Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Kraus

Timothy J. Kraus 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: 20210147200
    Abstract: A baler includes a body, and a wrap system that is attached to the body. The wrap system is operable to support a roll of wrap material in an installed position. A cover is attached to the body, and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. When in open position, the cover provides access to the wrap system from an exterior location. When in the closed position, the cover encloses the wrap system from the exterior location. The baler includes a lift system attached to the body. The lift system is concealed between the body and the cover when the cover is disposed in the closed position. The lift system is positioned below the cover when the cover is disposed in the open position. The lift system raises the roll of wrap material into the installed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: JOSHUA R. MCAFEE, AUSTIN J. JONES, TIMOTHY J. KRAUS, PHANI ANAPARTI, SUBHADRA MAITHILI
  • Patent number: 11006581
    Abstract: A bale wrap mechanism including a frame including a wrap chute formed from one or more perimeter walls, where the wrap chute includes a wrap axis extending longitudinally therethrough, and where the one or more perimeter walls at least partially define a passageway, a first rail fixedly coupled to the frame, a first shuttle movable along the length of the first rail, where the first shuttle includes a second rail that is transverse to the first rail, a second shuttle movable along the length of the second rail, wherein the second shuttle includes a mounting point, and a shaft coupled to the mounting point, where the shaft is configured to rotatably support the roll of wrap material thereon, and where the shaft is configured to travel along a wrap path during a wrapping process, where the wrap path surrounds the passageway, and where the wrap path is non-circular in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kraus, Henry D. Anstey, Uri Blich
  • Patent number: 11006579
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a multiple stage compression system includes first and second compression systems. The first compression system includes a first compression mechanism which partially compresses the crop material in a compression chamber. The second compression system includes first and second compartments each having at least one open end and positioned rearward of the compression chamber. The second compression system has a first position in which the second compartment is aligned with the compression chamber and the first compartment is operatively positioned with a second compression mechanism. The second compression system has a second position in which the second compartment is operatively positioned with a third compression mechanism and the first compartment is aligned with the compression chamber. The second compression system includes a binding system operatively associated with the second compression mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20210092895
    Abstract: A method of generating a suggested optimal time for performing an agricultural operation in a field includes receiving data related to a current condition of a crop in the field. A predicted optimal time to perform the agricultural operation in the field is calculated using an agricultural model. Crowdsourcing data is received related to agricultural operations occurring within a defined area surrounding the field and within a defined preceding time period. The predicted optimal time to perform the agricultural operation is adjusted based on the crowdsourcing data, to generate the suggested optimal time to perform the agricultural operation. The suggested optimal time is communicated to a communicator located remote from the computing device and then displayed on the communicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: COLE L. MURRAY, TIMOTHY J. KRAUS
  • Patent number: 10945378
    Abstract: A system includes a baler configured to produce a first bale and a second bale succeeding the first bale. The first bale is configured to include a first surface defining a first dimension. The second bale is configured to include a second surface corresponding to the first surface of the first bale. The system also includes a sensor configured to weigh at least the first bale. The system further includes a control processor configured to receive a desired bale weight of the first bale, receive an actual bale weight of the first bale from the sensor, compare the desired bale weight to the actual bale weight of the first bale, and adjust a second dimension of the second surface of the second bale based on the comparison of the desired bale weight to the actual bale weight of the first bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10932417
    Abstract: A system for recompressing a round bale into a square bale includes a bottom platen to receive the round bale and a movable platen translatable relative to the bottom platen. The system includes an upper platen rotatable relative to the bottom platen. The upper platen is rotatable between a first position to receive the round bale between the bottom platen, the movable platen and the upper platen, and a second position in which the upper platen cooperates with the movable platen and the bottom platen to recompress the round bale into the square bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10932416
    Abstract: A composite wrap material for wrapping a bale may include a segment of net wrap, a first barrier segment of semi-permeable material disposed to overlap with the segment of net wrap, and a second barrier segment of material disposed to overlap, at least in part, with the first barrier segment of semi-permeable material and the segment of net wrap. The segment of net wrap may be longer than an outer perimeter length of the bale and may be at least as wide as a width of the bale. When the bale is wrapped by the composite wrap material, the overlap of the second barrier segment of material with the first barrier segment of semi-permeable material may form first and second barrier layers to impede movement of liquid water from outside the composite wrap material to the outer perimeter of the bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Henry D. Anstey, Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10934143
    Abstract: A baler includes a body, and a wrap system that is attached to the body. The wrap system is operable to support a roll of wrap material in an installed position. A cover is attached to the body, and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. When in open position, the cover provides access to the wrap system from an exterior location. When in the closed position, the cover encloses the wrap system from the exterior location. The baler includes a lift system attached to one of the body and the cover. The lift system is concealed between the body and the cover when the cover is disposed in the closed position. The lift system is positioned below the cover when the cover is disposed in the open position. The lift system raises the roll of wrap material into the installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Joshua R. McAfee, Austin J. Jones, Timothy J. Kraus, Phani Anaparti, Subhadra I Maithili
  • Patent number: 10925217
    Abstract: A baler for baling crop material, the baler including a frame, a feed assembly coupled to the frame, and a forming chamber where the forming chamber includes an inlet through which crop material may pass into the forming chamber. The baler also includes a moisture sensor configured to detect the moisture content of crop material passing into the forming chamber, a plurality of force sensors configured to detect the mass of a bale positioned within the forming chamber, and a controller in operable communication with the moisture sensor and the plurality of force sensors, and wherein the controller is configured to calculate the mass of dry matter contained within a bale positioned within the forming chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20210045283
    Abstract: A crop windrow monitoring system includes an image sensor positioned to include a field of view facing a rearward direction of a power unit, and a visual monitor operable to display an image. A computing device is operable to determine an intended direction of movement of the power unit. The image is displayed on the visual monitor in a first mode having a first magnification when the intended direction of movement includes the rearward direction. The image is displayed on the visual monitor in a second mode having a second magnification and overlaid with indicia indicating a width of the windrow when the intended direction of movement includes the forward direction. The second magnification may be larger than the first magnification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: JEREMY J. FAUST, MITCHELL R. USASZ, ERIC M. THIES, TIMOTHY J. KRAUS
  • Patent number: 10912258
    Abstract: An actuation system for moving a movable platen of a bale recompression system includes one or more actuators, a first scissors linkage, a second scissors linkage and a cross-member. The first scissors linkage has a first link end coupled to a frame of the bale recompression system and has a second link end coupled to the movable platen. The second scissors linkage has a third link end coupled to the frame and has a fourth link end coupled to the movable platen. The cross-member interconnects the first scissors linkage and the second scissors linkage. Actuation of the one or more actuator pivots the first link end of the first scissors linkage and the third link end of the second scissors linkage relative to the frame and translates the movable platen from a first position to a second position. The first scissors linkage and the second scissors linkage are configured to maintain a fixed orientation of the movable platen in the first position and in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20210015046
    Abstract: A baler includes a housing forming a baling chamber. The baling chamber has an inlet that defines an inlet width perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the baler. A pre-cutter is disposed forward of the inlet along the central longitudinal axis and includes a cutter width perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. The cutter width is substantially less than the inlet width. A crop distributor is disposed between the pre-cutter and the inlet and conveys the crop material from the pre-cutter to the inlet. A pick-up head is disposed forward of the pre-cutter and lifts the crop material from the ground and conveys it to the pre-cutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: TIMOTHY J. KRAUS
  • Publication number: 20210007286
    Abstract: A baler including a frame having a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The baler also having a compression chamber, where the compression chamber defines a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough, a plunger assembly at least partially positioned and movable within the compression chamber, and a panel removably coupled to the frame, and where the panel at least partially defines the compression chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Nikhil Kulkarni, Darin L. Roth, Timothy J. Kraus, Jeremy M. Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20200404854
    Abstract: A baler includes a housing forming a baling chamber. The baling chamber includes an inlet defining an inlet width. The inlet width extends substantially across the baling chamber, between a first lateral side and a second lateral side. A crop distributor defines a distributor width and includes a forward end and a rearward end. The distributor width is substantially less than the inlet width. One of the baling chamber and the crop distributor is moveable relative to the other of the baling chamber and the crop distributor, such that the rearward end of the crop distributor is laterally moveable, relative to the inlet of the baling chamber, between the first lateral side and the second lateral side. Lateral movement of the rearward end of the crop distributor relative to the baling chamber distributes the cut crop material across the inlet width of the baling chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventor: TIMOTHY J. KRAUS
  • Patent number: 10820528
    Abstract: A system for recompressing a round bale into a square bale includes a bottom platen and a fixed platen proximate the bottom platen. The system includes a transfer table to receive the round bale. The transfer table is movable relative to the bottom platen to transfer the round bale to the bottom platen and to recompress the round bale. The system includes an upper platen rotatable relative to the bottom platen and the fixed platen. The upper platen is rotatable between a first position to receive the round bale between the bottom platen, the fixed platen and the upper platen, and a second position in which the upper platen cooperates with the transfer table to recompress the round bale into the square bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10820525
    Abstract: A banding system for an agricultural baler is configured to move a banding element around a crop package to band the crop package. The banding system includes a support member having a support surface configured to support the crop package. The support member includes a channel defined by an opening in the support surface. The channel is further defined by a first surface opposite a second surface and a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces. The first surface is at least partially defined by an angled surface angled relative to the second surface. The angled surface includes an apex positioned away from the opening. The banding system also includes a bander unit configured to move the banding element within the channel to band the crop package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10820526
    Abstract: A banding system for an agricultural baler is configured to move a banding element around a crop package to band the crop package. The banding system includes a support member having a support surface configured to support the crop package. The support member includes a channel defined by an opening in the support surface. The channel is further defined by a first surface opposite a second surface and a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces. The first surface at least partially defines an angled surface tapering toward the second surface such that an apex of the angled surface partially forms the opening. The banding system also includes a bander unit configured to move a banding element within the channel to band the crop package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10820523
    Abstract: Systems and methods for recompressing a round bale into a square bale. The system includes a bottom platen to receive the round bale and an upper platen rotatably coupled to the bottom platen. The upper platen is rotatable between a first position to receive the round bale between the bottom platen and the upper platen, and a second position in which the upper platen cooperates with the bottom platen to recompress the round bale into the square bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10813291
    Abstract: A round baler may include a frame supported by one or more ground engaging devices, a bale forming chamber including sidewalls spaced apart a distance defining a width of the bale forming chamber, a discharge gate selectively operable between a baling position and a discharge position, and a bale forming apparatus, which forms the round bale in the bale forming chamber. The round baler may include a first set of spacers positioned adjacent at least one of the sidewalls reducing the effective width of the bale forming chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10806090
    Abstract: A system is configured to prepare and band a crop package. The system includes an agricultural baler configured to move relative to a surface. The agricultural baler includes a formation chamber configured to form the crop package into a substantially cylindrical shape. The agricultural baler also includes a banding mechanism configured to band the crop package within the formation chamber in the cylindrical shape with a first banding element. The system also includes a mobile reconfiguration and bander assembly configured to move relative to the surface. The reconfiguration and bander assembly is configured to form the cylindrical shaped crop package into a substantially different shape and to band the crop package in the different shape with a second banding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus