Patents by Inventor Erik L. Barnes

Erik L. Barnes has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9497900
    Abstract: A planter unit for planting seeds as it traverses a field in a direction of travel includes a seed delivery tube and a furrow opener configured to open a furrow in the soil for receiving seeds dropped through the delivery tube. A gauge wheel assembly controls the depth of penetration of the furrow opener. The planter unit also has a furrow closing tool that closes the furrow, the furrow closing tool positioned after the delivery tube in the direction of travel. The planter unit also has a row cleaning and depth control tool positioned after the furrow closing tool. The row cleaning and depth control tool has first and second row whippers that push excess soil out away from above where seeds were dropped in the furrow, wherein vertical position of first and second row whippers is selectively adjustable relative the vertical position of the furrow opener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Darren J. Nelson, Nyle C. Wollenhaupt, Erik L. Barnes
  • Publication number: 20160227701
    Abstract: A planter unit for planting seeds as it traverses a field in a direction of travel includes a seed delivery tube and a furrow opener configured to open a furrow in the soil for receiving seeds dropped through the delivery tube. A gauge wheel assembly controls the depth of penetration of the furrow opener. The planter unit also has a furrow closing tool that closes the furrow, the furrow closing tool positioned after the delivery tube in the direction of travel. The planter unit also has a row cleaning and depth control tool positioned after the furrow closing tool. The row cleaning and depth control tool has first and second row whippers that push excess soil out away from above where seeds were dropped in the furrow, wherein vertical position of first and second row whippers is selectively adjustable relative the vertical position of the furrow opener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Darren J. NELSON, Nyle C. Wollenhaupt, Erik L. Barnes
  • Patent number: 8944898
    Abstract: A grain bin located atop a harvester includes upstanding walls having a substantially continuous upper edge defining an opening. A grain bin extension is deployable between extended and retracted positions to expand the capacity of the grain bin. The extension includes extension panels and a cap overlaying the opening. The cap is supported by a cap frame that is also deployable between extended and retracted positions. An extension deployment apparatus raises and lowers the extension panels. Extension deployment mechanisms located at opposing corners of the grain bin control the deployment of adjacent extension panels. Each extension deployment mechanism has a first rack and a trunnion to drive extension panels in a vertical direction and pivot the panels in an outward direction and a second rack mounted to the trunnion to drive the cap frame in a vertical direction, and a drive gear between the first and second racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Erik L. Barnes, Robert Figger
  • Patent number: 7318376
    Abstract: A crop baler having a bank of knotters employs a cross flow blower to produce a full width stream of air transversely across the line of knotters to keep them free of debris and residue. The blower is hingedly mounted on an enclosure over the knotters for selective movement between a lowered operating position and a raised access position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Baldauf, Nathan K. Ensminger, Erik L. Barnes