Patents by Inventor Clayton E. Banks
Clayton E. Banks 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).
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Patent number: 9456551Abstract: A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-cylindrical opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: William Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, Eric Emerson Veikle, Karl Robert Linde, Todd Allen Cannegieter, Curtis Frederick Hillen, Frank R. G. Duquesne
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Publication number: 20160183472Abstract: A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-cylindrical opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2016Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: William Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, Eric Emerson Veikle, Karl Robert Linde, Todd Allen Cannegieter, Curtis Frederick Hillen, Frank R.G. Duquesne
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Publication number: 20160135371Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes: a chassis; a cleaning system carried by the chassis; a crop material elevator supplied with crop material that has passed through the cleaning system; and an auger supplying the crop material from the cleaning system to the crop material elevator. The auger includes: an auger axle configured to rotate and defining an auger axis of rotation; a first flighting having a first helical direction and configured to be rotated by the auger axle; a second flighting having a second helical direction opposite to the first helical direction, the second flighting configured to be rotated so as to direct crop material conveyed by the first flighting back toward the first flighting; and a thrower connected to the first flighting and the second flighting and configured to convey crop material transversely relative to the auger axis of rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Pieter Vandevelde, Clayton E. Banks, JR., Denver R. Yoder, Eric E. Veikle
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Patent number: 9307699Abstract: A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-circular opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: William Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, Eric Emerson Veikle, Karl Robert Linde, Todd Allen Cannegieter, Curtis Frederick Hillen, Frank R. G. Duquesne
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Patent number: 9049817Abstract: A control system for an unload drive system of a combine and a method for controlling an unload drive system of a combine by sensing a force on an unload auger. The combine includes a grain tank for storing grain and at least one auger for unloading grain from the grain tank. The combine includes at least one movable auger cover coupled to the grain tank for controlling the amount of grain to flow into the at least one auger. The control system includes at least one sensor for sensing a force on the unload drive system and a controller for receiving at least one force condition from the at least one sensor representing the sensed force on the unload drive system and causing the at least one movable auger cover to move based on the sensed force condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: William Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, Jr., Nathan C. Grotelueschen
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Publication number: 20140329572Abstract: A combine harvester having a crop processing mechanism and an elevator assembly is provided. The elevator assembly conveys harvested crop to the crop processing mechanism. The elevator assembly includes an elevator housing, an endless conveyor mounted for rotation within the elevator housing about a shaft, and a sprocket stripper mounted adjacent the shaft. The sprocket stripper includes a beveled or tapered edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2013Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: CNH America LLCInventors: William Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, JR., Eric Emerson Veikle
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Publication number: 20140302897Abstract: A system for discharging residue from an agricultural combine to a ground surface. The system including a spreader operatively connected to a rear end of the agricultural combine. The spreader having one or more impellers each having an axis of rotation and a housing. The impellers are operatively connected to the housing for rotating therein. The housing has an inlet for receiving a flow of residue, an outlet configured about a lateral side of the housing for discharging the flow of residue, and one or more residue flow distributors each pivotably movable in a direction generally parallel with the axis of rotation. Each flow distributor is configured to guide the discharged flow of residue sidewardly away from the spreader to the ground surface. The rotation of the one or more impellers discharge a flow of residue received through the inlet out through the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLCInventors: Nathan E. Isaac, Kevin Frederick Knapp, Austin L. Jackson, William Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, JR.
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Publication number: 20140243055Abstract: A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-cylindrical opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLCInventors: William Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, Jr., Eric Emerson Veikle, Karl Robert Linde
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Publication number: 20140237976Abstract: A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-cylindrical opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Inventors: William Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, JR., Eric Emerson Veikle, Karl Robert Linde, Todd Allen Cannegieter, Curtis Frederick Hillen, Frank R. G. Duquesne
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Patent number: 8801514Abstract: A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-cylindrical opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2013Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: William Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, Jr., Eric Emerson Veikle, Karl Robert Linde, Todd Allen Cannegieter, Curtis Frederick Hillen, Frank R. G. Duquesne
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Publication number: 20140213331Abstract: A bubble up auger for conveying crop material on an agricultural combine is provided. The bubble up auger includes a tubular housing, a screw auger and a baffle. The tubular housing includes an inlet opening having a first width end adjacent a first end of the tubular housing and a second width end opposite the first width end. The baffle extends from the inlet opening, outwardly from the central longitudinal axis of the tubular housing and towards the first end of the tubular housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLCInventors: Jonathan Eugene Ricketts, William Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, JR.
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Publication number: 20130158813Abstract: A control system for an unload drive system of a combine and a method for controlling an unload drive system of a combine by sensing a force on an unload auger. The combine includes a grain tank for storing grain and at least one auger for unloading grain from the grain tank. The combine includes at least one movable auger cover coupled to the grain tank for controlling the amount of grain to flow into the at least one auger. The control system includes at least one sensor for sensing a force on the unload drive system and a controller for receiving at least one force condition from the at least one sensor representing the sensed force on the unload drive system and causing the at least one movable auger cover to move based on the sensed force condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLCInventors: Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, JR., Nathan C. Grotelueschen
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Patent number: 7578365Abstract: An interlock for a skid steer vehicle with a rear engine compartment and a rear door to that compartment includes a beam that is mounted transversely to the bottom of the door and has an upward facing surface that, like the beam, extends across the entire rear engine compartment opening. An interlocking second member is fixed to the chassis and extends across the rear engine compartment opening. When the door is impacted and forced upward, the first beam engages the second interlocking member over its width and transfers the force from the door (and beam) to the chassis When the door is impacted with a forward-directed force, the first beam also contacts the second member and transfers the forward forces through the second member to the chassis. Injury to the door is reduced or eliminated by transferring door impact forces to the chassis since the first beam extends substantially the entire distance across the door and is fixed to an inner surface of the door's frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Robert D. Kurtz, Jr., Clayton E. Banks, Jr.
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Patent number: 7527555Abstract: Dribble control apparatus including a dribble control door hingedly or pivotally connected to an upper portion of a tube of a grain unloading conveyor. The door has a closed position covering a discharge opening of the tube for preventing grain dribbling, and an open position. The door has a shape which positions a center of gravity of the door for urging the door toward the closed position, including when closed, and which enables the door to support itself in the open position on a stream of grain flowing from the discharge opening with at least a substantial portion of the door spaced above the grain stream, while influencing or controlling an outward extent and direction of the flow of the stream.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2008Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Nathan C. Grotelueschen, Clayton E. Banks, Jr., Andrew J. Horst
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Publication number: 20080305843Abstract: Dribble control apparatus including a dribble control door hingedly or pivotally connected to an upper portion of a tube of a grain unloading conveyor. The door has a closed position covering a discharge opening of the tube for preventing grain dribbling, and an open position. The door has a shape which positions a center of gravity of the door for urging the door toward the closed position, including when closed, and which enables the door to support itself in the open position on a stream of grain flowing from the discharge opening with at least a substantial portion of the door spaced above the grain stream, while influencing or controlling an outward extent and direction of the flow of the stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2008Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: Nathan C. Grotelueschen, Clayton E. Banks, JR., Andrew J. Horst
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Patent number: 7354099Abstract: An interlock for a skid steer vehicle with a rear engine compartment and a rear door to that compartment includes a beam that is mounted transversely to the bottom of the door and has an upward facing surface that, like the beam, extends across the entire rear engine compartment opening. An interlocking second member is fixed to the chassis and extends across the rear engine compartment opening. When the door is impacted and forced upward, the first beam engages the second interlocking member over its width and transfers the force from the door (and beam) to the chassis. When the door is impacted with a forward-directed force, the first beam also contacts the second member and transfers the forward forces through the second member to the chassis. Injury to the door is reduced or eliminated by transferring door impact forces to the chassis since the first beam extends substantially the entire distance across the door and is fixed to an inner surface of the door's frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2007Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Robert D. Kurtz, Jr., Clayton E. Banks, Jr.
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Patent number: 7261173Abstract: An interlock for a skid steer vehicle with a rear engine compartment and a rear door to that compartment includes a beam that is mounted transversely to the bottom of the door and has an upward facing surface that, like the beam, extends across the entire rear engine compartment opening. An interlocking second member is fixed to the chassis and extends across the rear engine compartment opening. When the door is impacted and forced upward, the first beam engages the second interlocking member over its width and transfers the force from the door (and beam) to the chassis When the door is impacted with a forward-directed force, the first beam also contacts the second member and transfers the forward forces through the second member to the chassis. Injury to the door is reduced or eliminated by transferring door impact forces to the chassis since the first beam extends substantially the entire distance across the door and is fixed to an inner surface of the door's frame.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Robert D. Kurtz, Jr., Clayton E. Banks, Jr.
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Patent number: 6983728Abstract: The muffler and support according to the preferred embodiment is for use with an engine for a skid steer loader, and has a natural frequency that is outside the vibration frequency of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2004Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Clayton E Banks, Jr., Braden G Cammauf, Brian R Doutrich
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Patent number: 6481520Abstract: The device relates to a pivoting forearm rest positioned behind the hand controls of a skid steer loader. The device consists of a tube with an angled portion inserted into a ‘J’ shaped support bracket. The bracket is affixed to the cab sidewall and may be vertically adjusted. The rotation of the tube is adjusted by a tension bolt and shim within the support bracket. The tube has a pin seated within a tube slot in the support bracket which allows the tube to rotate 180 degrees. A portion of the tube and the support bracket are covered in padding.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2002Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: New Holland and North America, Inc.Inventors: Irwin D. McIlwain, Clayton E. Banks, Jr.
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Publication number: 20020117884Abstract: The invention relates to a pivoting forearm rest positioned behind the hand controls of a skid steer loader. The invention consists of a tube with an angled portion inserted into a ‘J’ shaped support bracket. The bracket is affixed to the cab sidewall and may be vertically adjusted. The rotation of the tube is adjusted by a tension bolt and shim within the support bracket. The tube has a pin seated within a tube slot in the support bracket which allows the tube to rotate 180 degrees. A portion of the tube and the support bracket are covered in padding.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2002Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: Irwin D. McIIwain, Clayton E. Banks