Recently Issued Patents

5.27.22

Patent Protection & Registration

Patents grant property rights on new and useful inventions, allowing the patent holder to prevent others from using, making, or selling that invention without permission for a limited time. U.S. patents are permitted by the U.S. Constitution and are designed to promote scientific progress and invention. By allowing inventors to profit from licensing or selling their patent rights, inventors can recoup their research and development costs and benefit financially from their inventing efforts. There are three main types of patents utility, plant, and design. Utility and plant patents can last up to 20 years, while design patents can last up to 14 years. When a patent expires, the patented material enters the public domain, making it free to use by anyone without a license. U.S. patents are issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

U.S. Patent No. 11,339,552 entitled “Skid Segment for an Edge Protection on a Road Milling Machine and Edge Protection for a Road Milling Machine” issued May 24, 2022 to Writgen GmbH of Windhagen, Germany. Invented by Andreas Salz of Neustadt, Germany; Martin Lenz of Gro Maischeid, Germany; and Cyrus Barimani of Konigswinter, Germany. Abstract: The invention relates to a skid segment (10) for an edge protection (5) on a road milling machine or similar ground processing machine having a base part (11) and at least one first skid section (12) mounted thereupon, wherein the first skid section (12), in a first operating position of the base part (11), can be directed in direction (A) onto the surface of the road or ground. At least one second skid section (13) is mounted on the base part (11), which, in a second operating position of the base part (11), can be directed in direction (A) onto the surface of the road or ground. The invention further relates to an edge protection for a road milling machine or similar ground processing machine having skid segments of this kind, wherein the edge protection has an edge which is designed to receive at least one skid segment.

U.S. Patent No. 11,339,655 entitled “Milling Pick” issued May 24, 2022 to Betek GmbH & Co. KG of Aichhalden, Germany. Invented by Heiko Friederichs of Aichhalden, Germany and Ulrich Kramer of Wolfach, Germany. Abstract: The invention relates to a milling pick, in particular a round pick having a pick head and a pick tip, consisting of a hard material, wherein the pick tip has an attachment area, which is used to connect it to the pick head, wherein the pick tip has a concave area, which extends in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the pick tip, and wherein the concave area has an elliptical contour. To achieve an improved resilience for such a milling pick, provision in made in accordance with the invention that the ellipse generating the elliptical contour is arranged in such a way that the semimajor of the ellipse and the central longitudinal axis of the pick tip form an acute angle.

U.S. Patent No. 11,338,241 entitled “Diagnostic Breather Dryer” issued May 24, 2022 to Des-Case Corporation of Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Invented by Nikhil Rajkumar Gaikwad of Goodlettsville, Tennessee; Johnathan Lee Haworth of Hendersonville, Tennessee; Jay Michael Cooper of Nashville, Tennessee; and Eric Cooper Pride of Nashville, Tennessee. Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for a breather for a reservoir is provided, including a housing including a plurality of valves, the plurality of valves including (i) at least one valve in a first configuration configured to permit fluid communication from an interior portion of the housing with air outside the reservoir, and (ii) at least one valve in a second configuration configured to permit air to selectively pass between outside the breather and an interior portion of the breather. The breather further includes a plurality of first openings in the housing configured to be in fluid communication with air outside of the reservoir, a second opening of the housing configured to be in fluid communication with air inside the reservoir, and desiccant positioned within the housing.

U.S. Patent No. 11,339,553 entitled “Cab Viscous Mount” issued May 24, 2022 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by Patrick J. Mulligan; Michael R. Tigges; Joseph F. Tilp: and Trisha L. Oyen all of Dubuque, Iowa. Abstract: A work machine includes a machine frame and a cab supported from the machine frame. At least one pivotal connection between the cab and the machine frame allows the cab to be tilted relative to the machine frame. The pivotal connection includes first and second clevises fixed to the machine frame, the first and second clevises including first and second aligned pin openings, respectively. A pivot pin is received through the pin openings so that the pivot pin is pivotable relative to the machine frame. A viscous mount includes a housing portion, a plunger portion, and a flexible element connecting the plunger portion to the housing portion. The housing portion is attached to the cab, and the plunger portion is attached to the pivot pin between the first and second clevises such that the cab and the viscous mount are pivotable with the pivot pin relative to the machine frame.

U.S. Patent No. 11,339,541 entitled “Adjustable Width Mold” issued May 24, 2022 to Writgen GmbH of Windhagen, Germany. Invented by Harry Wenzelmann of Alpenrod, Germany; Winfried von Schonebeck of Kalenborn, Germany; and Michael Engels of Montabaur, Germany. Abstract: An adjustable width mold apparatus for a slipform paver includes a center portion and left and right sideform assemblies. The center portion has left and right lateral ends. Left and right adjustable width support assemblies are connected between the sideform assemblies and the center portion. One or more spacers may be received between each sideform assembly and the center portion to adjust the width of the mold apparatus. The spacers may be hung on a plurality of hanger rods. Each of the hanger rods may have a hydraulic nut on one end thereof for clamping the spacers between the sideform assembly and the center portion.