Patents by Inventor James Wentzloff

James Wentzloff 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: 9694861
    Abstract: A suspension assembly of a work machine being movable in a forward direction. The work machine includes a frame, an undercarriage supporting the frame and at least one ground-engaging track. The suspension assembly includes a torsion assembly having an axle, a torsion bar adapted to be fixedly coupled to the frame, and an axle arm coupled at one end to the axle and at an opposite end thereof to the torsion bar. A locking arm has a first end and a second end, where the first end is coupled to the axle arm. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the second end of the locking arm. The hydraulic actuator is operably controlled between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In the unlocked configuration, the axle arm is pivotable relative to the frame, and in the locked configuration the axle arm is restricted from pivoting relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Galen C. Thomas, Steven R. Whiteman, Steve G. Fleischmann, Justin C. Gross, James Wentzloff
  • Patent number: 9624641
    Abstract: A work tool coupler for a work vehicle may include a rigid body, a retention pin, a four-bar linkage, and a lever. The retention pin may be configured to engage a work tool when the coupler is in an engaged position. The four-bar linkage may include a first member pivotally connected to the retention pin and at least one of a second member and a third member, the second member pivotally connected to at least one of the first member and the third member, the third member pivotally connected to at least one of the first member and the second member and a fourth member, and the fourth member pivotally connected to the third member. The lever may be attached to the fourth member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Kyle T. Martin, James Wentzloff
  • Publication number: 20170101143
    Abstract: A suspension assembly of a work machine being movable in a forward direction. The work machine includes a frame, an undercarriage supporting the frame and at least one ground-engaging track. The suspension assembly includes a torsion assembly having an axle, a torsion bar adapted to be fixedly coupled to the frame, and an axle arm coupled at one end to the axle and at an opposite end thereof to the torsion bar. A locking arm has a first end and a second end, where the first end is coupled to the axle arm. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the second end of the locking arm. The hydraulic actuator is operably controlled between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In the unlocked configuration, the axle arm is pivotable relative to the frame, and in the locked configuration the axle arm is restricted from pivoting relative to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Galen C. THOMAS, Steven R. Whiteman, Steve G. Fleischmann, Justin C. Gross, James Wentzloff
  • Publication number: 20160208455
    Abstract: A work tool coupler for a work vehicle may include a rigid body, a retention pin, a four-bar linkage, and a lever. The retention pin may be configured to engage a work tool when the coupler is in an engaged position. The four-bar linkage may include a first member pivotally connected to the retention pin and at least one of a second member and a third member, the second member pivotally connected to at least one of the first member and the third member, the third member pivotally connected to at least one of the first member and the second member and a fourth member, and the fourth member pivotally connected to the third member. The lever may be attached to the fourth member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Kyle T. Martin, James Wentzloff