Patents by Inventor Douglas G. Branham

Douglas G. Branham 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: 7980049
    Abstract: An improved shield panel for use in the top shield of a rotary disc cutterbar equipped mower that features a twin sheet, vacuum formed plastic panel with a steel frame that interfaces with existing hinge and mounting structures on the mower to enable the plastic shield panel to directly replace a steel shield panel. Stiffening ribs formed into the plastic shield provide the necessary strength for the shield panel while the resiliency of the plastic material enables the plastic shield panel to better withstand impacts from flying debris generated from cutterbar operation. Molded receptacles in the exterior surface of the shield panels are configured to receive connectors for the mower front shield curtain and any stiffening members necessary for attachment to the mower. The predominate use of plastic reduces weight and lowers production costs compared to a comparable steel panel with a plastic protective liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Douglas G. Branham, Nicole L. Fair, Cecil R. Sudbrack, Robert L. Rice, Philip J. Ehrhart
  • Patent number: 6966355
    Abstract: A work vehicle having a body and a heater A/C unit disposed inside the body with a condenser assembly connected to the heater A/C unit has the condenser assembly disposed on a lateral side of the body, the condenser assembly includes: a first mounting bracket disposed on the side of the body; a second mounting bracket disposed on the side of the body; a third mounting bracket disposed on the side of the body; and a planar condenser disposed in a frame, wherein the frame is pivotally connected on a first side to the first mounting bracket, and a second side opposite to the first side has a right wing and a left wing, wherein the second mounting bracket detachably connects to the left wing and the third mounting bracket detachably connects to the right wing, and the condenser is connected to the heater A/C unit by a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: CNH America, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Branham, Homauon Hal Noroozi, Dennis Arthur Fraser, Benard Lee Allers, David Charles Cushway
  • Patent number: 6679674
    Abstract: An offset connection for a skid steer loader or other work vehicle having right and left boom assemblies, an implement connected to boom assemblies, and a body. An offset connection assembly is provided that includes (i) a seat member attached to one of the triangular plate member and the lower link member, the seat member having a first passage formed therethrough, and a seat formed therein, (ii) a hollow offset pin journaled within a hole in the other of the triangular plate and the link member, the offset pin having (a) a surface offset from a center of the pin constructed to engage the seat of the seat member at a selectable orientation, and (b) a second passage formed therethrough, and (iii) a fastener passing through the first and second passages and securely fastening the hollow offset pin and the seat member in the selectable orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas G. Branham
  • Publication number: 20040009057
    Abstract: An offset connection for a skid steer loader or other work vehicle having right and left boom assemblies, an implement connected to boom assemblies, and a body. An offset connection assembly is provided that includes (i) a seat member attached to one of the triangular plate member and the lower link member, the seat member having a first passage formed therethrough, and a seat formed therein, (ii) a hollow offset pin journaled within a hole in the other of the triangular plate and the link member, the offset pin having (a) a surface offset from a center of the pin constructed to engage the seat of the seat member at a selectable orientation, and (b) a second passage formed therethrough, and (iii) a fastener passing through the first and second passages and securely fastening the hollow offset pin and the seat member in the selectable orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas G. Branham
  • Publication number: 20040007346
    Abstract: A work vehicle having a body and a heater A/C unit disposed inside the body with a condenser assembly connected to the heater A/C unit has the condenser assembly disposed on a lateral side of the body, the condenser assembly includes: a first mounting bracket disposed on the side of the body; a second mounting bracket disposed on the side of the body; a third mounting bracket disposed on the side of the body; and a planar condenser disposed in a frame, wherein the frame is pivotally connected on a first side to the first mounting bracket, and a second side opposite to the first side has a right wing and a left wing, wherein the second mounting bracket detachably connects to the left wing and the third mounting bracket detachably connects to the right wing, and the condenser is connected to the heater A/C unit by a conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: New Holland North America Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Branham, Homauon Hal Noroozi, Dennis Arthur Fraser, Benard Lee Allers, David Charles Cushway
  • Patent number: 5794805
    Abstract: Rotationally molded component parts for a skid steer loader are disclosed wherein the parts provide specialized operative functions heretofore unrealized. A fuel tank structure includes both a tank body and a separate filler tube formed from a rotational molding process. The filler tube is connected to the fuel tank body by a fastening mechanism and an O-ring to provide a liquid-tight connection. The coolant recovery bottle formed with the rotational molding process incorporates an inwardly directed vent tube formed as an integral part of the recovery bottle. The container for the operator's manual is formed with the rotational molding process to incorporate a live hinge connecting a lid closable against the body of the container to provide a substantially dirt-free environment. Double walled light housings mounting front and rear lights serve as bumpers protecting the frame of the skid steer loader from damage from impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: New Holland North America Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas G. Branham
  • Patent number: 5788899
    Abstract: Rotationally molded component parts for a skid steer loader are disclosed wherein the parts provide specialized operative functions heretofore unrealized. A fuel tank structure includes both a tank body and a separate filler tube formed from a rotational molding process. The filler tube is connected to the fuel tank body by a fastening mechanism and an O-ring to provide a liquid-tight connection. The coolant recovery bottle formed with the rotational molding process incorporates an inwardly directed vent tube formed as an integral part of the recovery bottle. The container for the operator's manual is formed with the rotational molding process to incorporate a live hinge connecting a lid closable against the body of the container to provide a substantially dirt-free environment. Double walled light housings mounting front and rear lights serve as bumpers protecting the frame of the skid steer loader from damage from impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas G. Branham
  • Patent number: 5722559
    Abstract: Rotationally molded component parts for a skid steer loader are disclosed wherein the parts provide specialized operative functions heretofore unrealized. A fuel tank structure includes both a tank body and a separate filler tube formed from a rotational molding process. The filler tube is connected to the fuel tank body by a fastening mechanism and an O-ring to provide a liquid-tight connection, The coolant recovery bottle formed with the rotational molding process incorporates an inwardly directed vent tube formed as an integral part of the recovery bottle. The container for the operator's manual is formed with the rotational molding process to incorporate a live hinge connecting a lid closable against the body of the container to provide a substantially dirt-free environment. Double walled light housings mounting front and rear lights serve as bumpers protecting the frame of the skid steer loader from damage from impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas G. Branham
  • Patent number: 5564749
    Abstract: Rotationally molded component parts for a skid steer loader are disclosed wherein the parts provide specialized operative functions heretofore unrealized. A fuel tank structure includes both a tank body and a separate filler tube formed from a rotational molding process. The filler tube is connected to the fuel tank body by a fastening mechanism and an O-ring to provide a liquid-tight connection. The coolant recovery bottle formed with the rotational molding process incorporates an inwardly directed vent tube formed as an integral part of the recovery bottle. The container for the operator's manual is formed with the rotational molding process to incorporate a live hinge connecting a lid closable against the body of the container to provide a substantially dirt-free environment. Double walled light housings mounting front and rear lights serve as bumpers protecting the frame of the skid steer loader from damage from impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas G. Branham
  • Patent number: 5546286
    Abstract: Rotationally molded component parts for a skid steer loader are disclosed wherein the parts provide specialized operative functions heretofore unrealized. A fuel tank structure includes both a tank body and a separate filler tube formed from a rotational molding process. The filler tube is connected to the fuel tank body by a fastening mechanism and an O-ring to provide a liquid-tight connection. The coolant recovery bottle formed with the rotational molding process incorporates an inwardly directed vent tube formed as an integral part of the recovery bottle. The container for the operator's manual is formed with the rotational molding process to incorporate a live hinge connecting a lid closable against the body of the container to provide a substantially dirt-free environment. Double walled light housings mounting front and rear lights serve as bumpers protecting the frame of the skid steer loader from damage from impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas G. Branham
  • Patent number: 5524722
    Abstract: A skid steer loader is disclosed with an operator's seat that is movable between a lowered operative position and an elevated inoperative position to facilitate the access to drive components located beneath the seat. The seat includes a latch mechanism that detachably fixes the operator's seat to the loader frame and a prop rod slidable within a bayonet slot formed in the loader frame to move into a restraining position whenever the operator's seat is moved into the elevated inoperative position. The movement of the prop rod into the restraining position of the bayonet slot requires a positive movement of the prop rod out of the restraining position to enable the seat to be returned to the lowered operative position to be latched against the frame. The seat is hinged to the loader frame to allow the movement thereof between the operative and inoperative positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Bowman, Douglas G. Branham
  • Patent number: 5319899
    Abstract: An agricultural baler for making cylindrical bales of crop material having a sledge assembly moveable between bale starting and full bale positions. The sledge assembly includes a plurality of rollers which cooperate with an apron to define a bale forming chamber. A dispensing mechanism is carried on the sledge assembly for dispensing web material, such as net or the like, into the bale forming chamber whereupon it is wrapped circumferentially around a cylindrical package of crop material in the bale forming chamber. A net supply assembly is associated with the dispensing mechanism to provide net for feeding into the bale chamber via the dispensing mechanism. Included along the path of the net between the supply assembly and the dispensing mechanism is a net severing assembly for cutting the net after it has been wrapped around the cylindrical hay package formed in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Ford New Holland Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Jennings, James T. Clevenger, Jr., Douglas G. Branham
  • Patent number: 5243806
    Abstract: An agricultural baler for making cylindrical bales of wrapped crop material. The baler includes a sledge assembly moveable between bale starting and full bale positions. A plurality of rollers on the sledge assembly cooperate with an apron to define a bale forming chamber. Wrapping is accomplished via a system that includes a dispensing mechanism carried on the sledge assembly for dispensing sheet material, such as net or the like, into the bale forming chamber whereupon it is wrapped circumferentially around a formed cylindrical bale of crop material as it is rotated in the chamber. The net wrapping system includes a net feed path having configuration that assures reliable net wrap start-up which in turn enhances overall operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Jennings, Douglas G. Branham
  • Patent number: D299721
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.
    Inventors: Emmett G. Webster, Douglas G. Branham, Edmund O. Howell, John K. Hale