Patents Examined by Thomas B. Will
  • Patent number: 8794867
    Abstract: An asphalt milling machine control is provided for an asphalt milling machine of the type which mills an asphalt pavement surface over which the machine travels. The machine has a milling machine body, and a rotatable milling drum mounted on the lower portion of the milling machine body, the bottom surface of the milling drum contacting the asphalt pavement surface to mill the surface to a design elevation. The machine further includes a plurality of machine body supports which are adjusted to raise or lower the height of the milling machine body and the rotatable milling drum with respect to the asphalt pavement surface. This defines the elevation of the surface that results from milling with the drum. The control includes a floating plate, mounted to the side of the milling machine and the rotatable milling drum, or a pair of floating plates mounted to either side of the machine, for sliding over the surface adjacent to the area to be milled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Jeroen Snoeck, Richard Paul Piekutowski
  • Patent number: 7448196
    Abstract: A hay baler provided with a tubular duct within which charges of crop material are prepared before being stuffed into the baling chamber has a windrow pickup device at its front end to lift crop materials off the ground as the baler advances. The effective operating width of the pickup is wider than the inlet to the duct so that the stream of crop materials lifted off the ground must be converged centrally into alignment with the inlet before entering the same. A pair of lower stub augers on opposite sides of the inlet are assisted by a pair of upper stub augers rotating in opposite directions relative to the lower augers to accomplish such convergence. A windguard overlies the incoming crop flow as well as the consolidation zone between left and right sets of the stub augers so as to maintain effective control over the flow at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. Schrag, Edward W. Esau, Kurt Graber, Ryan A. Zecha
  • Patent number: 7407016
    Abstract: The present invention provides a grading boot attachment which when attached to a roadway grading moldboard allows for more accurate and uniform grade cutting or leveling with the moldboard. The attachment includes amounting plate for mounting to the moldboard, a winged section and an adjustable leveling gate which may be adjusted to the appropriate angular position for any desired task. A compressive strut retains the leveling gate in an operable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventor: Corey A. Kvalo
  • Patent number: 7401457
    Abstract: A finger for a crop gathering auger of a grain header for an agricultural combine, including a tether which spans a failure region of the finger and will retain a free end of the finger in connection with a mounting end thereof when the failure region is broken, and which is preferably additionally operable for automatically retracting the broken off free end into an auger drum and retaining it therein during subsequent rotation of the drum for limiting potential damage from the broken end and preventing entry of the broken end into crop handling equipment of the combine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Bich, Daniel J. Klein, Benjamin W. Ditchcreek, James F. Rayfield
  • Patent number: 7377092
    Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a height-of-cut adjusting system and a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The height-of-cut adjusting system includes a first frame; a second frame; a cutting reel supported by the second frame; a bedknife arranged adjacent to the cutting reel and supported by the second frame; at least one support element arranged to translate along the ground and arranged to support the first frame; and at least one first actuator connected between the first frame and the second frame and arranged to adjust the relative elevation of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one second actuator operatively connected between the reel and the second frame and a sound detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark Alvin Schmidt, Eric Alan Poulson, Donald Lewis Cripps, Ronald Lee Reichen, Richard David Thier, John Michael Flenniken
  • Patent number: 7373767
    Abstract: This row unit utilizes an improved multi-zone, multi-functional stalk roll, which contains a novel revolving entry window to improve entry and increase engagement of the fluted portion of the stalk roll flutes with the corn stalk. The stalk rolls described are multi-sectional and contain multi-length variable flutes. The number of flutes described for each zone may vary as well as whether the flutes are meshing or non-meshing and angled or non-angled. The stalk rolls described allow a constant speed drive shaft to create lower and/or higher effective circumferential contact speeds within each zone of the stalk roll. The invention provides that the rotating transport vanes located on the helical nose cone at the entry area to the stalk roll flutes lock the corn stalk into a revolving entry window. This novel row unit contains a multi-zone, multi-functional stripper plate that ensures minimal ear wedging and maximum discharge of material other than ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Marion Calmer
  • Patent number: 7370459
    Abstract: An agricultural machine fitted with a chopping device. The chopping device includes a guard, at least three chopping members disposed above the guard and that are linked thereto to pivot around a shaft directed upwards, and transmission elements that rotate the chopping members around the respective shafts. Among the chopping members at least two adjacent chopping members rotate in opposite directions converging towards the front. The distance separating the rotary shafts of two adjacent chopping members rotating in opposite directions converging towards the front is greater than at least a distance separating the rotary shafts of two adjacent chopping members having directions of rotation that do not converge towards the front. The arrangement of the chopping members in this manner can be used advantageously to improve the removal of the chopped product towards the rear of the chopping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Kuhn S.A.
    Inventor: Horst Neuerburg
  • Patent number: 7370458
    Abstract: In a lawnmower engine speed control system having an actuator moving a throttle valve and a controller controlling operation of the actuator such that the engine speed becomes equal to a predefined desired engine speed, it is determined whether the lawnmower is under a mowing operation based on a value indicative of a load of the engine including an operation rate or output of the engine, the desired engine speed is changed based on a result of determination, thereby enabling to lower noise, to boost fuel efficiency, and to simplify operation by making manual regulation of engine speed unnecessary, while ensuring stable operation free from engine speed variance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Matsuda, Tomoki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 7370463
    Abstract: A reel for a cutting system for harvesting machines has a central carrier body (1) defining a longitudinal axis (2). The reel central carrier body has an outer face (7) between a first axial end A and a second axial end B. Several support elements (20) are arranged along the longitudinal axis (2) on the carrier body (1) distanced from each other and supporting tine carriers (21) arranged on a circle around the longitudinal axis (2). Clamping sleeves (3) have inner faces (6) adapted to the outer face (7) of the carrier body (1). The clamping sleeves enclose the outer face (7) in a circumferential direction and leave an axially extending slot (8) between a first circumferential end (9) and a second circumferential end (10), which ends delimit the slot (8). The support elements (20) are mounted on the clamping sleeves. A clamping mechanism (18) is arranged on each of the clamping sleeves (3) close to the first circumferential end (9) and the second circumferential end (10) of the clamping sleeve (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventors: Gustav Schumacher, Friedrich-Wilhelm Schumacher
  • Patent number: 7370460
    Abstract: One or two conventional picking units are mounted on a two-wheel, high clearance running gear or frame. A two-point hitch is coupled to the draft links of a tractor or an equal-angle hitch is coupled to the tractor drawbar. Hitch and tongue interface on the harvester facilitates sharp turn angles between the implement and the tractor through use of a pivoting member containing the driveline powering the units from the tractor. A center pivot tongue allows offset for appropriate row alignment and provides improved maneuverability and implement steering on headlands and turn rows. A hydraulic cylinder connected to the tongue or a crossed four-bar linkage structure controls tongue angle. A basket is supported at the rear of the frame and the row units are located forwardly of the frame to provide counterbalancing forces about the wheel axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark Samuel Philips, Jeffrey Robert Fox, Daniel John Johannsen, Kent Cleo Mckee
  • Patent number: 7367406
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for an attachment for a tractor is disclosed. The hitch has a frame having a top member and a bottom member. The top and bottom members are joined together by a pair of side members forming a structure with an orifice. Each of the top and bottom members are hollow in a cross section, as are each of the side members so that a fluid contained in the members can flow from one member to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas B. White, Bruce A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7367407
    Abstract: A towed snowplow includes a frame which is carried by at least one wheel. The frame includes at least one moldboard and is arranged to be towed behind a vehicle and movable from a transport position directly behind the vehicle to a deployed position in which the frame extends diagonally from the vehicle to enable plowing of pavement alongside and to the rear of the towing vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Cives Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Glenn Lannert
  • Patent number: 7367174
    Abstract: A rotary walk behind lawn mower has a wheeled cutting deck with a downwardly facing cutting chamber. A rotatable cutting blade is contained inside the cutting chamber above a lower edge of a peripheral sidewall and beneath a central hub, an annular channel being formed between the sidewall and the hub of the cutting chamber for receiving grass clippings from the cutting blade. A portion of the peripheral sidewall of the cutting chamber above the level of the cutting blade and a portion of a top wall of the cutting chamber form a pivotal mulch door for opening and closing the annular channel in which the grass clippings are moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Stephen J. Grimwade
  • Patent number: 7367880
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for monitoring a flow path having plurality of different solid components flowing therethrough. For example, in the harvesting of a plant material, many factors surrounding the threshing, separating or cleaning of the plant material and may lead to the inadvertent inclusion of the component being selectively harvested with residual plant materials being discharged or otherwise processed. In accordance with the present invention the detection of the selectively harvested component within residual materials may include the monitoring of a flow path of such residual materials by, for example, directing an excitation signal toward of flow path of material and then detecting a signal initiated by the presence of the selectively harvested component responsive to the excitation signal. The detected signal may be used to determine the presence or absence of a selected plant component within the flow path of residual materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Reed L. Hoskinson, John M. Svoboda, William F. Bauer, Gracy Elias
  • Patent number: 7363734
    Abstract: The invention relates to a trench wall cutter comprising a bearing shield, on which at least one cutting wheel is supported in a rotatable manner. Between the cutting wheel and the bearing shield at least one sealing member is provided. For the lubrication of the sealing member a lubricating device is provided, which has a lubricant inlet port arranged above the cutting wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Bauer Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Maximilian Arzberger, Ignaz Seitle
  • Patent number: 7360312
    Abstract: A bush cutter has a driving bevel gear housed in a first box constituting a part of a gearbox, and a driven bevel gear housed in a second box and engaging the driving bevel gear. The driving bevel gear is rotatably retained in a first bearing. The first bearing is screw-fitted into the first box movably in an axially longitudinal direction of the driving bevel gear. Rotation of the first bearing causes the driving bevel gear to move in the axially longitudinal direction to finely adjust the engagement of the driving bevel gear with the driven bevel gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Warashina, Hideshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7360352
    Abstract: A side discharge mower comprises, a mower deck having a top wall, a front wall depending from the top wall, at least one side wall, a rear wall depending from the top wall, and a discharge opening formed laterally of the mower deck, a first shaft supported by the mower deck and extending vertically, and a second shaft disposed closer than the first shaft to the discharge opening, a first blade rotatable about an axis of the first shaft so that distal ends thereof define a first circular path, a second blade rotatable about an axis of the second shaft so that distal ends thereof define a second circular path, a rear baffle disposed in a rear region of the mower deck, and an intermediate baffle extending from the rear baffle forward through an area adjacent a boundary between the first circular path and the second circular path, the intermediate baffle extending from the rear baffle forwardly beyond a line connecting the first shaft and the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Samejima, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Masatoshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: RE40604
    Abstract: A mower conditioner includes a rotary style cutter bed and a pair of laterally extending crop conditioning rolls spaced rearwardly from the cutter bed. Crop flow is improved in the machine by a laterally extending conveying roller located between the cutter bed and the nip defined by the conditioning rolls. In particular, the conveying outer roller serves to lift cut crop up from the cutter bed and convey the crop rearwardly to the nip. This ensures that the cut crop moves in a steady stream from the cutter bed to the conditioning rolls, and thereby reduces the risk of cut crop being thrown forwardly by the cutters. A downwardly open area is preferably defined between the conveying roller and the cutter bed to provide a space through which dirt and debris can drop out of the machine. The conveying roller preferably has a rotational axis that is lower than the rotational axis of the lower conditioning roll and generally vertically aligned with the substantially planar cutting zone defined by the cutter bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Martin E. Pruitt, Kurt Graber, Cecil L. Case, Michael L. O'Halloran
  • Patent number: RE40611
    Abstract: A harvester which uses a rotary style cutter bed has a series of rotary cutters extending across the path of travel of the machine and rotatable about individual upright axes. Part of the cutter bed is a flat gear case containing a train of intermeshed spur gears that serve to distribute power between the cutters above the gear train. Each end of the gear case has a hollow, gearless extension welded thereto which supports at least one additional outboard cutter that receives its driving power exteriorally of the gear case. One embodiment uses a mechanical drive to bring power to the upright shaft of the cutter having the first spur gear so that the cutters with gears receive all their power from the driven cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. O'Halloran, Cecil L. Case, Martin E. Pruitt, David P. Fritz
  • Patent number: RE40614
    Abstract: A crop harvester of the rotary cutter bed type has a series of rotary cutters extending across the path of travel of the machine and rotatable about individual upright axes. The cutter bed extends in opposite directions beyond the ends of a central discharge opening to the conditioner rolls. Cutters located outboard of the opening direct cut crop materials along the front of the cutter bed until the opposite extremities of the discharge openings are reached, whereupon pairs of cooperating, oppositely rotating cutters in front of the opening function to propel the crop material rearwardly with the main flow of cut materials. Alternative forms of conveying means are provided in association with the outboard cutters for moving the cut crop centrally without the use of augers or other additional gathering mechanism behind the row of cutters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond F. Schmitt, Cecil L. Case, Martin E. Pruitt, Michael L. O'Halloran