Patents Examined by Madeline I Runco
  • Patent number: 11925139
    Abstract: The permanent lawn mower, or inground lawn mower, is designed to be an alternative to conventional mobile mowing. Its focus is small grassy areas that are dangerous or impractical to mow by other means. In a first embodiment, the system includes three primary components: a drive unit that supplies rotational motion; a cable that carries rotational motion away from the drive unit, and one or more cutting heads that convert the rotational motion into a cutting action. In a second embodiment, the drive unit is combined with the cutting head, avoiding the need for a cable to carry rotational motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: Kevin Northcutt
  • Patent number: 11925144
    Abstract: A harvesting apparatus includes a crop conditioning element coupled to a frame, and a hood moveable relative to the crop conditioning element. An actuating system moveably connects the hood to the frame. The actuating system includes a driven lever arm rotatably attached to the frame and including a first lever connection and a second lever connection positioned opposite each other across a lever rotation axis. A first pivot assembly is rotatably attached to the frame and includes a first pivot connection coupled to the first lever connection of the driven lever arm, and a second pivot connection coupled to a first lift connection of the hood. A second pivot assembly is rotatably attached to the frame and includes a third pivot connection coupled to the second lever connection of the driven lever arm, and a fourth pivot connection coupled to a second lift connection of the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Zachary J. Lyle, Thomas A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 11925941
    Abstract: A debucking machine, for use with processing industrial hemp or cannabis, is provided. Embodiments of the debucking machine include counter-rotating rollers equipped with rubberized combs for gently removing flowers, or “buds,” from harvested industrial hemp or cannabis. Embodiments of the debucking machine are portable and may be moved from location to location within a drying shed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: Adison Archie
  • Patent number: 11925145
    Abstract: A harvesting machine that has a first rotor rotationally coupled to a chassis, a second rotor rotationally coupled to the chassis, and a spine separating the first rotor from the second rotor. Wherein the spine has threshing inserts coupled thereto to facilitate threshing of crop processed by the first and second rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Manish Singh, Michael T. Meschke, Mark L. Mattson, Corey A. Noord
  • Patent number: 11910751
    Abstract: The robotic system for harvesting, and performing pre- and post-harvesting tasks of date palm trees includes three main parts: a truck platform, a scissor lift, and a multi-task system. The truck platform provides mobility for the whole system, while the scissor lift raises the multi-task system to the top of the palm tree. The multi-task system is fixed on top of the scissor lift and includes a large basin that catches fruits during harvesting. A circular track is fixed within the basin and includes a 2-degree-of-freedom (DOF) slider base mounted thereon. On top of the 2-DOF slider base is a robotic arm fitted with the proper tool (harvesting tool, maintenance tool or bagging system) for the task to be performed. The circular track has pivoting sections, and the basin has a flexible portion in the rear of the truck platform to allow the system to surround the palm tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: KING SAUD UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mohamed Amine Mekhtiche, Mansour Mohammed A. Alsulaiman, Yousef Ahmed M. Alohali, Mohamed Abdelkader Bencherif, Ghulam Muhammad, Abdul Wadood, Mohammed Faisal Abdulqader Naji, Hassan Ismail H. Mathkour, Mohammed Mahdi Algabri, Hebah Abdulaziz Elgibreen, Hamid Abdulsalam Ghaleb, Hamdi Taher Altaheri, Taha Mohammed Ahmed Alfaqih, Muneer Hamid Ahmed Al-Hammadi
  • Patent number: 11903340
    Abstract: A mower-to-skid steer loader mounting structure is affixed to the top panel of a heavy-duty mowing deck. The mounting structure has a top flange, and, a bottom flange. The bottom flange extends between a spaced first and second edge and is formed with a first and second pair of close-together rectangular holes, the first pair being disposed close to the first edge and the second pair closer to the second edge but not as close as between the first pair and first edge. Wherein the outboard hole of the first pair and the inboard hole of the second pair allow the mowing deck to be mounted offset relative the skid steer loader, while the inboard hole of the first pair and the outboard hole of the second pair allow the mowing deck to be mounted centered relative the skid steer loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Brandon L. Bungart
  • Patent number: 11897333
    Abstract: A harvester includes: a crop tank that stores a crop harvested by a harvesting device; a weight detection unit that detects a storage weight, which is a value indicating the weight of the crop stored in the crop tank; a maximum weight calculation unit that calculates a maximum weight, which is a value indicating the weight of the crop at the maximum storage amount of the crop tank; a unit harvest weight calculation unit calculates a unit harvest weight that indicates the weight of the crop harvested per unit of harvest-travel distance; and a maximum travel distance calculation unit that calculates a maximum travel distance, which is the maximum distance that can be traveled during traveling harvesting before the amount of the crop stored in the crop tank reaches the maximum storage amount, based on the storage weight, the maximum weight, and the unit harvest weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Sakaguchi, Tomohiko Sano, Osamu Yoshida, Satoshi Maruo, Takashi Nakabayashi
  • Patent number: 11889791
    Abstract: A device for leveling a surface; the device includes a shaft, a handle-means and a head-assembly. The shaft is selectively retractable, and the head-assembly is foldable to enable compact storage. The device is for personal use by a user in leveling a surface; for example, a sand bunker/sand trap on a golf course. In some versions, the device further includes an attachment-means for attaching the device to a bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Curran Golf Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Curran, Michael White, Richard Gregory Elmer
  • Patent number: 11889778
    Abstract: An agricultural implement including a frame, at least one rake moveably coupled to the frame and including a plurality of tine arms, a plurality of tines connected to the plurality of tine arms, and a rotor drive configured for rotating the plurality of tine arms, and an adjustment system configured for adjusting a rake height of the at least one rake. The adjustment system includes at least one actuator, an electronic control unit operably connected to the at least one actuator, and at least one dust sensor supported by the frame and operably connected to the electronic control unit. The at least one dust sensor monitors a dust level and communicates dust level data to the electronic control unit which correspondingly adjusts the rake height based upon the dust level data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Pieter W. Viaene
  • Patent number: 11882788
    Abstract: A mowing sickle drive system comprises a knife bar supported by a frame and drive apparatus operable to drive the knife bar in a reciprocating linear motion at a variable drive frequency. A spring is coupled to the knife bar for applying a restoring force to the knife bar toward a neutral position when in motion. The spring has a variable modulus of elasticity that is controlled dependent upon the drive frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: AGCO International GmbH
    Inventor: Jonas Toft Andersen
  • Patent number: 11871700
    Abstract: A system for cleaning a flow of harvested crop, including a conveyor to convey the flow downstream of the conveyor into a cleaning zone into which the flow is discharged, and a cleaning unit located above the cleaning zone and operable to generate an upward air flow through the cleaning zone for extracting residues contained in the discharged flow. The system further includes at least two conveying rolls that are disposed behind a downstream end of the conveyor in an upstream part of the cleaning zone to be fed with the flow of harvested crop discharged from the conveyor. The conveying rolls are arranged to convey the crop flow and to discharge it into a downstream part of the cleaning zone. Passages are formed between or through the rolls, and are arranged to allow an upward air flow therethrough for extracting residues from the crop present on the conveying rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Vincent Rico
  • Patent number: 11856885
    Abstract: A blade assembly for cutting vegetative material includes a rotatable body and a number of inertially deployable blades hingedly affixed to the rotatable body. Each blade is rotatable between a first retracted position and a second extended position, and each blade cooperates with the body to form a capture mechanism preventing detachment of the blade from the body in the event the hinged affixation of the blade fails. The body includes a guide plate positioned between a top cover and a bottom cover. The covers provide hinge points for the blades at desired locations relative to the guide plate. The guide plate may include fixed blades, and blade stops may be implemented to retain each blade in the first retracted position or in a position intermediate the first retracted position and the second extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Jason Olin
  • Patent number: 11839180
    Abstract: There is disclosed a power-assisted corn kernel remover comprising a rigid frame supporting an annular corn kernel cutter. A powered mechanism mounted above the cutter activates a piston downward to push shucked ears of fresh corn onto the cutter. The cutter is sized and has a sharp cutting edge that severs the corn kernels from the cob as the ear descends. The cob is pushed downward through a passage to a disposal bin, while the kernels are captured by a basket surrounding the cutter. The cutter is formed of spring steel and is loosely held within the frame to allow for some expansion due to different sizes of corncobs. The powered mechanism may be a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly supplied with compressed air and having a control mechanism that permits partial activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: MOSS LANE RANCH, LLC
    Inventor: Pat Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11825771
    Abstract: A clean out system of a header for an agricultural vehicle. The header includes a frame with a floor having at least one cutout for allowing an unwanted material to pass therethrough. The clean out system includes at least one door configured for pivotally connecting to the floor and selectively engaging with the at least one cutout, a latching mechanism connected to the at least one door and configured for securing the at least one door to the frame, and at least one actuating member operably connected to the at least one door and configured for selectively latching the latching mechanism and pivoting the at least one door in between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Thomas, Benjamin Kemmerer, Joel T. Cook, Blaine R. Noll, Herbert M. Farley
  • Patent number: 11805734
    Abstract: A multi-layer segmentation/stalk cutter device for a first season of double-crop rice and a control method, and a combine harvester for a first season of double-crop rice, the multi-layer segmentation/stalk cutter device comprising: a cutting platform, a segmenting cutter and a stalk cutter, at least one segmenting cutter being disposed at a lower rear portion of the cutting platform, the segmenting cutter being hinged on a moving chassis, and a second execution mechanism controlling the cutting height of the segmenting cutter; the stalk cutter being disposed at a lower rear portion of the segmenting cutter, the stalk cutter being hinged on the moving chassis, and a third execution mechanism controlling the cutting height of the stalk cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yaoming Li, Anya Chen, Mingsen Huang, Jiasheng Li, Hanhao Wang
  • Patent number: 11805733
    Abstract: A grass catcher having a monocoque container which is downwardly tapered from its rear end to its front end, the rear end being open and larger in size than the front end. A front wall closes off the front end. A continuous material sheet forms a flat top wall, a side wall, and a flat bottom wall. The side wall has a series of adjacently aligned, frustum segments. This side wall extends downward from the top wall which is fixedly attached to the front wall and a flat side wall. The side wall is fixedly attached directly to the front and bottom walls. The container has a plurality of hole patterns, which, in combination with the shape of the container, facilitate air flow through the grass catcher and thus the flow of loose grass clippings through the grass catcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventor: Nicholas Jones
  • Patent number: 11793114
    Abstract: A pickup for an agricultural vehicle includes: a rotatable tine carrier; a plurality of tines rotatably carried by the tine carrier through a rotation path; a pickup band assembly including a plurality of tine slots in which the tines are disposed in a position in the rotation path; and a tine guide having at least one guide slot. The tine guide is rotatable with at least one of the tines such that the at least one tine is disposed in the at least one guide slot in a position in the rotation path in which the at least one tine is outside any of the tine slots of the pickup band assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Albert Childs, Enrico Giuliani
  • Patent number: 11771004
    Abstract: A mower includes a cutting deck supporting a cutting blade having a fixed blade sail and a door having a first position in which the door covers an opening through which grass clippings can pass, and a second position in which the door does not cover the opening. The mower also has a switch configured to send a mode signal indicating that the door is in the first position or the second position. The mower also has a controller configured to receive the mode signal and adjust the cutting blade to rotate at a first speed when the mode signal indicates that the door is in the first position, and a second speed when the mode signal indicates that the door is in the second position. The mower also includes an electric battery to power rotation of the cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Chadwick Aaron Shaffer, Todd Allen Porter, John Orville Hurst, Ryan Mark Petersen
  • Patent number: 11770999
    Abstract: An ultraviolet device for potato peel ripening includes a left protection plate and a right protection plate, wherein a first-stage potato-soil separation device and a second-stage potato-soil separation device are sequentially arranged between the left protection plate and the right protection plate, a triangular ventilation pipeline is arranged above the first-stage potato-soil separation device and the second-stage potato-soil separation device, front air outlets are formed in the surface, corresponding to the first-stage potato-soil separation device, of the triangular ventilation pipeline, lower air outlets are formed in the surface, corresponding to the second-stage potato-soil separation device, of the triangular ventilation pipeline, the triangular ventilation pipeline communicates with a centrifugal fan, the left protection plate and the right protection plate are provided with a plurality of plant ultraviolet light supplementing lamps used for irradiating the first-stage potato-soil separation devic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Inner Mongolia University of Technology
    Inventors: Haitang Cen, Tengfei Zhang, Yuhong Chen, Jianguo Qin, Jianlan Liu
  • Patent number: 11758841
    Abstract: A mower includes a frame, at least one cutting unit, and a lifting unit. The lifting unit is connected to the at least one cutting unit and includes a yoke assembly, a first arm assembly, a second arm assembly, and a third arm assembly. The yoke assembly is connected to the cutting unit. The first arm assembly is pivotably mounted to the vehicle frame about a first pivot axis. The second arm assembly is pivotably mounted to the first arm assembly about a second pivot axis and to the yoke assembly about a third pivot axis with the second pivot axis and third pivot axis being non-parallel to the first pivot axis. The third arm assembly includes a first end pivotally connected to the frame and a second end pivotally connected to the second arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Jonathan Laine, Ashwath Thukaram Kini, Todd L. Scott, Jarrett A. Jones