Patents by Inventor Craig Key

Craig Key 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: 20210378175
    Abstract: A utility machine, such as an outdoor power equipment unit such as a lawn mower, includes a work unit performing work in addition to motive power for the utility machine and a trailer occupied by an operator in a standing position. The operator may seamlessly step onto the trailer to operate the machine in stand-on mode and step off the trailer to operate the machine in walk-behind mode. The trailer remains in the deployed condition in both stand-on mode and walk-behind mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas E. Phillip, Aric Hamburg, William D. Maile, Craig Key, Brent P. Berglund, Michael Rukamp, Andrew Donati, Jeffrey M. Berchem, John Adams
  • Patent number: 11116130
    Abstract: A utility machine, such as an outdoor power equipment unit such as a lawn mower, includes a work unit performing work in addition to motive power for the utility machine and a trailer occupied by an operator in a standing position. The operator may seamlessly step onto the trailer to operate the machine in stand-on mode and step off the trailer to operate the machine in walk-behind mode. The trailer remains in the deployed condition in both stand-on mode and walk-behind mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
  • Patent number: 10625797
    Abstract: A utility machine includes a frame, a prime mover supported by the frame, and an operator control assembly coupled to the frame. The operator control assembly includes controls to operate the utility machine. The utility machine further includes a track drive system coupled to the frame to facilitate movement along a ground surface. The track drive system includes a drive wheel rotatably driven by the prime mover, an idler wheel rotatably supported by the frame, and a flexible track interconnecting the drive wheel and the idler wheel. The idler wheel is translatable relative to the frame and to the drive wheel to adjust an orientation of the frame relative to the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ariens Company
    Inventors: William D. Maile, Craig Key, Brett Bogenschutz, Travis Schisel, Scott E. Deschler
  • Publication number: 20190166758
    Abstract: A utility machine, such as an outdoor power equipment unit such as a lawn mower, includes a work unit performing work in addition to motive power for the utility machine and a trailer occupied by an operator in a standing position. The operator may seamlessly step onto the trailer to operate the machine in stand-on mode and step off the trailer to operate the machine in walk-behind mode. The trailer remains in the deployed condition in both stand-on mode and walk-behind mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
  • Publication number: 20190135359
    Abstract: A utility machine includes a frame, a prime mover supported by the frame, and an operator control assembly coupled to the frame. The operator control assembly includes controls to operate the utility machine. The utility machine further includes a track drive system coupled to the frame to facilitate movement along a ground surface. The track drive system includes a drive wheel rotatably driven by the prime mover, an idler wheel rotatably supported by the frame, and a flexible track interconnecting the drive wheel and the idler wheel. The idler wheel is translatable relative to the frame and to the drive wheel to adjust an orientation of the frame relative to the ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: William D. Maile, Craig Key, Brett Bogenschutz, Travis Schisel, Scott E. Deschler
  • Patent number: 10220895
    Abstract: A snow thrower includes a frame, a prime mover supported by the frame, and a handle assembly coupled to the frame. The handle assembly includes a grip for an operator to grasp. The snow thrower further includes an auger housing supported by the frame, and an auger blade rotationally coupled to and disposed within the auger housing. A track drive system is coupled to the frame to facilitate movement along a ground surface. The track drive system includes a drive wheel rotatably driven by the prime mover, an idler wheel rotatably supported by the frame, and a flexible track interconnecting the drive wheel and the idler wheel. The idler wheel is translatable relative to the frame to adjust an orientation of the auger housing relative to the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ariens Company
    Inventors: William D. Maile, Craig Key, Brett Bogenschutz, Travis Schisel, Scott E. Deschler
  • Publication number: 20170267297
    Abstract: A snow thrower includes a frame, a prime mover supported by the frame, and a handle assembly coupled to the frame. The handle assembly includes a grip for an operator to grasp. The snow thrower further includes an auger housing supported by the frame, and an auger blade rotationally coupled to and disposed within the auger housing. A track drive system is coupled to the frame to facilitate movement along a ground surface. The track drive system includes a drive wheel rotatably driven by the prime mover, an idler wheel rotatably supported by the frame, and a flexible track interconnecting the drive wheel and the idler wheel. The idler wheel is translatable relative to the frame to adjust an orientation of the auger housing relative to the ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: William D. Maile, Craig Key, Brett Bogenschutz, Travis Schisel, Scott E. Deschler
  • Patent number: 9290897
    Abstract: A chute rotation mechanism for a snow thrower having a frame and a chute rotatably mounted to the frame includes a ring gear configured to be mounted to the chute, a drive gear engaging the ring gear, and a handle assembly configured to pivot relative to the frame. The chute rotation mechanism also includes a first cable extending between the drive gear and the handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotable in a first direction to tension the first cable and rotate the drive gear, thereby rotating the ring gear in a corresponding first direction. The chute rotation mechanism further includes a second cable extending between the drive gear and the handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotable in a second direction to tension the second cable and rotate the drive gear, thereby rotating the ring gear in a corresponding second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ariens Company
    Inventors: Travis Schisel, Scot Koehler, Craig A. Key, Scott M. Lyman
  • Publication number: 20150218764
    Abstract: A chute rotation mechanism for a snow thrower having a frame and a chute rotatably mounted to the frame includes a ring gear configured to be mounted to the chute, a drive gear engaging the ring gear, and a handle assembly configured to pivot relative to the frame. The chute rotation mechanism also includes a first cable extending between the drive gear and the handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotable in a first direction to tension the first cable and rotate the drive gear, thereby rotating the ring gear in a corresponding first direction. The chute rotation mechanism further includes a second cable extending between the drive gear and the handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotable in a second direction to tension the second cable and rotate the drive gear, thereby rotating the ring gear in a corresponding second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Travis Schisel, Scot Koehler, Craig A. Key, Scott M. Lyman