Patents by Inventor Philip G. Stalpes
Philip G. Stalpes 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: 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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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: 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: 6709223Abstract: This invention relates to an outdoor equipment unit such as a walk-behind skid steer loader. The loader has a tracked traction system in which endless tracks are entrained around a rear drive support member and a front support member. The front support member is spring biased forwardly, but can move rearwardly against the spring bias to allow debris that is caught between the front support member to clear itself to help prevent the track from un-tracking. A single control handle having front and rear hand grips located between a fixed grab bar can be rotated and/or twisted to control the traction system. Return to neutral systems ensure that the control handle will return to a centered, neutral position upon release of the control handle by the operator.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Joseph J. Walto, Ronald T. Keagle, Philip G. Stalpes
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Publication number: 20030108414Abstract: This invention relates to an outdoor equipment unit such as a walk-behind skid steer loader. The loader has a tracked traction system in which endless tracks are entrained around a rear drive support member and a front support member. The front support member is spring biased forwardly, but can move rearwardly against the spring bias to allow debris that is caught between the front support member to clear itself to help prevent the track from un-tracking. A single control handle having front and rear hand grips located between a fixed grab bar can be rotated and/or twisted to control the traction system. Return to neutral systems ensure that the control handle will return to a centered, neutral position upon release of the control handle by the operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventors: Joseph J. Walto, Ronald T. Keagle, Philip G. Stalpes
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Patent number: 6082083Abstract: A handle for an outdoor power equipment unit, such as a lawn mower, includes a control system for allowing the user to manually vary the ground speed of the mower provided by a self propel system. The control system includes a handle grip on the handle that slides up and down relative to a lower portion of the handle. As the handle grip slides down, the ground speed increases. As the handle grip slides up, the ground speed decreases. A grab member can be used to allow the operator to have leverage in pushing the handle grip down.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Philip G. Stalpes, Larry W. Schmidt, Richard A. Thorud, Henry B. Tillotson, III, Nathan J. Friberg
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Patent number: 5636504Abstract: A U-shaped handle assembly for an outdoor power equipment unit, such as a lawn mower, comprises two, transversely spaced, upwardly extending handle tubes which are pivotally connected to the housing of the unit adjacent their lower ends. A pair of handle retention brackets mounted on the housing of the unit coact with the handle tube lower ends to define a plurality of adjusted positions of the handle assembly on the unit. These positions comprise a first adjusted position in which the handle assembly is locked to define a normal operational position of the handle assembly, a second adjusted position in which the handle is held by a detent to define a storage position extending vertically upwardly from the housing, and a third adjusted potion in which the handle is held by abutment with a shoulder to define an additional storage position in which the handle assembly extends forwardly on the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1995Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Charles F. Kaley, Larry W. Schmidt, Philip G. Stalpes
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Patent number: D424578Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1999Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Nathan J. Friberg, David J. Martin, Anthony N. Pink, Larry W. Schmidt, Philip G. Stalpes