Patents by Inventor Timothy A. Meeks

Timothy A. Meeks 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: 11900822
    Abstract: A method and apparatus dynamically update customized integrated terminal approach procedure interfaces based on changing real-time events associated with aircraft and airports. A dynamic approach procedures application extracts and analyzes terminal approach data, aircraft data, airport data and real-time weather data to automatically generate an integrated terminal approach interface. The integrated terminal approach interface presents dynamic digital approach information, the interface including a map interface and a procedure side bar displaying route-related procedures data to assist pilots with selecting a route into the destination airport. As conditions change, displayed terminal approach data within the map and procedure side bar is updated and route recommendations are refined, to assist a user in selecting destination airports, routes, and relevant approach procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jordan Timothy Meek, Charles E. Gehin-Scott
  • Publication number: 20220198946
    Abstract: A method and apparatus dynamically update customized integrated terminal approach procedure interfaces based on changing real-time events associated with aircraft and airports. A dynamic approach procedures application extracts and analyzes terminal approach data, aircraft data, airport data and real-time weather data to automatically generate an integrated terminal approach interface. The integrated terminal approach interface presents dynamic digital approach information, the interface including a map interface and a procedure side bar displaying route-related procedures data to assist pilots with selecting a route into the destination airport. As conditions change, displayed terminal approach data within the map and procedure side bar is updated and route recommendations are refined, to assist a user in selecting destination airports, routes, and relevant approach procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Jordan Timothy Meek, Charles E. Gehin-Scott
  • Patent number: 7520116
    Abstract: Apparatus for collapsing an on-board crop receiver of a harvester to a transport position, utilizing a remotely releasable locking element to allow telescopic collapsing or retracting the receiver without entering the receiver, and powered apparatus for positively collapsing a duct extending between a row unit of the harvester and an inlet opening of the receiver. The duct is telescopically retractable at an inclined angle by a similarly inclined duct driver to a height about equal to that of the receiver when in the transport position, so as to be freed from the receiver and any associated hood extending outwardly therefrom associated with the inlet opening. Using crop compactor apparatus within the interior of the receiver, the compactor can be lowered and the locking mechanism unlocked, and then the compactor operated to telescopically collapse or retract the receiver. The receiver can be extended in the reverse order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: William J. McCasky, Kevin S. Richman, Timothy A. Meeks, Kenneth W. Brown, Frank C. Dupire, Earl R. Snyder, Peter Z. Tan
  • Publication number: 20090019829
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for collapsing an on-board crop receiver of a harvester to a transport position, utilizing a remotely releasable locking element to allow telescopic collapsing or retracting the receiver without entering the receiver, and powered apparatus for positively collapsing a duct extending between a row unit of the harvester and an inlet opening of the receiver. The duct is telescopically retractable at an inclined angle by a similarly inclined duct driver to a height about equal to that of the receiver when in the transport position, so as to be freed from the receiver and any associated hood extending outwardly therefrom associated with the inlet opening. Using crop compactor apparatus within the interior of the receiver, the compactor can be lowered and the locking mechanism unlocked, and then the compactor operated to telescopically collapse or retract the receiver. The receiver can be extended in the reverse order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: William J. McCasky, Kevin S. Richman, Timothy A. Meeks, Kenneth W. Brown, Frank C. Dupire, Earl R. Snyder, Peter Z. Tan
  • Patent number: 7322460
    Abstract: A pivoting unloading door for ramp assembly and common conveyor drive for door or ramp segments thereof. The door or ramp segments are pivotable about a pivotal axis between a folded or closed position in generally overlaying relation one to the other, and an unfolded or open unloading position in parallel, end-to-end relation, the door segments including conveyors thereon for conveying objects or matter thereover when in the unloading position. The door assembly includes a common drive for the conveyors which is disposed beneath the conveyors in the unloading position in coaxial relation with the pivotal axis, and which is operable for simultaneously moving the conveyors. The output of the drive can extend through a pivot joint connecting the door segments, and can connect the elements of the pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Timothy A. Meeks, Gary R. Gallens
  • Patent number: 7320639
    Abstract: A cotton receiving basket for an on-board cotton harvesting machine including a lower basket having a plurality of upwardly extending walls having upper portions including elongate upper seal elements extending therealong, respectively; a basket lid having a plurality of downwardly extending walls having lower portions including elongate lower seal elements extending therealong, respectively, and the lower basket and the basket lid being telescopically related so as to be movable one relative to the other between a telescopically retracted position and a telescopically extended position, and wherein the upper and lower seal elements have oppositely facing tapered seal surfaces, respectively, which are cooperatively engaged along substantially the lengths thereof forming substantially sealed conditions therebetween when the lower basket and the basket lid are in the telescopically extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Tracy R. Archer, Michael J. Covington, Timothy A. Meeks
  • Patent number: 7320209
    Abstract: An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Tracy R. Archer, Timothy A. Meeks, Dwight D. Lemke
  • Patent number: 7320208
    Abstract: An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Tracy R. Archer, Timothy A. Meeks, Dwight D. Lemke
  • Patent number: 7296392
    Abstract: Bellows structure for a cotton module builder or packager, for enclosing or covering slots or passages through walls of a cotton module builder, for preventing entry of cotton into the slots or passages, to allow free movement of cross members therethrough of apparatus for distributing and compacting cotton within the module builder. The bellows can include telescoping rigid members below the cross members, and more flexible bellows thereabove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Timothy A. Meeks, Gary R. Gallens, George H. Hale
  • Patent number: 7296512
    Abstract: Bellows structure for a cotton module builder or packager, for enclosing or covering slots or passages through walls of a cotton module builder, for preventing entry of cotton into the slots or passages, to allow free movement of cross members therethrough of apparatus for distributing and compacting cotton within the module builder. The bellows can include telescoping rigid members below the cross members, and more flexible bellows thereabove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: CNH Amercia LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Timothy A. Meeks, Gary R. Gallens, George H. Hale
  • Patent number: 7297054
    Abstract: The apparatus for directing a flow of air and cotton from a cotton conveyor duct of a cotton harvester into a cotton receiver includes a cover member and a mounting element configured for mounting the cover member to a cotton conveyor duct for movement between a first position located at least partially in a path of a flow of air and cotton discharged through a discharge outlet of the duct, and a second position located adjacent to the path for directing the flow therealong. The cover member when in the first position is movable to the second position by a force exerted thereagainst by a flow of at least air discharged from the duct. A locking element of the apparatus is configured for automatically holding the cover member in the second position, the locking element being automatically operable for releasing the cover member when a downward force is applied thereagainst by the cotton receiver for moving the cover member to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Tracy R. Archer, Timothy A. Meeks, Earl R. Snyder
  • Patent number: 7281471
    Abstract: A cotton receiver of a cotton harvesting machine including a floor and opposing side walls defining a cotton compacting chamber, each of the side walls including a plurality of spaced apart perforations therethrough for passage of air from the chamber, and a door enclosing an end of the chamber. The receiver includes compacting apparatus for compacting cotton into a compacted body which will have a sideward shape and extent at least generally defined by the opposing side walls, the door being openable to allow removal of a compacted body of cotton from the chamber through the end. The opposing walls are tapered divergingly toward the end such that when a compacted body is removed from the chamber through the end, cotton protruding into the performations will be released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Meeks, Michael J. Covington
  • Patent number: 7261634
    Abstract: The apparatus for directing a flow of air and cotton from a cotton conveyor duct of a cotton harvester into a cotton receiver includes a cover member and a mounting element configured for mounting the cover member to a cotton conveyor duct for movement between a first position located at least partially in a path of a flow of air and cotton discharged through a discharge outlet of the duct, and a second position located adjacent to the path for directing the flow therealong. The cover member when in the first position is movable to the second position by a force exerted thereagainst by a flow of at least air discharged from the duct. A locking element of the apparatus is configured for automatically holding the cover member in the second position, the locking element being automatically operable for releasing the cover member when a downward force is applied thereagainst by the cotton receiver for moving the cover member to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Tracy R. Archer, Timothy A. Meeks, Earl R. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20070169641
    Abstract: Bellows structure for a cotton module builder or packager, for enclosing or covering slots or passages through walls of a cotton module builder, for preventing entry of cotton into the slots or passages, to allow free movement of cross members therethrough of apparatus for distributing and compacting cotton within the module builder. The bellows can include telescoping rigid members below the cross members, and more flexible bellows thereabove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Covington, Timothy Meeks, Gary Gallens, George Hale
  • Patent number: 7228680
    Abstract: An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Tracy R. Archer, Timothy A. Meeks, Dwight D. Lemke
  • Patent number: 7222477
    Abstract: An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Tracy R. Archer, Timothy A. Meeks, Dwight D. Lemke
  • Patent number: 7204752
    Abstract: The apparatus for directing a flow of air and cotton from a cotton conveyor duct of a cotton harvester into a cotton receiver includes a cover member and a mounting element configured for mounting the cover member to a cotton conveyor duct for movement between a first position located at least partially in a path of a flow of air and cotton discharged through a discharge outlet of the duct, and a second position located adjacent to the path for directing the flow therealong. The cover member when in the first position is movable to the second position by a force exerted thereagainst by a flow of at least air discharged from the duct. A locking element of the apparatus is configured for automatically holding the cover member in the second position, the locking element being automatically operable for releasing the cover member when a downward force is applied thereagainst by the cotton receiver for moving the cover member to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Tracy R. Archer, Timothy A. Meeks, Earl R. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20070066372
    Abstract: The apparatus for directing a flow of air and cotton from a cotton conveyor duct of a cotton harvester into a cotton receiver includes a cover member and a mounting element configured for mounting the cover member to a cotton conveyor duct for movement between a first position located at least partially in a path of a flow of air and cotton discharged through a discharge outlet of the duct, and a second position located adjacent to the path for directing the flow therealong. The cover member when in the first position is movable to the second position by a force exerted thereagainst by a flow of at least air discharged from the duct. A locking element of the apparatus is configured for automatically holding the cover member in the second position, the locking element being automatically operable for releasing the cover member when a downward force is applied thereagainst by the cotton receiver for moving the cover member to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Tracy Archer, Timothy Meeks, Earl Snyder
  • Publication number: 20070066373
    Abstract: The apparatus for directing a flow of air and cotton from a cotton conveyor duct of a cotton harvester into a cotton receiver includes a cover member and a mounting element configured for mounting the cover member to a cotton conveyor duct for movement between a first position located at least partially in a path of a flow of air and cotton discharged through a discharge outlet of the duct, and a second position located adjacent to the path for directing the flow therealong. The cover member when in the first position is movable to the second position by a force exerted thereagainst by a flow of at least air discharged from the duct. A locking element of the apparatus is configured for automatically holding the cover member in the second position, the locking element being automatically operable for releasing the cover member when a downward force is applied thereagainst by the cotton receiver for moving the cover member to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Tracy Archer, Timothy Meeks, Earl Snyder
  • Publication number: 20070066371
    Abstract: The apparatus for directing a flow of air and cotton from a cotton conveyor duct of a cotton harvester into a cotton receiver includes a cover member and a mounting element configured for mounting the cover member to a cotton conveyor duct for movement between a first position located at least partially in a path of a flow of air and cotton discharged through a discharge outlet of the duct, and a second position located adjacent to the path for directing the flow therealong. The cover member when in the first position is movable to the second position by a force exerted thereagainst by a flow of at least air discharged from the duct. A locking element of the apparatus is configured for automatically holding the cover member in the second position, the locking element being automatically operable for releasing the cover member when a downward force is applied thereagainst by the cotton receiver for moving the cover member to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Tracy Archer, Timothy Meeks, Earl Snyder