Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Rebecca L. Henkel
  • Patent number: 6572201
    Abstract: A vehicle has a hydraulic utility system for supplying a pressurized fluid to a number of user devices, including two axles, each having at least one wheel; and a brake assembly for each of the axles; a valve being provided to feed the pressurized fluid of the hydraulic system directly to one of the two brake assemblies in response to a signal from the other of the two brake assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Emiliano Brancolini
  • Patent number: 6572035
    Abstract: Rotary accelerating apparatus for a crop residue spreader of an agricultural combine, including blades mounted to a rotatable hub for rotation therewith, each of the blades having a surface oriented to face in the direction of rotation, the surface having opposite, spaced axial edges, and a mounting portion disposed intermediate the edges, and arms connected to and extending between the blades and the hub, each of the blades having first and second surface portions disposed primarily for contacting different flows of crop residue emanating from different locations for integrating, accelerating and discharging the flows for dispersal over an agricultural field, the mounting location of the blades, and the relative shapes and sizes of the portions thereof providing advantageous load distribution and transfer characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventor: Dohn Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 6574363
    Abstract: A method of identifying pixels of a given color in a field of YUV video manipulates color difference signals (R-Y, B-Y) corresponding to defining axes (U,V) of a color space to maximize the video signal in a region of interest of the space, and minimize the signal in all other regions. Additionally, the color difference signal corresponding to one axis may be rotated toward the other axis, or the entire color space may be rotated to bring the region of interest onto or near one of the axes. The signal gains and rotations may be carried out in the signal processing circuits (52) of a conventional color camera (50) so that only one comparator (90) is needed to detect the target color. After rotation and application of gain, the color difference signal defining the region of interest is compared with a threshold value to determine if a pixel is of the target color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Flexi-Coil Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian J. Classen, Jordan C. Christoff
  • Patent number: 6568161
    Abstract: A user interface for a harvesting machine, such as a combine harvester, having a position adjustable header implement. Specifically, the user interface is operationally connected to a microcomputer that controls a position adjusting apparatus for positioning the position adjustable header implement. The user interface includes two rocker key switches for selecting between, and subsequently adjusting, two operational modes for the position adjusting apparatus, being a stubble height mode and a pressure compensation mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Bert J. F. Paquet, Steven C. Young, Dries M. J. Depreitere
  • Patent number: 6561283
    Abstract: An implement is provided that includes a frame, a ground engaging roller mounted to the frame, and a suspension system that includes a spring for biasing the roller toward the ground, and a frame support member fixed to the frame above the roller. The frame support member prevents the implement from experiencing high forces when moved into the transport position or when a strong downpressure is exerted on the frame by transferring the forces through the ground working tools to the ground. The frame support member can be a rigid protrusion, a flat plate, or a rolling element. In preferred embodiments, the implement is an agricultural packer and frame support members are positioned above each roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Flexi-Coil Ltd.
    Inventor: David R. Hundeby
  • Patent number: 6561535
    Abstract: An apparatus for linking first and second power ports on a variable length tongue assembly where the distance between the ports varies as a function of the degree to which the tongue assembly is extended, the apparatus including a receiver member that defines a receiver space for receiving the cable when the tongue assembly is in a retracted position, a flexible power cable that links the first and second ports together and that forms at least one curve proximate the first cable end and that is convex toward the receiving space, and a guide member that restricts bending of the cable between the curve and the second end such that, upon retracting the tongue assembly, the cable is forced into the receiving space and into a stowed position, at least one embodiment includes a sheath member that further restricts cable bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Case, LLC
    Inventors: Paul M. Paluch, James G. Jamilosa
  • Patent number: 6554701
    Abstract: A foldable chaff pan for attachment to an oscillating element of a cleaning apparatus or system of an agricultural combine for oscillation therewith for conveying chaff from the oscillating element to a non-oscillating chopper or spreader mounted to a fixed frame of the combine. The chaff pan is also sidewardly tiltable with the cleaning apparatus or system, if so capable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventor: Joshua J. Wolters
  • Patent number: 6550558
    Abstract: A method of mounting a radiator onto a support member in a vehicle includes the steps of securing to the radiator a resilient mounting bush having a first annular groove in its outer surface, providing a second annular groove in the inner surface of a radiator mounting bore formed in the support member, positioning a spring clip in one of the two annular grooves and inserting the bush into the bore, the spring clip being compressed radially during insertion of the bush into the bore and being released when the annular grooves are axially aligned with one another to lock the bush within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme J. Yorwarth, William P. Starkey, Martin Davies
  • Patent number: 6547169
    Abstract: A crop residue spreader for an agricultural combine including a unique support element which is an elongate tube, including a center portion and a pair of legs extending outwardly in opposite directions from the center portion, each of the legs including an end portion opposite the center portion and an intermediate portion. The end portions include pivot elements coaxially aligned about a pivotal axis for pivotal connection to a rear end of the combine for movement between spreading and non-spreading positions. The intermediate portions include mounting elements for supporting rotatable crop accelerators in side-by-side relation, and the center portion includes at least one mount for mounting a pair of crop residue deflectors in cantilever relation to the tube and extending partially around the crop residue accelerators, respectively. The tube can also include mounts or supports for holding a shield in desired relation to the crop residue accelerators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Matousek, Joshua J. Wolters, Jason M. Benes
  • Patent number: 6527205
    Abstract: An agricultural particulate material delivery system for delivering metered agricultural particulate material to a growing medium includes first and second compartments adapted to contain different agricultural particulate materials, a material meter having an interior and a flow switching mechanism between the first and second compartments and the meter. The flow switching mechanism is actuatable between a first position in which the flow switching mechanism supplies material from the first compartment to the interior of the meter, a second position in which the flow switching mechanism supplies material from the second compartment to the interior of the meter and a third position in which the flow switching mechanism stops the supply of material from both the first and second compartments to the interior of the meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Case, LLC
    Inventors: Ingemar R. Andersson, Edward B. Adams, Lowell A. Norris
  • Patent number: 6517465
    Abstract: A method for controlling the drive mechanism of a utility vehicle having a power take-off shaft, where the drive mechanism including an engine, a transmission, a power take-off shaft clutch and a controller, operates the drive mechanism in a careful and economical manner. The method of controlling the engine includes the step of issuing an instruction for engaging the power take-off shaft clutch at a low rotational speed of the engine so that the power take-off shaft clutch is engaged in a controlled manner. If the rotational speed of the engine is above a threshold, the rotational speed is automatically reduced before the engaging the power take-off shaft clutch. After fully engaging the power take-off shaft clutch, the rotational speed of the engine is automatically increased until reaching of the rotational speed of the engine required for the nominal rotational speed of the power take-off shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Case, LLC
    Inventor: Oliver Hrazdera
  • Patent number: 6513313
    Abstract: A support structure for a divider of an agricultural corn head that includes a first tension member that is pivotally attached to a second tension member. A stop is provided which prevents the lines of tension of the first and second tension members from aligning. The tension assembly can therefore buckle upwards when an object underneath the support structure is struck. A lateral support for the divider is also provided with a clearance opening for the tension assembly. The divider can be rotated rearward into a transport or a service position and securely locked in place. A shipping position is provided in which the support structure can be rotated rearward by disconnecting the tension assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Case, LLC
    Inventor: Kelvin E. Bennett