Patents by Inventor Gary W. Kappel
Gary W. Kappel 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: 10945385Abstract: A stump cutter tooth with an angled or tapered cutting face, the purpose of the angle or taper being to increase the efficiency of the cutting tooth and lower the forces thereof that get transferred back to a stump cutter machine, the tooth also tapering to a full width required to protect a pocket or a mount from contact with a stump.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Clint A. Weinberg, Gary W. Kappel
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Publication number: 20200015435Abstract: A stump cutter tooth with an angled or tapered cutting face, the purpose of the angle or taper being to increase the efficiency of the cutting tooth and lower the forces thereof that get transferred back to a stump cutter machine, the tooth also tapering to a full width required to protect a pocket or a mount from contact with a stump.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2018Publication date: January 16, 2020Applicant: VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: CLINT A. WEINBERG, GARY W. KAPPEL
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Patent number: 10231389Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device and method that enable the efficient reduction of stumps. In one embodiment the stump removal methods and devices according to the present disclosure allow the operator to have a clear view of the work area during operation, and the ability to move the reduction device through a wide range of motion during operation. In one embodiment, the material reduction tool pivots relative to the chassis in the vertical plane about multiple pivot points. In some embodiments the device includes a retractable auxiliary control panel located at the end of the device opposite the material reduction tool. The control panel enables the operator to direct the movement of the device from the end of the device and thereby enable the device to maneuver through narrow spaces.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2014Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Gary W. Kappel, Christopher A. Pfoltner, Brent A. Bartels, Mark A. Rieckhoff
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Patent number: 9585313Abstract: A stump cutter assembly that has a driven wheel with first and wheel side surfaces, and a first stump cutter tooth assembly operatively attaches to the first wheel side surface and a second stump cutter tooth assembly operatively attaches to the second wheel side surface. The first stump cutter tooth assembly includes a first stump cutter tooth and a first bi-directional pocket member that non-rotatably retains the first stump cutter tooth. The second stump cutter tooth assembly includes a second stump cutter tooth and a second bi-directional pocket member that non-rotatably retains the second stump cutter tooth. The first stump cutter tooth assembly is in general transverse alignment with the second stump cutter tooth assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2011Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Inventors: Gary W. Kappel, Thomas R. Lyng, Cary D. Ritchey, Don C. Rowlett
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Patent number: 9248453Abstract: A cutting tooth for a rotary cutter that has a mounting bore arranged such that when a fastener disposed in the mounting bore is used to attach the cutting tooth to a tooth holder, the cutting tooth is attached into the holder so as to pull both a rear trailing surface and a bottom radially inner surface into tight contact with abutting surfaces of the tooth holder.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Christopher A. Pfoltner, Gary W. Kappel
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Publication number: 20140346263Abstract: A cutting tooth for a rotary cutter that has a mounting bore arranged such that when a fastener disposed in the mounting bore is used to attach the cutting tooth to a tooth holder, the cutting tooth is attached into the holder so as to pull both a rear trailing surface and a bottom radially inner surface into tight contact with abutting surfaces of the tooth holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Christopher A. Pfoltner, Gary W. Kappel
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Publication number: 20140283950Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device and method that enable the efficient reduction of stumps. In one embodiment the stump removal methods and devices according to the present disclosure allow the operator to have a clear view of the work area during operation, and the ability to move the reduction device through a wide range of motion during operation. In one embodiment, the material reduction tool pivots relative to the chassis in the vertical plane about multiple pivot points. In some embodiments the device includes a retractable auxiliary control panel located at the end of the device opposite the material reduction tool. The control panel enables the operator to direct the movement of the device from the end of the device and thereby enable the device to maneuver through narrow spaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Gary W. Kappel, Christopher A. Pfoltner, Brent A. Bartels, Mark A. Rieckhoff
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Patent number: 8522843Abstract: A bi-directional pocket member that retains a stump cutter tooth. The pocket affixes to a selected wheel side surface of a driven wheel, which has a first wheel side surface and a second wheel side surface. The pocket member has a pocket body, which has a first pocket edge, a second pocket edge, a first pocket side surface, a second pocket side surface, a radial inward pocket portion and an integral radial outward pocket portion. The radial inward pocket portion contains attachment bores used to operatively attach the pocket member to the driven wheel. The radial outward portion contains a retention bore used to retain the stump cutter tooth.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignees: Kennametal Inc., Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Gary W Kappel, Thomas R Lyng, Cary D Ritchey, Don C Rowlett
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Publication number: 20120012229Abstract: A stump cutter assembly that has a driven wheel with first and wheel side surfaces, and a first stump cutter tooth assembly operatively attaches to the first wheel side surface and a second stump cutter tooth assembly operatively attaches to the second wheel side surface. The first stump cutter tooth assembly includes a first stump cutter tooth and a first bi-directional pocket member that non-rotatably retains the first stump cutter tooth. The second stump cutter tooth assembly includes a second stump cutter tooth and a second bi-directional pocket member that non-rotatably retains the second stump cutter tooth. The first stump cutter tooth assembly is in general transverse alignment with the second stump cutter tooth assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicants: Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Kennametal Inc.Inventors: Gary W. Kappel, Thomas R. Lyng, Cary D. Ritchey, Don C. Rowlett
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Patent number: 8020591Abstract: A stump cutter tooth held by a pocket member, which has first and second edge, and the pocket member being operatively attached to a driven wheel, which has opposite first and second side surfaces. The stump cutter tooth includes an elongate tooth body that has an axial forward end. A first hard region is at the axial forward end of the tooth body and defines at least one distinct cutting edge that has an orientation to engage the stump during operation. A second hard region is at the axial forward end of the tooth body and is distinct from the first hard region. The second hard region provides protection to at least a portion of the pocket member.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignees: Kennametal Inc., Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Gary W. Kappel, Thomas R. Lyng, Cary D. Ritchey, Don C. Rowlett
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Publication number: 20110162756Abstract: A bi-directional pocket member that retains a stump cutter tooth. The pocket affixes to a selected wheel side surface of a driven wheel, which has a first wheel side surface and a second wheel side surface. The pocket member has a pocket body, which has a first pocket edge, a second pocket edge, a first pocket side surface, a second pocket side surface, a radial inward pocket portion and an integral radial outward pocket portion. The radial inward pocket portion contains attachment bores used to operatively attach the pocket member to the driven wheel. The radial outward portion contains a retention bore used to retain the stump cutter tooth.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: Kennametal Inc.Inventors: Gary W. Kappel, Thomas R. Lyng, Cary D. Ritchey, Don C. Rowlett
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Publication number: 20080149224Abstract: A stump cutter tooth held by a pocket member, which has first and second edge, and the pocket member being operatively attached to a driven wheel, which has opposite first and second side surfaces. The stump cutter tooth includes an elongate tooth body that has an axial forward end. A first hard region is at the axial forward end of the tooth body and defines at least one distinct cutting edge that has an orientation to engage the stump during operation. A second hard region is at the axial forward end of the tooth body and is distinct from the first hard region. The second hard region provides protection to at least a portion of the pocket member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Gary W. Kappel, Thomas R. Lyng, Cary D. Ritchey, Don C. Rowlett
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Patent number: 6014996Abstract: An apparatus to maintain optimum engine speed and cutter wheel speed to maintain peak power output of the engine and peak flywheel effect of the stump cutter wheel and method for maintaining optimum engine speed. The stump cutter has a rotating cutting wheel powered by an engine, and the cutter is mounted to be moved laterally. The mounting includes a boom and at least a first hydraulic cylinder for urging the boom to move along the path of travel over the surface of a stump. The hydraulic cylinder is activated by a hydraulic circuit which includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. A pressure hydraulic line connects the source of hydraulic fluid to a first port of the hydraulic cylinder and a return line is connected to a second port of the hydraulic cylinder. A valve diverts a portion of flow from the pressure line to the return line or to a sump. The valve is shiftable between at least a first and a second position.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1998Date of Patent: January 18, 2000Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Philip J. Egging, Brent A. Bartels, Gary W. Kappel
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Patent number: 5845689Abstract: An apparatus to maintain optimum engine speed and cutter wheel speed to maintain peak power output of the engine and peak flywheel effect of the stump cutter wheel and method for maintaining optimum engine speed. The stump cutter has a rotating cutting wheel powered by an engine, and the cutter is mounted to be moved laterally. The mounting includes a boom and at least a first hydraulic cylinder for urging the boom to move along the path of travel over the surface of a stump. The hydraulic cylinder is activated by a hydraulic circuit which includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. A pressure hydraulic line connects the source of hydraulic fluid to a first port of the hydraulic cylinder and a return line is connected to a second port of the hydraulic cylinder. A valve diverts a portion of flow from the pressure line to the return line or to a sump. The valve is shiftable between at least a first and a second position.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1996Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Philip J. Egging, Brent A. Bartels, Gary W. Kappel
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Patent number: 5657803Abstract: A stump cutter having a frame including a movable boom and an engine mounted on the frame. The drive engine includes a rotating output shaft and cutter drivably attached to a rotatable cutter shaft disposed on the boom. A drive transmitting shaft is provided for connecting the output shaft and the cutter wheel shaft. A coupler is provided for connecting the first end of the shaft to the engine output shaft and a second coupler is provided for connecting the second end of the shaft to the cutter shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Inventors: Gary W. Kappel, Philip J. Egging, Harlan E. Thompson
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Patent number: 4632262Abstract: A retractable leg structure for undecking a crane's upper from its carrier including a box member having a circular cross section and a longitudinal axis affixed to the upper, a beam retained within the box and rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative thereto, and an L-shaped leg, including a tubular member having a free end hinged to the beam, the leg being manually swingable about the hinged connection between a stowed position in which the tubular member is oriented horizontal and inboard of the upper and a deployed position in which the tubular member is horizontal and outboard of the upper. There is a lock pin device for selectively securing the leg in one of the deployed and stowed positions, and an extendable jack secured to the fee end of the tubular member along with a crank arm attached to the beam. A hydraulic ram connected to the crank arm moves the leg between the deployed position and an operative position wherein the tubular member is oriented vertically adjacent to the ground.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1985Date of Patent: December 30, 1986Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: David W. Olsen, Leroy L. Wittman, Marvin E. Evenson, Gary W. Kappel