Patents Examined by Jessica H Lutz
  • Patent number: 11337357
    Abstract: An agricultural tool bar has outer wings foldable between a lowered use or field position and a raised transport position. A primary pair of hydraulic cylinders fold and unfold the wings, while a secondary pair of hydraulic cylinders initially incline the wings from the horizontal use position before folding to the transport position. The secondary set of cylinders allow the tool bar to be used for narrow row planting without interference from seed boxes mounted on the toolbar center frame and the wings. The primary cylinders extend to push the wings to the transport position and retract to pull the wings to the use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Harvest International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Alan Sivinski
  • Patent number: 11330752
    Abstract: A jump arm assembly for a tilling machine includes a jump arm and a disc hub assembly. The jump arm has a first end coupled to a frame unit of the tilling machine and a second end opposite the first end. The disc hub assembly includes a an arm end configured to be fixedly secured to the second end of the jump arm, and an opposing disc end. A first plane defined by the arm end of the disc hub assembly is arranged in non-parallel relation with respect to a second plane defined by the disc end of the disc hub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: David Larsen
  • Patent number: 11330757
    Abstract: Systems and methods for disturbing soil are described. The systems may include an elliptical motion mechanism, a shaft coupled to the elliptical motion mechanism, wherein the elliptical motion mechanism is configured to move the shaft in an elliptical path, and a hoe blade coupled to the shaft such that the hoe blade in an initial position is proximate to a soil surface, and wherein a face of the hoe blade is located in a plane intersecting the plane of the elliptical path, and wherein the soil-disturbing apparatus is configured to receive a signal to operate the elliptical motion mechanism, and in response to receiving the signal, operate the elliptical motion mechanism so the hoe blade is moved in an elliptical path, and whereby a portion of the hoe blade elliptical path falls below the soil surface to disturb the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Far West Supply, LLC
    Inventors: Kieran L. Adam, Dominic L. Adam
  • Patent number: 11326323
    Abstract: A dirt contouring and grading device final grading of a soil bed prior to sodding includes a vehicle, which in turn comprises a frame, a plurality of wheels, and a propulsion unit so that the vehicle is self-propelled. A deck that is engaged to the frame has a drum engaged thereto. The drum is operationally coupled to an actuator that is powered to selectively effect axial rotation of the drum against a surface upon which the vehicle is positioned. A first biaser is powered to selectively raise, lower, and angle the deck relative to the frame to create flat sections, gentle hills, and mounds in a soil bed. A second biaser is powered to selectively effect longitudinal rotation of the drum relative to the deck to direct excess soil selectively to one side or the other of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventor: Bernard E. Wielenberg
  • Patent number: 11324152
    Abstract: A jump arm assembly for a tilling machine includes a jump arm and a disc hub assembly for coupling a tilling disc to the jump arm. The jump arm has a first end configured to be coupled to a frame unit of the tilling machine and a second end opposite the first end. The disc hub assembly includes a hub housing and a shaft having a first axial shaft section and a second axial shaft section. The first axial shaft section is configured to be rotatably mounted within the hub housing. The second axial shaft section extends outwardly from the hub housing and is at least partially threaded to receive a threaded nut to secure the tilling disc to the disc hub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: David Larsen
  • Patent number: 11319692
    Abstract: A ripper assembly is disclosed. The ripper assembly may include a ripper cross-member defining at least a first ripper shank pocket. The ripper cross member may include a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The front wall may connect to the rear wall, to define a perimeter of the at least first ripper shank pocket, the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall, and to also define a longitudinal axis and a free end disposed along the longitudinal axis adjacent the perimeter of the at least first ripper shank pocket. At least one of the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall and the second side wall may define a retention boss aperture and a retention mechanism pocket in communication with the retention boss aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Byron Lynn Gerber
  • Patent number: 11317621
    Abstract: A combination cutting blade/raking device where the blade portion slices weeds off under the soil, thereby effectively killing the plant, and a raking portion collects the uprooted weeds. The blade and rake also flatten the surface of the soil. The raking section of the invention can be lifted independently of the cutting blade. The cutting blade is reversible so a user of the invention can cut twice as much area before having to remove the blade for sharpening. The blade is slightly curved in cross section, allowing for a smoother cutting path through the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: James A. Wurdeman
  • Patent number: 11317553
    Abstract: A tilling machine includes a frame having a jump arm frame unit and a plurality of jump arm assemblies supported along a length of the jump arm frame unit such that a lateral gap is defined between each adjacent pair of jump arm assemblies of the plurality of jump arm assemblies. Additionally, the tilling machine includes a plurality of jump arm spacers, with each jump arm spacer being provided in operative association with a clamp unit of a respective jump arm assembly of the plurality of jump arm assemblies to maintain the lateral gap between each adjacent pair of jump arm assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: David Larsen
  • Patent number: 11317552
    Abstract: A jump arm apparatus for a tilling machine includes a jump arm frame unit having a triangular transverse cross-section and a plurality of jump arms assemblies coupled to the jump arm frame unit. Each jump arm unit includes a jump arm having first and second ends, with the first end coupled to be coupled to the jump arm frame unit via a clamp unit and the second end configured to be coupled to a tilling disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: David Larsen
  • Patent number: 11313083
    Abstract: An apparatus for cribbing and anchor attachment on rails of a railroad track, including a frame movable along the track, at least one dual function workhead mounted to the frame that is moveable into and out of operational position relative to the track, an anchor applicator tool pivotably mounted to each workhead, and a cribber tool mounted to each workhead and adjacent the anchor applicator tool. Each anchor applicator tool and cribber tool is movable under operator control relative to the workhead from a retracted position to a work position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: NORDCO INC.
    Inventors: Julio Enrique Payán, Mark Daniel David
  • Patent number: 11310952
    Abstract: An agricultural roller comprises a tubular support and a series of pneumatic tyres mounted on the support. Each pneumatic tyre of the series has a respective uninflated envelope. The roller further comprises a series of tyres mounted on the support and interleaved in the series of pneumatic tyres. Each tyre has a respective envelope. The tyres are smaller than the pneumatic tyres while their envelope is narrower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: OTICO
    Inventor: Olivier Phely
  • Patent number: 11297752
    Abstract: A mulching machine comprising a machine body that includes a tilling unit performing tilling, a ridge forming unit forming a ridge with the tilled soil, a mulch film laying unit drawing a mulch film from a film roll and laying it over the ridge, and ground wheels supporting the machine body. The tilling unit and the ridge forming unit are arranged in this order from the front in the traveling direction of the mulching machine, and the film roll is positioned such that its center of gravity does not overlap the ground wheels and is located forward of the ground wheels in the traveling direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: YANMAR POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kishimoto, Kazuyuki Kotani, Toshikazu Kokubunji, Tadayoshi Sukigara, Kazuyoshi Tutiya
  • Patent number: 11286637
    Abstract: The invention relates to a trench cutter for producing a cut trench in the soil with a cutter frame, at least one pair of cutting wheels which are supported and driven in a rotatable manner on a lower end of the cutter frame, wherein each cutting wheel has a plurality of cutting teeth along its external circumference, and a discharge means with at least one discharge pump for discharging a cutting fluid from the cut trench in the region of the cutting wheels. According to the invention a switchover means is provided which is designed for switching the discharge means over to a flushing operation, in which a fluid flow generated by at least one discharge pump of the discharge means is generated onto at least one cutting wheel for flushing out the cutting wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: BAUER Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Stetter, Sebastian Christoph Bauer, Leonhard Weixler, Ulli Wiedenmann
  • Patent number: 11266052
    Abstract: An agricultural tilling assembly has an elongate structure, and at least one ground engaging tool sub-assembly. The sub-assembly includes a hub having a mounting portion, a ground engaging tool securable to the hub or integrally formed therewith, and a weight having a body with an open aperture having a mouth, the mouth configured for enabling the weight plate to be threaded over the elongate structure so that the elongate structure extends through the aperture, and the open aperture configured so that the weight plate is maneuverable over a portion of a length of the hub whilst in situ on the elongate structure and to be beatable on the mounting portion. The ground engaging tool is connectable to a respective one of the hubs of the tilling assembly whilst that hub is retained interconnected in situ on the tilling assembly, and without removing another ground engaging tool from the tilling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: K S PATERSON NOMINEES PTY LTD
    Inventor: Kentyn Paterson
  • Patent number: 11268258
    Abstract: A motor grader includes a frame and an extendable scarifier system supported on the frame. The scarifier system includes first and second drawbar arms coupled to the frame. A carriage is coupled to the first and second drawbar arms. The carriage includes a carriage body having first and second lateral ends. A first extension element is attached to the first lateral end of the carriage body and a second extension element is attached to the second lateral end of the carriage body. The first and second extension elements each supporting at least one tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Kovalick, Rena J. Kanegae, David L. Cox, Nathan G. Tissier, Nathaniel K. Harshman
  • Patent number: 11268260
    Abstract: Provided is a cutting wheel assembly comprising: a frame having two spaced support pillars, each having an intermediate portion at an angle to upper and lower portions; a pair of outer cutting wheels arranged either side of an inner cutting wheel all supported on the lower portions of the support pillars about a common axis of rotation; each cutting wheel having a central hub portion about which an annular cutting portion is provided having a respective cutting diameter; the inner cutting wheel having a different cutting diameter to that of the outer cutting wheels, and the central hub portions of neighboring cutting wheels defining a respective gap in which the intermediate portion of a respective pillar is received; at least one of the annular cutting portions of the inner and/or the outer cutting wheels having one or more rim portion(s) that overlap each gap so the annular cutting portions provide a cutting action along a continuous line of cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: CCMJ SYSTEMS LTD
    Inventor: John Coupland
  • Patent number: 11248354
    Abstract: A snow plow having a wing that is rotatably coupled to a side of a primary plow, and configured to rotate about a first axis substantially parallel to the side of the primary plow. A portion of the wing is operable to rotate about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis, where the portion is operable to rotate upward about the second axis relative to the ground in response to the wing encountering an obstruction. A snow plow having a receiver coupled to a surface of the primary plow and an actuator coupled to the receiver. The receiver allows the snow plow to move proximally and distally with respect to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventor: Ricky A. Weihl
  • Patent number: 11242666
    Abstract: A shovel includes a traveling body, an upper turning body turnably provided on the traveling body, an attachment including a boom, an arm, and a bucket and attached to the upper turning body, and a processor. The processor is configured to correct the motion of the attachment in such a manner as to control a slip of the traveling body toward the back in the extension direction of the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Okada, Kazunori Hiranuma
  • Patent number: 11236486
    Abstract: A v-shaped wear strip includes a v-shaped body defining a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end disposed along the longitudinal axis. The v-shaped body includes a first attachment portion defining a first aperture, a first pressing portion that forms a first oblique angle with the first attachment portion at the first end, and a first arcuate portion transitioning from the first attachment portion to the first pressing portion at the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Raymond Vahling, Nathaniel Keith Harshman
  • Patent number: 11230820
    Abstract: A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade supported by a circle, a drawbar connecting the grading blade and the circle to the machine body, and a circle drive system. The circle drive system includes a circle drive motor and a gear box. The gear box is configured to engage with and rotate the circle relative to the drawbar around a circle axis. The circle drive motor includes an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the circle axis, and the gear box includes an axis of rotation that is parallel to the circle axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel K. Harshman, David L. Cox, Benjamin J. Kovalick, Bruce R. Vahling