Patents by Inventor Patrick J. Mulligan

Patrick J. Mulligan 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: 11926988
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting the pitch of a work implement attached to a work vehicle, wherein the work implement has adjustable wings. The system and method include moving materials with a blade having an adjustable wing located at one end of a center portion of the blade. blade operatively connected to the work vehicle is positionable with respect to the work vehicle in response to an operator command. A commanded position of the blade is identified based on a blade positioning signal received from the operator command transmitted by an operator control device. An inclined position of the adjustable wing with respect to the center portion of the blade is identified. A pitch of the blade with respect to the work vehicle based is automatically adjusted based on the identified commanded position of the blade and the identified inclined position of the adjustable wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Giovanni A. Wuisan, Jeffrey M. Stenoish, Patrick J. Mulligan, Michael R. Tigges, Ryan R. Neilson, Nathan J. Horstman, Cory J. Brant, Timothy M. Post
  • Patent number: 11679826
    Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a track chain assembly for a work vehicle may comprise of a link set, a unitary link, and a bushing assembly. The link set may include a first link and a second link. The unitary link may include a single link. The bushing assembly may couple the link set and the unitary link for relative rotation between the link set and the unitary link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Patrick J. Mulligan
  • Patent number: 11339553
    Abstract: A work machine includes a machine frame and a cab supported from the machine frame. At least one pivotal connection between the cab and the machine frame allows the cab to be tilted relative to the machine frame. The pivotal connection includes first and second clevises fixed to the machine frame, the first and second clevises including first and second aligned pin openings, respectively. A pivot pin is received through the pin openings so that the pivot pin is pivotable relative to the machine frame. A viscous mount includes a housing portion, a plunger portion, and a flexible element connecting the plunger portion to the housing portion. The housing portion is attached to the cab, and the plunger portion is attached to the pivot pin between the first and second clevises such that the cab and the viscous mount are pivotable with the pivot pin relative to the machine frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Patrick J. Mulligan, Michael R. Tigges, Joseph F. Tilp, Trisha L. Oyen
  • Publication number: 20220105999
    Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a track chain assembly for a work vehicle may comprise of a link set, a unitary link, and a bushing assembly. The link set may include a first link and a second link. The unitary link may include a single link. The bushing assembly may couple the link set and the unitary link for relative rotation between the link set and the unitary link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventor: PATRICK J. MULLIGAN
  • Publication number: 20220090349
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting the pitch of a work implement attached to a work vehicle, wherein the work implement has adjustable wings. The system and method include moving materials with a blade having an adjustable wing located at one end of a center portion of the blade, wherein the blade is operatively connected to the work vehicle and is positionable with respect to the work vehicle in response to an operator command. A commanded position of the blade is identified based on a blade positioning signal received from the operator command transmitted by an operator control device. An inclined position of the adjustable wing with respect to the center portion of the blade is identified. A pitch of the blade with respect to the work vehicle based is automatically adjusted based on the identified commanded position of the blade and the identified inclined position of the adjustable wing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Giovanni A. Wuisan, Jeffrey M. Stenoish, Patrick J. Mulligan, Michael R. Tigges, Ryan R. Neilson, Nathan J. Horstman, Cory J. Brant, Timothy M. Post
  • Publication number: 20220090353
    Abstract: A blade for a work machine includes a body having a main portion including a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A wing portion is pivotally coupled to the body about a pivot axis. The first lateral edge includes a curved edge extending outwardly towards the wing portion, where the curved edge forms an apex between the top edge and the bottom edge. A first axis is defined through a first intersection point and a second intersection point, the first intersection point located at an intersection of the top edge and the first lateral edge and the second intersection point located at an intersection of the bottom edge and the first lateral edge. A second axis is defined through the apex and is parallel to the first axis. The pivot axis is located between the first axis and the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Stenoish, Giovanni A. Wuisan, Patrick J. Mulligan, Michael R. Tigges
  • Publication number: 20220090350
    Abstract: A blade for a work machine includes a body having a main portion including a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A wing portion is pivotally coupled to the body about a pivot axis. The first lateral edge includes a curved edge extending outwardly towards the wing portion, where the curved edge forms an apex between the top edge and the bottom edge. A first axis is defined through a first intersection point and a second intersection point, the first intersection point located at an intersection of the top edge and the first lateral edge and the second intersection point located at an intersection of the bottom edge and the first lateral edge. A second axis is defined through the apex and is parallel to the first axis. The pivot axis is located between the first axis and the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Patrick J. Mulligan, Giovanni A. Wuisan, Michael R. Tigges, Ryan R. Neilson, Nathan J. Horstman, Cory J. Brant, Timothy M. Post, Prasad Nigdikar, Antony R. Maria
  • Publication number: 20210332556
    Abstract: A work machine includes a machine frame and a cab supported from the machine frame. At least one pivotal connection between the cab and the machine frame allows the cab to be tilted relative to the machine frame. The pivotal connection includes first and second devises fixed to the machine frame, the first and second devises including first and second aligned pin openings, respectively. A pivot pin is received through the pin openings so that the pivot pin is pivotable relative to the machine frame. A viscous mount includes a housing portion, a plunger portion, and a flexible element connecting the plunger portion to the housing portion. The housing portion is attached to the cab, and the plunger portion is attached to the pivot pin between the first and second devises such that the cab and the viscous mount are pivotable with the pivot pin relative to the machine frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick J. Mulligan, Michael R. Tigges, Joseph F. Tilp, Trisha L. Oyen
  • Patent number: 9327783
    Abstract: A cartridge joint comprises a pin, a first collar circumferentially surrounding the pin and fixed thereto, a second collar circumferentially surrounding the pin and fixed thereto, and a bushing positioned axially between the first collar and the second collar and circumferentially surrounding the pin for relative rotation between the bushing and the pin. The cartridge joint has an annular first seal unit and an annular second seal unit. A method of assembling a cartridge joint is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Patrick J. Mulligan
  • Patent number: 9090296
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pivot joint about which a track frame pivots relative to a main frame of a work machine. The pivot joint includes a housing having a first cover portion, a second cover portion, and at least one load-bearing rib. The pivot joint also includes a holder configured to be coupled to the main frame and includes a first leg and a second leg. An upper body and a lower body are coupled to one another and are adapted to be coupled to the track frame. The pivot joint further includes a plurality of plates stacked on top of one another. The plurality of plates is positioned between the first leg and second leg of the holder and between the upper body and lower body. The plurality of plates defines a pivot axis of the pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Patrick J. Mulligan
  • Publication number: 20150060157
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pivot joint about which a track frame pivots relative to a main frame of a work machine. The pivot joint includes a housing having a first cover portion, a second cover portion, and at least one load-bearing rib. The pivot joint also includes a holder configured to be coupled to the main frame and includes a first leg and a second leg. An upper body and a lower body are coupled to one another and are adapted to be coupled to the track frame. The pivot joint further includes a plurality of plates stacked on top of one another. The plurality of plates is positioned between the first leg and second leg of the holder and between the upper body and lower body. The plurality of plates defines a pivot axis of the pivot joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Patrick J. Mulligan
  • Patent number: 8915556
    Abstract: A track chain assembly for a crawler type work vehicle includes a plurality of links pivotally connected together at respective link joints. Each link joint includes a bushing, a pin, and at least one elastomeric bearing. Each elastomeric bearing includes an inside diameter (ID) engaging the pin and an outside diameter (OD) engaging a link and/or bushing. Each elastomeric bearing includes a plurality of alternating metal layers and elastomer layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Timothy D. Wodrich, Patrick J. Mulligan, James G. Merten
  • Patent number: 8448735
    Abstract: An operator cab for a work vehicle is releasably mounted to a frame of the vehicle via a cab support pin and a flexible mount during vehicle work operations and rotationally attached via the cab support pin for servicing working parts of the work vehicle. A locking cylinder having an end pivotally connected to the cab allows movement of the pivotal connection relative to the cylinder, i.e., allows the cab to move relative to the frame as the flexible mount allows, during work operations. When the cylinder lifts the cab for servicing, movement of the pivotal connection relative to the cylinder is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Erich C. Vierkant, Patrick J. Mulligan, Matthew Davisdon
  • Publication number: 20130105236
    Abstract: An operator cab for a work vehicle is releaseably mounted to a frame of the vehicle via a cab support pin and a flexible mount during vehicle work operations and rotationally attached via the cab support pin for servicing working parts of the work vehicle. A locking cylinder having an end pivotally connected to the cab allows movement of the pivotal connection relative to the cylinder, i.e., allows the cab to move relative to the frame as the flexible mount allows, during work operations. When the cylinder lifts the cab for servicing, movement of the pivotal connection relative to the cylinder is restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: ERICH C. VIERKANT, PATRICK J. MULLIGAN, MATHEW DAVISDON
  • Publication number: 20130092459
    Abstract: A track chain assembly for a crawler type work vehicle includes a plurality of links pivotally connected together at respective link joints. Each link joint includes a bushing, a pin, and at least one elastomeric bearing. Each elastomeric bearing includes an inside diameter (ID) engaging the pin and an outside diameter (OD) engaging a link and/or bushing. Each elastomeric bearing includes a plurality of alternating metal layers and elastomer layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Timothy D. Wodrich, Patrick J. Mulligan, James G. Merten
  • Patent number: 8272701
    Abstract: A track chain link for use in an endless track chain has a longitudinal (or “x”) dimension and a lateral (or “y”) dimension. The track chain link has an x-y plane of symmetry about which the track chain link is symmetric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Patrick J. Mulligan
  • Patent number: 8070241
    Abstract: A track chain joint for an endless track chain of a track-type vehicle is configured to engage first and second sprockets of a drive wheel of the track-type vehicle. Exemplarily, the joint has a pin, a bushing on the pin, first and second collars positioned respectively axially outboard of the bushing on the pin, and first and second drive caps positioned respectively axially outboard of the first and second collars and fixed to the pin, the first and second drive caps configured to engage respectively the first and second sprockets. Such components may be embodied in a cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Patrick J. Mulligan
  • Publication number: 20110198917
    Abstract: A track chain link for use in an endless track chain has a longitudinal (or “x”) dimension and a lateral (or “y”) dimension. The track chain link has an x-y plane of symmetry about which the track chain link is symmetric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Patrick J. Mulligan
  • Patent number: 7914086
    Abstract: An idler for use with an endless track of a track-type vehicle comprises a wheel and a rim. The rim comprises fasteners and replaceable wear pads releasably mounted to and positioned about the periphery of the wheel using the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Patrick J. Mulligan
  • Publication number: 20110049975
    Abstract: A track chain joint for an endless track chain of a track-type vehicle is configured to engage first and second sprockets of a drive wheel of the track-type vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Patrick J. Mulligan