Patents Examined by Robert Pezzuto
  • Patent number: 9787158
    Abstract: A working assembly (1) suitable for use in an agriculture machine, comprising a driving system (2) with a dynamic member (4) and a static member (6) and a working tool (3) received on the dynamic member (4), wherein essentially flat surfaces of the static and the dynamic member (4, 6) are provided opposite to each other. Further, the application contains an agriculture machine, namely one of spreader, seeder, and mower, comprising the working assembly (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Kverneland A/S
    Inventor: Antonius Theodorus Maria van de Voort van de Kley
  • Patent number: 9777462
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for dredging an underwater bottom in an area using a dredging device. The method includes: determining the present positions of the dredging device and of a source of contamination in the area; entering input data relating to the area into a hydrodynamic model of the area; determining with the hydrodynamic model the degree of contamination at positions in the area resulting from spread of the contamination from the source; comparing the degree of contamination at positions in the area to a threshold value for these positions; and optionally adapting the dredging if the degree of contamination exceeds the threshold value. Underwater bottom can be dredged using the invented method, such that on the one hand the production is maximized and on the other the consequences for the natural environment are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Baggerwerken Decloedt en Zoon
    Inventors: Luk Verstraelen, Arjan Cornelis Sybren Mol
  • Patent number: 9775293
    Abstract: A harvest sweeper attachment system (10) is provided for attaching to a harvester machine (12) having a collection aperture (14), for use in propelling desired objects (11), such as nuts, toward the collection aperture (14). The system (10) preferably has two sweep units (20) mounted on each side of the harvester machine (12) at a forward angle, each including a rotating rake subassembly assembly (34). The rake subassembly (34) is characterized by having three axially spaced freely rotating tine bars (88), each having a depending array of tines (90), mounted between a proximal rake plate (74) and a distal rake plate (76). The proximal and distal rake plates (74, 76) are mounted at about a forty-five degree angle such that the rake subassembly (34) has an offset parallelogram aspect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Wing Sweep LLC
    Inventors: Mark E. Gilbert, Thomas Van Dixon
  • Patent number: 9769982
    Abstract: A method for automatically controlling a cut height of a header of an agricultural harvester. The method includes positioning the header to a predetermined cut height set point, measuring a ground speed of the agricultural harvester, measuring a height of the header relative to a ground surface at a plurality of positions along a length of the header. The method further includes lowering the header towards a first adjusted cut height threshold if a measured height of one of the plurality of positions is above the predetermined cut height set point and the measured ground speed is less than a first predetermined ground speed. The subject application allows the automatic header height control software on an agricultural harvester to automatically deviate from the predetermined cut height set point. This allows better control of the header at higher speeds and allows more crop to be gathered without manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Figgins, Roger Huggard
  • Patent number: 9769973
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a carriage frame assembly having a longitudinal frame member extending in a travel direction, and a cross frame member extending transverse to the longitudinal frame member. A horizontal attachment arrangement interconnects the longitudinal frame member with the cross frame member. The horizontal attachment arrangement includes a generally vertical first plate attached to the longitudinal frame member and having a first through hole, a generally vertical second plate attached to the cross frame member and having a second through hole, and a pivot pin extending through each of the first through hole and the second through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Michael G. Kovach
  • Patent number: 9763386
    Abstract: A machine for harvesting sugar-bearing ground crops such as sweet sorghum, in cold regions is described. The sugar crop harvester with various adaptations described is comprised of operational components, or features, that minimize the damage done to the crop during harvesting, particularly those things that result in deterioration of sugars prior to processing. The harvester includes several operational components that are well suited for processing sweet sorghum, particularly the dividers, base cutters, feed conveyor, de-trashing roll, brush rolls, hurler drums, de-bridging thrash roller, air blast, toppers and bin. Other components of the harvester are designed for easy maintenance. The operational components can be used with either a whole-stalk style harvester, or a chopper-style harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Holly, Jon Bradley Hochalter
  • Patent number: 9764761
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a driver's seat supported to a frame unit, a first hydraulic stepless speed changing device transmitting power to a first drive wheel, a second hydraulic stepless speed changing device transmitting power to a second drive wheel, and an oil tank. A bridge beam extending in a vehicle body transverse direction is provided between a cable harness extending in the vehicle body transverse direction and a hydraulic passage connecting the second hydraulic stepless speed changing device to the oil tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Yamada, Barry Jordan, David Spitz
  • Patent number: 9758947
    Abstract: A mounting base for removably coupling a wear member to a tool may have a generally planar first base portion, which may have an inward surface configured to be attached to the tool. The mounting base may also have a generally planar second base portion extending from the first base portion in a direction generally perpendicular to the first base portion. The second base portion may have an inward surface configured to be attached to the tool. The first base portion may define an opening including a notch-shaped portion and a rectangle-shaped portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Serrurier, Arun Venugopal
  • Patent number: 9759175
    Abstract: Outdoor power equipment includes an internal combustion engine including an electric motor, a battery receiving port, a rechargeable battery removably attached to the battery receiving port, wherein the rechargeable battery is configured to power the electric motor to start the engine, an implement driven by the internal combustion engine, a release mechanism movable to an engaged position to put the implement in a ready-to-run condition in which the implement is ready to be driven by the engine, a run sensor configured to detect the ready-to-run condition, a switch actuated by the release mechanism, and a control module coupled to the switch so that the switch provides a signal to the control module when the release mechanism is in the engaged position and the control module turns on the electric motor to start the engine in response to the signal from the switch and the run sensor detecting the ready-to-run condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Jason A. Hansen, Robert Koenen, David W. Procknow, Stephen J. Lavender, Jason D. Elvers
  • Patent number: 9756845
    Abstract: The invention provides a mechanical device to assist in weed removal from crops in an organic manner by mechanically pulling weeds by use of a rotating member to grasp and pull weeds from the soil while leaving the desired crop in place. The rotating members may be wheels, metal rollers, and combinations thereof removably attached to a tractor wherein one rotating member is larger in diameter than a second rotating member diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel T. Bourquin
  • Patent number: 9750179
    Abstract: A convertible mower deck has a plurality of cutting chambers with a rotary cutting blade in each chamber and a side discharge opening from one of the cutting chambers, pivoting gates between the adjacent cutting chambers, and a pivoting side discharge door between a cutting chamber and the side discharge opening. Each of the gates and side discharge door are movable between a discharge or collection position and a mulching position. A mulch on demand actuator includes a switch in an operator station that causes a pivot control plate on a shaft to rotate and move linkages between the gates and door between the discharge or collection position and mulching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Douglas D. Korthals, Steven L. Dudzinski
  • Patent number: 9752293
    Abstract: A wing plow post and method of manufacturing the post is disclosed. The post is intended for attaching a wing plow to vehicle for moving material, such as snow. The links of the post are parallel to the angle of the wing plow when the plow is in the plowing position to minimize stress on the post and frame of the vehicle. The post includes a float collar on the hydraulic lift cylinder to provide free floating of the toe end of the wing plow. It allows a wing plow to move over road surfaces and limit the stress on both the post itself and the frame of the vehicle to which the post is attached. Further, the plow also allows power to be provided by a hydraulic cylinder in the downward direction to the toe end of the wing plow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Universal Truck Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene J. Dubiel, Ryan R. Hulett
  • Patent number: 9750172
    Abstract: A turf implement has a frame that carries a rotatable turf slicing reel. A height adjustment lever pivots in opposite directions on the frame to raise and lower the slicing reel relative to the turf. A slot on the frame has a plurality of spaced notches. The adjustment lever carries a pin that is received in the slot and in any one of the notches to provide a desired adjusted position for the slicing reel height. A clamp is provided having a quick release locking lever that is selectively rotated between a locked position in which the clamp is in a tightly compressed condition relative to the frame to hold the adjustment lever in the desired adjusted position and an unlocked position in which the clamp is in a loosely expanded condition to permit the adjustment lever to be moved to change the desired adjusted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Exmark Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Moore, Jeremy J. Tate
  • Patent number: 9743573
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting system including a chassis, a plurality of ground support devices carrying the chassis in a direction of travel, and a threshing section carried by the chassis. The threshing section produces residue that is sent to a spreader system. The spreader system has a first orientation and a second orientation. The spreader system includes a support device and a spreader. The support device is in ground contact and is positioned to a side of the chassis relative to the direction of travel when the spreader system is in the first orientation. The support device is positioned aft of the chassis relative to the direction of travel when the spreader system is in the second orientation. The spreader is carried by the support device and is configured to receive at least some of the residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Ricketts, John J. Borsdorf
  • Patent number: 9739034
    Abstract: A vehicle having a long track or wheel-trail wheel combination on one side and a smaller ground engaging member, such as a short track or wheel on the other. The vehicle has a work attachment on one end of its frame, which is provided clearance on the side of the vehicle with the short track or wheel. A control system is provided to allow an operator to properly control a direction of the vehicle despite the fact that different forces may be required to operate the long track and the short track or wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody L. Sewell, Brant Douglas Kukuk
  • Patent number: 9736972
    Abstract: A weed extraction tool includes an actuator having two parallel blades formed from a single piece bent into a u-shape. The blades have serrated leading edges and a deep notch in the upper third of the blade trisection above the serrations to facilitate extraction of undesired plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: FAULTLESS STARCH/BON AMI COMPANY
    Inventor: Stephen M. Pope
  • Patent number: 9732527
    Abstract: A ski device for use in combination with a snow removal device (such as a roof rake). The ski device includes ski portions that may be used to protect a surface (such as a roof surface) from damage by preventing a head of the snow removal device from directly contacting and scraping along the surface from which snow, ice, and/or debris is to be removed. The ski device also allows the amount of clearance between the head of the snow removal device and the surface to be adjusted. This allows a user to position the ski device to provide for a desired amount of clearance, which allows for adjustment of the amount of snow, ice, and/or debris that is to be removed, as well to allow for clearance of other structures (such as rain deflectors, etc.) on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: SHOW JOE, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph S Cohen
  • Patent number: 9723773
    Abstract: A soil tillage apparatus that includes a frame with a hitch arrangement for pulling the frame mounting, back from the frame front end, are sequently mounted earth cutter disks that individually turn when pulled through the soil to lift the soil above the ground, followed by a hammer tiller consisting of a rotor drum mounted to turn oppositely to the cutter disks and includes pivotally mounted tines that turn with the rotor drum above the ground to flail the clumps of soil lifted by the disks and pulverize the clumps of lifted soil, in mid-air, into soil particles that fall back to the ground, and are mixed into the soil by chiselers that follow the hammer tiller, and the frame may further mount a soil leveler wheel and soil packer wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Inventor: Ben Jordan
  • Patent number: 9723785
    Abstract: A latching mechanism for securing a header to an agricultural vehicle has latching pins located on opposite sides of a centerline of the vehicle. The latching pins are movable between latched and unlatched positions from the same side of the machine. As one example, the harvester is an agricultural combine harvester and the header mounts to a feederhouse. The latching mechanism can be mounted to the feederhouse and moved into and out of engagement with the header to retain or remove the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Aaron S. Ritter
  • Patent number: 9723776
    Abstract: An agricultural implement and attachment are described for soil conditioning. The implement may include an implement frame, with the attachment configured to be towed by the implement frame. A pressurized fluid circuit may be configured to control one or more actuators, in order to provide lifting or lowering force to the attachment. The attachment may include a leading frame and a trailing frame, each configured to support a set of agricultural tools. The trailing frame may be mounted to the implement frame via the leading frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Thomas J. Rosin, Robert T. Casper, Luc Janelle, Bryan D. Blauwet, Jeremy Nefzger