Patents by Inventor Geof J. Gray

Geof J. Gray 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: 8307908
    Abstract: A conservation tillage implement having three or more rows of individual coulter wheel assemblies laterally spaced apart and removably mounted on a cultivator frame, a coulter wheel assembly in a given row being staggered with respect to the coulter wheel assemblies in a longitudinally adjacent row. The coulter wheel assemblies may be laterally adjustable and may be mounted to the cultivator frame using a mounting means that permits rotation about a vertical axis. The coulter wheel assemblies may comprise a coil spring having a horizontal spring axis to permit upward deflection in response to impact with an obstacle. Leveling attachments may optionally be mounted to the cultivator frame, along with additional field working tools. The implement is particularly resistant to plugging and can be operated at high speeds without undue damage upon impact with obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Salford Farm Machinery Ltd.
    Inventors: Jacobus A. Rozendaal, Philip M. O'Grady, James F. Boak, John M. Averink, Geof J. Gray
  • Patent number: 8196672
    Abstract: A conservation tillage implement having three or more rows of individual coulter wheel assemblies laterally spaced apart and removably mounted on a cultivator frame, a coulter wheel assembly in a given row being staggered with respect to the coulter wheel assemblies in a longitudinally adjacent row. The coulter wheel assemblies may be laterally adjustable and may be mounted to the cultivator frame using a mounting means that permits rotation about a vertical axis. The coulter wheel assemblies may have a coil spring with a horizontal spring axis to permit upward deflection in response to impact with an obstacle. Leveling attachments may optionally be mounted to the cultivator frame, along with additional field working tools. The implement is used in the management of crop residue as part of a minimum tillage strategy. The implement is particularly resistant to plugging and can be operated at high speeds without undue damage upon impact with obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Salford Farm Machinery Ltd.
    Inventors: Jacobus A. Rozendaal, Philip M. O'Grady, James F. Boak, John M. Averink, Geof J. Gray
  • Patent number: 8113295
    Abstract: A conservation tillage implement having three or more rows of individual coulter wheel assemblies laterally spaced apart and removably mounted on a cultivator frame, a coulter wheel assembly in a given row being staggered with respect to the coulter wheel assemblies in a longitudinally adjacent row. The coulter wheel assemblies may be laterally adjustable and may be mounted to the cultivator frame using a mounting means that permits rotation about a vertical axis. The coulter wheel assemblies may comprise a coil spring having a horizontal spring axis to permit upward deflection in response to impact with an obstacle. Leveling attachments may optionally be mounted to the cultivator frame, along with additional field working tools. The implement is used in the management of crop residue as part of a minimum tillage strategy. The implement is particularly resistant to plugging and can be operated at high speeds without undue damage upon impact with obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Salford Farm Machinery Ltd.
    Inventors: Jacobus A. Rozendaal, Philip M. O'Grady, James F. Boak, John M. Averink, Geof J. Gray
  • Publication number: 20110132628
    Abstract: Disclosed are tillage blade assemblies comprising a coil spring with a horizontal spring axis to permit upward deflection of a concave tillage blade in response to impact with obstacles. The mounting assembly provides for mounting the tillage blades in a particular orientation relative to the ground and the direction of travel of the implement in order that forces acting on the assembly due to movement of the blade through the soil are balanced such that there is little or no distortion of the coil spring relative to its spring axis. This prevents an off-axis load from acting on the spring when the assembly is in use and allows the blade to track through the soil at a desired angle. Impact with obstacles, such as rocks, is absorbed by deflection of the coil spring, thereby mitigating damage to the assembly. Tillage implements comprising the blade assemblies are able to operate at higher speeds than can usually be obtained for tillage implements, due to the absorption of impact energy by the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, John Mark Averink
  • Publication number: 20110132627
    Abstract: Disclosed are mounting means for agricultural tools, for example tillage assemblies, that comprise a resilient element and a horizontal pivot axis. This allows upward and rearward deflection of a tillage blade of the assembly in response to impact with obstacles. Tillage implements comprising the foregoing assemblies are also disclosed. In certain embodiments, the assemblies advantageously allow lateral deflection of at least a support arm of the assembly in response to impact with obstacles, which may be enhanced by providing a pivot means of the assembly with a resilient bushing. The resilient element and/or the resilient bushing may comprise elastomeric materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, John Mark Averink, Jacobus A. Rozendaal, Mikhail Rodionov
  • Publication number: 20110073333
    Abstract: A conservation tillage implement having three or more rows of individual coulter wheel assemblies laterally spaced apart and removably mounted on a cultivator frame, a coulter wheel assembly in a given row being staggered with respect to the coulter wheel assemblies in a longitudinally adjacent row. The coulter wheel assemblies may be laterally adjustable and may be mounted to the cultivator frame using a mounting means that permits rotation about a vertical axis. The coulter wheel assemblies may have a coil spring with a horizontal spring axis to permit upward deflection in response to impact with an obstacle. Leveling attachments may optionally be mounted to the cultivator frame, along with additional field working tools. The implement is used in the management of crop residue as part of a minimum tillage strategy. The implement is particularly resistant to plugging and can be operated at high speeds without undue damage upon impact with obstacles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: SALFORD FARM MACHINERY LTD.
    Inventors: JACOBUS A. ROZENDAAL, Philip M. O'Grady, James F. Boak, John M. Averink, Geof J. Gray
  • Publication number: 20110056712
    Abstract: A conservation tillage implement having three or more rows of individual coulter wheel assemblies laterally spaced apart and removably mounted on a cultivator frame, a coulter wheel assembly in a given row being staggered with respect to the coulter wheel assemblies in a longitudinally adjacent row. The coulter wheel assemblies may be laterally adjustable and may be mounted to the cultivator frame using a mounting means that permits rotation about a vertical axis. The coulter wheel assemblies may comprise a coil spring having a horizontal spring axis to permit upward deflection in response to impact with an obstacle. Leveling attachments may optionally be mounted to the cultivator frame, along with additional field working tools. The implement is used in the management of crop residue as part of a minimum tillage strategy. The implement is particularly resistant to plugging and can be operated at high speeds without undue damage upon impact with obstacles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: SALFORD FARM MACHINERY LTD.
    Inventors: JACOBUS A. ROZENDAAL, Philip M. O'Grady, James F. Boak, John M. Averink, Geof J. Gray
  • Patent number: 7762345
    Abstract: A conservation tillage implement having three or more rows of individual coulter wheel assemblies laterally spaced apart and removably mounted on a cultivator frame, a coulter wheel assembly in a given row being staggered with respect to the coulter wheel assemblies in a longitudinally adjacent row. The coulter wheel assemblies may be laterally adjustable and may be mounted to the cultivator frame using a mounting means that permits rotation about a vertical axis. The coulter wheel assemblies may comprise a coil spring having a horizontal spring axis to permit upward deflection in response to impact with an obstacle. Leveling attachments may optionally be mounted to the cultivator frame, along with additional field working tools. The implement is used in the management of crop residue as part of a minimum tillage strategy. The implement is particularly resistant to plugging and can be operated at high speeds without undue damage upon impact with obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Salford Farm Machinery Ltd.
    Inventors: Jacobus A. Rozendaal, Philip M. O'Grady, James F. Boak, John M. Averink, Geof J. Gray