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).

  • Publication number: 20180051430
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal, Philip G. Stalpes
  • Patent number: 9863107
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Philip G. Stalpes, Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal
  • Publication number: 20170081817
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Philip G. Stalpes, Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal
  • Patent number: 9556572
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal, Philip G. Stalpes, Nathan J. Friberg
  • Patent number: 9546462
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Philip G. Stalpes, Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal
  • Publication number: 20160138234
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal, Philip G. Stalpes, Nathan J. Friberg
  • Publication number: 20160138235
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Nathan J. Friberg, Philip G. Stalpes, Derek S. Duchscherer, Nicholas J. Wersal
  • Patent number: 6709223
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Joseph J. Walto, Ronald T. Keagle, Philip G. Stalpes
  • Publication number: 20030108414
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph J. Walto, Ronald T. Keagle, Philip G. Stalpes
  • Patent number: 6082083
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Philip G. Stalpes, Larry W. Schmidt, Richard A. Thorud, Henry B. Tillotson, III, Nathan J. Friberg
  • Patent number: 5636504
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Charles F. Kaley, Larry W. Schmidt, Philip G. Stalpes
  • Patent number: D424578
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Nathan J. Friberg, David J. Martin, Anthony N. Pink, Larry W. Schmidt, Philip G. Stalpes