Patents by Inventor Robert Claas

Robert Claas 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: 8016345
    Abstract: An operator cab for a skid steer vehicle is equipped with an inwardly folding front access door that can be locked in either a fully closed position or a fully open position. A pair of over-centered cylinders assists with closing and opening of the front access door. A lever, located in the operator cab, may be used to unlock the door from either its fully open position or its fully closed position. The skid steer vehicle may be operated effectively when the front access door is locked in the fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Gehl Company
    Inventors: Aaron Goddard, Marvin Joray, Robert Claas, Curtiss M. Lee, Anthony Saiia
  • Patent number: 7975793
    Abstract: A foot pod for use with the operator cab of a construction vehicle is designed to pivot separately from the operator cab. The operator cab may be pivoted toward the rear of the construction vehicle and the foot pod may be pivoted toward the front of the construction vehicle. Pivoting the foot pod toward the front of the vehicle permits ground access to the foot pod and any controls carried thereby. Separately pivoting the foot pod forward is particularly advantageous for cleaning the foot pod or servicing any controls carried by the foot pod. Isolation mounts may be used to dampen vibrations from the chassis to the foot pod and the operator cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Gehl Company
    Inventors: Robert Claas, Marvin Joray, Aaron Goddard, Curtiss M. Lee, Anthony Saiia
  • Patent number: 7866420
    Abstract: A tensioning system for an endless track of a crawler-type vehicle includes an actuator, such as a dual-acting hydraulic cylinder and piston, which is coupled to a roller to translate the roller into and out of engagement with the endless track to tension or slack the endless track, respectively. The tensioning system has a mechanical stop that limits retraction of the actuator, and thus limits how much slack can be created in the endless track. The actuator automatically adds tension to the endless track when an undertensioned condition is present and automatically removes tension from the endless track when an overtensioned condition is present. To add additional slack to the endless track for removing the endless track for service, repair, or replacement, the mechanical stop may be removed which allows additional retraction of the actuator and thus disengagement of the roller from the endless track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Gehl Company
    Inventors: Robert Claas, Mark McDowell
  • Publication number: 20070039511
    Abstract: A magazine for a railway anchor applicator having an anchor receiving mechanism for applying an anchor to a rail includes a chute structure. Configured for storing anchors in a sequential arrangement, the chute delivers the anchors to the anchor receiving mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Claas, John Luvaas, Donald Treziak
  • Publication number: 20070039510
    Abstract: A railway anchor applicator for applying an anchor to a rail includes a frame configured for movement in a specified direction of travel along a track, and a workhead assembly movably mounted on the frame for movement toward and away from the rail. Also provided is an anchor receiving mechanism configured for movement between a first position receiving an anchor from an anchor input and a second position placing the anchor away from the anchor input. An anchor positioning mechanism moves between a retracted and extended position for positioning the anchor adjacent to the rail at either the field or gage side of the rail. An anchor clipping mechanism engages the anchor onto the rail by applying pressure on the anchor from the side of the rail and compresses the anchor between components of the anchor clipping mechanism so that compressive forces act on the anchor transversely across the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Claas, John Luvaas, Leary Peterson, Donald Treziak, Donald Noll
  • Publication number: 20050081735
    Abstract: A rail fastener driver apparatus for driving fasteners into ties of a railroad track includes a fastener driving mechanism with a reciprocating element for engaging a fastener and driving it into a tie, a fastener magazine configured for accommodating a plurality of rail fasteners and feeding them sequentially for driving by the element, a fastener feeder mechanism including a fastener holder configured for movement between a first position sequentially receiving one fastener from the magazine and a second position placing the fastener in a driving position for engagement by the driving element and the fastener feeder mechanism configured for lowering and axially rotating the fastener from the first position to the second position. An obstacle accommodation device, and a method of driving rail fasteners are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Jack Hosking, Robert Claas, James Fuerst