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).

  • Patent number: 10292341
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Joseph C. Knipp, John P. Azure
  • Patent number: 10221540
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: John P. Azure, Joseph C. Knipp, James A. Kuemper
  • Patent number: 10117388
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: John P. Azure
  • Publication number: 20180258606
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: John P. Azure, Joseph C. Knipp, James A. Kuemper
  • Patent number: 9970176
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: John P. Azure, Joseph C. Knipp, David A. Murray
  • Patent number: 9462759
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Joseph C. Knipp, John P. Azure
  • Publication number: 20160244937
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: John P. Azure, Joseph C. Knipp, James A. Kuemper, David A. Murray
  • Publication number: 20150373931
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: John P. Azure
  • Publication number: 20120175018
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph C. Knipp, Christopher J. Kost, David A. Murray, Landon M. Aldinger, John P. Azure
  • Patent number: 8205361
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Glenn D. Liubakka
  • Publication number: 20110283570
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Glenn D. Liubakka
  • Patent number: 8015733
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Glenn D. Liubakka
  • Patent number: 7980569
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Barry L. Hentges, David A. Murray, Greg L. Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20100313452
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Glenn D. Liubakka
  • Patent number: 7805864
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Glenn D. Liubakka
  • Patent number: 7644524
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: John P. Azure, Glenn D. Liubakka
  • Publication number: 20090077836
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Glenn D. Liubakka
  • Publication number: 20090064543
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Glenn D. Liubakka
  • Publication number: 20080197588
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventors: John P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Barry L. Hentges, David A. Murray, Greg L. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6708430
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: John P. Azure, Joseph C. Knipp