Patents Examined by Jamie L. McGowan
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Patent number: 11371199Abstract: A chute control assembly for a snow thrower having a housing, handle, and a chute includes a control mechanism, a connecting mechanism, and a guide mechanism. The control mechanism includes an actuator mechanism that allows an operator to manually control the orientation of the chute from a position spaced apart from the chute. The connecting mechanism transfers rotation of the actuator mechanism to the guide mechanism. The guide mechanism is attached to the chute and rotates and adjust the orientation of the chute in response to rotation of the actuator mechanism in order to change the direction that snow is thrown from the snow thrower.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Inventors: Adam Hiller, Michael Wright, Keith Fortlage, Alan Dumitrescu
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Patent number: 11359355Abstract: A wear assembly for use on various kinds of earth working equipment that includes a base with a supporting portion, a wear member with a cavity into which the supporting portion is received, and a lock to releasably secure the wear member to the base. The supporting portion is formed with top and bottom recesses that receive complementary projections of the wear member. These recesses and projections include aligned holes so as to receive and position the lock centrally within the wear assembly and remote from the wear surface. The hole in the wear member is defined by a wall that includes a retaining structure provided with an upper bearing surface and a lower bearing surface for contacting and retaining the lock against upward and downward movement in the hole. The lock includes a mounting component that defines a threaded opening for receiving a threaded pin that is used to releasably hold the wear member to the base.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: ESCO GROUP LLCInventors: Mark A. Cheyne, Noah D. Cowgill, Michael B. Roska, Donald M. Conklin, Scott H. Zenier, Chris J. Hainley
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Patent number: 11350556Abstract: A system is suitable for connecting multiple implements to a three-point hitch of mobile machinery for controllable side-shifting movement of the connected implements. The system comprises first, second and third apparatuses, each apparatus comprising a first framework, a slidable second framework laterally slideable relative to the first framework, at least one connector supported by the slidable second framework for connecting the slidable second framework to one of the implements, and at least one driver connected to the first framework and the slidable second framework for driving the slidable second framework laterally back and forth relative to the first framework. The second apparatus is attached to one side of the first apparatus and the third apparatus is attached to the other side of the first apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Inventor: Peter J. Mollick
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Patent number: 11352762Abstract: A coupler assembly for rotatably coupling a moldboard of a grader machine includes a bracket, a beam, a pin, a retainer, and an apparatus. The bracket is adapted to support the moldboard. The beam extends from a circle member rotatably coupled relative to a drawbar of the grader machine. The pin is adapted to rotatably couple the bracket and the beam to each other. Further, the pin defines an end adapted to extend outwardly from an assembly of the bracket and the beam. The retainer is adapted to be engaged with the end to retain the pin with the assembly of the beam and the bracket. Moreover, the retainer defines at least one end portion extending outwardly from the end. The apparatus is adapted to be mounted around the pin at the end to shield the at least one end portion of the retainer extending outwardly from the end.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Nathan Tissier, Nathaniel Harshman, David Cox
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Patent number: 11350560Abstract: An independently automated mechanical transplanter assemblage for ejecting plants into the soil is shown and described. The mechanical transplanter includes a plurality of mechanical transplanter units mounted to a frame. Each mechanical transplanter unit will include a plant tray indexing vertically and horizontally for presenting plants to a grabber having a plurality of forks. The grabber and forks thereon will be able to swing into a horizontal position for advancing in a linear motion to grip and retract plants from cells in a tray. The grabber will also be configured to swing the forks into an approximate vertical plane for ejecting each independently held plant down a funnel into a planting shoe for delivery into an open row in the soil. Other embodiments of the device are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Inventor: Hoy Ayers Buell
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Patent number: 11346075Abstract: An integrally cast hinge assembly for a bucket, including a first and second hinge plates, a first torque tube portion extending from the first hinge plate, a second torque tube portion extending from the second hinge plate, a third torque tube portion extending between the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate, and a support plate extending along a bottom portion of the hinge assembly. The first torque portion is weldlessly connected to the first hinge plate, the second torque tube portion is weldlessly connected to the second hinge plate, the third torque tube portion is weldlessly connected to both the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate, and the support plate is weldlessly connected to the first hinge plate, the second hinge plate, the first torque tube portion, the second torque tube portion, and the third torque tube portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Weiping Hu, Giedre Simanskaite, Joseph Cai, Alex Van Doornmalen, Mariska Schouten
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Patent number: 11337363Abstract: In one aspect, an agricultural planted is associated with an apparatus, a system and/or a method for calibrating a depth control arrangement in each of one or more row units adapted for attachment to a toolbar of the planter, where each row unit has a depth controlling linkage arrangement operatively connected to an adjustable-depth gauge wheel of the row unit. The linkage arrangement includes a load-sensing element that is monitored during adjustment of a calibration mechanism of the linkage arrangement to remove tolerance stack-up in the linkage arrangement and achieve a uniform desired value of the present load on the linkage arrangement of each of the one or more row units that is consistent with a zero-depth or other reference depth setting.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Johnathon R. Dienst
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Patent number: 11332900Abstract: A sweeping blade assembly includes a sweeping blade device and is configured to be attached to a plow blade of a vehicle for sweeping a ground surface. The assembly comprises a blade support which is securable to the plow blade and a plurality of sweeping blade devices which can be mounted to the blade support. Each sweeping blade device includes a blade main section and a wear block which can be attached to a front section of the blade main section in a lower portion thereof. The wear block(s) can optionally have at least one cut-out section(s) extending upwardly from a scraping edge of the wear block and can define at least two spaced-apart teeth in the lower portion of the wear block.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2021Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: GESTION PIHM INC.Inventors: Hugo Michel, Zoltan Nemeth
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Patent number: 11332899Abstract: A snow plow and mount assembly has a mount frame, an A-frame, a lift frame, a plow blade, an actuator, arms, receivers, recesses, hitch pins, a latch mechanism, and a latch lever. The elements are arranged such that the vehicle is driven toward the snow plow so that the arms are received in the receivers, the actuator is energized to pivot the lift frame relative to the A-frame so that the hitch pins are received in the recesses, and the lever is moved to move the latch mechanism to the latched position. The snow plow frame is thereby removably secured to the mount frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Douglas Dynamics, L.L.C.Inventors: Chad Thomas Barker, David N. Bloxdorf, Matthew Thoma Curran, Christopher A. Dominguez, Matthew Terran Kaminecki
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Patent number: 11326316Abstract: A cutting edge attachment including a cover retaining plate and a cutting edge is provided. The cover retaining plate includes through-hole bushings extending outward for receiving a corresponding number of fasteners to mount the cutting edge to an adapter plate. The cutting edge includes elongated openings for receiving the bushings, a top edge having notches for receiving springs, and a bottom edge. The cover retaining plate is configured to secure the cutting edge to the adapter plate using fasteners inserted through the bushings, the elongated openings of the cutting edge, and holes defined in the adapter plate. The springs are disposed between the notches and a top edge extension of the cover retaining plate and configured to compress in the vertical direction. The cutting edge is configured to move vertically as the bushings travel within the elongated openings when an upward force is applied to the cutting edge.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2021Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Northern Supply II, Inc.Inventor: Kelly Condello
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Patent number: 11313090Abstract: Snow removal machines are provided that have an auger assembly for directing snow rearwards to be received by a discharge chute, and an auxiliary snow moving assembly for directing snow rearwards to be received by the discharge chute. The auger assembly has auger blade(s) coupled to an auger axle for rotation therewith about a first axis defined by the auger axle. The auxiliary snow moving assembly has snow moving member(s) coupled to an auxiliary axle for rotation therewith about a second axis defined by the auxiliary axle. The auxiliary axle is lower and rearwards of the auger axle towards the discharge chute; and an auxiliary drive assembly is configured to rotationally couple the auxiliary axle to the auger axle such that rotation of the auxiliary axle is driven by rotation of the auger axle.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Canadian Tire Corporation, LimitedInventors: Tomasz Piotrowski, Michael Fuina, Sean Zylstra, Timothy James Sommerfeld, Michael Daniel Vermeer, Michael Mackuliak, Shaun Zimmerman, Victor Lai
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Patent number: 11313091Abstract: A snow removal system. The snow removal system includes a housing having an inlet disposed on a front side thereof, wherein the inlet is in fluid communication with a first chamber. An auger is disposed transversely across the first chamber, wherein the auger is operably connected to a motor within the housing. The auger rotates about a longitudinal axis thereof to mash snow and transport the mashed snow into a second chamber when the motor is actuated. The second chamber includes a primary heating element therein, the heating element designed to heat snow within the second chamber to produce steam. An outlet is disposed through a sidewall of the second chamber, wherein the outlet can emit steam from the second chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Inventor: Michael Rodriguez
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Patent number: 11297762Abstract: A row unit for a seeding machine includes a seed reservoir and a seed meter having a metering member with a seed side facing the seed reservoir, a non-seed side opposite the seed side, and a plurality of apertures. The seed meter is operable by pressure differential between the non-seed side and the seed side to adhere seeds to the seed side and move seeds from the seed reservoir. A conduit has a venturi with a throat disposed adjacent the metering member. The throat presents an opening directed toward the seed side and the plurality of apertures. The opening is configured to receive a seed adhered to one aperture of the plurality of apertures. An air pressure source is configured to provide greater than atmospheric air pressure on the non-seed side such that during operation of the row unit an air stream passes through the one aperture toward the opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Elijah B. Garner, Stanley R. Borkgren, Cary S. Hubner, Beth A. Wolfs, Michael E. Frasier, Joseph W. Migliorini
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Patent number: 11287255Abstract: Sensing systems for agricultural equipment and related methods may be configured for detecting the operating state of rotating elements in agricultural implements. The sensing systems for an agricultural implement may include a rotating element and a monitoring center equipped with an alert mechanism. The sensing systems may include an inertial sensor, a microprocessor, a communication element, and a power supply. The sensing system may be a single element fixed directly to the rotating element.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Inventor: Jose Roberto do Amaral Assy
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Patent number: 11272652Abstract: A turf aerator includes a tine assembly and an input mechanism. The tine assembly includes multiple tines, a retractor plate for positioning the plurality of tines, and a linkage for selectively moving the retractor plate and the plurality of tines between an operating position and a retracted position. The input mechanism coupled to the linkage, the input mechanism operable to activate the linkage to move the retractor plate and the plurality of tines between the operating position and the retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Brandon King, William Coates
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Patent number: 11272654Abstract: A towed agricultural implement includes one or more processing units each supported on a chassis, in which each chassis supports at least one processing unit on a central axis, the chassis having a left hand side wheel assembly support and a right hand side wheel assembly support, free ends of the wheel assembly supports having wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly comprising a wheel mounted on a wheel mount, the wheel mount being rotatable about an inclined axis, and the wheel being rotatable about a horizontal axis. The wheel assembly supporting structures and the wheel mounts allow limited relative movement of each wheel mount with respect to the wheel assembly supporting structures which enables greater control when the towed agricultural implement is towed about a corner.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: AGCO International GmbHInventor: Jürgen Riedel
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Patent number: 11259458Abstract: An automatic picking and launching seedling device for a transplanting machine is provided, as well as methods of using the same. The device includes a seedling picking mechanism, seedling guiding devices, a box shifting mechanism and seedling separating mechanisms. The seedling picking mechanism is mounted on the box shifting mechanism, the two sets of seedling separating mechanisms are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the box shifting mechanism, and the seedling guiding device is arranged on the top of the seedling separating mechanism. The box shifting mechanism transports the disc to the seedling picking point, and the seedling picking mechanism moves the picking seedling claws to the seedling picking point to take the seedlings and moves to the seedling launching point to launch the seedlings.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2018Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITYInventors: Jianping Hu, Jie Pan, Weizheng Fei, Lvhua Han
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Patent number: 11261579Abstract: Bucket mountable plow suitable for mounting on a front bucket of a loader vehicle may include a clamp assembly configured for mounting on the front bucket of the loader vehicle. A plow blade mount assembly may be carried by the clamp assembly. The plow blade mount assembly may have a fore-aft axis configured to be oriented along a direction of travel of the loader vehicle. A plow blade may be carried by the plow blade mount assembly. The plow blade may be disposed at a blade angle with respect to the fore-aft axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Inventor: Homer Willis
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Patent number: 11261573Abstract: A snow plow is pivotally mounted to a tractor by a compound mount allowing for multiple blade positions. The mount has an inner portion pivotally mounted about a first horizontal axis to the front of the tractor and an outer portion pivotally mounted about a vertical axis to the inner portion. The plow blade is pivotally mounted about a second horizontal axis to the outer portion. Deicer nozzles spray liquid and a spreader distributes salt and other materials in front of the front wheels of the tractor.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: THE TORO COMPANYInventor: Thomas M. Rich
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Patent number: 11252856Abstract: A row unit of an agricultural planter includes a seed meter. The seed meter includes a seed disk within a seed meter housing. The seed disk is positioned in the seed meter housing such that the disk rotates and includes a seed release point. A drive member is operatively connected to the seed disk such that the drive member selectively rotates the disk. The seed disk is angularly positioned and is a conical-shaped member with a central axis and includes seed cells radially positioned about an outer portion. The seed disk is substantially non-perpendicular to the central axis. An air pressure source also is included to adhere seed to the disk.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Wilhelmi, Dustan Hahn