Patents by Inventor Brian P. Crow

Brian P. Crow 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).

  • Publication number: 20240032472
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes: a harvester frame; and an agricultural header coupled with the harvester frame, the agricultural header including: a header frame; an end row divider coupled with the header frame; an auger mounted to the end row divider and configured for moving a crop material rearwardly, the auger including a centerline; and an auger stripper coupled with the end row divider and configured for stripping the crop material from the auger, the auger stripper being angularly disposed relative to the centerline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Ricketts, Brian P. Crow
  • Patent number: 11825770
    Abstract: A clutch assembly includes: a drive hub having a spline configured to couple to a gearbox; a clutch housing coupled to the drive hub and having an end face defining an opening therein; a clutch hub disposed within the clutch housing and having a portion that extends out of the opening, the clutch hub being rotatable with respect to the clutch housing during a slip condition; a primary seal disposed between the clutch housing and the clutch hub; a quantity of purging compound disposed between the clutch housing and the clutch hub; and an end washer coupled to the clutch hub and facing the end face, the end washer and the end face defining a purge gap therebetween such that rotation of the clutch hub relative to the clutch housing causes some of the purging compound to eject from the clutch housing through the purge gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: James M. Gessel, Thamilselvan Karuppannan, Dan L. Garland, Jonathan E. Ricketts, Brian P. Crow
  • Publication number: 20230363314
    Abstract: A header for an agricultural harvester including an infeed conveyor having a fore end and an aft end, a center knife drive disposed adjacent to and forwardly of the infeed conveyor, and a knife drive cover covering the center knife drive. The knife drive cover includes a main body substantially covering an entire width of the center knife drive, and a seed saver extending rearwardly from an aft end of the main body. The seed saver is substantially planar, includes a width substantially the same as a width of the infeed conveyor, and defines a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the infeed conveyor. The seed saver is integrated with the knife drive cover. As such, the seed saver is secured to the header without need for metal brackets and other associated mounting hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen Todderud, Jeff Thomas, Brian P. Crow
  • Patent number: 11058059
    Abstract: A deck plate extension for a row unit of an agricultural harvester. The deck plate extension configured to attach to the return side of the row unit side thereby preventing a kernel crop from dropping to the ground during harvesting. The deck plate extension is further provided with a kernel channel configured to direct the kernel crop along the return side of the row unit side to the harvest side of the row unit side. The deck plate extension may be provided as part of a deck plate of a row unit side or may be provided as a second plate added to the row unit side. The deck plate extension is configured to be added as original equipment and as a retrofit to existing row units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Brian P. Crow, Jonathan E. Ricketts, Dan L. Garland
  • Patent number: 11032969
    Abstract: A crop dividing device for an agricultural header including a hood and a divider connected to the hood. The divider includes a base member pivotally connected to the hood. The base member includes a receiving section. The divider also includes an ear dam member receivable in the receiving section. The ear dam member is positionable in between a first position for increasing an overall slope of the divider and a second position for decreasing the overall slope of the divider. The ear dam member is connected to the receiving section in the first position, and the ear dam member is connected to one of the hood and base member in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Eric L. Walker, Kyle Lauff, Brian P. Crow, John P. Roeder
  • Publication number: 20200323132
    Abstract: A crop dividing device for an agricultural header including a hood and a divider connected to the hood. The divider includes a base member pivotally connected to the hood. The base member includes a receiving section. The divider also includes an ear dam member receivable in the receiving section. The ear dam member is positionable in between a first position for increasing an overall slope of the divider and a second position for decreasing the overall slope of the divider. The ear dam member is connected to the receiving section in the first position, and the ear dam member is connected to one of the hood and base member in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Eric L. Walker, Kyle Lauff, Brian P. Crow, John P. Roeder
  • Publication number: 20200178465
    Abstract: A deck plate extension for a row unit of an agricultural harvester. The deck plate extension configured to attach to the return side of the row unit side thereby preventing a kernel crop from dropping to the ground during harvesting. The deck plate extension is further provided with a kernel channel configured to direct the kernel crop along the return side of the row unit side to the harvest side of the row unit side. The deck plate extension may be provided as part of a deck plate of a row unit side or may be provided as a second plate added to the row unit side. The deck plate extension is configured to be added as original equipment and as a retrofit to existing row units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Brian P. Crow, Jonathan E. Ricketts, Dan L. Garland
  • Patent number: 10334783
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester row unit has side-by-side stalk rolls oriented to receive crop stalks. Each of the stalk rolls have a forward section with an annular base tapered towards the forward end and spiral auger flights that overlap one another and cooperate with adjacent bases to positively move crop stalks in an aft direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Eric L. Walker, Brian P. Crow, Dariusz Adamczyk, Eric Fredricks, Jonathan E. Ricketts
  • Patent number: 10058027
    Abstract: A row unit system for a corn header of an agricultural harvester, the row unit system including a plurality of row units and a plurality of chopper assemblies. A first row unit and an adjacent second row unit are each coupled to the corn header, with each row unit having a first and second leg. The first and second legs are substantially a mirror image of each other. The chopper assemblies are positioned proximate to the legs of the row units and include a chopper assembly nested between the second leg of the first row unit and the first leg of the second row unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: James M. Gessel, Joel T. Cook, Eric L. Walker, Michael L. Berggren, Brian P. Crow
  • Publication number: 20180054960
    Abstract: A row unit system for a corn header of an agricultural harvester, the row unit system including a plurality of row units and a plurality of chopper assemblies. A first row unit and an adjacent second row unit are each coupled to the corn header, with each row unit having a first and second leg. The first and second legs are substantially a mirror image of each other. The chopper assemblies are positioned proximate to the legs of the row units and include a chopper assembly nested between the second leg of the first row unit and the first leg of the second row unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: James M. Gessel, Joel T. Cook, Eric L. Walker, Michael L. Berggren, Brian P. Crow
  • Publication number: 20180054968
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester row unit has side-by-side stalk rolls oriented to receive crop stalks. Each of the stalk rolls have a forward section with an annular base tapered towards the forward end and spiral auger flights that overlap one another and cooperate with adjacent bases to positively move crop stalks in an aft direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Eric L. Walker, Brian P. Crow, Dariusz Adamczyk, Eric Fredricks, Jonathan E. Ricketts
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20170064906
    Abstract: A self-locking hinge for agricultural machine panels includes a receptacle configured to slidingly receive an insert along a receiving axis. A hinge with fixed and movable portions and pivot axis transverse to the receiving axis is connected to the insert. A locking retainer is connected to the movable portion and engages an opening in the receptacle as the movable portion is moved toward a first position corresponding with panel closure. Engagement of the locking retainer in the opening precludes movement of the insert portion along the receiving axis. Moving the hinge in an opposite direction disengages the locking retainer from the opening and permits sliding movement of the insert. The locking retainer further includes an arcuate surface configured to engage an edge of the opening which may further be eccentrically arranged about the hinge axis to enable the locking retainer to move the insert into a desired position as the hinge is moved toward the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: ERIC L. WALKER, BRIAN P. CROW
  • Patent number: 9574383
    Abstract: A self-locking hinge for agricultural machine panels includes a receptacle configured to slidingly receive an insert along a receiving axis. A hinge with fixed and movable portions and pivot axis transverse to the receiving axis is connected to the insert. A locking retainer is connected to the movable portion and engages an opening in the receptacle as the movable portion is moved toward a first position corresponding with panel closure. Engagement of the locking retainer in the opening precludes movement of the insert portion along the receiving axis. Moving the hinge in an opposite direction disengages the locking retainer from the opening and permits sliding movement of the insert. The locking retainer further includes an arcuate surface configured to engage an edge of the opening which may further be eccentrically arranged about the hinge axis to enable the locking retainer to move the insert into a desired position as the hinge is moved toward the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Eric L. Walker, Brian P. Crow
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8141331
    Abstract: A divider support apparatus with integral adjustable torsional preload mechanism for connecting a divider to a header frame. The mechanism includes a first element for carrying the divider and a second element configured for connection to the frame, and at least one resilient biasing element disposed between the first element and the second element and biasable by generation of a torsional loading condition between the first and second elements for applying a preload force therebetween. A preload adjusting mechanism in connection with at least one of the first element and the second element is operable for selectably adjusting the biasing of the at least one resilient biasing element in a manner for adjusting the preload force. The preload mechanism is also operable for damping vibrations emanating from the divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Bich, Brian P. Crow
  • Publication number: 20110252761
    Abstract: A divider support apparatus with integral adjustable torsional preload mechanism for connecting a divider to a header frame. The mechanism includes a first element for carrying the divider and a second element configured for connection to the frame, and at least one resilient biasing element disposed between the first element and the second element and biasable by generation of a torsional loading condition between the first and second elements for applying a preload force therebetween. A preload adjusting mechanism in connection with at least one of the first element and the second element is operable for selectably adjusting the biasing of the at least one resilient biasing element in a manner for adjusting the preload force. The preload mechanism is also operable for damping vibrations emanating from the divider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Gary L. Bich, Brian P. Crow