Patents Examined by Gary S. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 10966362
    Abstract: An auxiliary tool assembly for an agricultural implement is configured to support a finishing tool(s) at a location at or adjacent to the aft end of the implement. The auxiliary tool assembly includes a support arm extending lengthwise between a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end of the support arm being pivotally coupled to a portion of the implement at or adjacent to its aft end so that the tool assembly is pivotable relative to the implement between a work position and a transport position. In addition, the finishing tool(s) is configured to be coupled to or otherwise supported relative to the ground by the support arm at a location between its proximal and distal ends. Moreover, the auxiliary tool assembly includes one or more surface-engaging wheels coupled to the distal end of the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Scott R. Faust, Timothy R. Blunier, Gaylen J. Kromminga
  • Patent number: 10947684
    Abstract: A delineator mounting system that includes an octagonal mounting apparatus for mating a traffic delineator to an in-ground mount. According to a first preferred embodiment, an exemplary delineator mounting system of the present invention includes an extended central housing having a lower end with an octagonal outer surface, an octagonal inner surface and a flared lower connecting surface. According to a further preferred embodiment, the extended central housing further includes an upper end having a cylindrical main body which includes an upper end exterior surface, an upper end interior surface, and a flared upper connecting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Paulin, Eric Haddad
  • Patent number: 10934669
    Abstract: A method for preparing a paving material includes heating an aggregate comprising recycled asphalt pavement using an emitter generating electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of from 2 microns to 1 millimeter. The method utilizes solid phase autoregenerative cohesion to prepare a material suitable for use as an aggregate in a hot mix asphalt pavement installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: William B. Coe
  • Patent number: 10925204
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a transversely extending frame forming a first, a second, and a third frame section. A hydraulic control system controls a raising or lowering movement of each frame section. A first actuator and a second actuator are coupled to the first frame section, a third actuator is coupled to the second frame section, and a fourth actuator is coupled to the third frame section. A first control valve is fluidly coupled between a fluid source and the first and second actuators. A second control valve is fluidly coupled to the third actuator and a third control valve is fluidly coupled to the fourth actuator. A first flow path fluidly couples the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator, and the fourth actuator in series and a second flow path fluidly couples at least the third and fourth actuators in parallel with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Jarrod R. Ruckle
  • Patent number: 10920384
    Abstract: A safety trailer is shown including first and second platforms, at least one of said first and second platforms having an axle and wheels attached thereto; a plurality of interconnected wall sections positioned between and connected to the first and second platforms, the plurality of wall sections defining a protected work area on a side of the trailer; The axle of the trailer is engaged with a vertical adjustment member configured to selectively adjust a vertical position of the surface of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Concaten, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin K. Groeneweg, David Meyerink, Duane Meyerink, LeRoy Severson
  • Patent number: 10914051
    Abstract: Work machines including automatic grading features and functions. One exemplary embodiment is a work machine including a chassis, ground contacting members rotatably coupled with the chassis and an actuator coupled with the chassis. A pole assembly extends above the chassis. A receiver is coupled with the pole assembly and structured to detect a wireless signal. An electronic controller is in operative communication with the receiver and the actuator, the electronic controller structured to adjust an actuator in response to a wireless signal detected by the receiver. The actuator is adjustable to vary position of the receiver and to vary position of a grading tool assembly coupled with a suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: ABI Attachments, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin V. Keigley
  • Patent number: 10912244
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method, for enhancing resolution during remotely controlled adjustment of a fore/aft trim angle of a frame of a towable tillage implement, utilize a fore/aft trim angle adjustment arrangement operatively attached between a hitch and the frame of the implement for tilting the frame at a desired trim angle along a fore/aft axis of the frame. An adjustable-length fore/aft trim linkage is operatively connected between the frame and the hitch for adjusting and maintaining the trim angle. A linear actuator is operatively attached to the trim angle linkage for remotely controlling the length of the trim angle adjustment linkage to thereby adjust the trim angle as a function of a stroke of the actuator. The fore/aft trim linkage provides an adjustment in its length that is proportionally less than the stroke of the actuator, to thereby provide enhanced resolution for remote control of the trim angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Christian Kilby, Michael G. Kovach, Michael Glennon
  • Patent number: 10907327
    Abstract: A wear member includes a front end and a rearward end, the rearward end having a cavity formed therein. The cavity may include a forward portion, a rear portion, and an intermediate portion. The forward portion may be disposed toward the front end and the rear portion may be disposed toward the rearward end. Each of the rear portion and the forward portion may include at least four surfaces. Each of the four surfaces of the rear portion may converge toward a longitudinal axis of the wear member at a first converging angle, and each of the four surfaces of the forward portion may converge toward the longitudinal axis of the wear member at a second converging angle. The intermediate portion may extend between the forward portion and the rear portion and may include a different number of surfaces in cross-section than the forward portion and the rear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Hensley Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamad Bilal, Isai Diaz
  • Patent number: 10907325
    Abstract: A work vehicle control system includes an actual topography acquisition device, a storage device, and a controller. The actual topography acquisition device acquires actual topography information, which indicates an actual topography of a work target. The storage device stores design topography information, which indicates a final design topography that is a target topography of the work target. The controller acquires the actual topography information from the actual topography acquisition device. The controller acquires the design topography information from the storage device. When the actual topography positioned below the final design topography is sloped, the controller generates a command signal to move the work implement along a locus positioned below the final design topography and below the actual topography, and a sloped locus that is positioned below the final design topography and above the actual topography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Ishibashi, Akifumi Inamaru, Kenji Yamamoto, Yasuhito Yonezawa, Yosuke Kogawa
  • Patent number: 10895064
    Abstract: A wear member may include a front end and a rear end and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The rear end may have a cavity formed therein with a rear portion and a forward portion. The cavity may have two horizontal surfaces in cross-section and converging toward the longitudinal axis. The cavity may have four substantially planar surfaces that are oblique in cross-section. A first two of the four substantially planar surfaces may be disposed on a first lateral side of the two horizontal surfaces, and a second two of the four substantially planar surfaces may disposed on a second lateral side of the two horizontal surfaces. An intermediate portion may be disposed between the rear portion and the forward portion, with the intermediate portion comprising a different number of surfaces in cross-section than a number of surfaces of the rear portion and the forward portion in cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Hensley Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamad Bilal, Isai Diaz
  • Patent number: 10893643
    Abstract: A tillage implement has a main frame towed in a forward working direction and toolbar assemblies supported on the main frame. Each assembly has an elongate toolbar member transverse to the forward working direction with tillage units spaced along the toolbar member for working the ground. A pivot supports each toolbar at an intermediate location on the toolbar for angular adjustment about an upright axis relative to the main frame. Followers at opposing ends of each toolbar member are received in respective guides at fixed locations on the main frame such that the followers are slidable within the guides in the forward working direction while restricting rotation of the toolbar member about a longitudinal axis of the toolbar member relative to the main frame. Angular position of each toolbar is controlled by an actuator with an attached mechanical indicator that can be read by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Inventor: Johan Redekop
  • Patent number: 10893642
    Abstract: An electric tractor including one or more all-electric bidirectional force exerting three-point hitch assemblies for lifting and lowering farm tool implements in level relationship to the ground regardless of the elevation of lift applied to the implement. The front, middle and rear three-point hitch assemblies are each operated using linear actuators. The hitches may be coupled with battery boxes to provide power and to counterbalance attached farm implements. Each of the described three-point hitch assemblies (including embodiments for front, middle and rear positions) may be operated through manipulation of electric controls. Electronic components include controller, displays, panels, wiring harnesses, linear actuators, joy sticks, lighting, switches, gauges, electric battery management system for managing one or more power sources, and processing modules and memory for controlling hitch movement and implements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Solectrac, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Heckeroth
  • Patent number: 10895047
    Abstract: A method for making a prefabricated, prestressed module includes arranging one or more steel beams atop a supporting formwork element in a direction transverse to the supporting formwork element and arranging one or more precast deck elements across the one or more steel beams to create a substantially continuous surface. The one or more precast deck elements have pockets for receiving connectors that protrude from the one or more steel beams. The method also includes arranging the supporting formwork element to allow the one or more steel beams to bend into a cambered shape to impart compressive stresses to a bottom flange of the one or more steel beams and tension stresses to a top flange of the one or more steel beams and inserting grout into the pockets to hold the cambered shape and to bond the one or more precast deck elements to the connectors and the top flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy C. Nelson
  • Patent number: 10889944
    Abstract: A control system for controlling operation of a vibratory system and a tamper system of a paving machine includes a first input device, a second input device, and a controller. The first input device is operable to provide a first speed signal for operating the vibratory system at a desired first rotational speed. The second input device is operable to provide a second speed signal for operating the tamper system at a desired second rotational speed. The controller receives the first speed signal and the second speed signal from corresponding ones of the first and second input devices and compares the desired first rotational speed and the desired second rotational speed. Based on the comparison, the controller determines if the desired first and second rotational speeds lie within a pre-defined range from each other. Based on the determination, the controller modulates at least one of the first and second speed signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Ryan Ellwein
  • Patent number: 10889948
    Abstract: A plow blade edge system includes a plurality of wear bars mounted to a rear side of a plow blade section body. A first channel extends below each of the wear bars and is partially defined by the plow blade section body. Each where bar includes a weldment of carbide matrix along a bottom edge of the wear bar forming a first wear surface. The weldment of carbide matrix is retained in the first channel. The plow blade section body further includes a second channel formed in and extending along a bottom edge of the plow blade section body. The second channel is operative to receive at least one carbide insert and forms a second wear surface. A total surface area of the first wear surface exposed to the road surface is greater than a total surface area of the second wear surface exposed to the road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Winter Equipment Company
    Inventor: Kent Winter
  • Patent number: 10881043
    Abstract: A method for increasing the load on driving rear wheels (KB, KP) of a tractor during soil cultivation with a farm implement (2), attached to a three-point linkage (1) of the tractor. A vertical position of the attached implement (2, 20) is adjusted relative to the tractor by a position of the arms (4) of a lifting device and by adjustment of the length of the upper link (13) of the three-point linkage (1) of the tractor. After adjusting the length of the upper link (13), the axial force acting/induced in the upper link (13) is determined and during travel of the tractor is continuously monitored and automatically maintained at the adjusted value. Also the adjusted vertical position of the implement (2) attached to the tractor is continuously monitored (2) and is automatically maintained at the adjusted value, thereby maintaining the vertical position of the attached implement (3) in this regulation and thus also constant ploughing depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventors: Frantisek Bauer, Jiri Cupera, Martin Fajman, Marek Zak, Adam Polcar
  • Patent number: 10881042
    Abstract: An agricultural implement having a rolling basket which includes a plurality of elongated members arranged in a substantially cylindrical shape. A stationary internal scraper is disposed in the inner chamber of the rolling basket and is adapted for breaking up a material from the inner chamber as the rolling basket is rotated around the major axis of rotation of the rolling basket. The internal scraper extends in an upward direction with respect to the major axis of rotation of the rolling basket with the upper edge of the internal scraper distally spaced away from and above the major axis of rotation of the rolling basket and with the lower edge of the internal scraper distally spaced away from and above the major axis of rotation of the rolling basket. The upper edge of the internal scraper is positioned above the lower edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Summers Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis E. Westlind
  • Patent number: 10870534
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a water impenetrable barrier between an underground duct and an access opening. The apparatus may cover a secondary opening in a corrugated containment sump of an underground storage tank or the manway of a sanitary sewer, catch basin or other manhole system. The apparatus includes a cover, inflatable seal and a tank of compressed nitrogen to inflate the seal. When sealed to the access opening, the cover restricts the inflow of water or other debris into the interior of the underground duct and nitrogen may be released into the sealed access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Inventors: David D. Russell, Robert Russell
  • Patent number: 10865545
    Abstract: A hollow ground-engaging wear member includes a leading end arranged to engage ground and a rear end having a cavity formed therein. The inner surface of the cavity may have vertically separated opposing inner walls forming an upper inner surface and a lower inner surface. The upper inner surface and the lower inner surface each may have a centrally disposed, inwardly protruding surface portion arranged to provide a bearing fit with a support structure. Each inwardly protruding surface portion may be disposed only in the rear portion of the cavity and shaped to form an arc. Each hole of a pair of holes in the respective horizontally separated opposing inner walls are arranged to receive a locking pin, and the inwardly protruding bearing surface of the upper inner surface and the inwardly protruding bearing surface of the lower inner surface may be positioned at least partially rearward of the pair of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Hensley Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamad Bilal, Isai Diaz
  • Patent number: 10842076
    Abstract: A nut collector which includes a chassis supported on its lower surface over a crosswise shaft and respective wheels, while, on the front side, it receives a coupling drawbar, below which is a collector set is located having rotating brushes and located close to the ground and leveled by side wheels such that aligned fruits in that region are swept inside as the machine moves ahead and subsequently pass through a vibrating screen assembly and selection screens, wherein the residues and debris are separated and the clean nuts pass through a crosswise transporter and elevator for accumulation in a dump bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: INDÚSTRIAS REUNIDAS COLOMBO LTDA
    Inventors: Hugo Matsuo, Oswaldo Argeu Leite