Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Larkin, Hoffman, Daly & Lindgren, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 7921787
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for supporting seed planting appurtenances in substantial alignment with respect to a seed tube of an agricultural planter. The bracket assembly includes a shaft mount and a shank mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Precision Planting, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Chad Plattner
  • Patent number: 7909355
    Abstract: A multi-purpose trailer provides further utility by being easily configurable in a carrying orientation, a drive-on loading orientation, and a storage orientation. The storage orientation is capable of near vertical storage, thus taking up very limited amounts of floor space in a garage or storage area. The drive-on loading orientation provides a ramped portion which easily accommodates the loading of wheeled vehicles without the need for additional ramp components or members. Further, mechanisms are provided to easily adjust between the various orientations including hydraulically lifting from a loading orientation to a transport orientation. To provide additional utility, provisions are made on the trailer surface for the attachment of multiple modular accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: United Hydraulics, LLC.
    Inventors: William C. Thedford, Mickey Bowles, Thomas E. Mason
  • Patent number: 7862065
    Abstract: An adjustable length bicycle mountable hand pump. The pump includes a barrel having an internal cylinder within which a piston is reciprocatingly moveable. A piston rod connects to a piston at a proximal end and to a handle at a distal end. The handle is selectively, longitudinally, adjustably lockable relative to the barrel. The end of the handle is contoured to mate with a bicycle frame member. A head having a contoured portion mates with an opposing spaced bicycle frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Bicycle Tools Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric Hawkins, Pierre A. G. Ostor, John Krawczyk
  • Patent number: 7828498
    Abstract: A block assembly includes integral connection mechanisms specifically designed for incorporation into engineered retaining walls. These connection mechanisms specifically accommodate the use of reinforcing grids in the formation of a retaining wall which, when used, will stabilize the retaining wall and provide additional strength. The connection mechanism is formed prior to fabrication of the block itself, and thus can be integrally incorporated during casting/fabrication of the block itself. The connection mechanism defines a connection slot usable during retaining wall fabrication (by allowing easy connection to the reinforcing grid) while also accommodating holding and lifting of the block assembly. Due to the fabrication method, the configuration of the connection mechanisms inserted into the block can be uniquely designed to provide desired physical coupling once the concrete is hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel R. Sorheim, Dan J. Hotek
  • Patent number: 7814714
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing storage capacity of granular material storage structures. The apparatus includes a curtain assembly supportable from the roof structure of the granular material storage structure and above the sidewalls thereby defining a second volume within which the granular material may be filled which is above the first volume defined by the interior volume of the sidewalls and the volume defined by the angle of repose of the granular material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Cornbelt Fabric Structures, LLC
    Inventor: Paul McGary
  • Patent number: 7798080
    Abstract: An adjustable singulating brush assembly for a seed meter and method to improve seed singulation of a seed meter. The assembly includes a carrier and a brush selectively adjustably moveable with respect to the carrier. The method to improve seed singulation of a seed meter includes disposing a selectively adjustable moveable brush along a path of travel of the seed selection mechanism of the seed meter between the meter's seed reservoir and the seed discharge opening and selectively moving the adjustably moveable brush with respect to the path of travel of the seed selection mechanism such that the selected seeds meet the preselected brush position to affect removal of extra seeds from the seed selection mechanism so singular seeds are sequentially discharged through the seed discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Precision Planting, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder, Derek A. Sauder, Don L. Dunlap
  • Patent number: 7779770
    Abstract: A pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system wherein seed from the auxiliary hopper enters the seed meter through an opening beginning rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter. And a retrofit kit for existing on-demand seed delivery systems, and method of retrofitting such existing pneumatic on-demand seed delivery systems, so as to provide an auxiliary hopper that communicates seed to the seed meter through an opening beginning rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Precision Planting, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Chad E. Plattner
  • Patent number: 7706685
    Abstract: An optical network system, including multiple nodes, an optical switch, and a switch controller, is configured to achieve communication in the optical domain. Each node is configured to receive both high frequency and low frequency inputs, generally utilized for handling data and addressing information, respectively. The two types of information are combined to create an amplitude modulated optical signal. Subsequently, the two types of information are separated by examining the optical power average of the signal being transmitted. Using one portion of the signal for addressing information, the switch controller can perform necessary routing and arbitration functions. Appropriate communications can then be sent back to the nodes and the optical switch to achieve the necessary configuration. The protocol utilized allows for subsequent arbitration and data transmission cycles, allowing the system and switch controller to configure transmission paths and arbitrate any communication issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Rick C. Stevens, Gregory J. Whaley, Brian S. Leininger
  • Patent number: 7699009
    Abstract: A seed singulator for use with a vacuum disk having a seed face and a shoulder. The seed singulator has a first member and a second member supported by biasing members. The first member has upper lobes disposed at a radius of curvature slightly less than the outside radius of a row of apertures on a seed plane of the vacuum disk. The seed member has lower lobes disposed at a radius of curvature slightly greater than the inside radius than the row of apradius. The biasing members permit the lobes to move with the seed plane and the shoulder as the vacuum disk rotates thereby maintaining their position with respect to the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Precision Planting, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder, Derek A. Sauder, Justin L. Koch, Chad E. Plattner
  • Patent number: D618346
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventors: Michael A. Sisko, Glenn Ringel
  • Patent number: D619996
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Remote Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Michael Demskie, Bruce William Gaunt, Stefan Reiley Freeman, Timothy James Morton
  • Patent number: D624611
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Actervis GmbH
    Inventor: Juan Ramón Torres Martin
  • Patent number: D627540
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hoodykoo, LLC
    Inventor: David M. Claeys
  • Patent number: D631392
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Stout Stuff, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Lawson
  • Patent number: D631469
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Remote Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Michael Demskie, Bruce William Gaunt, Stefan Reiley Freeman, Timothy James Morton
  • Patent number: D631871
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventors: John Michael Demskie, Bruce William Gaunt, Stefan Reiley Freeman, Timothy James Morton
  • Patent number: D635726
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Stout Stuff, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Lawson, Erin Elizabeth McCracken, Christopher Eugene Chance
  • Patent number: D636294
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Stout Stuff, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Lawson
  • Patent number: D636545
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Stout Stuff, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Lawson, Erin Elizabeth McCracken, Christopher Eugene Chance
  • Patent number: D636950
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Stout Stuff, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Lawson, Erin Elizabeth McCracken, Christopher Eugene Chance