Patents by Inventor Robert C. ESAU

Robert C. ESAU 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: 20230071515
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a stand-on terrain working vehicle having a foot-operated parking brake system. The parking brake system includes a pedal assembly having a first pedal and a second pedal, an actuator coupled to the pedal assembly, a brake configured to be actuated between a set/engaged state and a released/disengaged state, and an over-center linkage. When the first pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the set/engaged state, and when the second pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the released/disengaged state. The over-center linkage is configured to bias the brake towards one of the set/engaged state and the released/disengaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Brian R. FUNK, Robert C. ESAU, Brian L. NEBEL
  • Patent number: 11498532
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a stand-on terrain working vehicle having a foot-operated parking brake system. The parking brake system includes a pedal assembly having a first pedal and a second pedal, an actuator coupled to the pedal assembly, a brake configured to be actuated between a set/engaged state and a released/disengaged state, and an over-center linkage. When the first pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the set/engaged state, and when the second pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the released/disengaged state. The over-center linkage is configured to bias the brake towards one of the set/engaged state and the released/disengaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian R. Funk, Robert C. Esau, Brian L. Nebel
  • Publication number: 20220151141
    Abstract: A control system for an electric, terrain-working vehicle having a left drive wheel powered by a left traction motor, a right drive wheel powered by a right traction motor, at least a first implement powered at least by a first implement motor, and a battery supplying power to the left traction motor, the right traction motor and the first implement motor when certain conditions are met. The control system comprises a first implement controller comprising logic to control the battery-supplied power to the first implement motor; a left traction controller comprising logic to control the battery-supplied power to the left traction motor; and a right traction controller comprising logic to control the battery-supplied power to the right traction motor. The first implement controller, the left traction controller and the right traction controller are independent from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Brian Lee Nebel, Royce A. Steinert, Robert C. Esau
  • Publication number: 20210309189
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a stand-on terrain working vehicle having a foot-operated parking brake system. The parking brake system includes a pedal assembly having a first pedal and a second pedal, an actuator coupled to the pedal assembly, a brake configured to be actuated between a set/engaged state and a released/disengaged state, and an over-center linkage. When the first pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the set/engaged state, and when the second pedal of the pedal assembly is depressed, the brake is actuated to the released/disengaged state. The over-center linkage is configured to bias the brake towards one of the set/engaged state and the released/disengaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Brian R. Funk, Robert C. Esau, Brian L. Nebel
  • Patent number: 10939616
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a mower having a first portion and a second portion that is movable relative to the first portion to adjust a cutting height of the mower. The adjustment of the second portion may be facilitated, for example, by a height adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian R. Funk, Brian Lee Nebel, Robert C. Esau
  • Patent number: 10631459
    Abstract: A stand-on mower may have a deck with at least one deck wing. The mower may include a stand-on operator platform, a rear wheel axis positioned forward of the stand-on operator platform, a main deck having main deck blades with rotational axes positioned forward of the rear wheel axis, one or more deck wings, and front wheels positioned forward of the rotational axes of the main deck blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul W. Mullet, Brian R. Funk, Robert C. Esau
  • Publication number: 20180249630
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a stand-on mower having a deck with at least one deck wing. The mower may include a stand-on operator platform, a rear wheel axis positioned forward of the stand-on operator platform, a main deck having main deck blades with rotational axes positioned forward of the rear wheel axis, one or more deck wings, and front wheels positioned forward of the rotational axes of the main deck blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: PAUL W. MULLET, BRIAN R. FUNK, ROBERT C. ESAU
  • Patent number: 10051786
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a stand-on mower having a deck with at least one deck wing. The mower may include a stand-on operator platform, a rear wheel axis positioned forward of the stand-on operator platform, a main deck having main deck blades with rotational axes positioned forward of the rear wheel axis, one or more deck wings, and front wheels positioned forward of the rotational axes of the main deck blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Mullet, Brian R. Funk, Robert C. Esau
  • Publication number: 20180132418
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a mower having a first portion and a second portion that is movable relative to the first portion to adjust a cutting height of the mower. The adjustment of the second portion may be facilitated, for example, by a height adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Bryan R. Funk, Brian Lee Nebel, Robert C. Esau
  • Publication number: 20180014460
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a stand-on mower having a deck with at least one deck wing. The mower may include a stand-on operator platform, a rear wheel axis positioned forward of the stand-on operator platform, a main deck having main deck blades with rotational axes positioned forward of the rear wheel axis, one or more deck wings, and front wheels positioned forward of the rotational axes of the main deck blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: PAUL W. MULLET, BRIAN R. FUNK, Robert C. ESAU