Patents Examined by Joan Misa
  • Patent number: 8235852
    Abstract: A power transmission belt having a body with a rubber layer defining spaced friction drive surfaces at laterally oppositely facing side surfaces. Short reinforcing fibers are embedded in the rubber layer in an amount of 15-50 parts by weight per 100 weight percent of rubber in the rubber layer. The short reinforcing fibers include polyamide short reinforcing fibers that make up at least 50 weight percent of the short reinforcing fibers embedded in the rubber layer. A plurality of the polyamide short reinforcing fibers project from the friction drive surfaces and have exposed, flattened ends. Flat particles of inorganic powder are adhered to the friction drive surfaces to reside captively between the flattened ends of the polyamide short reinforcing fibers and locations on the friction drive surfaces at which the short reinforcing fibers do not project.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Yorifumi Hineno, Takayuki Utsumi, Takeshi Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 8234847
    Abstract: An automatic connection mechanism for a mid-mounted implement to a tractor is disclosed. The automatic connection mechanism includes a rear lift linkage pivotably attached to the tractor, that automatically and releasably engage the rear of the implement. The forward lift linkage is pivotably attached to the front of the implement, and automatically and releasably engages the forward end of the tractor. A PTO coupling member also is attached to the rear lift linkage to engage an opposing PTO coupling member on the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Robert Neil Fox, Eric A. Howard, Carlos A. Diaz, Harlin J. Trefz, Benjamin J. Swart
  • Patent number: 8220232
    Abstract: An aquatic plant removal rake including a head, having one or more co-planar set of tines integrally formed thereupon, a plurality of implement lugs integrally formed thereupon, and a handle aperture adapted to receive a handle therethrough; a handle having a handle cord end that includes an eyelet adapted to receive a cord therethrough, and a handle head end that includes a handle locating protrusion and that is adapted to be received by the head; a retrieving handle including a retrieving handle cord aperture integrally formed thereupon and adapted to receive a cord, and a grip adapted to be gripped by a user or users; and a cord adapted to place each of the handle and the retrieving handle in mechanical communication with one another, whereby forces transmitted to the retrieving handle are transferred to each of the handle and the head. A method of use is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Michael L. Marvin
  • Patent number: 8209095
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a first power unit and a second power unit. The first power unit is couplable with a first primary load, including a threshing system load. A first temperature sensor associated with the first power unit provides a first output signal. A second temperature sensor associated with the second power unit provides a second output signal. A first motor/generator is mechanically coupled with the first power unit, and a second motor/generator is mechanically coupled with the second power unit. The second motor/generator and the first motor/generator are electrically coupled together. At least one electrical processing circuit is coupled with the first temperature sensor, second temperature sensor, first motor/generator and second motor/generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Ryan Patrick Mackin, Alan David Sheidler
  • Patent number: 8191343
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for cooling controller assemblies for electric utility vehicles are disclosed. Auxiliary implements powered by electric motors onboard a utility vehicle create airflow that is captured and directed to provide increased ambient airflow across heat sinks used to dissipate heat from heat generating components. Airflow across heated surfaces is further created by vehicle movement and vacuum pressure. Fins and other heat dissipating architecture are employed. Features of the cooling systems enable increased controller assembly functionality and/or decreased controller assembly package size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Bruce E. Reid, Donald Rousser, Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 8187128
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clamping device comprising a pivoting arm on which a clamping roll is rotatably arranged. In order to damp pivoting movements of the pivoting arm, a damping device is provided in the region of a pivoting axis X. Furthermore, the pivoting arm is supported by a tension spring device which ensures a frictional arrangement of the clamping roll on a traction mechanism, in the assembled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Stefan Mack, Matthias Schmidl, Rainer Pflug
  • Patent number: 8187129
    Abstract: An assembling device, an assembling method and a manufacturing method of a driving belt, which can facilitate fitting of rings into a recess of an element to improve productivity of the driving belt. The driving belt V, in which two rows of rings 8a and 8b are accommodated parallel to each other in a recess 7 of a plurality of elements 1 interlinked annularly in a manner to situate the recess 7 to open to an outer circumferential side, and in which the rings 8a and 8b are held in an inner circumferential side of the protruding portions 9 formed on an opening end of inner walls 6 of the recess 7 to prevent detachment of the rings 8a and 8b from the recess 7, comprises: a ring holding member 8c for restricting a relative movement between the rings 8a and 8b aligned parallel to each other entirely in its length direction without being overlapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8167691
    Abstract: In a crop residue chopping and distributing arrangement for a combine harvester (10) with a straw chopper (60) and two discharge blowers (100), a guide element (150) distributes the crop residue stream over the two discharge blowers (100) is arranged between said blowers. Passages (162) remain between the guide element (150) and the discharge blowers (100) such that the crop residues can be rearwardly discharged onto the field by the straw chopper (60) through said passages. Outer guide elements (141) are provided between the straw chopper (60) and the discharge blowers (100) in order to deflect the outer regions of the crop residue stream inward. The straw chopper housing (19) may feature a curved bottom (112) that axially conveys the crop residues to the discharge blowers (100) at an angle, wherein a flat crop residue guide element (112) is arranged between the straw chopper housing (90) and the discharge blowers (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Norbert Pohlmann, Friedrich K Lauer, Dirk Weichholdt, Rico Priesnitz, Oliver Klein
  • Patent number: 8136336
    Abstract: Harvesters selectively harvest agricultural objects, such as asparagus spears. One harvester includes at least one set of independently controllable cutter arm assemblies that rotate about a common axis to harvest individual asparagus spears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Spencer Kim Haws
  • Patent number: 8136335
    Abstract: A harvester for brassicas, the harvester being movable along a plant row and comprising an endless conveyor orientated in the direction of the plant row, the conveyor being of generally tubular form defined by opposed rows of arcuate conveyor fingers movable from an open condition in which free ends of the opposed fingers are spaced so as to define a generally tubular configuration which is open at one side to a closed condition in which the free ends of the opposed fingers are adjacent to define a generally closed tubular configuration, the conveyor having an upper run and a lower run, the conveyor being configured at its forward end portion so that the fingers are in their open condition during transition from the upper run to the lower run and move downwardly onto a plant to be harvested so as to move foliage away from the plant head and to allow the plant head to enter the interior of the conveyor through the open side, with the fingers then moving to a closed condition to thereby capture the plant head w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Dobson's Vegetable Machinery PTY Ltd.
    Inventor: Philip Ross Dobson
  • Patent number: 8132345
    Abstract: A work machine (10) comprises an operator input device (28), an electro-hydraulic system (64), and a controller unit (46) that communicates with the operator input device (28) and the electro-hydraulic system (64). The controller unit (46) is programmed to operate the electro-hydraulic system (64) in an auto-control mode, and adapted to override the auto-control mode in response to predetermined behavior of the operator input device (28). An associated method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Boris Trifunovic
  • Patent number: 8128466
    Abstract: A harvested material residue chopping and distributing arrangement for a combine (10) is provided having a straw chopper (60) and two distribution blowers (100) between which a guide element (150) is arranged for distributing the harvested material residue flow between the two distribution blowers (100). The tip (156) of the guide element (150) is positioned on the circumferential circle of the straw chopping blades (96) such that the blades (96) remove harvested material residue from the tip (156) during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Dirk Weichholdt, Oliver Klein, Dohn W Pfeiffer, Norbert Pohlmann, Friedrich K. Lauer, Rico Priesnitz
  • Patent number: 8122696
    Abstract: An header of the extendable type comprises a main frame and an extendable cutterbar table, which is mounted to the main frame by means of telescopic assemblies comprising an inner member mounted for sliding movement inside an outer member. One of the inner and outer members has longitudinal, inclined side walls that are engaged by inclined slide surfaces of guide means connected to a wall of the other of said outer and inner members, opposite said inclined side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Bart Moutton, Mateusz Rajca, Danny A. H. Descheemaecker
  • Patent number: 8122697
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a cover defining an interior chamber, a cutting box, the cover being mounted on the cutting box. A blade reel assembly is disposed within the cutting box, the blade reel assembly including at least one blade, and being configured to rotate about an axle. A cutting bar is disposed adjacent to a circumference defined by the at least one blade. A mesh screen is disposed beneath the blade reel assembly, proximate to the circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Leaf Harvest, LLC
    Inventor: Jacob Edward Clemens
  • Patent number: 8117813
    Abstract: A riding type grass mower includes a right wheel and a left wheel, a rear-discharge type mower unit disposed forwardly of the right/left wheels, a driver's seat disposed between and upwardly of the right/left wheels, an engine mounted rearwardly of the driver's seat, an engine hood for covering the engine, and a restricting unit disposed rearwardly of the driver's seat and at an area downwardly of the engine hood, the restricting unit having a restricting face (including a mesh face) configured to restrict upward rising of cut grass discharged from the mower unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Akihito Sugio, Osami Fujiwara, Yusuke Shoji, Yoshihiro Ueda
  • Patent number: 8118650
    Abstract: An adjustable flow distributor for a spreader of an agricultural combine operable for discharging a flow of straw and other crop residue in a sideward direction for deposition over a field, the flow distributor including an edge portion oriented at an oblique angle to a reference such as a back plate of the spreader, defining an oblique shaped space therebetween, the edge portion being pivotally adjustable in the fore and aft direction for controlling the portions of the flow of crop residue deposited beneath the spreader and discharged sidewardly therefrom, respectively, for instance, so as to better and more evenly distribute the crop residue over a swath of an agricultural field from which the crop was harvested, particularly a region of the swath in proximity to the spreader and/or chopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Nathan E. Isaac, Andrew V. Lauwers
  • Patent number: 8112979
    Abstract: A crop lifter for a mower of a harvesting machine with at least one mowing finger (2) has a carrier rail (5) and a stalk lifter (8). A first end (6) of the carrier rail (5) can be fixed to the mower. The stalk lifter (8) is connected to a second end (7) of the carrier rail (5). The stalk lifter (8), together with the carrier rail (5), encloses an acute angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Gebr. Schumacher Geratebaugesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Friedrich-Wilhelm Schumacher, Gustav Schumacher
  • Patent number: 8109068
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a base unit and a header coupled with the base unit. The header includes a frame; at least one draper belt; a header lift detector providing an output signal indicating a lift state of the header; and a draper belt accelerator receiving the output signal from the header lift detector and accelerating each of the draper belts upon receipt of the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Bronson C. Eick, Tad A. McDowell
  • Patent number: 8104200
    Abstract: A lock that includes a wedge that is used to releasably secure separable components of an assembly together. The wedge can be used with a spool. The wedge and spool are threadedly coupled together to drive the wedge into and out of an opening in the assembly without hammering or prying. The direct coupling of the wedge and spool eliminates the need for bolts, washers, nuts and other hardware so as to minimize the number of parts. As a result, the lock is inexpensive to make, easy to use, and unlikely to become inoperative because of lost or broken parts or due to fines or other difficulties encountered in harsh digging environments. Further, the wedge can be driven into the assembly to provide the degree of tightness necessary for the intended operation and/or to re-tighten the assembly after incurring wear during use. A latch assembly is preferably provided to securely hold the wedge in place and avoid an undesired loss of parts during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: ESCO Corporation
    Inventor: Terry L Briscoe
  • Patent number: 8092286
    Abstract: A concave pan portion of an integral chopper assembly that includes a concave pan shell portion with a separate grate portion that may be easily installed into and removed from an intermediate opening in such concave pan portion for replacement in the event of undesirable wear thereto, and a separate interruption plate installable downstream from the slots in the grate portion for the purpose of effecting a lower mean length of chop (LOC) as the integral chopper assembly operates. The separate grate portion is configured to be installable to fill the intermediate opening in the concave pan shell portion, with a plurality of slots therethrough positioned side by side in the crossways direction to accommodate knife elements that are part of the counter knife assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Herbert M. Farley, Jason M. Benes, Nathan E. Isaac, Andrew V. Lauwers, Jonathan E. Ricketts, Bradley J. Wagner