Patents Examined by Joan D Misa
  • Patent number: 11134613
    Abstract: A concave separator or concave separation grate assembly and configuration for separating operations of a combine harvester is disclosed having integrated, interchangeable, and removable finger-like like configurations and assortments that can allow full separation of crop material from chaff, straw, vines and the like, thereby increasing grain separating capacity in a combine, improved breaking up the chaff-grain material, among other advantages. The separator grate assembly can include a bracket or grate member, and a plurality of first protruding members secured to the bracket member and having a first configuration, the first protruding member having a proximal end and a distal end. The first protruding members can include an elevation or angle relative to a horizontal plane when secured to the bracket member, and wherein each of the plurality of first protruding members can be equally spaced apart from each other when secured the bracket member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventor: Brian G. Robertson
  • Patent number: 11129332
    Abstract: A corn harvester includes a first stalk roll having a plurality of first blades circumferentially spaced apart by a first angle. A second stalk roll has a plurality of second blades circumferentially spaced apart by a second angle. The first and second stalk rolls are rotatable about parallel first and second axes that are separated by a centerline therebetween. In an operational state when a tip of one first blade is aligned with the centerline, a tip of one second blade is angularly offset from the centerline by a third angle. The third angle is less than 45% of the second angle. The one first blade forms a cross section perpendicular to the first axis having an altitude extending from the tip toward the first axis along a first blade altitude. The cross section of the one first blade is asymmetric about the first blade altitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steve A. Coon, Nathan E. Krehbiel, Dennis P. Silver
  • Patent number: 11122744
    Abstract: A combine harvester including a cleaning shoe, having a tailings auger for collection of tailings, a tailings collection bin and apparatus for moving material from the tailings auger to the tailings collection bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Wire, Bernard Dean Regier
  • Patent number: 11122741
    Abstract: A stalk roller assembly for an agricultural system includes a stalk roller having a hollow shaft. The hollow shaft has a first end having a first shape, such that the first end engages a guide element. Furthermore, the hollow shaft has a second end having a second shape that engages a drive shaft, such that the first shape is different than the second shape. In addition, the hollow shaft is formed from a single piece of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventors: Eric Lee Walker, Eric Roland Fredricks
  • Patent number: 11089726
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a mulch plug configured to attach to a lawnmower by one or more attachment points, including a snap-fit attachment point. The snap-fit provides a more secure attachment to the lawnmower than attachment mechanisms on existing mulch plugs, in turn providing more even distribution of mulch and less clogging and locking of mower wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Christopher D Meeks, Steven J. Busjahn
  • Patent number: 11083135
    Abstract: A combine harvester has at least one header for cutting plants to be harvested with the aid of the combine harvester, a feeder for conveying the cut plants in the direction of a threshing mechanism, and a threshing mechanism, with the aid of which fruits can be removed from the cut plants in such a way that the fruits are then present separately from plant residue of the plants. The feeder comprises a revolvingly driveable conveying unit and a conveyor channel within which the cut plants can be conveyed with the conveying unit. The feeder interacts with a measuring unit in the form of a sensor unit that contactlessly detects material feed height of plants conveyed with the aid of the feeder in the conveyor channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Neitemeier, Frédéric Fischer, Daniel Sprigade, Markus Brune, Boris Kettelhoit, Andreas Arnold, Philipp Grossegesse
  • Patent number: 11083137
    Abstract: A return pan for an agricultural harvester has an inclined upper surface portion, disposed to receive grain from a threshing or separating mechanism and laterally convey grain under the force of gravity to an inlet of a grain flow sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nathan R. Vandike, Adam J. Donohoe, Michael T. Meschke
  • Patent number: 11076528
    Abstract: A mulching apparatus including: a housing including a front opening and an inner wall; a rotor mounted in the front opening of the housing adjacent to the inner wall; and a liner mounting system for mounting a replaceable wear liner between the rotor and the inner wall, the liner mounting system including: an upper mounting provided at an upper edge of the inner wall, the upper mounting configured to releasably connect with the wear liner; and a lower mounting provided at a lower edge of the inner wall, the lower mounting configured to support the wear liner against the upper mounting and secure the wear liner to the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: TIGERCAT INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Robert Anthony Pentesco, Jacob Wheatley Fisher
  • Patent number: 11072899
    Abstract: A tree and debris pusher for removing and gathering felled trees, such as stands of dead cedar trees, particularly though not exclusively adapted for use on burned land from which dead trees must be cleared. The tree and debris pusher comprises a frame, a pusher bar assembly, a tooth assembly, and plurality of support and connecting structures. The pusher bar assembly forms a generally concave or arcuate shape, including a center section and transverse wings. The tooth assembly extends is contiguous with the pusher bar assembly and comprises a plurality of teeth extruding from therefrom so as to precede the pusher bar assembly in the direction of use of the tree and debris pusher and make first contact with trees and debris which are the object of removal. Support members and connecting members provide additional support and resist loads during operation of the tree and debris pusher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: Norman Johnson
  • Patent number: 11071250
    Abstract: A mower deck can include roller assemblies that prolong the life of bearings by more evenly distributing the roller's load to the bearings. The roller assembly can include a roller that is secured between opposing bearings via a tapered shaft of the roller and a correspondingly tapered collar that is housed within the corresponding bearing. The interface between the tapered shaft and the tapered collar causes the collar to be secured snugly within the bearing while also providing even distribution of the roller's load to the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: FireFly Automatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Aposhian, Eric E. Aston, William M. Decker, Samuel H. Drake
  • Patent number: 11072496
    Abstract: A conveyor guide unit for use in an elevator of a sugarcane harvester comprises a housing, an axle positioned in and supported by the housing, and a rotor mounted to the axle for rotation about a rotation axis and configured to interface with a conveyor of the elevator. The axle and the rotor mounted thereto are selectively repositionable axially along the rotation axis relative to the housing for lateral adjustment of the rotor relative to the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Blake C. Gettig, Jason R. Dehnke, Dusk S. Mixon, Todd J. Rodrigue
  • Patent number: 11064655
    Abstract: A threshing concave frame assembly for crop separating operations in a combine harvester is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the concave frame includes a first side member and a second side member opposing each other, wherein the first and second side members each have an interior surface and exterior surface. In addition, an elongated threshing bar member is disposed between the interior surface of the first side and second side members of the concave frame. In particular, the elongated threshing bar member includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are secured to the interior surface of the first and second side members of the concave frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Brian G. Robertson
  • Patent number: 11066831
    Abstract: A snow rake for moving snow from a roof. The snow rake includes an elongated extension pole comprising a plurality of pole sections which may be connected together in an end-to-end manner. First and second rake members are secured to the upper end of the extension pole. The first and second rake members are hingedly connected together so as to be able to be positioned in a straight position or a V-shaped position. Pivot support arms extend from the rake members to a clamp which is longitudinally adjustably secured to the extension pole. The clamp may be adjustably moved on the extension pole to change the positions of the rake members. The components of the snow rake may be placed in a box for display, shipment or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Mark C. Ramsey
  • Patent number: 11066795
    Abstract: Equipment for creating a cross-country ski trail for a vehicle; comprising a tracker device to form tracks in a snow cover; and a connection structure for coupling the tracker device to a first tiller or to the vehicle; the connection structure and the tracker device being connected to each other in a jointed manner around a first axis incident with the snow cover or the ground, such as transverse to a feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: PRINOTH S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luca Saggiorato, Markus Unterholzner, Stefan Baier
  • Patent number: 11044850
    Abstract: A scale and a fruit collector with connected rows of scales is provided. The rows of scales extending between an intake and an outlet of the collector parallel to a median axis of the collector, scales including respectively a succession of scales with overlap, mounted as pivots on a support with a return to a resting position, each scale presenting a longitudinal median scale axis extending from the proximal to distal end of the scale and forming, in the resting position, an acute angle of aperture with the median axis, relative to the collector intake, and in which each scale presents a capability to pivot relative to the support, between the resting position and at least one bent-back position towards the outlet of the collector, reducing the angle of aperture. At least one hindrance limits an amplitude of divergent displacement, respectively between two successive scales of a row of scales.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: Robert Delran
  • Patent number: 11042280
    Abstract: A graphical user interface (60) for a combine harvester (10) includes, in a first portion (62) of the user interface, a graphical representation (66, 70) of an amount of material passing through a threshing system (22) at multiple positions along a longitudinal direction of the combine harvester, and a graphical representation (68, 72) of an amount of material passing through a cleaning system (42) at multiple positions along the longitudinal direction of the combine harvester. The user interface further includes, in a second portion (64) of the user interface, a graphical representation (74, 78) of an amount of material passing through the threshing system (22) at a plurality of locations along a lateral axis of the combine harvester, and a graphical representation (76, 80) of an amount of material passing through the cleaning system (42) at a plurality of locations along the lateral axis of the combine harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Jared Koch, Jay Leininger, Gerald R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11019768
    Abstract: A combine double-decker crop residue spreader for use with a rotating chopper having chopper blades and through which air is blown may include a divider panel separating a lower portion from an upper portion of the spreader. The divider panel extends rearwardly from a location where the chopper blades transition from rotating towards the divider panel to rotating away from the divider. An airflow conduit extends above the divider panel in the upper portion to rearwardly direct air flow. At least one lower vertical panel below the divider panel in the lower portion rearwardly directs crop residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Martin Rittershofer, Michael T. Meschke, Matthew T. Wold, Oliver Klein, Marco Broschart
  • Patent number: 11019769
    Abstract: A lateral tilt control system for an agriculture harvester may include first and second tilt cylinders coupled between a support structure and an implement of the harvester. The first tilt cylinder may include a first cap-side chamber and a first rod-side chamber and the second tilt cylinder may include a second cap-side chamber and a second rod-side chamber. The system may also include a first fluid line providing a flow path between the first cap-side chamber and the second cap-side chamber and a second fluid line providing a flow path between the first rod-side chamber and the second cap-side chamber. Additionally, the system may include a pressure relief valve coupled between the first and second fluid lines to allow fluid to be transferred between the first and second fluid lines when a fluid pressure within either fluid line exceed a relief pressure setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Michael Berggren
  • Patent number: 11006574
    Abstract: A mower may include a frame, a cutting deck suspended from the frame, and a cut height adjustment system configured for raising and lowering the cutting deck to a plurality of cut height positions. The cut height adjustment system may include a rotatable, stepped cylinder having a plurality of steps wherein each of the plurality of steps corresponds to one of the plurality of cut height positions, and a pawl may be configured for engagement with the plurality of steps in order to set the cutting deck at a desired cut height position. The stepped cylinder may be mounted to a rotatable base plate, and a knob may be attached to an upper end of a shaft connected to the base plate. Each of the plurality of cut height positions may be manually selectable by rotation of the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Alamo Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Nichols, Darrel Siebert, Fred Daniel Oglesby, Dawson W. Hastings
  • Patent number: 10952373
    Abstract: A residue deflector is disposed in a combine body, and positioned along an airflow path to guide residue from an exit end of a cleaning shoe and a threshing and separation assembly, to a residue chopper. The deflector is configured with a plurality of spaced fingers so that air can pass through the deflector between the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Martin Rittershofer, Michael T. Meschke, Matthew T. Wold, Gregor Diessner, Marco Broschart