Patents Examined by Arpad Fabian Kovacs
  • Patent number: 11343969
    Abstract: A header includes a belt conveyor configured to direct a movement of harvested crop material toward a feederhouse of the combine harvester. The belt conveyor is located adjacent an inlet of the feederhouse. The belt conveyor includes at least one protrusion extending radially from the belt conveyor that helps direct movement of harvested crop material toward the feederhouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Herbert M. Farley, Joseph Neil Oberlander, Dan Lawrence Garland, Mark D. Dilts
  • Patent number: 11337372
    Abstract: A crank-operated packer mechanism includes a crank shaft including crank pins and crank arms. At least some of the crank arms are shaped in a way that deviates from a straight shape to such an extent that the crank shaft is statically balanced. The arms may, for example, be curved or hook-shaped. The crank shaft further includes crank pins and crank arms assembled by a tapered spline connection. The connection includes tapered spline features on outer ends of the crank pins and in openings provided at outer ends of the crank arms, which interlock when the crank pins are inserted in the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Bart G. L. Van Hullebusch, Ruben Gryson
  • Patent number: 11330764
    Abstract: A threshing device with two-way pull wires and adjustable threshing clearance includes a tensioning mechanism, and several grid bars in clearance fit with side plates, wherein the tensioning mechanism is mounted on the several grid bars so that the grid bars can move in radial and tangential directions in the clearance; the tensioning mechanism includes a tangential tensioning device and a radial tensioning device, wherein the radial tensioning device is mounted in the radial direction of any one of the grid bars, so that the grid bars can move in the radial direction in the clearance; the tangential tensioning device is mounted in series in the tangential direction of the grid bars, so that the grid bars can move in the tangential direction in the clearance. Further disclosed is a combined harvester, which includes the threshing device with two-way pull wires and adjustable threshing clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zheng Ma, Min Han, Yaoming Li, Lizhang Xu, Kechao Ma, Zhong Tang, En Lu, Zhenwei Liang
  • Patent number: 11324164
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a condition of a sickle of a header of an agricultural machine. The system includes a knife guard mounted to the header, a knife section of the sickle that is configured to move either along or with respect to a surface of the knife guard, and a sensor either mounted to the knife guard or another surface of the header for sensing the condition of the knife section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Doug Sorensen
  • Patent number: 11324166
    Abstract: Frame assemblies for a corn row head formed from components formed from different materials may include a frame portion having a first beam leg and a second beam leg formed of a first material and a skid plate attached to each of the first beam leg and the second beam leg formed from a second material different than the first material. The first material may be aluminum, and the second material may be steel. In some implementations, a breast plate joining the first beam leg and the second beam leg may be formed from the first material and may be welded to the first beam leg and the second beam leg. In other implementations, the breast plate may be formed from the second material and may be adhesively bonded to the first and second beam legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Sanjeev Hallale, Mohamad S. El-Zein, Hema V. Guthy, Sankaran Subramaniam, Hector Portillo, Nathan E. Krehbiel, Eric D. Windsor, Nathan F. Tortorella, Daniel J. Cox, Daniel A. Hartschuh, Christopher J. McKelvey, Amol M. Sawale, Ryan M. Gneiting
  • Patent number: 11317563
    Abstract: The feeder device located at the centre section of a front of a harvester. The feeder device comprises one or more flights configured for improving operation of the feeder device. The feeder device comprises a shaft including a plurality of flights. They extend substantially along the entire length of the shaft and are arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other. In this manner, a threaded-like formation defined by the spaced apart arrangement of flights extends substantially along the entire length of the shaft of the feeder device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: IP MACHINERY PTY LTD
    Inventor: Michael Fels
  • Patent number: 11317559
    Abstract: The cutter guard assembly includes a cutter bar assembly, a window frame, and a floor sheet. The cutter bar assembly has a cutter bar and a reciprocating knife assembly operatively connected to a knife drive. The window frame is rigidly attached to the cutter bar. The window frame includes an opening through which a knife arm of the reciprocating knife assembly extends through. The floor sheet extends rearwardly from the cutter bar and pivots relative to the window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joel T. Cook, Curtis F. Hillen, Andrew V. Lauwers, Craig D. Roberts, Kyle R. Schropp, Joshua S. Joyce
  • Patent number: 11297770
    Abstract: A draper belt assembly for an agricultural harvester that includes a first roller, a second roller, and a draper belt surrounding the first and second rollers. The draper belt includes a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, and an upper surface extending from the front end to the rear end having a width substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of one of the first and second rollers. The draper belt further includes a plurality of spaced apart lugs each extending in the widthwise direction having an anterior end distal to the rear end and a posterior end proximal to the rear end, wherein the anterior end is spaced from the front end of the draper belt at least about 15 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Scott Palmer Deichmann, Jonathan E. Ricketts, Herbert M. Farley
  • Patent number: 11297771
    Abstract: An agricultural machine header which can be coupled to and uncoupled from a harvesting machine The header includes a frame having with a plurality of adjustable supports for coupling with at lest two row divider sets. The header further includes at least one pair of base cutting discs and at least one knock-down roller. The header supports the base cutting discs in an adjustable and flexible way that allows them to be adjusted according to conditions and characteristics of crop to be harvested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: André Satoshi Seki, Joäo Augusto Marcolin Lucca
  • Patent number: 11297765
    Abstract: A harvesting system includes a header pivotally attached to a combine. The header includes a center section to which a left wing and right wing are pivotally attached. A suspension system of the harvesting system includes first and second engageable states that enable dynamic wing behavior and reduce structural load. The first state corresponds to a harvesting configuration of the header in which the wings are allowed to pivot to allow the header to follow changes in terrain. The second state corresponds to a configuration in which the header is elevated relative to the ground. In the second state, the ability of the wings to pivot is minimized as compared to the first state, which allows the header to be maintained in a substantially flat configuration while minimizing the amount of dynamic load imparted by the header on the combine during non-harvesting transport of the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Bryan R. Yanke, Duane M. Bomleny, Andrew J. Braet, Michael L. Vandeven, Paul D. Marvin
  • Patent number: 11284565
    Abstract: A sugarcane biomass chopper that can be attached to a harvester. The sugarcane chopper has a main support configured for attachment to arms of a harvester's top cutter or topper. The sugarcane chopper further includes a leaf deflector attached to said main support. The shredder is connected to said leaf deflector on one side and a pneumatic impulse resource on a second side. The pneumatic impulse resource is further connected to a flow concentrator; and a discharge pipe connected to said flow concentrator. The chopper is configured so that biomass is directed by the leaf deflector to the pneumatic impulse resource and into the shredder, which in turn discharges the shredded biomass through the flow concentrator and the discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Compañía Inversora Industrial S.A.
    Inventor: Bruno Accorroni Rivas
  • Patent number: 11277969
    Abstract: A threshing system for use in an agricultural harvester. The threshing system includes a rotor and a perforated concave system. The rotor has a rotational axis. The perforated concave system is spaced radially outwardly from the rotor for passage of grain through perforations as the rotor moves crop material across the concave system. The concave system has at least one concave section having a rigid frame, pivotal members, and an arcuate movable member. The rigid frame has a plurality of sides rigidly coupled together. The pivotal members are pivotally coupled and extend to two of the sides of the rigid frame. The arcuate movable member interacts with the plurality of pivotal members to pivot each of the pivotal members as the arcuate movable member is moved along a segment of an arc generally about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Bart G. L. Van Hullebusch, Johan A. Van der Haegen
  • Patent number: 11277970
    Abstract: A combine harvester includes a header assembly configured for collecting a crop, a threshing assembly coupled to the header assembly and configured for separating grains of the crop from material other than grain, and a cleaning assembly positioned in association with the threshing assembly and configured for separating the grains from chaff. The cleaning assembly includes a fan assembly having a fan housing with a fan output duct and a fan mounted to the fan housing, and one or more cleaning sieves. The fan assembly is configured to blow air across the one or more cleaning sieves via the fan output duct. The fan output duct includes at least one segmented air deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Ricketts, Curtis Hillen
  • Patent number: 11273990
    Abstract: A draper belt tensioning system having a frame having a first tensioner mount, a roller, and a first belt tensioner. The roller is movable along a lateral direction that is perpendicular to a roller rotation axis. The first belt tensioner is connected to the first roller end and selectively connectable to the first tensioner mount. The first belt tensioner includes a first travel stop configured to selectively abut the first tensioner mount with the first tensioner mount between the first travel stop and the first roller end, a first spring, and a first threaded connector configured to move the first roller end closer to and further from the first travel stop upon rotation of the threaded connector. The first travel stop, first spring and first threaded connector are removable from the first tensioner mount without disassembly from each other and without disassembly from the first roller end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Joel T. Cook
  • Patent number: 11272668
    Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester includes a fan, at least one duct having an interior passageway that is positioned to receive an air stream from the fan, and a surface defined within the interior passageway of the at least one duct that is configured to restrict a volume of the flow of air passing through the at least one duct and increase a pressure of the air stream passing through the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Frank R. G. Duquesne, Jonathan E. Ricketts, Curtis F. Hillen, Michiel Vanderstichele
  • Patent number: 11266070
    Abstract: A header for a combine harvester includes a conveyor belt for conveying crop material in a conveyance direction, and an adjusting device for adjusting a tension of the conveyor belt. The adjusting device includes a link that is movable with respect to a frame member of the header. The link is movable in a direction that is either orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a tensioning direction of the conveyor belt for adjusting the tension of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt may be an infeed conveyor belt or a lateral conveyor belt of a draper header, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Sorensen, Jeff Thomas, Joel Cook, Brian Crow
  • Patent number: 11266069
    Abstract: A cane pickup and separation device mountable to a vehicle, the front of which is depicted in FIG. 1 and identified by reference No. 2. The device includes at least two sorting augers with auger tips, a frame, a separation wall, and a pickup spiral. The sorting augers each have auger tips that are adapted to be positioned slightly above ground level. The sorting augers diverge relative to one another and are inclined upwardly and rearwardly at similar inclined angles ? to the horizontal to define a diverging gap. Behind the augers is the upwardly and rearwardly inclined separation wall. The separation wall is rearward of the pair of augers and extends substantially across the diverging gap. The frame is mountable to the vehicle and is adapted to support the pair of sorting augers and the separation wall. The device further includes at least one pickup spiral set at a shallower angle ? inclination to the horizontal than the steeply inclined angle ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Steven Lawn
  • Patent number: 11266073
    Abstract: A crop cutting device including knives pivotally mounted below a crop guiding surface. Each knife is pivotable between a retracted position in which it is located below the guiding surface and an extended position. At least a cutting edge of the knife projects above the surface. A selector mechanism selectively holds spring loaded parts of operating members to maintain the corresponding knife in its retracted inoperative position while the operating member is moved to its second position. The selector mechanism includes a shaft carrying a plurality of cam elements which are mounted on the shaft and arranged to be moved to a position for blocking a respective spring loaded part upon rotation of the shaft from a non-holding to a holding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Danny N. O. Claeys, Jeremy Graulus, Marek Bucharzewski, Enrico Giuliani, Jan Vanheule, Hans Joseph De Gersem
  • Patent number: 11266072
    Abstract: A separator module for an agricultural machine. The separator module includes a feederhouse configured to receive crop from a harvesting platform, a casing enclosing a rotor positioned therein and rotatable relative to the casing for processing crop from the feederhouse, a cover extending between the feederhouse and the casing, and a noise control treatment coupled to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Manish Singh, Bradley P. Bogue, Kerry M. Cone
  • Patent number: 11259465
    Abstract: A harvesting header of an agricultural machine includes a frame, a cutting mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to cut crop, an auger rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the cutting mechanism, and an impeller rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the auger. The impeller is configured to receive crop from the auger and condition the cut crop. The crop is projected by the auger in a rearward and upward direction relative to the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas A. Nichols, Lance Frahm, Charles S. Sloan