Patents by Inventor Frank K. O'Toole

Frank K. O'Toole 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: 5383376
    Abstract: A control structure is provided for the swash plate of a hydraulic transmission pump. The structure is adapted to return the swash plate to its neutral orientation and thereby prevent creep or slight movement in the vehicle when the transmission is returned to neutral. The structure takes the form of a tapered hub adapted to be accurately mounted on a tapered swash plate control shaft and configured to be precisely received in a compatably shaped control lever. The lever, in turn, is actuated by the operator foot pedals and returned to its neutral setting by a V-type neutral cam locator. The hub is produced through a powder metal process and with its unique configuration for being mounted in a lever recess can be utilized with a variety of lever shapes and configurations to permit its use in a variety of vehicles and hydrostatic transmission models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Christopher S. Thorman, James A. Swartzendruber, Frank K. O'Toole
  • Patent number: 5293729
    Abstract: A mechanism coupling a yoke and cutting unit to a push arm, and having an upright steering pivot mechanism which establishes a relatively large effective steering lever arm for decreasing scuffing of the turf by the rollers of the cutting units, and an inclined pivot mechanism having an axis which is directed generally toward the cutting unit to decrease the effective lever arm between the rollers and the pivot axis and thereby reduce turf scuffing during execution of turns during mowing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Roger W. Curry, Robert F. Hartwig, Christopher S. Thorman, Frank K. O'Toole
  • Patent number: 4817728
    Abstract: Implements designed for attachment to a lawn and garden tractor include elongate attaching frames having the implement tool connected to first ends of the frames and transport wheels located so that the weight of the implement is distributed approximately half on opposite sides of the wheel axes so that the implement may be easily pushed about on the wheels during mounting and dismounting the implement to and from the tractor frame. Attachment brackets and lift links of the implements are engageable with attachment pins and lift crank arms of the tractor without necessitating any lifting of the implement. Also with driven implements, the drive belts are arranged on or stored with the implements so that the tractor drive may be easily and correctly connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Steven L. Schmid, Larry D. Hining, Frank K. O'Toole