Patents by Inventor Daniel A. Hatfield

Daniel A. Hatfield 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).

  • Latch system for hood of a machine
    Patent number: 10316557
    Abstract: An interlock lever for actuating a latch member of a machine is disclosed. The latch member is configured to lock a hood of the machine in a closed position thereof. The machine has an input member being movable in a first direction to move the hood towards an opened position and a second direction to move the hood towards the closed position. The interlock lever includes a body coupled to a frame of the machine and a slot defined in the body. The body is movable between a first position and a second position. In the second position of the body, the slot allows movement of the input member in the first direction and actuates the latch member to allow the hood to move from the closed position. In the first position of the body, the slot prevents movement of the input member in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip A. Hartz, Gerald W. Gavin, Daniel A. Hatfield, Brian P. Budzynski, Christopher M. Runestad
  • Actuation system for hood of a machine
    Patent number: 9855976
    Abstract: A mounting member for an actuator of a machine is disclosed. The actuator has a cylinder defining a longitudinal direction and a motor disposed adjacent to a mounting end of the cylinder. The actuator has a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation about the longitudinal direction with respect to the mounting member. The motor is disposed proximal to the mounting member in the first angular orientation and disposed distal to the mounting member in the second angular orientation. The mounting member includes a base portion to couple to a frame of the machine and a bracket portion extending from the base portion. The bracket portion is coupled to the mounting end of the cylinder. The mounting member further includes a guide portion extending from the base portion to prevent coupling of the actuator to the bracket portion in the first angular orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip A. Hartz, Matthew M. DeSanto, Daniel A. Hatfield
  • ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR HOOD OF A MACHINE
    Publication number: 20160208457
    Abstract: A mounting member for an actuator of a machine is disclosed. The actuator has a cylinder defining a longitudinal direction and a motor disposed adjacent to a mounting end of the cylinder. The actuator has a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation about the longitudinal direction with respect to the mounting member. The motor is disposed proximal to the mounting member in the first angular orientation and disposed distal to the mounting member in the second angular orientation. The mounting member includes a base portion to couple to a frame of the machine and a bracket portion extending from the base portion. The bracket portion is coupled to the mounting end of the cylinder. The mounting member further includes a guide portion extending from the base portion to prevent coupling of the actuator to the bracket portion in the first angular orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip A. Hartz, Matthew M. DeSanto, Daniel A. Hatfield
  • LATCH SYSTEM FOR HOOD OF A MACHINE
    Publication number: 20160208528
    Abstract: An interlock lever for actuating a latch member of a machine is disclosed. The latch member is configured to lock a hood of the machine in a closed position thereof. The machine has an input member being movable in a first direction to move the hood towards an opened position and a second direction to move the hood towards the closed position. The interlock lever includes a body coupled to a frame of the machine and a slot defined in the body. The body is movable between a first position and a second position. In the second position of the body, the slot allows movement of the input member in the first direction and actuates the latch member to allow the hood to move from the closed position. In the first position of the body, the slot prevents movement of the input member in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip A. Hartz, Gerald W. Gavin, Daniel A. Hatfield, Brian P. Budzynski, Christopher M. Runestad
  • Hood assembly for a machine and a method of use thereof
    Patent number: 7992665
    Abstract: A hood assembly includes a first hood and a second hood. The second hood is selectively rotatable with respect to the first hood to provide rapid access to components enclosed by the second hood, such as a radiator. The first and second hoods are selectively rotatable together to provide access to components enclosed by the first and second hoods, such as an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Giovannini, Rahul S. Visal, Gerald W. Gavin, Daniel A. Hatfield
  • Hood Assembly For A Machine And A Method Of Use Thereof
    Publication number: 20110024213
    Abstract: A hood assembly includes a first hood and a second hood. The second hood is selectively rotatable with respect to the first hood to provide rapid access to components enclosed by the second hood, such as a radiator. The first and second hoods are selectively rotatable together to provide access to components enclosed by the first and second hoods, such as an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Mario Giovannini, Rahul S. Visal, Gerald W. Gavin, Daniel A. Hatfield
  • Hood assembly for a machine and a method of use thereof
    Publication number: 20080006460
    Abstract: A hood assembly includes a first hood and a second hood. The second hood is selectively rotatable with respect to the first hood to provide rapid access to components enclosed by the second hood, such as a radiator. The first and second hoods are selectively rotatable together to provide access to components enclosed by the first and second hoods, such as an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Mario Giovannini, Rahul S. Visal, Gerald W. Gavin, Daniel A. Hatfield