Patents by Inventor Mark Kiner

Mark Kiner 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: 11259463
    Abstract: A slope mower includes a mower body, drive wheels, left and right mower decks and left and right support wheels mounted on support arms pivotally mounted to the mower body with hydraulic actuators acting on the left and right support arms to maintain the mower body vertical. An inclinometer measures the tilt angle of the mower body and a controller reads the angle and controls a leveling valve to supply hydraulic fluid from a supply line to the leveling actuator toward which the inclinometer indicates the mower body is leaning to move the mower body back to vertical. The system can be programmed to actuate a leveling actuator only when the detected tilt angle exceeds a minimum angle. Lockout valves can be actuated by the controller to block the flow of hydraulic fluid to or from both actuators if a maximum allowed tilt angle is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Harper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Casey A. Leis, Cole J. Howard, Mark Kiner
  • Patent number: 10645885
    Abstract: A debris loader for comminuting or collecting leaves and debris comprises a vacuum tube connected to an intake assembly which connects to a blower housing. The blower housing contains a rotating impeller which creates suction through the vacuum tube and intake assembly drawing in leaves and debris. The leaves and debris are then discharged from the blower housing through a discharge opening or conduit. The intake assembly includes a cylindrical collar, to which a vacuum tube is attached, and a conical section which is connected to the blower housing. The diameter of the conical section expands from its connection with the cylindrical collar toward the blower housing. In a preferred embodiment the conical section is angled downward relative to the axis of rotation of the impeller and preferably at an angle of approximately thirty degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Harper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin Harvey, Andrew Gerber, Mark Kiner
  • Patent number: 10407254
    Abstract: A pelletized feed distributor includes a hopper having an auger positioned at the bottom thereof for moving feed in the hopper toward a discharge opening. A discharge door selectively closes the discharge opening. A door linkage connected between the auger and the discharge door cyclically opens and closes the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Harper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kiner, Ross Milton Bender, Mark R. Pulliam
  • Patent number: 10212887
    Abstract: A bale mover with self-adjusting spinners for loading/unloading bales and unrolling bales. The bale mover includes a cross member and a pair of opposing arms that extend generally orthogonally to the cross member. The cross member is pivotable about an axis extending transverse to the bale mover to move the arms to extend away from the bale mover. The arms are moveable toward one another to pinch a bale between distal ends thereof. A spinner is provided at the distal end of each arm. The spinners include axles secured to the arms and spinner bodies which are rotatable about the respective axles to facilitate rotation of a bale engaged by the spinners. The spinners are also pivotable relative to the axles to enable alignment of the spinners with surfaces of the bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Harper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Heber M. Ramer, Ross Milton Bender, Mark Kiner
  • Publication number: 20190053441
    Abstract: A debris loader for comminuting or collecting leaves and debris comprises a vacuum tube connected to an intake assembly which connects to a blower housing. The blower housing contains a rotating impeller which creates suction through the vacuum tube and intake assembly drawing in leaves and debris. The leaves and debris are then discharged from the blower housing through a discharge opening or conduit. The intake assembly includes a cylindrical collar, to which a vacuum tube is attached, and a conical section which is connected to the blower housing. The diameter of the conical section expands from its connection with the cylindrical collar toward the blower housing. In a preferred embodiment the conical section is angled downward relative to the axis of rotation of the impeller and preferably at an angle of approximately thirty degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: Harper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin Harvey, Andrew Gerber, Mark Kiner
  • Publication number: 20170297829
    Abstract: A pelletized feed distributor includes a hopper having an auger positioned at the bottom thereof for moving feed in the hopper toward a discharge opening. A discharge door selectively closes the discharge opening. A door linkage connected between the auger and the discharge door cyclically opens and closes the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: Harper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kiner, Ross Milton Bender, Mark R. Pulliam
  • Publication number: 20160295801
    Abstract: A bale mover with self-adjusting spinners for loading/unloading bales and unrolling bales. The bale mover includes a cross member and a pair of opposing arms that extend generally orthogonally to the cross member. The cross member is pivotable about an axis extending transverse to the bale mover to move the arms to extend away from the bale mover. The arms are moveable toward one another to pinch a bale between distal ends thereof. A spinner is provided at the distal end of each arm. The spinners include axles secured to the arms and spinner bodies which are rotatable about the respective axles to facilitate rotation of a bale engaged by the spinners. The spinners are also pivotable relative to the axles to enable alignment of the spinners with surfaces of the bale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: Harper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Heber M. Ramer, Ross Milton Bender, Mark Kiner