Patents by Inventor Thomas E. McCrea

Thomas E. McCrea 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: 11122742
    Abstract: When using a cross auger assembly on a crop harvesting header with a flexible frame having end frame sections pivotal relative to a centre frame section, mounting devices are coupled between the bearing housings at opposing ends of the cross auger assembly and the outer ends of the end frame sections. Each mounting device includes a first mounting structure fixed relative to the outer end of the end frame section, a second mounting structure fixed to a portion of the respective bearing housing, and a flexible mounting arrangement between the mounting structures to accommodate variation in lateral positioning of the bearing housings relative to the ends of the flexible frame as the flexible frame flexes over varying ground contours without requiring a telescoping shaft arrangement on the cross auger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: AG Shield Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas E. McCrea
  • Publication number: 20190239433
    Abstract: When using a cross auger assembly on a crop harvesting header with a flexible frame having end frame sections pivotal relative to a centre frame section, mounting devices are coupled between the bearing housings at opposing ends of the cross auger assembly and the outer ends of the end frame sections. Each mounting device includes a first mounting structure fixed relative to the outer end of the end frame section, a second mounting structure fixed to a portion of the respective bearing housing, and a flexible mounting arrangement between the mounting structures to accommodate variation in lateral positioning of the bearing housings relative to the ends of the flexible frame as the flexible frame flexes over varying ground contours without requiring a telescoping shaft arrangement on the cross auger assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas E. McCrea
  • Patent number: 4641781
    Abstract: A cover attachment which can be used on a conventional field sprayer or as original equipment includes the plurality of separate arch-shaped arms extending rearwardly from the elongate support frame. Over the arms and beyond the end of the arms is draped a cover in the form of a plurality of separate cover panels each of which has a central ribbed section and plain edges for overlapping at the arms. The arms are attached to the frame by collars surrounding the frame which collars also support a front sheet which extends downwardly from the frame to a position in contact with the crop. The front sheet is also of plastics material and includes a backing sheet to allow flexing while preventing splitting. The height of the front sheet is arranged so that it contacts the crop and bends it forwardly so the nozzle can spray directly onto the bent crop. The height of the arched cover sheet at the rear edge is arranged to be above the top of the crop to avoid wiping the liquid from the crop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Inventors: David G. McCrea, Thomas E. McCrea