Patents by Inventor Michael Kollath

Michael Kollath 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: 7516975
    Abstract: A drawbar pin adapter which can allow a smaller drawbar pin to be used with a larger drawbar. A drawbar pin adapter is provided for a tractor drawbar having a lower strap, an upper strap and a drawbar pin bore which extends through the upper and lower straps and which receives a drawbar pin. The adapter includes a cylindrical bushing mountable in the drawbar pin bore in the lower strap and a hollow housing which is mountable over the lower strap. The housing includes a lower plate, an upper plate and left and right side plates. The upper plate has an upper bore formed therein, and the lower plate has a lower bore formed therein. The upper and lower bores have a diameter which is smaller than an outer diameter of the bushing so that the upper and lower plates hold the bushing within the drawbar pin bore in the lower strap. The bushing and the upper and lower bores receive the drawbar pin when it is inserted through the upper and lower straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Rodney D. Lair, Michael Carl Harting, Deepak Bhoir, Gerald Ray Kinney, Michael Kollath, Peter Kosmicki, Scott L. Cook, Christopher Alan Schafer
  • Publication number: 20090058044
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drawbar pin adapter. There is a need for a drawbar pin adapter which can allow a smaller drawbar pin to be used with a larger drawbar. A drawbar pin adapter is provided for a tractor drawbar having a lower strap, an upper strap and a drawbar pin bore which extends through the upper and lower straps and which receives a drawbar pin. The adapter includes a cylindrical bushing mountable in the drawbar pin bore in the lower strap and a hollow housing which is mountable over the lower strap. The housing includes a lower plate, an upper plate and left and right side plates. The upper plate has an upper bore formed therein, and the lower plate has a lower bore formed therein. The upper and lower bores have a diameter which is smaller than an outer diameter of the bushing so that the upper and lower plates hold the bushing within the drawbar pin bore in the lower strap. The bushing and the upper and lower bores receive the drawbar pin when it is inserted through the upper and lower straps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Rodney D. Lair, Michael Carl Harting, Deepak Bhoir, Gerald Ray Kinney, Michael Kollath, Peter Kosmicki, Scott L. Cook, Christopher Alan Schafer
  • Publication number: 20070056754
    Abstract: A quick coupler has a frame with a hook, and an operator movable control bar. The hook has a recess for receiving a hitch pin. A latch mechanism includes a latch, a one-piece trigger, a spring, and a stop fixed to the coupler frame. The latch is pivotally coupled to the frame and moves to open and closed positions permitting and preventing the hitch pin to move into and out of the hook recess. The trigger is pivotally coupled only to the latch and to the control bar. The trigger engages the hitch pin and moves the latch to the open position. When the hitch pin is in the hook recess, the stop engages the trigger and prevents the latch from moving to its open position. A central portion of the trigger is pivotally coupled to a central portion of the latch. A shoulder surface is formed in a lower end of the latch, and a tab projects from an end of the trigger. The tab engages the shoulder surface to limit pivoting of the latch to its open position when the trigger engages the stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Kollath, Robert Wood, Edwin Kreis
  • Publication number: 20070014497
    Abstract: A ball/socket link end assembly includes a link opening formed in the link end. A portion of the opening forms a spherical inner surface. A pair of ball entry slots are formed in the link end. The slots are spaced apart and positioned on opposite sides of the opening, and extend only part way into the link end from one side thereof. The assembly also includes a removable truncated ball member with a spherical perimeter which matches the spherical inner surface. A clamp member is attachable to the link end. The clamp member is engagable with the ball to prevent removal of the ball from the link end when the ball is aligned with the entry slots. The clamp member is received in a recess formed in the link end adjacent to the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Wood, Michael Kollath
  • Publication number: 20060219417
    Abstract: A draft force sensor is provided for a coupling member coupled between a towing vehicle and a towed earth engaging implement, such as a scraper. The draft force sensor includes first and second bores extending through the coupling member. Each bore has a horizontal axis which extends perpendicular to a main fore-and-aft axis of the coupling member. The second bore is positioned above the first bore and spaced apart from the first bore. Each of the bores is surrounded by an outer cylindrical wall. Four electrical strain gauges are spaced apart and placed on the wall of each of the bores. A center line bisects an axis line which extends between the axes of the first and second bores. The axis of each bore is spaced apart from the center line by a distance which is less than a diameter of the bores. The strain gauges are connected electrically in a circuit which generates a draft force signal in response to draft forces applied to the coupling member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Raymond Thompson, Peter Kosmicki, Jeffrey Dawson, Scott Cook, Edwin Kreis, Michael Kollath, Joe Schutte, Robert White
  • Publication number: 20060127166
    Abstract: An adjustable link assembly includes a pair of coupling yokes, each having a threaded rod projecting therefrom. First and second lock members projecting from the corresponding first and second yokes. The first and second yokes are threadably coupled to opposite ends of a threaded central body. The body has a central non-cylindrical adjusting portion located between first and second indexing portions. A bracket is slidable over the body. The bracket is rotatable with respect to the body when the bracket is positioned over the indexing portions and being non-rotatably coupled to the body when the bracket is positioned over the central adjusting portion. A lever is pivotally coupled to the bracket so that an end of the lever may be coupled to either of the lock members to prevent rotation of the central body relative to the yokes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Brian Huenink, Robert Wood, Michael Kollath
  • Publication number: 20060108085
    Abstract: A method of making an investment or lost foam casting assembly of a first part movable with respect to a second part includes making first and second separate wax or foam patterns of portions of the first part. Then, a third wax or foam pattern of the second part is made. Next, ceramic core pieces are made. At least one of the core pieces is mounted on the first pattern to form a subassembly. The subassembly is combined with the third pattern so that the core pieces maintain a separation between the third pattern and the first pattern. The first and second patterns are bonded together to trap the subassembly and to form a complete casing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Inventors: Casee Eisele, Michael Kollath, Robert Wood, Edwin Kreis, Michael Harting