Patents Issued the Week of March 16-20

3.23.26

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 15 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. 12,575,552 entitled “Plant and Method for Antiparasitic Treatment of Crops or Spaces” issued March 17, 2026 to Team Energy Technologies S.r.L. of Padova, Italy. Invented by Flavio Frigo of Montecchio Maggiore, Italy, Alessandro Longo of Comuda, Italy and Patrizio Marcon of Caerano di San Marco, Italy. Abstract: The invention relates to a plant (100) for antiparasitic treatment of crops or spaces comprising an emitter (10) of electromagnetic signals and an electronic control unit (40), to which the emitter (10) is operatively connected. The electronic control unit is configured to control the emitter so that it emits, in succession or simultaneously, a plurality of cycles of electromagnetic signals, said electromagnetic signals having a selectable frequency, cycle by cycle, based on the type of crop or space to be treated or the parasite to be defeated. The invention also relates to a method for antiparasitic treatment of crops or spaces conducted using the plant (100) as defined above.

U.S. Patent No. 12,577,741 entitled “Slipform Paver” issued March 17, 2026 to Wirtgen GmbH of Windhagen, Germany. Invented by Michael Schwarz of Bad Honnef, Germany. Abstract: The road construction machine according to the invention, in particular a slipform paver or curing machine for freshly manufactured concrete layers, has a machine frame 1 supported by running gears 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, on which machine frame a working device 11 is provided, which has a working means 18 that can be moved in a direction running transversely to the working direction I, which working means is fastened to a carriage 13 which is guided on a linear guide 12 running transversely to the working direction. The carriage 13 is connected to a cable 15 that is deflected on one longitudinal side of the machine frame, the free ends of which are fastened to the cable drum 19 of a cable winch 16 on the other longitudinal side of the machine frame in such a way that the carriage can be moved in the transverse direction by rotating the cable drum. The road construction machine is characterised in that the cable drum 19 has a first and a second drum half 20, 21, one end of the cable 15 being fastened to one drum half 20 and the other end of the cable being fastened to the other drum half 21. The cable winch 16 can assume a first operating mode in which the first and second drum halves 20, 21 are connected to one another in such a way that the carriage 13 is moved by rotating the first and/or second drum half. The cable winch 16 can assume a second operating mode in which the first and second drum halves 20, 21 can be rotated in opposite directions at least in one direction of rotation, so that the cable tension can be adjusted by rotating one drum half relative to the other drum half.

U.S. Patent No. 12,577,754 entitled “Dual Mode Joystick and Work Vehicles Containing the Same” issued March 17, 2026 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by Giovanni A. Wuisan of Epworth, Iowa, Ronald J. Huber of Denver, Iowa, Scott J. Breiner of Dubuque, Iowa, Douglas M. Van Meter of Cordova, Illinois, Jonathan E. Drum of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Kevin A. Wolff of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Abstract: A variable track joystick device includes a joystick movably coupled to a support housing, the joystick having a first range of motion to control a first work vehicle function when the device is in a first mode of operation, and a second range of motion to control a second work vehicle function when the device is in a second mode of operation. In the first mode, an actuator can be powered to move a joystick guide to a closed position to restrict the joystick to the first range of motion or unpowered in the second mode to move the joystick guide to an open position for a second range of motion. An operator can command the device from the first mode to the second mode by pushing the joystick from the first range of motion to the second range of motion even when the actuator remains powered.

U.S. Patent No. 12,578,015 entitled “Dynamic Transmission Disengagement for a Vehicle Based on Current Conditions in a Work Cycle” issued March 17, 2026 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by Ethan H. Delp of Dubuque, Iowa, Jake J. Baker of Peosta, Iowa, John B. Luedtke of Dubuque, Iowa and David F. Rindfleisch also of Dubuque, Iowa. Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for selectively enabling transmission state disengagement in a transport vehicle equipped with a transmission operable among multiple states. The method involves receiving signals from various sources: a propulsion control unit indicating powertrain speed, perception sensors providing the vehicle’s position relative to a work area, or a signal indicating the hydraulic control state. Based on these inputs, the method dynamically estimates the vehicle’s work state, distinguishing between traveling and working modes. A transmission state control signal is conditionally generated according to the estimated work state, enabling transmission state disengagement exclusively during the working mode. This approach ensures efficient operation by adapting the transmission state to the vehicle’s current operational context, enhancing performance and safety in work environments.