Patents by Inventor Michael A. Brainard

Michael A. Brainard 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: 10188022
    Abstract: A lift system and method for transporting agricultural implements. The lift system includes a pair of lower linkage arms, an upper link, and at least four carriage wheels for transporting the lift system along carriage guide rails of a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the trailer and is movable between lowered, loading position, a raised position, and a transport position. It is capable of connecting to a load having a three-point hitch. A gas strut may optionally be equipped to aid in the lifting process. A telescoping light bar may be included to increase safety while in transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Bestway, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
  • Patent number: 9533612
    Abstract: A rotating lift system and method for transporting oversized agricultural implements. The rotating lift system includes a rotator arm, a rotator arm guide, and an arcuate rotation track all mounted on a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the rotator arm and is movable between lowered and raised positions and is adapted for connecting to a load. The rotator arm is pivotally connected to the trailer frame and rotates about a vertical axis. The rotator arm guide is connected to the opposing end of the rotator arm and engages the rotation track. The rotating lift system and method are adapted for engaging, lifting and rotating an implement and moving the implement between perpendicularly opposed field use and transport positions. A gas strut may optionally be equipped to aid in the lifting process. A telescoping light bar may be included to increase safety while in transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Bestway, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
  • Patent number: 9511638
    Abstract: A transport hitch apparatus which is attached to a standard semi-truck tractor via the truck's frame and fifth-wheel, and which is capable of lifting and towing agricultural implements using an array of different hitch connections. The transport hitch is customizable, and is capable of conforming to several semi-truck tractor frame types and implement hitch types. In the practice of an aspect of the present invention, an agricultural implement is attached to the transport apparatus via a two-point or drawbar hitch. The transport apparatus includes a self-contained electrically powered hydraulic lift system capable of lifting large agricultural implements for transport. The transport apparatus is mounted to a tandem axle semi-truck tractor fifth wheel and frame. The transport apparatus is designed to quickly attach to any standard semi-truck tractor. The hydraulic lift system allows implements of any shape or size to be raised or lowered to an ideal towing height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Bestway, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
  • Publication number: 20150342111
    Abstract: A lift system and method for transporting agricultural implements. The lift system includes a pair of lower linkage arms, an upper link, and at least four carriage wheels for transporting the lift system along carriage guide rails of a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the trailer and is movable between lowered, loading position, a raised position, and a transport position. It is capable of connecting to a load having a three-point hitch. A gas strut may optionally be equipped to aid in the lifting process. A telescoping light bar may be included to increase safety while in transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
  • Publication number: 20150202934
    Abstract: A transport hitch apparatus which is attached to a standard semi-truck tractor via the truck's frame and fifth-wheel, and which is capable of lifting and towing agricultural implements using an array of different hitch connections. The transport hitch is customizable, and is capable of conforming to several semi-truck tractor frame types and implement hitch types. In the practice of an aspect of the present invention, an agricultural implement is attached to the transport apparatus via a two-point or drawbar hitch. The transport apparatus includes a self-contained electrically powered hydraulic lift system capable of lifting large agricultural implements for transport. The transport apparatus is mounted to a tandem axle semi-truck tractor fifth wheel and frame. The transport apparatus is designed to quickly attach to any standard semi-truck tractor. The hydraulic lift system allows implements of any shape or size to be raised or lowered to an ideal towing height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
  • Patent number: 8992155
    Abstract: A transport hitch apparatus which is attached to a standard semi-truck tractor via the truck's frame and fifth-wheel, and which is capable of lifting and towing agricultural implements using an array of different hitch connections. The transport hitch is customizable, and is capable of conforming to several semi-truck tractor frame types and implement hitch types. In the practice of an aspect of the present invention, an agricultural implement is attached to the transport apparatus via a two-point or drawbar hitch. The transport apparatus includes a self-contained electrically powered hydraulic lift system capable of lifting large agricultural implements for transport. The transport apparatus is mounted to a tandem axle semi-truck tractor fifth wheel and frame. The transport apparatus is designed to quickly attached to any standard semi-truck tractor. The hydraulic lift system allows implements of any shape or size to be raised or lowered to an ideal towing height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Bestway, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
  • Publication number: 20140003898
    Abstract: A rotating lift system and method for transporting oversized agricultural implements. The rotating lift system includes a rotator arm, a rotator arm guide, and an arcuate rotation track all mounted on a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the rotator arm and is movable between lowered and raised positions and is adapted for connecting to a load. The rotator arm is pivotally connected to the trailer frame and rotates about a vertical axis. The rotator arm guide is connected to the opposing end of the rotator arm and engages the rotation track. The rotating lift system and method are adapted for engaging, lifting and rotating an implement and moving the implement between perpendicularly opposed field use and transport positions. A gas strut may optionally be equipped to aid in the lifting process. A telescoping light bar may be included to increase safety while in transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Bestway, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
  • Patent number: 8534982
    Abstract: A rotating lift system and method for transporting oversized agricultural implements. The rotating lift system includes a rotator arm, a rotator arm guide, an arcuate rotation track all mounted on a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the rotator arm and is movable between lowered and raised positions and is adapted for connecting to a load. The rotator arm is pivotally connected to the trailer frame and rotates about a vertical axis. The rotator arm guide is connected to the opposing end of the rotator arm and engages the rotation track. The rotating lift system and method are adapted for engaging, lifting and rotating an implement and moving the implement between perpendicularly opposed field use and transport positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Bestway, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
  • Patent number: 8499782
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system for delivering at least one service fluid to at least one construction type equipment. The fluid delivery system includes a modular body including a main platform with a variety of different sizes of fluid vessels and at least one pump associated therewith. The fluid delivery system further includes hoses to facilitate the transfer of the fluids to construction equipment and hoses to facilitate the transfer of used fluids from construction equipment. A containment component is integrally formed with the modular body so as to provide the retaining of the fluid reservoirs during transit. An optional additional platform containing additional fluid vessels is capable of being attached to the front portion of the main platform, thereby increasing the total fluid storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Karl J. Bauer, Michael A. Brainard, William J. Bunkofske, Steve C. Fairbanks
  • Publication number: 20130049329
    Abstract: A transport hitch apparatus which is attached to a standard semi-truck tractor via the truck's frame and fifth-wheel, and which is capable of lifting and towing agricultural implements using an array of different hitch connections. The transport hitch is customizable, and is capable of conforming to several semi-truck tractor frame types and implement hitch types. In the practice of an aspect of the present invention, an agricultural implement is attached to the transport apparatus via a two-point or drawbar hitch. The transport apparatus includes a self-contained electrically powered hydraulic lift system capable of lifting large agricultural implements for transport. The transport apparatus is mounted to a tandem axle semi-truck tractor fifth wheel and frame. The transport apparatus is designed to quickly attached to any standard semi-truck tractor. The hydraulic lift system allows implements of any shape or size to be raised or lowered to an ideal towing height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
  • Publication number: 20120195725
    Abstract: A rotating lift system and method for transporting oversized agricultural implements. The rotating lift system includes a rotator arm, a rotator arm guide, an arcuate rotation track all mounted on a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the rotator arm and is movable between lowered and raised positions and is adapted for connecting to a load. The rotator arm is pivotally connected to the trailer frame and rotates about a vertical axis. The rotator arm guide is connected to the opposing end of the rotator arm and engages the rotation track. The rotating lift system and method are adapted for engaging, lifting and rotating an implement and moving the implement between perpendicularly opposed field use and transport positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard