Patents Examined by Thomas Will
  • Patent number: 8166596
    Abstract: A construction method for a girder in a bridge in which a plurality of piers are installed in an interval in a longitudinal direction of the bridge, a plurality of copings are installed on the piers, and a plurality of girders respectively installed between the piers are installed on the copings. The method comprises the steps of: installing at least one temporary girder on a front coping of the copings and a rear coping adjacent to the rear coping of the copings; installing a crane for pulling up a girder having a girder pulling up space therein guided by the temporary girder; and providing with a girder by a pre-cast method so as to install a girder on the front coping and the rear coping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Corporation
    Inventors: Dong-Ok Kang, Man-Geun Yoon, Hyun-Yang Shin, Yeong-Seon Kim
  • Patent number: 8162070
    Abstract: To dissipate hydraulic shock created by the bouncing of an implement mounted on a wheeled vehicle, such as a towed tillage implement or the bucket of a vehicle, such as a wheel loader, an electronic control valve, which supplies hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator that raises and lowers the implement, is actively controlled by an electronic controller. As the vehicle with an implement is transported at higher speeds, the implement tends to bounce creating pressure spikes in the hydraulic system that raises and lowers the implement. The pressure spikes are dissipated by actively generating random or cancelling hydraulic pulses in the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, John H. Posselius
  • Patent number: 8161833
    Abstract: A power take-off device for an agricultural vehicle, in particular a tractor, wherein an input shaft is connected to a first and, selectively, a second output shaft by moving a sleeve-type selector between three selection positions, in the first of which, the input shaft is connected angularly to the first output shaft to rotate the first output shaft at a first speed, and in the second and third of which, the input shaft is connected angularly to the second output shaft to rotate the second output shaft at a second speed and a third speed, different from the second speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Giancarlo Benassi, Ivan Tioli
  • Patent number: 8157472
    Abstract: A geocell is disclosed that has high strength and stiffness, such that the geocell has a storage modulus of 500 MPa or greater at 23° C.; a storage modulus of 150 MPa or greater at 63° C. when measured in the machine direction using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) at a frequency of 1 Hz; a tensile stress at 12% strain of 14.5 MPa or greater at 23° C.; a coefficient of thermal expansion of 120×10?6/° C. or less at 25° C.; and/or a long term design stress of 2.6 MPa or greater. The geocell is suitable for load support applications, especially for reinforcing base courses and/or subbases of roads, pavement, storage areas, and railways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: PRS Mediterranean Ltd.
    Inventors: Izhar Halahmi, Oded Erez, Adi Erez
  • Patent number: 8156722
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mower with a mower deck, a plurality of cutting chambers mutually communicated and arranged in a lateral direction within the mower deck, and a blade mounted in each cutting chamber to be rotatable about a vertical axis. A grass clippings guide in form of a vertical wall is disposed in an upper area within the cutting chamber, to guide the grass clippings flowing within the cutting chamber toward a center of rotation of the blade. A shield member is disposed for preventing entry of grass clippings between the grass clippings guide and a peripheral wall of the cutting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Akihito Sugio, Kazuo Sameshiima, Akira Minoura, Masatake Murakawa, Masatoshi Yamaguchi, Kazuo Koike, Masato Asahara, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Osami Fujiwara, Koji Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8157629
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine including a frame and a threshing section supported by the frame. The threshing section includes a rotating member, a concave and a hydraulic concave support system that positions the concave proximate to the rotating member. The concave is movable in directions toward or away from the rotating member. The hydraulic concave support system includes at least one hydraulically driven element movable substantially parallel to the same directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Bradley K. Yanke, Dan Burke
  • Patent number: 8152409
    Abstract: An apparatus for screeding concrete to produce a level finished surface includes a rigid frame assembly; a telescopic boom assembly secured directly to the frame assembly; and a screeder head assembly having a plurality of vertically oriented alignment poles secured to the boom assembly. The telescopic boom assembly may include a plurality of boom sections, each having a leveling mechanism whereby each boom section may be individually leveled with respect to each preceding boom section to provide for a consistently level finished surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Peter A. Ligman
  • Patent number: 8151493
    Abstract: Non-highway vehicle plowing systems are described. The plowing system includes a mount assembly having a lower mount bracket, a plow mount bracket, an upper mount bracket, and an actuator bracket. The lower mount bracket is attached to the non-highway vehicle and the plow mount bracket is pivotably connected to the lower mounting bracket. The upper mount bracket is also secured to the non-highway vehicle and is constructed to engage the actuator bracket at a plurality of positions thereby allowing the plow mount assembly to be operable with a plurality of non-highway vehicles. The systems provide advantages in that the systems are not vehicle specific and are adaptable to different vehicle structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mibar Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Dilworth, Brad Fromm
  • Patent number: 8141653
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an agricultural implement includes a first wing tool bar and a second wing tool bar on each lateral side of the implement. The first wing tool bar and the second wing tool bar are configured to rotate from a working position to a transport position. The first wing tool bar and the second wing tool bar each include a respective tool frame configured to rotate upwardly from a working position to a transport position. In addition, the second wing tool bar is configured to articulate with respect to the first wing tool bar during transport. A fold-away frame section is rotatably coupled to the first wing tool frame and configured to rotate out of a plane formed by the first and second wing tool frames to avoid contact between the tool frames during transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicholas George Alfred Ryder, Darwin Zacharias
  • Patent number: 8141331
    Abstract: A divider support apparatus with integral adjustable torsional preload mechanism for connecting a divider to a header frame. The mechanism includes a first element for carrying the divider and a second element configured for connection to the frame, and at least one resilient biasing element disposed between the first element and the second element and biasable by generation of a torsional loading condition between the first and second elements for applying a preload force therebetween. A preload adjusting mechanism in connection with at least one of the first element and the second element is operable for selectably adjusting the biasing of the at least one resilient biasing element in a manner for adjusting the preload force. The preload mechanism is also operable for damping vibrations emanating from the divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Bich, Brian P. Crow
  • Patent number: 8137025
    Abstract: An asphalt-paved road surface is rejuvenated in a multi-stage recycling process. The first process stage involves grinding, to a selected depth and width, a first strip portion of the surface and transporting it away from the site. The second process stage involves heating and grinding, to a selected temperature and depth, the upper layer of a second strip portion and moving it to the first strip portion to expose a lower layer. The third process stage involves heating and grinding, to a selected temperature and depth, the exposed lower layer of the second strip portion and moving it to the first strip portion. New asphalt is then added to rejuvenate the recycled asphalt and to maintain the grade elevation. The mixture is then placed back on the road surface using conventional means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Pat Wiley
  • Patent number: 8136335
    Abstract: A harvester for brassicas, the harvester being movable along a plant row and comprising an endless conveyor orientated in the direction of the plant row, the conveyor being of generally tubular form defined by opposed rows of arcuate conveyor fingers movable from an open condition in which free ends of the opposed fingers are spaced so as to define a generally tubular configuration which is open at one side to a closed condition in which the free ends of the opposed fingers are adjacent to define a generally closed tubular configuration, the conveyor having an upper run and a lower run, the conveyor being configured at its forward end portion so that the fingers are in their open condition during transition from the upper run to the lower run and move downwardly onto a plant to be harvested so as to move foliage away from the plant head and to allow the plant head to enter the interior of the conveyor through the open side, with the fingers then moving to a closed condition to thereby capture the plant head w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Dobson's Vegetable Machinery PTY Ltd.
    Inventor: Philip Ross Dobson
  • Patent number: 8136336
    Abstract: Harvesters selectively harvest agricultural objects, such as asparagus spears. One harvester 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: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Spencer Kim Haws
  • Patent number: 8132280
    Abstract: A dock leveler with a deck and an extendable lip that hangs pendant when the deck is in a stored position. A lip extension mechanism engages when the deck is raised to a raised or cocked position. As the deck is lowered to an intermediate transition position, the extension mechanism extends the lip to a fully extended position. At the transition position, the lip extension mechanism automatically disengages and a lip locking mechanism automatically and simultaneously locks and holds the lip in its fully extended position. When the deck is further lowered so that the lip comes to rest on a truck trailer, the locking mechanism automatically released or unlocked. The lip returns to its pendant position when the deck is raised from the truck bed. After the truck pulls away from the dock, the deck is lowered to its stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Nordock, Inc.
    Inventors: Denis Gleason, Andrew Barrett
  • Patent number: 8132984
    Abstract: A self-propelled concrete finishing trowel has a power steering system that facilitates operator selection of a desired steering performance response of the trowel. The power steering system includes a controller that communicates operator steering instructions from one or more joysticks and the powered actuators associated with the driven shafts. A selector allows the operator to select one or more preset steering modes, each of which has a different set of steering response characteristics for a given range of joystick motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Wacker Neuson Production Americas LLC
    Inventor: Scott Grahl
  • Patent number: 8132396
    Abstract: A lawnmower capable of being switched between a bagging mode and a mulching mode is disclosed. The lawnmower includes a shutter mechanism provided on an internal peripheral surface of a housing which opens downward for storing a cutting blade. The shutter mechanism is switched, by the operation of the shutter mechanism, between a bagging mode for delivering cut grass from the housing to a cut grass storage container and a mulching mode for discharging the cut grass out below the housing. The shutter mechanism has a kicker on a shutter body positioned in the interior of the housing. The kicker guides the cut grass to the bottom of the housing during the mulching mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Minami, Kenzo Shimada, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Hiroshi Hojo, Shuhei Maruyama
  • Patent number: 8132345
    Abstract: A work machine (10) comprises an operator input device (28), an electro-hydraulic system (64), and a controller unit (46) that communicates with the operator input device (28) and the electro-hydraulic system (64). The controller unit (46) is programmed to operate the electro-hydraulic system (64) in an auto-control mode, and adapted to override the auto-control mode in response to predetermined behavior of the operator input device (28). An associated method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Boris Trifunovic
  • Patent number: 8128311
    Abstract: A grass protection mat and a mat assembly having the same are provided. The grass protection mat of the invention includes a body made of polygonal portions, pillars protruded upward from the body, buffer wings protruded upward from the body between the pillars for distributing weights, an outer frame at the periphery of the body, lug members protruded from lower parts of the body and the outer frame. The mat also includes slide-type hooking means laterally protruded for connection of the mats, an opening formed at the inner surface of the outer frame. The mat assembly includes various forms of mat fastening members for connecting the grass protection mats. The invention facilitates connection of the mats and enhances assemblability of the mat assembly, effectively preventing sinking of the mats into the ground, thereby maintaining protection of grass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Chang-Sub Son
    Inventors: Chang-Sub Son, Sang-Geun Kim
  • Patent number: 8127861
    Abstract: A forwardly folding agricultural implement frame includes a tongue having a forward section and a rearward section telescopically extendable relative to the forward section. A carriage having support wheels is mounted on the forward tongue section. Left and right wings are pivotally connected to the rearward tongue section and foldable between a field position wherein the wings are generally perpendicular to the tongue and a transport position wherein the wings are generally parallel to the tongue. During the folding process, the carriage remains generally centered under the frame such that the majority of the weight of the implement is carried by the wheels and not shifted forwardly to the tractor drawbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Roger L Meek
  • Patent number: 8128313
    Abstract: A zero velocity bead dispenser is provided for a paint striping vehicle. The dispenser includes an electric motor which rotates a pair of rollers. A bead gun directs reflective particles into the nip point between the rollers, which discharge the particles or beads with a rearward velocity substantially matching the forward velocity of the vehicle. Therefore, the beads are discharged into the wet paint on the road with a net zero velocity so as to minimize or eliminate rolling of the beads in the paint, thereby maximizing the reflective properties of the beads. A speed sensor continuously monitors the vehicle speed and automatically adjusts the motor speed, and thus the roller speed, so as to maintain the relative zero velocity of the discharged beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: EZ Liner
    Inventors: Patrick T. Rouse, Marvin Lee Van Bruggen, Matthew Joseph Brossard