Patents by Inventor Derek S. Duchscherer
Derek S. Duchscherer 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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Publication number: 20240125067Abstract: An auger housing as part of a snowthrower or part of a snowthrower implement for attachment with a vehicle. The auger housing may include a rear wall and spaced-apart first and second sidewalls connected to one another by the rear wall to define a front-facing collection opening. The rear wall may define a lower edge extending between the first and second sidewalls along a transverse direction. The auger housing may also include an oscillating scraper connected to the lower edge of the rear wall. The oscillating scraper extends downwardly from the lower edge toward a ground surface and is configured to move relative to the rear wall in a reciprocating motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Derek S. Duchscherer, Todd A. Porter, Paul F. Koltz, Brian A. Hanson, Chris A. Wadzinski
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Publication number: 20240068190Abstract: An electric snowthrower including: an auger and an impeller driven by one or more electric motors; one or more sensors; and an electronic controller coupled to each of the motor(s) and the sensor(s). The electronic controller is configured to monitor data provided by the sensor(s) and, in response to the sensor data, automatically adjust operation of the motor(s) or other feature of the snowthrower. Controls for operating such a snowthrower are also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Derek S. Duchscherer, Todd A. Porter, Chris A. Wadzinski
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Publication number: 20230311725Abstract: Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Dale A. Stover, Alexander E. Hoy, Derek S. Duchscherer, Patrick J. Shaver
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Publication number: 20230070865Abstract: Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Dale A. Stover, Alexander E. Hoy, Derek S. Duchscherer, Patrick J. Shaver
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Patent number: 11498464Abstract: Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Dale A. Stover, Alexander E. Hoy, Derek S. Duchscherer, Patrick J. Shaver
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Publication number: 20210061146Abstract: Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Dale A. Stover, Alexander E. Hoy, Derek S. Duchscherer, Patrick J. Shaver
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Patent number: 10864832Abstract: Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Dale A. Stover, Alexander E. Hoy, Derek S. Duchscherer, Patrick J. Shaver
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Publication number: 20190264405Abstract: A housing for a snowthrower including an auger housing and an impeller housing. The auger housing may include a front portion and a rear portion protruding from a rear wall of the front portion. The impeller housing may be coupled to the auger housing at a rear-facing opening of the rear portion. At least a portion of the rear portion and the impeller housing form a bypass passage adapted to return snow that bypasses a discharge outlet. The snowthrower may also include an auger that includes a helical flyte adapted to collect snow. The helical flyte may include a first helical portion and a second helical portion, wherein the first helical portion is overlapping and coupled to the second helical portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal, Nathan J. Friberg
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Publication number: 20190111812Abstract: Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2018Publication date: April 18, 2019Inventors: Dale A. Stover, Alexander E. Hoy, Derek S. Duchscherer, Patrick J. Shaver
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Publication number: 20180051430Abstract: A snowthrower having a rotor housing with first and second sidewalls and a rotor extending between the sidewalls. As the rotor wears, it may be repositionable, relative to a ground surface and to the rotor housing to maintain snowthrower performance. In some embodiments, end portions of the rotor may connect to the sidewalls via an adjustable coupler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal, Philip G. Stalpes
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Patent number: 9863107Abstract: A self-propelled snowthrower wherein, in one embodiment, drive members on each side of the snowthrower provide variable speed propulsion. A transmission that delivers power to the drive members may be adapted to de-clutch one of the two drive wheels when the ground speed of that wheel exceeds the driving speed of the transmission. In other embodiments, the snowthrower includes a rotor having a snow ejection surface forming a negative rake angle. Yet other embodiments include a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual discharge chute rotation via one-handed input.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Philip G. Stalpes, Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal
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Publication number: 20170081817Abstract: A self-propelled snowthrower wherein, in one embodiment, drive members on each side of the snowthrower provide variable speed propulsion. A transmission that delivers power to the drive members may be adapted to de-clutch one of the two drive wheels when the ground speed of that wheel exceeds the driving speed of the transmission. In other embodiments, the snowthrower includes a rotor having a snow ejection surface forming a negative rake angle. Yet other embodiments include a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual discharge chute rotation via one-handed input.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Philip G. Stalpes, Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal
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Patent number: 9556572Abstract: A self-propelled, single-stage snowthrower wherein, in one embodiment, drive members on each side of the snowthrower provide variable speed propulsion. A transmission that delivers power to the drive members may be adapted to de-clutch one of the two drive wheels when the ground speed of that wheel exceeds the driving speed of the transmission. In other embodiments, the snowthrower includes a rotor having a snow ejection surface forming a negative rake angle. Yet other embodiments include a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual discharge chute rotation via one-handed input.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal, Philip G. Stalpes, Nathan J. Friberg
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Patent number: 9546462Abstract: A self-propelled snowthrower wherein, in one embodiment, drive members on each side of the snowthrower provide variable speed propulsion. A transmission that delivers power to the drive members may be adapted to de-clutch one of the two drive wheels when the ground speed of that wheel exceeds the driving speed of the transmission. In other embodiments, the snowthrower includes a rotor having a snow ejection surface forming a negative rake angle. Yet other embodiments include a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual discharge chute rotation via one-handed input.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Philip G. Stalpes, Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal
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Publication number: 20160138234Abstract: A self-propelled, single-stage snowthrower wherein, in one embodiment, drive members on each side of the snowthrower provide variable speed propulsion. A transmission that delivers power to the drive members may be adapted to de-clutch one of the two drive wheels when the ground speed of that wheel exceeds the driving speed of the transmission. In other embodiments, the snowthrower includes a rotor having a snow ejection surface forming a negative rake angle. Yet other embodiments include a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual discharge chute rotation via one-handed input.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2014Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal, Philip G. Stalpes, Nathan J. Friberg
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Publication number: 20160138235Abstract: A self-propelled snowthrower wherein, in one embodiment, drive members on each side of the snowthrower provide variable speed propulsion. A transmission that delivers power to the drive members may be adapted to de-clutch one of the two drive wheels when the ground speed of that wheel exceeds the driving speed of the transmission. In other embodiments, the snowthrower includes a rotor having a snow ejection surface forming a negative rake angle. Yet other embodiments include a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual discharge chute rotation via one-handed input.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2014Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Philip G. Stalpes, Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal
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Patent number: D786940Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Philip C. Dretzka, David J. Martin, Nathan J. Friberg, Nicholas J. Wersal, Derek S. Duchscherer