Patents Examined by Meredith Petravick
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Patent number: 7246479Abstract: An agricultural bale accumulator (100) includes a load bed (113) and a load bed extension module (102). The load bed extension module (102) includes an extension table (104) pivotally connected to a side (124) of a load bed (113) by a hinge mechanism (122). The hinge mechanism (122) permits the load bed extension module (102) to move relative to the load bed (113) between a stowed position, perpendicular to the load bed (113), and an unstowed position, co-planar with a load bed (113) and adjacent to the side (124) of the load bed (113). The agricultural bale accumulator (100) has a first lateral width dimension (160) when the first extension table (104) is in the stowed position to provide a first bale accumulating capacity and a first bale discharging capacity.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2002Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Inventors: Phillip G. Spaniol, Stephen J. Spaniol, Kevin D. Kaschke
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Patent number: 7168192Abstract: The invention concerns a driving device, particularly a lifting device for a working vehicle, with a hydraulic drive, in the form of a motor with a first connection and a second connection, a pump, a control valve arrangement between the pump and the drive, and an operating device with at least one operating element with a setting area, with which at least one parameter of the drive can be set. It is endeavoured to provide a simple manner of extending the functionality of the lifting device. For this purpose, it is ensured that the control valve arrangement is optionally controlling the drive to be single-acting or double-acting and the setting area has a first section, in which the drive is controlled to be single-acting and a second section, in which the drive is controlled to be double-acting.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss (Nordborg) A/SInventor: Martin Raadkjaer Joergensen
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Patent number: 7121075Abstract: An apparatus and method for harvesting cranberries, the method including moving frame-mounted transverse dislodging rods over cranberry plants with each rod moving at the speed of the frame, thereby to dislodge cranberries from the cranberry plants. The apparatus includes a plurality of dislodging rods secured below the frame, the dislodging rods positioned substantially parallel to the field surface and generally perpendicular to the direction of movement whereby each dislodging rod is moved through the cranberry plants at the speed of the frame to dislodge the cranberries from the plants. Certain preferred embodiments use follower assemblies to configure an array of dislodging rods in an advantageous arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Inventor: Danial William Brockman
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Patent number: 7117660Abstract: A self-propelled lawn mower comprising a microprocessor and at least one cutter (10), wherein an elastic tension element (13) that is connected to the frame of the lawn mower and the at least one cutter (10) is provided. Central automatic adjustment of the height of the cutters (10) in relation to the ground is also provided. The cutters (10) consist of a rotary disk (3) with retractable blades (5) provided with a stop (4) underneath the lower surface in the form of a central extension that can come into contact with the ground.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2000Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Inventor: André Colens
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Patent number: 7104038Abstract: The corn harvesting unit and the attachment modifications for connection to the threshing unit provide an improved flow of material from the row to the threshed grain in the combine. These modifications of structure and the resultant spatial changes to the variety of the conveying systems used from the row to the grain tank of the combine result in a novel and more efficient harvesting machine. The spatial relationship between the powered and the un-powered conveying systems moving in different directions permits improved flow and flow rates reducing plugging and power consumption. Material is lifted through a lesser angle of the inclined plane from the ground to thresher unit. In operation a smooth uninterrupted flow of material from the row unit to the cross auger through the dead space (energy wise) to the retrieving area of the feeder house is provided for.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Inventor: Marion Calmer
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Patent number: 7100351Abstract: A foldable hay rake has two rake arms comprised of two or more arm members with rake wheels thereon. The hay rake arms are pivotally secured together to a pivot assembly to pivot in a vertical plane. The pivot assembly is pivotally secured for pivoting in a horizontal plane to a vertical post having positioning wheels at a lower end. An upper end is pivotally secured to outer ends of wing arms comprised of parallelogram members which are pivotally secured to a central base frame, which has a power cylinder to pivot the wing arms in a horizontal plane.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2005Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Rowse Hydraulic Rakes Co., Inc.Inventors: Dan D. Rowse, Rodney D Rowse
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Patent number: 7093415Abstract: A mower deck having a plurality of cutting blades carried within a cutting chamber and having a plurality of flow control baffles positioned within the cutting chamber including a first flow control baffle being movably connected to the mower deck. The first flow control baffle being selectively movable between a pair of orientations within the cutting chamber during a mowing operation. In a preferred embodiment, the first flow control baffle may be positioned between the pair of orientations without access to the cutting chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Jeffrey B. Kallevig, Randy L. Harris, Stephen A. LaNasa
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Patent number: 7080469Abstract: A multiple-tool attachment for vehicles having a front subassembly and a rear subassembly. The front subassembly and rear subassembly are connected with a slip joint so that the attachment can be placed upon vehicles of varying size. A variety of tools can be connected to the front subassembly. Preferably the front subassembly has one or more support wheels, and one embodiment of the rear subassembly has one or more rear support wheels. Such wheels can support the weight of the attachment and tools to minimize the added load on a vehicle. In another embodiment, the rear subassembly is replaced with an adapter so that the front subassembly can be connected to a truck or utility vehicle. And a still further embodiment, in order to facilitate towing, adds tow wheels to the embodiment having the front subassembly but with an adapter replacing the rear subassembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Inventor: William G. Ganswich
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Patent number: 7073315Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting cotton, arranged for forward motion through a cotton crop comprising cotton plants having cotton bolls.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Inventor: Michael Andrew Nixon
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Patent number: 7073314Abstract: A system and method is provided for remotely and automatically calibrating a mass-flow sensor in a yield monitor of a combine. The invention uses a wireless communication device installed on a combine and a remote wireless communication device installed on a grain carrier or truck carrier. Once an actual weight is obtained, calibration information is sent to the combine to calibrate the mass-flow sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Andy D. Beck, Terrence D. Pickett
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Patent number: 7069712Abstract: A mower deck includes a blower to lift blades of grass or vegetation for cutting. The blower may be mounted above and to the rear of the mower deck, and may rotate on a vertical axis spaced from the axes of the cutter blades. A passage or duct extends from the cutting chambers under the mower deck to the blower. Cutter blades may be used having essentially flat or planar surfaces to reduce noise, or the mower deck may be used with conventional blades. The mower deck may be configured with several alternative discharge modes, so that clippings and debris may be collected in a container, or may be dispersed to the rear or side of the mower.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2004Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Brian Edward Bauer, Brian Charles Kelly
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Patent number: 7069613Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for aligning a door of an aircraft to a passenger loading bridge. A final parking position of the aircraft is defined as being immediately adjacent to a position of the passenger loading bridge, such that when the aircraft is stopped at the final parking position, the passenger loading bridge requires only a telescopic extension of less than about 1 meter to complete the alignment operation. To this end, an indicating device that works cooperatively with an aircraft-engaging end of the passenger loading bridge is provided for displaying human intelligible instructions for use by a pilot of the aircraft to guide the aircraft to the final parking position.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: DEW Engineering and Development LimitedInventor: Neil Hutton
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Patent number: 7063165Abstract: A planar, turf cutter blade formed from either high carbon or stainless steel has planar cutting teeth that extend radially from the periphery of a central part of a planar disc in which a centrally located hole is formed. A turf aerator that uses the turf cutter blades aerates turf by slicing or cutting turf and does not punch holes into the turf.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Agri-Fab Inc.Inventor: Neil Edwin Bowsher
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Patent number: 7062896Abstract: A gathering and picking device having a gathering element having radially extending fingers is rotated about an approximately vertical axis. The fingers are arranged to grasp plant stalks and transport the plant stalks along a picking gap of a picking device. The picking gap is curved such that it maintains an at least approximately constant distance from the vertical rotational axis of the gathering element over its operative length.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Kemper GmbH & Co KGInventors: Alfons Resing, Richard Wuebbels
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Patent number: 7059961Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for effecting movement and extending the clearance spacing between a rotor of a combine and a concave to allow for easy removal of lodged material. The apparatus and method additionally provide a reduction in rotor actuation motor torque and an increase in rotor mechanical advantage. Finally, the apparatus and method provide a travel limit to prevent a concave from being raised into, and having contact with, a rotor of a combine.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2004Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: CNH America LLCInventor: Charles R. Schenk
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Patent number: 7059808Abstract: A segmental earth retaining wall block having a front side, a top side with a transversal tongue of a given width projecting from it, the tongue extending at a first distance from the front side, and a bottom side with a transversal groove made in it, the groove being sized to receive the tongue of another similar block positioned below and thus to allow stacking of the blocks. The groove extends at a second distance from the front side that is smaller than the first distance, and the first and second distances are selected so that the tongue and the groove are offset with respect to each other over a distance that is smaller than the width of the tongue.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Jagna Ltd.Inventor: Angelo Risi
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Patent number: 7059960Abstract: A composite threshing element, for a rotor in an agricultural harvester crop processing unit, comprising a hollow support structure with at least one outwardly extending crop engaging portion, and a forwardly extending infeed element attachment feature. The rotor comprises a drum to which crop processing elements for an infeed section and a threshing section are affixed. The threshing element is bolted to a frusto-conical portion of the rotor drum, with a portion of an infeed element bolting to the infeed element attachment feature.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2003Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Ryan Patrick Mackin, Daniel Marc Heim, Kevin Laverne Ehrecke, Corwin Marcus Raymond Puryk, Mark Frederick Stickler
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Patent number: 7051500Abstract: An adjustable (height, angle, and width) adapter which is attached to a gas powered mower deck and is supported by the front or back rack of a self-propelled, motorized, all-terrain vehicle. The adjustments enable application with various-sized mower decks. The ATV Mower Deck Adapter eliminates the need for the mower unit to have wheels. ATV Mower Deck Adapter further provides for height and angle adjustment to accommodate the terrain and avoid objects on the ground or protruding from the ground.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Inventor: John Gregory Martin
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Patent number: 7047713Abstract: A gear box for a grass mowing machine with a generally horizontal shaft extending from the engine and/or transmission, and a rotary cutting blade with a generally vertical shaft. The gear box has a top surface and a bottom surface, the gear box enclosing the first end of the generally horizontal shaft and the first end of the generally vertical shaft. The generally vertical shaft extends through the bottom surface of the gear box. The gear box houses a pair of spiral bevel gears to change the transmitting direction from the generally horizontal shaft to the generally vertical shaft. The measurement from the generally horizontal shaft to the bottom surface of the gear box is greater than the measurement from the generally horizontal shaft to the top surface of the gear box.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2004Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Rob van Wouw
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Patent number: RE39404Abstract: The invention concerns a loading bridge for making a connection between a loading platform and a vehicle, wherein the height of the bridge is variable at the side of the vehicle to allow for vehicles with different heights. A gas-operated driving mechanism is disclosed of which the costs are considerably less than prior art hydraulic driving mechanisms. Further a mechanism is disclosed for automatically controlling the movements of a lid connected with the loading bridge.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1996Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: SPX Dock Products, Inc.Inventor: Johannes H. Megens