Patents by Inventor Gary S. Keys, II

Gary S. Keys, II 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: 20180118284
    Abstract: A ballast assembly for a work vehicle. The ballast assembly includes a frame, a ballast weight, and a lift. The frame is included in an underside of the work vehicle. The ballast weight has a first portion and a second portion. The lift has an upper end pivotally coupled to the frame and a lower end releasably coupled to the ballast weight. The first and second portions are configured to engage with a ground surface and the frame, respectively, when the ballast weight is loaded onto the work vehicle. The first and second portions are configured to engage with the frame when the ballast weight is loaded onto the work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: STEVEN A. DUPPONG, DAVID RIX, GARY S. KEYS, II, KENDALL L. GIESMANN, ERIC M. FORBES, NICHOLAS TAYLOR, RAZVAN PLATON, ANDREW W KEENAN
  • Patent number: 9957001
    Abstract: A ballast assembly for a work vehicle. The ballast assembly includes a frame, a ballast weight, and a lift. The frame is included in an underside of the work vehicle. The ballast weight has a first portion and a second portion. The lift has an upper end pivotally coupled to the frame and a lower end releasably coupled to the ballast weight. The first and second portions are configured to engage with a ground surface and the frame, respectively, when the ballast weight is loaded onto the work vehicle. The first and second portions are configured to engage with the frame when the ballast weight is loaded onto the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven A. Duppong, David Rix, Gary S. Keys, II, Kendall L. Giesmann, Eric M. Forbes, Nicholas Taylor, Razvan Platon, Andrew W Keenan
  • Patent number: 9290093
    Abstract: A vehicle attachment and control system for a vehicle attachment are described. The attachment includes a chassis configured to be attached to a vehicle with an onboard power source. The attachment includes an attachment power source supported by the chassis and an energy storage device supported by the chassis and configured to receive power from the attachment power source. The attachment includes a control system configured to transmit a signal to, and receive a signal from, the attachment power source and/or the energy storage device. The control system, the attachment power source, and the energy storage device are configured to provide power from the attachment power source and the energy storage device, via power transfer connections between the vehicle, or an associated implement, and the attachment power source or the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Christopher D. Turner, Gary S. Keys, II
  • Patent number: 9228322
    Abstract: A drive and control system is provided for a towing vehicle pulling a towed implement, such as a tractor pulling a scraper. The drive system includes a diesel engine which drives a generator for generating electric power. A tractor axle drive motor is connected to driven wheels of the tractor through a transmission. An assist drive motor is drivingly connected to driven wheels of the scraper. A power distribution unit controls distribution of electric power from the generator to the tractor and implement assist drive motors. A control unit controls the power distribution unit as a function of an operator set power split, and other sensed parameters. A one-way clutch prevents over-speed of the assist drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary S. Keys, II, John W. Regenauer, Matthew J. Harris, Brian A. Rodrigue, Clayton P. Neumann, Zachary Kail, Joe L. Schutte
  • Patent number: 9050978
    Abstract: A drive and control system is provided for a towing vehicle pulling a towed implement, such as a tractor pulling a scraper. The drive system includes an engine which drives a generator for generating electric power. A towing vehicle electric drive motor is connected to driven wheels of the towing vehicle through a transmission. An assist or implement electric drive motor is drivingly connected to driven wheels of the implement. A power distribution unit controls distribution of electric power from the generator to the towing vehicle and implement drive motors. A control unit controls the power distribution unit as a function of an operator set power split, an operator set maximum wheel slip, sensed wheel slip and other sensed parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary S. Keys, II, Christopher D. Turner, Joe L. Schutte
  • Publication number: 20150149053
    Abstract: A vehicle attachment and control system for a vehicle attachment are described. The attachment includes a chassis configured to be attached to a vehicle with an onboard power source. The attachment includes an attachment power source supported by the chassis and an energy storage device supported by the chassis and configured to receive power from the attachment power source. The attachment includes a control system configured to transmit a signal to, and receive a signal from, the attachment power source and/or the energy storage device. The control system, the attachment power source, and the energy storage device are configured to provide power from the attachment power source and the energy storage device, via power transfer connections between the vehicle, or an associated implement, and the attachment power source or the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Christopher D. Turner, Gary S. Keys, II
  • Patent number: 9037346
    Abstract: A steering control system is disclosed for a vehicle train with a tow vehicle, a first towed vehicle with at least one ground-engaging member, and a second towed vehicle. A steering assembly may be configured to control steering of the at least one ground-engaging member. One or more sensing devices may be configured to determine orientation information for one or more of the tow vehicle, the first towed vehicle, and the second towed vehicle, during operation of the vehicle train. A steering correction may be determined for the second towed vehicle based upon the determined orientation information. The steering correction may be applied for the second towed vehicle by controlling the steering assembly to steer the first towed vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Gary S. Keys, II, Christopher A. Myers, Craig A. Puetz, Andrew K. Rekow, Alan D. Sheidler, Noel W. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20150120103
    Abstract: A drive and control system is provided for a towing vehicle pulling a towed implement, such as a tractor pulling a scraper. The drive system includes an engine which drives a generator for generating electric power. A towing vehicle electric drive motor is connected to driven wheels of the towing vehicle through a transmission. An assist or implement electric drive motor is drivingly connected to driven wheels of the implement. A power distribution unit controls distribution of electric power from the generator to the towing vehicle and implement drive motors. A control unit controls the power distribution unit as a function of an operator set power split, an operator set maximum wheel slip, sensed wheel slip and other sensed parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: GARY S. KEYS, II, Christopher D. TURNER, Joe L. SCHUTTE
  • Publication number: 20150053488
    Abstract: A drive and control system is provided for a towing vehicle pulling a towed implement, such as a tractor pulling a scraper. The drive system includes a diesel engine which drives a generator for generating electric power. A tractor axle drive motor is connected to driven wheels of the tractor through a transmission. An assist drive motor is drivingly connected to driven wheels of the scraper. A power distribution unit controls distribution of electric power from the generator to the tractor and implement assist drive motors. A control unit controls the power distribution unit as a function of an operator set power split, and other sensed parameters. A one-way clutch prevents over-speed of the assist drive motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: GARY S. KEYS, II, JOHN W. REGENAUER, MATTHEW J. HARRIS, BRIAN A. RODRIGUE, CLAYTON P. NEUMANN, ZACHARY KAIL, JOE L. SCHUTTE
  • Publication number: 20150051795
    Abstract: A steering control system is disclosed for a vehicle train with a tow vehicle, a first towed vehicle with at least one ground-engaging member, and a second towed vehicle. A steering assembly may be configured to control steering of the at least one ground-engaging member. One or more sensing devices may be configured to determine orientation information for one or more of the tow vehicle, the first towed vehicle, and the second towed vehicle, during operation of the vehicle train. A steering correction may be determined for the second towed vehicle based upon the determined orientation information. The steering correction may be applied for the second towed vehicle by controlling the steering assembly to steer the first towed vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Gary S. Keys, II, Christopher A. Myers, Craig A. Puetz, Andrew K. Rekow
  • Patent number: 8720195
    Abstract: An exhaust assembly includes an exhaust pipe, a first venturi member at the inlet end of the pipe and a second venturi member at the outlet end of the pipe. A diffuser/mixer is mounted at the outlet end of the exhaust pipe. A shield pipe surrounds a portion of the exhaust pipe. A shield member is mounted to the shield pipe and covers a portion of the first venturi member. The first and second venturi members operate to combine ambient air with exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Gardner, Brian T. Brown, Gary S. Keys, II
  • Publication number: 20130205759
    Abstract: An exhaust assembly includes an exhaust pipe, a first venturi member at the inlet end of the pipe and a second venturi member at the outlet end of the pipe. A diffuser/mixer is mounted at the outlet end of the exhaust pipe. A shield pipe surrounds a portion of the exhaust pipe. A shield member is mounted to the shield pipe and covers a portion of the first venturi member. The first and second venturi members operate to combine ambient air with exhaust gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: JEFFREY L. GARDNER, Brian T. Brown, Gary S. Keys, II