Patents by Inventor Eric M. Prater

Eric M. Prater 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).

  • Patent number: 10947696
    Abstract: An ingress/egress arrangement for a machine comprises an operator cabin and a walkway system outside the operator cabin. The operator cabin can include a plurality of posts, including first post and a second post, and a door rotatably coupled to the first post so as to be movable between at a fully open position and at a fully closed position. An opening in the operator cabin between the first post and the second post defines a first operator ingress/egress point. The walkway system provides operator access to inside the operator cabin via the door and the opening, and provides operator access to outside the operator cabin. The door, in the fully open position, can restrict operator access toward a front of the machine and can allow operator access simultaneously to the walkway system and a second operator ingress/egress point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jon P. Wallgren, David R. Campbell, Andrew J. Gates, Eric M. Prater, Teddy E. Kingham, Alexander C. Striegel
  • Publication number: 20210002858
    Abstract: An ingress/egress arrangement for a machine comprises an operator cabin and a walkway system outside the operator cabin. The operator cabin can include a plurality of posts, including first post and a second post, and a door rotatably coupled to the first post so as to be movable between at a fully open position and at a fully closed position. An opening in the operator cabin between the first post and the second post defines a first operator ingress/egress point. The walkway system provides operator access to inside the operator cabin via the door and the opening, and provides operator access to outside the operator cabin. The door, in the fully open position, can restrict operator access toward a front of the machine and can allow operator access simultaneously to the walkway system and a second operator ingress/egress point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jon P. Wallgren, David R. Campbell, Andrew J. Gates, Eric M. Prater, Teddy E. Kingham, Alexander C. Striegel
  • Patent number: 10400423
    Abstract: A radiator guard may include a front plate, a top plate, spaced side plates, gussets and yoke assemblies. The front plate may have a varied profile such that a first lateral width proximate a top of the front plate is greater than a second lateral width proximate a bottom of the front plate. The top plate may be angled relative to the front plate and the side plates may be fixed near the lateral sides of the front plate such that portions of the front plate proximate the top of the front plate extend laterally outwardly from the side plates. The gussets may be disposed on the rear surface of the face plate at these laterally extending portions and the yoke assemblies may be disposed on the front surface of these portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Ryan Beasley, Kelly Ann Scholz, Eric M. Prater, Vuong Duc Ngo
  • Patent number: D887946
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Prater, Ryan Harken, Anthony S. Cooksey
  • Patent number: D900887
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Prater, Vuong Ngo, John C. Simkins