Patents by Inventor Grant MacDonald
Grant MacDonald 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: 11432457Abstract: A multiple variety planter has a direct vacuum system that allows for planting multiple varieties of seed while reducing occurrences of mis-planting events or planting inconsistencies such as multiples and skips by providing highly controllable seed meter vacuum performance characteristics that are controllable on a row-by-row basis. The direct vacuum system may include a vacuum unit at each row unit of the planter to apply a vacuum pressure to a seed meter at the row unit. Each vacuum unit may be individually and variably controlled to apply different vacuum pressures based on which seed variety is being planted with the respective seed meter at a given time.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
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Patent number: 11425854Abstract: A multiple variety planter has a direct vacuum system that allows for planting multiple varieties of seed while reducing occurrences of mis-planting events or planting inconsistencies such as multiples and skips by providing highly controllable seed meter vacuum performance characteristics that are controllable on a row-by-row basis. The direct vacuum system may include a vacuum unit at each row unit of the planter to apply a vacuum pressure to a seed meter at the row unit. Each vacuum unit may be individually and variably controlled to apply different vacuum pressures based on which seed variety is being planted with the respective seed meter at a given time.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
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Publication number: 20200170177Abstract: A multiple variety planter is provided that has a direct vacuum system that allows for planting multiple varieties of seed while reducing occurrences of mis-planting events or planting inconsistencies such as multiples and skips by providing highly controllable seed meter vacuum performance characteristics that are controllable on a row-by-row basis. The direct vacuum system may include a vacuum unit at each row unit of the planter to apply a vacuum pressure to a seed meter at the row unit. Each vacuum unit may be individually and variably controlled to apply different vacuum pressures based on which seed variety is being planted with the respective seed meter at a given time.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
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Publication number: 20200170178Abstract: A multiple variety planter is provided that has a direct vacuum system that allows for planting multiple varieties of seed while reducing occurrences of mis-planting events or planting inconsistencies such as multiples and skips by providing highly controllable seed meter vacuum performance characteristics that are controllable on a row-by-row basis. The direct vacuum system may include a vacuum unit at each row unit of the planter to apply a vacuum pressure to a seed meter at the row unit. Each vacuum unit may be individually and variably controlled to apply different vacuum pressures based on which seed variety is being planted with the respective seed meter at a given time.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
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Patent number: 10660261Abstract: A multiple variety planter has a direct vacuum system that allows for planting multiple varieties of seed while reducing occurrences of mis-planting events or planting inconsistencies such as multiples and skips by providing highly controllable seed meter vacuum performance characteristics that are controllable on a row-by-row basis. The direct vacuum system may include a vacuum unit at each row unit of the planter to apply a vacuum pressure to a seed meter at the row unit. Each vacuum unit may be individually and variably controlled to apply different vacuum pressures based on which seed variety is being planted with the respective seed meter at a given time.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
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Publication number: 20190166754Abstract: A multiple variety planter is provided that has a direct vacuum system that allows for planting multiple varieties of seed while reducing occurrences of mis-planting events or planting inconsistencies such as multiples and skips by providing highly controllable seed meter vacuum performance characteristics that are controllable on a row-by-row basis. The direct vacuum system may include a vacuum unit at each row unit of the planter to apply a vacuum pressure to a seed meter at the row unit. Each vacuum unit may be individually and variably controlled to apply different vacuum pressures based on which seed variety is being planted with the respective seed meter at a given time.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2017Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
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Patent number: 9686904Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vibrator for seed delivery system that operates to vibrate seeds within the delivery system to enable the seeds to move through the system and into row meters that place the seeds into the desired location within a trench over which the discharge system is positioned. The vibrator is attached to an induction, box and includes a housing in which an impeller is rotatably mounted. The impeller is driven by incoming air flow used to direct the seeds through the induction box, and includes a number of different sized vanes thereon. The rotation of the vanes creates mechanical vibrations in the induction box and directs a pulsed air flow through the induction box to minimize the bridging of seeds with one another within the induction box.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Joshua Roszman, Grant Macdonald
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Publication number: 20160165791Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vibrator for seed delivery system that operates to vibrate seeds within the delivery system to enable the seeds to move through the system and into row meters that place the seeds into the desired location within a trench over which the discharge system is positioned. The vibrator is attached to an induction, box and includes a housing in which an impeller is rotatably mounted. The impeller is driven by incoming air flow used to direct the seeds through the induction box, and includes a number of different sized vanes thereon. The rotation of the vanes creates mechanical vibrations in the induction box and directs a pulsed air flow through the induction box to minimize the bridging of seeds with one another within the induction box.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Joshua Roszman, Grant MacDonald
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Patent number: 9279274Abstract: A lock comprises a housing defining a mounting face, a locking mechanism accommodated in the housing and operable to change between a locking state and a release state and a set of operating elements with buttons accessible at the front of the housing and actuable, such as by axial displacement, to operate the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can be changed from the locking state to the release state in response to actuation of, and only of, a selected group of the operating elements. These elements can additionally be manipulated, in particular rotated, to select the group. The buttons of the selected group can be identified by respectively associated digits forming a code. The lock further comprises a slidable blocking plate blocking the rotation of the operating elements and cancelling means operable to cancel the blocking by the plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2009Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: CODELOCKS LIMITEDInventor: Grant MacDonald
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Patent number: 8276530Abstract: A splitter divides an air/product mixture flow, delivered thereto in an air-powered distribution line, between a primary and a secondary distribution channel, which may be flow-coupled to a product hopper or a hose flow-coupled to another product hopper or another splitter. The air/product mixture enters the inlet of the splitter along an angled downward flow path and exits a primary outlet, flow-coupled to the primary distribution channel, along a vertical downward flow path. Air/product flow is exhausted by a secondary outlet, which is flow-coupled to the secondary distribution channel, at an angled upward flow path. The velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is exhausted from the secondary outlet is at an acute angle relative to the velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is received by the inlet of the splitter.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2011Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Brian Anderson, Marvin Prickel, Josh Breuer, Grant MacDonald, Josh Roszman
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Patent number: 8079317Abstract: A splitter divides an air/product mixture flow, delivered thereto in an air-powered distribution line, between a primary and a secondary distribution channel, which may be flow-coupled to a product hopper or a hose flow-coupled to another product hopper or another splitter. The air/product mixture enters the inlet of the splitter along an angled downward flow path and exits a primary outlet, flow-coupled to the primary distribution channel, along a vertical downward flow path. Air/product flow is exhausted by a secondary outlet, which is flow-coupled to the secondary distribution channel, at an angled upward flow path. The velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is exhausted from the secondary outlet is at an acute angle relative to the velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is received by the inlet of the splitter.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2011Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Brian Anderson, Marvin Prickel, Josh Breuer, Grant MacDonald, Josh Roszman
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Publication number: 20110226026Abstract: A lock (10) comprises a housing (11) defining a mounting face (12), a locking mechanism (21) accommodated in the housing (11) and operable to change between a locking state and a release state and a set of operating elements (25) with buttons (26) accessible at the front of the housing and actuable, such as by axial displacement, to operate the locking mechanism (21). The locking mechanism (21) can be changed from the locking state to the release state in response to actuation of, and only of, a selected group of the operating elements (25). These elements can additionally be manipulated, in particular rotated, to select the group. The buttons of the selected group can be identified by respectively associated digits forming a code. The lock further comprises a slidable blocking plate (31) blocking the rotation of the operating elements (25) and cancelling means (36-38) operable to cancel the blocking by the plate (31).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2009Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: CODELOCKS LIMITEDInventor: Grant Macdonald
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Publication number: 20110219998Abstract: A splitter divides an air/product mixture flow, delivered thereto in an air-powered distribution line, between a primary and a secondary distribution channel, which may be flow-coupled to a product hopper or a hose flow-coupled to another product hopper or another splitter. The air/product mixture enters the inlet of the splitter along an angled downward flow path and exits a primary outlet, flow-coupled to the primary distribution channel, along a vertical downward flow path. Air/product flow is exhausted by a secondary outlet, which is flow-coupled to the secondary distribution channel, at an angled upward flow path. The velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is exhausted from the secondary outlet is at an acute angle relative to the velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is received by the inlet of the splitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLCInventors: Brian Anderson, Marvin Prickel, Josh Breuer, Grant MacDonald, Josh Roszman
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Publication number: 20110219996Abstract: A splitter divides an air/product mixture flow, delivered thereto in an air-powered distribution line, between a primary and a secondary distribution channel, which may be flow-coupled to a product hopper or a hose flow-coupled to another product hopper or another splitter. The air/product mixture enters the inlet of the splitter along an angled downward flow path and exits a primary outlet, flow-coupled to the primary distribution channel, along a vertical downward flow path. Air/product flow is exhausted by a secondary outlet, which is flow-coupled to the secondary distribution channel, at an angled upward flow path. The velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is exhausted from the secondary outlet is at an acute angle relative to the velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is received by the inlet of the splitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLCInventors: Brian Anderson, Marvin Prickel, Josh Breuer, Grant MacDonald, Josh Roszman
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Patent number: 7966954Abstract: A splitter divides an air/product mixture flow, delivered thereto in an air-powered distribution line, between a primary and a secondary distribution channel, which may be flow-coupled to a product hopper or a hose flow-coupled to another product hopper or another splitter. The air/product mixture enters the inlet of the splitter along an angled downward flow path and exits a primary outlet, flow-coupled to the primary distribution channel, along a vertical downward flow path. Air/product flow is exhausted by a secondary outlet, which is flow-coupled to the secondary distribution channel, at an angled upward flow path. The velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is exhausted from the secondary outlet is at an acute angle relative to the velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is received by the inlet of the splitter.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2009Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Brian Anderson, Marvin Prickel, Josh Breuer, Grant MacDonald, Josh Roszman
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Publication number: 20100313800Abstract: A splitter divides an air/product mixture flow, delivered thereto in an air-powered distribution line, between a primary and a secondary distribution channel, which may be flow-coupled to a product hopper or a hose flow-coupled to another product hopper or another splitter. The air/product mixture enters the inlet of the splitter along an angled downward flow path and exits a primary outlet, flow-coupled to the primary distribution channel, along a vertical downward flow path. Air/product flow is exhausted by a secondary outlet, which is flow-coupled to the secondary distribution channel, at an angled upward flow path. The velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is exhausted from the secondary outlet is at an acute angle relative to the velocity flow vector along which the air/product mixture is received by the inlet of the splitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2009Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventors: Brian Anderson, Marvin Prickel, Josh Breuer, Grant MacDonald, Josh Roszman