Patents by Inventor William E. Colber
William E. Colber 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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Publication number: 20240081181Abstract: A mower including a handle assembly and a grip coupled to the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a cross member. The grip is moveable longitudinally relative to the cross member. The mower also includes a sensor operable to generate an output signal based on a position of the grip relative to the cross member, and a drive assembly configured to operate based on the output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: TECHTRONIC OUTDOOR PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDInventors: James C. Ferrell, William E. Colber, Dayu Feng
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Patent number: 11856888Abstract: A mower including a handle assembly and a grip coupled to the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a cross member. The grip is moveable longitudinally relative to the cross member. The mower also includes a sensor operable to generate an output signal based on a position of the grip relative to the cross member, and a drive assembly configured to operate based on the output signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2023Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: TECHTRONIC OUTDOOR PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDInventors: James C. Ferrell, William E. Colber, Dayu Feng
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Publication number: 20230413725Abstract: A power tool may have features for varying height or speed. The power tool may include a base chassis, one or more wheels mounted to the base chassis, and a handle frame attached to the base chassis. A slider assembly or support rail may further be included with the power tool to, for instance, aid in varying speed or height.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: William E. Colber, Dayu Feng, James C. Ferrell, Jonathan R. Feldkamp, Dongyu Wang
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Publication number: 20230232738Abstract: A mower including a handle assembly and a grip coupled to the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a cross member. The grip is moveable longitudinally relative to the cross member. The mower also includes a sensor operable to generate an output signal based on a position of the grip relative to the cross member, and a drive assembly configured to operate based on the output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: James C. Ferrell, William E. Colber, Dayu Feng
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Patent number: 11690319Abstract: A mower including a handle assembly, a grip moveable relative to the handle assembly, a sensor operable to generate an output signal based on a position of the grip relative to the handle assembly, a drive assembly, and a controller coupled to the sensor and the drive assembly. The controller receives the output signal and controls the drive assembly according to the output signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2018Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Techtronic Outdoor Products Technology LimitedInventors: James C. Ferrell, William E. Colber, Dayu Feng
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Publication number: 20220256767Abstract: A handle assembly can include a handle extending from a work portion of the power tool. The handle can include a handle member configured to be engaged by a user when operating the power tool and at least one elongated member extending between the work portion of the power tool and the handle member. A multi-position interface can be spaced apart from the handle member and define a plurality of engagement interfaces. An engagement element can be configured to move relative to the multi-position interface and be selectively engageable with the plurality of engagement interfaces. A user engageable interface can be configured to selectively move the engagement element into and out of engagement with the plurality of engagement interfaces. The handle assembly can be angularly repositionable between a plurality of angular orientations when the engagement element is not disposed within any of the plurality of engagement interfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2021Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: William E. Colber, JR., Joel Harbin, Ronald J. Hoffman, Christopher Holman
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Patent number: 10774879Abstract: A clutch assembly for selectively rotationally coupling a prime mover to an output comprises an input member including an input clutch protrusion, an output member including an output clutch protrusion, and an intermediate member positioned between the input member and the output member. The intermediate member includes a first clutch member engaged with the input clutch protrusion and a second clutch member axially spaced from, but engagable with, the output clutch protrusion. The intermediate member is axially displaceable toward the output member to engage the second clutch member with the output clutch protrusion in response to rotation of the input member relative to the intermediate member.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: TTI (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITEDInventors: William E. Colber, Jr., Michael Feng
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Publication number: 20200245555Abstract: A power tool may have features for varying height or speed. The power tool may include a base chassis, one or more wheels mounted to the base chassis, and a handle frame attached to the base chassis. A slider assembly or support rail may further be included with the power tool to, for instance, aid in varying speed or height.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: William E. Colber, Dayu Feng, James C. Ferrell, Jonathan R. Feldkamp, Dongyu Wang
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Publication number: 20200107497Abstract: A mower including a handle assembly, a grip moveable relative to the handle assembly, a sensor operable to generate an output signal based on a position of the grip relative to the handle assembly, a drive assembly, and a controller coupled to the sensor and the drive assembly. The controller receives the output signal and controls the drive assembly according to the output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2018Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: James C. Ferrell, William E. Colber, Dayu Feng
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Publication number: 20180223913Abstract: A clutch assembly for selectively rotationally coupling a prime mover to an output comprises an input member including an input clutch protrusion, an output member including an output clutch protrusion, and an intermediate member positioned between the input member and the output member. The intermediate member includes a first clutch member engaged with the input clutch protrusion and a second clutch member axially spaced from, but engagable with, the output clutch protrusion. The intermediate member is axially displaceable toward the output member to engage the second clutch member with the output clutch protrusion in response to rotation of the input member relative to the intermediate member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: William E. Colber, JR., Michael Feng
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Patent number: 9951824Abstract: A self-engaging clutch includes an input member, and intermediate member, and an output member. The input member is coupled to a prime mover and includes clutch protrusions. The output member is coupled to an output and includes an output clutch. The intermediate member includes a first side that is engaged with the input member and a second side that is engageable with the output member. Upon rotation of the input member, the intermediate member displaces toward the output member to engage the output member thereby allowing torque to be transferred from the input member to the output member.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: TTI (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITEDInventors: William E. Colber, Jr., Michael Feng
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Publication number: 20170198757Abstract: A self-engaging clutch includes an input member, and intermediate member, and an output member. The input member is coupled to a prime mover and includes clutch protrusions. The output member is coupled to an output and includes an output clutch. The intermediate member includes a first side that is engaged with the input member and a second side that is engageable with the output member. Upon rotation of the input member, the intermediate member displaces toward the output member to engage the output member thereby allowing torque to be transferred from the input member to the output member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2016Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: William E. Colber, JR., Michael Feng
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Patent number: 9340938Abstract: A snow thrower comprising a frame, a handle coupled to the frame, a chute coupled to the frame and rotatable between a plurality of positions about a chute axis, and a chute control assembly. The chute control assembly comprises an actuator assembly including an actuator movable between a plurality of positions, a rotatable flexible cable having first and second ends, and a gear assembly comprising at least one gear. The first end is coupled to the actuator assembly in a manner that causes the cable to rotate when the actuator is moved between the plurality of positions. The gear is coupled to the second end in a manner that causes the gear to rotate when the cable rotates. The chute is coupled to the gear in a manner that causes the chute to rotate about the chute axis when the gear rotates.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2012Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: TECHTRONIC OUTDOOR PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDInventors: James C. Ferrell, William E. Colber, Jr., Benjamin E. Montgomery
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Patent number: 8499848Abstract: A gas tiller including a frame defining a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis spaced a distance from the first pivot axis, a motor coupled to the frame, a set of rotary tines coupled to the frame and operatively coupled to the motor, a swing arm pivotably coupled to the frame and rotatable about the first pivot axis between a first and second arm positions corresponding to travel and tilling configurations, respectively, of the tiller, the swing arm including one or more wheels coupled thereto, and a drag stake pivotably coupled to the frame and rotatable about the second pivot axis between first and second stake positions. Movement of the swing arm between the arm positions moves the drag stake between the stake positions.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Techtronic Outdoor Products Technology LimitedInventors: William E. Colber, Jr., James Ferrell, Benjamin Montgomery
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Publication number: 20130032364Abstract: A gas tiller including a frame defining a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis spaced a distance from the first pivot axis, a motor coupled to the frame, a set of rotary tines coupled to the frame and operatively coupled to the motor, a swing arm pivotably coupled to the frame and rotatable about the first pivot axis between a first and second arm positions corresponding to travel and tilling configurations, respectively, of the tiller, the swing arm including one or more wheels coupled thereto, and a drag stake pivotably coupled to the frame and rotatable about the second pivot axis between first and second stake positions. Movement of the swing arm between the arm positions moves the drag stake between the stake positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Inventors: William E. Colber, JR., James Ferrell, Benjamin Montgomery
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Publication number: 20120198732Abstract: A snow thrower comprising a frame, a handle coupled to the frame, a chute coupled to the frame and rotatable between a plurality of positions about a chute axis, and a chute control assembly. The chute control assembly comprises an actuator assembly including an actuator movable between a plurality of positions, a rotatable flexible cable having first and second ends, and a gear assembly comprising at least one gear. The first end is coupled to the actuator assembly in a manner that causes the cable to rotate when the actuator is moved between the plurality of positions. The gear is coupled to the second end in a manner that causes the gear to rotate when the cable rotates. The chute is coupled to the gear in a manner that causes the chute to rotate about the chute axis when the gear rotates.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Inventors: James C. Ferrell, William E. Colber, JR., Benjamin E. Montgomery
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Publication number: 20120066912Abstract: A trimmer and a trimmer head for use with the trimmer, the trimmer head including a body rotatable about an axis, the body defining a plurality of axially spaced channels each sized to receive at least a portion of a trimmer line therein, and a clamping mechanism in operable communication with at least two of the axially spaced channels to selectively retain a trimmer line positioned within any one of the at least two axially spaced channels. The trimmer head may include a wear disk pivotable relative to the trimmer head body. In addition, a release button of the clamping mechanism may be arranged on the body to provide additional clamping force when the trimmer head rotates about the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Inventors: James C. Ferrell, William E. Colber, Benjamin E. Montgomery
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Patent number: 5842552Abstract: A power-driven lawn mower including a push-pull cable having a core connecting a bail arm pivotally supported on the handle and a clutch mechanism which engages and disengages the drive system. A control case is secured to the handle between the bail arm and the clutch assembly and has a side wall which forms a longitudinally extending groove with an open outer side. The handle engages the control case adjacent the outward side of the groove. A self-adjusting mechanism for the cable includes a slider longitudinally movable within the groove of the control case, a spring element, and a lock pin. The slider engages a rear end of a conduit of the cable and has a rack of longitudinally spaced ratchet teeth thereon. The spring element forwardly urges the slider toward the rear end of the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1996Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.Inventors: William E. Colber, Jr., Charles A. Eakins, Jr.
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Patent number: D613773Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2009Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Techtronic Outdoor Products Technology LimitedInventors: William E. Colber, Jr., Clinton C. Thackery, Marion Reynolds, James C. Ferrell