Patents by Inventor Lawrence E. Kuhlmann

Lawrence E. Kuhlmann 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: 8109070
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to apparatus for selectively inverting one or more windrows of crop material on the ground as the apparatus is moved in a forward direction, each of the windrows having a lower surface and a generally defined width, the apparatus comprising, a frame for attachment to a vehicle, a first transport mechanism for picking up the crop material of a windrow, moving the crop material in a rearward direction, turning the crop material through a generally horizontal arc and depositing the turned crop material in an inverted condition, the first transport mechanism being movable between a raised non-operating position and a lowered operating position, a second transport mechanism having substantially the same structure and functionality as the first transport mechanism, and a hydraulic control system selectively moving the transport mechanisms between the raised and lowered positions and for driving the transport mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: A.I.L., Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene H. Schmidt, Lawrence E. Kuhlmann
  • Publication number: 20120023888
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to apparatus for selectively inverting one or more windrows of crop material on the ground as the apparatus is moved in a forward direction, each of the windrows having a lower surface and a generally defined width, the apparatus comprising, a frame for attachment to a vehicle, a first transport mechanism for picking up the crop material of a windrow, moving the crop material in a rearward direction, turning the crop material through a generally horizontal arc and depositing the turned crop material in an inverted condition, the first transport mechanism being movable between a raised non-operating position and a lowered operating position, a second transport mechanism having substantially the same structure and functionality as the first transport mechanism, and a hydraulic control system selectively moving the transport mechanisms between the raised and lowered positions and for driving the transport mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: A.I.L., INC.
    Inventors: Eugene H. Schmidt, Lawrence E. Kuhlmann
  • Patent number: 7490678
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise a system for positioning a drawn implement being pulled by a vehicle traveling generally along a desired path of movement, the vehicle having a mounting hitch on the rear end thereof where a system hitch is configured to adjust its angular orientation relative to the vehicle mounting hitch and a global positioning system receiver operable to detect the position of the implement relative to the desired path as the vehicle moves generally along the desired path and generate a signal that is indicative of the lateral position of the implement relative to the desired path and means for controlling the hitch means to adjust the angular orientation of the hitch means so that the implement follows the desired path of movement in response to the global positioning system signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: A.I.L., Inc.
    Inventors: Marlin W. Unruh, Eugene H. Schmidt, Lee F. Nikkel, Lawrence E. Kuhlmann, David R. Long
  • Patent number: 6354429
    Abstract: An apparatus for inverting a windrow of agricultural crop material on the ground as the apparatus moves along the windrow in a first direction has a lifting mechanism for lifting the crop material from the ground substantially without destroying the integrity of the windrow as the apparatus moves in the first direction. In addition, a transporting mechanism receives the crop material from the lifting mechanism and positively transports the crop material along a generally semicircular path substantially also without destroying the integrity of the windrow so that the crop material is positively transported generally in the first direction when it reaches an exit location where the crop material is dropped to the ground. The continued movement of the crop material by the transporting mechanism results in the crop material passing the exit location so that a lower surface of the windrow is repositioned to a top of the windrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: A.I.L. Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Kuhlmann, Eugene H. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20010042364
    Abstract: An apparatus for inverting a windrow of agricultural crop material on the ground as the apparatus moves along the windrow in a first direction has a lifting mechanism for lifting the crop material from the ground substantially without destroying the integrity of the windrow as the apparatus moves in the first direction. In addition, a transporting mechanism receives the crop material from the lifting mechanism and positively transports the crop material along a generally semicircular path substantially also without destroying the integrity of the windrow so that the crop material is positively transported generally in the first direction when it reaches an exit location where the crop material is dropped to the ground. The continued movement of the crop material by the transporting mechanism results in the crop material passing the exit location so that a lower surface of the windrow is repositioned to a top of the windrow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: LAWRENCE E. KUHLMANN, EUGENE H. SCHMIDT