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).

  • Patent number: 11432457
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
  • Patent number: 11425854
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
  • Publication number: 20200170177
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
  • Publication number: 20200170178
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
  • Patent number: 10660261
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
  • Publication number: 20190166754
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Chad M. Johnson, Johnathon Dienst, Marvin A. Prickel, Grant MacDonald, Jason T. Czapka, Michael J. Connors, Christopher Schoeny
  • Patent number: 9686904
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Roszman, Grant Macdonald
  • Publication number: 20160165791
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Joshua Roszman, Grant MacDonald
  • Patent number: 9279274
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: CODELOCKS LIMITED
    Inventor: Grant MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8276530
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Brian Anderson, Marvin Prickel, Josh Breuer, Grant MacDonald, Josh Roszman
  • Patent number: 8079317
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Brian Anderson, Marvin Prickel, Josh Breuer, Grant MacDonald, Josh Roszman
  • Publication number: 20110226026
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: CODELOCKS LIMITED
    Inventor: Grant Macdonald
  • Publication number: 20110219998
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Brian Anderson, Marvin Prickel, Josh Breuer, Grant MacDonald, Josh Roszman
  • Publication number: 20110219996
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Brian Anderson, Marvin Prickel, Josh Breuer, Grant MacDonald, Josh Roszman
  • Patent number: 7966954
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Brian Anderson, Marvin Prickel, Josh Breuer, Grant MacDonald, Josh Roszman
  • Publication number: 20100313800
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Brian Anderson, Marvin Prickel, Josh Breuer, Grant MacDonald, Josh Roszman