Patents by Inventor Steven J. Svoboda

Steven J. Svoboda 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: 20230240182
    Abstract: A walk power mower having a cutting deck supported upon the ground by a front and rear wheel(s). The mower includes a traction drive system incorporating a bidirectional transmission adapted to propel the mower alternatively in both forward and reverse directions. In some embodiments, the mower may include a single bidirectional transmission (e.g., powering only rear wheel(s) or only front wheel(s) of the mower), while in other embodiments, two bidirectional transmissions may be provided to power both the front and the rear wheel(s). In other embodiments, the mower may include a bidirectional transmission powering the rear wheel(s), while the front wheel(s) may be attached to the deck via a caster assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Todd A. Porter, Steven J. Svoboda
  • Patent number: 11653594
    Abstract: A walk power mower having a cutting deck supported upon the ground by a front and rear wheel(s). The mower includes a traction drive system incorporating a bidirectional transmission adapted to propel the mower alternatively in both forward and reverse directions. In some embodiments, the mower may include a single bidirectional transmission (e.g., powering only rear wheel(s) or only front wheel(s) of the mower), while in other embodiments, two bidirectional transmissions may be provided to power both the front and the rear wheel(s). In other embodiments, the mower may include a bidirectional transmission powering the rear wheel(s), while the front wheel(s) may be attached to the deck via a caster assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Todd A. Porter, Steven J. Svoboda
  • Publication number: 20210007276
    Abstract: A walk power mower having a cutting deck supported upon the ground by a front and rear wheel(s). The mower includes a traction drive system incorporating a bidirectional transmission adapted to propel the mower alternatively in both forward and reverse directions. In some embodiments, the mower may include a single bidirectional transmission (e.g., powering only rear wheel(s) or only front wheel(s) of the mower), while in other embodiments, two bidirectional transmissions may be provided to power both the front and the rear wheel(s). In other embodiments, the mower may include a bidirectional transmission powering the rear wheel(s), while the front wheel(s) may be attached to the deck via a caster assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Todd A. Porter, Steven J. Svoboda
  • Patent number: 10834871
    Abstract: A walk power mower having a cutting deck supported upon the ground by a front and rear wheel(s). The mower includes a traction drive system incorporating a bidirectional transmission adapted to propel the mower alternatively in both forward and reverse directions. In some embodiments, the mower may include a single bidirectional transmission (e.g., powering only rear wheel(s) or only front wheel(s) of the mower), while in other embodiments, two bidirectional transmissions may be provided to power both the front and the rear wheel(s). In other embodiments, the mower may include a bidirectional transmission powering the rear wheel(s), while the front wheel(s) may be attached to the deck via a caster assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Todd A. Porter, Steven J. Svoboda
  • Patent number: 10488421
    Abstract: Methods for reducing the risk of osteoarthritis of the knee in a human determined to have an elevated risk of osteoarthritis of the knee are provided. The methods involve administering an intervention, such as physical therapy, to a human that has an increased expression level of biomarker C1,2C, C2C, or CPII compared to a normal control, or a decreased expression level of biomarker CS846 compared to a normal control, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Inventors: Steven J. Svoboda, Kenneth L. Cameron
  • Publication number: 20180356431
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to assessment of the relative risk of injury of joints. Test kits and methods of diagnosing and monitoring relative risk of joint injury are provided. The apparatus and methods beneficially permit intervention to reduce the risk of joint injury and/or reduce the damage resulting from joint injury. Methods for monitoring recovery from a joint injury are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Steven J. SVOBODA, Kenneth L. CAMERON
  • Patent number: 10041955
    Abstract: Test kits and methods for diagnosing and monitoring relative risk of joint injury are provided. The apparatus and methods beneficially permit intervention to reduce the risk of joint injury and/or reduce the damage resulting from joint injury. Methods for monitoring recovery from a joint injury are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Inventors: Steven J. Svoboda, Kenneth L. Cameron
  • Publication number: 20180059120
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to assessment of the relative risk of injury of joints. Test kits and methods of diagnosing and monitoring relative risk of joint injury are provided. The apparatus and methods beneficially permit intervention to reduce the risk of joint injury and/or reduce the damage resulting from joint injury. Methods for monitoring recovery from a joint injury are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Steven J. SVOBODA, Kenneth L. CAMERON
  • Patent number: 9829493
    Abstract: Test kits and methods for diagnosing and monitoring relative risk of joint injury are provided. The apparatus and methods beneficially permit intervention to reduce the risk of joint injury and/or reduce the damage resulting from joint injury. Methods for monitoring recovery from a joint injury are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventors: Steven J. Svoboda, Kenneth L. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9420924
    Abstract: A debris blower incorporating a nozzle (e.g., removably attachable nozzle) formed from first and second mating halves, wherein the nozzle provides an airstream that oscillates as a result of dynamic fluid effects of airflow passing through the nozzle. As a result, an oscillating airstream may be produced without the use of complicated moving airflow control elements such as louvers and vanes, and without requiring manual manipulation of the blower by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Svoboda, Chadwick A. Shaffer, Dana R. Lonn
  • Publication number: 20160154008
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to assessment of the relative risk of injury to joints. Test kits and methods for diagnosing and monitoring relative risk of joint injury are provided. The apparatus and methods beneficially permit intervention to reduce the risk of joint injury and/or reduce the damage resulting from joint injury. Methods for monitoring recovery from a joint injury are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Steven J SVOBODA, Kenneth L. CAMERON
  • Publication number: 20150233378
    Abstract: A debris blower incorporating a nozzle (e.g., removably attachable nozzle) formed from first and second mating halves, wherein the nozzle provides an airstream that oscillates as a result of dynamic fluid effects of airflow passing through the nozzle. As a result, an oscillating airstream may be produced without the use of complicated moving airflow control elements such as louvers and vanes, and without requiring manual manipulation of the blower by the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Steven J. Svoboda, Chadwick A. Shaffer, Dana R. Lonn
  • Publication number: 20140123615
    Abstract: A walk power mower has a mower deck that encloses a pair of rotary cutting blades with the grass clippings from the blades being discharged through a rearwardly extending grass discharge tunnel in a rear bagging mode of operation. The blades are powered by a timed drive system that is carried by a horizontal apron that is part of a cast aluminum engine mount. The engine mount and the apron are bolted to a stamped steel deck shell that forms the cutting chamber in which the blades rotate. The mower has a side discharge mode in which a side discharge chute is releasably mounted over a side discharge opening. The chute carries a flow cutoff baffle having an inwardly protruding inner end that sticks through the side discharge opening to intercept and direct the clippings out through the side discharge opening and through the chute in the side discharge mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Chris A. Wadzinski, Ryan J. Volovsek, Larry W. Schmidt, Steven J. Svoboda, John O. Hurst
  • Publication number: 20140116018
    Abstract: A walk power mower has a mower deck that encloses a pair of rotary cutting blades with the grass clippings from the blades being discharged through a rearwardly extending grass discharge tunnel in a rear bagging mode of operation. The blades are powered by a timed drive system that is carried by a horizontal apron that is part of a cast aluminum engine mount. The engine mount and the apron are bolted to a stamped steel deck shell that forms the cutting chamber in which the blades rotate. The mower has a side discharge mode in which a side discharge chute is releasably mounted over a side discharge opening. The chute carries a flow cutoff baffle having an inwardly protruding inner end that sticks through the side discharge opening to intercept and direct the clippings out through the side discharge opening and through the chute in the side discharge mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Chris A. Wadzinski, Ryan J. Volovsek, Steven J. Svoboda, John O. Hurst
  • Patent number: 8701377
    Abstract: A walk power mower has a mower deck that encloses a pair of rotary cutting blades with the grass clippings from the blades being discharged through a rearwardly extending grass discharge tunnel in a rear bagging mode of operation. The blades are powered by a timed drive system that is carried by a horizontal apron that is part of a cast aluminum engine mount. The engine mount and the apron are bolted to a stamped steel deck shell that forms the cutting chamber in which the blades rotate. The mower has a side discharge mode in which a side discharge chute is releasably mounted over a side discharge opening. The chute carries a flow cutoff baffle having an inwardly protruding inner end that sticks through the side discharge opening to intercept and direct the clippings out through the side discharge opening and through the chute in the side discharge mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Chris A. Wadzinski, Ryan J. Volovsek, Steven J. Svoboda, John O. Hurst
  • Patent number: 8602334
    Abstract: A debris vacuum having one or more rotating shearing edges and at least one supplemental shearing edge in close proximity to the rotating shearing edges. The supplemental shearing edge may be stationary and attached, for example, to a housing containing the rotating shearing edge, or to a vacuum tube that is itself attachable to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Svoboda, Chadwick A. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8539745
    Abstract: A walk power mower has a mower deck that encloses a pair of rotary cutting blades with the grass clippings from the blades being discharged through a rearwardly extending grass discharge tunnel in a rear bagging mode of operation. The pair of cutting blades rotate in the same direction relative to a cutting chamber of the mower deck so that grass clippings cut by one blade merge with grass clippings cut by the other blade with the merged clippings forming a single common stream of clippings that is rearwardly directed along one side of the cutting chamber. The clippings enter a grass collection bag which is positioned between the handle tubes of a handle assembly of the mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Larry W. Schmidt, Steven J. Svoboda, Chris A. Wadzinski
  • Publication number: 20130139485
    Abstract: A walk power mower has a mower deck that encloses a pair of rotary cutting blades with the grass clippings from the blades being discharged through a rearwardly extending grass discharge tunnel in a rear bagging mode of operation. The blades are powered by a timed drive system that is carried by a horizontal apron that is part of a cast aluminum engine mount. The engine mount and the apron are bolted to a stamped steel deck shell that forms the cutting chamber in which the blades rotate. The mower has a side discharge mode in which a side discharge chute is releasably mounted over a side discharge opening. The chute carries a flow cutoff baffle having an inwardly protruding inner end that sticks through the side discharge opening to intercept and direct the clippings out through the side discharge opening and through the chute in the side discharge mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Chris A. Wadzinski, Ryan J. Volovsek, Larry W. Schmidt, Steven J. Svoboda, John O. Hurst
  • Publication number: 20120138717
    Abstract: A debris vacuum having one or more rotating shearing edges and at least one supplemental shearing edge in close proximity to the rotating shearing edges. The supplemental shearing edge may be stationary and attached, for example, to a housing containing the rotating shearing edge, or to a vacuum tube that is itself attachable to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Steven J. Svoboda, Chadwick A. Shaffer
  • Patent number: D735428
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Steven J. Svoboda