Patents Issued the Week of March 30-April 3

4.8.26

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. 12,590,424 entitled “Self-Propelled Earth Working Machine Having a Canopy Variable in Length in the Longitudinal Direction of the Machine” issued March 31, 2026 to Wirtgen GmbH of Windhagen, Germany. Invented by Stephan Drumm of Vettelschoß, Germany and Roland Lull of Königswinter, Germany. Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-propelled earth working machine (10) for removing material and/or changing a density of ground material and/or changing a ground surface (AO) and/or applying material onto a ground area (U), the earth working machine (10) comprising: a machine frame (12), a traveling gear (22) supporting the machine frame (12), a working apparatus (32) for earth working, a power source (39) for supplying power to at least one functional module, comprising the working apparatus (32) and a travel drive, the earth working machine (10) comprising an operator’s platform (24) having a canopy (44) having a variable canopy area (54).

U.S. Patent No. 12,590,423 entitled “Edge Slump Control” issued March 31, 2026 to Wirtgen GmbH of Windhagen, Germany. Invented by Michael Engels of Montabaur, Germany. Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling edge slump in newly formed concrete structures formed by a slip form paving machine. An edge height sensor generates an edge height signal corresponding to a height of an edge of the newly formed concrete structure to thereby detect a slumping of the edge of the newly formed concrete structure behind a slip form paver mold. A controller receives the edge height signal, determines whether any slumping of the edge of the newly formed concrete structure exceeds a set slump limit, and automatically controls an actuator assembly at least in part in response to the edge height signal to adjust the height of a lateral edge portion of a mold bottom plate relative to an interior portion of the mold bottom plate and thereby adjust the height of the edge of the newly formed concrete structure.

U.S. Patent No. 12,590,859 entitled “Fob Geometry for Leak Detection in Mobile Equipment” issued March 31, 2026 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by Paul D. Marvin of Dewitt, Iowa. Abstract: A hydraulic leak detection apparatus includes a detector body having a bore therethrough configured to receive a cylindrical hydraulic conduit through the bore. The detector body may be eccentrically distributed relative to a central bore axis so as to define a laterally protruding portion of the detector body. The laterally protruding portion of the detector body may have a laterally extending body passage defined therein communicated with the bore. The detector body may have at least one planar side configured to engage an end face of a hydraulic nut attached to the cylindrical hydraulic conduit. A leak detection sensor may be disposed at least partially in the laterally protruding portion of the detector body and communicated with the laterally extending body passage. The laterally extending body passage may be configured to convey hydraulic fluid introduced thereinto through the laterally extending body passage and into engagement with the leak detection sensor.

U.S. Patent No. 12,589,616 entitled “Tire” issued March 31, 2026 to Bridgestone Europe NV/SA of Zaventem, Belgium. Invented by Gerardo Del Guercio and Mattia Giustiniano both of Rome, Italy. Abstract: A tyre tread (10) has a groove (12) having a snow trapping device in the form of a dam (14) in it. The dam (14) is attached to a bottom wall (16) of the groove (12), and to side walls (18, 20) of the groove (12). The dam (14) has a first, snow trapping surface (22) and a second, inclined surface (24) which face in opposite sides in the groove longitudinal direction. The second, inclined surface (24) directs the flow of water away from the bottom wall (16). A hole (32) and a sipe (34) form a passageway (30) for water through the dam (14) in the groove longitudinal direction. The passageway reduces water flow recirculation. The whole of the dam (14) is between the side walls (18, 20) of the groove (12).

U.S. Patent No. 12,589,523 entitled “Method and Apparatus for the Production of a Rubber Compound Used for the Manufacture of an Article Made From Rubber or a Pneumatic Tire Technical Sector” issued March 31, 2026 to Bridgestone Europe NV/SA of Zaventem, Belgium. Invented by Paolo Straffi, Fabrizio Baroncini and Giuseppe Pezzullo all of Roma, Italy. Abstract: A method and an apparatus (1) for the production of a compound used for the manufacture of an article made from rubber or a pneumatic tire by a continuous mixer (2) divided into a mixing section (MS) wherein the mixing of the components of the compound being processed exclusively takes place; a reaction section (RS) located downstream of the mixing section (MS) wherein a mild reaction of the compound being processed is activated; wherein, the reaction section (RS) is heated to increase the temperature of the compound being processed in relation to the temperature of the compound being processed within the mixing section (MS); and a cooling section (CS) located downstream of the reaction section (RS) and cooled to reduce the temperature of the compound being processed down to a temperature that will inhibit further development of the reaction that takes place within the reaction section (RS).

U.S. Patent No. 12,591,013 entitled “Vehicle Battery Monitoring” issued March 31, 2026 to Webfleet Solutions B.V. of Amsterdam, Netherlands. Invented by Paul Roeland Verheijen, Jasper Johannes Anthonius Pauwelussen and Silviu Stanimir off of Amsterdam, Netherlands. Abstract: Vehicle battery voltage data is received from a telematics control unit (TCU) of a vehicle dining multiple driving cycles, and analysed to determine a state of health (SOH) and state of charge (SOC) of the battery. The TCU also provides data relating to the state of an ignition switch of the vehicle for use in analysing the voltage data. A starting probability factor for the vehicle is determined and monitored. Information about the ability of the battery to start the vehicle is output to the user.