Patents by Inventor Brian L. Nebel

Brian L. Nebel 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: 11889786
    Abstract: A mower with one or more wing decks that includes one or more manual lifting mechanisms for the one or more wing decks. The manual lifting mechanism may shift between retracted and extended positions, where in the extended position a handle can be positioned further away from the wing deck. When the handle is in the extended position, a user can manually engage the handle and lift the wing deck from a lowered configuration to a raised configuration, using less force than would be required if the handle was in the retracted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Nebel, Thomas J. Gaeddert, Philip Lowell Hochstetler
  • Patent number: 11860662
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to control devices for controlling features or functions of apparatuses and devices. At a high level, the control devices described herein provide an input locus that is positioned within a handle of the control devices. The input locus may have a fixed position such that the control device may resist movement in response to forces applied to the handle in force vectors passing through the input locus. Further, the handle may pivot or rotate about the input locus in response to forces applied to the handle in force vectors that are offset from the input locus to generate inputs and/or controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Brian L Nebel
  • Patent number: 11724658
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Eric M. Biggs, Brian R. Funk, Ronald E. Lefevre, Royce A. Steinert, James A. Wright, Brian L. Nebel
  • Publication number: 20230071515
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a stand-on terrain working vehicle having a foot-operated parking brake system. The parking brake system includes a pedal assembly having a first pedal and a second pedal, an actuator coupled to the pedal assembly, a brake configured to be actuated between a set/engaged state and a released/disengaged state, and an over-center linkage. When the first pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the set/engaged state, and when the second pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the released/disengaged state. The over-center linkage is configured to bias the brake towards one of the set/engaged state and the released/disengaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Brian R. FUNK, Robert C. ESAU, Brian L. NEBEL
  • Patent number: 11498532
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a stand-on terrain working vehicle having a foot-operated parking brake system. The parking brake system includes a pedal assembly having a first pedal and a second pedal, an actuator coupled to the pedal assembly, a brake configured to be actuated between a set/engaged state and a released/disengaged state, and an over-center linkage. When the first pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the set/engaged state, and when the second pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the released/disengaged state. The over-center linkage is configured to bias the brake towards one of the set/engaged state and the released/disengaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian R. Funk, Robert C. Esau, Brian L. Nebel
  • Publication number: 20220080914
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Harlan J. BARTEL, ERIC M. BIGGS, BRIAN R. FUNK, RONALD E. LEFEVRE, ROYCE A. STEINERT, JAMES A. WRIGHT, BRIAN L. NEBEL
  • Publication number: 20220071087
    Abstract: A mower with one or more wing decks that includes one or more manual lifting mechanisms for the one or more wing decks. The manual lifting mechanism may shift between retracted and extended positions, where in the extended position a handle can be positioned further away from the wing deck. When the handle is in the extended position, a user can manually engage the handle and lift the wing deck from a lowered configuration to a raised configuration, using less force than would be required if the handle was in the retracted configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Brian L. Nebel, Thomas J. Gaeddert, Philip Lowell Hochstetler
  • Patent number: 11198408
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Eric M. Biggs, Brian R. Funk, Ronald E. Lefevre, Royce A. Steinert, James A. Wright, Brian L. Nebel
  • Publication number: 20210309189
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a stand-on terrain working vehicle having a foot-operated parking brake system. The parking brake system includes a pedal assembly having a first pedal and a second pedal, an actuator coupled to the pedal assembly, a brake configured to be actuated between a set/engaged state and a released/disengaged state, and an over-center linkage. When the first pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the set/engaged state, and when the second pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the released/disengaged state. The over-center linkage is configured to bias the brake towards one of the set/engaged state and the released/disengaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Brian R. Funk, Robert C. Esau, Brian L. Nebel
  • Publication number: 20200101920
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: HARLAN J. BARTEL, ERIC M. BIGGS, BRIAN R. FUNK, RONALD E. LEFEVRE, ROYCE A. STEINERT, JAMES A. WRIGHT, BRIAN L. NEBEL
  • Patent number: 10562479
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to an operator protection apparatus having at least one over-center linkage. In some aspects, an operator protection apparatus can be raised and lowered by an operator from a seated position, for example, on a terrain working vehicle. Additionally, the at least one over-center linkage may automatically lock in the operator protection apparatus in a raised position. Accordingly, a mechanical force is then required to overcome the lock, and allow the operator protection apparatus to return to a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
  • Patent number: 10493939
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a lever-actuated operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the lever-actuated operator protection apparatus can be raised and lowered by an operator from a seated position, for example, on a terrain working vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
  • Publication number: 20180217626
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to control devices for controlling features or functions of apparatuses and devices. At a high level, the control devices described herein provide an input locus that is positioned within a handle of the control devices. The input locus may have a fixed position such that the control device may resist movement in response to forces applied to the handle in force vectors passing through the input locus. Further, the handle may pivot or rotate about the input locus in response to forces applied to the handle in force vectors that are offset from the input locus to generate inputs and/or controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Brian L. Nebel
  • Publication number: 20180037183
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a lever-actuated operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the lever-actuated operator protection apparatus can be raised and lowered by an operator from a seated position, for example, on a terrain working vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
  • Publication number: 20170136974
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to an operator protection apparatus having at least one over-center linkage. In some aspects, an operator protection apparatus can be raised and lowered by an operator from a seated position, for example, on a terrain working vehicle. Additionally, the at least one over-center linkage may automatically lock in the operator protection apparatus in a raised position. Accordingly, a mechanical force is then required to overcome the lock, and allow the operator protection apparatus to return to a lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
  • Patent number: 9573548
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to an operator protection apparatus having at least one over-center linkage. In some aspects, an operator protection apparatus can be raised and lowered by an operator from a seated position, for example, on a terrain working vehicle. Additionally, the at least one over-center linkage may automatically lock in the operator protection apparatus in a raised position. Accordingly, a mechanical force is then required to overcome the lock, and allow the operator protection apparatus to return to a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
  • Publication number: 20160236640
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to an operator protection apparatus having at least one over-center linkage. In some aspects, an operator protection apparatus can be raised and lowered by an operator from a seated position, for example, on a terrain working vehicle. Additionally, the at least one over-center linkage may automatically lock in the operator protection apparatus in a raised position. Accordingly, a mechanical force is then required to overcome the lock, and allow the operator protection apparatus to return to a lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
  • Patent number: 8528924
    Abstract: A rollover protection system unlocks and lowers from a raised position to a lowered position suitable for clearing a low hanging obstacle when an operator manually applies a force to an operator lever. The rollover protection system returns to the raised position when the operator ceases applying force to the operator lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Brian L. Nebel
  • Patent number: 6073430
    Abstract: A multi-blade mower deck having a center right and left blade chambers, which are partially connected to each other, each blade chamber including a rotary mounted cutting blade with lifting sails thereon for rotating and lifting the air into each blade chamber, a front skirt defining portions of said blade chamber; a continuous rear skirt wrapping around rear portions of each of said blade chambers; and a fan chamber positioned above the cutting deck and concentrically aligned over the center blade chamber and having an opening into the center fan chamber including concentrically mounted impeller blades for driving air and clipping from the fan chamber through a exhaust passage positioned over the cutting deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Mullet, Elmer D. Voth, Brian L. Nebel