Patents by Inventor Christopher T. McCord

Christopher T. McCord 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: 11876395
    Abstract: A tractor battery charging module includes a compartment where a portable battery for a handheld battery power tool may be stored and connected to a tractor electrical system. The tractor electrical system charges the portable handheld tool battery in a first mode when the tractor ignition is on, and the portable handheld tool battery recharges the tractor battery in a second mode when the tractor ignition is off. The first mode includes a step up converter to convert the tractor electrical system voltage to the portable battery voltage, and the second mode includes a step down converter to convert the portable handheld tool battery voltage to the tractor electrical system voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher T. McCord, David E. Leverett, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220090352
    Abstract: A surface grading system includes a traction unit and a scraper implement attached thereto via a three-point hitch system. A controller automatically controls an actuator of the three-point hitch system to automatically adjust a position of the scraper implement relative to the traction unit to automatically profile the ground surface to achieve a desired profile. The controller includes an Artificial Neural Network that receives a pitch angle of the traction unit and a leveling variation as input values, and outputs a hitch control signal. The Artificial Neural Network includes a first layer using a logarithmic sigmoid function as an activation function, and an output layer using a linear function as an activation function. The hitch control signal raises or lowers the three-point hitch system as the traction unit moves across the ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Tien-Chuong Lim, Christopher T. McCord, Benjamin Seth Peavy
  • Publication number: 20220094190
    Abstract: A tractor battery charging module includes a compartment where a portable battery for a handheld battery power tool may be stored and connected to a tractor electrical system. The tractor electrical system charges the portable handheld tool battery in a first mode when the tractor ignition is on, and the portable handheld tool battery recharges the tractor battery in a second mode when the tractor ignition is off. The first mode includes a step up converter to convert the tractor electrical system voltage to the portable battery voltage, and the second mode includes a step down converter to convert the portable handheld tool battery voltage to the tractor electrical system voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER T. McCORD, DAVID E. LEVERETT, JR.
  • Patent number: 10802496
    Abstract: A remote tractor control system with a hand held remote control unit having an enable button that when actuated sends signals from a plurality of command buttons on the hand held remote control unit to a three point hitch controller, a transmission controller and an engine controller on a tractor. When not actuated, a rear switch module may be used to raise and lower the three point hitch or creep in forward or reverse, while the hand held remote control unit may display information about tractor condition from the engine controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Clint W. Lampley, Harry K. Voelp, IV, Christopher T. McCord, Chris S. McCormick
  • Publication number: 20200073397
    Abstract: A remote tractor control system with a hand held remote control unit having an enable button that when actuated sends signals from a plurality of command buttons on the hand held remote control unit to a three point hitch controller, a transmission controller and an engine controller on a tractor. When not actuated, a rear switch module may be used to raise and lower the three point hitch or creep in forward or reverse, while the hand held remote control unit may display information about tractor condition from the engine controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Clint W. Lampley, Harry K. Voelp, IV, Christopher T. McCord, Chris S. McCormick
  • Patent number: 9556790
    Abstract: A bi-directional tractor exhaust system with ground speed detection includes a downwardly directed exhaust pipe, an upwardly directed exhaust pipe, and an intermediate exhaust pipe connected to the outlet of a diesel particulate filter. An exhaust pipe valve may be opened or closed by an actuator to direct exhaust through the downwardly directed exhaust pipe during regeneration of the diesel particulate filter if a signal from a ground speed sensor indicates ground speed above a first speed, or through the upwardly directed exhaust pipe if the ground speed is below a second speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher T. McCord, Tien-Chuong Lim, Stephen M. Upchurch
  • Publication number: 20160237891
    Abstract: A bi-directional tractor exhaust system with ground speed detection includes a downwardly directed exhaust pipe, an upwardly directed exhaust pipe, and an intermediate exhaust pipe connected to the outlet of a diesel particulate filter. An exhaust pipe valve may be opened or closed by an actuator to direct exhaust through the downwardly directed exhaust pipe during regeneration of the diesel particulate filter if a signal from a ground speed sensor indicates ground speed above a first speed, or through the upwardly directed exhaust pipe if the ground speed is below a second speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher T. McCord, Tien-Chuong Lim, Stephen M. Upchurch
  • Patent number: 9228461
    Abstract: A bi-directional tractor exhaust system includes a downwardly directed exhaust pipe connected to an upwardly directed exhaust pipe. An exhaust pipe valve may be mounted in the downwardly directed exhaust pipe. An actuator may be connected to the exhaust pipe valve and may be moveable between a first position opening the exhaust pipe valve to direct exhaust through the downwardly directed exhaust pipe, and a second position closing the exhaust pipe valve to direct exhaust through the upwardly directed exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Dietrich, Nicholas R. Wilson, Christopher T. McCord
  • Publication number: 20140034171
    Abstract: A bi-directional tractor exhaust system includes a downwardly directed exhaust pipe connected to an upwardly directed exhaust pipe. An exhaust pipe valve may be mounted in the downwardly directed exhaust pipe. An actuator may be connected to the exhaust pipe valve and may be moveable between a first position opening the exhaust pipe valve to direct exhaust through the downwardly directed exhaust pipe, and a second position closing the exhaust pipe valve to direct exhaust through the upwardly directed exhaust pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Dietrich, Nicholas R. Wilson, Christopher T. McCord
  • Patent number: 7971905
    Abstract: A folding rollover protection system includes an upper ROPS hinged to a lower ROPS and movable between an upright position and a folded down position. An isolation member may be urged between the upper and lower ROPS to separate them from each other. The isolation member may be a resilient wedge-shaped member positioned between a first wedge and a second wedge. The first wedge is movable toward the second wedge to urge the isolation member against one of the ROPS, isolating the upper ROPS from the lower ROPS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Christopher T. McCord, Gregory E. Childs
  • Publication number: 20110095514
    Abstract: A folding rollover protection system includes an upper ROPS hinged to a lower ROPS and movable between an upright position and a folded down position. An isolation member may be urged between the upper and lower ROPS to separate them from each other. The isolation member may be a resilient wedge-shaped member positioned between a first wedge and a second wedge. The first wedge is movable toward the second wedge to urge the isolation member against one of the ROPS, isolating the upper ROPS from the lower ROPS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher T. McCord, Gregory E. Childs
  • Patent number: 7721840
    Abstract: A creep steering control system for a utility vehicle is operable from a rearward-facing position. The creep steering control system includes a pivotable actuator alongside a rearward-facing seat that provides electronic output based on the position of the actuator. A linkage is provided between the pivotable actuator and steering wheel behind the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Christopher T. McCord, John R. Arthur, Julian Sanchez, David G. Reid
  • Publication number: 20080277190
    Abstract: A creep steering control system for a utility vehicle is operable from a rearward-facing position. The creep steering control system includes a pivotable actuator alongside a rearward-facing seat that provides electronic output based on the position of the actuator. A linkage is provided between the pivotable actuator and steering wheel behind the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher T. McCord, John R. Arthur, Julian Sanchez, David G. Reid