Patents by Inventor Kurt R. Lutz

Kurt R. Lutz 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: 11845311
    Abstract: A hitch configured to selectively latch to a tow bar is provided. The hitch includes a housing, a frame defining a receiving cavity, a moveable arm, an actuator configured to move the arm between an unlatched position and a latched position, and a contact sensor mounted within the housing on a slotted mounting plate. The arm is configured to engage the tow bar when in the latched position. The slotted mounting plate is configured to enable a position of the contact sensor to be adjusted based on a geometry of the tow bar. The actuator is activated by the contact sensor sensing the presence of the tow bar within the receiving cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis D. Richards, Kurt R. Lutz, Jeffrey J. Kuss
  • Publication number: 20230150319
    Abstract: A hitch configured to selectively latch to a tow bar is provided. The hitch includes a housing, a frame defining a receiving cavity, a moveable arm, an actuator configured to move the arm between an unlatched position and a latched position, and a contact sensor mounted within the housing on a slotted mounting plate. The arm is configured to engage the tow bar when in the latched position. The slotted mounting plate is configured to enable a position of the contact sensor to be adjusted based on a geometry of the tow bar. The actuator is activated by the contact sensor sensing the presence of the tow bar within the receiving cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Curtis D. Richards, Kurt R. Lutz, Jeffrey J. Kuss
  • Patent number: 11554620
    Abstract: A hitch configured to selectively latch to a tow bar is provided. The hitch includes a housing, a frame defining a receiving cavity, a moveable arm, an actuator configured to move the arm between an unlatched position and a latched position, and a contact sensor mounted within the housing on a slotted mounting plate. The arm is configured to engage the tow bar when in the latched position. The slotted mounting plate is configured to enable a position of the contact sensor to be adjusted based on a geometry of the tow bar. The actuator is activated by the contact sensor sensing the presence of the tow bar within the receiving cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis D. Richards, Kurt R. Lutz, Jeffrey J. Kuss
  • Publication number: 20220396188
    Abstract: A back pad assembly for a material handling vehicle is provided that includes a back pad, a framework, and a mounting frame. The back pad includes a center portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion. The first side portion defines a first curved profile, and the second side portion defines a second curved profile. The first curved profile and the second curved profile are arranged on laterally-opposing sides of the center portion. The framework includes a first mounting bar and a second mounting bar. The framework is coupled to the back pad. The first and second mounting bars are adjustably supported by the mounting frame to enable the back pad to be selectively mounted at varying heights along the mounting frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel B. Miller, Gregory W. Smiley, Joseph T. Yahner, Kurt R. Lutz, Kurt R. Werner, Michael W. Konieczny, Frank J. Witkowski, III, Howard Scott Ryan
  • Publication number: 20210188024
    Abstract: A hitch configured to selectively latch to a tow bar is provided. The hitch includes a housing, a frame defining a receiving cavity, a moveable arm, an actuator configured to move the arm between an unlatched position and a latched position, and a contact sensor mounted within the housing on a slotted mounting plate. The arm is configured to engage the tow bar when in the latched position. The slotted mounting plate is configured to enable a position of the contact sensor to be adjusted based on a geometry of the tow bar. The actuator is activated by the contact sensor sensing the presence of the tow bar within the receiving cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Curtis D. Richards, Kurt R. Lutz, Jeffrey J. Kuss