Patents by Inventor Michael L. Banken

Michael L. Banken 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).

  • Harvester head assembly with apparatus for guiding harvested crops
    Patent number: 9265198
    Abstract: A combine harvester includes a harvester head assembly. The harvester head assembly includes an apparatus having a body. A forward end of the apparatus includes a barrier flange extending therefrom and forming a barrier surface that operates to block harvested crops from dropping off the forward end of the bonnet. Additionally, the barrier flange includes a kickback portion. The kickback portion operates to deflect harvested crops toward the rearward direction to further avoid loss of harvested crops out the forward end of the harvester head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Dragotec USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan D. Hulstein, Michael L. Banken, Ian Kristoffer Shoultz
  • Snout height and tension adjustment
    Patent number: 9253944
    Abstract: Adjustment of snout height and tension is provided for a combine harvester. The combine harvester includes a header having a plurality of row unit divider assemblies. The row unit divider assemblies include a bonnet portion, a snout portion, and a height and tension adjustment device. The height and tension adjustment device is coupled between the bonnet portion and the snout portion and is operable to adjust an angle and tension of the snout portion with respect to the bonnet portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Dragotec USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan D. Hulstein, Allan M. Cronen, Michael L. Banken
  • HARVESTER HEAD ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150128549
    Abstract: A combine harvester includes a harvester head assembly. The harvester head assembly includes an apparatus having a body. A forward end of the apparatus includes a barrier flange extending therefrom and forming a barrier surface that operates to block harvested crops from dropping off the forward end of the bonnet. Additionally, the barrier flange includes a kickback portion. The kickback portion operates to deflect harvested crops toward the rearward direction to further avoid loss of harvested crops out the forward end of the harvester head assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Nathan D. Hulstein, Michael L. Banken, Ian Kristoffer Shoultz
  • SNOUT HEIGHT AND TENSION ADJUSTMENT
    Publication number: 20140130474
    Abstract: Adjustment of snout height and tension is provided for a combine harvester. The combine harvester includes a header having a plurality of row unit divider assemblies. The row unit divider assemblies include a bonnet portion, a snout portion, and a height and tension adjustment device. The height and tension adjustment device is coupled between the bonnet portion and the snout portion and is operable to adjust an angle and tension of the snout portion with respect to the bonnet portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Nathan D. Hulstein, Allan M. Cronen, Michael L. Banken