Patents by Inventor Bruce A. Granger

Bruce A. Granger 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: 20140217200
    Abstract: A sprayer has a tank for holding a spray solution that is applied to a ground or turf surface. The sprayer includes an agitation system having a plurality of agitation nozzles that extend into the tank that are accessible from outside the tank and can be removed and replaced without using tools. The sprayer may include a rinse system carried onboard the sprayer which is segregated from the spray and agitation systems to avoid contaminating the rinse liquid prior to the time the rinse liquid is sprayed into the tank through rinse nozzles. The rinse nozzles include upwardly and downwardly directed nozzle ports and a bottom spinner for thoroughly cleaning all interior surfaces of the tank. The sprayer may also include a chemical eductor mounted on the side of the tank, whose weight is counterbalanced by springs, and which easily pivots between lower and upper positions on the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: Todd A. Otto, Brannon W. Polk, David J. Norlander, Bruce A. Granger, Daniel E. Peterson
  • Patent number: 8640972
    Abstract: A sprayer has a tank for holding a spray solution that is applied to a ground or turf surface. The sprayer includes an agitation system having a plurality of agitation nozzles that extend into the tank that are accessible from outside the tank and can be removed and replaced without using tools. The sprayer may include a rinse system carried onboard the sprayer which is segregated from the spray and agitation systems to avoid contaminating the rinse liquid prior to the time the rinse liquid is sprayed into the tank through rinse nozzles. The rinse nozzles include upwardly and downwardly directed nozzle ports and a bottom spinner for thoroughly cleaning all interior surfaces of the tank. The sprayer may also include a chemical eductor mounted on the side of the tank, whose weight is counterbalanced by springs, and which easily pivots between lower and upper positions on the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Todd A. Otto, Brannon W. Polk, David J. Norlander, Robert J. Bisson, Bruce A. Granger, John H. Weber
  • Publication number: 20120292402
    Abstract: A sprayer has a tank for holding a spray solution that is applied to a ground or turf surface. The sprayer includes an agitation system having a plurality of agitation nozzles that extend into the tank that are accessible from outside the tank and can be removed and replaced without using tools. The sprayer may include a rinse system carried onboard the sprayer which is segregated from the spray and agitation systems to avoid contaminating the rinse liquid prior to the time the rinse liquid is sprayed into the tank through rinse nozzles. The rinse nozzles include upwardly and downwardly directed nozzle ports and a bottom spinner for thoroughly cleaning all interior surfaces of the tank. The sprayer may also include a chemical eductor mounted on the side of the tank, whose weight is counterbalanced by springs, and which easily pivots between lower and upper positions on the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Todd A. Otto, Brannon W. Polk, David J. Norlander, Robert J. Bisson, Bruce A. Granger, John H. Weber, Daniel E. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6533198
    Abstract: A top dresser for distributing particulate matter on a variety of terrain. The top dresser may includes a towable frame which is operatively connected to a pair of wheel assemblies. Each wheel assembly is rotatingly attached to the frame of the top dresser in such a fashion as to enable the wheels of the wheel assembly to follow the contours and undulations in the terrain over which it traverses. Each wheel assembly is operatively connected to a hydraulic pump which is in turn operatively connected to a hydraulic circuit which is used to control and power various elements of the top dresser. The top dresser includes a hopper with gate assembly and a conveyor to distribute particulate matter at predetermined rates to the terrain. The gate assembly is adjustable and includes a biased gate which deflects in response to contact with large nonconformities such as rocks. The conveyor belt is a pre-manufactured substantially continuous loop of material which has a patterned or otherwise roughened surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Dean A. Podevels, Randel J. McCrackin, Dennis J. Deets, Bruce A. Granger
  • Patent number: 4294339
    Abstract: An improved clutch assembly is described which includes a safety spring member which is adapted to engage the free end of a broken clutch spring so that the clutch will continue to operate in normal fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Granger, David S. Klis