Patents by Inventor Ralph W. Hoekstra

Ralph W. Hoekstra 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: 4353177
    Abstract: Control apparatus for a snowplow blade or the like, includes a control shaft movably mounted to a housing, so as to have first and second end portions extending respectively inwardly and outwardly of the housing. A control circuit is mounted in the housing and a plurality of momentary contact switches are electrically coupled with the control circuit and mounted in the housing for selective actuation by the control shaft end portion in the housing. A resilient member is in engagement with said control shaft end portion in the housing for resiliently returning the control shaft to a predetermined neutral position. The control circuit comprises solenoid control circuits for energizing a plurality of solenoids to effect movement of the snowplow blade. A first circuit portion is responsive to ones of the switches for energizing ones of the solenoids for respectively controlling the snowplow blade in left and right turning motions and in upward lifting motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Assignee: Swenson Spreader Company
    Inventor: Ralph W. Hoekstra
  • Patent number: 4342163
    Abstract: A novel structure is provided for joining a frame member for carrying a snowplow blade or the like to a vehicle-mounted lift frame or the like. At least one mounting bracket is rigidly attached to the lift frame and includes a pair of parallel, generally vertical walls supporting a generally horizontal mounting rod therebetween. A cooperating mounting ear is provided on the blade-carrying frame and is of lesser width than the space between the parallel walls of the mounting bracket. This mounting ear presents a slot of predetermined depth which is rotatably engageable with the mounting rod to define a rotatable joint. A retaining pin is insertable through the mounting bracket vertically above the mounting rod and substantially parallel therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Assignee: Swenson Spreader Company
    Inventor: Ralph W. Hoekstra