Patents by Inventor Mark J. Melone
Mark J. Melone 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: 11981196Abstract: Ride-on equipment includes a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, a main frame, a subframe pivotally coupled to the main frame about a pivot axis, a power source, and a transaxle assembly. The power source is coupled to and supported by the main frame and includes a drive pulley. The transaxle assembly is configured to pivot with respect to the power source, is operably coupled to the pair of rear drive wheels, and includes at least one driven pulley. The drive pulley and the at least one driven pulley are operably coupled by a belt such that the at least one driven pulley of the transaxle assembly is configured to be driven by the drive pulley of the source via the belt.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2020Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, Mark Lynch, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald
-
Patent number: 11910745Abstract: A mower includes a pair of drive wheels, a pairs of non-drive wheels, and a mower deck. The mower deck includes a central deck housing, a first blade housing, a second blade housing, and an actuator coupled to the central deck housing and at least one of the first blade housing and the second blade housing. The first blade housing is pivotally coupled to a first side of the central deck housing so as to be angularly displaceable relative to the central deck housing, the second blade housing is pivotally coupled to a second side of the central deck housing so as to be angularly displaceable relative to the central deck housing. The actuator is configured to selectively raise and lower at least one of the first blade housing and the second blade housing relative to the central deck housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Robert S. Laurin, Mark J. Melone, E. Mark Lynch
-
Publication number: 20230117891Abstract: A zero-turn radius lawnmower includes a chassis having a rear frame, a crossbeam, and a subframe, and a battery receptacle for receiving a battery pack. A first rear suspension cradle is rotatable coupled to the crossbeam on a first end, and is movably coupled to the first side panel on a second end. The first rear suspension cradle supports a first electric motor configured to rotate a first drive wheel supported by the first rear suspension cradle. A second rear suspension cradle is rotatably coupled to the crossbeam on a first end and movably coupled to the second side panel on a second end. The second suspension cradle supports a second electric motor configured to rotate a second drive wheel supported by the second rear suspension cradle. The first rear suspension cradle and the second rear suspension cradle are independently rotatable relative to the rear frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON, LLCInventors: Michael Broge, Victor Burgess, Derrick Camenga, Joshua R. Kowalski, Robert S. Laurin, Mark J. Melone
-
Publication number: 20220194220Abstract: An embodiment relates to a mower having a chassis and a rear suspension assembly. The chassis supports a cutter deck. The rear suspension assembly includes a support, a drive axle, and a shock absorber. The support includes a pivot, and the pivot includes a bushing to allow pivotable motion relative to the chassis. The drive axle is supported by the support and is configured to transfer power to drive at least one wheel. The shock absorber is coupled to the support and the chassis. The at least one wheel and the drive axle are configured to vertically oscillate relative to the chassis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2022Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Steven J. WEBER, Denis OSWALD, Travis RASCH, Erik SLEGELIS, Mark J. MELONE, James F. MARSHALL, Richard SMITH, Mark LYNCH
-
Patent number: 11273705Abstract: Front and rear independent suspension mechanisms accommodating an increased range of motion to better absorb shock originating at the wheels of a riding mower to insulate the operator and reduce stress on the mower chassis and other mechanical components. The front suspension can include a front axle with pivot pockets allowing 360 degree rotation of pivots engaged within the pockets, thereby providing a greater range of absorption of shock entering the front axle at varying angles. The rear suspension can include a vertically pivoting transmission platform, providing for controlled vertical motion in the transmission while the transmission is powered by an engine by way of a belt assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, Mark Lynch
-
Publication number: 20210122237Abstract: Ride-on equipment includes a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, a main frame, a subframe pivotally coupled to the main frame about a pivot axis, a power source, and a transaxle assembly. The power source is coupled to and supported by the main frame and includes a drive pulley. The transaxle assembly is configured to pivot with respect to the power source, is operably coupled to the pair of rear drive wheels, and includes at least one driven pulley. The drive pulley and the at least one driven pulley are operably coupled by a belt such that the at least one driven pulley of the transaxle assembly is configured to be driven by the drive pulley of the source via the belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2020Publication date: April 29, 2021Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, Mark Lynch, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald
-
Publication number: 20210059116Abstract: A mower includes a pair of drive wheels, a pairs of non-drive wheels, and a mower deck. The mower deck includes a central deck housing, a first blade housing, a second blade housing, and an actuator coupled to the central deck housing and at least one of the first blade housing and the second blade housing. The first blade housing is pivotally coupled to a first side of the central deck housing so as to be angularly displaceable relative to the central deck housing, the second blade housing is pivotally coupled to a second side of the central deck housing so as to be angularly displaceable relative to the central deck housing. The actuator is configured to selectively raise and lower at least one of the first blade housing and the second blade housing relative to the central deck housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: Briggs & Stratton CorporationInventors: Robert S. Laurin, Mark J. Melone, E. Mark Lynch
-
Patent number: 10882397Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment. The transaxle drive system can include a frame supporting at least one power source and at least two subframes, the at least one power source including at least one drive pulley. The system can also include transaxle assemblies driven by at least a portion of at least one belt from the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can include a first transaxle assembly supported by a subframe, the first transaxle assembly coupled to the at least one drive pulley with at least one belt, and a second transaxle assembly supported by another subframe, the second transaxle assembly coupled by at least one belt to the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can be independently pivoted with respect to each other, the frame, and the power source.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, Mark Lynch, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald
-
Publication number: 20200156467Abstract: Front and rear independent suspension mechanisms accommodating an increased range of motion to better absorb shock originating at the wheels of a riding mower to insulate the operator and reduce stress on the mower chassis and other mechanical components. The front suspension can include a front axle with pivot pockets allowing 360 degree rotation of pivots engaged within the pockets, thereby providing a greater range of absorption of shock entering the front axle at varying angles. The rear suspension can include a vertically pivoting transmission platform, providing for controlled vertical motion in the transmission while the transmission is powered by an engine by way of a belt assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Applicant: Briggs & Stratton CorporationInventors: Steven J. WEBER, Denis OSWALD, Travis RASCH, Erik SLEGELIS, Mark J. MELONE, James F. MARSHALL, Richard Smith, Mark LYNCH
-
Patent number: 10421356Abstract: Front and rear independent suspension mechanisms accommodating an increased range of motion to better absorb shock originating at the wheels of a riding mower to insulate the operator and reduce stress on the mower chassis and other mechanical components. The front suspension can include a front axle with pivot pockets allowing 360 degree rotation of pivots engaged within the pockets, thereby providing a greater range of absorption of shock entering the front axle at varying angles. The rear suspension can include a vertically pivoting transmission platform, providing for controlled vertical motion in the transmission while the transmission is powered by an engine by way of a belt assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATIONInventors: Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, Mark Lynch
-
Publication number: 20190016214Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment. The transaxle drive system can include a frame supporting at least one power source and at least two subframes, the at least one power source including at least one drive pulley. The system can also include transaxle assemblies driven by at least a portion of at least one belt from the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can include a first transaxle assembly supported by a subframe, the first transaxle assembly coupled to the at least one drive pulley with at least one belt, and a second transaxle assembly supported by another subframe, the second transaxle assembly coupled by at least one belt to the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can be independently pivoted with respect to each other, the frame, and the power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, E. Mark Lynch, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald
-
Patent number: 10093179Abstract: Some embodiments include a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment with a plurality of transaxle assemblies supported by a suspended subframe, and a frame supported on a pair of front wheels at one end that is coupled to and pivotably suspends the subframe. Some embodiments include a power source with a drive pulley supported by the frame at an opposite end. Some embodiments include a belt coupling the drive pulley to a driven pulley of the transaxle assemblies. In some embodiments, the plurality of transaxle assemblies can be driven from the drive pulley by at least a portion of the belt. Further, in some embodiments, the plurality of transaxle assemblies include a first and second transaxle assembly each coupled to a separate rear wheel. The first and second transaxle assemblies are suspended from the subframe, and can be pivoted together about the frame, and the at least one drive pulley.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATIONInventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, Mark Lynch, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald
-
Patent number: 10093178Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment. The transaxle drive system can include a frame supporting at least one power source and at least two subframes, the at least one power source including at least one drive pulley. The system can also include transaxle assemblies driven by at least a portion of at least one belt from the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can include a first transaxle assembly supported by a subframe, the first transaxle assembly coupled to the at least one drive pulley with at least one belt, and a second transaxle assembly supported by another subframe, the second transaxle assembly coupled by at least one belt to the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can be independently pivoted with respect to each other, the frame, and the power source.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATIONInventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, Mark Lynch, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald
-
Patent number: 9849776Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a suspension system coupled to a main frame of ride-on equipment including at least one subframe coupled to the main frame with a pivot including pivot axis. Some embodiments include at least one transaxle assembly supported on the at least one subframe coupled to a drive wheel, and a power source supported on the main frame coupled to the at least one transaxle assembly. Some embodiments include driven pulleys, idler pulleys and backside idler pulleys supported by the at least one subframe coupled to a power source not supported by the at least one subframe. Some embodiments include two independently suspended subframes, each independently pivotable on the pivot axis with respect to each other and the main frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATIONInventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, Mark Lynch, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald
-
Publication number: 20170313184Abstract: Some embodiments include a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment with a plurality of transaxle assemblies supported by a suspended subframe, and a frame supported on a pair of front wheels at one end that is coupled to and pivotably suspends the subframe. Some embodiments include a power source with a drive pulley supported by the frame at an opposite end. Some embodiments include a belt coupling the drive pulley to a driven pulley of the transaxle assemblies. In some embodiments, the plurality of transaxle assemblies can be driven from the drive pulley by at least a portion of the belt. Further, in some embodiments, the plurality of transaxle assemblies include a first and second transaxle assembly each coupled to a separate rear wheel. The first and second transaxle assemblies are suspended from the subframe, and can be pivoted together about the frame, and the at least one drive pulley.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATIONInventors: MARK J. MELONE, JAMES F. MARSHALL, RICHARD SMITH, MARK LYNCH, TRAVIS RASCH, ERIK SLEGELIS, STEVEN J. WEBER, DENIS OSWALD
-
Publication number: 20170313183Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment. The transaxle drive system can include a frame supporting at least one power source and at least two subframes, the at least one power source including at least one drive pulley. The system can also include transaxle assemblies driven by at least a portion of at least one belt from the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can include a first transaxle assembly supported by a subframe, the first transaxle assembly coupled to the at least one drive pulley with at least one belt, and a second transaxle assembly supported by another subframe, the second transaxle assembly coupled by at least one belt to the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can be independently pivoted with respect to each other, the frame, and the power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATIONInventors: MARK J. MELONE, JAMES F. MARSHALL, RICHARD SMITH, MARK LYNCH, TRAVIS RASCH, ERIK SLEGELIS, STEVEN J. WEBER, DENIS OSWALD
-
Publication number: 20170259666Abstract: Front and rear independent suspension mechanisms accommodating an increased range of motion to better absorb shock originating at the wheels of a riding mower to insulate the operator and reduce stress on the mower chassis and other mechanical components. The front suspension can include a front axle with pivot pockets allowing 360 degree rotation of pivots engaged within the pockets, thereby providing a greater range of absorption of shock entering the front axle at varying angles. The rear suspension can include a vertically pivoting transmission platform, providing for controlled vertical motion in the transmission while the transmission is powered by an engine by way of a belt assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: BRIGGS AND STRATTON CORPORATIONInventors: STEVEN J. WEBER, DENIS OSWALD, TRAVIS RASCH, ERIK SLEGELIS, MARK J. MELONE, JAMES F. MARSHALL, RICHARD SMITH, MARK LYNCH
-
Patent number: 9707842Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a suspension system coupled to a main frame of ride-on equipment including a subframe coupled to the main frame with a pivot including a pivot axis. Some embodiments include a transaxle assembly supported on the subframe coupled to a drive wheel, and a power source supported on the main frame coupled to the transaxle assembly. A rider can control the transaxle assembly with a compensated control linkage assembly that can compensate for movement of the subframe. Some embodiments include driven pulleys, idler pulleys and backside idler pulleys supported by the subframe coupled to the power source not supported by the subframe. In some embodiments, the pivot axis resides between the power source and the transaxle assembly. In some embodiments, the drive wheel can be driven by an electric motor supported by the subframe and the power source can be a battery.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2016Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATIONInventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, Mark Lynch, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald
-
Patent number: 9597957Abstract: Front and rear independent suspension mechanisms accommodating an increased range of motion to better absorb shock originating at the wheels of a riding mower to insulate the operator and reduce stress on the mower chassis and other mechanical components. The front suspension can include a front axle with pivot pockets allowing 360 degree rotation of pivots engaged within the pockets, thereby providing a greater range of absorption of shock entering the front axle at varying angles. The rear suspension can include a vertically pivoting transmission platform, providing for controlled vertical motion in the transmission while the transmission is powered by an engine by way of a belt assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: BRIGGS AND STRATTON CORPORATIONInventors: Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, Mark Lynch
-
Publication number: 20170028844Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a suspension system coupled to a main frame of ride-on equipment including at least one subframe coupled to the main frame with a pivot including pivot axis. Some embodiments include at least one transaxle assembly supported on the at least one subframe coupled to a drive wheel, and a power source supported on the main frame coupled to the at least one transaxle assembly. Some embodiments include driven pulleys, idler pulleys and backside idler pulleys supported by the at least one subframe coupled to a power source not supported by the at least one subframe. Some embodiments include two independently suspended subframes, each independently pivotable on the pivot axis with respect to each other and the main frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATIONInventors: MARK J. MELONE, JAMES F. MARSHALL, RICHARD SMITH, MARK LYNCH, TRAVIS RASCH, ERIK SLEGELIS, STEVEN J. WEBER, DENIS OSWALD