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: 9717181
    Abstract: A pivotably adjustable attachment apparatus for an agricultural vehicle includes an attachment connected to a mounting structure. The mounting structure is operatively connected to an adapter assembly in communication with a feed device for moving a crop from the attachment to a feed device for further processing of the crop. A frame supports the feed device over an uneven surface. An apparatus is positioned between the mounting structure and the adapter assembly. The apparatus provides a substantially non-sliding contact between the mounting structure and the adapter assembly in response to the mounting structure being directed to a pivotable movement with respect to the mounting structure, thereby providing a pivotable movement of the attachment in response to encountering the uneven surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: R. Stewart Boyd, III, Andrew V. Lauwers
  • Patent number: 9668413
    Abstract: A row unit for a header of an agricultural harvester is provided that includes a first longitudinally extending stripping plate and a second longitudinally extending stripping plate each mounted on a frame and each having opposed stripping edges which define a gap between the first stripping plate and the second stripping plate. The row unit includes a gap adjustment mechanism for adjusting a size of the gap that includes first and second linkage assemblies. Each of the two linkage assemblies have an elongated linkage extending substantially parallel to the respective longitudinally extending stripping plate, and a connection mechanism connecting the elongated linkage to the longitudinally extending stripping plate. The row unit further includes a control arm connected to the first and second linkage assemblies for moving the first and second linkage assemblies between first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Eric L. Walker, Kyle O. Lauff, Brian P. Crow, Trevor D. Book, Michael L. Berggren, Barry E. Lehman, James M. Gessel, Andrew V. Lauwers
  • Patent number: 9642307
    Abstract: A header end hood mount for a harvester configured to allow an end hood on a corn header to pivot about a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly is connected to the frame for mounting the hood thereon and includes a mounting bracket affixed to the frame to allow the hood to pivot between a first position covering the row unit and a second position spaced outwardly and upwardly from the first position to provide improved access to a row unit covered by an end hood during normal operation. The header end hood mount is designed to provide a pivoting motion of the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Zachary Long, Bradley Wenger, Andrew V. Lauwers, Blaine Noll
  • Patent number: 9532505
    Abstract: A row divider of an agricultural harvester is disclosed. The row divider includes a hood, a divider and an adjustment apparatus for adjusting the position of the divider and hood relative to each other. The adjustment apparatus includes a divider support extending from the hood for supporting the divider and an adjustment assembly. The adjustment assembly is connected to the divider support and extends through the hood to an outer region of the hood such that an operator can access and adjust the position of the divider from a region outside the hood and/or divider without the need for lifting the divider to an up position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Zachary Long, Andrew V. Lauwers
  • Publication number: 20160324072
    Abstract: A header end hood mount for a harvester configured to allow an end hood on a corn header to pivot about a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly connected to the frame for mounting the hood thereon includes a mounting bracket affixed to the frame to allow the hood to pivot between a first position covering the row unit and a second position spaced outwardly and upwardly from the first position to provide improved access to a row unit covered by an end hood during normal operation. The header end hood mount according to the subject application is designed to provide an improved pivoting motion of the hood with increased access to a row unit covered by the end hood and requiring minimal movement of the end hood by the operator to improve safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Zachary Long, Bradley Wenger, Andrew V. Lauwers, Blaine Noll
  • Publication number: 20160324071
    Abstract: A header of an agricultural harvester is disclosed 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 feeder assembly. The conveyor assembly is mounted to the frame and the conveyor assembly includes a conveyor and a conveyor drive mechanism for driving the conveyor. The feeder assembly is mounted to the frame and has a rotary device and an independent rotary drive mechanism operatively connected to the rotary device to drive the rotation of the rotary device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Wenger, Andrew V. Lauwers
  • Patent number: 9386748
    Abstract: A folding wheel transport assembly is attachable to a header frame of an agricultural harvester and includes a wheel, a wheel axle support member carrying the wheel, a linkage connected to the wheel axle support member, and an actuator for moving the linkage and the wheel from a transportation position to a harvesting position. The wheel axle support member is pivotably connected to the linkage whereby the wheel pivots inwardly toward the header frame as the wheel moves between the transportation and harvesting positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joel Timothy Cook, Andrew V. Lauwers, Blaine Noll
  • Publication number: 20160183466
    Abstract: A row divider of an agricultural harvester is disclosed. The row divider includes a hood, a divider and an adjustment apparatus for adjusting the position of the divider and hood relative to each other. The adjustment apparatus includes a divider support extending from the hood for supporting the divider and an adjustment assembly. The adjustment assembly is connected to the divider support and extends through the hood to an outer region of the hood such that an operator can access and adjust the position of the divider from a region outside the hood and/or divider without the need for lifting the divider to an up position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Zachary Long, Andrew V. Lauwers
  • Publication number: 20160174461
    Abstract: A row unit for a header of an agricultural harvester is provided that includes a first longitudinally extending stripping plate and a second longitudinally extending stripping plate each mounted on a frame and each having opposed stripping edges which define a gap between the first stripping plate and the second stripping plate. The row unit includes a gap adjustment mechanism for adjusting a size of the gap that includes first and second linkage assemblies. Each of the two linkage assemblies have an elongated linkage extending substantially parallel to the respective longitudinally extending stripping plate, and a connection mechanism connecting the elongated linkage to the longitudinally extending stripping plate. The row unit further includes a control arm connected to the first and second linkage assemblies for moving the first and second linkage assemblies between first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Eric L. Walker, Kyle O. Lauff, Brian P. Crow, Trevor D. Book, Michael L. Berggren, Barry E. Lehman, James M. Gessel, Andrew V. Lauwers
  • Publication number: 20160135366
    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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Joel T. Cook, Andrew V. Lauwers, Craig D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9301450
    Abstract: A combine feeding system includes a lower conveyor roller configured to rotate around a lower conveyor roller axis, an upper conveyor roller configured to rotate around an upper conveyor roller axis and a drive shaft configured to rotate around a drive shaft axis. The lower conveyor roller axis, upper conveyor roller axis and drive shaft axis are substantially perpendicular to first and second housing walls. The feeding system also includes at least one chain configured to move over the drive shaft, the lower conveyor roller and the upper conveyor roller. The feeding system further includes at least one lower support arm coupled to the drive shaft and the lower conveyor roller and configured to pivot about the drive shaft axis. At least one force mechanism is configured to apply a force to the at least one chain in at least one of a first direction and a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Robert Stewart Boyd, Andrew V. Lauwers, Herb M. Farley
  • Publication number: 20160073585
    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: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joel Timothy Cook, Andrew V. Lauwers
  • Publication number: 20160066503
    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: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Joel T. Cook, Curtis F. Hillen, Andrew V. Lauwers, Craig D. Roberts, Kyle R. Schropp, Joshua S. Joyce
  • Publication number: 20150313084
    Abstract: A folding wheel transport assembly for a header of an agricultural harvester is disclosed as is a method for moving a wheel of such assembly from a transportation position to a harvesting position. The assembly is attachable to a header frame and includes a wheel, a wheel axle support member carrying the wheel, a linkage connected to the wheel axle support member, and an actuator for moving the linkage and the wheel from a transportation position to a harvesting position. The wheel axle support member is pivotably connected to the linkage whereby the wheel pivots inwardly toward the header frame as the wheel moves between the transportation and harvesting positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joel Timothy Cook, Andrew V. Lauwers, Blaine Noll
  • Patent number: 9137949
    Abstract: A chopper assembly for harvesting equipment including a knife bank movable between a first position where knife elements of the knife bank are fully inserted into a passageway for crop residue and a second position where knife elements of the knife bank are fully retracted from the passageway. A body has a slot or profile, the body secured to the knife bank and at least one knife element, the body and the knife element configured to move relative to the knife bank. A resilient device operably connects the slot or profile and the knife bank, the resilient device preventing movement of the knife element away from the first position and toward the second position until the knife element is subjected to a predetermined force. Upon removal of the predetermined force, the resilient device urges the knife element to move toward the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Nathan E. Isaac, Andrew V. Lauwers, Mark D. Dilts
  • Publication number: 20150156968
    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: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Andrew V. Lauwers, Kevin W. Ward
  • Patent number: 8876583
    Abstract: An agricultural combine having an adjustable spreader assembly is provided that includes a spreader with one or a pair of regulators. The spreader includes a discharge opening about its lateral side. The regulator is pivotably connected to the lateral side of the spreader such that the regulator is in fluid communication with the discharge opening. The regulator can be configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position or to vary the direction of discharge of crop residue. The spreader can be a vertical spreader, a horizontal spreader, or a spread board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Martin Jean Roberge, Jason M. Benes, Andrew V. Lauwers, Nathan E. Isaac
  • Publication number: 20140179383
    Abstract: A chopper assembly for harvesting equipment including a knife bank movable between a first position where knife elements of the knife bank are fully inserted into a passageway for crop residue and a second position where knife elements of the knife bank are fully retracted from the passageway. A body has a slot or profile, the body secured to the knife bank and at least one knife element, the body and the knife element configured to move relative to the knife bank. A resilient device operably connects the slot or profile and the knife bank, the resilient device preventing movement of the knife element away from the first position and toward the second position until the knife element is subjected to a predetermined force. Upon removal of the predetermined force, the resilient device urges the knife element to move toward the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Nathan E. ISAAC, Andrew V. LAUWERS, Mark D. DILTS
  • Patent number: 8701870
    Abstract: A slat for use in an agricultural harvester including a web securable to a material moving system. A first and second leg extending outwardly from one side of the web, the first leg providing primary impetus for movement of crop material in a first direction by the material moving system. A third leg extending outwardly from an opposed side of the web and providing secondary impetus for movement of crop material by driven movement of the material moving system. In response to the slat encountering a foreign object that becomes wedged between the first leg, the third leg and structure of the material moving system and preventing driven movement of the material movement system in the first direction, upon application of force urging movement of the material movement system in an opposed second direction, the third leg facilitating a rotational movement of the slat for dislodging the foreign object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Herbert M. Farley, Andrew V. Lauwers, Robert Stewart Boyd, III
  • Publication number: 20140102863
    Abstract: A slat for use in an agricultural harvester including a web securable to a material moving system. A first and second leg extending outwardly from one side of the web, the first leg providing primary impetus for movement of crop material in a first direction by the material moving system. A third leg extending outwardly from an opposed side of the web and providing secondary impetus for movement of crop material by driven movement of the material moving system. In response to the slat encountering a foreign object that becomes wedged between the first leg, the third leg and structure of the material moving system and preventing driven movement of the material movement system in the first direction, upon application of force urging movement of the material movement system in an opposed second direction, the third leg facilitating a rotational movement of the slat for dislodging the foreign object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Herbert M. FARLEY, Andrew V. LAUWERS, Robert Stewart BOYD, III