Patents by Inventor Alan Melton

Alan Melton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7766736
    Abstract: A pivoting mid-floor section for use in a feeder house in an agricultural combine is located between the transverse drum and the transverse sprocket means. The pivoting mid-floor can move or adjust when a large volume of crop material is fed into the feeder house, while providing support for the conveyor chain along substantially the entire length of travel between the transverse drum and sprocket means, thus reducing the friction on the chain, and preventing the system slow downs that occurred in feeder house systems using a fixed mid-floor. Additionally, replaceable wear-resistant surfaces can be affixed to the runners or guides of the mid-floor to further extend wear life and reduce friction between the chain slats and mid-floor. The friction occurs between the wear pads on the runners or guides and the chain slats, rather than between the chain components and the mid-floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Earl Ramp, John Anthony Schraeder, Mark Edward Payne, Rebecca Ann Frana-Guthrie, Mark Alan Melton, Jeffrey Wayne Hogue
  • Patent number: 7520115
    Abstract: A float arm load compensation system for a header of an agricultural harvester includes a header frame; a plurality of header float arms pivotally coupled to the header frame; a cutter bar fixed to forward ends of the plurality of header float arms; at least one conveyor belt supported on the plurality of header float arms and configured to traverse the header perpendicular to the direction of travel of the header, wherein the conveyor belt is further configured to receive crop material cut by the cutter bar; and a plurality of springs, wherein each spring is coupled to an associated header float arm of the plurality of header float arms to exert a force on the associated header float arm compensating for the weight of cut crop material supported by the associated header float arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Bruce Alan Coers, Corwin Marcus Puryk, Benjamin Max Lovett, Gerald Eric Rains, Sheldon Joseph Grywacheski, Mark Alan Melton
  • Publication number: 20080078155
    Abstract: A float arm load compensation system for a header of an agricultural harvester includes a header frame; a plurality of header float arms pivotally coupled to the header frame; a cutter bar fixed to forward ends of the plurality of header float arms; at least one conveyor belt supported on the plurality of header float arms and configured to traverse the header perpendicular to the direction of travel of the header, wherein the conveyor belt is further configured to receive crop material cut by the cutter bar; and a plurality of springs, wherein each spring is coupled to an associated header float arm of the plurality of header float arms to exert a force on the associated header float arm compensating for the weight of cut crop material supported by the associated header float arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce Alan Coers, Corwin Marcus Puryk, Benjamin Max Lovett, Gerald Eric Rains, Sheldon Joseph Grywacheski, Mark Alan Melton
  • Publication number: 20070244660
    Abstract: An alternator tester is provided for testing an alternator of a vehicle while the alternator is coupled to the vehicle. A sensor is configured to couple to the vehicle and sense a signal related to operation of the alternator. A memory contains data related to operator instructions for performing an alternator tester of a function of vehicle type. A processor configured to provide an output indication of alternator condition based upon the sensed signal. An extra load or connection can be provided for coupling to the electrical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Kevin Bertness, Alan Melton
  • Publication number: 20050035752
    Abstract: An alternator tester is provided for testing an alternator of a vehicle while the alternator is coupled to the vehicle. A sensor is configured to couple to the vehicle and sense a signal related to operation of the alternator. A memory contains data related to operator instructions for performing an alternator tester of a function of vehicle type. A processor configured to provide an output indication of alternator condition based upon the sensed signal. An extra load or connection can be provided for coupling to the electrical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Kevin Bertness, Alan Melton
  • Patent number: 6421993
    Abstract: A two-piece retainer for securing a pivot tube of a combine feederhouse to a combine frame, having a first piece made of a polymer material and a second piece made of a metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Ryan Patrick Mackin, Andrew James Foerderer, Richard C. Remley, Todd Neil Signer, Thomas Bernard Haar, Mark Alan Melton