Michael A Zenner

US Patent:

6497086, Dec 24, 2002

Filed:

Feb 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/782726

Inventors:

Rex R. Bergsten - Burnsville MN
Michael N. Zenner - Lakeville MN

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Minneapolis MI

International Classification:

A01D 3466

US Classification:

56 158, 56 147

Abstract:

A rotary cutting deck for a mower includes a cutting deck supported by wheels at three of the four corners of the deck. The other corner of the cutting deck, namely a corner of the deck that is close to the mower, is supported by a corner suspension that lifts upwardly with a biasing force sufficient to elevate that corner of the deck above the ground. This corner suspension takes the place of the caster wheel that would normally support this corner of the deck, and thus permits the deck to be moved closer to the side of the mower, thus reducing overall mower width without decreasing the width of the cutting swath.

US Patent:

6775083, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

Nov 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/995018

Inventors:

Michael A. Zenner - Faribault MN

Assignee:

Seagate Technology LLC - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

G11B 509

US Classification:

360 51, 360 53

Abstract:

It is generally believed that, the more pure the servo pattern timing reference, the better. A system writes a servo clock track on a disc in a disc drive. The clock track is written on the disc and the servo system is configured to reduce a splice error in a timing signal based on the clock track. The system is also configured to reduce phase-locked oscillator (PLO) jitter in the timing signal. In one embodiment, the splice error and PLO jitter are both measured using a single phase measurement circuit.

US Patent:

48541125, Aug 8, 1989

Filed:

Sep 4, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/093349

Inventors:

Charles C. Holley - Bloomington MN
Walter J. Petersen - Eden Prairie MN
Michael N. Zenner - Lakeville MN

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A01D 3466

US Classification:

56 6

Abstract:

A rotary mower (10) including a front deck assembly (18) and a pair of wing decks (20). Each wing deck (20) is supported by a lift arm assembly including a main lift arm (26) and a lift arm extension (32). A pivot joint (30) exists between lift arms (26) and (32) so that when deck (20) is raised from its cutting position to its transport position it is also caused to rotate so that mower (10) maintains a relatively low profile even when decks (20) are in their transport position. Mower (10) also preferably includes a pair of breakaway assemblies (48) which allow wing decks (20) to "break away" in the event they strike an immovable object. Finally, a preferred mower (10) includes resilient bushing assemblies (38) between the wing deck lift arm assemblies and the wing deck housings (24) to minimize vibration and noise and provide some floating of the decks (20).

US Patent:

49302981, Jun 5, 1990

Filed:

Mar 16, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/324120

Inventors:

Michael N. Zenner - Lakeville MN

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A01D 6700

US Classification:

56 174

Abstract:

A plastic cover for a rotary deck. A preferred cover (54a) is connected to a wing deck (28a) by magnetic latches and mechanical securing means. The magnetic latches preferably include magnets (69) connected to the deck and magnetic plates (66) fixed to the underside of the deck cover (54a). The mechanical securing means preferably includes a pair of pins (70) extending upwardly from the deck proximate magnets (69), wherein the deck cover (54a) forms a pair of apertures (72) for receiving pins (70). Pins (70) and apertures (72) prevent horizontal or shearing motion of deck cover (54a) relative to deck (28a), whereas the magnetic latches prevent vertical movement of cover (54a) relative to deck (28a). Hooks (64) or a flange (73) can be used to secure one of the edges of cover (54a), as well.

US Patent:

45585580, Dec 17, 1985

Filed:

Jul 31, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/636428

Inventors:

Herbert F. Horner - Tonka Bay MN
Michael M. Zenner - Minneapolis MN
Daniel P. Nowack - Minneapolis MN
Herman P. Christopherson - Burnsville MN

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A01D 6910

US Classification:

56 113

Abstract:

A self-propelled lawn mower (2) has an engine (4), transmission (8), two drive wheels (10) and a rearwardly and upwardly extending handle (18). A pivotable and rotatable control bar (20) is mounted on handle (18). The pivotable and rotatable bar (20) provides individual or simultaneous engagement of drive wheels for ground traction, gradual or zero radius turns, and braking. Thus a single control bar (20) provides a multitude of functions.

US Patent:

52129381, May 25, 1993

Filed:

Nov 27, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/800324

Inventors:

Michael N. Zenner - Lakeville MN
Richard J. Guertin - Mounds View MN

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A01D 3472
A01D 3473

US Classification:

563201

Abstract:

A mulching mower has at least one generally enclosed cutting chamber in which a rotatable cutting blade is carried for rotation in a generally horizontal cutting plane. The side wall which defines the circumferential boundary of the cutting chamber is not perfectly circular with respect to the axis of blade rotation. Instead, the chamber is stretched or elongated with respect to the blade tips over the rear half of the chamber to be obround to the rear of the chamber. This enhances use of the mower as a mulcher. In addition, grass deflecting members are desirably used in the rear half of the chamber to further enhance the mulching action provided by the chamber.