Patents by Inventor Harlan J. Bartel

Harlan J. Bartel 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: 11860662
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to control devices for controlling features or functions of apparatuses and devices. At a high level, the control devices described herein provide an input locus that is positioned within a handle of the control devices. The input locus may have a fixed position such that the control device may resist movement in response to forces applied to the handle in force vectors passing through the input locus. Further, the handle may pivot or rotate about the input locus in response to forces applied to the handle in force vectors that are offset from the input locus to generate inputs and/or controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Brian L Nebel
  • Patent number: 11724658
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Eric M. Biggs, Brian R. Funk, Ronald E. Lefevre, Royce A. Steinert, James A. Wright, Brian L. Nebel
  • Publication number: 20220080914
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Harlan J. BARTEL, ERIC M. BIGGS, BRIAN R. FUNK, RONALD E. LEFEVRE, ROYCE A. STEINERT, JAMES A. WRIGHT, BRIAN L. NEBEL
  • Patent number: 11198408
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Eric M. Biggs, Brian R. Funk, Ronald E. Lefevre, Royce A. Steinert, James A. Wright, Brian L. Nebel
  • Publication number: 20200101920
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: HARLAN J. BARTEL, ERIC M. BIGGS, BRIAN R. FUNK, RONALD E. LEFEVRE, ROYCE A. STEINERT, JAMES A. WRIGHT, BRIAN L. NEBEL
  • Publication number: 20180217626
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to control devices for controlling features or functions of apparatuses and devices. At a high level, the control devices described herein provide an input locus that is positioned within a handle of the control devices. The input locus may have a fixed position such that the control device may resist movement in response to forces applied to the handle in force vectors passing through the input locus. Further, the handle may pivot or rotate about the input locus in response to forces applied to the handle in force vectors that are offset from the input locus to generate inputs and/or controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Brian L. Nebel
  • Patent number: 8708400
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a plurality of wheels and a cargo bed assembly. A cargo bed translation mechanism is operable between the vehicle frame and the cargo bed to translate the cargo bed between a range of positions including a first transport position, a plurality of raised position a variety of loading positions. A cargo bed dumping mechanism is operable for tipping the cargo bed to dump the contents of the cargo bed at least from the transport position and the raised positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harlan J. Bartel
  • Patent number: 8528924
    Abstract: A rollover protection system unlocks and lowers from a raised position to a lowered position suitable for clearing a low hanging obstacle when an operator manually applies a force to an operator lever. The rollover protection system returns to the raised position when the operator ceases applying force to the operator lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Brian L. Nebel
  • Patent number: 8240420
    Abstract: A steering lever mechanism for a mower vehicle includes a lever assembly and a base which is fixed to the mower vehicle for mounting the lever assembly to the mower. The lever assembly includes a pivot assembly and a lever portion. The lever portion is pivotably mounted to the pivot assembly for rotation about a longitudinal axis between an inboard position and an outboard position. The pivot assembly is also pivotably mounted to the base for rotation of the pivot bracket portion and the lever portion about a transverse axis between a rear position, an intermediate neutral position and a forward position. A rotation measuring device is associated with the base and the pivot assembly for measuring the forward and rear rotation of the lever assembly. A sensor for activating parking breaks is also associated with the base for sensing the lever assembly when it is in the outboard position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Brian R. Funk
  • Patent number: 8157316
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a plurality of wheels and a cargo bed assembly. A cargo bed translation mechanism is operable between the vehicle frame and the cargo bed to translate the cargo bed between a range of positions including a first transport position, a plurality of raised position a variety of loading positions. A cargo bed dumping mechanism is operable for tipping the cargo bed to dump the contents of the cargo bed at least from the transport position and the raised positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harlan J. Bartel
  • Patent number: 6874308
    Abstract: A tilting deck lawn mower including a tractor frame, with drive wheel hydrostatic steering supporting a carrier frame and cutting deck pivotally mounted to the tractor frame on a horizontal axis parallel to the path of movement of the mower. Supported by the carrier frame is a single cutting deck with multiple blades; a pair of castered wheels mounted on the carrier frame, one on each side for ground support; a horizontal leg supporting one of the wheels is pivotally journaled to the carrier frame; a parallelogram linkage connecting the rotation of the supporting leg to the tractor, whereby the supporting leg does not rotate relative to the ground when the carrier frame rotates and an adjustable supporting arms on the carrier frame supporting the cutting deck which arms lift the cutting deck up towards the carrier frame as the carrier frame and cutting deck begin the rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harlan J. Bartel
  • Patent number: 6729115
    Abstract: A twin-lever drive wheel steering mower for a sitting operator with each lever independently controlling a brake and the speed of each drive wheel through a separate hydraulic pump and motor transmission. A brake assembly positioned on each drive wheel; a pair of pivotally mounted steering levers, each controlling one of the pumps mounted on the mower for longitudinal movement, each steering lever is connected independently to the swash plate of its controlled pump providing variable speeds forward, reverse, and a neutral zero flow position; linkage members connecting the steering levers for each wheel to a brake assembly on each wheel; a pair of T-shaped slots having a lateral leg in a cover plate surrounding each of the steering levers allowing the levers to move laterally outward in the lateral leg to engage the brakes only in the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harlan J. Bartel
  • Publication number: 20040000130
    Abstract: A twin-lever drive wheel steering mower for a sitting operator with each lever independently controlling a brake and the speed of each drive wheel through a separate hydraulic pump and motor transmission. A brake assembly positioned on each drive wheel; a pair of pivotally mounted steering levers, each controlling one of said pumps mounted on the mower for longitudinal movement, each steering lever is connected independently to the swash plate of its controlled pump providing variable speeds forward, reverse, and a neutral zero flow position; linkage members connecting the steering levers for each wheel to a brake assembly on each wheel; a pair of T-shaped slots having a lateral leg in a cover plate surrounding each of the steering levers allowing the levers to move laterally outward in the lateral leg to engage the brakes only in the neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Harlan J. Bartel
  • Patent number: 6434917
    Abstract: A twin-lever drive wheel steering mower for a sitting operator with each lever independently controlling a brake and the speed of each drive wheel through a separate hydraulic pump and motor transmission. A brake positioned on each drive wheel; a pair of pivotally mounted steering levers, each controlling one of said pumps mounted on the mower for longitudinal movement, each steering lever is connected independently to the swash plate of its controlled pump providing variable speeds forward, reverse, and a neutral zero flow position; linkage members connecting the steering levers for each wheel to said brake on each wheel; a pair of T-shaped slots having a lateral leg in a cover plate surrounding each of the steering levers allowing the levers to move laterally outward in the lateral leg to engage the brakes only in the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harlan J. Bartel
  • Patent number: 5913802
    Abstract: The invention is a self-propelled drivewheel steering power mower which can be operated in a standing or sitting position, including a pair of variable flow hydrostatic pumps with tiltable swash plates, each of which drives one of a pair of drivewheels. A vertically mounted steering shaft is rotatably supported on the mower for rotation about an axis concentric with said shaft; and a T-shaped steering handle bar is rotatably journaled to the end of said steering shaft for twisting about an axis concentric with said handle bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Mullet, Elmer D. Voth, Royce A. Steinert, Harlan J. Bartel