Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Roan

Thomas J. Roan 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: 20090050379
    Abstract: A track vehicle includes a cab operable to support an operator. Left and right motors each rotate an output shaft at a first speed, and a speed reduction system is operably coupled to each output shaft. Left and right drive shafts are driven by the speed reduction system at a second speed that is slower than the first speed. Left and right drive sprockets are mounted for rotation with the respective first and second drive shafts. Left and right track carriages support the cab and left and right tracks are mounted for rotation about the track carriages in response to rotation of the respective left and right drive shafts, such that the left and right tracks are driven by the left and right drive sprockets to move the track vehicle along a ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Larry E. Albright, Gary J. Homola, Maria C. Homola, Rodney Koch, Lance Tuhy, Thomas J. Roan
  • Patent number: 6866466
    Abstract: A lift arm assembly for a skid steer loader comprises a pair of lift arm links that are pivotally mounted together at first ends of the links. A first lift arm link is of substantial length and is pivotally mounted to the frame of the skid steer loader adjacent the rear lower portion of the frame and extends upwardly. A second lift arm link extends forwardly from the first lift arm link pivot to a position ahead of the skid steer loader frame. A control link is provided that has one end pivotally mounted to the loader frame adjacent a forward end of the loader frame, and a second end pivotally mounted to the second lift arm link to guide the second lift arm link as it is raised. An extendable and retractable actuator is pivotally mounted at a first end to the first lift arm link adjacent to the pivot of the first lift arm link to the frame. A second end of the actuator is pivotally mounted to the second lift arm link forwardly of the first lift arm length link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Roan, Larry E. Albright
  • Patent number: 6860707
    Abstract: A lift arm assembly has a pair of lift arms that are pivotally mounted onto the frame of a loader that has a forwardly pivoting cab. The forward ends of the lift arms each have a front frame assembly that is secured to the respective lift arm. The front frame assemblies includes separate box section frames with depending leg portions that have pivots at lower ends thereof for supporting attachments for the loader. The upper ends of the box section frames have sockets that receive the lift arms. The depending portions are offset inwardly from the lift arms, and tilt cylinders for controlling the pivoting of attachments are mounted on the depending portions to align with connections for loader attachments while providing clearance above the depending portions for forward pivoting of the cab. The depending portions are secured together with a torsion resisting cross member adjacent the lower ends to provide rigidity to the lift arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Roan, Larry E. Albright
  • Publication number: 20040228715
    Abstract: A lift arm assembly for a skid steer loader comprises a pair of lift arm links that are pivotally mounted together at first ends of the links. A first lift arm link is of substantial length and is pivotally mounted to the frame of the skid steer loader adjacent the rear lower portion of the frame and extends upwardly. A second lift arm link extends forwardly from the first lift arm link pivot to a position ahead of the skid steer loader frame. A control link is provided that has one end pivotally mounted to the loader frame adjacent a forward end of the loader frame, and a second end pivotally mounted to the second lift arm link to guide the second lift arm link as it is raised. An extendable and retractable actuator is pivotally mounted at a first end to the first lift arm link adjacent to the pivot of the first lift arm link to the frame. A second end of the actuator is pivotally mounted to the second lift arm link forwardly of the first lift arm length link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Roan, Larry E. Albright
  • Publication number: 20040148822
    Abstract: An extension cylinder is provided and includes an elongated tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a first fluid opening formed proximate the proximal end. The extension cylinder also includes an elongated rod that is telescopically received within the elongated tube through the distal end thereof. The elongated rod has a second fluid opening formed proximate a rod distal end. A fluid communication tube is disposed between, and enables fluid communication between, the first and second fluid openings. The fluid communication tube includes a length that varies depending on how far the elongated rod is extended or retracted from the distal end of the elongated tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Larry E. Albright, Thomas J. Roan, Gregory L. Fischer, William C. Shelbourn, Mark F. Bares
  • Publication number: 20040115036
    Abstract: A lift arm assembly has a pair of lift arms that are pivotally mounted onto the frame of a loader that has a forwardly pivoting cab. The forward ends of the lift arms each have a front frame assembly that is secured to the respective lift arm. The front frame assemblies includes separate box section frames with depending leg portions that have pivots at lower ends thereof for supporting attachments for the loader. The upper ends of the box section frames have sockets that receive the lift arms. The depending portions are offset inwardly from the lift arms, and tilt cylinders for controlling the pivoting of attachments are mounted on the depending portions to align with connections for loader attachments while providing clearance above the depending portions for forward pivoting of the cab. The depending portions are secured together with a torsion resisting cross member adjacent the lower ends to provide rigidity to the lift arm assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Roan, Larry E. Albright
  • Patent number: 6726437
    Abstract: A telescoping lift arm assembly has an outer lift arm tube that is formed with a cross section configuration that has spaced side walls, and outwardly extending flange guide panels at the lower portions of the side walls. An inner lift arm tube is generally bell-shaped and fits into the outer lift arm tube and has outwardly flared flanges that are parallel to the flange guide panels of the outer lift arm tube. The inner lift arm tube is held in place with a cross support plate that is supported to the side walls of the outer lift arm tube, to hold the inner lift arm tube in place. There are linear bearings between the mating outwardly flared flanges and panels, as well as between the support plate and mating lower surfaces of the inner lift arm tube. Fasteners are provided to adjustably hold the support plate secured to the outer lift arm tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Larry E. Albright, Thomas J. Roan, Gregory L. Fischer
  • Publication number: 20030152454
    Abstract: A telescoping lift arm assembly has an outer lift arm tube that is formed with a cross section configuration that has spaced side walls, and outwardly extending flange guide panels at the lower portions of the side walls. An inner lift arm tube is generally bell-shaped and fits into the outer lift arm tube and has outwardly flared flanges that are parallel to the flange guide panels of the outer lift arm tube. The inner lift arm tube is held in place with a cross support plate that is supported to the side walls of the outer lift arm tube, to hold the inner lift arm tube in place. There are linear bearings between the mating outwardly flared flanges and panels, as well as between the support plate and mating lower surfaces of the inner lift arm tube. Fasteners are provided to adjustably hold the support plate secured to the outer lift arm tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Larry E. Albright, Thomas J. Roan, Gregory L. Fischer
  • Patent number: D504136
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Larry E. Albright, James E. Asche, Dan Frederick, Thomas J. Roan, Gary W. Weddle
  • Patent number: D492327
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Larry E. Albright, James E. Asche, Dan Frederick, Thomas J. Roan, Gary W. Weddle