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).

  • Publication number: 20180332763
    Abstract: A seed tank assembly for an agricultural implement including an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tank assembly, in which at least one webbing extends across the exhaust opening forming a plurality of apertures, the at least one webbing is integrally molded into the seed tank assembly, and the at least one webbing is configured to provide structural support to the seed tank assembly and to reduce seed head pressure into an inductor box positioned beneath the exhaust opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Scott A. Long, Joshua J. Roszman, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 10117377
    Abstract: An agricultural implement system includes a wheel position control system configured to control respective positions of an aligned wheel and an offset wheel of the agricultural implement system. The aligned wheel is configured to be substantially laterally aligned with a corresponding vehicle wheel/track, and the offset wheel is configured to be laterally offset from the corresponding vehicle wheel/track. The wheel position control system is configured to instruct lowering of the aligned wheel and the offset wheel to transition a toolbar assembly to a non-working position, the wheel position control system is configured to instruct raising of the aligned and offset wheels to transition the toolbar assembly to a working position, and the wheel position control system is configured to instruct raising of the offset wheel above the aligned wheel while the toolbar assembly is in the working position such that the offset wheel is disengaged from the soil surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Johnathon R. Dienst, Michael J. Connors
  • Publication number: 20180263179
    Abstract: A fastening arrangement is provided for attaching 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 fiat 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 including a bolt adapted to pass through the aperture of the head bracket engage the clamping nut in a mating relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Gerard James Gadzella, Marvin A. Prickel, Michael J. Connors
  • Publication number: 20180235140
    Abstract: An agricultural product distribution system is presented includes an inductor box configured to receive agricultural product and conveyed air to combine the conveyed air and the agricultural product. The conveyed air is configured to direct the agricultural product through ports to multiple distribution units. Moreover the inductor box includes a baffle retention channel configured to receive a removable baffle. Furthermore, the removable baffle includes at least one opening configured to control an amount of conveyed air directed through the ports to the multiple distribution units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Michael J. Connors, Marvin A. Prickel
  • Publication number: 20180235141
    Abstract: An agricultural product distribution system is presented includes an inductor box configured to receive agricultural product and conveyed air to combine the conveyed air and the agricultural product. The conveyed air is configured to direct the agricultural product through ports to multiple distribution units. Moreover the inductor box includes a baffle retention channel configured to receive a removable baffle. Furthermore, the removable baffle includes at least one opening configured to control an amount of conveyed air directed through the ports to the multiple distribution units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Michael J. Connors, Marvin A. Prickel
  • Patent number: 10051780
    Abstract: A seed tank assembly for an agricultural implement including an exhaust opening configured to exhaust seeds from the seed tank assembly, in which at least one webbing extends across the exhaust opening forming a plurality of apertures, the at least one webbing is integrally molded into the seed tank assembly, and the at least one webbing is configured to provide structural support to the seed tank assembly and to reduce seed head pressure into an inductor box positioned beneath the exhaust opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Scott A. Long, Joshua J. Roszman, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Publication number: 20180206399
    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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Connors, Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel
  • Patent number: 9974229
    Abstract: An agricultural product distribution system is presented includes an inductor box configured to receive agricultural product and conveyed air to combine the conveyed air and the agricultural product. The conveyed air is configured to direct the agricultural product through ports to multiple distribution units. Moreover the inductor box includes a baffle retention channel configured to receive a removable baffle. Furthermore, the removable baffle includes at least one opening configured to control an amount of conveyed air directed through the ports to the multiple distribution units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Michael J. Connors, Marvin A. Prickel
  • Publication number: 20180132415
    Abstract: An inductor box for an agricultural implement having compression limiters. One inductor box includes a housing having a first side configured to receive an agricultural product from a tank. The first side has a sealable surface, and the sealable surface has plates attached thereto. The inductor box includes a first gasket disposed on the sealable surface and configured to establish a seal between the sealable surface and a corresponding surface of the tank. The plates are configured to extend through respective openings in the gasket, and to block compression of the first gasket beyond a desired compression limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Connors, Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel
  • Patent number: 9961826
    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: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Connors, Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel
  • Patent number: 9907223
    Abstract: An agricultural implement system includes a tow bar configured to couple to a hitch assembly. The agricultural implement system also includes a first wing tool bar rotatable relative to the tow bar and disposed proximate to a first side of the tow bar. The first wing tool bar has a first send proximate to the first side of the tow bar and a second end opposite the first end. Further, the agricultural implement system includes a caster wheel assembly having a caster wheel pivotally coupled to a sub-frame. The first sub-frame is pivotally coupled to the first wing tool bar proximate to the second end of the first wing tool bar, and is coupled to the first wing tool bar such that the axis of rotation of the sub-frame extends through the first wing tool bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Johnathon R. Dienst, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 9901025
    Abstract: An inductor box for an agricultural implement having compression limiters. One inductor box includes a housing having a first side configured to receive an agricultural product from a tank. The first side has a sealable surface, and the sealable surface has plates attached thereto. The inductor box includes a first gasket disposed on the sealable surface and configured to establish a seal between the sealable surface and a corresponding surface of the tank. The plates are configured to extend through respective openings in the gasket, and to block compression of the first gasket beyond a desired compression limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Connors, Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel
  • Publication number: 20180014450
    Abstract: An agricultural implement system includes a wheel position control system configured to control respective positions of an aligned wheel and an offset wheel of the agricultural implement system. The aligned wheel is configured to be substantially laterally aligned with a corresponding vehicle wheel/track, and the offset wheel is configured to be laterally offset from the corresponding vehicle wheel/track. The wheel position control system is configured to instruct lowering of the aligned wheel and the offset wheel to transition a toolbar assembly to a non-working position, the wheel position control system is configured to instruct raising of the aligned and offset wheels to transition the toolbar assembly to a working position, and the wheel position control system is configured to instruct raising of the offset wheel above the aligned wheel while the toolbar assembly is in the working position such that the offset wheel is disengaged from the soil surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Johnathon R. Dienst, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 9854730
    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 comprising at least one inductor segment configured to guide the particulate material and an airflow through the inductor box, wherein the at least one inductor segment comprises a particulate material fluidization chamber configured to establish a vortex that mixes the particulate material with the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Grant T. MacDonald, Chad M. Johnson, Scott A. Long, David D. Flamme, Martin J. Roberge, Marvin A. Prickel, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 9848526
    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 “C” 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 “C” 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: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerard James Gadzella, Marvin A. Prickel, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 9848525
    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 an air bypass channel extending through a particulate material supply chamber, wherein the particulate material supply chamber is configured to receive the particulate material for distribution to at least one row unit, and the air bypass channel is configured to guide airflow through the particulate material supply chamber without interacting with a flow of the particulate material through the particulate material supply chamber, and an airflow control device in communication with the inductor segment and configured to control the airflow through the air bypass channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Frank C. Legner, III, Marvin A. Prickel, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 9832921
    Abstract: An agricultural implement system includes a tow bar assembly configured to couple the agricultural implement system to a tow vehicle. The agricultural implement system also includes a toolbar assembly coupled to the tow bar assembly. The toolbar assembly includes a first wing toolbar configured to support a first row unit, the first wing toolbar is configured to rotate about a first axis relative to the tow bar assembly to enable the toolbar assembly to bend in response to variations in a surface of soil, and no ground engaging wheel is coupled to the first wing toolbar. The agricultural implement system also includes an actuator configured to rotate the first wing toolbar upwardly about the first axis while the toolbar assembly is in a raised position such that the first row unit is disengaged from soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Brian John Anderson, Scott Allen Long, Johnathon R. Dienst, Michael J. Connors
  • Publication number: 20170339823
    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: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant T. MacDonald, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 9820428
    Abstract: An inductor box for an agricultural implement includes an inlet configured to receive agricultural product from a tank. The inductor box also includes a housing having a cavity therein. The cavity is configured to receive the agricultural product from the inlet. The inductor box includes a gate configured to be removably inserted between the inlet and the cavity, to block the agricultural product from entering the cavity while disposed between the inlet and the cavity, and to enable the agricultural product to enter the cavity while removed from being disposed between the inlet and the cavity. The inductor box includes a first guide coupled to the housing and configured to direct the gate away from the inlet. The first guide is disposed between the gate and the inlet while the gate is disposed between the inlet and the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Marvin A. Prickel, Michael J. Connors
  • Publication number: 20170318738
    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 “C” 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 “C” 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: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerard James Gadzella, Marvin A. Prickel, Michael J. Connors