Patents Examined by Thomas B. Will
  • Vertical takeoff and landing pad and interlocking pavers to construct same
    Patent number: 11692314
    Abstract: An interlocking paver system including a polygon paver and a spacer paver is provided. The polygon paver may have a top level having a top level polygon paver perimeter and a bottom level secured to and protruding from the top level and having a bottom level polygon paver perimeter contained within the top level polygon paver perimeter. The spacer paver may have a top level having a top level spacer paver perimeter and a bottom level secured to and protruding from the top level and having a bottom level spacer paver perimeter extending beyond an entirety of the top level spacer paver perimeter. The spacer paver may be configured to selectively interlock with the polygon paver. The top level spacer paver perimeter, top level polygon paver perimeter, and bottom level spacer paver perimeter are different from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventors: Ivan Townsend, Matthew Nugent, Thomas Lippitt, Robert Mueller, Nathan Gelino, Jason Schuler, Jonathan Smith, Andrew Nick
  • System and method for controlling the operation of an agricultural implement being towed by a work vehicle
    Patent number: 11690308
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling an operation of agricultural implements may include a work vehicle configured to tow an implement. The work vehicle may include a hitch assembly having a draw point configured to be coupled to the implement. The work vehicle may further include an actuator configured to move the draw point relative to the hitch frame to adjust the position of the implement relative to the work vehicle. The implement may include a sensor configured to detect an operational parameter indicative of the operation of the implement. Additionally, the implement may further include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, with the controller being configured to initiate control of an operation of the actuator based on sensor data received from the sensor to adjust the operational parameter of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Trevor Stanhope
  • Aeration system and method
    Patent number: 11690330
    Abstract: An integrated aeration spreader for use with an aerator includes a mounting plate, a mounting block rigidly coupled to the mounting plate, a support arm rotatably coupled to the mounting plate, a support block rigidly coupled to the support arm, a shaft rotatably coupled to the support block, wherein the shaft extends through the mounting block, a first nut threaded on the shaft, a first spring having a first end engaged with the first nut and a second end engaged with the mounting block, a second nut threaded on the shaft, and a second spring having a first end engaged with the second nut and a second end engaged with the mounting block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: AER-AIDER LLC
    Inventors: Michael Goldsberry, Martin Stickels
  • Garden and landscape tools
    Patent number: 11684000
    Abstract: Garden tools are provided to enable easier gardening with increased gardening and landscaping functionality. The garden tools allow the passing of material through the tool to enable improved landscaping. Certain garden tools include gratings to sift material. Certain garden tools allow material to pass through to allow easier performance of the desired gardening or landscaping function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Garden Pros Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Gloria Schultz, Elton K Ongley, Vincent H Anderson
  • Spike strip
    Patent number: 11680378
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed toward a spike strip. The spike strip preferably includes a housing, a plurality of spikes disposed in the housing, a door, and a mover. The door is preferably configured to transition between a closed configuration in which the spikes are covered and prevented from puncturing tires of vehicles driving over the spike strip and an open configuration in which the spikes are exposed and allowed to puncture a tire of a vehicle driving over the spike strip. The mover is preferably configured to transition the door from the closed configuration to the open configuration responsive to a signal provided to the spike strip from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Peter Barrett
  • Garden tool and power head thereof
    Patent number: 11678606
    Abstract: A lawn mower includes a main body and a power head mounted on the main body. The main body comprises a mounting shell recessed with a mounting groove. The power head comprises a motor assembly received in the mounting groove and a housing assembly covering the motor assembly. The motor assembly comprises a motor base assembled with the mounting shell and a motor fixed on the motor base. The bottom of the motor base is sealed and the side of the motor base is provided with an air outlet and a waterproof rib protruding from the air outlet for partial shielding. The installation bottom surface of the housing assembly corresponding to the air outlet at least partially overlaps the waterproof rib in an up and down direction. Compared with the prior art, the lawn mower has good waterproof performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Globe (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yu Xiao
  • Mower with convertible discharge/collection mode
    Patent number: 11678608
    Abstract: The invention provides a lawn mower, which comprises a power assembly, a cutting blade driven by the power assembly, and a cover, wherein the cover comprises a main body, a rear cover pivotally connected to the rear of the main body, and a partition portion dividing the main body into a cutting cavity and a grass-collecting cavity, the partition portion comprising a baffle, the rear cover is selectively pivotal between an open position and a closed position. The baffle is driven by the rear cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Globe (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Lv Wei
  • Seed trench closing sensors
    Patent number: 11678600
    Abstract: A system for sensing characteristics of a trench in a soil surface during planting operations. A trench opening assembly opens a trench in the soil surface as the trench opening assembly moves in a forward direction of travel. A trench closing assembly disposed rearward of the trench opening assembly closes the opened trench with soil. One or more sensors may be disposed on an appurtenance disposed in said trench configured to provide characteristics of an area of the open trench or an area of the trench closed with soil by the trench closing assembly or a sensor may be disposed outside of said trench configured to provide characteristics of an area of the trench closed with soil or a combination of the sensors may be disposed in the trench and outside of the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Dale Koch, Jason Stoller, Todd Swanson, Michael Strnad, Matthew Morgan, Ian Radtke, Timothy Kater, Jeremy Hodel
  • Seed delivery apparatus
    Patent number: 11672196
    Abstract: A seed conveyor assembly that delivers seed to a planting surface in a controlled manner to maintain seed placement accuracy within a trench. In one embodiment, a seed guide for a seed conveyor assembly includes a relief portion and an introduction portion that includes at least one protrusion. The protrusion is angled from a side of the introduction portion toward the center of the introduction portion. The end of the protrusion is proximate the center of the introduction portion being further from the relief portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Ian Radtke, Kent Levy
  • Dredge head assembly and related diver-assisted dredging system and methods
    Patent number: 11674286
    Abstract: A dredge head assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes: a shroud having a generally open bottom end and a top end; a screen structure covering the generally open bottom end of the shroud; a suction pipe with a first end connected to the top end of the shroud and a second end configured to be operatively connected with a pump which induces suction; a handle connected to and extending from the shroud and having at least one grasping portion; and one or more vacuum relief valve assemblies, each comprising a valve, at least one opening configured to be in communication with water, and an actuation mechanism positioned to be accessible to a diver. Dredging systems and methods of dredging are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: J.F. Brennan Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Smith, Randy Jacobs, Dustin Bauman, Victor J. Buhr, Adam Thorson, Justin Scherf
  • Work vehicle with ground support unit having non-treaded area aligned with row unit component
    Patent number: 11665990
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a frame and a row unit that is attached to the frame. The row unit includes a gauge wheel and a ground engaging implement. The gauge wheel is configured to ride on the ground surface and maintain the ground engaging implement at a predetermined vertical position with respect to the ground surface. Furthermore, the work vehicle includes a ground support unit that supports the frame for movement across the ground surface. The ground support unit includes an outer face. The outer face includes a non-treaded side area that defines a lateral side of the outer face. The outer face includes a tread area that is spaced laterally from the lateral edge. The tread area includes a plurality of projections. The non-treaded side area is aligned along the travel direction with respect to the gauge wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Donald K. Landphair, Nathan A. Mariman
  • Seed firmer
    Patent number: 11653591
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a seed firmer having a resilient portion and a firming portion that are molded together into a unitary part with each portion being a different material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Precision Planting LLC
    Inventors: Brian McMahon, Todd Swanson, Michael Strnad
  • Blade protection cover and lawn mower apparatus including the same
    Patent number: 11641799
    Abstract: A blade protection cover coupled to a blade of a lawn mower apparatus includes a first cover for covering one face of the blade and two second covers connected to the first cover. The two second covers cover two edges of the blade in a width direction of the blade. Two guides are disposed on inner faces of the two second covers. The two guides are configured to guide the blade protection cover to slide along the two edges in the width direction of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyeongho Cho, Hanshin Kim, Siyong Kim
  • Quick coupler
    Patent number: 11643787
    Abstract: A coupler for securing an attachment to an earth working machine. The coupler comprises a coupler body that presents a receptacle having a capture region. A pin of an attachment can move into and out of the capture region. A retainer can capture the pin in the capture region but the retainer can be moved by a hydraulically driven driver to a position to allow release the pin from the capture region. A trigger that the pin will strike when the pin moves into or out of the capture region, decouples the driver from the retainer and the retainer is then allowed to be biased back to its retaining position by a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: WEDGELOCK EQUIPMENT LIMITED
    Inventors: Andre Richard Anderson, Garth Colin Keighley, Andrew James Phillip Rider, Michael Hugh James Rider
  • Apparatus and methods: planter meter for orienting seed and in soil seed placement
    Patent number: 11632899
    Abstract: A seed planter meter that orients plant seed and a delivery mechanism which can transport the seed to the soil while maintaining the seed's orientation during transport to the soil and encapsulation in the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventor: Luke Tyler Bredeweg
  • Lift and rotate agricultural implement
    Patent number: 11632894
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a toolbar that extends transverse to a tongue when in a field use configuration. The toolbar can be lifted and/or rotated relative to the tongue to transition between a field use and a transport use. A lifting assembly includes one or more actuators and linkage systems to lift the toolbar attached thereto in an arced manner in moving from a field use configuration to a transport configuration. A rotating mechanism can also include one or more actuators to rotate the toolbar about a pivot member. An anti-rotation link includes a member is connected to the toolbar and can be positioned at least partially within a groove to mitigate rotation of the toolbar, such as during the lifting of the toolbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Kinzenbaw, Robert Blackwell, Riley Lind
  • Sowing element for precision agricultural seeders and seeder including element of this kind
    Patent number: 11627695
    Abstract: Sowing element for precision agricultural seeders comprising a device for selecting the seed, of the type which is formed of a perforated disc having opposing faces that are subject to a pressure differential and a pressurisation device associated with the disc for applying the pressure differential to the faces of the disc, the pressurisation device including a pressurisation bell combined with the disc so as to pneumatically couple thereto in order to guarantee said pressure differential, wherein the bell is rotatably idle with respect to the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Machio Gaspardo S.P.A.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Donadon, Luigi Giovanni Bot, Bruno Miolo
  • Quick-change system for a sweep
    Patent number: 11627692
    Abstract: Quick-change system for a sweep comprising a sweep with a neck and a removable wedge, wherein the neck serves to couple the sweep to a cultivator shank and comprises an inner surface with at least one lug that fits in at least one hole of the cultivator shank, and side flaps configured to clasp the cultivator shank, the removable wedge being inserted between the side flaps and the cultivator shank and holding the cultivator shank against the inner surface of the neck, so that the combination of the lug fitted in the hole of the cultivator shank and the removable wedge inserted in the neck makes it possible to retain and fasten the sweep to the cultivator shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: NATT Tools Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Joseph Sanderson
  • Root crop harvester
    Patent number: 11627697
    Abstract: A potato harvesting machine has a lifting device picking up a mixture of crop and admixtures. Screening belts downstream of the lifting device transport the mixture away from the lifting device and a feed belt feeds the mixture to a sorting zone. A separating device is arranged in the sorting zone above the feed belt. A sorting belt is arranged downstream of the separating device that has first and second stripper belts circulating in a stripping direction and provided with stripper elements. The stripper elements act on the crop transverse to a feed direction and supply the crop to the sorting belt. The admixtures remain on the feed belt and are discharged in a guiding direction angled to the stripping direction. First and second support devices hold the first and second stripper belts. The first and second stripper belts are individually adjustable at the first and second support devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Grimme Landmaschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Niehues, Alfons Pöhlking
  • Smart sensor system for agricultural implements
    Patent number: 11622496
    Abstract: An agricultural planting or seeding implement having a ground engaging tool that forms an opening along an axis in the soil, a sensor disposed aft of the ground engaging tool, and a row unit disposed aft of both the ground engaging tool and the sensor relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural planting or seeding implement. The sensor engages with the ground at a depth within the opening and generates a signal indicative of a soil property of the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL CANADA, LTD.
    Inventor: Trevor Lawrence Kowalchuk