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).
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Patent number: 11889786Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 9, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Brian L. Nebel, Thomas J. Gaeddert, Philip Lowell Hochstetler
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Patent number: 11860662Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 26, 2018Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Brian L Nebel
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Patent number: 11724658Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20230071515Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Brian R. FUNK, Robert C. ESAU, Brian L. NEBEL
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Patent number: 11498532Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 7, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Brian R. Funk, Robert C. Esau, Brian L. Nebel
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Publication number: 20220080914Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Harlan J. BARTEL, ERIC M. BIGGS, BRIAN R. FUNK, RONALD E. LEFEVRE, ROYCE A. STEINERT, JAMES A. WRIGHT, BRIAN L. NEBEL
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Publication number: 20220071087Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2020Publication date: March 10, 2022Inventors: Brian L. Nebel, Thomas J. Gaeddert, Philip Lowell Hochstetler
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Patent number: 11198408Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 2, 2019Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20210309189Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2020Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Brian R. Funk, Robert C. Esau, Brian L. Nebel
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Publication number: 20200101920Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventors: HARLAN J. BARTEL, ERIC M. BIGGS, BRIAN R. FUNK, RONALD E. LEFEVRE, ROYCE A. STEINERT, JAMES A. WRIGHT, BRIAN L. NEBEL
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Patent number: 10562479Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
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Patent number: 10493939Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 17, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
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Publication number: 20180217626Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2018Publication date: August 2, 2018Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Brian L. Nebel
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Publication number: 20180037183Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
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Publication number: 20170136974Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
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Patent number: 9573548Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2016Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
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Publication number: 20160236640Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian L. Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
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Patent number: 8528924Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Brian L. Nebel
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Patent number: 6073430Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 14, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Paul W. Mullet, Elmer D. Voth, Brian L. Nebel