Patents by Inventor Clark S. Papke
Clark S. Papke 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: 10779454Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, IncorporatedInventors: Clark S. Papke, Stanton L. Mapson, Alex W. Buhr, Justin L. Pryor, Daniel G. Jameson, Sang Pheng
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Publication number: 20190230839Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Clark S. Papke, Stanton L. Mapson, Alex W. Buhr, Justin L. Pryor, Daniel G. Jameson, Sang Pheng
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Patent number: 10271537Abstract: A powered material broadcast spreader apparatus. The apparatus may include a granular material hopper having one or more upwardly extending walls that partially enclose an interior volume of the hopper. A first wall may define an opening passing outwardly from the interior volume. The apparatus may also include a motor surrounded by the one or more walls, and a motor cover having a contact surface congruent with a mating inner surface of the first wall. The motor cover is configured to form a motor compartment adapted to effectively isolate the motor from the interior volume, while permitting access to the motor from outside the hopper via the opening in the first wall.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: EXMARK MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventor: Clark S. Papke
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Patent number: 9771967Abstract: A push-pull cable system including a cable assembly, a stabilizing element, and a guide member. The stabilizing element and guide member may maintain alignment of a wire of the cable assembly as it pushes against a mechanism resistive force that is not aligned with the wire itself. As a result, the cable system may be utilized in applications wherein space constraints prevent alignment of the wire with the resistive force vector of the mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2015Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: EXMARK MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventors: Clark S. Papke, Gary L. Nicholson
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Patent number: 9623903Abstract: A grounds maintenance vehicle such as a stand-on spreader/sprayer and a steering system for use with the same. In one embodiment, the steering system includes a laterally swinging control handle accessible by an operator standing on a platform of the vehicle. The handle controls movement of one or more steerable wheels such that lateral swinging of the control handle toward a left side results in a corresponding left turn, while lateral swinging of the control handle toward a right side results in a corresponding right turn.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, IncorporatedInventors: David Michael Cook, Garry W. Busboom, Clark S. Papke
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Publication number: 20170094890Abstract: A push-pull cable system including a cable assembly, a stabilizing element, and a guide member. The stabilizing element and guide member may maintain alignment of a wire of the cable assembly as it pushes against a mechanism resistive force that is not aligned with the wire itself. As a result, the cable system may be utilized in applications wherein space constraints prevent alignment of the wire with the resistive force vector of the mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2015Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Clark S. Papke, Gary L. Nicholson
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Publication number: 20160316615Abstract: A powered material broadcast spreader apparatus. The apparatus may include a granular material hopper having one or more upwardly extending walls that partially enclose an interior volume of the hopper. A first wall may define an opening passing outwardly from the interior volume. The apparatus may also include a motor surrounded by the one or more walls, and a motor cover having a contact surface congruent with a mating inner surface of the first wall. The motor cover is configured to form a motor compartment adapted to effectively isolate the motor from the interior volume, while permitting access to the motor from outside the hopper via the opening in the first wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2015Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventor: Clark S. Papke
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Publication number: 20160318549Abstract: A grounds maintenance vehicle such as a stand-on spreader/sprayer and a steering system for use with the same. In one embodiment, the steering system includes a laterally swinging control handle accessible by an operator standing on a platform of the vehicle. The handle controls movement of one or more steerable wheels such that lateral swinging of the control handle toward a left side results in a corresponding left turn, while lateral swinging of the control handle toward a right side results in a corresponding right turn.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2015Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: David Michael Cook, Garry W. Busboom, Clark S. Papke
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Patent number: 8702062Abstract: A jacking apparatus including a jack mount, the apparatus for use with a vehicle such as a riding lawn mower. The jack mount is, in one embodiment, configured to be attached to and removed from the vehicle without the use of tools. In one embodiment, the jack mount includes two jaws that effectively clamp to a frame of the mower. The clamping force is generated by the weight of the mower acting against a jacking force applied to the jack mount by an extensible jacking device.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, IncorporatedInventors: Clark S. Papke, Gary L. Nicholson
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Patent number: 8104552Abstract: A vehicle including a linkage-based motion control system for varying a parameter (e.g., velocity) of the vehicle as a geometric relationship between a vehicle input (e.g., velocity control lever) and a vehicle output (e.g., drive train) is modified. In one embodiment, the control system provides a linkage that allows a fixed level of input applied to the control lever to produce a repeatable output to a variable drive unit even as the drive unit is moved relative to the control lever.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2011Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, IncorporatedInventors: Clark S. Papke, Justin L. Pryor
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Patent number: 8096374Abstract: A vehicle including a linkage-based motion control system for varying a parameter (e.g., velocity) of the vehicle as a geometric relationship between a vehicle input (e.g., velocity control lever) and a vehicle output (e.g., drive train) is modified. In one embodiment, the control system provides a linkage that allows a fixed level of input applied to the control lever to produce a repeatable output to a variable drive unit even as the drive unit is moved relative to the control lever. In another embodiment, an adjustable stop for use with setting a terminal position of a control lever (e.g., a velocity control lever) is provided. Accordingly, the maximum potential speed of the vehicle may be adjusted (e.g., reduced) without altering the speed of the vehicle engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, IncorporatedInventors: Clark S. Papke, Gary L. Nicholson
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Publication number: 20120000172Abstract: A vehicle including a linkage-based motion control system for varying a parameter (e.g., velocity) of the vehicle as a geometric relationship between a vehicle input (e.g., velocity control lever) and a vehicle output (e.g., drive train) is modified. In one embodiment, the control system provides a linkage that allows a fixed level of input applied to the control lever to produce a repeatable output to a variable drive unit even as the drive unit is moved relative to the control lever. In another embodiment, an adjustable stop for use with setting a terminal position of a control lever (e.g., a velocity control lever) is provided. Accordingly, the maximum potential speed of the vehicle may be adjusted (e.g., reduced) without altering the speed of the vehicle engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventors: Clark S. Papke, Gary L. Nicholson
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Publication number: 20120000173Abstract: A vehicle including a linkage-based motion control system for varying a parameter (e.g., velocity) of the vehicle as a geometric relationship between a vehicle input (e.g., velocity control lever) and a vehicle output (e.g., drive train) is modified. In one embodiment, the control system provides a linkage that allows a fixed level of input applied to the control lever to produce a repeatable output to a variable drive unit even as the drive unit is moved relative to the control lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventors: Clark S. PAPKE, Justin L. Pryor
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Publication number: 20110114906Abstract: A jacking apparatus including a jack mount, the apparatus for use with a vehicle such as a riding lawn mower. The jack mount is, in one embodiment, configured to be attached to and removed from the vehicle without the use of tools. In one embodiment, the jack mount includes two jaws that effectively clamp to a frame of the mower. The clamping force is generated by the weight of the mower acting against a jacking force applied to the jack mount by an extensible jacking device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: Exmark Manufacturing Company, IncorporatedInventors: Clark S. Papke, Gary L. Nicholson
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Patent number: 7669873Abstract: A mower includes a zero turn radius (ZTR) traction unit carrying a front mounted cutting deck. The cutting deck is suspended beneath a carrier frame by a height of cut adjustment system comprising a plurality of pivot links and suspension chains extending between the carrier frame and the cutting deck. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to one of the pivot links can simultaneously lift the chains or permit the chains to lower to change the height of the cutting deck relative to the carrier frame. This same cylinder can also fold the carrier frame and the cutting deck relative to the traction unit about a fold pivot axis when a fold latch is selectively released by the operator. The carrier frame includes a center step for helping the operator mount or dismount the traction unit. The center step has a front viewport for allowing an operator who is seated on the traction unit to view the front edge of the cutting deck.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Exmark MFG. Co., Inc.Inventors: Clark S. Papke, Justin L. Pryor
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Patent number: 7451586Abstract: A mower includes a zero turn radius (ZTR) traction unit carrying a front mounted cutting deck. The cutting deck is suspended beneath a carrier frame by a height of cut adjustment system comprising a plurality of pivot links and suspension chains extending between the carrier frame and the cutting deck. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to one of the pivot links can simultaneously lift the chains or permit the chains to lower to change the height of the cutting deck relative to the carrier frame. This same cylinder can also fold the carrier frame and the cutting deck relative to the traction unit about a fold pivot axis when a fold latch is selectively released by the operator. The carrier frame includes a center step for helping the operator mount or dismount the traction unit. The center step has a front view-port for allowing an operator who is seated on the traction unit to view the front edge of the cutting deck.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Exmark Mfg. Co., Inc.Inventors: Clark S. Papke, Justin L. Pryor, James W. Lancaster, Patrick D. Sands, Tim D. Andre
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Patent number: 6651413Abstract: Multiple belt mule drive apparatus and systems for use with ground maintenance vehicles are provided. The apparatus may include two endless belts each engageable with a drive sheave of a prime mover and a driven sheave of a cutting deck. Each drive belt may further contact a guide pulley and an idler pulley on a tension side and a slack side of the belt, respectively. In one embodiment, the drive sheave has an axis generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Preferably, the guide pulley and the idler pulley associated with the first endless belt are, when the vehicle is in an operating configuration, located on a first side of a vertical plane passing through the drive sheave axis, while the guide pulley and idler pulley associated with the second endless belt are located on a second side.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2001Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, IncorporatedInventor: Clark S. Papke
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Publication number: 20030000191Abstract: Multiple belt mule drive apparatus and systems for use with ground maintenance vehicles are provided. The apparatus may include two endless belts each engageable with a drive sheave of a prime mover and a driven sheave of a cutting deck. Each drive belt may further contact a guide pulley and an idler pulley on a tension side and a slack side of the belt, respectively. In one embodiment, the drive sheave has an axis generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Preferably, the guide pulley and the idler pulley associated with the first endless belt are, when the vehicle is in an operating configuration, located on a first side of a vertical plane passing through the drive sheave axis, while the guide pulley and idler pulley associated with the second endless belt are located on a second side.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2001Publication date: January 2, 2003Applicant: Exmark Manufacturing Company, IncorporatedInventor: Clark S. Papke
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Patent number: 5636703Abstract: Transducer structure for a steerable axle includes a transducer assembly having a housing and a cup-shaped journal, having an apertured bottom portion, fixed to the spindle of a steerable wheel by the spindle bolt for rotation with the spindle about the spindle axis. A bracket connected to the guide axle knee nonrotatably supports housing structure above the spindle, and the journal is rotatably received within a bearing and seal in the housing structure. The journal includes apertures which receive mating pins which constrain the rotary member for rotation with the journal relative to the housing structure. A special fixture supported by the tie-rod bolt accurately centers the journal during assembly and facilitates calibration of the transducer.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1995Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Assignees: Deere & Company, Orthman Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Clark S. Papke, Francis E. Schlueter, William E. McCoy, Timothy A. Deutsch