Patents by Inventor Curt T. Graham

Curt T. Graham 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: 20230371433
    Abstract: A rake apparatus is disclosed. The rake apparatus includes a plurality of material gathering members connected to a continuous conveyor member such as a chain or a belt. A drive sprocket supports the conveyor member at a discharge end of the rake apparatus. An idler sprocket supports the conveyor member at a distal end of the rake apparatus. The material gathering members contact a bottom stripper guard and a top stripper guard as they travel about the raking device to remove crop material from the material gathering members. The rake apparatus may be part of a harvesting machine in which the processing chamber of the harvesting machine has a width that is the same width as the pickup device of the harvesting machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Curt T. Graham, Nathan D. Dockter, Kent Thompson, Grant Hoppes
  • Patent number: 11166403
    Abstract: Steered caster wheel systems that include a disengagement system to enable a caster wheel steering mode and non-caster wheel steering mode are disclosed. In some embodiments, the caster wheels are mounted to a subframe that may be independently suspended from the chassis of a vehicle such as a self-propelled vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Nathan D. Dockter, Kent L. Thompson, Curt T. Graham, Kent M. Recker
  • Publication number: 20210212263
    Abstract: Self-propelled vehicles for supporting and operating a device are disclosed. Example devices include agricultural devices. The vehicle includes mounting arms that allow the device to be extended forward or rearward of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the device is releasably coupleable to the vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes rear drive wheels and front caster wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Curt T. Graham, Kent L. Thompson, Nathan D. Dockter, Kent M. Recker
  • Patent number: 10980183
    Abstract: Self-propelled vehicles for supporting and operating a device are disclosed. Example devices include agricultural devices. The vehicle includes mounting arms that allow the device to be extended forward or rearward of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the device is releasably coupleable to the vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes rear drive wheels and front caster wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Curt T. Graham, Kent L. Thompson, Nathan D. Dockter, Kent M. Recker
  • Patent number: 10953918
    Abstract: Self-propelled vehicles that include swiveling caster wheels and independent drive wheels are disclosed. The self-propelled vehicles are selectively steered in a caster wheel steering mode or a drive wheel steering mode. The vehicle includes a differential system that may include a differential valve that allows hydraulic fluid to be transferred between the left and right drive systems. The differential system may be operable during the caster wheel steering mode such as when the vehicle is driven for transport between sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Curt T. Graham, Nathan D. Dockter, Kent M. Recker, Gary J. Burns, Kent L. Thompson, Scott A. Rempe, Jeffrey T. Knapp
  • Patent number: 10850723
    Abstract: Self-propelled vehicles that include swiveling caster wheels and independent drive wheels are disclosed. The self-propelled vehicles are selectively steered in a caster wheel steering mode or a drive wheel steering mode. The vehicle includes a steering position sensor to measure the position of the steering system. A control unit varies the rotational speed of first and second drive wheels based at least in part of the signal from the steering position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Nathan D. Dockter, Kent M. Recker, Kent L. Thompson, Curt T. Graham
  • Publication number: 20190124820
    Abstract: Steered caster wheel systems that include a disengagement system to enable a caster wheel steering mode and non-caster wheel steering mode are disclosed. In some embodiments, the caster wheels are mounted to a subframe that may be independently suspended from the chassis of a vehicle such as a self-propelled vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Nathan D. Dockter, Kent L. Thompson, Curt T. Graham, Kent M. Recker
  • Publication number: 20190126748
    Abstract: Self-propelled vehicles that include swiveling caster wheels and independent drive wheels are disclosed. The self-propelled vehicles are selectively steered in a caster wheel steering mode or a drive wheel steering mode. The vehicle includes a differential system that may include a differential valve that allows hydraulic fluid to be transferred between the left and right drive systems. The differential system may be operable during the caster wheel steering mode such as when the vehicle is driven for transport between sites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Curt T. Graham, Nathan D. Dockter, Kent M. Recker, Gary J. Burns, Kent L. Thompson, Scott A. Rempe, Jeffrey T. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20190118985
    Abstract: Systems for encasing articles such as forage or crop bales in a protective wrap are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a gathering mechanism and sealing device for bunching protective wrap and sealing the ends of the wrap material after one or more articles has been conveyed into the wrap material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Curt T. Graham, Nathan D. Dockter, Kent L. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20190069491
    Abstract: Systems for encasing articles such as forage or crop bales in a protective wrap are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a packing conveyor that at least partially extends through a wrapping device for stretching a tube of wrapping material as articles pass through the wrapping device and into the protective wrap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Darin L. Dux, Kent L. Thompson, Curt T. Graham
  • Publication number: 20190045716
    Abstract: Self-propelled vehicles for supporting and operating a device are disclosed. Example devices include agricultural devices. The vehicle includes mounting arms that allow the device to be extended forward or rearward of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the device is releasably coupleable to the vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes rear drive wheels and front caster wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Curt T. Graham, Kent L. Thompson, Nathan D. Dockter, Kent M. Recker
  • Publication number: 20190047541
    Abstract: Self-propelled vehicles that include swiveling caster wheels and independent drive wheels are disclosed. The self-propelled vehicles are selectively steered in a caster wheel steering mode or a drive wheel steering mode. The vehicle includes a steering position sensor to measure the position of the steering system. A control unit varies the rotational speed of first and second drive wheels based at least in part of the signal from the steering position sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Nathan D. Dockter, Kent M. Recker, Kent L. Thompson, Curt T. Graham
  • Patent number: 7537428
    Abstract: A grapple apparatus of a type having arms that pivot about parallel axes of a frame for grasping and releasing objects and wherein the entire grapple, including the grapple arms, pivots about a pivotal axis transverse to such parallel axes, and more particularly to a grapple which is pivotally adjustable about such pivotal axis between a first position and can be locked in at least the first and second positions thereof. A heel is fixed to the frame for supporting an object being grasped by the grapple when the grapple is in the first pivotal position thereof. A tooth is also optionally attached to the frame for permitting manipulation of the position of an object when the grapple itself is not being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Matthew S. Hutchinson, Curt T. Graham
  • Publication number: 20080129066
    Abstract: A grapple apparatus of a type having arms that pivot about parallel axes of a frame for grasping and releasing objects and wherein the entire grapple, including the grapple arms, pivots about a pivotal axis transverse to such parallel axes, and more particularly to a grapple which is pivotally adjustable about such pivotal axis between a first position and can be locked in at least the first and second positions thereof. A heel is fixed to the frame for supporting an object being grasped by the grapple when the grapple is in the first pivotal position thereof. A tooth is also optionally attached to the frame for permitting manipulation of the position of an object when the grapple itself is not being used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew S. Hutchinson, Curt T. Graham