Patents by Inventor Andrew V. Lauwers

Andrew V. Lauwers 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: 11369060
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle including at least one threshing rotor and an auger bed located underneath the at least one threshing rotor. The auger bed has a working position and a cleaning position. The auger bed includes a frame, a plurality of augers rotatably coupled to and supported by the frame, and a trough portion moveably connected to the frame. In the working position the bottom surface of the trough portion is positioned underneath the plurality of augers and in the cleaning position the entire trough portion is moved relative to the frame so that the bottom surface of the trough portion is not positioned underneath at least a portion of the plurality of augers, creating an open space underneath the portion of the plurality of augers for allowing an unwanted material to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Curtis F. Hillen, Herbert M. Farley, Andrews V. Lauwers, Robert S. Boyd, III, Eric L Walker
  • Patent number: 11317559
    Abstract: The cutter guard assembly includes a cutter bar assembly, a window frame, and a floor sheet. The cutter bar assembly has a cutter bar and a reciprocating knife assembly operatively connected to a knife drive. The window frame is rigidly attached to the cutter bar. The window frame includes an opening through which a knife arm of the reciprocating knife assembly extends through. The floor sheet extends rearwardly from the cutter bar and pivots relative to the window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joel T. Cook, Curtis F. Hillen, Andrew V. Lauwers, Craig D. Roberts, Kyle R. Schropp, Joshua S. Joyce
  • Publication number: 20210378178
    Abstract: An agricultural header connectable to an agricultural vehicle including a frame, at least one row unit connected to the frame and including at least one gathering chain, at least one crop dividing member connected to the frame, and a crop saving attachment supported by the at least one crop dividing member and being adjustable between a lowered position and a raised position. The crop saving attachment including a base member fixedly attached to the at least one crop dividing member, an upper member movably attached to the base member and configured for adjusting between the lowered and raised positions, and a pair of flaps supported by the base member and slideably associated with the upper member so that a resting position of the pair of flaps remains substantially unchanged as the upper member is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew V. Lauwers, Bradley J. Wenger
  • Patent number: 10412891
    Abstract: A draper belt system is provided that includes first and second draper belt assemblies. The first draper belt assembly includes first and second rollers, and a draper belt looped around the first and second rollers. The first roller defines a first roller diameter, a first central longitudinal axis, and a first plane extending through the first central longitudinal axis. The second draper belt assembly includes third and fourth rollers, and a draper belt looped around the third and fourth rollers. The third roller defines a third roller diameter dimensioned smaller than the first roller diameter, a second central longitudinal axis, and a second plane extending through the second central longitudinal axis. The third roller of the second draper belt assembly is disposed adjacent to the first roller with the first central longitudinal axis extending parallel to the second central longitudinal axis, and the second plane offset from the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joshua S. Joyce, Zachary Long, James F. Rayfield, Andrew V. Lauwers, Blaine R. Noll
  • Publication number: 20190254234
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle including at least one threshing rotor and an auger bed located underneath the at least one threshing rotor. The auger bed has a working position and a cleaning position. The auger bed includes a frame, a plurality of augers rotatably coupled to and supported by the frame, and a trough portion moveably connected to the frame. In the working position the bottom surface of the trough portion is positioned underneath the plurality of augers and in the cleaning position the entire trough portion is moved relative to the frame so that the bottom surface of the trough portion is not positioned underneath at least a portion of the plurality of augers, creating an open space underneath the portion of the plurality of augers for allowing an unwanted material to pass therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Curtis F. Hillen, Herbert M. Farley, Andrews V. Lauwers, Robert S. Boyd, III, Eric L Walker
  • Patent number: 10292331
    Abstract: A draper belt system is provided that includes a first draper frame pivotally coupled to a second draper frame at a pivot joint. The pivot joint includes a central longitudinal axis about which rotation at the pivot joint occurs. The draper belt system includes a draper belt assembly including a first roller rotatably coupled to the first draper frame, a second roller rotatably coupled to the second draper frame, and a third roller rotatably coupled between the first and second draper frames. The third roller includes a central longitudinal axis about which the third roller rotates. The central longitudinal axis of the third roller is the same as the central longitudinal axis of the pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Andrew V. Lauwers, Blaine R. Noll, Joshua S. Joyce, Kyle R. Schropp, John J. Conroy, Zachary Long, Craig D. Roberts, James F. Rayfield
  • Publication number: 20190104676
    Abstract: A cutter guard assembly for a knife drive of an agricultural farm implement is provided. The cutter guard assembly includes a cutter bar assembly, a window frame, and a floor sheet. The cutter bar assembly has a cutter bar and a reciprocating knife assembly operatively connected to a knife drive. The window frame is rigidly attached to the cutter bar. The window frame includes an opening through which a knife arm of the reciprocating knife assembly extends through. The floor sheet extends rearwardly from the cutter bar and pivots relative to the window frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Joel T. Cook, Curtis F. Hillen, Andrew V. Lauwers, Craig D. Roberts, Kyle R. Schropp, Joshua S. Joyce
  • Patent number: 10172280
    Abstract: A cutter guard assembly for a knife drive of an agricultural farm implement is provided. The cutter guard assembly includes a cutter bar assembly, a window frame, and a floor sheet. The cutter bar assembly has a cutter bar and a reciprocating knife assembly operatively connected to a knife drive. The window frame is rigidly attached to the cutter bar. The window frame includes an opening through which a knife arm of the reciprocating knife assembly extends through. The floor sheet extends rearwardly from the cutter bar and pivots relative to the window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joel T. Cook, Curtis F. Hillen, Andrew V. Lauwers, Craig D. Roberts, Kyle R. Schropp, Joshua S. Joyce
  • Publication number: 20190000015
    Abstract: A draper belt system is provided that includes a first draper frame pivotally coupled to a second draper frame at a pivot joint. The pivot joint includes a central longitudinal axis about which rotation at the pivot joint occurs. The draper belt system includes a draper belt assembly including a first roller rotatably coupled to the first draper frame, a second roller rotatably coupled to the second draper frame, and a third roller rotatably coupled between the first and second draper frames. The third roller includes a central longitudinal axis about which the third roller rotates. The central longitudinal axis of the third roller is the same as the central longitudinal axis of the pivot joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Andrew V. Lauwers, Blaine R. Noll, Joshua S. Joyce, Kyle R. Schropp, John J. Conroy, Zachary Long, Craig D. Roberts, James F. Rayfield
  • Patent number: 10165726
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle that includes a chassis and a header with at least three header frames, including a center section, a first wing section, and a second wing section carried by the chassis. The header includes: at least three knife assemblies; and at least three knife drives, each of the knife drives being drivingly coupled to at least one of the at least three knife assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Andrew V. Lauwers, Blaine R. Noll, Joshua Joyce, John J. Conroy, Zachary Long, Craig D. Roberts, James F. Rayfield
  • Patent number: 10070575
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a header carried by the chassis. The header includes: a center section supporting at least one center cutter and having a pair of lateral ends; a wing section linked to one of the lateral ends of the center section and supporting at least one wing cutter, the wing section being vertically moveable relative to the center section between a harvesting position and a transport position, the wing section being pivotable about a generally vertical pivot axis in the transport position and substantially prevented from pivoting about the pivot axis in the harvesting position; and an actuator linked to the wing section and configured to vertically move the wing section from the harvesting position to the transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Bradley J. Wenger, Zachary Long, Craig D. Roberts, Andrew V. Lauwers, Blaine R. Noll, James F. Rayfield, John J. Conroy
  • Publication number: 20180206406
    Abstract: A draper belt system is provided that includes first and second draper belt assemblies. The first draper belt assembly includes first and second rollers, and a draper belt looped around the first and second rollers. The first roller defines a first roller diameter, a first central longitudinal axis, and a first plane extending through the first central longitudinal axis. The second draper belt assembly includes third and fourth rollers, and a draper belt looped around the third and fourth rollers. The third roller defines a third roller diameter dimensioned smaller than the first roller diameter, a second central longitudinal axis, and a second plane extending through the second central longitudinal axis. The third roller of the second draper belt assembly is disposed adjacent to the first roller with the first central longitudinal axis extending parallel to the second central longitudinal axis, and the second plane offset from the first plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joshua S. Joyce, Zachary Long, James F. Rayfield, Andrew V. Lauwers, Blaine R. Noll
  • Publication number: 20180177121
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis and a header carried by the chassis. The header includes: at least three knife assemblies; and at least three knife drives, each of the knife drives being drivingly coupled to at least one of the at least three knife assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Andrew V. Lauwers, Blaine R. Noll, Joshua Joyce, John J. Conroy, Zachary Long, Craig D. Roberts, James F. Rayfield
  • Patent number: 9961835
    Abstract: A combine unload control system having a grain tank for storing grain and at least one auger for unloading grain from the grain tank. The control system also includes a first auger cover proximate to the at least one auger, having one or more first auger cutouts disposed on a portion of the first auger cover and a second auger cover proximate to the at least one auger and having one or more second auger cutouts disposed on a portion of the second auger cover. The control system further includes a controller configured to control amounts of grain to pass through the one or more first auger cutouts and the one or more second auger cutouts and flow to the at least one auger by causing the first auger cover and the second auger cover to move relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Andrew V. Lauwers, Kevin W. Ward
  • Patent number: 9961828
    Abstract: A cutter guard assembly for a knife drive of an agricultural farm implement is provided. The cutter guard assembly includes a cutter bar assembly, a floor assembly and a knife assembly. The cutter bar assembly has a cutter bar. The floor assembly includes a floor extending from the cutter bar and a cover extending from the floor. The knife assembly is covered by and situated below the floor assembly. In operation the cover drapes over a rigid frame of a header shielding the knife assembly from debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joel T. Cook, Andrew V. Lauwers, Craig D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9913430
    Abstract: A corn header for an agricultural harvester is disclosed. The header includes a chassis having first and second lateral ends and a plurality of row units defining crop receiving gaps. The header further includes a power takeoff member having a first end operatively connected to the agricultural harvester. A plurality of chopping units is carried by the chassis adjacent the row units, each chopping unit including a rotating blade configured to span a crop receiving gap of the row unit. A drive assembly including a gearbox, driveshaft and secondary gearbox is operably connected to the second end of the power takeoff member. The drive shaft extends from the gearbox to the secondary gearbox disposed between the first and second lateral ends of the chassis. The drive shaft is operably connected to a rotating line shaft of the row units or the chopping units via the secondary gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joel Timothy Cook, Andrew V. Lauwers
  • Publication number: 20180035598
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a header carried by the chassis. The header includes: a center section supporting at least one center cutter and having a pair of lateral ends; a wing section linked to one of the lateral ends of the center section and supporting at least one wing cutter, the wing section being vertically moveable relative to the center section between a harvesting position and a transport position, the wing section being pivotable about a generally vertical pivot axis in the transport position and substantially prevented from pivoting about the pivot axis in the harvesting position; and an actuator linked to the wing section and configured to vertically move the wing section from the harvesting position to the transport position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Bradley J. Wenger, Zachary Long, Craig D. Roberts, Andrew V. Lauwers, Blaine R. Noll, James F. Rayfield, John J. Conroy
  • Patent number: 9814181
    Abstract: A header of an agricultural harvester for the transport of a flow of crop from a header to a combine feeder house. The header includes a frame having a floor, a conveyor assembly, and a drive mechanism. The conveyor assembly is mounted above the floor to urge a flow of crop material during harvesting operations, and the drive mechanism operatively connects to the conveyor assembly to drive movement of the conveyor assembly. The drive mechanism includes a drive motor mounted to the frame beneath the floor about a medial section of the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Wenger, Andrew V. Lauwers
  • Patent number: 9801339
    Abstract: An agricultural combine having an adjustable spreader assembly is provided that includes a spreader, a regulator and a rotary spreader. The spreader is operatively connected to a rear end of the agricultural combine and includes a housing and rotary blades. The housing has an inlet for receiving a flow of residue, and an outlet configured about a lateral side of the housing for discharging the flow of residue. The rotary blades are operatively connected to the housing for rotating therein. The regulator has a proximal end pivotably connected to a lateral side of the spreader about a substantially vertical axis to pivot the regulator in a fore and an aft direction, and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The regulator is in fluid communication with the housing. The rotary spreader is positioned proximate the distal end of the regulator and receives and distributes the flow of residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Martin J. Roberge, Jason M. Benes, Andrew V. Lauwers, Nathan E. Isaac
  • Patent number: RE49178
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a header carried by the chassis. The header includes: a center section supporting at least one center cutter and having a pair of lateral ends; a wing section linked to one of the lateral ends of the center section and supporting at least one wing cutter, the wing section being vertically moveable relative to the center section between a harvesting position and a transport position, the wing section being pivotable about a generally vertical pivot axis in the transport position and substantially prevented from pivoting about the pivot axis in the harvesting position; and an actuator linked to the wing section and configured to vertically move the wing section from the harvesting position to the transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Bradley J. Wenger, Zachary Long, Craig D. Roberts, Andrew V. Lauwers, Blaine R. Noll, James F. Rayfield, John J. Conroy