Patents by Inventor William D. Patton

William D. Patton 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: 6935092
    Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower for operation by an operator. The operator can operate the mower while standing on a foot platform, or alternatively when sitting down on a selectively deployable seat. Thus, the mower includes both sitting and standing modes. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the foot platform is located between first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for approximate zero radius turning of the mower about a vertical turning axis. The foot platform is positioned near this vertical axis so that the operator when standing may be substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero radius turning of the mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright, William D. Patton
  • Publication number: 20030221402
    Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower for operation by an operator. The operator can operate the mower while standing on a foot platform, or alternatively when sitting down on a selectively deployable seat. Thus, the mower includes both sitting and standing modes. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the foot platform is located between first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for approximate zero radius turning of the mower about a vertical turning axis. The foot platform is positioned near this vertical axis so that the operator when standing may be substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero radius turning of the mower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright, William D. Patton
  • Patent number: 6560952
    Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower for operation by an operator. The operator can operate the mower while standing on a foot platform, or alternatively when sitting down on a selectively deployable seat. Thus, the mower includes both sitting and standing modes. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the foot platform is located between first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for approximate zero radius turning of the mower about a vertical turning axis. The foot platform is positioned near this vertical axis so that the operator when standing may be substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero radius turning of the mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright, William D. Patton
  • Publication number: 20010001170
    Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower for operation by an operator. The operator can operate the mower while standing on a foot platform, or alternatively when sitting down on a selectively deployable seat. Thus, the mower includes both sitting and standing modes. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the foot platform is located between first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for approximate zero radius turning of the mower about a vertical turning axis. The foot platform is positioned near this vertical axis so that the operator when standing may be substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero radius turning of the mower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: May 17, 2001
    Applicant: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright, William D. Patton
  • Patent number: 6205753
    Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower for operation by an operator. The operator can operate the mower while standing on a foot platform, or alternatively when sitting down on a selectively deployable seat. Thus, the mower includes both sitting and standing modes. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the foot platform is located between first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for approximate zero radius turning of the mower about a vertical turning axis. The foot platform is positioned near this vertical axis so that the operator when standing may be substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero radius turning of the mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright, William D. Patton
  • Patent number: 6155034
    Abstract: A grass catcher for attachment to a power mower. In certain embodiments, the grass catcher is mounted to a self-propelled power mower so that the catcher is pivotable about two substantially perpendicular axes simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William D. Patton
  • Patent number: 6044634
    Abstract: A grass catcher for attachment to a power mower. In certain embodiments, the grass catcher is mounted to a self-propelled power mower so that the catcher is pivotable about two substantially perpendicular axes simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William D. Patton