Patents by Inventor William T. Fry

William T. Fry 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: 5875619
    Abstract: A modular disc cutterbar utilizes self-contained cutter modules clamped between alternating spacer modules by fasteners engaged with the spacer modules. To resist bending moments in the cutterbar, selected fasteners can have a length to span more than one cutter module. The drive mechanism is also of a modular construction including a symmetrical, reversible sealed drive apparatus within each cutter module and a transfer shaft passing through each interstitial spacer module to interconnect each cutter module drive mechanism. The drive apparatus incorporates an oil slinger to keep the remote seals lubricated. The rock guard for each cutter module is mounted on the adjacent spacer modules, while the skid shoe mounting is simplified. A crop mover mounted on each disc member above the cutting knife improves the transfer of severed crop material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. McLean, William T. Fry, Steven J. Campbell