Patents by Inventor Aaron Y. Curtis

Aaron Y. Curtis 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).

  • Publication number: 20230320269
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (e.g., mower) includes two or more wheels supporting a chassis upon a ground surface. A cutting motor powers at least one cutting blade, and a cutting frame supports the cutting motor relative to the chassis. The cutting frame is movable, relative to the chassis, to allow adjustment of a height-of-cut of the cutting blade relative to the ground surface. First and second guide rods are operatively attached to the chassis and are received within corresponding first and second apertures of the cutting frame to guide movement of the cutting frame. Biased bearings associated with the cutting frame may bias associated bearing members against the guide rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventor: Aaron Y. Curtis
  • Patent number: 11696526
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (e.g., mower) includes two or more wheels supporting a chassis upon a ground surface. A cutting motor powers at least one cutting blade, and a cutting frame supports the cutting motor relative to the chassis. The cutting frame is movable, relative to the chassis, to allow adjustment of a height-of-cut of the cutting blade relative to the ground surface. First and second guide rods are operatively attached to the chassis and are received within corresponding first and second apertures of the cutting frame to guide movement of the cutting frame. Biased bearings associated with the cutting frame may bias associated bearing members against the guide rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventor: Aaron Y. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20220145691
    Abstract: A system for use with an autonomous working machine such as a robotic lawn mower. The system may allow communication (directly or indirectly) between the machine and a gate or other barrier opening to allow unattended or remotely-controlled passage of the machine through the gate. In some embodiments, the mower may include a vision system operable to detect unknown objects within an area adjacent to the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander Steven Frick, Peter M. Arendt, Aaron Y. Curtis
  • Patent number: 11013173
    Abstract: A control system for a ground working vehicle. The control system may include a handle assembly including a handle member extending upwardly and rearwardly from a chassis of the vehicle. The control system may also include a speed control apparatus including a control grip operably connected to, and translatable along, the handle member. Translation of the control grip may activate a transmission to move the chassis in the forward direction when the control grip is translated downwardly along the handle member towards the chassis. Further, the control system may include a lockout apparatus movably attached to a handle member. The lockout apparatus may be adapted to selectively and physically restrict movement of the control grip relative to the handle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron Y. Curtis, Khari S. Clarke
  • Publication number: 20200296890
    Abstract: A control system for a ground working vehicle. The control system may include a handle assembly including a handle member extending upwardly and rearwardly from a chassis of the vehicle. The control system may also include a speed control apparatus including a control grip operably connected to, and translatable along, the handle member. Translation of the control grip may activate a transmission to move the chassis in the forward direction when the control grip is translated downwardly along the handle member towards the chassis. Further, the control system may include a lockout apparatus movably attached to a handle member. The lockout apparatus may be adapted to selectively and physically restrict movement of the control grip relative to the handle member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Aaron Y. Curtis, Khari S. Clarke
  • Patent number: 10709064
    Abstract: A control system for a ground working vehicle. The control system may include a handle assembly including a handle member extending upwardly and rearwardly from a chassis of the vehicle. The control system may also include a speed control apparatus including a control grip operably connected to, and translatable along, the handle member. Translation of the control grip may activate a transmission to move the chassis in the forward direction when the control grip is translated downwardly along the handle member towards the chassis. Further, the control system may include a lockout apparatus movably attached to a handle member. The lockout apparatus may be adapted to selectively and physically restrict movement of the control grip relative to the handle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron Y. Curtis, Khari S. Clarke
  • Publication number: 20200170186
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (e.g., mower) includes two or more wheels supporting a chassis upon a ground surface. A cutting motor powers at least one cutting blade, and a cutting frame supports the cutting motor relative to the chassis. The cutting frame is movable, relative to the chassis, to allow adjustment of a height-of-cut of the cutting blade relative to the ground surface. First and second guide rods are operatively attached to the chassis and are received within corresponding first and second apertures of the cutting frame to guide movement of the cutting frame. Biased bearings associated with the cutting frame may bias associated bearing members against the guide rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventor: Aaron Y. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20190230852
    Abstract: A control system for a ground working vehicle. The control system may include a handle assembly including a handle member extending upwardly and rearwardly from a chassis of the vehicle. The control system may also include a speed control apparatus including a control grip operably connected to, and translatable along, the handle member. Translation of the control grip may activate a transmission to move the chassis in the forward direction when the control grip is translated downwardly along the handle member towards the chassis. Further, the control system may include a lockout apparatus movably attached to a handle member. The lockout apparatus may be adapted to selectively and physically restrict movement of the control grip relative to the handle member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Aaron Y. Curtis, Khari S. Clarke
  • Patent number: D966176
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: Philip C. Dretzka, Aaron Y. Curtis, Khari S. Clarke, Aaron A. Hernandez, Daniel A. Phipps
  • Patent number: D1016860
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: Philip C. Dretzka, Aaron Y. Curtis, Khari S. Clarke, Kevin D. Docken, Aaron A. Hernandez, Daniel A. Phipps
  • Patent number: D1020743
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: Philip C. Dretzka, Nicholas J. Wersal, Aaron Y. Curtis, Daniel Aaron Phipps, Chris A. Wadzinski, Ryan J. Volovsek