Patents by Inventor James Velke

James Velke 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: 20080072559
    Abstract: A lawn mower is provided. In certain example embodiments, the lawn mower includes an improved deck lift system and/or an improved brake pump lock-out system. In certain example embodiments, a deck lift system may lift/lower the cutter deck, engine deck, engine, and handle control assembly together at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Wright, William Wright, Luke Waesche, James Velke
  • Publication number: 20070107403
    Abstract: A walk-behind lawn mower includes at least one of: (a) a latch assembly for receiving a folded-up sulky for storage during transport and the like; (b) inboard mounted control rods extending downwardly from a handle control assembly area of the mower, so that actuator shafts for the hydraulic pumps are located on inboard sides of the pumps so as to oppose one another; (c) a handle control assembly for allowing the mower to be operated in an efficient manner with operator comfort during turns and the like; and/or (d) a pump lock-out system including a lever(s) for actuating both a braking force to be applied to at least one wheel of the mower and a pump lock-out system for causing the pumps to be locked in a neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: Wright Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: James Velke, William Wright
  • Publication number: 20070044446
    Abstract: A lawn mower is provided. In certain example embodiments, the lawn mower includes an improved steering control system/assembly and/or an improved pump control linkage system/assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William Wright, Glenn Hubert, Luke Waesche, James Velke
  • Publication number: 20070039304
    Abstract: A lawn mower is provided. In certain example embodiments, the lawn mower includes an improved deck lift system and/or an improved brake pump lock-out system. In certain example embodiments, a-deck lift system may lift/lower the cutter deck, engine deck, engine, and handle control assembly together at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Wright, William Wright, Luke Waesche, James Velke
  • Publication number: 20070039301
    Abstract: This invention relates to a lawn mower. In certain example embodiments, the lawn mower may be of the walk-behind type. In certain example embodiments of this invention, the lawn mower may have one or more of: (a) an improved handlebar weldment assembly, (b) an improved operator presence control (OPC) system and structure, (c) an improved speed control system structure, (d) an improve cam bar system for hydraulic pump control, (e) a return-to-neutral biasing system that biases hand lever(s) toward a neutral position but only from a reverse position (not from a forward position), and/or (f) an improved tracking adjustment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James Velke, William Wright, Luke Waesche
  • Publication number: 20070039302
    Abstract: This invention relates to a lawn mower. In certain example embodiments, the lawn mower includes one or more of: (a) a cooling baffle for efficiently cooling a hydraulic fluid tank and/or fluid therein using air flow caused by a combustion engine used for driving mower cutting blade(s); (b) improved cockpit structure including fenders; (c) improved drive wheel(s) adjustment structure or assembly; (d) improved idler arm assembly for use in connection with the cutter deck and/or pump driving belt; and/or (e) improved hose routing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James Velke, William Wright, Luke Waesche
  • Publication number: 20050126146
    Abstract: A walk-behind lawn mower includes at least one of: (a) a latch assembly for receiving a folded-up sulky for storage during transport and the like; (b) inboard mounted control rods extending downwardly from a handle control assembly area of the mower, so that actuator shafts for the hydraulic pumps are located on inboard sides of the pumps so as to oppose one another; (c) a handle control assembly for allowing the mower to be operated in an efficient manner with operator comfort during turns and the like; and/or (d) a pump lock-out system including a lever(s) for actuating both a braking force to be applied to at least one wheel of the mower and a pump lock-out system for causing the pumps to be locked in a neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicant: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James Velke, William Wright
  • Patent number: 6862872
    Abstract: A zero-turning-radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing-occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing-occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero-radius-turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned at this turning point so that the standing-occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero-radius-turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Wright, James Velke
  • Patent number: 6625965
    Abstract: A zero-turning-radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing-occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing-occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero-radius-turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned at this turning point so that the standing-occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero-radius-turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Wright, James Velke
  • Patent number: 6189305
    Abstract: A zero-turning-radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing-occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing-occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero-radius-turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned at this turning point so that the standing-occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero-radius-turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Wright, James Velke
  • Patent number: 6085504
    Abstract: A zero-turning-radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing-occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing-occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero-radius-turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned at this turning point so that the standing-occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero-radius-turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Wright, James Velke