Patents by Inventor William C. Kurtz

William C. Kurtz 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: 8910592
    Abstract: A plurality of pliant scrapers are preferably secured to a feeder grille. The grille keeps an animal from walking in the feed. The scrapers are pliant to flex when the animal presses its head into a gap between adjacent scrapers, without causing undue pain or harm. When the animal pushes into the gap between adjacent scrapers, the pliant scrapers spread sufficiently to allow the animal's head to pass. When the animal subsequently backs out of the feeder, the pliant scrapers flip from pointing into the gap to pointing slightly out from the gap. As the animal continues to recede from the feeder, the scrapers wipe across the face and mouth of the animal. The wiping separates any unsecured hay or feed from the mouth of the animal. When the scrapers eventually separate from the animal, they spring towards the feeder interior, thereby propelling loose hay back into the feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: William C. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 8763555
    Abstract: Devices for providing feed to farm animals, particularly large farm animals are disclosed. In the invention, an enclosure for the feed is provided. In one embodiment of the invention the feed rests directly on the ground. In another embodiment of the invention, the feed is placed on a rack or grate a distance above the ground. The feed is surrounded by a fence that denies access to the feed except as will be described hereafter. At least one pivoting access grate is moved into contact with the feed to prevent the feed from being blown around by the wind or scattered by the animals and also to limit access to the feed. The access grate is a series of bars that are preferably spaced at desirable distances to provide optimal access to the feed by the animals. In one embodiment of the invention, this access grate may be limited in movement to control the amount of feed that an animal or animals is allowed to eat during a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: William C. Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20110253053
    Abstract: Devices for providing feed to farm animals, particularly large farm animals are disclosed. In the invention, an enclosure for the feed is provided. In one embodiment of the invention the feed rests directly on the ground. In another embodiment of the invention, the feed is placed on a rack or grate a distance above the ground. The feed is surrounded by a fence that denies access to the feed except as will be described hereafter. At least one pivoting access grate is moved into contact with the feed to prevent the feed from being blown around by the wind or scattered by the animals and also to limit access to the feed. The access grate is a series of bars that are preferably spaced at desirable distances to provide optimal access to the feed by the animals. In one embodiment of the invention, this access grate may be limited in movement to control the amount of feed that an animal or animals is allowed to eat during a given time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: William C. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 6821081
    Abstract: A small loader machine of the skid-steered type having a counterweight to balance heavy loads in the loader bucket. The bucket is automatically extended forward as the counterweight is extended in the opposite direction so as to keep the machine always in reasonable balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: William C. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 6722643
    Abstract: A multi-clamp is illustrated which operates in the manner of a traditional “c”-clamp, but which also operates cooperatively with a support such as a pipe or bar clamp to apply forces normal to otherwise difficult or impossible to reach large sheet materials. A pair of nested u-shaped members are coupled together with a threaded rod. A knob is used to actuate the threaded rod and provide motive force or actuation between the nested u-shaped members. Two alternative embodiments are also illustrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: William C. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 6089596
    Abstract: A quick attaching device for attaching a powered vehicle, ordinarily a farm tractor, to an implement without leaving the vehicle. The system is adaptable to implements having either a pulling tongue or having a relatively fixed attachment to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: William C. Kurtz