Patents Examined by Robert Pezzuto
  • Patent number: 9516810
    Abstract: A self-propelled mower includes a mover main body; a battery, an electric generator, or an engine; a protruding wing that protrudes sideward, the protruding wing being retractable and an extension length of the protruding wing being variable; mowing units protruding from a front face of the mover main body and a front face of the protruding wing, each including a movable blade that reciprocates or rotates to cut grasses driven by an electric motor or the engine, the electric motor being powered by battery or the electric generator. The mover main body moves on a slope face while being towed, via a traction rope, by a straddle-type mover body that moves straddling on a guard rail installed on top of a slope of a bank; or moves on the ground or in the air while being suspended by a suspension rope hung from a spanning cable spanning in the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ATSUMI REAL ESTATE & CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventor: Kazuya Atsumi
  • Patent number: 9518379
    Abstract: A retention system is provided for use in connecting a shroud to a work tool. The retention system may have a mounting boss with a base portion, a shelf portion that overhangs opposing sides of the base portion, and a tapered depression formed within the base portion. The retention system may also have a replaceable lug insert removably disposed within the tapered depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip John Kunz
  • Patent number: 9516808
    Abstract: The grass mower includes a front wheel unit having a left front wheel and a right front wheel which are mounted to a vehicle body frame, a rear wheel unit having a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel which are mounted to the vehicle body frame and a mower unit disposed between the front wheel unit and the rear wheel unit downwardly of the vehicle body frame, the mower unit including a rotary blade unit that has at least a left blade and a right blade which are disposed side by side in a vehicle body left/right direction. The rotary blade unit is configured such that a tread-on track of the left front wheel is overlapped with a rotation locus portion of the left blade from the front side to the rear side thereof and a tread-on track of the right front wheel is overlapped with a rotation locus portion of the right blade from the front side to the rear side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Takaoka, Masato Asahara, Motosumi Shiotsuki, Hideki Aoki, Kazuaki Nogami, Akira Minoura
  • Patent number: 9518380
    Abstract: A retention system is provided for use with a ground engaging tool. The tool retention system may have a spool with an elongated channel, and a collar dividing the elongated channel into a first portion and a second portion. The tool retention system may also have a fastener disposed within the elongated channel and passing through the collar. The fastener may have a head located within the first portion and a threaded shank located within the second portion. The tool retention system may further have a resilient member disposed between the head of the fastener and the collar, and a slider threadingly engaged with the threaded shank and configured to slide within the second portion of the elongated channel as the fastener is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Campomanes
  • Patent number: 9510509
    Abstract: A two-stage harvesting system including a first stage harvesting apparatus and a second stage harvesting apparatus. The first stage harvesting apparatus takes a first crop portion from an agricultural crop leaving a second crop portion in a field. The second stage harvesting apparatus takes the second crop portion. The first stage harvesting apparatus and the second stage harvesting apparatus are connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J Kraus, Jeremy M Erdmann
  • Patent number: 9510513
    Abstract: An after-threshing arrangement for a combine harvester (10) comprises a returns conveyor (72), which is located downstream from a returns auger (52), and an after-threshing device (74), which is located within a housing (98), with a vertical rotation axis, which can be acted on in an axial direction from above with the returns from the outlet (86) of the returns conveyor (72), and a radially situated discharge opening (118) by means of which the after-threshed returns can be supplied to a conveyor (42) for the transport of the after-threshed returns to a cleaning device (46). For the active conveyance of the returns, an impeller (90) with a horizontal rotation axis is located between the outlet (86) of the returns conveyor (72) and the after-threshing device (74).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Philipp Wilde Von Wildemann
  • Patent number: 9512600
    Abstract: Coupling assemblies for releasably holding separable parts together, and in particular for releasably securing a wear member to a support structure in excavating equipment are formed so as to provide increased take up to ensure a tight fit of the wear member on the support structure even if considerable deviation between the parts exists due to wearing, manufacturing variations or the like. The coupling assemblies are suitable for securing points, adapters, shrouds, or other replaceable component to various excavating equipment. The components of the coupling assembly include a wedge and a spool that pivots about a fulcrum when the wedge is driven into assembly for increased take up capabilities. The spool is rotatably engaged around a fulcrum of the support structure and has a bearing portion that bears against and moves the wear member to be secured to thereby take up any gaps between the engaging surfaces of these members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terry L. Briscoe, Kevin S. Stangeland
  • Patent number: 9510506
    Abstract: The present invention involves a multiply adjustable, obstacle responsive mower deck mounted “edge” trimmer that is easily adjustable, easily maintained and stored, low-profile, and requires no outside power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventors: Laurence J. Castelli, David J. Sickley
  • Patent number: 9510510
    Abstract: A material collection system sensor includes a paddle pivotably mounted to a tunnel on a collection container floor. The forward end of the paddle is adjacent a front of the collection container and the rearward end is adjacent a rear of the collection container. A switch mounted to the tunnel under the paddle has an actuator extending above the tunnel that is actuatable by downward pivotal movement of the paddle. A sensitivity adjuster attached to the tunnel under the paddle has a sensitivity adjustment knob outside the collection container which compresses or relaxes a spring extending upwardly against the paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: William J Holz, Patrick J Shaver, Christopher A Krajnik
  • Patent number: 9506216
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively removing fine sediments from a water body bottom using a dredging head with one or more intake openings situated to accelerate flows through the interior of the head and across the water body bottom causing fine particles to become suspended in a slurry outflowing from the head for disposal, while coarser, heavier, bottom gravels remain in place. The stream cleaner dredging head includes a main body having at least one intake, at least one plate attachment feature, a discharge point, and an at least partly open bottom; a flow-adjusting plate that is adjustably connected to the at least one plate attachment feature and configured to adjust a fluid flow through the main body from the at least one intake, and a hose attachment connected to the discharge point of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: Neal R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9500246
    Abstract: A device for stubble treatment once a crop has been harvested having a frame, at least one knife rolling segment connectable to the frame through a pair of bearings to operate substantially horizontally, a vibration-absorbing arrangement for each bearing that is adapted to be mounted between a bearing and a free-end of the frame that has vibration-absorbing elements that are at least partially made of a resilient material to isolate the frame from vibrations generated at the rolling segment, a first plate to be attached to the free-end of the frame and a second plate adapted to be attached to the bearing, the plates being adapted to be fastened together. Two or more vibration-absorbing elements are positioned in-between the plates, wherein two vibration-absorbing elements are positioned symmetrically with respect to the center of the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: DAL-BO A/S
    Inventor: Richard Fabrin Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9499959
    Abstract: A rolled lip for rope shovel machine buckets and for excavator buckets of high hardness and improved weldability is provided. The rolled lip is folded and used in buckets with capacities above 25 m3. The lip is made of rolled steel plates of up to 3,000 mm wide and 12,000 mm long and up to 250 mm thick, wherein the steel has flow characteristics between 600 and 900 MPa. The noses and holes used to build the lip are drilled and the shape of the noses is provided by templates or gauges. A method for manufacturing such a rolled lip is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Minetec S.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Zamorano Jones, Bernardo Vera Torres, Jean-Pierre Vidal Piesset
  • Patent number: 9493930
    Abstract: A wear assembly for excavating equipment which includes a wear member and a base each with upper and lower stabilizing surfaces that are offset and at overlapping depths to reduce the overall depth of the assembly while maintaining high strength and a stable coupling. The nose and socket each includes a generally triangular-shaped front stabilizing end to provide a highly stable front connection between the nose and wear member for both vertical and side loading. The lock is movable between hold and release positions to accommodate replacing of the wear member when needed, and secured to the wear member for shipping and storage purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: ESCO Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Carpenter, Donald M. Conklin, James E. Bearden, Severn D. Durand, Dziugas Radzius
  • Patent number: 9493920
    Abstract: A snowthrower includes a body, a chute rotatable relative to the body among a plurality of chute positions, wherein the chute is configured to discharge snow from the snowthrower, a motor for rotating the chute, a user input device configured to set a preferred chute bearing, and an electronic control unit configured to control the motor to automatically rotate the chute to an appropriate chute position to maintain the chute at the preferred chute bearing without additional input from the user input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Jason J. Raasch, Robert Koenen, Dan Brueck
  • Patent number: 9485897
    Abstract: An assembly for attaching a replaceable wearing part to a leading edge of an implement includes a wearing-part holder configured to be received and fixed to a supporting surface formed at the leading edge of the implement and a replaceable wearing part. One of the wearing-part holder and the wearing part forms an attachment projection and the other of the wearing-part holder and the wearing part forms a corresponding socket. The attachment projection and the socket are provided with corresponding, cooperating guide portions. The guide portions of the wearing-part holder are formed as guide faces racing the supporting surface and being slanted relative to the supporting surfaces in a direction falling when moving away from the leading edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: KVERNELAND GROUP OPERATIONS NORWAY AS
    Inventor: Magne Skjæveland
  • Patent number: 9480202
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a device for selectively harvesting crops on a plant. The device can include a picking apparatus. The picking apparatus can be rotatable around a central axis. The picking apparatus can include a plurality of grippers each spaced apart and extending radially from the central axis, and each configured to pick a different individual one of the crops. Each of the plurality of grippers can be adjustable between an open position and a closed position. Each of the plurality of grippers can be configured in the open position to open around the individual crop. Each of the plurality of grippers can be configured in the closed position to securely hold the individual crop when the picking apparatus is rotated around the central axis. Other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Harvest CROO, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Pitzer
  • Patent number: 9480201
    Abstract: In a lawn mower for mowing lawns on a ground having a drive shaft adapted to transmit a rotational driving force of a operating motor (prime mover), three blades and a connecting member having a blade disk adapted to connect the blades with the drive shaft, a fan is integrally formed at the connecting member. The blades are attached to the connecting member at a circumference of the connecting member and to be movable relative to the connecting member in a radial direction of the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuhei Maruyama, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Kenzo Shimada, Ryuichi Kimata
  • Patent number: 9474200
    Abstract: A toolbar is provided having a field position and a transport position. The toolbar includes a first bar section and a second bar section. A flexible line is retained partially adjacent to a pin pivotally joining the first bar section and the second bar section. The flexible line folds from the transport position to the working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventor: Dale Koch
  • Patent number: 9474211
    Abstract: A rotary motion transfer apparatus, such as a combine grain elevator, which includes first and second endless flexible members which may include belts and/or chains. Each flexible member is trained around a respective set of rotary members which may be pulleys, sheaves or sprockets. One rotary member from each set shares a common shaft and may, or may not, be in driving engagement with one another. The common shaft is mounted on an adjustment frame member that is linearly displaceable with respect to a main frame to adjust the tension in the first endless flexible member. A pair of idler rotary members are provided for tensioning the second endless flexible member and are mounted on a pivot arm which is mounted to the adjustment frame member for pivoting movement around a pivot axis intermediate the pair of idler rotary members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: LAVERDA SPA
    Inventor: Brian Jay Hollatz
  • Patent number: 9468151
    Abstract: A lawn maintenance device is provided. The lawn maintenance device has a generally planar rail system which is permanently inserted into the ground. The top portion of the rail system remains above ground while the remainder of the rail system is underground. A movable tool having a corresponding groove which aligns with the rail runs along the rail and a blade attached to the movable tool trims the lawn or vegetation. The rail provides a thin section of vegetation which can be easily cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Bruce Webber