Patents Examined by Joel F Mitchell
  • Rock blade
    Patent number: 10472796
    Abstract: A movable blade assembly which can be attached to the front or rear of a vehicle and the height of the blade can be adjusted with respect to a roadway such that the blade only comes into contact with relatively large debris and moves them from the roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: William D. Woodward
  • Quick hitch assembly
    Patent number: 10462954
    Abstract: An adjustable width quick hitch assembly for an agricultural vehicle. The quick hitch assembly is provided with spacer elements which can be incorporated into the assembly as required, where the selection and positioning of the spacer elements results in an assembled quick hitch having various hitch widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: AGCO International GmbH
    Inventors: Francois Quoniam, Philippe Boittin, Mathieu Joel Baudoin
  • Work attachment for motor grader
    Patent number: 10458081
    Abstract: A work attachment for a motor grader includes a moldboard and a trip edge assembly coupled to the moldboard. The moldboard defines a plurality of first apertures. The trip edge assembly includes a trip edge structure. The trip edge assembly also includes a pivoting mechanism for pivoting a portion of the trip edge assembly in a first direction with respect to the moldboard when the trip edge assembly encounters an object in a drive path of the motor grader. The trip edge assembly further includes a mounting structure defining a plurality of second apertures. The plurality of second apertures are aligned with the plurality of first apertures to receive mechanical fasteners for removably coupling the trip edge assembly with the moldboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Michael Hayes, Benjamin J. Kovalick, David L. Cox, Nathaniel K. Harshman
  • Transport load spreading device
    Patent number: 10448553
    Abstract: An agricultural or industrial implement has a main frame including longitudinal and cross frame members. Rear main lift wheels are connected to rear lift wheel arms that are pivotally connected to the main frame and can be raised and lowered using a hydraulic lift cylinder. The hydraulic lift cylinder is connected to a center pivot of a lug. The lug has a lower connection point connected to a lug anchor, which is connected to a rear cross frame member. The lug also has an upper connection point connected to two load members. One load member extends diagonally forward from the upper connection point and connects to one of the longitudinal frame members located to the left of the lug. Another load member extends diagonally forward from the upper connection point and connects to one of the longitudinal frame members located to the right of the lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Sudbrink, Dean A. Knobloch
  • Flex roller-crimper for improved management and termination of cover crops and other plant material
    Patent number: 10440874
    Abstract: An agricultural device that can include a frame; and a plurality of roller-crimping devices supported by the frame arranged in at least one row oriented in a direction that is transverse to a direction of travel of the agricultural device. Each of the plurality of roller-crimping devices having an exterior surface configured to at least partially crush stems of residual plant matter, and being individually movably mounted to the frame such that each of the plurality of roller-crimping devices will move at least vertically with respect to the frame when subjected to a temporary increase in resistance caused by an encounter with a non-uniform region in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: University of Tennessee Research Foundation
    Inventor: Shawn Butler
  • Micro-tiller module
    Patent number: 10426071
    Abstract: A micro-tiller module that is releasibly engageable with a hand drill can include a gear box assembly, first and second tilling wheel assemblies, and a stabilizer fork. The gear box assembly can include a housing, an input shaft extending along an input shaft axis, first and second output shafts, and a plurality of gears. The external end of the input shaft is configured to be releasibly engageable with a chuck of the hand drill. The tilling wheel assemblies can be respectively mounted to the output shafts. The stabilizer fork can extend from a base end fixed to the housing, along a stabilizer axis transverse to the input shaft axis, to a distal end from which first and second tines project. Each of the tines can extend further along the input shaft axis than transverse to the input shaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventor: Dennis Cole Pomeroy
  • Fully adjustable lift system
    Patent number: 10420271
    Abstract: A lift and gauge wheel lift mechanism has a hydraulic lift cylinder pivotally connected to a lift mechanism rocker link. A rear lift wheel link is pivotally connected to the lift mechanism rocker link. The rear lift wheel link is pivotally connected to either a rear lift wheel arm having at least one rear lift wheel attached. A gauge wheel link is pivotally connected to the lift mechanism rocker link. The gauge wheel link is pivotally connected to a gauge wheel parallel arm bell crank. The gauge wheel parallel arm bell crank is attached to either a gauge wheel upper parallel arm, or to a gauge wheel lower parallel arm. At least one front gauge wheel is connected to the gauge wheel upper parallel arm and to the gauge wheel lower parallel arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Sudbrink, Dean A. Knobloch
  • Soil cultivation implement having a device for reconsolidation
    Patent number: 10412873
    Abstract: A towed soil cultivation implement (1) is proposed in which the soil tillage tools (5) are guided by a contact pressure controlled depth guide device (9), which enables a constant weight load on a downstream, adjustable reconsolidation implement (6) on uneven ground as well. In the process, the pull line between tractor (3) and soil cultivation implement (1) are maintained in an optimum position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: LEMKEN GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg Achten, Johannes Bodewig, Clemens Diepers, Josef Van Haaren, Christoph Happe, Sebastian Karsten, Ludger Maas, Georg Paulessen
  • Soil working tool
    Patent number: 10412872
    Abstract: Soil working tool for an agricultural machine, in particular a cultivator, which is fixed on a tool holder and has a tine-like region to which a preferably guide plate-like element is attached. In order to achieve an improved soil flow across the soil working tool with good wear protection and thus a sufficient service life of the soil working tool, the tine-like region has two side strips which run in the longitudinal direction of the soil working tool and have notch-like recesses extending in the transverse direction, and that an at least approximately smooth center strip region is located between the two side strips in the center in the longitudinal direction of the tine-like region of the soil working tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignees: AMAZONEN-WERKE H. DREYER GMBH & CO. KG, BETEK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Silvio Scherf, Joachim Polster, Ulrich Krämer, Fabian Seifried
  • Shank assembly for an agricultural implement with adjustable biasing forces and related methods
    Patent number: 10412875
    Abstract: In one aspect, a shank assembly for an agricultural implement may include a shank and a biasing element configured to exert a biasing force on the shank. The shank assembly may also include a reversible mounting plate defining a mounting aperture offset from a centerline of the reversible mounting plate such that a position of a second mounting location of the biasing element relative to a first mounting location of the biasing element differs depending on whether the reversible mounting plate is provided in a first orientation relative to the biasing element or a second orientation relative to the biasing element. The biasing element may exert a first biasing force on the shank when the reversible member is oriented in the first orientation and a second, different biasing force on the shank when the reversible member is oriented in the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Michael G. Kovach
  • Disk device for an agricultural machine
    Patent number: 10398073
    Abstract: A disc device for an agricultural machine includes at least one disc implement, an arm, at one end of which the implement is journalled in bearings at an axle, and a bearing, which is arranged at the opposite end of the arm and is adapted to be fastened at a transverse beam on the frame of the agricultural machine. The disc device includes in the circumference direction of the disc implement mainly equally distributed, freestanding, out towards the periphery radially extending, protruding parts, wherein each protruding part has an outer edge, which extends in the range 15-75 degrees in relation to the plane of the disc implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: VÄDERSTAD-VERKEN AB
    Inventors: Crister Stark, Mikael Edvinsson
  • Landscaping tow apparatus
    Patent number: 10375873
    Abstract: A landscaping tow apparatus for cultivating dirt or land. The apparatus includes a U-shaped bracket rotatably secured to a tool head support, wherein the tool head support includes a plurality of tool heads removably secured thereon for cultivating the land. A hitch is further affixed to the U-shaped bracket and can mount the apparatus to a vehicle, such as a tractor or riding lawnmower. A pair of wheels are extendable from the bracket in order to engage the ground and lift the tool head support for rotation thereof. In operation, the hitch is secured to a tractor and the side of the tool head support having the desired tool head is positioned against the ground. The wheels are extended so that the tool head support can be rotated in order to have a different tool head engage the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventor: Brian Campbell
  • Disc opener scraper with insert for straw wrap prevention, wear reduction and seed guidance, and welded slot-positioned wing member
    Patent number: 10368472
    Abstract: A unique scraper assembly for the disc of a furrow opener features an obstruction carried at inner side of the scraper body in a position trailing behind the leading scraper edge to prevent straw from accumulating in the space between the disc and scraper near the leading scraper edge, to block seed or other product delivered into the furrow from skipping forward into this space, to reduce wear on the leading scraper edge by increasing an area of pressured contact with the disc during side loading of the scraper, and/or provide lubricated contact with the disc to reduce rotational resistance during side loading. In some embodiments, the obstruction is defined by a separate insert of distinct material composition from the scraper. A discrete wing member is welded to the scraper at a pre-determined position thereon determined by fitting of the wing member into a mating slot in the scraper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Atom Jet Industries (2002) Ltd
    Inventor: Donald Arksey
  • Root crop harvester
    Patent number: 10327380
    Abstract: A sugar beet puller wheel set includes a pair of generally upright, spaced apart, symmetrically non-parallel puller wheels, rotatably disposed on axles attached to a frame and having a gap therebetween. A gap adjuster is associated with at least one of the puller wheels, and is configured to move the at least one puller wheel axially along the respective axle with axial rotation of the gap adjuster, allowing selective adjustment of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: SPUDNIK EQUIPMENT CO., LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Borgmann, Hugo Dabbelt, Rainer Kemper, Andy Florence, Evan Steel
  • Side folding toolbar for chemical applicator
    Patent number: 10327375
    Abstract: A folding toolbar for an agricultural implement. A unitary flex hinge structure connects adjacent sections of the toolbar and provides a dual pivoting function. The flex hinge pivots about a first pin connected to a first section and is in pivotal connection about a second pin connected to a second section, the first and second pins defining axes that are orthogonal to each other. The unitary flex hinge further includes a lug plate that defines a mid plane along which a force may be applied. The mid plane and the axis of the first pin may be coplanar to reduce bending moments about the flex hinge relative to conventional arrangements where the axis of a hinge pin is offset relative to the plane in which the force is applied. The first pin may be mounted to a hinge mount that is mounted to lug plate for a compact design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: FAST Global Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Verlyn K. Fast, James B. Prohaska
  • Crabgrass and weed EXtracTOR drill bit
    Patent number: 10327371
    Abstract: A drill attachment for removing weeds and the like from the ground, which has a body with a shaft protruding from the center and at least two prongs protruding from the opposite side of the body. The free end of the shaft is placed into the chuck of an electric drill, and the prongs are forced into the ground around a weed. The user operates the drill, thus spinning the prongs around the weed. The prongs entangle the weed's roots and bore a small hole in the ground, allowing the user to easily remove the weed. The prongs are then placed into the ground close to the hole, and the drill is slowly operated, thus refilling the hole. The device has a plurality of edges and corners that allow the operator to shear weeds and the like that become entangled on it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventor: Carl Edwin Smith, Jr.
  • Sod harvesters
    Patent number: 10299443
    Abstract: A sod harvester for cutting a sod slab from a sod field and directing an unspoiled sod slab into a first carrier and a spoiled sod slab into a scrap sod carrier through pivoting an articulated conveyor from an inline condition to an offline condition or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: TREBRO HOLDING, INC.
    Inventor: Gregg Tvetene
  • Hinged folding toolbar for an agricultural implement
    Patent number: 10278322
    Abstract: A system of folding toolbars on an agricultural implement having a base toolbar, two articulating toolbars, multiple attachments to the toolbar, and a pair of hinges, with each toolbar connected to attachments. The base toolbar is located orthogonally to the direction of travel of the agricultural implement and connected to a hinge at each end, the hinges are each further connected to an articulating toolbar. Each of the toolbars is connected to a set of attachments. Each articulating toolbar rotates about the base on a pivot axis along the direction of travel of the agricultural implement and tilted relative to the ground plane, such that the center of gravity (CG) moves forward in the transport position and a normal force is applied to the articulating toolbars to resist vertical movement when in field position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: KUHN KRAUSE, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Ankenman, Jesse Nininger
  • Hand held tilling device
    Patent number: 10278321
    Abstract: A hand-held tilling device for powered hand-held tilling of substrate includes a support that is hollow. A drive assembly is coupled to a top end of the support. The drive assembly is configured for grasping in a hand of a user. A tillage assembly is coupled to a bottom end of the support. The tillage assembly is drivingly coupled to the drive assembly. The drive assembly is positioned on the support for grasping in the hand of the user. The drive assembly is positioned to motivate the tillage assembly to till a substrate selected by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Wayne Parkey
  • Vehicle combination for cleaning ballast on a track
    Patent number: 10266991
    Abstract: A vehicle combination for cleaning ballast on a track consists of a first ballast-collecting vehicle at the front with respect to a working direction, equipped with two edge-clearing chains which are mutually opposed across the width of the track and are designed to collect the ballast lying in a track bed region adjacent to the sleeper ends, and also consists of a subsequent second ballast-collecting vehicle having a continuous clearing chain that can be placed around the track to collect the ballast lying under the track, and comprising sieve systems for cleaning the ballast. In front of the first ballast-collecting vehicle there are two mutually separable sieve vehicles disposed one behind the other in a longitudinal direction of the machine and each having a sieve system. The two sieve vehicles can be loaded via a first conveyor belt line with ballast collected by the ballast-collecting vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Manfred Brunninger