Patents Examined by Jamie L. McGowan
  • Patent number: 11427978
    Abstract: A snow plow and mount assembly has a mount frame, an A-frame, a lift frame, a plow blade, an actuator, arms, receivers, recesses, hitch pins, a latch mechanism, and a latch lever. The elements are arranged such that the vehicle is driven toward the snow plow so that the arms are received in the receivers, the actuator is energized to pivot the lift frame relative to the A-frame so that the hitch pins are received in the recesses, and the lever is moved to move the latch mechanism to the latched position. The snow plow frame is thereby removably secured to the mount frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Douglas Dynamics, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Chad Thomas Barker, David N. Bloxdorf, Matthew Thoma Curran, Christopher A. Dominguez, Matthew Terran Kaminecki
  • Patent number: 11414823
    Abstract: A clearing strip for the clearing shield of a snow plow has a front steel plate and a rear steel plate between which an elastic rubber layer with at least one hard material body embedded in the rubber compound thereof is incorporated by vulcanization. The hard material body is movable relative to the steel plates with elastic deformation of the rubber compound. To better secure the hard material bodies embedded in the rubber compound against uncontrolled fall-out from the clearing strip upon overheating, each individual hard material body is anchored within the clearing strip by an additional anchoring device that does not limit the movability of the hard material bodies relative to the steel plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Kueper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Roland Kueper
  • Patent number: 11401671
    Abstract: A three-stage snow thrower having a housing, a power supply operatively connected to said housing, a longitudinal drive shaft extending from the power supply into the housing, and a lateral drive shaft extending rotatably attached to opposing side walls of the housing and being meshingly engaged with the longitudinal drive shaft within a gear assembly. The power supply drives the longitudinal drive shaft, thereby causing the longitudinal drive shaft to rotate, and at least a portion of such rotation is transferred to the lateral drive via a gear assembly. The first stage assembly includes a plurality of augers attached to the lateral drive shaft, wherein the first stage assembly pushes loosened snow axially toward the gear assembly. The second stage assembly includes at least one auger attached to the longitudinal drive shaft, wherein the second stage assembly pushes the snow from the first stage assembly axially rearward in a transverse manner relative to the first stage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: MTD PRODUCTS INC
    Inventors: Ryan Cmich, Tim Dilgard, Jimmy N. Eavenson, Sr., Dave Hein, Joe Jocke, Amit Saha
  • Patent number: 11399452
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting a front three-point hitch on a tractor includes a linking part for articulated mounting of the front three-point hitch, a connecting part for coupling the linking part to a support structure of the tractor, and a first contact region defined on the linking part and a second contact region defined on the connecting part. The first contact region interacts with the second contact region for coupling the linking part to the connecting part. The first contact region and the second contact region are separably clamped to one another in a coupling position. The linking part is selectively disposable in one of a plurality of coupling positions relative to the connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Mario Patino, Martin Heitlinger
  • Patent number: 11401682
    Abstract: An adaptor includes a body defining a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis that is normal to the longitudinal axis. The body also has a leading portion defining a lock receiving recess extending transversely at least partially through the leading portion. The leading portion defines at least one linear portion in the lock receiving recess that is configured to engage the power locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Edward Harder, Paul Daniel Weber
  • Patent number: 11396734
    Abstract: A system for uncovering a trench. The system comprises several subsystems, including a work machine and a frame for providing a seal with the surface to be trenched with a saw blade contained therein. The blade is supported on a hub which is slidably movable relative to the frame by operation of a linear actuator, which may be a hydraulic cylinder or the like. The vertical location of the blade within the frame is continuously adjustable to create a deeper or shallower trench. A monitoring system is provided to monitor the vertical location from an operator station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody L. Sewell, Michael C. Ruhl, David R. Bazzell, Vernon T. Stellman, Steven P. Seabolt, Andrew A. Schuermann
  • Patent number: 11395453
    Abstract: A power seeder may include a frame, one or more wheels, one or more blades capable of cutting into soil, an engine capable of powering the one or more blades, and a seed hopper. The seed hopper may have an opening capable of dispensing seed located forward of the one or more blades. The one or more blades may rotate in an opposite direction to a forward rotation of the one or more wheels. In some embodiments, the seeder may further include a handle for adjusting the height of the one or more blades, a plurality of interlocking teeth, and a spring. The spring may provide a load to counteract the force of gravity on the one or more blades. The aerator may also include a flap located between the opening and the one or more blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Stinger Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: David Michael Cook, Joshua Michael Otto
  • Patent number: 11391012
    Abstract: A wear insert includes a front surface, a rear surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, and a first retention boss extending from the rear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Byron Lynn Gerber
  • Patent number: 11388852
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an agricultural implement connected to a vehicle. An actuator is arranged to control a lateral position of the implement with respect to the vehicle, also influencing the vertical angle of the implement. A camera mounted on the implement is connected to an image processing system which is adapted to derive the position of at least one row of plants in an image provided by the camera. An implement control unit controls the actuator to move the implement to a desired position based upon the derived position of the at least one row of plants, and a compensation arrangement compensates for the rotation of the camera around the vertical axis caused by the actuator based on the position of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Martin Kremmer, Tobias Schaefer, Akira Mizushima, Matthias Meyer
  • Patent number: 11382259
    Abstract: A plug-tray seedling automatic transplanting machine and control method thereof, wherein, said machine comprises a chassis bracket, a planting mechanism, seedling separating mechanisms, seedling guiding devices, a power mechanism, a box shifting mechanism, a seedling picking mechanism. The box shifting mechanism is installed on the chassis bracket, the seedling picking mechanism is installed on the box shifting mechanism, and two sets of seedling separating mechanism are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the box shifting mechanism by the chassis bracket, the seedling guiding device is provided above each set of seedling separating mechanism, and the planting mechanism is provided under each set of seedling separating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jianping Hu, Jie Pan, Weizheng Fei, Zhaoxia Luo, Lvhua Han, Deyong Yang, Jing Li
  • Patent number: 11382252
    Abstract: A handheld weeding tool with a slidably mounted fulcrum which leverages the force of prying a weed from the ground. During use, the fulcrum becomes locked into a working position. In some embodiments a compression spring holds the fulcrum in a fixed position on the weeder's shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Howard Rosenshine
  • Patent number: 11371207
    Abstract: A work equipment includes: a drawbar having a drawbar plate; a bearing having an outer ring which is fixed to a lower surface of the drawbar plate, and an inner ring which is disposed inside the outer ring and is connected to the outer ring so as to be rotatable in a peripheral direction with respect to the outer ring; and a circle having a circle plate that is fixed to a lower end of the inner ring over the peripheral direction, an outer peripheral-side wall portion that is connected to an outer peripheral side of the circle plate and has a cylindrical shape surrounding the bearing from an outer peripheral side, and an inner circumferential-side wall portion protruding from the upper surface of the circle plate between the bearing and the outer peripheral-side wall portion, extends in the peripheral direction, and faces the outer ring in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kota Yamaguchi, Yuji Asai, Toshihiro Yone
  • Patent number: 11371208
    Abstract: The work equipment for a motor grader includes: a rotary machine main body for rotating an outer gear engaging with an inner gear provided on an inner peripheral surface of an inner ring of a bearing; and a rotary machine lubrication unit provided on a gear cover in a circle rotary machine and for supplying a lubricant to a space, wherein the gear cover is provided in the rotary machine main body, covers the outer gear from the outer peripheral side thereof, forms the space between the outer gear and the gear cover, and is fixed to a drawbar plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kota Yamaguchi, Yuji Asai, Toshihiro Yone
  • Patent number: 11371199
    Abstract: A chute control assembly for a snow thrower having a housing, handle, and a chute includes a control mechanism, a connecting mechanism, and a guide mechanism. The control mechanism includes an actuator mechanism that allows an operator to manually control the orientation of the chute from a position spaced apart from the chute. The connecting mechanism transfers rotation of the actuator mechanism to the guide mechanism. The guide mechanism is attached to the chute and rotates and adjust the orientation of the chute in response to rotation of the actuator mechanism in order to change the direction that snow is thrown from the snow thrower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventors: Adam Hiller, Michael Wright, Keith Fortlage, Alan Dumitrescu
  • Patent number: 11359355
    Abstract: A wear assembly for use on various kinds of earth working equipment that includes a base with a supporting portion, a wear member with a cavity into which the supporting portion is received, and a lock to releasably secure the wear member to the base. The supporting portion is formed with top and bottom recesses that receive complementary projections of the wear member. These recesses and projections include aligned holes so as to receive and position the lock centrally within the wear assembly and remote from the wear surface. The hole in the wear member is defined by a wall that includes a retaining structure provided with an upper bearing surface and a lower bearing surface for contacting and retaining the lock against upward and downward movement in the hole. The lock includes a mounting component that defines a threaded opening for receiving a threaded pin that is used to releasably hold the wear member to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: ESCO GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Cheyne, Noah D. Cowgill, Michael B. Roska, Donald M. Conklin, Scott H. Zenier, Chris J. Hainley
  • Patent number: 11350556
    Abstract: A system is suitable for connecting multiple implements to a three-point hitch of mobile machinery for controllable side-shifting movement of the connected implements. The system comprises first, second and third apparatuses, each apparatus comprising a first framework, a slidable second framework laterally slideable relative to the first framework, at least one connector supported by the slidable second framework for connecting the slidable second framework to one of the implements, and at least one driver connected to the first framework and the slidable second framework for driving the slidable second framework laterally back and forth relative to the first framework. The second apparatus is attached to one side of the first apparatus and the third apparatus is attached to the other side of the first apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: Peter J. Mollick
  • Patent number: 11352762
    Abstract: A coupler assembly for rotatably coupling a moldboard of a grader machine includes a bracket, a beam, a pin, a retainer, and an apparatus. The bracket is adapted to support the moldboard. The beam extends from a circle member rotatably coupled relative to a drawbar of the grader machine. The pin is adapted to rotatably couple the bracket and the beam to each other. Further, the pin defines an end adapted to extend outwardly from an assembly of the bracket and the beam. The retainer is adapted to be engaged with the end to retain the pin with the assembly of the beam and the bracket. Moreover, the retainer defines at least one end portion extending outwardly from the end. The apparatus is adapted to be mounted around the pin at the end to shield the at least one end portion of the retainer extending outwardly from the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Tissier, Nathaniel Harshman, David Cox
  • Patent number: 11350560
    Abstract: An independently automated mechanical transplanter assemblage for ejecting plants into the soil is shown and described. The mechanical transplanter includes a plurality of mechanical transplanter units mounted to a frame. Each mechanical transplanter unit will include a plant tray indexing vertically and horizontally for presenting plants to a grabber having a plurality of forks. The grabber and forks thereon will be able to swing into a horizontal position for advancing in a linear motion to grip and retract plants from cells in a tray. The grabber will also be configured to swing the forks into an approximate vertical plane for ejecting each independently held plant down a funnel into a planting shoe for delivery into an open row in the soil. Other embodiments of the device are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: Hoy Ayers Buell
  • Patent number: 11346075
    Abstract: An integrally cast hinge assembly for a bucket, including a first and second hinge plates, a first torque tube portion extending from the first hinge plate, a second torque tube portion extending from the second hinge plate, a third torque tube portion extending between the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate, and a support plate extending along a bottom portion of the hinge assembly. The first torque portion is weldlessly connected to the first hinge plate, the second torque tube portion is weldlessly connected to the second hinge plate, the third torque tube portion is weldlessly connected to both the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate, and the support plate is weldlessly connected to the first hinge plate, the second hinge plate, the first torque tube portion, the second torque tube portion, and the third torque tube portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Weiping Hu, Giedre Simanskaite, Joseph Cai, Alex Van Doornmalen, Mariska Schouten
  • Patent number: 11337363
    Abstract: In one aspect, an agricultural planted is associated with an apparatus, a system and/or a method for calibrating a depth control arrangement in each of one or more row units adapted for attachment to a toolbar of the planter, where each row unit has a depth controlling linkage arrangement operatively connected to an adjustable-depth gauge wheel of the row unit. The linkage arrangement includes a load-sensing element that is monitored during adjustment of a calibration mechanism of the linkage arrangement to remove tolerance stack-up in the linkage arrangement and achieve a uniform desired value of the present load on the linkage arrangement of each of the one or more row units that is consistent with a zero-depth or other reference depth setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Johnathon R. Dienst