synthetic athletic field to flick upward from the forward row while containing the infill for re-agitation from the aft row. The coupling mechanism and the frame allow an attached vehicle to control a downward pressure forcing the rows of brushes into contact with the synthetic athletic field with a desired force. Also disclosed is a method of grooming a synthetic athletic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Kromer Co. LLC
    Inventors: Troy D. Thunstrom, Nathan G. Bergquist, Alan L. Hentges, Brian C. Bergquist, Ronald C. Ponath, Ingo V. Werner
  • Automatic lift and toss shovel
    Patent number: 9366003
    Abstract: An automatic lift and toss shovel has a bucket, a lift and toss apparatus, a frame support and a maneuvering frame that together gather, push, lift and toss materials. The bucket utilizes sidewalls, a gathering member, and a lifting member to gather and contain materials therein and allow them to be pushed. A lift and toss apparatus attaches the bucket to the frame support. The apparatus utilizes a combination of swing, toss, lift, guide and cross arms/members to support and guide the bucket and provide for automatic lifting and tossing of the bucket contents as the shoveler desires. The frame support has wheels to assist the shoveler in gathering snow and relocating it. The maneuvering frame is attached to the frame support and provides the handles which allow the user to control and operate the lift and toss shovel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventors: Kent J. Stenzel, Dale W. Cordell
  • Bucket edge protection system
    Patent number: 9359745
    Abstract: An edge protection segment for an edge protection system of a ground engaging implement is disclosed. The edge protection segment includes a first side, a second side, a width, a wedge portion, an exterior leg, and an interior leg. The second side is oppositely disposed and lateral to the first side. The width is up to 6 centimeters and is the distance between the first side and the second side. The exterior leg and the interior leg each extend from the wedge portion. The wedge portion, the exterior leg and the interior leg each extend between the first side and the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Charles Serrurier, Arun Kumar Venugopal
  • Selective harvester
    Patent number: 9357704
    Abstract: The present application relates to selective harvesting of agricultural objects, such as asparagus spears. One described example relates to a harvester that includes at least one set of independently controllable cutter arm assemblies that rotate about a common axis to harvest individual asparagus spears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Spencer Kim Haws
  • Edger for utility vehicle
    Patent number: 9357701
    Abstract: An edging system includes a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted to a portion of a vehicle, the mounting bracket having a control arm receiving member, a control arm rotatably connected to the control arm receiving member so that the control arm is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket, a control arm moving device connected to the mounting bracket, the control arm moving device having an end portion adapted to engage a portion of the control arm, and an edger assembly connected to an end portion of the control arm. The edger assembly can include a frame assembly connected to the end portion of the control arm, and a cutting member carded by the frame assembly. The activated position of the edger assembly may be defined as the edger assembly being positioned so that the cutting member engages a portion of the ground adjacent to the edger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Bishop Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Eldon Bishop