Patents by Inventor James R. Powers

James R. Powers 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: 8371095
    Abstract: A height of cut adjustment system for use with a walk behind mower. The height of cut adjustment system includes a single drive motor that is operable in a first direction and a second direction. The single drive motor is connected to a linkage assembly that supports the four wheels of the walk behind mower relative to the mower deck. When the single drive motor is operated in a first direction, the mower height of cut increases and when the drive motor is operated in the second direction, the height of cut is decreased. The height of cut adjustment system includes a height of cut indicator system that visually indicates the relative position of the wheels relative to the mower deck. The height of cut indicator system includes one or more position indicators that can be selectively positioned to visually indicate the desired height of cut for the mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Grewe, Stephen C. Price, Scott A. Chartrand, James R. Powers
  • Publication number: 20120222395
    Abstract: A height of cut adjustment system for use with a walk behind mower. The height of cut adjustment system includes a single drive motor that is operable in a first direction and a second direction. The single drive motor is connected to a linkage assembly that supports the four wheels of the walk behind mower relative to the mower deck. When the single drive motor is operated in a first direction, the mower height of cut increases and when the drive motor is operated in the second direction, the height of cut is decreased. The height of cut adjustment system includes a height of cut indicator system that visually indicates the relative position of the wheels relative to the mower deck. The height of cut indicator system includes one or more position indicators that can be selectively positioned to visually indicate the desired height of cut for the mower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian D. Grewe, Stephen C. Price, Scott A. Chartrand, James R. Powers
  • Patent number: 6708472
    Abstract: A disabling feature used with a lawn mower, for disabling the drive wheels of a lawn mower when an obstacle is encountered. Braking, engine kill, blade stopping, and declutching is contemplated upon the tripping of a pivotable contact device which in one embodiment is configured to be tripped when contacting an object while in reverse. A directional extension flap is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Snapper, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank H. Hancock, Stephen C. Price, James R. Powers, Steven D. Smyly, Lucius L. Cole
  • Patent number: 6591594
    Abstract: A lock out feature for preventing a lawn mower from going into reverse unless the lawn mower blade is first disengaged, while allowing the lawn mower cutting blade to be reengaged upon being placed in reverse, the latch nevertheless allowing the lawn mower to be moved out of reverse without disengaging the lawn mower blade. An override feature is also allowed by use of a separate override control to allow the user to override the reverse lock out latch in order to go from forward or neutral into reverse without disengaging the cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Snapper, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank H. Hancock, Steven D. Smyly, Lucius Levon Cole, Fielder Fields Glass, James R. Powers, Stephen C. Price
  • Publication number: 20030097829
    Abstract: A disabling feature used with a lawn mower, for disabling the drive wheels of a lawn mower when an obstacle is encountered. Braking, engine kill, blade stopping, and declutching is contemplated upon the tripping of a pivotable contact device which in one embodiment is configured to be tripped when contacting an object while in reverse. A directional extension flap is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Frank H. Hancock, Stephen C. Price, James R. Powers, Steven D. Smyly, Lucius L. Cole
  • Patent number: 6513310
    Abstract: A disabling feature used with a lawn mower, for disabling the drive wheels of a lawn mower when an obstacle is encountered. Braking, engine kill, blade stopping, and declutching is contemplated upon the tripping of a pivotable contact device which in one embodiment is configured to be tripped when contacting an object while in reverse. A directional extension flap is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Snapper, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank H. Hancock, Stephen C. Price, James R. Powers, Steven D. Smyly, Lucius L. Cole
  • Publication number: 20020162311
    Abstract: A lock out feature for preventing a lawn mower from going into reverse unless the lawn mower blade is first disengaged, while allowing the lawn mower cutting blade to be reengaged upon being placed in reverse, said latch nevertheless allowing the lawn mower to be moved out of reverse without disengaging said lawn mower blade. An override feature is also allowed by use of a separate override control to allow the user to override the reverse lock out latch in order to go from forward or neutral into reverse without disengaging the cutting blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Frank H. Hancock, Steven D. Smyly, Lucius Levon Cole, Fielder Fields Glass, James R. Powers, Stephen C. Price
  • Patent number: 6405513
    Abstract: A lockout feature for preventing a lawn mower from going into reverse unless the lawn mower blade is first disengaged, while allowing the lawn mower cutting blade to be reengaged upon being placed in reverse, the latch nevertheless allowing the lawn mower to be moved out of reverse without disengaging said lawn mower blade. An override feature is also allowed by use of a separate override control to allow the user to override the reverse lock out latch in order to go from forward or neutral into reverse without disengaging the cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Snapper, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank H. Hancock, Steven D. Smyly, Lucius Levon Cole, Fielder Fields Glass, James R. Powers, Stephen C. Price
  • Patent number: 5511367
    Abstract: A lawn mower is provided having improved steering controls, namely a "trim" feature which may be adjusted while the mower is in a forward speed setting. Further provided is a park lock feature which locks the speed controls of the mower. Finally, a neutral latch feature is provided which becomes engaged when the left and fight steering controls of the mower are simultaneously position in either a neutral or a reverse position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: The Actava Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Powers, John W. Wilder, Frank H. Hancock, Jr., Amos G. Hill
  • Patent number: 5488818
    Abstract: A lawn mower is provided having improved steering controls, namely a "trim" feature which may be adjusted while the mower is in a forward speed setting. Further provided is a park lock feature which locks the speed controls of the mower. Finally, a neutral latch feature is provided which becomes engaged when the left and right steering controls of the mower are simultaneously position in either a neutral or a reverse position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: The Actava Group Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Powers, John W. Wilder, Frank H. Hancock, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5353581
    Abstract: A grass or vegetation cutting blade is provided, which includes multiple cutting edges, including a leading cutting edge positioned below a trailing cutting edge. An upturned foil is provided behind the leading edge, such that grass initially cut by the leading edge is directed upwardly by the foil toward the trailing edge, to be cut in midair. An inturned spur is provided, which provides inward air and clipping flow toward the rotational axis of the blade. The blade is contemplated for use in conventional side- or rear-discharging housings, as well as mulching or recycling housings. The blade is resistant to clogging, and includes power-efficient properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Fugua Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell V. Rouse, Frank H. Hancock, Jr., James R. Powers
  • Patent number: 5199251
    Abstract: A grass or vegetation cutting blade is provided, which includes multiple cutting edges, including a leading cutting edge positioned below a trailing cutting edge. An upturned foil is provided behind the leading edge, such that grass initially cut by the leading edge is directed upwardly by the foil toward the trailing edge, to be cut in midair. An inturned spur is provided, which provides inward air and clipping flow toward the rotational axis of the blade. The blade is contemplated for use in conventional side- or rear-discharging housings, as well as mulching or recycling housings. The blade is resistant to clogging, and includes power efficient properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Snapper Power Equipment Division of Fuqua Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell V. Rouse, James R. Powers, Frank H. Hancock, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4034491
    Abstract: A display device such as a model of a blimp has an aperture formed on one side thereof for display of information carried on a screen within the blimp. Means are provided to rotate the screen and to illuminate the screen interior so as to sequentially display the information through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1977
    Assignee: Revell, Incorporated
    Inventors: David R. Fisher, Don C. Willis, Frederick W. John, James R. Powers, James M. Doyle, Lonnie D. Cooper, Dennis C. Rich
  • Patent number: D252878
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1979
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventors: Ralph R. Bellino, John B. Foster, James R. Powers
  • Patent number: D260510
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: DeLorean Motor Company
    Inventor: James R. Powers
  • Patent number: D487719
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Power Sport Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Powers