Patents Represented by Attorney Sue C. Watson
  • Patent number: 8342280
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle having a hydraulic system, a cab for the vehicle operator includes a self-levelling cab suspension system having a plurality of suspension units each having a spring, a damper and an accumulator. The accumulator comprises a hydraulic working chamber which is separated by a movable wall from a gas filled chamber serving as a spring. The working chamber is also connected to a working chamber of the damper in a closed hydraulic circuit. In the invention, there is no need for a dedicated oil pump since a hydraulic actuator powered by the vehicle hydraulic system is provided for causing hydraulic fluid to flow in the closed hydraulic circuit between the working chamber of the accumulator and the damper, to vary the height of the cab without fluid from the vehicle hydraulic system entering or leaving the closed hydraulic circuit of the damper and accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Patrizio Turco, Michele Ieluzzi
  • Patent number: 8296052
    Abstract: A method for generating a swath pattern avoiding point rows for a work vehicle to be driven in a region of a field, which region can be described as having a first side boundary and an opposite second side boundary extending divergently between a first and an opposite second end boundary, the method generating a swath pattern including side by side swaths having centerlines that diverge uniformly between the end boundaries, the method also generating a plurality of swath patterns including options for disabling one or more individual rows of an implement for selection by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventors: Peter J. Dix, Keith Wendte
  • Patent number: 8261869
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle having a hydraulic system, a cab for the vehicle operator includes a self-levelling cab suspension system having a plurality of suspension units each having a spring, a damper and an accumulator. The accumulator comprises a hydraulic working chamber which is separated by a movable wall from a gas filled chamber serving as a spring. The working chamber is also connected to a working chamber of the damper in a closed hydraulic circuit. In the invention, there is no need for a dedicated oil pump since a hydraulic actuator powered by the vehicle hydraulic system is provided for causing hydraulic fluid to flow in the closed hydraulic circuit between the working chamber of the accumulator and the damper, to vary the height of the cab without fluid from the vehicle hydraulic system entering or leaving the closed hydraulic circuit of the damper and accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Patrizio Turco, Michele Ieluzzi
  • Patent number: 8251462
    Abstract: A trailer braking device having a high-pressure main hydraulic circuit of a tractor to which a trailer is attached; to a hydraulic circuit of a master brake cylinder of the tractor; and a trailer brake valve having a driver connected hydraulically to the high-pressure main hydraulic circuit and to the hydraulic circuit. The driver of the device has a piston which is subjected to a first action by an independent circuit that is activated, for example, by the stop lights and a second action produced by the operator, such as a foot acting on a brake pedal, on the hydraulic circuit of the master brake cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventors: Enrico Sedoni, Gianpaolo Pasini
  • Patent number: 8220812
    Abstract: An independent suspension for a rear wheel of an agricultural vehicle includes upper and lower longitudinal trailing members that are each secured at a chassis location for pivoting movement about respective upper and lower, horizontally extending axes. A planetary gear mount is secured between the trailing members at upper and lower attachments that are spaced from the chassis ends of the trailing members; and a spring attachment protrudes from the planetary gear mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventors: Silvano Sandri, Valter Asteggiano
  • Patent number: 8224540
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle and method of operating the same, where the agricultural vehicle has an engine, a continuously variable transmission, a processor, an inching controller, and a speed controller. The speed controller sends a first signal to the processor, and the processor controls the transmission to operate the vehicle at a first speed based on the first signal. The inching controller sends a second signal to the processor, and the processor controls the transmission to move the agricultural vehicle in a forward or reverse direction, depending on the second signal. If the first speed based on the first signal is zero, the second signal triggers the processor to control the transmission to move the agricultural vehicle in the forward or reverse direction a predetermined first distance. The control of the vehicle to be at zero speed or to be in a particular position is effectuated by a position control mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventors: Peter John Dix, Garth H. Bulgrien, Brian A. Hartman
  • Patent number: 8180540
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission can have one or more rotatable output shafts, rotatable non-output shafts, continuously variable transmission elements selectively interconnecting at least one non-output shaft and one output shaft so as to permit variation of a transmission ratio therebetween. The transmission can also have one or more control elements for controlling the instantaneously prevailing ratio of the transmission including a sensor device for sensing the rotational position of a non-output shaft, and a processing device for determining the rotational position of the sensed, non-output shaft at a chosen instant. The processing device is connected to control elements to cause variation of the transmission ratio so that the output shaft attains a desired rotational position at a chosen instant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Riccardo Morselli, Paolo Ferracin, Alberto Berselli, Massimo Ronchetti, Sara Bonacini, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8166626
    Abstract: A method and a jig for mounting of a stack of Belleville springs about a shaft. The individual springs of the stack are first positioned over the shaft. A jig is then placed over the shaft and the springs and has at least one axially extending pressure bar that is radially inwardly biased to urge the inner circumferences of all the springs into contact with axially aligned points on the surface of the shaft. The springs are then compressed using a compression element while they are still urged by the pressure bar against the shaft. Finally, to retain the springs on the shaft and maintain the springs in compression, a split retaining clip is pressed onto to the shaft until it engages in a groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Eugenio Sereni, Johannes Diels, Arie Niemantsverdriet, Matteo Venturelli
  • Patent number: 8161833
    Abstract: A power take-off device for an agricultural vehicle, in particular a tractor, wherein an input shaft is connected to a first and, selectively, a second output shaft by moving a sleeve-type selector between three selection positions, in the first of which, the input shaft is connected angularly to the first output shaft to rotate the first output shaft at a first speed, and in the second and third of which, the input shaft is connected angularly to the second output shaft to rotate the second output shaft at a second speed and a third speed, different from the second speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Giancarlo Benassi, Ivan Tioli
  • Patent number: 8131433
    Abstract: A method and device for longitudinally balancing an agricultural vehicle, in particular a tractor, whereby at least one sensor, for detecting at least one respective stress affecting a longitudinal attitude of the agricultural vehicle, controls an actuating device of a ballast to move the ballast longitudinally along the agricultural vehicle, which at least partly compensates for the stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Giorgio Bordini
  • Patent number: 8121763
    Abstract: A system and method for managing an engine-powered vehicle is provided. When the vehicle is placed in an automatic speed control mode, an electronic controller receives data from the vehicle's engine, transmission, a final drive, and a device which evaluates at least one variable. The electronic controller determines engine rpm and transmission gear as a result of the data received, and automatically up-shifts the transmission and reduces engine speed to reduce fuel consumption when a load on the vehicle is reduced and down-shifts the transmission and increases engine speed when a load is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Yanming Hou
  • Patent number: 8100218
    Abstract: A steering and engine speed control mechanism for operating a vehicle. The control mechanism has a control handle mounted on the vehicle. The control handle is configured to deflect about an axis by movement of an operator's hand. A steering direction of the vehicle is related to a deflection angle of the control handle about the axis. An actuating element for changing the speed of the engine of the vehicle is attached to the control handle and is conveniently movable by an operator's digit to a plurality of positions to effect the desired speed of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventors: Michael D. Case, Joseph M. Biggerstaff, William Ryan Haar, Tim Newlin, Eric Potter
  • Patent number: 8060269
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating swath lines including compensation for sloping terrain in a field for use in an automatic guidance system of a work machine. The swath lines are created as a function of the position, elevation and/or orientation of the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Peter J. Dix
  • Patent number: 8042628
    Abstract: A vehicle, having a main body is equipped to be fitted mechanically with devices to form a wheeled vehicle, or with devices to form a crawler vehicle. The main body having of the vehicle houses the common components utilized in both configurations such as the engine and the gear box of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Giorgio Bordini
  • Patent number: 7731056
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing gloves is provided which includes a housing having an exit port, the housing also formed to include a compartment which is configured to hold a plurality of gloves therein. The dispenser includes a glove pusher movably coupled to the housing. At least a portion of the glove pusher is configured to move within the compartment of the housing and push at least a portion of a glove disposed in the compartment through the exit port. A cartridge configured to be disposed into a compartment of a dispenser is disclosed. The cartridge is formed to permit a portion of a dispenser to move into the internal compartment of the cartridge to move at least one of the plurality of gloves at least partially through the at least one opening in the cartridge. A dispensing assembly also may include a stack of gloves or a cartridge containing a plurality of gloves. A method of using a glove dispenser is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Francis Tramontina
  • Patent number: 7591396
    Abstract: A restrictor and dispensing system for dispensing sheet material is provided. The restrictor includes a restrictor body positioned on a top sheet of a stack of sheet materials which are positioned in a dispenser. The restrictor assists in one at a time dispensing from a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly includes the dispenser, which has a housing including a container and a lid, and the housing is configured to hold and dispense sheet material. The dispenser also includes a sheet mover mounted to the housing. The sheet mover is configured to move over at least a portion of a sheet material away from additional sheet materials for dispensing. The restrictor cooperates with the housing and sheet mover to dispense one sheet material at a time. The restrictor may be provided with the dispenser, or separately. Alternatively, the restrictor may be provided in a cartridge filled with a stack of sheet materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Richard Paul Lewis, Guy William Provenzano
  • Patent number: D655317
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Carl J. Hagele, Richard J. Hagele, legal representative
  • Patent number: D655318
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Carl J. Hagele, Richard J. Hagele, legal representative
  • Patent number: D655319
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Carl J. Hagele, Richard J. Hagele, legal representative
  • Patent number: D671562
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: William Adamson, Thomas Chlystek, Carl J. Hagele, Richard J. Hagele, legal representative, Jay Larson, Aaron Richard, Russell Stoltman