Patents by Inventor William J. Heidemann
William J. Heidemann 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: 8714311Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a vehicle power unit having a longitudinal centerline, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit and having a centerline offset from and generally parallel with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus movably coupled to the monomast.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Steven C. Billger, Robert L. Eilerman, Kevin A. Gilliland, Eric J. Hanson, William J. Heidemann, Robert J. Henshaw, Jay L. Kuck, Jay G. Pollack, Craig J. Rekow, Adam M. Ruppert, Lucas B. Waltz
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Publication number: 20100065377Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a vehicle power unit having a longitudinal centerline, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit and having a centerline offset from and generally parallel with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus movably coupled to the monomast.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATIONInventors: Steven C. Billger, Robert L. Eilerman, Kevin A. Gilliland, Eric J. Hanson, William J. Heidemann, Robert J. Henshaw, Jay L. Kuck, Jay G. Pollack, Craig J. Rekow, Adam M. Ruppert, Lucas B. Waltz
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Patent number: 6241047Abstract: A personnel carrying vehicle comprises a self propelled, steerable body, a telescoping mast attached to and extending upwardly from the body, and a personnel compartment attached to the mast. Two control handles are mounted within the personnel compartment, with one handle including a rocker mechanism mounted therein for pivotal movement within a generally horizontal plane to control steering and the other handle being rotated to controlling traction. Sensors ensure that the operator's hands are on both control handles and both feet are properly positioned on a floor of the operator's compartment before the vehicle can be moved or the platform raised; this ensures a four point stance, providing for operator stability and that the operator's hands and feet are within the operator's compartment anytime the vehicle is being moved or during lifting or lowering operations.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2000Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Kevin A. Gilliland, Bradley A. Burns, Joseph H. Knapschaefer, John F. McClusky, Leif A. Norland, Daniel L. Sherman, David B. Smith, Harold A. Stammen, Robert J. Stauffer, Ronald A. Grisez, William J. Heidemann, Matthew P. Ranly, Thomas W. Linn, Ned E. Dammeyer, Pieter C. Kruithof, Jr.
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Patent number: 6174124Abstract: A multi-task capable work assist vehicle is designed for transporting an operator and items to be handled by the operator and for elevating the operator with such items supported upon a load tray elevated with the operator. Preferably the load tray is mounted for positioning along a telescoping mast which supports and elevates the operator. A load deck or load platform is provided on a body of the vehicle in addition to the load tray so that items such as packages, tools, parts, merchandise and the like can be carried by the vehicle. Load shelves may also be provided adjacent the load deck to add flexibility and capacity to the load carrying capability of the vehicle. Uses of the vehicle include order picking, in-house service maintenance, stock management, cargo delivery and the like. It is designed to be compact in size and highly maneuverable for use in narrow storage aisles and tight quarters.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Forrest A. Haverfield, Timothy S. Quellhorst, Donald E. Luebrecht, Kevin A. Gilliland, Michael P. Gallagher, Thomas L. Bidwell, Harold A. Stammen, William J. Heidemann, Paul J. Leasor, Leif A. Norland, Thomas W. Linn, Joe H. Knapschaefer, Rob J. Stauffer, David B. Smith, John McClusky
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Patent number: 6019190Abstract: A work assist vehicle includes a self propelled, steerable body having a chassis and a drive mechanism supported on the chassis; a mast assembly coupled to the body; and, a personnel compartment attached to the mast assembly and being movable by the mast assembly toward and away from the body. The body further includes a cover adapted to extend over a portion of the chassis and a weight sensor assembly coupled to the chassis and the cover. The weight sensor assembly is capable of detecting if someone or something is located on the cover.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1998Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Donald E. Luebrecht, Kevin A. Gilliland, Matthew P. Ranly, Harold A. Stammen, William J. Heidemann, David B. Smith
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Patent number: 5992572Abstract: A personnel carrying vehicle comprising a self propelled, steerable body, a telescoping mast attached to and extending upwardly from said body, and a personnel compartment attached to the mast and provided with a rail member that extends from the mast and around the sides. A pair of gate members, which are pivotally attached to the rail member and to the floor of the compartment, are movable from a closed position to an open position wherein said gate members extend into the compartment.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1999Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Kevin A. Gilliland, Thomas L. Bidwell, Eugene G. Bruns, Bradley A. Burns, Joseph H. Knapschaefer, John F. McClusky, Lief A. Norland, Daniel L. Sherman, David B. Smith, Harold A. Stammen, Robert J. Stauffer, Donald E. Luebrecht, Ronald A. Grisez, William J. Heidemann
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Patent number: 5540631Abstract: A compact structure is provided for a continuously variable transmission, which provides a more direct application of both load and control forces at the pivot trunnion. Load forces are produced from within the pivot trunnion, providing more direct control over load forces and their effect on contact forces between traction rollers and toric discs. Control forces which establish the desired transmission ratio are applied to the pivot trunnion in a manner which substantially eliminates twisting and squirming of the support rollers. High efficiency in operation, and improved assembly is provided with the compact structure disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1994Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignee: The Torax Company, Inc.Inventors: Charles B. Lohr, III, William J. Heidemann
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Patent number: 5417620Abstract: A compact structure is provided for an continuously variable transmission, which provides a more direct application of both load and control forces at the pivot trunnion. Load forces are produced from within the pivot trunnion, providing more direct control over load forces and their effect on contact forces between traction rollers and toric discs. Control forces which establish the desired transmission ratio are applied to the pivot trunnion in a manner which substantially eliminates twisting and squirming of the support rollers. High efficiency in operation, and improved assembly is provided with the compact structure disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1994Date of Patent: May 23, 1995Assignee: The Torax Company, Inc.Inventors: Charles B. Lohr, William J. Heidemann
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Patent number: 5330396Abstract: A compact structure is provided for an continuously variable transmission, which provides a more direct application of both load and control forces at the pivot trunnion. Load forces are produced from within the pivot trunnion, providing more direct control over load forces and their effect on contact forces between traction rollers and toric discs. Control forces which establish the desired transmission ratio are applied to the pivot trunnion in a manner which substantially eliminates twisting and squirming of the support rollers. High efficiency in operation, and improved assembly is provided with the compact structure disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1992Date of Patent: July 19, 1994Assignee: The Torax Company, Inc.Inventors: Charles B. Lohr, William J. Heidemann