Patents by Inventor C. Mark Atterbury

C. Mark Atterbury 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: 10791669
    Abstract: Accessory attachments systems for use with turf vehicles are described and illustrated. Such systems permit outdoor maintenance tools to be secured and transported by the vehicle, e.g., in locations conveniently accessible by an operator of the vehicle without leaving the operator platform (e.g., seat), and removed from the vehicle when desired. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more connectors each having: a mounting portion adapted to be removably secured to a panel attached to the vehicle; and a tool holding portion adapted to receive and hold an outdoor maintenance tool. The mounting portion of each connector may attach to any one of a plurality of receivers formed on panels secured to various locations on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: Philip C. Dretzka, Jeffrey W. Stern, Steven R. Porter, C. Mark Atterbury, Kenneth L. McConnell, Curtis E. Wersal
  • Publication number: 20190008090
    Abstract: Accessory attachments systems for use with turf vehicles are described and illustrated. Such systems permit outdoor maintenance tools to be secured and transported by the vehicle, e.g., in locations conveniently accessible by an operator of the vehicle without leaving the operator platform (e.g., seat), and removed from the vehicle when desired. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more connectors each having: a mounting portion adapted to be removably secured to a panel attached to the vehicle; and a tool holding portion adapted to receive and hold an outdoor maintenance tool. The mounting portion of each connector may attach to any one of a plurality of receivers formed on panels secured to various locations on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Philip C. Dretzka, Jeffrey W. Stern, Steven R. Porter, C. Mark Atterbury, Kenneth L. McConnell, Curtis E. Wersal
  • Patent number: 10029738
    Abstract: A support platform isolator system for a turf maintenance vehicle. The isolator system may include one or more rear isolators, and one or more forward isolators, the isolators positioned between a chassis of the vehicle and a support platform. The isolator system may not only reduce “metal-on-metal” noise between the chassis and the platform, but may also attenuate vibration and/or shock loads transmitted to the platform. In addition, the system may assist in locating the platform on, and retaining the platform to, the chassis. The isolators of the system may form primary contact areas between the chassis and the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Timothy D. Andre, Jeffrey J. Moore, Derek L. Dragoo, C. Mark Atterbury
  • Publication number: 20170341685
    Abstract: A support platform isolator system for a turf maintenance vehicle. The isolator system may include one or more rear isolators, and one or more forward isolators, the isolators positioned between a chassis of the vehicle and a support platform. The isolator system may not only reduce “metal-on-metal” noise between the chassis and the platform, but may also attenuate vibration and/or shock loads transmitted to the platform. In addition, the system may assist in locating the platform on, and retaining the platform to, the chassis. The isolators of the system may form primary contact areas between the chassis and the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy D. Andre, Jeffrey J. Moore, Derek L. Dragoo, C. Mark Atterbury
  • Patent number: 9821689
    Abstract: An adjustable suspension system for an operator platform that is pivotally attached at a pivot axis to a chassis of a turf maintenance vehicle. The system may include a suspension apparatus selectively attachable either to a support area of the chassis, or to the platform such that the apparatus is located between the support area and the platform. The suspension apparatus may be attachable at either a first location or a second location, wherein the suspension apparatus is spaced-apart from the pivot axis: by a first distance when in the first location; and by a second distance, different than the first distance, when in the second location. The suspension apparatus may include a support member and resilient element(s) attached to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Garry W. Busboom, Nicholas R. Hiser, C. Mark Atterbury
  • Publication number: 20170190270
    Abstract: An adjustable suspension system for an operator platform that is pivotally attached at a pivot axis to a chassis of a turf maintenance vehicle. The system may include a suspension apparatus selectively attachable either to a support area of the chassis, or to the platform such that the apparatus is located between the support area and the platform. The suspension apparatus may be attachable at either a first location or a second location, wherein the suspension apparatus is spaced-apart from the pivot axis: by a first distance when in the first location; and by a second distance, different than the first distance, when in the second location. The suspension apparatus may include a support member and resilient element(s) attached to the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Garry W. Busboom, Nicholas R. Hiser, C. Mark Atterbury
  • Patent number: 6722113
    Abstract: An outdoor power equipment unit, such as a lawn mower, is supported for rolling over the ground by a plurality of ground engaging wheels, including a pair of front caster wheels. A ground or turf grooming or working implement, such as a cutting deck, is supported on the outdoor power equipment unit. Removable counterweights can be dropped down or lifted off the tops of the caster wheels. This places the counterweights as far forwardly as possible which is useful when balancing the weight of a rear mounted accessory. In addition, the counterweights can be installed and removed without using a mounting bar or other mounting hardware on the outdoor power equipment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Exmark Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: C. Mark Atterbury, John C. Crumrinc
  • Publication number: 20030010008
    Abstract: An outdoor power equipment unit, such as a lawn mower, is supported for rolling over the ground by a plurality of ground engaging wheels, including a pair of front caster wheels. A ground or turf grooming or working implement, such as a cutting deck, is supported on the outdoor power equipment unit. Removable counterweights can be dropped down or lifted off the tops of the caster wheels. This places the counterweights as far forwardly as possible which is useful when balancing the weight of a rear mounted accessory. In addition, the counterweights can be installed and removed without using a mounting bar or other mounting hardware on the outdoor power equipment unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: C. Mark Atterbury, John C. Crumrinc
  • Patent number: 6226970
    Abstract: A bagging assembly for a riding lawn mower including a mower deck having a grass discharge conduit extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. The bagging assembly includes a support for supporting a pair of grass collection bags thereon together with a hood which is selectively movably disposed above the bags. The support structure includes an elongated, horizontally disposed cross-beam having a bag-supporting frame secured thereto which extends rearwardly therefrom. A flexible seal is secured to the cross-beam along the length thereof and is also secured to the lower forward end of the hood to prevent grass clippings from falling downwardly and forwardly through the space normally found between the lower forward end of the hood and the support structure. When the hood is in its closed position, the flexible seal engages the upper forward portions of the grass collection bags to maintain the bags in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Exmark Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Garry W. Busboom, C. Mark Atterbury
  • Patent number: D793455
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: C. Mark Atterbury, Philip C. Dretzka, David M. Converse
  • Patent number: D799556
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: C. Mark Atterbury, Philip C. Dretzka, David M. Converse
  • Patent number: D821449
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: C. Mark Atterbury, Philip C. Dretzka, David M. Converse