Patents by Inventor Toby Frelich

Toby Frelich 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: 20240401286
    Abstract: A screed assembly for a paving machine includes a screed plate, an end gate, and compression mechanisms. The screed plate paves a material to form a mat on a work surface. The end gate restricts a spread of the material in a lateral direction of the paving machine. The end gate includes a support structure and a floating wall. The support structure includes an engagement portion and the floating wall is slidably disposed relative to the support structure and is configured to be guided along the work surface during the paving operation. Further, each compression mechanism includes at least one compression member disposed in an engaged state with respect to at least one of the engagement portion and the floating wall. An actuation of the compression member moves the floating wall with respect to the screed plate to adjust a clearance between the floating wall and the screed plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Reece Berns, Ryan Todd Thiesse, Toby Frelich
  • Patent number: 11795631
    Abstract: A linkage system for a screed extension includes a mounting plate that includes a mounting plate finger; an upper rail; a lower rail; a height adjustment shaft; a set of slide blocks that are disposed in a channel between the upper rail and the lower rail; a set of linkage arms; an angle of attack adjustment structure that holds the mounting plate finger at an angle; and a set of angle of attack adjustment screws. The height adjustment shaft is configured to adjust a position of the set of slide blocks within the channel and thereby adjust a height of a lower frame of the screed extension. The set of angle of attack adjustment screws are configured adjust the angle of the mounting plate finger and thereby adjust an angle of attack of the lower frame of the screed extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy L Wehrenberg, Toby Frelich, Brad W Green, Ryan Thiesse
  • Publication number: 20220403608
    Abstract: A linkage system for a screed extension includes a mounting plate that includes a mounting plate finger; an upper rail; a lower rail; a height adjustment shaft; a set of slide blocks that are disposed in a channel between the upper rail and the lower rail; a set of linkage arms; an angle of attack adjustment structure that holds the mounting plate finger at an angle; and a set of angle of attack adjustment screws. The height adjustment shaft is configured to adjust a position of the set of slide blocks within the channel and thereby adjust a height of a lower frame of the screed extension. The set of angle of attack adjustment screws are configured adjust the angle of the mounting plate finger and thereby adjust an angle of attack of the lower frame of the screed extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy L WEHRENBERG, Toby FRELICH, Brad W GREEN, Ryan THIESSE
  • Patent number: 11149405
    Abstract: A grade control indicator assembly is disclosed. The grade control indicator assembly may include a keypad to control one or more functionalities of a machine, where the keypad includes a set of grade control light indicators integrated into the keypad, and where the set of grade control light indicators includes a first subset of grade control light indicators for indicating a grade of the machine with respect to a first side of the machine and a second subset of grade control light indicators for indicating the grade of the machine with respect to a second side of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Hogan, Mathew Hedrington, Toby Frelich, Andrew Kopca, Mark Tarvin, Ryan Thiesse
  • Publication number: 20200347571
    Abstract: A grade control indicator assembly is disclosed. The grade control indicator assembly may include a keypad to control one or more functionalities of a machine, where the keypad includes a set of grade control light indicators integrated into the keypad, and where the set of grade control light indicators includes a first subset of grade control light indicators for indicating a grade of the machine with respect to a first side of the machine and a second subset of grade control light indicators for indicating the grade of the machine with respect to a second side of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicants: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc., Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Lee HOGAN, Mathew HEDRINGTON, Toby FRELICH, Andrew KOPCA, Mark TARVIN, Ryan THIESSE
  • Patent number: 10458076
    Abstract: A control system for a road paver comprises a camera system configured to generate image data of an environment of the road paver. The control system further comprises a controller electronically connected to the camera system. The controller is configured to receive the image data from the camera system, and to apply an object recognition process on the received image data to identify an edge line serving as a reference line for a mat to be laid by the road paver, and to determine a three dimensional position of the identified edge line. The controller may automatically control the road paver, and may assist an operator to control the road paver based on the identified position of the edge line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John Lee Marsolek, Toby Frelich, Kent Hoisington
  • Publication number: 20180030672
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control system for a road paver. The control system comprises a camera system configured to generate image data of an environment of the road paver. The control system further comprises a controller electronically connected to the camera system. The controller is configured to receive the image data from the camera system, and to apply an object recognition process on the received image data to identify an edge line serving as a reference line for a mat to be laid by the road paver, and to determine a three dimensional position of the identified edge line. The controller may automatically control the road paver, and may assist an operator to control the road paver based on the identified position of the edge line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John Lee Marsolek, Toby Frelich, Kent Hoisington
  • Patent number: 9441334
    Abstract: A controller receives inputs from a user interface that sets a speed for moving a tow point of an asphalt paving machine at a speed higher than a normal operating speed. The controller also receives signals from a user interface that moves the tow point in a selected direction at the set speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Toby Frelich, Mathew Hedrington
  • Patent number: 9347186
    Abstract: A machine and method for pre-filling an auger chamber is disclosed. The machine may comprise a frame, a screed assembly, a conveyor, an auger disposed in the auger chamber, and a controller. The controller is configured to cause the transporting of material on the conveyor to the auger chamber, stop the conveyor if a fill period has expired, cause the auger to move a portion of the material toward an end of the auger, and stop the auger if either the auger run period has expired or the material disposed at the end of the auger has reached an auger material height threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Toby Frelich, Ricky Mings
  • Publication number: 20160024725
    Abstract: A machine and method for pre-filling an auger chamber is disclosed. The machine may comprise a frame, a screed assembly, a conveyor, an auger disposed in the auger chamber, and a controller. The controller is configured to cause the transporting of material on the conveyor to the auger chamber, stop the conveyor if a fill period has expired, cause the auger to move a portion of the material toward an end of the auger, and stop the auger if either the auger run period has expired or the material disposed at the end of the auger has reached an auger material height threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Toby Frelich, Ricky Mings
  • Patent number: 9151004
    Abstract: A paving machine including a right hopper, a left hopper, an apron and an automated hopper and apron control system is provided. The right hopper, the left hopper and the apron are configured to move in a vertically upward and downward direction. The automated hopper and apron control system is configured to control the movement of one or more of the right hopper, the left hopper, and the apron. The automated hopper and apron control system may include a controller. The controller is configured to operate the automated hopper and apron control system in a manual mode and an auto mode as desired by an operator. In the auto mode, the controller actuates one or more of the right hopper, the left hopper, and the apron from a first position to one of a fully raised position and a fully lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley D. Anderson, Chad M. Thiesse, Toby Frelich
  • Publication number: 20150132058
    Abstract: A paving machine including a right hopper, a left hopper, an apron and an automated hopper and apron control system is provided. The right hopper, the left hopper and the apron are configured to move in a vertically upward and downward direction. The automated hopper and apron control system is configured to control the movement of one or more of the right hopper, the left hopper, and the apron. The automated hopper and apron control system may include a controller. The controller is configured to operate the automated hopper and apron control system in a manual mode and an auto mode as desired by an operator. In the auto mode, the controller actuates one or more of the right hopper, the left hopper, and the apron from a first position to one of a fully raised position and a fully lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley D. Anderson, Chad M. Thiesse, Toby Frelich
  • Patent number: 9004811
    Abstract: A system for measuring the height of paving material distributed by an auger of a paving machine in front of a grading implement, such as a screed, is disclosed. The system includes a sonic sensor and a laser pointer. The sonic sensor generates a sonic signal which is directed at the paving material distributed by the auger. The laser pointer generates a laser beam which is similarly directed at the paving material that has been distributed by the auger. The laser beam and the sonic signal meet at a common position on the paving material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Mings, Toby Frelich, Chad Thiesse
  • Publication number: 20130223927
    Abstract: A system for measuring the height of paving material distributed by an auger of a paving machine in front of a grading implement, such as a screed, is disclosed. The system includes a sonic sensor and a laser pointer. The sonic sensor generates a sonic signal which is directed at the paving material distributed by the auger. The laser pointer generates a laser beam which is similarly directed at the paving material that has been distributed by the auger. The laser beam and the sonic signal meet at a common position on the paving material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Rick Mings, Toby Frelich, Chad Thiesse
  • Patent number: 7931104
    Abstract: A machine includes a body having a cooling air inlet and a cooling air outlet, and having an engine compartment therein. A second compartment is positioned vertically above and fluidly connected with the engine compartment. At least one open-air operator station is positioned on a deck of the body, and a cooling system draws cooling air in a flow path through the engine compartment, into the second compartment and exhausts the cooling air in a forward direction away from the operator station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Toby Frelich, Andrew J. Krolnik
  • Patent number: 7694805
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a guard assembly and its individual guards for protecting a conveyor system, such as the center conveyor frame. Related methods of installing or removing the individual guards and the guard assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Glenn Schneider, Toby Frelich
  • Publication number: 20090154995
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a guard assembly and its individual guards for protecting a conveyor system, such as the center conveyor frame. Related methods of installing or removing the individual guards and the guard assembly are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Glenn Schneider, Toby Frelich
  • Publication number: 20090056651
    Abstract: A machine includes a body having a cooling air inlet and a cooling air outlet, and having an engine compartment therein. A second compartment is positioned vertically above and fluidly connected with the engine compartment. At least one open-air operator station is positioned on a deck of the body, and a cooling system draws cooling air in a flow path through the engine compartment, into the second compartment and exhausts the cooling air in a forward direction away from the operator station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Toby Frelich, Andrew J. Krolnik
  • Patent number: 7497641
    Abstract: A paving machine includes a frame having a hopper, a screed and a conveyor to transfer paving material between the hopper and the screed. A ballast system of the paving machine includes an actuator configured to adjust a movable ballast such as a liquid ballast to switch the paving machine between ballast states corresponding to different operating configurations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Toby Frelich