Patents by Inventor Alex W. Buhr

Alex W. Buhr 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: 11234353
    Abstract: A soil penetrating apparatus having an automatic tool (e.g., aerator tine) depth control system and method. The system includes an actuator that sets and controls tine depth, a sensor that monitors tine depth, and a controller that controls the actuator in response to the sensor. In some embodiments, the actuator is a hydraulic actuator, wherein once tine depth is set, flow to the actuator is bypassed. A relief may be provided to allow the tines to lift to a shallower depth temporarily when soil hardness exceeds a threshold. The system may then automatically return the tines to the pre-selected depth once soil conditions permit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: EXMARK MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stanton L. Mapson, Alex W. Buhr, Justin L. Pryor, Daniel G. Jameson
  • Publication number: 20200375080
    Abstract: A soil penetrating apparatus having an automatic tool (e.g., aerator tine) depth control system and method. The system includes an actuator that sets and controls tine depth, a sensor that monitors tine depth, and a controller that controls the actuator in response to the sensor. In some embodiments, the actuator is a hydraulic actuator, wherein once tine depth is set, flow to the actuator is bypassed. A relief may be provided to allow the tines to lift to a shallower depth temporarily when soil hardness exceeds a threshold. The system may then automatically return the tines to the pre-selected depth once soil conditions permit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Stanton L. Mapson, Alex W. Buhr, Justin L. Pryor, Daniel G. Jameson
  • Patent number: 10779454
    Abstract: A soil penetrating apparatus having an automatic tool (e.g., aerator tine) depth control system and method. The system includes an actuator that sets and controls tine depth, a sensor that monitors tine depth, and a controller that controls the actuator in response to the sensor. In some embodiments, the actuator is a hydraulic actuator, wherein once tine depth is set, flow to the actuator is bypassed. A relief may be provided to allow the tines to lift to a shallower depth temporarily when soil hardness exceeds a threshold. The system may then automatically return the tines to the pre-selected depth once soil conditions permit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Clark S. Papke, Stanton L. Mapson, Alex W. Buhr, Justin L. Pryor, Daniel G. Jameson, Sang Pheng
  • Publication number: 20190230839
    Abstract: A soil penetrating apparatus having an automatic tool (e.g., aerator tine) depth control system and method. The system includes an actuator that sets and controls tine depth, a sensor that monitors tine depth, and a controller that controls the actuator in response to the sensor. In some embodiments, the actuator is a hydraulic actuator, wherein once tine depth is set, flow to the actuator is bypassed. A relief may be provided to allow the tines to lift to a shallower depth temporarily when soil hardness exceeds a threshold. The system may then automatically return the tines to the pre-selected depth once soil conditions permit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Clark S. Papke, Stanton L. Mapson, Alex W. Buhr, Justin L. Pryor, Daniel G. Jameson, Sang Pheng
  • Patent number: 9591796
    Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a housing supported by a plurality of wheels that include a pair of drive wheels. The drive wheels are pivotally mounted to the housing to permit the housing to move between operational and transport positions thereof. A control is used to so move the housing with the control having a hand grip whose height above the ground is easily adjustable to accommodate users of different effective heights. A foot guard maintains a relatively constant disposition relative to the ground whether the housing is in its operational or transport position. The housing of the aerator has a vent system and an air gap relative to a prime mover deck which cool a traction drive system contained within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Exmark Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Christian S. C. Bryant, Alex W. Buhr, Timothy D. Andre, Jeremy J. Tate
  • Patent number: 9462738
    Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a housing supported by a plurality of wheels that include a pair of drive wheels. The drive wheels are pivotally mounted to the housing to permit the housing to move between operational and transport positions thereof. A control is used to so move the housing with the control having a hand grip whose height above the ground is easily adjustable to accommodate users of different effective heights. A foot guard maintains a relatively constant disposition relative to the ground whether the housing is in its operational or transport position. The housing of the aerator has a vent system and an air gap relative to a prime mover deck which cool a traction drive system contained within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Exmark Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Christian S. C. Bryant, Alex W. Buhr, Daniel W. Dorn
  • Publication number: 20160135352
    Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a housing supported by a plurality of wheels that include a pair of drive wheels. The drive wheels are pivotally mounted to the housing to permit the housing to move between operational and transport positions thereof. A control is used to so move the housing with the control having a hand grip whose height above the ground is easily adjustable to accommodate users of different effective heights. A foot guard maintains a relatively constant disposition relative to the ground whether the housing is in its operational or transport position. The housing of the aerator has a vent system and an air gap relative to a prime mover deck which cool a traction drive system contained within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Christian S.C. Bryant, Alex W. Buhr, Timothy D. Andre, Jeremy J. Tate
  • Publication number: 20160135353
    Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a housing supported by a plurality of wheels that include a pair of drive wheels. The drive wheels are pivotally mounted to the housing to permit the housing to move between operational and transport positions thereof. A control is used to so move the housing with the control having a hand grip whose height above the ground is easily adjustable to accommodate users of different effective heights. A foot guard maintains a relatively constant disposition relative to the ground whether the housing is in its operational or transport position. The housing of the aerator has a vent system and an air gap relative to a prime mover deck which cool a traction drive system contained within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Christian S.C. Bryant, Alex W. Buhr, Daniel W. Dorn
  • Patent number: 9241437
    Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a housing supported by a plurality of wheels that include a pair of drive wheels. The drive wheels are pivotally mounted to the housing to permit the housing to move between operational and transport positions thereof. A control is used to so move the housing with the control having a hand grip whose height above the ground is easily adjustable to accommodate users of different effective heights. A foot guard maintains a relatively constant disposition relative to the ground whether the housing is in its operational or transport position. The housing of the aerator has a vent system and an air gap relative to a prime mover deck which cool a traction drive system contained within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Exmark Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Christian S. C. Bryant, Alex W. Buhr
  • Publication number: 20150107863
    Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a housing supported by a plurality of wheels that include a pair of drive wheels. The drive wheels are pivotally mounted to the housing to permit the housing to move between operational and transport positions thereof. A control is used to so move the housing with the control having a hand grip whose height above the ground is easily adjustable to accommodate users of different effective heights. A foot guard maintains a relatively constant disposition relative to the ground whether the housing is in its operational or transport position. The housing of the aerator has a vent system and an air gap relative to a prime mover deck which cool a traction drive system contained within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Exmark Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Christian S.C. Bryant, Alex W. Buhr, Timothy D. Andre, Jeremy J. Tate, Daniel W. Dorn