Patents by Inventor Timothy Clapp

Timothy Clapp 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: 12685256
    Abstract: A blade adapter apparatus configured to couple multiple cutting blades to a shaft of an outdoor power equipment. The blade adapter apparatus can simplify attachment of multiple blades, which can be performed prior to interfacing with the outdoor power equipment. The blade adapter apparatus can prevent the multiple blades from being attached according to an improper orientation and prevent the multiple blades from being attached according to an improper order. The blade adapter apparatus can furthermore robustly distribute load from a high energy impact event, and/or maintain a fixed angle between blade tips of a multi-blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventors: Timothy Clapp, Nathaniel Byrne, David Palcisko
  • Publication number: 20240107949
    Abstract: A torque limiter assembly and/or damage mitigation assembly that can limit torque and other forces from being applied to a motor or motor assembly of a lawn maintenance device such as a mower. For example, sudden blade-stop events or other events that might damage the motor can instead be absorbed or dispersed by the torque limiter assembly via use of a friction material. The torque limiter assembly can have a shaft and bearings that are independent of the motor shaft and motor bearings. The friction material can serve as a mechanical linkage between the two independent shafts operating to limit torque exchanges between the two shafts that exceed a defined magnitude. In the event that wear or damage is sustained, such will tend to be limited to the torque limiter assembly, which can be repaired or replaced in a more cost effective or simplified manner than the motor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy Clapp, Nathaniel Byrne
  • Publication number: 20240100943
    Abstract: A neutral release mechanism for an outdoor power equipment is discussed. One example embodiment comprises a neutral release mechanism that switches a gearbox or a transmission between neutral mode and drive, comprising: a user input that rotates between a first angle and a second angle; and a plunger coupled to the user input and a pin, wherein the plunger and the pin move parallel to an axis of the drive wheel between a first and a second position, wherein the pin is at the first position when the user input is at the first angle and the second position when the user input is at the second position, wherein the pin places the gearbox or the transmission in drive when the pin is at the first position and places the gearbox or the transmission in neutral when the pin is at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventor: Timothy Clapp
  • Publication number: 20240065146
    Abstract: A blade adapter apparatus configured to couple multiple cutting blades to a shaft of an outdoor power equipment. The blade adapter apparatus can simplify attachment of multiple blades, which can be performed prior to interfacing with the outdoor power equipment. The blade adapter apparatus can prevent the multiple blades from being attached according to an improper orientation and prevent the multiple blades from being attached according to an improper order. The blade adapter apparatus can furthermore robustly distribute load from a high energy impact event, and/or maintain a fixed angle between blade tips of a multi-blade assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy Clapp, Nathaniel Byrne, David Palcisko