Patents by Inventor Aaron R. Hayes

Aaron R. Hayes has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11573591
    Abstract: An input device for performing control functions of a machine having a work tool may include a left-hand joystick mounted on a left armrest of an operator's seat, and a right-hand joystick mounted on a right armrest of an operator's seat. Each of the left-hand and right-hand joysticks may include a base portion configured to conform to and least partially cradle an operator's hand, a handle extending from the base portion with a proximal end of the handle being connected to the base portion, and a distal end of the handle supporting a head portion of the joystick. The head portion of the joystick may include a front surface including a configurable face plate. The configurable face plate may include one of a pair of upshift and downshift buttons or a roller configured to perform one of discrete or continuously variable shifting, respectively, of a transmission of the machine. The handle may include a thumb rest area at the distal end of the handle transitioning into the head portion of the joystick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Case, Mihai Lazaroiu, Aaron R. Hayes, Brad R. Van De Veer
  • Publication number: 20210318713
    Abstract: An input device for performing control functions of a machine having a work tool may include a left-hand joystick mounted on a left armrest of an operator's seat, and a right-hand joystick mounted on a right armrest of an operator's seat. Each of the left-hand and right-hand joysticks may include a base portion configured to conform to and least partially cradle an operator's hand, a handle extending from the base portion with a proximal end of the handle being connected to the base portion, and a distal end of the handle supporting a head portion of the joystick. The head portion of the joystick may include a front surface including a configurable face plate. The configurable face plate may include one of a pair of upshift and downshift buttons or a roller configured to perform one of discrete or continuously variable shifting, respectively, of a transmission of the machine. The handle may include a thumb rest area at the distal end of the handle transitioning into the head portion of the joystick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. CASE, Mihai LAZAROIU, Aaron R. HAYES, Brad R. VAN DE VEER
  • Patent number: 8182024
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for connecting a cab to a machine supporting frame. A sub-frame is secured to the machine supporting frame and is configured to tilt relative to the machine supporting frame. A plurality of vibration damping mechanisms is configured to at least partially inhibit transmission of shocks and vibrations between the sub-frame and the cab. A plurality of dead stop mechanisms is configured to limit movement between the sub-frame and the cab. A rigid connection between the machine supporting frame and the sub-frame is configured to be selectively disconnected. A pivot connection between the machine supporting frame and the sub-frame is configured to permit the sub-frame and the cab to be tilted relative to the machine supporting frame upon disconnection of the rigid connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron R. Hayes, Christopher D. Derham, Lance M. Cowper, Ralph J. Lee
  • Publication number: 20090085377
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for connecting a cab to a machine supporting frame. A sub-frame is secured to the machine supporting frame and is configured to tilt relative to the machine supporting frame. A plurality of vibration damping mechanisms is configured to at least partially inhibit transmission of shocks and vibrations between the sub-frame and the cab. A plurality of dead stop mechanisms is configured to limit movement between the sub-frame and the cab. A rigid connection between the machine supporting frame and the sub-frame is configured to be selectively disconnected. A pivot connection between the machine supporting frame and the sub-frame is configured to permit the sub-frame and the cab to be tilted relative to the machine supporting frame upon disconnection of the rigid connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Aaron R. Hayes, Christopher D. Derham, Lance M. Cowper, Ralph J. Lee
  • Patent number: 7347488
    Abstract: A vehicle cab includes a floor, a roof, a front support operably coupling the floor and the roof, and at least two side supports operably coupling the floor and the roof. The vehicle cab further includes a door operably coupled to one of the at least two side supports. The door extends from adjacent the floor toward the roof. The door includes a window extending in a substantially uninterrupted manner from a lower edge of the door toward an upper edge of the door. The front support is located along a centrally-located, longitudinal axis of the vehicle cab, such that when the door is in a closed position, the door extends along a line oriented at an angle oblique with respect the longitudinal axis of the vehicle cab between the front support and the side support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron R. Hayes, Daniel J. Whiting, Christopher D. Derham, Brad R. Van De Veer
  • Publication number: 20070278811
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for operably coupling a vehicle cab to a vehicle. The system includes a damping mount configured to at least partially inhibit transmission of shocks and vibrations from the vehicle to the vehicle cab. The system further includes a mounting stud configured to operably couple the damping mount to one of the vehicle and the vehicle cab. The system further includes at least one stop member configured to limit at least one of load on the mounting stud and separation of the vehicle cab from the vehicle. The system further includes at least one fastener configured to operably couple the at least one stop member and the damping mount to the other of the vehicle and the vehicle cab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Christopher D. Derham, Clifton R. Gerke, Aaron R. Hayes, Danny L. Weibling
  • Patent number: D579028
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brad R. VanDeVeer, Aaron R. Hayes, Christopher D. Derham, Ashley D. Menges
  • Patent number: D605207
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ashley D. Menges, Christopher D. Derham, Brad R. Vandeveer, Aaron R. Hayes