Patents by Inventor John Walvatne

John Walvatne 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: 9216681
    Abstract: A grain cart and foldable auger assembly having an upper auger assembly portion with a discharge portion, a lower auger assembly portion with an intake portion, and a compound angle joint that allows the upper auger assembly portion to be moved between operating and transport positions. When in an operating position, the upper auger portion and the lower auger portion are offset from each other by an operating offset angle. When in a transport position, the upper auger assembly portion is offset from the lower auger assembly portion by a transport offset angle such that the upper auger assembly portions folded across the front of the grain cart in a non-obstructive and non-protruding manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen, John Walvatne, Christopher M. Self
  • Publication number: 20150359179
    Abstract: A grain cart and foldable auger assembly having an upper auger assembly portion with a discharge portion, a lower auger assembly portion with an intake portion, and a compound angle joint that allows the upper auger assembly portion to be moved between operating and transport positions. When in an operating position, the upper auger portion and the lower auger portion are offset from each other by an operating offset angle. When in a transport position, the upper auger assembly portion is offset from the lower auger assembly portion by a transport offset angle such that the upper auger assembly portions folded across the front of the grain cart in a non-obstructive and non-protruding manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN, John WALVATNE, Christopher M. SELF
  • Patent number: 9205715
    Abstract: A towable farm implement includes a plurality of wheel assemblies coupled to a frame by a plurality of suspension systems. Each suspension system includes an upper support structure and a lower support structure. Each of the upper and lower support structures have a first end configured to be pivotably coupled to the frame about a first pivot axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame, and a second end pivotably coupled to a portion of the wheel assembly about a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis. Each suspension system further includes a damping device having a first end configured to be pivotably coupled to the frame, and a second end pivotably coupled to the wheel assembly. The damping device is configured to move the wheel assembly generally vertically while maintaining the longitudinal position and, optionally, a steering angle of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen, John Walvatne
  • Publication number: 20150343934
    Abstract: A grain cart and foldable auger assembly having an upper auger assembly portion with a discharge portion, a lower auger assembly portion with an intake portion, and a compound angle joint that allows the upper auger assembly portion to be moved between operating and transport positions. When in an operating position, the upper auger portion and the lower auger portion are offset from each other by an operating offset angle. When in a transport position, the upper auger assembly portion is offset from the lower auger assembly portion by a transport offset angle such that the upper auger assembly portions folded across the front of the grain cart in a non-obstructive and non-protruding manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Ronald J. SCHLlMGEN, John WALVATNE, Christopher M. SELF
  • Publication number: 20150223400
    Abstract: A grain cart and foldable auger assembly having an upper auger assembly portion with a discharge portion, a lower auger assembly portion with an intake portion, and a compound angle joint that allows the upper auger assembly portion to be moved between operating and transport positions. When in an operating position, the upper auger portion and the lower auger portion are offset from each other by an operating offset angle. When in a transport position, the upper auger assembly portion is offset from the lower auger assembly portion by a transport offset angle such that the upper auger assembly portions folded across the front of the grain cart in a non-obstructive and non-protruding manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Ronald J. Schlimgen, John Walvatne, Christopher M. Self
  • Patent number: 9039340
    Abstract: A grain cart and foldable auger assembly having an upper auger assembly portion with a discharge portion, a lower auger assembly portion with an intake portion, and a compound angle joint that allows the upper auger assembly portion to be moved between operating and transport positions. When in an operating position, the upper auger portion and the lower auger portion are offset from each other by an operating offset angle. When in a transport position, the upper auger assembly portion is offset from the lower auger assembly portion by a transport offset angle such that the upper auger assembly portions folded across the front of the grain cart in a non-obstructive and non-protruding manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen, John Walvatne, Christopher M. Self
  • Patent number: 8967727
    Abstract: A gravity wagon includes a container for storing grain or other material and a discharge for allowing material to exit the hopper via gravity. A discharge chute and kickback are used to direct the material from the discharge and are coupled via a linkage such that they can be positioned to direct the material exiting the hopper to an area generally to the side of the hopper in a first position or an area generally towards the center of the hopper in a second position. The movement of the discharge chute and the kickback between the first and second positions is facilitated by a pusher or pushing member coupled to the kickback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Van Mill, John Walvatne, Daryl Rubner
  • Publication number: 20140001818
    Abstract: A gravity wagon includes a container for storing grain or other material and a discharge for allowing material to exit the hopper via gravity. A discharge chute and kickback are used to direct the material from the discharge and are coupled via a linkage such that they can be positioned to direct the material exiting the hopper to an area generally to the side of the hopper in a first position or an area generally towards the center of the hopper in a second position. The movement of the discharge chute and the kickback between the first and second positions is facilitated by a pusher or pushing member coupled to the kickback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael VAN MILL, John WALVATNE, Daryl RUBNER
  • Publication number: 20130259615
    Abstract: A grain cart and foldable auger assembly having an upper auger assembly portion with a discharge portion, a lower auger assembly portion with an intake portion, and a compound angle joint that allows the upper auger assembly portion to be moved between operating and transport positions. When in an operating position, the upper auger portion and the lower auger portion are offset from each other by an operating offset angle. When in a transport position, the upper auger assembly portion is offset from the lower auger assembly portion by a transport offset angle such that the upper auger assembly portions folded across the front of the grain cart in a non-obstructive and non-protruding manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN, John WALVATNE, Christopher M. SELF
  • Publication number: 20130181425
    Abstract: A towable farm implement includes a plurality of wheel assemblies coupled to a frame by a plurality of suspension systems. Each suspension system includes an upper support structure and a lower support structure. Each of the upper and lower support structures have a first end configured to be pivotably coupled to the frame about a first pivot axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame, and a second end pivotably coupled to a portion of the wheel assembly about a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis. Each suspension system further includes a damping device having a first end configured to be pivotably coupled to the frame, and a second end pivotably coupled to the wheel assembly. The damping device is configured to move the wheel assembly generally vertically while maintaining the longitudinal position and, optionally, a steering angle of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Ronald J. Schlimgen, John Walvatne
  • Patent number: 7810823
    Abstract: An oscillating in-line steering system for a pulled agricultural implement includes first and second in-line axles pivotably coupled with a frame. The system also includes at least first and second in-line wheel arrangements pivotably coupled with the first and second axles respectively. Each wheel arrangement has a plurality of pivotable wheel assemblies arranged in-line and wheel linkages coupling the in-line wheel assemblies such that in-line wheel assemblies oscillate together. A right-to-left linkage couples the wheel linkage of the first in-line wheel arrangement to the wheel linkage of the second in-line wheel arrangement so that the first in-line wheel arrangement oscillates at a steering angle proportional to that of the second in-line wheel arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ron Schlimgen, John Walvatne
  • Publication number: 20100209223
    Abstract: A grain cart and foldable auger assembly having an upper auger assembly portion with a discharge portion, a lower auger assembly portion with an intake portion, and a compound angle joint that allows the upper auger assembly portion to be moved between operating and transport positions. When in an operating position, the upper auger portion and the lower auger portion are offset from each other by an operating offset angle. When in a transport position, the upper auger assembly portion is offset from the lower auger assembly portion by a transport offset angle such that the upper auger assembly portions folded across the front of the grain cart in a non-obstructive and non-protruding manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN, John WALVATNE, Christopher M. SELF
  • Publication number: 20080048414
    Abstract: An oscillating in-line steering system for a pulled agricultural implement includes first and second in-line axles pivotably coupled with a frame. The system also includes at least first and second in-line wheel arrangements pivotably coupled with the first and second axles respectively. Each wheel arrangement has a plurality of pivotable wheel assemblies arranged in-line and wheel linkages coupling the in-line wheel assemblies such that in-line wheel assemblies oscillate together. A right-to-left linkage couples the wheel linkage of the first in-line wheel arrangement to the wheel linkage of the second in-line wheel arrangement so that the first in-line wheel arrangement oscillates at a steering angle proportional to that of the second in-line wheel arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Van Mill, Ron Schlimgen, John Walvatne