Patents by Inventor Eric R. Slegelis

Eric R. Slegelis 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).

  • Publication number: 20200180573
    Abstract: A machine includes a prime mover having a power take-off, a chassis configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover, a subframe pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis at a first location, at least one drive device configured to drive wheels of the machine, a drive belt and pulley arrangement. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via at least one suspension device at a second location. The at least one drive device is driven by the prime mover and is coupled to the subframe. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the power take-off of the prime mover to at least one drive pulley on the at least one drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises an idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis. The idler pulley is coupled to the chassis such that the rotational axis is spaced from the pivot axis by no greater than 1.5 times the diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch
  • Patent number: 10464537
    Abstract: A machine includes a prime mover having a power take-off, a chassis configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover, a subframe pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis at a first location, at least one drive device configured to drive wheels of the machine, a drive belt and pulley arrangement. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via at least one suspension device at a second location. The at least one drive device is driven by the prime mover and is coupled to the subframe. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the power take-off of the prime mover to at least one drive pulley on the at least one drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises an idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis. The idler pulley is coupled to the chassis such that the rotational axis is spaced from the pivot axis by no greater than 1.5 times the diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Eric R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch
  • Patent number: 10238036
    Abstract: A zero turn mower may include a frame having a front portion, a rear portion and opposing side portions, a pair of front wheels located near the front portion of the frame, a pair of rear wheels located near the rear portion of the frame, wherein the engine is supported by the frame in between the pair of rear wheels near the rear portion of the frame, a seat supported by the frame, a cutter deck assembly having at least one cutting blade to cut grass, wherein the cutter deck assembly is located between the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels, a utility bed supported by the frame having an imperforate floor and an air intake through which air is drawn to cool the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Eric R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch, Steven J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20180304868
    Abstract: A machine includes a prime mover having a power take-off, a chassis configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover, a subframe pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis at a first location, at least one drive device configured to drive wheels of the machine, a drive belt and pulley arrangement. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via at least one suspension device at a second location. The at least one drive device is driven by the prime mover and is coupled to the subframe. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the power take-off of the prime mover to at least one drive pulley on the at least one drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises an idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis. The idler pulley is coupled to the chassis such that the rotational axis is spaced from the pivot axis by no greater than 1.5 times the diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Eric R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch
  • Patent number: 10005437
    Abstract: A machine includes a prime mover having a power take-off, a chassis configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover, a subframe pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis at a first location, at least one drive device configured to drive wheels of the machine, a drive belt and pulley arrangement. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via at least one suspension device at a second location. The at least one drive device is driven by the prime mover and is coupled to the subframe. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the power take-off of the prime mover to at least one drive pulley on the at least one drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises an idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis. The idler pulley is coupled to the chassis such that the rotational axis is spaced from the pivot axis by no greater than 1.5 times the diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Eric R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch
  • Publication number: 20170273244
    Abstract: A zero turn mower may include a frame having a front portion, a rear portion and opposing side portions, a pair of front wheels located near the front portion of the frame, a pair of rear wheels located near the rear portion of the frame, wherein the engine is supported by the frame in between the pair of rear wheels near the rear portion of the frame, a seat supported by the frame, a cutter deck assembly having at least one cutting blade to cut grass, wherein the cutter deck assembly is located between the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels, a utility bed supported by the frame having an imperforate floor and an air intake through which air is drawn to cool the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Eric R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch, Steven J. Weber
  • Patent number: 9693504
    Abstract: A mower comprises a utility bed that extends at least partially over an air intake screen of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Eric R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch, Steven J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20160212934
    Abstract: A mower comprises a utility bed that extends at least partially over an air intake screen of an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Eric R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch, Steven J. Weber
  • Patent number: 8171907
    Abstract: A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Briggs and Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Koenen, Stephen J. Ryczek, Bruce S. Lydy, Eric R. Slegelis, Steven J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20110118961
    Abstract: A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert J. Koenen, Stephen J. Ryczek, Bruce S. Lydy, Eric R. Slegelis, Steven J. Weber
  • Patent number: D622295
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Ryczek, Eric R. Slegelis, Dennis Hiller, Samuel Gerrits