James Edward Berkeley

US Patent:

7077215, Jul 18, 2006

Filed:

May 5, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/839762

Inventors:

James Berkeley - Pineville NC, US

Assignee:

Textron Inc. - Providence RI

International Classification:

A01B 31/00

US Classification:

1726845, 172199, 280 62

Abstract:

A sand trap rake having a frame, a pair of rear wheels supporting the frame, a single front wheel supporting the frame, and a steering system operably interconnecting the steering wheel to the single front wheel. A grading device is coupled to the frame and is raised and lowered in response to a grading device actuation system. A steering limiting system is further coupled with the steering system. The steering limiting system is operable in a normal reaction mode and a slow reaction mode. A switch device is connected with the grading device actuation system such that the switch device outputs a control signal when the grading device is in the raised position. In response to the control signal, the steering limiting system consequently causes the steering system to operate in a slow reaction mode.

US Patent:

7121071, Oct 17, 2006

Filed:

May 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/851992

Inventors:

James E. Berkeley - Pineville NC, US

Assignee:

Textron Inc. - Providence RI

International Classification:

A01D 43/06

US Classification:

56202, 56200, 56249

Abstract:

A reel type mower having a mobile structure and a ground engaging traction member rotatably coupled to the mobile structure. The ground engaging traction member imparts traction movement to the mobile structure for movement on the ground at a ground speed. A power device is supported on the mobile structure and outputs a driving force to the ground engaging traction member. A bed knife is supported by the mobile structure having a cutting edge that cooperates with a grass cutting reel rotatably supported on the mobile structure. A collection apparatus is engagable with the mobile structure or removable from the mobile structure for collecting the grass clippings. A guard device is pivotally coupled to the mobile structure and is positionable in a closed position concealing the grass cutting reel and an opened position revealing the grass cutting reel. An actuation system drives the guard device into the closed position when the collection apparatus is removed from the mobile structure and drives the guard device into the opened position when the collection apparatus is engaged with the mobile structure.

US Patent:

7228679, Jun 12, 2007

Filed:

Jun 18, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/872189

Inventors:

James E. Berkeley - Pineville NC, US

Assignee:

Textron Inc. - RI

International Classification:

A01D 41/14
A01D 41/127
A01D 46/08

US Classification:

56 102R, 324628

Abstract:

An operator presence control assembly for a walk-behind greens mower includes a handle supported on a frame of the walk-behind greens mower, a ribbon switch on the outer perimeter of the handle, and a circuit including the ribbon switch. The circuit is completed by applying a threshold pressure to the ribbon switch, and a device selectively energizeable via the circuit in accordance with the threshold pressure applied to the ribbon switch. As the user of the greens mower grips the handle, the ribbon switch completes a circuit to energize a switch to engage an electromagnetic clutch.

US Patent:

7414412, Aug 19, 2008

Filed:

May 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/752653

Inventors:

James E. Berkeley - Pineville NC, US

Assignee:

Textron Inc. - Providence RI

International Classification:

G01N 27/00

US Classification:

324658

Abstract:

An operator presence control assembly for a walk-behind greens mower includes a handle supported on a frame of the walk-behind greens mower, a ribbon switch on the outer perimeter of the handle, and a circuit including the ribbon switch. The circuit is completed by applying a threshold pressure to the ribbon switch, and a device selectively energizeable via the circuit in accordance with the threshold pressure applied to the ribbon switch. As the user of the greens mower grips the handle, the ribbon switch completes a circuit to energize a switch to engage an electromagnetic clutch.

US Patent:

20050246885, Nov 10, 2005

Filed:

May 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/838862

Inventors:

Jonathan Mahan - Charlotte NC, US
James Berkeley - Pineville NC, US

International Classification:

A01D034/53

US Classification:

029557000

Abstract:

A method of manufacturing a bed knife for a reel mower. The method includes cold roll forming spring steel, flattening and straightening the spring steel, shaping the spring steel through a plurality of rollers to impart a bending force upon the spring steel to define a mounting portion and an upturned portion, and grinding a portion of the upturned portion to form a cutting edge.

US Patent:

20050247039, Nov 10, 2005

Filed:

Apr 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/116765

Inventors:

Jonathan Mahan - Charlotte NC, US
James Berkeley - Pineville NC, US

Assignee:

Textron Inc. - Providence RI

International Classification:

A01D034/53

US Classification:

056249000

Abstract:

A reel mower assembly including at least one magnetized backing plate mounted to a frame of a greensmower, a bedknife retainer magnetically retained in proximity to the backing in an operating position, and a bedknife interposed between the backing and the bedknife retainer such that the bedknife is oriented in cutting relationship with the reel.

US Patent:

20050247040, Nov 10, 2005

Filed:

Apr 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/116766

Inventors:

Jonathan Mahan - Charlotte NC, US
Vivek Moinikunta - Charlotte NC, US
James Berkeley - Pineville NC, US

Assignee:

Textron Inc. - Providence RI

International Classification:

A01D034/53

US Classification:

056249000

Abstract:

A reel mower assembly including a reel mower rotatably mounted to a frame, a drive operative to rotate the reel about a reel axis, and at least one backing mounted to the frame. The reel mower further includes a bedknife retainer fastened to the backing in an operating position, a bedknife interposed between the backing and the bedknife retainer such that the bedknife is oriented in cutting relationship with the reel, and an engagement device operative to prevent sliding movement of the bedknife with respect to the backing. Alternatively, the reel mower assembly includes a bedknife retainer fastened to the backing in an operating position, and a bedknife carried by the bedknife retainer.

US Patent:

20070095040, May 3, 2007

Filed:

Oct 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/262380

Inventors:

James Berkeley - Pineville NC, US

Assignee:

Textron Inc. - Providence RI

International Classification:

A01D 69/00

US Classification:

056010800

Abstract:

A riding mower steering system includes an arm rest extension rotatably connectable to a seat arm rest. A hinge device permits at least upward and downward rotation of the arm rest extension and temporarily fixing a plurality of rotation orientations. A steering wheel is rotatably mounted to the arm rest extension. The steering wheel has a diameter adapted for single handed spanning by an operator. The hinge device is positioned to correspond to an operator wrist location and is rotatable upward and downward to accommodate a desired wrist angle with respect to the arm rest. A drive-by-wire control device is connectable to the steering wheel.