Patents by Inventor Christopher T. Sauerwein

Christopher T. Sauerwein 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: 20170164783
    Abstract: A cooking unit may operate using multiple types of fuel to cook food. One or more first heat source, such as gas burners, electrical resistive heaters, and/or other heating technology, may provide radiant heat to a cooking chamber. One or more second heat source, such as a firebox, may provide indirect heat to the cooking chamber, for example by producing smoke. User operable controls and/or an automated control unit may alter the rate at which a fuel and/or air is supplied to one or more heat source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: SmokeSteak LLC
    Inventors: Christopher T. Sauerwein, Andrew L. Curtis
  • Patent number: 9198348
    Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with an adapter, a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a fore-and-aft draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine. The fore-and-aft draper includes a draper frame swingably supported on the header frame at a pivot to project forwardly therefrom and a draper belt supported on the draper frame to present a rearwardly moving run for conveying the crop rearwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Honas, Christopher T. Sauerwein, Randy Lohrentz
  • Patent number: 8857140
    Abstract: A harvesting header includes a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame, a draper assembly supported behind the cutterbar assembly for conveying severed crop materials received from the cutterbar assembly, and a plurality of laterally spaced apart support arms attached to and cooperatively supporting the flexible cutterbar assembly, with each support arm being pivotal about a lateral axis. The header further includes stop structure corresponding with each of the support arms, with the stop structure located forwardly of the lateral axis and defining a limited range of angular support arm movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher T. Sauerwein
  • Patent number: 8857141
    Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a fore-and-aft draper and side drapers, with at least part of the draper assembly being rigidly supported on the header frame. A center section of the cutterbar assembly is rigidified so as to be restricted from flexing, while the side sections of the cutterbar assembly flex and follow the changes in terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Honas, Christopher T. Sauerwein
  • Patent number: 8763353
    Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a center draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine and oppositely spaced side drapers that deliver crop material to the center draper. The harvesting header is operable to flex and thereby follow an uneven terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher T. Sauerwein, Randy Lohrentz, James R. Schmidt, Gagan Sethi
  • Publication number: 20140090345
    Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a fore-and-aft draper and side drapers, with at least part of the draper assembly being rigidly supported on the header frame. A center section of the cutterbar assembly is rigidified so as to be restricted from flexing, while the side sections of the cutterbar assembly flex and follow the changes in terrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: AGCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Honas, Christopher T. Sauerwein
  • Patent number: 8621837
    Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, a plurality of laterally spaced apart support arms, a conveyor assembly, and a cutterbar drive. The support arms are pivotally coupled to the frame for swinging movement about a laterally extending axis so that the flexible cutterbar assembly is operable to flex along the length thereof in response to changes in terrain as the header is advanced. The cutterbar drive includes a drive element and a forward gearbox drivingly connected between the drive element and the cutterbar assembly. The forward gearbox is supported on an outer support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher T. Sauerwein, Randy Lohrentz
  • Patent number: 8621836
    Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a conveyor assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The conveyor assembly includes a fore-and-aft draper with a draper frame swingably supported on the header frame at a pivot where the draper frame projects forwardly from the pivot, such that the draper frame is operable to swing relative to the header frame. The fore-and-aft draper includes a draper belt supported on the draper frame to present a rearwardly moving run for conveying the crop rearwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Honas, Christopher T. Sauerwein, Randy Lohrentz
  • Patent number: 8601780
    Abstract: A harvesting header includes a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly mounted to the header frame, a plurality of laterally spaced apart support arms, and a draper assembly. The support arms are attached to and cooperatively support the cutterbar assembly and are pivotally coupled to the frame for swinging movement about a laterally extending axis. The draper assembly includes a side draper carried on multiple ones of the support arms so as to flex with the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes rollers and a roller frame that operably interconnects the interior support arm and a respective one of the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Schmidt, Christopher T. Sauerwein, Randy Lohrentz, Bernard D. Regier, Stanley R. Clark, Alan R. Bergkamp
  • Patent number: 8534037
    Abstract: A harvesting header includes a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame, a draper assembly supported behind the cutterbar assembly for conveying severed crop materials received from the cutterbar assembly, and a plurality of laterally spaced apart support arms attached to and cooperatively supporting the flexible cutterbar assembly, with each support arm being pivotal about a lateral axis. The header further includes stop structure associated with a respective one of the support arms, with the stop structure located forwardly of the lateral axis and defining a limited range of angular support arm movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher T. Sauerwein, Randy Lohrentz, Gagan Sethi, James R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20130160418
    Abstract: A reel may be disclosed. The reel may comprise a bearing mount, a bearing, and a reel tube. The bearing mount may be connected to the bearing. The reel tube may comprise a midpoint. The reel tube may also be a continuous piece and may be supported proximate the midpoint by the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher T. Sauerwein, Randy Lohrentz, Gagan Sethi
  • Patent number: 8438824
    Abstract: A harvesting header includes a header frame, a cutterbar assembly mounted to the header frame, and a conveyor assembly supported behind the cutterbar assembly to receive crop severed by the cutterbar assembly. The conveyor assembly includes a pair of side conveyors and a fore-and-aft draper located between the side conveyors. The header further includes a central crop-conveying member that overhangs the rear margin of the fore-and-aft draper and a floor pan that at least partly defines a transition area. The floor pan presents a forwardmost edge adjacent to and rearward of the rear margin. The forwardmost edge is located above a lower run of the draper to direct severed crop materials from the upper run of the draper and to facilitate crop material flow through the transition area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher T. Sauerwein, Randy Lohrentz
  • Patent number: 8393135
    Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a conveyor assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The conveyor assembly includes a fore-and-aft draper with a draper frame swingably supported on the header frame at a pivot where the draper frame projects forwardly from the pivot, such that the draper frame is operable to swing relative to the header frame. The fore-and-aft draper includes a draper belt supported on the draper frame to present a rearwardly moving run for conveying the crop rearwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Honas, Christopher T. Sauerwein, Randy Lohrentz
  • Patent number: 8359822
    Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a fore-and-aft draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine. The fore-and-aft draper includes a draper frame swingably supported on the header frame at a pivot to project forwardly therefrom and a draper belt supported on the draper frame to present a rearwardly moving run for conveying the crop rearwardly. The fore-and-aft draper includes a counterbalance mechanism coupled between the header and draper frames to counteract the weight of the fore-and-aft draper about the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Honas, Christopher T. Sauerwein, Randy Lohrentz
  • Patent number: 8341929
    Abstract: Belt guards that overlie the interface between a flexible cutterbar assembly and a flexible draper assembly of a harvesting header define an underlying void region that is sealed against the entry of crop residue by an upright dam wall that bears against the underside of the overhanging belt guards forward of the front edge of the upper run of the belt of the draper assembly. The upright dam wall is on the front extremity of flexible support panels that underlie the upper belt run and may be essentially rigid or provided with a resilient trim seal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher T. Sauerwein, Gagan Sethi
  • Patent number: 8341928
    Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a flexible draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly to permit the draper assembly to flex with the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes fore-and-aft extending rollers and an endless flexible belt entrained around the rollers. The draper assembly further includes at least one support panel to support the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher T. Sauerwein, Gagan Sethi
  • Publication number: 20120324855
    Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a flexible draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly to permit the draper assembly to flex with the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes fore-and-aft extending rollers and an endless flexible belt entrained around the rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: AGCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher T. Sauerwein, Gagan Sethi
  • Publication number: 20120279191
    Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a center draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine and oppositely spaced side drapers that deliver crop material to the center draper. The harvesting header is operable to flex and thereby follow an uneven terrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: AGCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher T. Sauerwein, Randy Lohrentz, Gagan Sethi, James R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20120266582
    Abstract: A harvesting header includes a header frame, a cutterbar assembly mounted to the header frame, and a conveyor assembly supported behind the cutterbar assembly to receive crop severed by the cutterbar assembly. The conveyor assembly includes a pair of side conveyors and a fore-and-aft draper located between the side conveyors. The header further includes a central crop-conveying member that overhangs the rear margin of the fore-and-aft draper and a floor pan that at least partly defines a transition area. The floor pan presents a forwardmost edge adjacent to and rearward of the rear margin. The forwardmost edge is located above a lower run of the draper to direct severed crop materials from the upper run of the draper and to facilitate crop material flow through the transition area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: AGCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES R. SCHMIDT, CHRISTOPHER T. SAUERWEIN, RANDY LOHRENTZ, BERNARD D. REGIER, STANLEY R. CLARK, ALAN R. BERGKAMP
  • Patent number: 8292328
    Abstract: An agricultural header assembly broadly includes a header and a header transport assembly. The header is disposed in a transport orientation when a rigid beam thereof is out of vertical alignment with the header center of gravity. The transport assembly includes first and second pairs of spaced apart wheels shiftably connected to the rigid beam for movement between a transport position and a field position. The first and second pairs of wheels define respective first and second midpoints therebetween when in the transport position. The first and second midpoints are each disposed in general vertical alignment with the header center of gravity when the header is in the transport orientation to substantially balance the header on the transport assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Honas, Christopher T. Sauerwein, Randy Lohrentz