Patents by Inventor Walter J. Petersen
Walter J. Petersen 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).
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Patent number: 7669667Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a frame supported by a plurality of ground engaging wheels, the frame carrying a coring head having a plurality of side-by-side tine assemblies. The wheels define a wheelbase which is substantially equal to or less than the width of a coring swath and the wheels are located in advance of the coring head to keep the wheels from passing over the holes or soil cores left in any preceding coring swathes formed by the aerator. The vertical position of the coring head is adjustable up and down as the ground contour changes to keep hole depth substantially constant. The tine assemblies are reciprocated by a single crankshaft driven by a single pulley, the crankshaft being assembled from multiple crank arms that are splined and bolted together. Sealed bearings connect drive arms that drive the tine assemblies to the crankshaft. The crankshaft can be disassembled to allow the sealed drive arm bearings to be replaced. Integral core deflectors are used on the drive arms.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2009Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Walter J. Petersen, Michael J. Gilberg, Gerald J. Pomerening
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Patent number: 7600573Abstract: A tine holder for holding a plurality of aerator tines has a plurality of substantially vertical, tapered bores. A tapered collar is adapted to be received in each bore with the collar being split so that the collar contracts as the collar is slid into the bore. The upper end of an aerator tine is inserted into each collar before the collar is inserted into the bore such that the contraction of the collar as the collar is thereafter slid into the bore will suffice to tightly grip and hold each tine in the tine holder. A tool is provided for providing enough leverage on the collar to slide the collar over final portions of its movement as the collar slides into the bore during tine installation or to slide the collar over beginning portions of its movement as the collar slides out of the bore during tine removal.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2008Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Thomas F. Langworthy, Walter J. Petersen
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Publication number: 20090173508Abstract: A tine holder for holding a plurality of aerator tines has a plurality of substantially vertical, tapered bores. A tapered collar is adapted to be received in each bore with the collar being split so that the collar contracts as the collar is slid into the bore. The upper end of an aerator tine is inserted into each collar before the collar is inserted into the bore such that the contraction of the collar as the collar is thereafter slid into the bore will suffice to tightly grip and hold each tine in the tine holder. A tool is provided for providing enough leverage on the collar to slide the collar over final portions of its movement as the collar slides into the bore during tine installation or to slide the collar over beginning portions of its movement as the collar slides out of the bore during tine removal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventors: Thomas F. Langworthy, Walter J. Petersen
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Publication number: 20090107689Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a frame supported by a plurality of ground engaging wheels, the frame carrying a coring head having a plurality of side-by-side tine assemblies. The wheels define a wheelbase which is substantially equal to or less than the width of a coring swath and the wheels are located in advance of the coring head to keep the wheels from passing over the holes or soil cores left in any preceding coring swathes formed by the aerator. The vertical position of the coring head is adjustable up and down as the ground contour changes to keep hole depth substantially constant. The tine assemblies are reciprocated by a single crankshaft driven by a single pulley, the crankshaft being assembled from multiple crank arms that are splined and bolted together. Sealed bearings connect drive arms that drive the tine assemblies to the crankshaft. The crankshaft can be disassembled to allow the sealed drive arm bearings to be replaced. Integral core deflectors are used on the drive arms.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2009Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Walter J. Petersen, Michael J. Gilberg, Gerald J. Pomerening
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Patent number: 7472759Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a frame supported by a plurality of ground engaging wheels, the frame carrying a coring head having a plurality of side-by-side tine assemblies. The wheels define a wheelbase which is substantially equal to or less than the width of a coring swath and the wheels are located in advance of the coring head to keep the wheels from passing over the holes or soil cores left in any preceding coring swathes formed by the aerator. The vertical position of the coring head is adjustable up and down as the ground contour changes to keep hole depth substantially constant. The tine assemblies are reciprocated by a single crankshaft driven by a single pulley, the crankshaft being assembled from multiple crank arms that are splined and bolted together. Sealed bearings connect drive arms that drive the tine assemblies to the crankshaft. The crankshaft can be disassembled to allow the sealed drive arm bearings to be replaced. Integral core deflectors are used on the drive arms.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2007Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventor: Walter J. Petersen
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Patent number: 7293612Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a frame supported by a plurality of ground engaging wheels, the frame carrying a coring head having a plurality of side-by-side tine assemblies. The wheels define a wheelbase which is substantially equal to or less than the width of a coring swath and the wheels are located in advance of the coring head to keep the wheels from passing over the holes or soil cores left in any preceding coring swathes formed by the aerator. The vertical position of the coring head is adjustable up and down as the ground contour changes to keep hole depth substantially constant. The tine assemblies are reciprocated by a single crankshaft driven by a single pulley, the crankshaft being assembled from multiple crank arms that are splined and bolted together. Sealed bearings connect drive arms that drive the tine assemblies to the crankshaft. The crankshaft can be disassembled to allow the sealed drive arm bearings to be replaced. Integral core deflectors are used on the drive arms.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Walter J. Petersen, Gerald J. Pomerening
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Patent number: 7096969Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a frame supported by a plurality of ground engaging wheels, the frame carrying a coring head having a plurality of side-by-side tine assemblies. The wheels define a wheelbase which is substantially equal to or less than the width of a coring swath and the wheels are located in advance of the coring head to keep the wheels from passing over the holes or soil cores left in any preceding coring swathes formed by the aerator. The vertical position of the coring head is adjustable up and down as the ground contour changes to keep hole depth substantially constant. The tine assemblies are reciprocated by a single crankshaft driven by a single pulley, the crankshaft being assembled from multiple crank arms that are splined and bolted together. Sealed bearings connect drive arms that drive the tine assemblies to the crankshaft. The crankshaft can be disassembled to allow the sealed drive arm bearings to be replaced. Integral core deflectors are used on the drive arms.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Walter J. Petersen, Jackie R. Gust, Michael J. Gilberg, Gerald J. Pomerening
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Publication number: 20040200625Abstract: A walk aerator comprises a frame supported by a plurality of ground engaging wheels, the frame carrying a coring head having a plurality of side-by-side tine assemblies. The wheels define a wheelbase which is substantially equal to or less than the width of a coring swath and the wheels are located in advance of the coring head to keep the wheels from passing over the holes or soil cores left in any preceding coring swathes formed by the aerator. The vertical position of the coring head is adjustable up and down as the ground contour changes to keep hole depth substantially constant. The tine assemblies are reciprocated by a single crankshaft driven by a single pulley, the crankshaft being assembled from multiple crank arms that are splined and bolted together. Sealed bearings connect drive arms that drive the tine assemblies to the crankshaft. The crankshaft can be disassembled to allow the sealed drive arm bearings to be replaced. Integral core deflectors are used on the drive arms.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Walter J. Petersen, Jackie R. Gust, Gerald J. Pomerening
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Patent number: 6032441Abstract: A triplex trim mower (100) including a vehicle (102) having two front drive wheels (104) and one rear steerable wheel (106). Mounted generally forward of the front wheels (104) are two reel-type cutting units (108a) laterally offset about the longitudinal axis (110) of the vehicle (102). Mounted between the front and rear wheels and substantially centered between the forward cutting units (108a) is a rear reel-type cutting unit (108b). A lateral support frame (137) is incorporated into the main frame of traction vehicle (102). The cutting units (108) are supported by a lateral carrier frame (144) which is slidably engaged to lateral support frame (137) such that carrier frame (144) can move laterally relative to support frame (137). A hydraulic cylinder (158) permits carrier frame (144) to be laterally displaced under operator command. Second and third hydraulic cylinders (131) permit cutting units (108) to be moved between a transport position and an operating position.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1997Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Jack R. Gust, Walter J. Petersen, Gordon R. Schmidt, Donald T. Lackner
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Patent number: 5744701Abstract: A leak detector apparatus 10 is disclosed which measures changes in fluid level in a tube 54 substantially located within a reservoir 29 of hydraulic fluid. The tube 54 has a first end which is open to the atmosphere and a second end which is submerged in the hydraulic fluid. The reservoir 29 is selectively sealed, therefore changes in the volume of the fluid within the reservoir 29 cause the fluid level within the tube 54 to change in accordance with the principles of a manometer. A measuring device is utilized to determine the level of the fluid within the tube 54, wherein the measurement device can include a float 22 having a magnet 23 located thereon interacting with a linear array of Hall effect sensors 24. A controllable venting valve 28 is provided through the reservoir 29 to equalize the pressure within the tank with the external ambient pressure.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1995Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Daniel E. Peterson, Dana R. Lonn, Walter J. Petersen
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Patent number: 5364114Abstract: A steering and suspension mechanism for use with a vehicle (1) and including a steering gear (14) interconnected to a steering wheel (8) through a series of universal joints (10, 11, 12, 13, 87). An output of the steering gear (14) is connected to a Pitman arm (21) which extends from a point (31) relatively near the axle (34) to a point (22) relatively far from the axle, where the Pitman (21) is pivotably interconnected to a pair of tie rods (25, 26). Extending upwardly from the wheels (6, 7) are a pair of A-frame members (40, 81) which pivotably support end caps (42, 47). A pair of coil springs (45, 46) are retained between the end caps, the faces (50, 51) of the end caps being preserved in a parallel relationship by linkages (56, 61), thus preventing buckling of the coil springs (45, 46).Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1993Date of Patent: November 15, 1994Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventor: Walter J. Petersen
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Patent number: 4854112Abstract: A rotary mower (10) including a front deck assembly (18) and a pair of wing decks (20). Each wing deck (20) is supported by a lift arm assembly including a main lift arm (26) and a lift arm extension (32). A pivot joint (30) exists between lift arms (26) and (32) so that when deck (20) is raised from its cutting position to its transport position it is also caused to rotate so that mower (10) maintains a relatively low profile even when decks (20) are in their transport position. Mower (10) also preferably includes a pair of breakaway assemblies (48) which allow wing decks (20) to "break away" in the event they strike an immovable object. Finally, a preferred mower (10) includes resilient bushing assemblies (38) between the wing deck lift arm assemblies and the wing deck housings (24) to minimize vibration and noise and provide some floating of the decks (20).Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1987Date of Patent: August 8, 1989Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Charles C. Holley, Walter J. Petersen, Michael N. Zenner
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Patent number: 4683370Abstract: A hot air gun or blower of the type usable for blistering paint on a painted surface for easing the removal of paint thereof has a housing with internal brackets supporting and retaining a switch assembly, a circuit board, a motor having an impeller, a motor mount, a shroud surrounding the impeller, and a heating element. The internal brackets supporting these elements are configured so as to provide a number of air passages between the elements and the interior wall of the housing. In addition to drawing air through a rear portion of the gun, air is drawn through an annular opening in the front of the gun between the cover for the heating element and the housing. The air thus passes over the covered heating coil and is preheated before being blown by the impeller directly over the coil for primary heating.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1984Date of Patent: July 28, 1987Assignee: Wagner Spray Tech CorporationInventors: Walter J. Petersen, John M. Svendsen
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Patent number: 4636617Abstract: A heating coil assembly for use in an air blower device has an annular support element, a first end cap, a core having a heating coil spirally wound thereon, a sleeve surrounding the coil and core, and a second end cap. All components have a centrally disposed non-circular bore therein for receiving a heavy gauge non-circular wire retainer, swaged at one end, which extends through the entire assembly and is retained by a press washer at an opposite end. The interior of the sleeve is spaced from the coil forming an axial channel for air flow over the coil. Axial openings in the end caps form air inlets and outlets for the channel. The coil has several leads, at least one of which extends through an axial opening in one of the end caps. The heating coil assembly has a small number of components, which are easily assembled and simultaneously axially and radially positioned and retained relative to each other by the wire retainer.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1984Date of Patent: January 13, 1987Assignee: Wagner Spray Tech CorporationInventors: Walter J. Petersen, John M. Svendsen, Verne J. Morand
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Patent number: 4325211Abstract: A riding mower (2) includes a cutting unit (6) suspended from a traction unit (4). Cutting unit (6) is suspended from a forwardly extending frame (8) by four suspension units (40-43). Each suspension unit includes an upwardly opening saddle member (44) in which a pin (51) carried on cutting unit (6) is received. At least some of the pins (51) are longitudinally constrained in the saddle members (44) to longitudinally couple cutting unit (6) to frame (8). This allows cutting unit (6) to move upwardly relative to frame (8) at each of the suspension units to allow the cutting unit (6) to tilt or float relative to frame (8).Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1980Date of Patent: April 20, 1982Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Robert H. Witt, Walter J. Petersen
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Patent number: 4246803Abstract: A foot pedal is mounted on a control lever operatively connected to a hydrostatic transmission mechanism for a vehicle, for controlling forward and rearward movement of the vehicle. A damping member, operatively associated with the control lever, frictionally engages the pedal to restrain movement of the pedal and control lever, which movement may be caused by heavy vibration of the vehicle during travel over uneven terrain.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1977Date of Patent: January 27, 1981Inventors: David S. Klis, Walter J. Petersen
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Patent number: 4223771Abstract: An apparatus for selectively transmitting power between a rotating shaft and a belt including an integral brake member. The apparatus includes a pulley affixed to the shaft and which frictionally engages the belt. The pulley includes a pair of sheave halves which are reciprocable axially with respect to each other between belt engaged and disengaged positions. The integral brake member is mounted about the shaft between the sheave halves and affixed against rotation with the shaft. In the disengaged position the belt drops onto the brake member and is brought to a rapid stop.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1978Date of Patent: September 23, 1980Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventor: Walter J. Petersen
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Patent number: RE34018Abstract: A heating coil assembly for use in an air blower device has an annular support element, a first end cap, a core having a heating coil spirally wound thereon, a sleeve surrounding the coil and core, and a second end cap. All components have a centrally disposed non-circular bore therein for receiving a heavy gauge non-circular wire retainer, swaged at one end, which extends through the entire assembly and is retained by a press washer at an opposite end. The interior of the sleeve is spaced from the coil forming an axial channel for air flow over the coil. Axial openings in the end caps form air inlets and outlets for the channel. The coil has several leads, at least one of which extends through an axial opening in one of the end caps. The heating coil assembly has a small number of components, which are easily assembled and simultaneously axially and radially positioned and retained relative to each other by the wire retainer.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1990Date of Patent: August 4, 1992Assignee: Wagner Spray Tech CorporationInventors: Walter J. Petersen, John M. Svendsen