Patents by Inventor John P. Azure
John P. Azure 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: 10292341Abstract: A stump grinder has a grinding arm that durably mounts a rotatable grinding wheel by securing the drive shaft of a motor to the grinding wheel such that a pair of bearings within the motor support one side of the grinding wheel and by supporting the other side of the grinding wheel with a stub shaft received within a third bearing. The grinding arm is laterally offset on the frame of the stump grinder to have a swing angle that is not symmetrical relative to the width of the frame, but with the swing angle starting at one side of the frame and then traversing across substantially the entire width of the frame to improve the ability of the operator to see the grinding wheel. A single joystick is movable in orthogonal directions corresponding to desired up and down and side-to-side pivoting motions of the grinding arm. The joystick includes a depressible trigger for starting and stopping the operation of the grinding wheel.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Joseph C. Knipp, John P. Azure
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Patent number: 10221540Abstract: A compact utility loader is operated by a standing operator at the rear of a frame. A loader arm assembly comprises a scissors linkage on either side of the frame nesting around the prime mover. Each scissors linkage has an upper loader arm that is pivoted at its rear end to rears ends of a pair of lower loader arms such that the pivot connections to the upper loader arm move upwardly and forwardly relative to the frame during elevation of the loader arm assembly to provide a high lift capability. The frame is self-propelled by a differential drive and steering system that is operated by dual levers. A hand grip extends between and unifies the operation of the levers to permit the operator to more easily move the levers in the ways that are needed to provide either straight motion of the frame or turns of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2018Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: John P. Azure, Joseph C. Knipp, James A. Kuemper
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Patent number: 10117388Abstract: A stump grinder has a grinding arm that durably mounts a rotatable grinding wheel by securing the drive shaft of a motor to the grinding wheel such that a pair of bearings within the motor support one side of the grinding wheel and by supporting the other side of the grinding wheel with a stub shaft received within a third bearing. The grinding arm is laterally offset on the frame of the stump grinder to have a swing angle that is not symmetrical relative to the width of the frame, but with the swing angle starting at one side of the frame and then traversing across substantially the entire width of the frame to improve the ability of the operator to see the grinding wheel. A single joystick is movable in orthogonal directions corresponding to desired up and down and side-to-side pivoting motions of the grinding arm. The joystick includes a depressible trigger for starting and stopping the operation of the grinding wheel.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventor: John P. Azure
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Publication number: 20180258606Abstract: A compact utility loader is operated by a standing operator at the rear of a frame. A loader arm assembly comprises a scissors linkage on either side of the frame nesting around the prime mover. Each scissors linkage has an upper loader arm that is pivoted at its rear end to rears ends of a pair of lower loader arms such that the pivot connections to the upper loader arm move upwardly and forwardly relative to the frame during elevation of the loader arm assembly to provide a high lift capability. The frame is self-propelled by a differential drive and steering system that is operated by dual levers. A hand grip extends between and unifies the operation of the levers to permit the operator to more easily move the levers in the ways that are needed to provide either straight motion of the frame or turns of the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: John P. Azure, Joseph C. Knipp, James A. Kuemper
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Patent number: 9970176Abstract: A compact utility loader is operated by a standing operator at the rear of a frame. A loader arm assembly comprises a scissors linkage on either side of the frame nesting around the prime mover. Each scissors linkage has an upper loader arm that is pivoted at its rear end to rears ends of a pair of lower loader arms such that the pivot connections to the upper loader arm move upwardly and forwardly relative to the frame during elevation of the loader arm assembly to provide a high lift capability. The frame is self-propelled by a differential drive and steering system that is operated by dual levers. A hand grip extends between and unifies the operation of the levers to permit the operator to more easily move the levers in the ways that are needed to provide either straight motion of the frame or turns of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: John P. Azure, Joseph C. Knipp, David A. Murray
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Patent number: 9462759Abstract: A stump grinder has a grinding arm that durably mounts a rotatable grinding wheel by securing the drive shaft of a motor to the grinding wheel such that a pair of bearings within the motor support one side of the grinding wheel and by supporting the other side of the grinding wheel with a stub shaft received within a third bearing. The grinding arm is laterally offset on the frame of the stump grinder to have a swing angle that is not symmetrical relative to the width of the frame, but with the swing angle starting at one side of the frame and then traversing across substantially the entire width of the frame to improve the ability of the operator to see the grinding wheel. A single joystick is movable in orthogonal directions corresponding to desired up and down and side-to-side pivoting motions of the grinding arm. The joystick includes a depressible trigger for starting and stopping the operation of the grinding wheel.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Joseph C. Knipp, John P. Azure
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Publication number: 20160244937Abstract: A compact utility loader is operated by a standing operator at the rear of a frame. A loader arm assembly comprises a scissors linkage on either side of the frame nesting around the prime mover. Each scissors linkage has an upper loader arm that is pivoted at its rear end to rears ends of a pair of lower loader arms such that the pivot connections to the upper loader arm move upwardly and forwardly relative to the frame during elevation of the loader arm assembly to provide a high lift capability. The frame is self-propelled by a differential drive and steering system that is operated by dual levers. A hand grip extends between and unifies the operation of the levers to permit the operator to more easily move the levers in the ways that are needed to provide either straight motion of the frame or turns of the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: John P. Azure, Joseph C. Knipp, James A. Kuemper, David A. Murray
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Publication number: 20150373931Abstract: A stump grinder has a grinding arm that durably mounts a rotatable grinding wheel by securing the drive shaft of a motor to the grinding wheel such that a pair of bearings within the motor support one side of the grinding wheel and by supporting the other side of the grinding wheel with a stub shaft received within a third bearing. The grinding arm is laterally offset on the frame of the stump grinder to have a swing angle that is not symmetrical relative to the width of the frame, but with the swing angle starting at one side of the frame and then traversing across substantially the entire width of the frame to improve the ability of the operator to see the grinding wheel. A single joystick is movable in orthogonal directions corresponding to desired up and down and side-to-side pivoting motions of the grinding arm. The joystick includes a depressible trigger for starting and stopping the operation of the grinding wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventor: John P. Azure
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Publication number: 20120175018Abstract: A stump grinder has a grinding arm that durably mounts a rotatable grinding wheel by securing the drive shaft of a motor to the grinding wheel such that a pair of bearings within the motor support one side of the grinding wheel and by supporting the other side of the grinding wheel with a stub shaft received within a third bearing. The grinding arm is laterally offset on the frame of the stump grinder to have a swing angle that is not symmetrical relative to the width of the frame, but with the swing angle starting at one side of the frame and then traversing across substantially the entire width of the frame to improve the ability of the operator to see the grinding wheel. A single joystick is movable in orthogonal directions corresponding to desired up and down and side-to-side pivoting motions of the grinding arm. The joystick includes a depressible trigger for starting and stopping the operation of the grinding wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventors: Joseph C. Knipp, Christopher J. Kost, David A. Murray, Landon M. Aldinger, John P. Azure
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Patent number: 8205361Abstract: A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a dual pivot mechanism. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2011Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Glenn D. Liubakka
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Publication number: 20110283570Abstract: A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a dual pivot mechanism. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: The Toro CompanyInventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Glenn D. Liubakka
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Patent number: 8015733Abstract: A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a dual pivot mechanism. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Glenn D. Liubakka
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Patent number: 7980569Abstract: Operator platform assemblies for use with the working vehicles, e.g., skid steer loaders, and vehicles incorporating the same. The platform assemblies may, in some embodiments, include an arm assembly that attaches to a rear portion of the vehicle and extends rearwardly therefrom as a cantilever member. The platform assembly may pivot from this deployed position to a storage position by pivoting upwardly about a pivot axis proximate the vehicle. A platform is, in some embodiments, pivotally attached to the arm assembly so that the platform may pivot relative to the arm assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Barry L. Hentges, David A. Murray, Greg L. Lawrence
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Publication number: 20100313452Abstract: A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a dual pivot mechanism. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: The Toro CompanyInventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Glenn D. Liubakka
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Patent number: 7805864Abstract: A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a pivot joint that is offset from a drive axis of the trenching chain. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2008Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Glenn D. Liubakka
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Patent number: 7644524Abstract: A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a pivot joint that is offset from a drive axis of the trenching chain. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2007Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: John P. Azure, Glenn D. Liubakka
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Publication number: 20090077836Abstract: A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a pivot joint that is offset from a drive axis of the trenching chain. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: The Toro CompanyInventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Glenn D. Liubakka
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Publication number: 20090064543Abstract: A walk-behind trenching vehicle incorporating a trenching boom with an endless trenching chain. The trenching boom may be connected to a forward end of the vehicle via a pivot joint that is offset from a drive axis of the trenching chain. The boom may be movable between an operating position and a transport position via a single actuator, e.g., hydraulic cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Glenn D. Liubakka
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Publication number: 20080197588Abstract: Operator platform assemblies for use with the working vehicles, e.g., skid steer loaders, and vehicles incorporating the same. The platform assemblies may, in some embodiments, include an arm assembly that attaches to a rear portion of the vehicle and extends rearwardly therefrom as a cantilever member. The platform assembly may pivot from this deployed position to a storage position by pivoting upwardly about a pivot axis proximate the vehicle. A platform is, in some embodiments, pivotally attached to the arm assembly so that the platform may pivot relative to the arm assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Applicant: The Toro CompanyInventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Barry L. Hentges, David A. Murray, Greg L. Lawrence
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Patent number: 6708430Abstract: A trencher includes a trencher frame mounting a chain bar in a cantilever manner with a safety guide overlying the chain bar. Both the chain bar and the safety guide are adjustable on the trencher frame between various laterally spaced positions with the safety guide being able to overlie the chain bar in the different laterally spaced positions. The chain bar comprises a mounting stub over which one end of an elongated boom may be inserted. The stub includes a central longitudinal slot for receiving bolts passing through the boom to secure the boom to the slot. The use of a longitudinal slot in the stub allows the height of the stub to be maximized relative to the height of the boom to provide a stronger and more durable mounting for the boom.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: John P. Azure, Joseph C. Knipp