Patents by Inventor Nathan J. Friberg
Nathan J. Friberg 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).
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Publication number: 20190264405Abstract: A housing for a snowthrower including an auger housing and an impeller housing. The auger housing may include a front portion and a rear portion protruding from a rear wall of the front portion. The impeller housing may be coupled to the auger housing at a rear-facing opening of the rear portion. At least a portion of the rear portion and the impeller housing form a bypass passage adapted to return snow that bypasses a discharge outlet. The snowthrower may also include an auger that includes a helical flyte adapted to collect snow. The helical flyte may include a first helical portion and a second helical portion, wherein the first helical portion is overlapping and coupled to the second helical portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal, Nathan J. Friberg
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Publication number: 20180051430Abstract: A snowthrower having a rotor housing with first and second sidewalls and a rotor extending between the sidewalls. As the rotor wears, it may be repositionable, relative to a ground surface and to the rotor housing to maintain snowthrower performance. In some embodiments, end portions of the rotor may connect to the sidewalls via an adjustable coupler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal, Philip G. Stalpes
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Patent number: 9863107Abstract: A self-propelled snowthrower wherein, in one embodiment, drive members on each side of the snowthrower provide variable speed propulsion. A transmission that delivers power to the drive members may be adapted to de-clutch one of the two drive wheels when the ground speed of that wheel exceeds the driving speed of the transmission. In other embodiments, the snowthrower includes a rotor having a snow ejection surface forming a negative rake angle. Yet other embodiments include a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual discharge chute rotation via one-handed input.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Philip G. Stalpes, Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal
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Publication number: 20170081817Abstract: A self-propelled snowthrower wherein, in one embodiment, drive members on each side of the snowthrower provide variable speed propulsion. A transmission that delivers power to the drive members may be adapted to de-clutch one of the two drive wheels when the ground speed of that wheel exceeds the driving speed of the transmission. In other embodiments, the snowthrower includes a rotor having a snow ejection surface forming a negative rake angle. Yet other embodiments include a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual discharge chute rotation via one-handed input.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Philip G. Stalpes, Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal
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Patent number: 9556572Abstract: A self-propelled, single-stage snowthrower wherein, in one embodiment, drive members on each side of the snowthrower provide variable speed propulsion. A transmission that delivers power to the drive members may be adapted to de-clutch one of the two drive wheels when the ground speed of that wheel exceeds the driving speed of the transmission. In other embodiments, the snowthrower includes a rotor having a snow ejection surface forming a negative rake angle. Yet other embodiments include a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual discharge chute rotation via one-handed input.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal, Philip G. Stalpes, Nathan J. Friberg
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Patent number: 9546462Abstract: A self-propelled snowthrower wherein, in one embodiment, drive members on each side of the snowthrower provide variable speed propulsion. A transmission that delivers power to the drive members may be adapted to de-clutch one of the two drive wheels when the ground speed of that wheel exceeds the driving speed of the transmission. In other embodiments, the snowthrower includes a rotor having a snow ejection surface forming a negative rake angle. Yet other embodiments include a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual discharge chute rotation via one-handed input.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Philip G. Stalpes, Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal
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Patent number: 9399846Abstract: A snowthrower that, in one embodiment, includes a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual rotation of a directional chute about a chute axis via one-handed input. The mechanism may have a chute rotation lever having a proximal end attached to the directional chute, the lever extending radially from the chute axis to terminate at a distal end, wherein a handle is provided at or near the distal end, the handle having a handle axis parallel to the chute axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventor: Nathan J. Friberg
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Publication number: 20160138234Abstract: A self-propelled, single-stage snowthrower wherein, in one embodiment, drive members on each side of the snowthrower provide variable speed propulsion. A transmission that delivers power to the drive members may be adapted to de-clutch one of the two drive wheels when the ground speed of that wheel exceeds the driving speed of the transmission. In other embodiments, the snowthrower includes a rotor having a snow ejection surface forming a negative rake angle. Yet other embodiments include a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual discharge chute rotation via one-handed input.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2014Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal, Philip G. Stalpes, Nathan J. Friberg
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Publication number: 20160138232Abstract: A snowthrower that, in one embodiment, includes a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual rotation of a directional chute about a chute axis via one-handed input. The mechanism may have a chute rotation lever having a proximal end attached to the directional chute, the lever extending radially from the chute axis to terminate at a distal end, wherein a handle is provided at or near the distal end, the handle having a handle axis parallel to the chute axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2014Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventor: Nathan J. Friberg
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Publication number: 20160138235Abstract: A self-propelled snowthrower wherein, in one embodiment, drive members on each side of the snowthrower provide variable speed propulsion. A transmission that delivers power to the drive members may be adapted to de-clutch one of the two drive wheels when the ground speed of that wheel exceeds the driving speed of the transmission. In other embodiments, the snowthrower includes a rotor having a snow ejection surface forming a negative rake angle. Yet other embodiments include a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual discharge chute rotation via one-handed input.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2014Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Philip G. Stalpes, Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal
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Patent number: 7624521Abstract: A snowthrower has a rotatable chute that directs the snow stream in different directions depending on the rotational position of the chute. A slidable hand grip is mounted on one of the handle tubes of the snowthrower. The hand grip can be slid down the handle tube by the operator to rotate the chute in a first direction. The hand grip can be slid up the handle tube by the operator to rotate the chute in a second opposite direction. The hand grip includes a rounded knob that the operator can grip with one hand. A latch is provided to lock the hand grip in an adjusted position on the handle tube.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Donald M. White, III, Brett P. Yeager, Nathan J. Friberg
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Patent number: 7438300Abstract: A hand truck for carrying and transporting an object comprises a frame having a base and a back arranged in a generally L-shaped configuration. The frame is supported by at least a pair of wheels for rolling over the ground. An object may be placed on the base for using the hand truck to move the object. A retainer has a loading position in which the retainer is sufficiently clear of the base to allow the object to be slid onto the base. After the object is slid onto the base, the retainer may be raised to a transport position in which the retainer at least partially encircles the object to hold the retainer on the base. The retainer may be releasably latched in the transport position.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Miller Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Zien, Nathan J. Friberg
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Patent number: 7401425Abstract: A snowthrower has independent wheel drive trains to allow steering by clutching one drive train while unclutching the other drive train. The clutch in each drive train comprises a plurality of pivotal pawls carried on a drive member with the pawls pivoting in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the drive member. The pawls have heads that project through one face of the drive member and tails located on an opposite face of the drive member. The heads of the pawls can engage or disengage notches that are fixed to the driven member to clutch or unclutch the drive and driven members. A shift member axially presses on the tails of the pawls to disengage the heads of the pawls from the driven member. The shift member is selectively moved by an operator using a steering lever on the snowthrower.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Donald M. White, III
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Publication number: 20080163520Abstract: A snowthrower has a rotatable chute that directs the snow stream in different directions depending on the rotational position of the chute. A slidable hand grip is mounted on one of the handle tubes of the snowthrower. The hand grip can be slid down the handle tube by the operator to rotate the chute in a first direction. The hand grip can be slid up the handle tube by the operator to rotate the chute in a second opposite direction. The hand grip includes a rounded knob that the operator can grip with one hand. A latch is provided to lock the hand grip in an adjusted position on the handle tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventors: Donald M. White, Brett P. Yeager, Nathan J. Friberg
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Patent number: 7201355Abstract: A support bracket for hanging differently sized buckets comprises a bracket body which can be secured to a vertical support surface such as a wall. The bracket body includes a lip that forms an upwardly facing hook that hooks into a downwardly facing channel on the rim of the bucket. The bracket body includes fixed upper and lower seats for receiving the pivotal bail on the bucket. The pivotal bail of a larger bucket will be received in the upper seat and the pivotal bail of a smaller bucket will be received in the lower seat when the rim channel of the bucket is hung on the lip. A pin retains the pivotal bail of the bucket in whatever seat holds the bail.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2005Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Miller Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jerry J. Zien, Nathan J. Friberg
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Patent number: 7032333Abstract: A single joystick type control handle controls the chute and deflector of a snowthrower. The control handle can be moved laterally from side to side and a second linkage including a gear connection laterally rotates the chute from side to side in the same direction, i.e. movement of the control handle to the left rotates the chute to the left and vise versa. The gear connection has a mechanical advantage that increases the amount of the angular rotation of the chute, i.e. the chute rotates further than the angular movement of the control handle. The control handle can also be moved longitudinally from fore to aft and a second linkage comprising a flexible cable pivots the deflector up and down on the chute in the same direction, i.e. moving the control handle forward pivots the deflector down and vise versa. A locking mechanism is provided to hold the chute and the deflector in their adjusted positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2003Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Donald M. White, III
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Publication number: 20040255493Abstract: A single joystick type control handle controls the chute and deflector of a snowthrower. The control handle can be moved laterally from side to side and a second linkage including a gear connection laterally rotates the chute from side to side in the same direction, i.e. movement of the control handle to the left rotates the chute to the left and vise versa. The gear connection has a mechanical advantage that increases the amount of the angular rotation of the chute, i.e. the chute rotates further than the angular movement of the control handle. The control handle can also be moved longitudinally from fore to aft and a second linkage comprising a flexible cable pivots the deflector up and down on the chute in the same direction, i.e. moving the control handle forward pivots the deflector down and vise versa. A locking mechanism is provided to hold the chute and the deflector in their adjusted positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2003Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Donald M. White
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Patent number: D494193Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: David J. Martin, Nathan J. Friberg
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Patent number: D776721Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2015Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: David J. Martin, Philip C. Dretzka, Kevin D. Docken, Nathan J. Friberg
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Patent number: D786940Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Philip C. Dretzka, David J. Martin, Nathan J. Friberg, Nicholas J. Wersal, Derek S. Duchscherer