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).

  • Patent number: 10785919
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling the orientation of a bale discharged from an agricultural round baler according to the position of the discharge gate. When the bale reaches the desired orientation inside the bale forming chamber, such as when a segment or the cut end of the bale wrap is within a desired angular position, an electro-hydraulic control valve is activated, manually or automatically, to actuate the gate cylinders to open the gate, thereby stopping bale rotation and discharging the bale in the desired orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10765068
    Abstract: A bale wrap mechanism for use with a roll of wrap material, the bale wrap mechanism including a frame including a wrap chute formed from one or more perimeter walls, where the wrap chute defines a wrap axis extending longitudinally therethrough, and where the one or more perimeter walls at least partially define a passageway, a wrap arm coupled to the frame, the wrap arm having a mounting point movable with respect to the frame, and a shaft coupled to the mounting point and configured to support the roll of wrap material thereon, 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: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kraus, Henry D. Anstey, Uri Blich
  • Patent number: 10757864
    Abstract: An accumulator system for a bale recompression system that recompresses 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 accumulator system includes a source of a bale diameter that indicates a diameter of the round bale to be received and a controller, having a processor, configured to: receive as input the bale diameter and output one or more control signals to move the movable platen based on the bale diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20200214200
    Abstract: A control system for an agricultural work vehicle is provided, the control system includes at least one controller, at least one control input device configured to send control signals to the at least one controller, and a header positioning assembly configured to interchangeably couple a plurality of headers to a chassis of a traction unit. The header positioning assembly is moveable between a plurality of orientations with each of the plurality of orientations providing a unique mechanical advantage. The at least one controller is configured to output a plurality of control commands corresponding to the control signals generated by the at least one control input device, and the control commands are configured to effect movement of the header positioning assembly between the plurality of orientations. An agricultural work vehicle is provided and includes the control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Austin J. KARST, Timothy J. KRAUS
  • Publication number: 20200214204
    Abstract: A header positioning assembly for adjusting a header relative to a chassis includes a lift mechanism configured to couple the header to the chassis, at least one lift actuator configured to apply a force to the lift mechanism to adjust and maintain an orientation of the lift mechanism relative to the chassis, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the at least one lift actuator or to the lift mechanism. The adjustment mechanism is positionable in at least two orientations and configured so that when the adjustment mechanism is in the at least two orientations, and without uncoupling the adjustment mechanism from the at least one lift actuator or the lift mechanism to which the adjustment mechanism is coupled, the adjustment mechanism changes one or more of a location and a direction of the force applied to the lift mechanism by the at least one lift actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Austin J. KARST, Timothy J. KRAUS
  • Patent number: 10674674
    Abstract: A baler including a frame, a feed system coupled to the frame, a baling chamber, a gearbox, a crank arm driven by the gearbox, a plunger at least partially positioned within and reciprocally movable with respect to the baling chamber, and a connecting rod extending between and coupled to both the crank arm and the plunger, where the connecting rod defines a connector length, and where the connecting rod defines a fluid volume therein. The baler also including a hydraulic system in operable communication with the connecting rod, a pump, a first feed line extending between and in fluid communication with the fluid volume of the connecting rod and the pump, and a lockout valve adjustable between a first configuration in which the fluid volume is in fluid communication with the pump, and a second configuration in which the fluid volume is not in fluid communication with the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10653071
    Abstract: A baler including a frame, a feed assembly coupled to the frame, an auger housing defining a volume therein, where the volume of the auger housing is configured to receive crop material from the feed assembly during operation, and a plurality of augers, each of which at least partially positioned within the volume and rotatable with respect to the auger housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kraus, Charles Scott Sloan, Henry D. Anstey
  • Patent number: 10653070
    Abstract: A baler including a frame a feed assembly coupled to the frame, an auger housing coupled to the frame and in operable communication with the feed assembly, the auger housing having an exterior wall including a first open end, a second open end opposite the first open end, and defining a volume therein. The baler also including a first auger at least partially positioned within the volume and rotatable with respect to the auger housing about a first axis, and a second auger at least partially positioned within the volume and rotatable with respect to the auger housing about a second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kraus, Charles Scott Sloan, Henry D. Anstey
  • Publication number: 20200137956
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is a multi-material needle assembly for a baler that has a core formed from a first material and a first side formed of a second material and coupled to the core. The first side is positioned at least partially along a wear zone of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Darin L. Roth, Matt J. Scott, Eric R. Lang, Kyle R. Teach, Timothy J. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20200128753
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a multiple stage compression system includes first and second compression systems. The first compression mechanism partially compresses the crop material in a compression chamber. The second compression system having 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 first compartment is aligned with the compression chamber and the second compartment is operatively positioned with a second compression mechanism. The second compression system has a second 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 includes a binding system operatively associated with the second compression mechanism. At least one of the first and second compartments rotate between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventor: TIMOTHY J. KRAUS
  • Publication number: 20200128752
    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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventor: TIMOTHY J. KRAUS
  • Patent number: 10588263
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine for crop material including a crank arm connected to a rotational power source, a plunger having an extended position which is located further rearward in a compression chamber than a retracted position, and a connecting link connected between the plunger and the crank arm. One of the connecting link and the crank arm has a variable length. The plunger moves between the retracted and extended positions during a run mode as the crank arm rotates. The plunger changes speeds during an event phase based upon one of the connecting link and the crank arm varying lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10588266
    Abstract: An agricultural baler comprising a baler mechanism. The agricultural baler comprises at least one structural member and a first ground engaging support is pivotally coupled to the structural member about a pivotal axis. A second ground engaging support is rotationally coupled to the structural member about an aft rotational axis. The baler mechanism is pivotally connected to the structural member at a baler connection. The baler connection is located at least one of between the aft rotational axis and the pivotal axis and at the pivotal axis. A bale carriage is coupled to the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kraus, Henry D. Anstey
  • Patent number: 10588271
    Abstract: A baler including a frame, a feed assembly coupled to the frame, an auger housing defining a volume therein, where the volume of the auger housing is configured to receive crop material from the feed assembly during operation, and one or more augers at least partially positioned within the volume and rotatable with respect to the auger housing, where the one or more augers define an auger inlet plane. The baler also including a plurality of strippers coupled to the auger housing and configured to engage crop material, where each stripper includes a leading edge, and where the leading edge of at least one stripper is positioned upstream of the auger inlet plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kraus, Charles Scott Sloan, Henry D. Anstey
  • Patent number: 10588269
    Abstract: A baler including a frame, a feed system coupled to the frame, a baling chamber defining an axis therethrough, a crank arm, and a plunger being at least partially positioned within and movable with respect to the baling chamber. Where the plunger includes a compression surface and defines a compression plane and fixed with respect to the compression surface, where the compression plane defines a compression angle with respect to the axis of the baling chamber, and wherein the compression angle is adjustable independently of the rotation of the crank arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10568270
    Abstract: A baler having a frame, a feed system coupled to the frame, and a compression assembly in operable communication with the feed system. Where the compression assembly includes a baling chamber, a gearbox having an output shaft, and a crank arm defining a first mounting point and a second mounting point spaced a distance from the first mounting point, where the first mounting point of the crank arm is coupled to and rotatable with the output shaft of the gearbox. The compression assembly also includes a plunger positioned within and reciprocally movable with respect to the baling chamber, where the plunger defines a third mounting point thereon, and where the distance between the second mounting point and the third mounting point is variable during a baling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10537067
    Abstract: An agricultural baler includes a baler mechanism and a carriage assembly. The carriage assembly is coupled to the baler mechanism. The carriage assembly includes a fixed section and at least one extending section. The extending section is extendable in a direction generally normal to the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J Kraus, Henry D Anstey
  • Publication number: 20200015425
    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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20200015427
    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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20200015424
    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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus