Patents by Inventor David Lawrence Phillips
David Lawrence Phillips 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: 8777508Abstract: A cutting unit mounting device includes a ball through which a yoke extends laterally. The yoke is attached to the cutting unit, and the ball is pivotably mounted in a ball housing attached to a lift arm. A releasable lock pin engages and secures the ball within the ball housing in a mowing position or a service position. The ball housing has stops to limit the pivoting of the ball and yoke with respect to the ball housing. A releasable lock pin engages notches in the ball to engage and secure the ball in the mowing position or service position with respect to the ball housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: David Lawrence Phillips, Michael Joseph Buchheit, Jennifer Lynn Jaramillo, Paul Robert Heide
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Patent number: 8745838Abstract: A ball joint assembly for attaching a cutting unit to a yoke includes a two piece ball positioned around the yoke, and a ball housing attached to the end of a lift arm and mounted over the two piece ball and securing the two piece ball to the yoke. The ball housing may have stops limiting angular movement of the two piece ball and the yoke with respect to the ball housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: David Lawrence Phillips, Michael Joseph Buchheit, Jennifer Lynn Jaramillo, Paul Robert Heide
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Publication number: 20120324702Abstract: A ball joint assembly for attaching a cutting unit to a yoke includes a two piece ball positioned around the yoke, and a ball housing attached to the end of a lift arm and mounted over the two piece ball and securing the two piece ball to the yoke. The ball housing may have stops limiting angular movement of the two piece ball and the yoke with respect to the ball housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: David Lawrence Phillips, Michael Joseph Buchheit, Jennifer Lynn Jaramillo, Paul Robert Heide
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Publication number: 20120328357Abstract: A cutting unit mounting device includes a ball through which a yoke extends laterally. The yoke is attached to the cutting unit, and the ball is pivotably mounted in a ball housing attached to a lift arm. A releasable lock pin engages and secures the ball within the ball housing in a mowing position or a service position. The ball housing has stops to limit the pivoting of the ball and yoke with respect to the ball housing. A releasable lock pin engages notches in the ball to engage and secure the ball in the mowing position or service position with respect to the ball housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: David Lawrence Phillips, Michael Joseph Buchheit, Jennifer Lynn Jaramillo, Paul Robert Heide
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Patent number: 8127876Abstract: A cooling enclosure is mounted to the frame of a grass mowing machine adjacent the engine cooling fan of an internal combustion engine. The engine cooling fan draws ambient air across the controllers and batteries in the cooling enclosure. The cooling enclosure includes a one piece molded plastic structure that holds and supports batteries and electronic controllers at positions spaced from its bottom surfaces. One or more removable or hinged panels cover the top of the structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2006Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: David Lawrence Phillips
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Patent number: 7971415Abstract: A grass mowing machine has a frame with an adjustable width toolbar including a center section and left and right outer sections telescoping into the center section. A pair of cutting units are mounted to lift arms pivotably connected to outboard ends of the outer sections of the adjustable width toolbar. A hydraulic lift cylinder is mounted between an inboard end of each lift arm and the adjustable width toolbar at a selected mounting point in the center section. The mounting point of the center section is aligned with a mounting point in one of the outer sections to provide a specified toolbar width suitable for the cutting units.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: David Lawrence Phillips
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Patent number: 7654065Abstract: A mechanism for offsetting cutting units for a grass mowing machine includes lift arms that pivot between a first lowered position in which the cutting units are offset to the left of the traction vehicle, a second lowered position in which the cutting units are offset to the right of the traction vehicle, and a raised position intermediate the first and second lowered positions. Each lift arm has a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: David Lawrence Phillips
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Publication number: 20090293439Abstract: A grass mowing machine has a frame with an adjustable width toolbar including a center section and left and right outer sections telescoping into the center section. A pair of cutting units are mounted to lift arms pivotably connected to outboard ends of the outer sections of the adjustable width toolbar. A hydraulic lift cylinder is mounted between an inboard end of each lift arm and the adjustable width toolbar at a selected mounting point in the center section. The mounting point of the center section is aligned with a mounting point in one of the outer sections to provide a specified toolbar width suitable for the cutting units.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventor: David Lawrence Phillips
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Patent number: 7478519Abstract: A mounting device to connect a rotary cutting deck to a lift arm includes a bracket having a first pivoting connection and a second pivoting connection parallel to the first pivoting connection. The first pivoting connection is connected to the lift arm and the second pivoting connection is connected to the rotary cutting deck. The pair of pivoting connections allow the deck to pitch. The bracket may be channel shaped and may have an opening or slot through which the lift arm extends. Additionally, a T-shaped pivot pin provides a third pivoting connection between the lift arm and bracket, the third pivoting connection being perpendicular to the first and second pivoting connections.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2005Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: David Lawrence Phillips
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Publication number: 20080196377Abstract: A height of cut adjustment system for a reel type grass cutting unit includes adjustment screw mechanisms mounted at each corner of the cutting unit. Linkages between the adjustment screw mechanisms permit driving all of the adjustment screw mechanisms synchronously from a single adjustment point to change the cutting height. The linkages may be worm gear drives or other mechanical linkages.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventors: Carl Steven Silbernagel, David Lawrence Phillips, Truluck Tillman Ammons, Richard David Thier, Kenneth Edward Hunt, Ronald Lee Reichen, Brent Gordon Rinholm
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Patent number: 7395648Abstract: A height of cut adjustment system for a reel type grass cutting unit includes adjustment screw mechanisms mounted at each corner of the cutting unit. Linkages between the adjustment screw mechanisms permit driving all of the adjustment screw mechanisms synchronously from a single adjustment point to change the cutting height. The linkages may be worm gear drives or other mechanical linkages.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2007Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Carl Steven Silbernagel, David Lawrence Phillips, Truluck Tillman Ammons, III, Richard David Thier, Kenneth Edward Hunt, Ronald Lee Reichen, Brent Gordon Rinhoim
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Publication number: 20080099262Abstract: A cooling enclosure is mounted to the frame of a grass mowing machine adjacent the engine cooling fan of an internal combustion engine. The engine cooling fan draws ambient air across the controllers and batteries in the cooling enclosure. The cooling enclosure includes a one piece molded plastic structure that holds and supports batteries and electronic controllers at positions spaced from its bottom surfaces. One or more removable or hinged panels cover the top of the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventor: David Lawrence Phillips
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Patent number: 7353904Abstract: A steerable primary axle for a fairway mower or other machine includes a pair of motors mounted in fixed positions on opposing ends of an axle. The mechanical drive system includes a pair of input shafts having input bevel gears, a pair of output shafts with output bevel gears and wheel mounts, and a pair of intermediate shafts between the input shafts and output shafts. Each intermediate shaft has an upper bevel gear meshed with the input bevel gear and a lower bevel gear meshed with the output bevel gear. The output shafts may be enclosed within pivotable housings. A pair of drag links are attached to the pivotable housings and to a steering linkage. The wheels on the wheel mounts may be steered without moving the motors, reducing or minimizing strain on hydraulic hoses or electric cables on the steered wheels.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: David Lawrence Phillips
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Publication number: 20080060331Abstract: A mechanism for offsetting cutting units for a grass mowing machine includes lift arms that pivot between a first lowered position in which the cutting units are offset to the left of the traction vehicle, a second lowered position in which the cutting units are offset to the right of the traction vehicle, and a raised position intermediate the first and second lowered positions. Each lift arm has a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Inventor: David Lawrence Phillips
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Patent number: 7331166Abstract: A coupling mechanism for a reel-type mower cutting unit holds the cutting unit in a mowing position, a partially raised service position, or a fully raised transport position. The coupling mechanism is positioned to avoid blocking the discharge of grass into a grass catcher mounted directly in front of the cutting unit. Each reel-type cutting unit is positioned so that the reel axis is a maximum of 28 inches from the front wheel axis of the mowing machine when the cutting unit is in the mowing position.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: David Lawrence Phillips
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Patent number: 7287363Abstract: A riding mower has multiple cutting units visible to the operator when mowing, and easily accessible for service and maintenance work. The riding mower chassis has a front end, a rear end, a left rail, a right rail, a pair of front wheels mounted at the front end, and a pair of rear wheels mounted adjacent the rear end. At least a portion of the left rail and right rail extend from under the operator module to define an uncovered area between the left rail and right rail adjacent the front end of the chassis. A first row of cutting units may be in front of the pair of front wheels, and a second row of cutting units behind the pair of front wheels. One of the cutting units in the second row may be positioned in the uncovered area between the left rail and the right rail.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: David Lawrence Phillips
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Patent number: 7231999Abstract: A steerable primary axle for a fairway mower or other machine includes a pair of motors mounted in fixed positions on opposing ends of an axle. The mechanical drive system includes a pair of input shafts having input bevel gears, a pair of output shafts with output bevel gears and wheel mounts, and a pair of intermediate shafts between the input shafts and output shafts. Each intermediate shaft has an upper bevel gear meshed with the input bevel gear and a lower bevel gear meshed with the output bevel gear. The output shafts may be enclosed within pivotable housings. A pair of drag links are attached to the pivotable housings and to a steering linkage. The wheels on the wheel mounts may be steered without moving the motors, reducing or minimizing strain on hydraulic hoses or electric cables on the steered wheels.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: David Lawrence Phillips
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Patent number: 6464036Abstract: A device for reducing sound emitted by the air intake of a internal combustion engine is provided. The device includes a dampening chamber formed of a one piece construction by rotational molding. Included as part of this mold are two tubular pipe-like sections designating both an inlet and an outlet whereby air is directed into the engine through the inlet and sound emitted by the engine is dampened as it enters the outlet of the silencer. The inlet and outlet are each formed within a pocket constructed in the mold that assists in creating the flow path for air as it moves throughout the chamber. The arrangement of the inlet and outlet in relation to one another assists in defining the sound reduction capability of the instant design and construction.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Daniel Lloyd Yenner, David Lawrence Phillips