Patents Examined by Adam Behrens
  • Patent number: 9844177
    Abstract: A lawnmower with a plurality of motorized cutting blades may be configured to include a single rear bearing wheel to allow for greater control over the movement of the lawnmower by the operator and may be configured to include environmentally friendly methods through which the motor may be powered rather than through the use of a combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventor: Adrienne B. Kaspar
  • Patent number: 9832921
    Abstract: An agricultural implement system includes a tow bar assembly configured to couple the agricultural implement system to a tow vehicle. The agricultural implement system also includes a toolbar assembly coupled to the tow bar assembly. The toolbar assembly includes a first wing toolbar configured to support a first row unit, the first wing toolbar is configured to rotate about a first axis relative to the tow bar assembly to enable the toolbar assembly to bend in response to variations in a surface of soil, and no ground engaging wheel is coupled to the first wing toolbar. The agricultural implement system also includes an actuator configured to rotate the first wing toolbar upwardly about the first axis while the toolbar assembly is in a raised position such that the first row unit is disengaged from soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Brian John Anderson, Scott Allen Long, Johnathon R. Dienst, Michael J. Connors
  • Patent number: 9807929
    Abstract: A mower deck side discharge chute mounting includes a wire form hinge having a first leg, a second leg that is collinear with the first leg, and an intermediate mounting portion attached directly to a multi-blade mower deck between the first leg and the second leg. A side discharge chute pivots on the wire form hinge and can be installed or removed from the wire form hinge only if the chute is in a raised position relative to the mower deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Ivan Jesus Lopez, Juan Luis Lara, Kyle T. Ressler
  • Patent number: 9803334
    Abstract: Cutting wheel system (1) for a dredging device, comprising a cutting wheel (2) and a cutting wheel drive system (8), whereby the cutting wheel comprises at least two cutting element rings (3), which rings are positioned at a distance from each other in parallel planes whereby the cutting element rings have coaxial rotation axes (12,13), whereby a suction tube (7) can be positioned between the two cutting element rings (3), whereby the cutting wheel drive system is arranged to rotate the cutting wheel about the coaxial rotation axes, wherein the cutting wheel system further comprises connecting arms (9) for mounting the cutting wheel in a rotatable manner to the dredging device, wherein the connecting arms are moveable with respect to each other between a closed position wherein the connecting arms engage the cutting wheel from opposite sides of the cutting wheel, and an open position wherein the cutting wheel is released from the connecting arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: IHC Holland IE B.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis Albert Van der Neut, Vincent Leonard Toet
  • Patent number: 9788477
    Abstract: An agricultural implement including a tool bar and a row unit coupled to the tool bar. The row unit includes a frame member and at least one clamping device coupled to the frame member. Each clamping device has a first member having first interior features and a second member having second interior features, with the first interior features being substantially a mirror image of the second interior features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Travis L. Harnetiaux, Johnathon R. Dienst
  • Patent number: 9788483
    Abstract: A lawn care device may include a cutting deck housing at least one blade, a rotatable shaft, and a blade mount operably coupled to the rotatable shaft. The blade mount may include at least one engagement slot configured to enclose at least a portion of the at least one blade. The blade mount may further include at least one protruding member disposed within the engagement slot to secure the at least one blade within the engagement slot responsive to insertion of the at least one blade into the engagement slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Chris Roth, Darren Chandler, Lennie Rhoades, Steve Brinkman, Sean Dwyer
  • Patent number: 9788484
    Abstract: A string trimmer support attachment. The device includes a base on which the shaft of a string trimmer can be secured. The present invention further includes a pair of legs that are pivotally attached to the base. The legs can be folded so as to be aligned against the string trimmer shaft when not in use. Alternatively, the legs can be folded outward so that the legs are roughly perpendicular to the string trimmer shaft in order to support the head of a string trimmer in an upright and angled orientation that is convenient for changing the trimmer line. Further, in the unfolded configuration the legs are disposed at an angle relative to one another to provide a stable support for the string trimmer, wherein the string trimmer proximal end acts as a third portion of a tripod when the legs are deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Mark L. Dedmon
  • Patent number: 9781882
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a cutting mechanism and first and second conditioning elements driven by a transmission comprising a primary box including a first output connected to the cutting mechanism, a second output connected to the first conditioning element and a third output, connected with one another by primary transmission means, the transmission including a secondary box including an input connected to the third output and an output connected to the second conditioning element, connected with one another by secondary transmission means, the transmission comprising a lubrication device for the primary box with a pump and a primary distribution system for a lubricant towards the primary transmission means. The lubrication device comprises a secondary distribution system distributing the lubricant from the pump towards the secondary transmission means, and a return system for the lubricant from the secondary box towards the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: KUHN S.A.
    Inventor: Martin Walch
  • Patent number: 9769973
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a carriage frame assembly having a longitudinal frame member extending in a travel direction, and a cross frame member extending transverse to the longitudinal frame member. A horizontal attachment arrangement interconnects the longitudinal frame member with the cross frame member. The horizontal attachment arrangement includes a generally vertical first plate attached to the longitudinal frame member and having a first through hole, a generally vertical second plate attached to the cross frame member and having a second through hole, and a pivot pin extending through each of the first through hole and the second through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Michael G. Kovach
  • Patent number: 9769982
    Abstract: A method for automatically controlling a cut height of a header of an agricultural harvester. The method includes positioning the header to a predetermined cut height set point, measuring a ground speed of the agricultural harvester, measuring a height of the header relative to a ground surface at a plurality of positions along a length of the header. The method further includes lowering the header towards a first adjusted cut height threshold if a measured height of one of the plurality of positions is above the predetermined cut height set point and the measured ground speed is less than a first predetermined ground speed. The subject application allows the automatic header height control software on an agricultural harvester to automatically deviate from the predetermined cut height set point. This allows better control of the header at higher speeds and allows more crop to be gathered without manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Figgins, Roger Huggard
  • Patent number: 9756782
    Abstract: A rotary mower cutting deck has a rear discharge opening across a rear end thereof and a center blade and a first side blade rotating in one direction and a second side blade counter-rotating in the opposite direction. A front flow control baffle has a first, rearwardly facing V-shaped apex located between the unidirectional blades and a second, rearwardly facing V-shaped apex between the center blade and the counter-rotating side blade. A first V-shaped flow deflector is mounted to the first apex with the first flow deflector pointing downwardly to cause many grass clippings from the first side blade to be directed to the rear discharge opening without passing to the center blade. A second V-shaped flow deflector is mounted to the second apex with the second flow deflector pointing upwardly to disrupt the convergence of the air flows from the center and second side blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Exmark Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Andre, Patrick D. Sands
  • Patent number: 9750180
    Abstract: A powered landscaping apparatus having a frame, at least one wheel on the frame through which the frame can be supported upon and advanced over a subjacent support surface, a blower assembly operatively positioned on the frame and having a fan assembly that is mounted to be turned guidingly around a vertically extending axis, and a drive on the frame for moving the fan assembly around the vertically extending axis. The blower assembly is configured to generate a pressurized supply of air that is propelled in a stream that is directed in a manner to continuously redistribute loose material that resides on the subjacent support surface as the fan assembly is moved around the vertically extending axis by the drive and the frame is advanced over the subjacent support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Crary Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Pearson
  • Patent number: 9750194
    Abstract: Reversing mechanism for an agricultural baler wherein the reversing mechanism includes a driving pulley mounted for rotation together with the conveying elements provided to be connected to the axis such that the axis and the conveying elements can be rotated along the working direction by a driving belt engaging the driving pulley. A tensioning pulley is provided for controlling the tension of the driving belt such that by engaging the driving belt, the driving belt engages the driving pulley such that the axis is rotationally driven by the driving belt, and by sufficiently releasing the driving belt, the driving belt no longer engages the driving pulley and the axis is no longer rotationally driven by the driving belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Dirk A. R. Vandamme
  • Patent number: 9750185
    Abstract: A header is removably attached to lift arms of an agricultural harvester by mounting pins received in upwardly facing recesses on the ends of lift arms. A bar is moved into locking position by a lever arm mounted on the lift arms to hold the header mounting pins in place. A hook shaped latching device is pivotally mounted on the lift arm adjacent the lever arm for capturing it in place against the lift arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Fay, II
  • Patent number: 9750176
    Abstract: A row unit for an agricultural implement includes a closing disc configured to move soil into a trench. The closing disc is rotatably coupled to a first portion of a support structure via a first arm to facilitate vertical movement of the closing disc relative to the support structure. The row unit also includes a packer wheel positioned aft of the closing disc and configured to pack soil over the trench. The packer wheel is rotatably coupled to a second portion of the support structure via a second arm. The closing disc and the packer wheel are independently movable relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Ryan R. Raetzman, Brian John Anderson, Johnathon R. Dienst
  • Patent number: 9743573
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting system including a chassis, a plurality of ground support devices carrying the chassis in a direction of travel, and a threshing section carried by the chassis. The threshing section produces residue that is sent to a spreader system. The spreader system has a first orientation and a second orientation. The spreader system includes a support device and a spreader. The support device is in ground contact and is positioned to a side of the chassis relative to the direction of travel when the spreader system is in the first orientation. The support device is positioned aft of the chassis relative to the direction of travel when the spreader system is in the second orientation. The spreader is carried by the support device and is configured to receive at least some of the residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Ricketts, John J. Borsdorf
  • Patent number: 9736981
    Abstract: A lawn care device may include a cutting deck housing at least one blade, a rotatable shaft, and a blade mount operably coupled to the rotatable shaft. The blade mount may include at least one engagement slot configured to enclose at least a portion of the at least one blade. The blade mount may further include at least one protruding member disposed within the engagement slot to secure the at least one blade within the engagement slot responsive to insertion of the at least one blade into the engagement slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Chris Roth, Darren Chandler, Lennie Rhoades, Steve Brinkman, Sean Dwyer
  • Patent number: 9730381
    Abstract: An attachment for a power lawnmower enables cutting wet grass and includes a cross bar adapted to be supported by the forward end of the lawnmower. An elongated support member has a front frame portion and a rear frame portion, where the rear frame portion is secured transversely to the cross bar and extends forwardly therefrom. A rigid bracket is connected transversely to the front frame portion of the elongated support member and cantilevered above the ground. A flexible member has a first side secured along the rigid bracket and has a second side extending below the rigid bracket. The flexible member is adapted to contact the wet grass during forward movement of the lawnmower in order to remove moisture from the wet grass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: John Fichera
  • Patent number: 9730374
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a two-position quick-connect mounting system for mounting a farm implement to a toolbar in an operating configuration, the mounting assembly including a toolbar bracket and an implement bar, the implement bar being mounted to the toolbar bracket by: i) raising the implement bar into a downward facing cavity of the toolbar bracket; and ii) longitudinally translating the implement bar such that lateral projections on either side of the implement bar are received into operating slots in the toolbar bracket, and a spring-biased locking member automatically engages a securing member. In an illustrative embodiment, the implement bar may be mounted to the toolbar bracket in a stowage configuration by sliding the projections into stowage slots separate from the operating slots. In some embodiments, the implement may advantageously be mounted in one of two mounting configurations, without requiring tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: May-Wes Mfg.
    Inventor: Benjamin Wick
  • Patent number: 9723776
    Abstract: An agricultural implement and attachment are described for soil conditioning. The implement may include an implement frame, with the attachment configured to be towed by the implement frame. A pressurized fluid circuit may be configured to control one or more actuators, in order to provide lifting or lowering force to the attachment. The attachment may include a leading frame and a trailing frame, each configured to support a set of agricultural tools. The trailing frame may be mounted to the implement frame via the leading frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Thomas J. Rosin, Robert T. Casper, Luc Janelle, Bryan D. Blauwet, Jeremy Nefzger