Patents by Inventor James E. Straeter

James E. Straeter 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: 11817814
    Abstract: A solar panel assembly having at least one solar panel array pivotally connected to a plurality of legs using a support beam. Cross members are connected to the support beam and extend transversely in relation to the support beam. The cross members are also positioned in parallel spaced relation along a length of the support beam. A plurality of rail members having a top wall with a plurality of slots that extend along a length of the top wall in a first and a second row are connected to the cross members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Publication number: 20220352846
    Abstract: A solar panel assembly having at least one solar panel array pivotally connected to a plurality of legs using a support beam. Cross members are connected to the support beam and extend transversely in relation to the support beam. The cross members are also positioned in parallel spaced relation along a length of the support beam. A plurality of rail members having a top wall with a plurality of slots that extend along a length of the top wall in a first and a second row are connected to the cross members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Publication number: 20220304233
    Abstract: A stover conveyor system that extends between a corn head and a stover chopper having a first end and a second end. The first end of the stover conveyor is connected to a lift cylinder with a first mounting member, the second end is connected to a frame of a combine with a second mounting member, and a third mounting member is connected to the frame and the stover chopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Patent number: 11382257
    Abstract: A planting system and method for planting multiple seed varieties includes a planter having a plurality of tanks and a plurality of row units. A plurality of seed meters are included in of the plurality of the row units. The seed meters are selectively operated at a time to plant a seed variety associated with the meter being operated. The determination of the seed meter used is based, in part, upon the location of the planter in the field. A cleanout system removes any unplanted seed before a different variety of seed is to be planted based upon an updated location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Publication number: 20200107493
    Abstract: A planting system and method for planting multiple seed varieties includes a planter having a plurality of tanks and a plurality of row units. A plurality of seed meters are included in of the plurality of the row units. The seed meters are selectively operated at a time to plant a seed variety associated with the meter being operated. The determination of the seed meter used is based, in part, upon the location of the planter in the field. A cleanout system removes any unplanted seed before a different variety of seed is to be planted based upon an updated location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventor: JAMES E. STRAETER
  • Patent number: 10499557
    Abstract: A planting system and method for planting multiple seed varieties includes a planter having a plurality of tanks and a plurality of row units. A plurality of seed meters are included in of the plurality of the row units. The seed meters are aligned in a non-horizontal configuration within each row unit, and one of the plurality of meters is operated at a time to plant a seed variety associated with the meter being operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Patent number: 10349575
    Abstract: A system for changing seed variety on a planter includes a plurality of row units with each row unit having a plurality of seed meters. The seed meters are connected to a controller for actuation of a seed meter. The seed meters are actuated and controlled to plant a variety of seed based, in part, on the location of the planter in a field. The controller can be in communication with a mapping system, such as GPS, to provide updated location of the planter to determine a variety of seed to plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Patent number: 10271473
    Abstract: A row unit downforce control assembly having a six bar linkage pivotally connected to a row unit and a tool bar. Pivotally connected to the six bar linkage is a locator. An actuator is connected to the locator and moves the locator to adjust downward force on the row unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Patent number: 10159185
    Abstract: A chopping assembly for a harvesting implement having a blade assembly, a housing, and a guide. The blade assembly is disposed within the housing and the guide directs cornstalks toward an input port on the housing. The blade assembly not only cuts the cornstalk from its root but also chops the stalk into stover. A fluid dynamic force is created by the blade assembly to direct the stover with the aid of the housing to an output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Patent number: 10159187
    Abstract: A chopper assembly having a discharge conduit. A first and a second beater disposed within the discharge conduit and a first door and a second door in the bottom wall of the discharge conduit positioned below the first beater and the second beater respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Publication number: 20170367254
    Abstract: A planting system and method for planting multiple seed varieties is provided. The planting system includes a planter having a plurality of tanks and a plurality of row units. A plurality of seed meters are included in of the plurality of the row units. The seed meters are aligned in a non-horizontal configuration within each row unit, and one of the plurality of meters is operated at a time to plant a seed variety associated with the meter being operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Publication number: 20170280624
    Abstract: A chopper assembly having a discharge conduit. A first and a second beater disposed within the discharge conduit and a first door and a second door in the bottom wall of the discharge conduit positioned below the first beater and the second beater respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Patent number: 9756778
    Abstract: A planting system and method for planting multiple seed varieties is provided. The planting system includes a planter having a plurality of tanks and a plurality of row units. A plurality of seed meters are included in of the plurality of the row units. The seed meters are aligned in a non-horizontal configuration within each row unit, and one of the plurality of meters is operated at a time to plant a seed variety associated with the meter being operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Publication number: 20170245422
    Abstract: A system for changing seed variety on a planter includes a plurality of row units with each row unit having a plurality of seed meters. The seed meters are connected to a controller for actuation of a seed meter. The seed meters are actuated and controlled to plant a variety of seed based, in part, on the location of the planter in a field. The controller can be in communication with a mapping system, such as GPS, to provide updated location of the planter to determine a variety of seed to plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Patent number: 9675003
    Abstract: A system for changing seed variety on a planter includes a plurality of row units with each row unit having a plurality of seed meters. Each seed meter has a guide for delivering seed to a transport member and a switch that is activated and deactivated by a switch actuator on the member. The transport member is an endless member. The endless member has adjustable sidewalls, cover, and lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Patent number: 9655302
    Abstract: A feeder assembly pivotally attached to an implement having a pickup reel wherein the feeder assembly has a continuous belt having a plurality of teeth that is mounted about a pair of rollers. The feeder is angled such that is picks up a windrow of stover from the ground and transports the stover to a raised pickup reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Publication number: 20170105336
    Abstract: A row unit downforce control assembly having a six bar linkage pivotally connected to a row unit and a tool bar. Pivotally connected to the six bar linkage is a locator. An actuator is connected to the locator and moves the locator to adjust downward force on the row unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Patent number: 9551508
    Abstract: A ground mounted solar power assembly having at least one solar panel having a support beam connected to the back of the solar panel. A plurality of legs have a bracket at one end that receive the support beam. Finally, an eccentric handle is connected to the bracket to permit selective rotation of the support beam within the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Publication number: 20160309643
    Abstract: A system for changing seed variety on a planter includes a plurality of row units with each row unit having a plurality of seed meters. Each seed meter has a guide for delivering seed to a transport member and a switch that is activated and deactivated by a switch actuator on the member. The transport member is an endless member. The endless member has adjustable sidewalls, cover, and lugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventor: James E. Straeter
  • Patent number: 9382509
    Abstract: An agricultural waste digester and biogas generation system is disclosed that includes a digester assembly having a cylindrical body, a hollow interior, a center axis and a plurality of wheel segments within the interior of the digester assembly. A gas conduit extends from the interior of the digester assembly to a power generation device. Also included is a water vessel containing water, and each of the plurality of wheel segments have an acruate, contoured surface area which restrict biogas movement within the digester assembly to produce induced agitation of agricultural waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventor: James E. Straeter