Patents Examined by Joel F Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9121145
    Abstract: The invention relates to a building machine, in particular a road-building machine, having running gear and a chassis which is fitted with a working unit which has one or more implements. The building machine has a stored-program control device for controlling the implements of the working unit and a device for displaying operational variables or operational states in the form of characters or images. In addition to the stored-program control device, the building machine has a centralized data processing device which is embodied in such a way that operational variables or operational states can be displayed as characters or images with the device for displaying operational variables or operational states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Peter Busley, Günter Hähn, Thomas Kramer
  • Patent number: 9107340
    Abstract: The invention refers to a disc (8) for an agricultural implement (1) comprising an annular, outside a predetermined center diameter (D) defined, soil-cultivating portion (44), a central, inside a predetermined center diameter (d) defined, dish-shaped portion (43), with a boss-receiving, inner side and between these portions an existing, annular connection portion (45) with fastening screw holes (46). The connection portion (45) is a truncated conical portion, the inner mantle surface of which is mainly straight or double-bowed with the convex side facing said inner side and a line through the opening plane in the hole opening of each fastening screw hole on said inner side forms an angle ? with a plane that is perpendicular to the center line of the disc, wherein the angle ? is 5°-10°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: VADERSTAD-VERKEN AKTEBOLAG
    Inventor: Crister Stark
  • Patent number: 9096994
    Abstract: A motor grader includes a base unit and a blade positioning assembly. The base unit has a main frame. The blade positioning assembly includes a pivot member attached to and extending downwardly from the main frame, and a blade lift member attached to a bottom end of the pivot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Dustin T. Staade, Neil V. Harber, Nathan J. Horstman
  • Patent number: 8944176
    Abstract: An implement is disclosed for smoothing grounds that include at least a compact base having a top surface and a lesser compact footing on top of the base. The implement includes a frame having a front portion, a central portion, a rear portion, and a width. Wheels are mounted for rotation directly to the frame, and tools are carried by the frame for engagement with the ground. The tools include a specially shaped cleaving blade connected to the rear portion of the frame by a tool support, which securely connects the cleaving blade at predetermined heights. The blade has a front shaving edge and a rear compressing edge. The blade extends straight across the width of the frame so as to maximize the drag displaced on the frame during use of the blade. Arrangement of the wheels directly on the frame provides optimal stabilization of the frame during operation of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Absolute Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Kiser, Kevin V. Keigley
  • Patent number: 8931573
    Abstract: A toolbar implement connects to a tractor and a plurality of row units are connected to the toolbar implement. The toolbar implement contains: (a) a main longitudinal frame; (b) a transverse left wing toolbar hingedly connected to the frame; (c) a transverse center bar connected to the frame; (d) a transverse right wing toolbar hingedly connected to the frame; (e) a plurality of lift arms connected to the center bar; (f) an axle connected to the distal ends of the lift arms; (g) a plurality of track assemblies mounted on the axle; (h) a left longitudinal frame member connected to the center bar and extending rearwardly; (i) a right longitudinal frame member connected to the center bar and extending rearwardly; and (j) a transverse center toolbar connected to the main frame, the left longitudinal frame member, and the right longitudinal frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Richard A. Gramlow
  • Patent number: 8899345
    Abstract: A fast-action harrow-disc coupling for fixing a harrow disc (1) to the corresponding hub (2), which is characterized in that it consists of a planet wheel (4) fixed to the corresponding hub (2), the planet wheel (4) being provided on its front face and centrally with a frustoconical projection (5) having a polygonal base, with a section of a threaded shank (6) protruding centrally from the frustoconical projection (5); it being envisaged that the corresponding disc (1) is provided with a central hole (7) for positioning the polygonal base of the frustoconical projection (5), the disc (1) being fixed by means of the thread of a nut (12) onto the section of the shank (6) corresponding to the frustoconical projection (5), with the arrangement, in between, of a plate (9) having a cavity (10) with a central hole (11) for positioning the frustoconical projection (5) and allowing passing out of threaded shank (6), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Bellota Agrisolutions, S.L.
    Inventor: Bakame Lazcano Lasa
  • Patent number: 8887823
    Abstract: A surveying system comprises a plurality of rotary laser devices (1a, 1b), being installed at known points, for projecting laser beams (3a, 3b) in rotary irradiation and for forming laser reference planes (RPa, RPb) respectively, a photodetecting device (5), being installed on a movable support member (4), for receiving the laser beam and for detecting a height of each of the laser reference planes at their photodetecting position, a coordinate position measuring device (6) for detecting coordinate position of the support member, and a control device (7), wherein the rotary laser devices form the laser reference planes in such manner that at least a part of each effective range of the laser reference planes is overlapped on each other, the control device sets up a smoothing area within a range where the effective ranges are overlapped on each other, and in case the support member is judged to be within the smoothing area, based on a result of measurement by the coordinate position measuring device, the contro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Fumihiko Kamizono, Kunihiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8869910
    Abstract: A DCM circle shoe for a motor grader is disclosed. The DCM circle shoe may have a base having a mounting surface, and a lip portion protruding from the base at an end of the base opposite the mounting surface in a direction generally parallel with the mounting surface. The DCM circle shoe may also have a wear insert mounted at a distal edge of the lip portion, the wear insert having an outer wear surface oriented at an oblique angle relative to the mounting surface of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. Greuel, Nikhil Sharma, Jacob P. Fawer
  • Patent number: 8857081
    Abstract: A quick hitch coupler having an arrangement for releasably coupling a tool such as an excavator tool to the quick hitch coupler. The arrangement for releasably coupling the tool to the quick hitch coupler has tool pin engaging members on spaced apart portions of the main body of the quick hitch coupler. One of the tool pin engaging members has an associated latching member movably mounted on the main body of the quick hitch coupler between a tool pin locking position and a tool pin releasing position. The latching member has a lock movably mounted on the latching member for locking a tool pin onto the latching member quick hitch coupler in normal use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventors: Patrick McCormick, Caroline McCormick, Lorna McCormick, Martin Segarty, William Egenton
  • Patent number: 8827001
    Abstract: A soil monitoring system is provided that includes a sensing shank, and a first sensor coupled to a leading edge of the sensing shank. The first sensor is configured to output first signals indicative of a pressure exerted on the first sensor by soil as the sensing shank is driven through the soil along a direction of travel. The soil monitoring system also includes a frame forming a channel oriented in a substantially vertical direction relative to a surface of the soil, and a carrier coupled to the sensing shank and disposed within the channel. The soil monitoring system further includes an actuator extending between the frame and the carrier. The actuator is configured to linearly drive the carrier in a reciprocating motion to vary a penetration depth of the sensing shank within the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Keith W. Wendte, Brian T. Adams
  • Patent number: 8783375
    Abstract: A scraper for a coulter assembly is provided. One coulter assembly includes a scraper having an upper leading edge section positioned adjacent to a central portion of a disc blade and configured to contact the disc blade while the disc blade is substantially undeflected, and a lower leading edge section positioned adjacent to an outer portion of the disc blade and configured to contact the disc blade while the disc blade is substantially undeflected. The upper leading edge section and the lower leading edge section are configured to maintain contact with the disc blade as the outer portion of the disc blade is deflected relative to the central portion of the disc blade along a substantially arcuate path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew Stuart Naylor, David Daniel Seib, Nicholas Carl Broberg
  • Patent number: 8776909
    Abstract: A garden cultivation tool with a primary implement head demountably attached to one end of a handle and a secondary implement head demountably attachable to either side of the other end of the handle, each secondary attachment location positioned at an offset angle about the longitudinal axis relative to the primary implement head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Alan L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8775032
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-propelled agricultural machine, comprising: elements (5) for gathering and/or processing crops; an engine (1) operable to travel the machine through a first driving mechanism (3) and to drive the operation of said elements through a second driving mechanism (4); and a control unit (6) for controlling engine RPM, characterized in that the control unit (6) is configured for controlling the engine RPM (ni) on the basis of a target RPM (ns), which is in turn based on an assessment of the imposed engine load (Ti), wherein in at least in one sub-range between 0% and 100% of the maximum load, the target RPM is a constantly rising function of said engine load. The present invention relates also to a method of controlling the RPM of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Nico J. M. Wolfcarius, Ward M. R. Byttebier
  • Patent number: 8763717
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an innovative arrangement to control the height of ground engaging tools located on agricultural implements via gauge wheel assemblies, particularly for supporting and adjusting the height of winged extensions of the implement frame. The gauge wheel assemblies may provide an adjustment assembly in the form of a screw jack, which can be coupled to a support bracket that is attached to the implement frame and also coupled to a support tube that is coupled to a gauge wheel via pivot assembly and a bracket. The bracket and support tube may be coupled at discrete positions according to the height adjustment of the screw jack via pins and holes in the bracket and tube. When coupled, the pins and holes of the support bracket and tube may reduce the load of the winged extensions on the screw jack mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Greg S. Smart
  • Patent number: 8720594
    Abstract: A beach cleaner has a frame formed by a longitudinal member and a lateral member, a ski member that is secured to a front portion of the frame and grounded to a sand surface GL, a trailing target portion that is trailed by a trailing vehicle, a separator that is provided at a front lower portion of the frame and scrapes up trash from a sand area while separating the trash from sand, a trash withdrawing member that is provided to the frame at a rear side of the separator to collect the trash scraped up by the separator onto a mesh member, and a wheel at a rear side of the frame. The trash withdrawing member has a fixed withdrawing body that is located at a front end portion and fixed to the frame, and a swing withdrawing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Sato, Tatsuo Masuda, Yasuji Hashimoto, Kosuke Asao
  • Patent number: 8714275
    Abstract: A turf aerator comprising a foot plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front end, a rearward end, a left side, and a right side; at least a first turf coring tine fixedly attached to and extending downwardly from the foot plate; a lever arm fixedly attached to and extending upwardly from the foot plate; and a ground contacting fulcrum fixedly attached to and extending rearwardly from the foot plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Yeow Ng
  • Patent number: 8714276
    Abstract: A tillage implement equipped with a finishing attachment for chopping and leveling soil. The implement includes at least one soil engaging element (e.g., a shank) operable to form a trench with mounds on either side of the trench. The finishing attachment includes at least one soil chopping and leveling assembly that is operable to chop up clods of soil and crop remnants in the mounds and to level off the mounds by pushing the mounds at least partially into the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney D. Hake, Michael J. Ohnsat, Hank A. Kummer
  • Patent number: 8701790
    Abstract: A linkage assembly for a vibratory plow. A vibratory plow comprises a power unit and a vibratory plow assembly. The vibratory plow assembly has a linkage assembly to connect to the power unit. The linkage assembly comprises a lift trolley, an upper arm, a lower arm and a load transfer link. The upper arm is pivotally connected to an upper end of the lift trolley. The lower arm is pivotally connected to a lower end of the lift trolley. A vibrator assembly is connected to the upper arm and the lower arm and a plow assembly comprising a plow blade is connected to the vibrator assembly. The load transfer link is operatively connected to the upper arm and to the vibrator. The load transfer link may be a leaf spring with an intermediate link. Alternatively, the load transfer link may be a hydraulic cylinder or an elastomeric member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Carothers
  • Patent number: 8689897
    Abstract: A tractor blade assembly is disclosed having a first blade member and one or more replaceable, supplemental blade members. The first blade member has a supplemental blade mounting section extending laterally beyond the side edge of the first blade member and a supplemental blade member that removably attaches to the supplemental blade mounting section such that a side edge of the supplemental blade member abuts the side edge of the first blade member. The tractor blade assembly may include alignment structure to restrict vertical movement of the supplemental blade member relative to the first blade member and align the side edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. May
  • Patent number: 8672048
    Abstract: A pull bar mounting bracket assembly is provided for mounting to the weight rack on the front of a given make of tractor. The mounting assembly includes two brackets positioned on either end of a row of weights that are made for said tractor make and supported on the weight rack, the brackets also being made for the given make of tractor and supported on the weight rack like the weights. The brackets have apertures that align with corresponding apertures in the weights to allow a bolt to be extended through the weights and secured at each end to the brackets. Each bracket also supports a clamp having a fixed clamp base and a removable clamp lock that are used to removably secure a pull bar to the brackets. The pull bar mounting bracket assembly can be easily removed from one model of the given make of tractor to another model of that tractor make without requiring any modification or customization of the mounting assembly or the tractors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Eugene Crumpler, Jr.