Patents by Inventor Don Patrick Meenen
Don Patrick Meenen 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: 10188022Abstract: A lift system and method for transporting agricultural implements. The lift system includes a pair of lower linkage arms, an upper link, and at least four carriage wheels for transporting the lift system along carriage guide rails of a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the trailer and is movable between lowered, loading position, a raised position, and a transport position. It is capable of connecting to a load having a three-point hitch. A gas strut may optionally be equipped to aid in the lifting process. A telescoping light bar may be included to increase safety while in transport.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2015Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Bestway, Inc.Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
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Patent number: 9533612Abstract: A rotating lift system and method for transporting oversized agricultural implements. The rotating lift system includes a rotator arm, a rotator arm guide, and an arcuate rotation track all mounted on a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the rotator arm and is movable between lowered and raised positions and is adapted for connecting to a load. The rotator arm is pivotally connected to the trailer frame and rotates about a vertical axis. The rotator arm guide is connected to the opposing end of the rotator arm and engages the rotation track. The rotating lift system and method are adapted for engaging, lifting and rotating an implement and moving the implement between perpendicularly opposed field use and transport positions. A gas strut may optionally be equipped to aid in the lifting process. A telescoping light bar may be included to increase safety while in transport.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Bestway, Inc.Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
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Patent number: 9511638Abstract: A transport hitch apparatus which is attached to a standard semi-truck tractor via the truck's frame and fifth-wheel, and which is capable of lifting and towing agricultural implements using an array of different hitch connections. The transport hitch is customizable, and is capable of conforming to several semi-truck tractor frame types and implement hitch types. In the practice of an aspect of the present invention, an agricultural implement is attached to the transport apparatus via a two-point or drawbar hitch. The transport apparatus includes a self-contained electrically powered hydraulic lift system capable of lifting large agricultural implements for transport. The transport apparatus is mounted to a tandem axle semi-truck tractor fifth wheel and frame. The transport apparatus is designed to quickly attach to any standard semi-truck tractor. The hydraulic lift system allows implements of any shape or size to be raised or lowered to an ideal towing height.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Bestway, Inc.Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
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Publication number: 20150342111Abstract: A lift system and method for transporting agricultural implements. The lift system includes a pair of lower linkage arms, an upper link, and at least four carriage wheels for transporting the lift system along carriage guide rails of a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the trailer and is movable between lowered, loading position, a raised position, and a transport position. It is capable of connecting to a load having a three-point hitch. A gas strut may optionally be equipped to aid in the lifting process. A telescoping light bar may be included to increase safety while in transport.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
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Publication number: 20150202934Abstract: A transport hitch apparatus which is attached to a standard semi-truck tractor via the truck's frame and fifth-wheel, and which is capable of lifting and towing agricultural implements using an array of different hitch connections. The transport hitch is customizable, and is capable of conforming to several semi-truck tractor frame types and implement hitch types. In the practice of an aspect of the present invention, an agricultural implement is attached to the transport apparatus via a two-point or drawbar hitch. The transport apparatus includes a self-contained electrically powered hydraulic lift system capable of lifting large agricultural implements for transport. The transport apparatus is mounted to a tandem axle semi-truck tractor fifth wheel and frame. The transport apparatus is designed to quickly attach to any standard semi-truck tractor. The hydraulic lift system allows implements of any shape or size to be raised or lowered to an ideal towing height.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
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Patent number: 8992155Abstract: A transport hitch apparatus which is attached to a standard semi-truck tractor via the truck's frame and fifth-wheel, and which is capable of lifting and towing agricultural implements using an array of different hitch connections. The transport hitch is customizable, and is capable of conforming to several semi-truck tractor frame types and implement hitch types. In the practice of an aspect of the present invention, an agricultural implement is attached to the transport apparatus via a two-point or drawbar hitch. The transport apparatus includes a self-contained electrically powered hydraulic lift system capable of lifting large agricultural implements for transport. The transport apparatus is mounted to a tandem axle semi-truck tractor fifth wheel and frame. The transport apparatus is designed to quickly attached to any standard semi-truck tractor. The hydraulic lift system allows implements of any shape or size to be raised or lowered to an ideal towing height.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Bestway, Inc.Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
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Publication number: 20140003898Abstract: A rotating lift system and method for transporting oversized agricultural implements. The rotating lift system includes a rotator arm, a rotator arm guide, and an arcuate rotation track all mounted on a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the rotator arm and is movable between lowered and raised positions and is adapted for connecting to a load. The rotator arm is pivotally connected to the trailer frame and rotates about a vertical axis. The rotator arm guide is connected to the opposing end of the rotator arm and engages the rotation track. The rotating lift system and method are adapted for engaging, lifting and rotating an implement and moving the implement between perpendicularly opposed field use and transport positions. A gas strut may optionally be equipped to aid in the lifting process. A telescoping light bar may be included to increase safety while in transport.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Bestway, Inc.Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
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Patent number: 8534982Abstract: A rotating lift system and method for transporting oversized agricultural implements. The rotating lift system includes a rotator arm, a rotator arm guide, an arcuate rotation track all mounted on a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the rotator arm and is movable between lowered and raised positions and is adapted for connecting to a load. The rotator arm is pivotally connected to the trailer frame and rotates about a vertical axis. The rotator arm guide is connected to the opposing end of the rotator arm and engages the rotation track. The rotating lift system and method are adapted for engaging, lifting and rotating an implement and moving the implement between perpendicularly opposed field use and transport positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Bestway, Inc.Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
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Publication number: 20130049329Abstract: A transport hitch apparatus which is attached to a standard semi-truck tractor via the truck's frame and fifth-wheel, and which is capable of lifting and towing agricultural implements using an array of different hitch connections. The transport hitch is customizable, and is capable of conforming to several semi-truck tractor frame types and implement hitch types. In the practice of an aspect of the present invention, an agricultural implement is attached to the transport apparatus via a two-point or drawbar hitch. The transport apparatus includes a self-contained electrically powered hydraulic lift system capable of lifting large agricultural implements for transport. The transport apparatus is mounted to a tandem axle semi-truck tractor fifth wheel and frame. The transport apparatus is designed to quickly attached to any standard semi-truck tractor. The hydraulic lift system allows implements of any shape or size to be raised or lowered to an ideal towing height.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
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Publication number: 20120195725Abstract: A rotating lift system and method for transporting oversized agricultural implements. The rotating lift system includes a rotator arm, a rotator arm guide, an arcuate rotation track all mounted on a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the rotator arm and is movable between lowered and raised positions and is adapted for connecting to a load. The rotator arm is pivotally connected to the trailer frame and rotates about a vertical axis. The rotator arm guide is connected to the opposing end of the rotator arm and engages the rotation track. The rotating lift system and method are adapted for engaging, lifting and rotating an implement and moving the implement between perpendicularly opposed field use and transport positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
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Patent number: 7878422Abstract: A variable rate suspension system for a boom sprayer including a lift assembly and chassis. The suspension system includes a needle valve fluidly connected to a hydraulic accumulator and a first and second lift arm cylinder. A control block provides hydraulic fluid to the system and lift arm cylinders. Dampening of vertical accelerations encountered by the chassis and transmitted to the boom sprayer through the lift assembly is controlled by adjusting the rate hydraulic fluid flows from the cylinders into the accumulator using the needle valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Bestway, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Heiniger, Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, James B. Prohaska
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Publication number: 20100050858Abstract: A variable rate suspension system for a boom sprayer including a lift assembly and chassis. The suspension system includes a needle valve fluidly connected to a hydraulic accumulator and a first and second lift arm cylinder. A control block provides hydraulic fluid to the system and lift arm cylinders. Dampening of vertical accelerations encountered by the chassis and transmitted to the boom sprayer through the lift assembly is controlled by adjusting the rate hydraulic fluid flows from the cylinders into the accumulator using the needle valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2008Publication date: March 4, 2010Inventors: Richard W. Heiniger, Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Berson, James B. Proshaska