Patents by Inventor Michael J. Connors

Michael J. Connors 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: 10660261
    Abstract: A multiple variety planter has a direct vacuum system that allows for planting multiple varieties of seed while reducing occurrences of mis-planting events or planting inconsistencies such as multiples and skips by providing highly controllable seed meter vacuum performance characteristics that are controllable on a row-by-row basis. The direct vacuum system may include a vacuum unit at each row unit of the planter to apply a vacuum pressure to a seed meter at the row unit. Each vacuum unit may be individually and variably controlled to apply different vacuum pressures based on which seed variety is being planted with the respective seed meter at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
  • Patent number: 10660263
    Abstract: A system includes an inductor assembly of an agricultural implement having an inductor box with a wall configured to separate an interior of the inductor box from an exterior of the inductor box, an inductor segment, and a mounting clip. The wall includes an inner surface in the interior and an outer surface on the exterior. The inductor segment includes a mixing portion and a delivery portion, wherein the mixing portion interfaces with the inner surface and is configured to mix agricultural product and airflow into a mixture. The delivery portion is configured to convey the mixture through the wall. The mounting clip is configured to form a seal between the interior and the exterior of the inductor box, and to interface with the outer surface and the delivery portion in an installed position to couple the inductor segment to the inductor box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Connors, Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel
  • Patent number: 10609855
    Abstract: An implement for an agricultural vehicle including a toolbar and a pair of marking devices pivotally connected to the toolbar. Each marking device includes at least one arm configured for pivoting between a stored position and an operational position, and a retention device supported by the toolbar and configured for providing a magnetic retention force which magnetically retains the at least one arm in the stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Johnathon R. Dienst, Patrick Dinnon, Michael J. Connors, Brent Elwing, Brian J. Anderson, Chad M. Johnson, Travis L. Harnetiaux
  • Patent number: 10561057
    Abstract: A fastening arrangement attaches a row unit to the tool bar of an agricultural implement. The fastening arrangement includes an elongated flat operatively connected to the tool bar. The elongated flat has a leading surface lying in a first plane nonadjacent to a second plane which includes a trailing surface of the tool bar. A head bracket is adapted to receive a row unit. The head bracket has an aperture therethough and is supportable on the elongated flat. A clamping nut and bolt combination is configured to fasten the head bracket to the elongated flat. The clamping nut and bolt combination includes a bolt adapted to pass through the aperture of the head bracket and engage the clamping nut in a mating relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerard James Gadzella, Marvin A. Prickel, Michael J. Connors
  • Publication number: 20200008344
    Abstract: A planting implement including a first hollow support frame member having a first end and a first end plate connected to the first end. The first end plate has a first hole disposed therein. The planting implement also includes a second hollow support frame member configured for coupling to the first hollow support frame member. The second hollow support frame member has a second end and a second end plate connected to the second end. The second end plate has a second hole disposed therein. The planting implement further includes at least one spacer and at least one seal having an aperture. The at least one seal is configured to seal a connection between the first hollow support frame member and the second hollow support frame member such that a pneumatic pathway is established between the first hollow support frame member and the second hollow support frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Connors, Brian J. Anderson, Marvin A. Prickel
  • Publication number: 20190387657
    Abstract: An implement for an agricultural vehicle including a toolbar and a pair of marking devices pivotally connected to the toolbar. Each marking device includes at least one arm configured for pivoting between a stored position and an operational position, and a retention device supported by the toolbar and configured for providing a magnetic retention force which magnetically retains the at least one arm in the stored position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Johnathon R. Dienst, Patrick Dinnon, Michael J. Connors, Brent Elwing, Brian J. Anderson, Chad M. Johnson, Travis L. Harnetiaux
  • Publication number: 20190387656
    Abstract: An implement for an agricultural vehicle including a toolbar and a pair of marking devices pivotally connected to the toolbar. Each marking device includes a first arm, a second arm, and a first attachment bracket pivotally connecting the first arm to the distal end of the second arm. The first and second arms are configured for pivoting between a stored position in which the first and second arms are folded relative to one another and an operational position in which the first and second arms are unfolded relative to one another. Each marking device further includes a second attachment bracket, a kick out link, and a biasing member connected to the kick out link and configured for providing a biasing force acting on the kick out link to retain the first arm relative to the second arm in the stored position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Brent Elwing, Brian J. Anderson, Chad M. Johnson, Travis L. Harnetiaux, Johnathon R. Dienst, Patrick Dinnon, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 10448560
    Abstract: A planting implement including a first hollow support frame member having a first end and a first end plate connected to the first end. The first end plate has a first hole disposed therein. The planting implement also includes a second hollow support frame member configured for coupling to the first hollow support frame member. The second hollow support frame member has a second end and a second end plate connected to the second end. The second end plate has a second hole disposed therein. The planting implement further includes at least one spacer and at least one seal having an aperture. The at least one seal is configured to seal a connection between the first hollow support frame member and the second hollow support frame member such that a pneumatic pathway is established between the first hollow support frame member and the second hollow support frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Connors, Brian J. Anderson, Marvin A. Prickel
  • Publication number: 20190274244
    Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank, the inductor box including, an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply, wherein the inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Publication number: 20190239422
    Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank. The inductor box includes an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply. The inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Publication number: 20190239423
    Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank. The inductor box includes an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply. The inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 10334771
    Abstract: An agricultural implement system includes a toolbar assembly configured to support multiple row units, and multiple wheels configured to support the toolbar assembly. The wheels include a first wheel and a second wheel, and at least one row unit is configured to be disposed between the first wheel and the second wheel. The agricultural implement system also includes a wheel position control system configured to instruct first and second actuators to lower the first wheel and the second wheel to transition the agricultural implement system to a non-working position, to instruct the first and second actuators to raise the first wheel and the second wheel to transition the agricultural implement system to a working position, and to instruct the second actuator to raise the second wheel while the agricultural implement system is in the working position such that the second wheel is disengaged from a soil surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Johnathon R. Dienst, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 10334774
    Abstract: The selective positioning of row units along a planter tool bar is facilitated by introducing an elongated channel of generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration intermediate the tool bar and a plurality of row unit head brackets. The channel is welded or otherwise fixed to the tool bar with the open edge of the ā€œCā€ facing away from the tool bar and the head brackets are fixed to the channel by clamping nut and bolt assemblies. The bolts extend through the clamping brackets and engage corresponding clamping nuts. The clamping nuts are positioned within the ā€œCā€ and may be slid along the inner edge of the channel to any preferred position. The bolts are then and tightened fixing the head bracket at the selected at location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerard James Gadzella, Marvin A. Prickel, Michael J. Connors
  • Publication number: 20190166754
    Abstract: A multiple variety planter is provided that has a direct vacuum system that allows for planting multiple varieties of seed while reducing occurrences of mis-planting events or planting inconsistencies such as multiples and skips by providing highly controllable seed meter vacuum performance characteristics that are controllable on a row-by-row basis. The direct vacuum system may include a vacuum unit at each row unit of the planter to apply a vacuum pressure to a seed meter at the row unit. Each vacuum unit may be individually and variably controlled to apply different vacuum pressures based on which seed variety is being planted with the respective seed meter at a given time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
  • Patent number: 10299426
    Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank, the inductor box including, an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply, wherein the inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 10232301
    Abstract: A pleated filter media comprises a plurality of pleats comprised of pleat segments extending in an axial direction between first and second axial ends and extending in a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the axial direction between first and second sets of pleat tips at least partially defined by first and second sets of bend lines. Axial flow channels are defined between the pleat segments in the lateral direction and the plurality of pleats has a width in the transverse direction that varies along the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP INC.
    Inventors: Mark V. Holzmann, Arun Janakiraman, Orvin D. Kendall, Scott W. Schwartz, Eric A. Janikowski, Michael J. Connor, Kurt M. A. Badeau, Murray R. Schukar
  • Publication number: 20190000009
    Abstract: A planting implement including a first hollow support frame member having a first end and a first end plate connected to the first end. The first end plate has a first hole disposed therein. The planting implement also includes a second hollow support frame member configured for coupling to the first hollow support frame member. The second hollow support frame member has a second end and a second end plate connected to the second end. The second end plate has a second hole disposed therein. The planting implement further includes at least one spacer and at least one seal having an aperture. The at least one seal is configured to seal a connection between the first hollow support frame member and the second hollow support frame member such that a pneumatic pathway is established between the first hollow support frame member and the second hollow support frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Connors, Brian J. Anderson, Marvin A. Prickel
  • Patent number: D847212
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Johnathon R. Dienst, John Joseph Schrepferman, Richard Justice, Michael J. Connors, Brandon James Kuboushek, Jacob A. Weis, Travis Lester Harnetiaux
  • Patent number: D849801
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Johnathon R. Dienst, John Joseph Schrepferman, Richard Justice, Michael J. Connors, Brandon James Kuboushek, Jacob A. Weis, Travis Lester Harnetiaux
  • Patent number: D880535
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Johnathon R. Dienst, John Joseph Schrepferman, Richard Justice, Michael J. Connors, Brandon James Kuboushek, Jacob A. Weis, Travis Lester Harnetiaux