Patents by Inventor Peter A. Kosmicki

Peter A. Kosmicki 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: 11477929
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for proving operation of a vehicle towing an implement. A hitch assembly can be used to adjust or distribute a vertical downward force that an attached implement applies to the frame of a vehicle towing the implement. A sensor assembly can identify the torque that is being applied to the front and rear axles. The torque data can be used to generate adjustments to the vertical load actuator, which can to adjust an amount of load applied to the front and/or rear axles. In this way, vertical load may be efficiently distributed between the front and rear axles automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Peter A. Kosmicki, Benjamin J. Heimbuch
  • Patent number: 11369053
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for adjusting the downward vertical force applied to the vehicle frame. In this way, an operator can adjust or distribute a vertical downward force that an attached implement applies to the frame of a vehicle towing the implement. A front end of a vertical load member can be pivotably coupled to the vehicle frame at a point in front of the rear axle of the vehicle, and a rear end of the vertical load member can be coupled to a hitch attachment assembly, coupled with a towed implement, at a rear end of the vertical load member. An actuator can be pivotably coupled with the vertical load member rearward of the vehicle axle, and to the vehicle frame. The vertical load member can be raised and lowered using the actuator, which raises and lowers the hitch assembly at the rear, and pivots the vertical load member at the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Peter A. Kosmicki, Benjamin J. Heimbuch, Lee R. Rients, Kendall L. Giesmann
  • Publication number: 20210204464
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for proving operation of a vehicle towing an implement. A hitch assembly can be used to adjust or distribute a vertical downward force that an attached implement applies to the frame of a vehicle towing the implement. A sensor assembly can identify the torque that is being applied to the front and rear axles. The torque data can be used to generate adjustments to the vertical load actuator, which can to adjust an amount of load applied to the front and/or rear axles. In this way, vertical load may be efficiently distributed between the front and rear axles automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Peter A. Kosmicki, Benjamin J. Heimbuch
  • Publication number: 20210204463
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for adjusting the downward vertical force applied to the vehicle frame. In this way, an operator can adjust or distribute a vertical downward force that an attached implement applies to the frame of a vehicle towing the implement. A front end of a vertical load member can be pivotably coupled to the vehicle frame at a point in front of the rear axle of the vehicle, and a rear end of the vertical load member can be coupled to a hitch attachment assembly, coupled with a towed implement, at a rear end of the vertical load member. An actuator can be pivotably coupled with the vertical load member rearward of the vehicle axle, and to the vehicle frame. The vertical load member can be raised and lowered using the actuator, which raises and lowers the hitch assembly at the rear, and pivots the vertical load member at the front.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Peter A. Kosmicki, Benjamin J. Heimbuch, Lee R. Rients, Kendall L. Giesmann
  • Patent number: 9282690
    Abstract: A draft sensing mechanism for a three point hitch includes a hitch frame attached to a frame of a vehicle. The hitch frame includes left and right link supports for coupling to left and right draft links and left and right draft bars. Each draft bar has a first portion attached to a corresponding one of the link supports, and a second portion positioned rearwardly and inwardly with respect to its first portion. Draft forces applied by the draft links to the link supports are transmitted to the second portions of the draft bars. A linkage unit sums the draft forces from the draft bars and includes a draft force transducer which generates a draft force signal in response to deflection of the draft bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew M. Tilkes, Mark S. Earley, Edwin R. Kreis, Charles H. Carda, Peter A. Kosmicki
  • Publication number: 20150173292
    Abstract: A draft sensing mechanism for a three point hitch includes a hitch frame attached to a frame of a vehicle. The hitch frame includes left and right link supports for coupling to left and right draft links and left and right draft bars. Each draft bar has a first portion attached to a corresponding one of the link supports, and a second portion positioned rearwardly and inwardly with respect to its first portion. Draft forces applied by the draft links to the link supports are transmitted to the second portions of the draft bars. A linkage unit sums the draft forces from the draft bars and includes a draft force transducer which generates a draft force signal in response to deflection of the draft bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: ANDREW M. TILKES, Mark S. Earley, Edwin R. Kreis, Charles H. Carda, Peter A. Kosmicki
  • Publication number: 20130192854
    Abstract: A draft sensing mechanism includes a draft frame adapted to be attached to a frame of a vehicle. The draft frame has left and right supports adapted to be coupled to corresponding left and right draft links. A draft strap has a left end fixed to a front side of the left support and a right end fixed to a front side of the right support. The draft strap is deflectable in response to draft forces applied to the left and right supports. A draft sensor is attached to the draft strap. The sensor generates a draft signal in response to deflection of the draft strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: PETER A. KOSMICKI, Benjamin J. Heimuch, Mark S. Earley, Edwin R. Kreis, Andrew M. Tilkes
  • Patent number: 8496068
    Abstract: A draft sensing mechanism includes a draft frame adapted to be attached to a frame of a vehicle. The draft frame has left and right supports adapted to be coupled to corresponding left and right draft links. A draft strap has a left end fixed to a front side of the left support and a right end fixed to a front side of the right support. The draft strap is deflectable in response to draft forces applied to the left and right supports. A draft sensor is attached to the draft strap. The sensor generates a draft signal in response to deflection of the draft strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Peter A. Kosmicki, Benjamin J. Heimbuch, Mark S. Earley, Edwin R. Kreis, Andrew M. Tilkes