Patents by Inventor James E. Woods

James E. Woods 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: 11718217
    Abstract: A vehicle for receiving and delivering granular material, such as agricultural seeds, includes a frame supporting a container defining an open top chamber having a bottom outlet. An elongated conveyor is supported by a system which includes a first support arm having one end pivotally connected to a side wall of the container for multiple directional movements and a second support arm pivotably connected to the opposite end of the first support arm. The opposite end of the second support arm supports an intermediate portion of the conveyor near its center of gravity and in suspended relation for tilting and rotating the conveyor. Power actuators are connected to rotate and pivot the first support arm to position the conveyor in many selected positions including the conveyor inlet under the outlet of the chamber, a storage position and a position between horizontal and substantially inclined for filling other containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: J&M Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Wood
  • Publication number: 20220340068
    Abstract: A vehicle for receiving and delivering granular material, such as agricultural seeds, includes a frame supporting a container defining an open top chamber having a bottom outlet. An elongated conveyor is supported by a system which includes a first support arm having one end pivotally connected to a side wall of the container for multiple directional movement and a second support arm pivotably connected to the opposite end of the first support arm. The opposite end of the second support arm supports an intermediate portion of the conveyor near its center of gravity and in suspended relation for tilting and rotating the conveyor. Power actuators are connected to rotate and pivot the first support arm to position the conveyor in many selected positions including the conveyor inlet under the outlet of the chamber, a storage position and a position between horizontal and substantially inclined for filling other containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventor: James E. Wood
  • Patent number: 11407350
    Abstract: A vehicle for receiving and delivering granular material, such as agricultural seeds, includes a frame supporting a container defining an open top chamber having a bottom outlet. An elongated conveyor is supported by a system which includes a first support arm having one end pivotally connected to a side wall of the container for multiple directional movement and a second support arm pivotably connected to the opposite end of the first support arm. The opposite end of the second support arm supports an intermediate portion of the conveyor near its center of gravity and in suspended relation for tilting and rotating the conveyor. Power actuators are connected to rotate and pivot the first support arm to position the conveyor in many selected positions including the conveyor inlet under the outlet of the chamber, a storage position and a position between horizontal and substantially inclined for filling other containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: J&M Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Wood
  • Publication number: 20200369191
    Abstract: A vehicle for receiving and delivering granular material, such as agricultural seeds, includes a frame supporting a container defining an open top chamber having a bottom outlet. An elongated conveyor is supported by a system which includes a first support arm having one end pivotally connected to a side wall of the container for multiple directional movement and a second support arm pivotably connected to the opposite end of the first support arm. The opposite end of the second support arm supports an intermediate portion of the conveyor near its center of gravity and in suspended relation for tilting and rotating the conveyor. Power actuators are connected to rotate and pivot the first support arm to position the conveyor in many selected positions including the conveyor inlet under the outlet of the chamber, a storage position and a position between horizontal and substantially inclined for filling other containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventor: James E. Wood
  • Patent number: 10766394
    Abstract: A vehicle for receiving and delivering granular material, such as agricultural seeds, includes a frame supporting a container defining an open top chamber having a bottom outlet. An elongated conveyor is supported by a system which includes a first support arm having one end pivotally connected to a side wall of the container for multiple directional movement and a second support arm pivotably connected to the opposite end of the first support arm. The opposite end of the second support arm supports an intermediate portion of the conveyor near its center of gravity and in suspended relation for tilting and rotating the conveyor. Power actuators are connected to rotate and pivot the first support arm to position the conveyor in many selected positions including the conveyor inlet under the outlet of the chamber, a storage position and a position between horizontal and substantially inclined for filling other containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: J&M Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Wood
  • Publication number: 20190077291
    Abstract: A vehicle for receiving and delivering granular material, such as agricultural seeds, includes a frame supporting a container defining an open top chamber having a bottom outlet. An elongated conveyor is supported by a system which includes a first support arm having one end pivotally connected to a side wall of the container for multiple directional movement and a second support arm pivotably connected to the opposite end of the first support arm. The opposite end of the second support arm supports an intermediate portion of the conveyor near its center of gravity and in suspended relation for tilting and rotating the conveyor. Power actuators are connected to rotate and pivot the first support arm to position the conveyor in many selected positions including the conveyor inlet under the outlet of the chamber, a storage position and a position between horizontal and substantially inclined for filling other containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventor: James E. Wood
  • Patent number: 10150400
    Abstract: A vehicle for receiving and delivering granular material, such as agricultural seeds, includes a frame supporting a container defining an open top chamber having a bottom outlet. An elongated conveyor is supported by a system which includes a first support arm having one end pivotally connected to a side wall of the container for multiple directional movement and a second support arm pivotably connected to the opposite end of the first support arm. The opposite end of the second support arm supports an intermediate portion of the conveyor near its center of gravity and in suspended relation for tilting and rotating the conveyor. Power actuators are connected to rotate and pivot the first support arm to position the conveyor in many selected positions including the conveyor inlet under the outlet of the chamber, a storage position and a position between horizontal and substantially inclined for filling other containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: J. & M. Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Wood
  • Publication number: 20180257536
    Abstract: A vehicle for receiving and delivering granular material, such as agricultural seeds, includes a frame supporting a container defining an open top chamber having a bottom outlet. An elongated conveyor is supported by a system which includes a first support arm having one end pivotally connected to a side wall of the container for multiple directional movement and a second support arm pivotably connected to the opposite end of the first support arm. The opposite end of the second support arm supports an intermediate portion of the conveyor near its center of gravity and in suspended relation for tilting and rotating the conveyor. Power actuators are connected to rotate and pivot the first support arm to position the conveyor in many selected positions including the conveyor inlet under the outlet of the chamber, a storage position and a position between horizontal and substantially inclined for filling other containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventor: James E. Wood
  • Patent number: 9113598
    Abstract: A grain cart has a wheel supported container with an inclined auger unloading conveyor having an inclined lower section positioned to receive grain from the container and an upper section supported for folding movement between a stored position adjacent the container and an inclined discharge position projecting upwardly, forwardly and laterally outwardly from the left side wall of the container. The upper section of the auger conveyor has a tubular housing with an askewed discharge spout supporting a pivotable flow control spout for tilting movement on a horizontal axis extending parallel to the left side wall of the container for discharge of grain laterally across an open top rectangular semi-trailer within a vertical plane perpendicular to the left side wall of the cart. The flow control spout is tilted by a remotely controlled actuator for filling and topping off the semi-trailer including all four corner portions of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: J. & M. Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Wood, Joshua P. Gaerke
  • Patent number: 9096376
    Abstract: A belt conveyor for transferring a granular material has an elongated cylindrical housing having opposite ends connecting an inlet end portion to an outlet end portion with each end portion supporting a roller for receiving a flexible endless belt. The belt has a width greater than the diameter of the housing causing the belt to curve upwardly within the housing for form a trough for receiving and transferring the material. To maintain alignment of the belt on the rollers and within the housing, an inner surface of the belt has a continuous flexible guide rib, and each roller has a circumferential groove for receiving the guide rib. To extend the life of the belt and the guide rib, the belt is tensioned by adjusting one of the rollers to space the guide rib above the inner surface of the housing when material is being transferred within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: J.&M. Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Wood, Joseph R. Wuebker
  • Patent number: 8931797
    Abstract: An elongated trailer has a frame with longitudinally extending frame members connected by front and rear cross frame members, and a pair of wheels are pivotally connected to opposite ends of each of the front and rear cross frame members. A steering system includes a front steering crank member connected to a tow bar and supported by the front cross frame member for pivotal movement on a vertical axis, and a rear steering crank member is supported by the rear cross frame member for pivotal movement on a vertical axis. A set of tie rods pivotally connect the front and rear crank members to the corresponding front and rear wheels. An elongated link member or rod connects the front and rear crank members and extends longitudinally of the frame substantially above the bottom surfaces of the frame members to protect the steering system from projecting objects on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: J. & M. Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua P. Gaerke, James E. Wood, Andrew A. Gartin
  • Publication number: 20140167389
    Abstract: A grain cart has a wheel supported frame with a tow hitch, and the frame supports a hopper or container having front and rear walls connected by opposite side walls to define a chamber, and the walls incline downwardly and inwardly to a grain removal zone. Wheel well covers project into the chamber through openings in the inclined walls and have outwardly projecting elongated flanges adjacent the inclined walls. The flanges and the inclined walls have spaced aligned holes which receive fasteners or bolts for attaching the wheel well covers to the walls after components of the grain cart have been shipped to a destination. Each wheel well cover preferably has a generally vertical flat inner wall connected to a curved cover wall, and the flanges project from the inner and cover walls. The wheel well covers are formed to fit over the wheels for shipping efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: J. & M. Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua P. Gaerke, James E. Wood
  • Publication number: 20140151977
    Abstract: An elongated trailer has a frame with longitudinally extending frame members connected by front and rear cross frame members, and a pair of wheels are pivotally connected to opposite ends of each of the front and rear cross frame members. A steering system includes a front steering crank member connected to a tow bar and supported by the front cross frame member for pivotal movement on a vertical axis, and a rear steering crank member is supported by the rear cross frame member for pivotal movement on a vertical axis. A set of tie rods pivotally connect the front and rear crank members to the corresponding front and rear wheels. An elongated link member or rod connects the front and rear crank members and extends longitudinally of the frame substantially above the bottom surfaces of the frame members to protect the steering system from projecting objects on the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: J. & M. MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Joshua P. Gaerke, James E. Wood, Andrew A. Gartin
  • Publication number: 20140044511
    Abstract: A grain cart has a wheel supported frame on which is mounted an open top container having inclined bottom walls and including a discharge auger conveyor having a lower section extending from a sump for the container adjacent a front left inclined corner portion of the container. The auger conveyor has an extended upper section supported by a hinge assembly having a pivot axis offset and askewed at an acute angle from the auger axis. The hinge assembly provides for pivoting the upper conveyor section between an inclined grain discharge position projecting upwardly, laterally outwardly and forwardly from the container and a stored position inclined downwardly at a substantial angle from the hinge assembly in front of the container. In the stored position, the grain discharge outlet is located lower than the top surfaces of the wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: J&M MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventor: James E. Wood
  • Patent number: 8585343
    Abstract: A grain cart has a wheel supported frame on which is mounted an open top container having inclined bottom walls and including a single discharge auger conveyor having a lower section extending from a sump for the container adjacent a front left inclined corner portion of the container. The auger conveyor has an extended upper section supported by a hinge assembly having a pivot axis offset and askewed at an acute angle from the auger axis. The hinge assembly provides for pivoting the upper conveyor section between an inclined grain discharge position projecting upwardly, laterally outwardly and forwardly from the container and a stored position inclined downwardly at a substantial angle from the hinge assembly in front of the container. In the stored position, the grain discharge outlet is located lower than the top surfaces of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: J&M Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Wood
  • Publication number: 20130251484
    Abstract: A grain cart has a wheel supported container with an inclined auger unloading conveyor having an inclined lower section positioned to receive grain from the container and an upper section supported for folding movement between a stored position adjacent the container and an inclined discharge position projecting upwardly, forwardly and laterally outwardly from the left side wall of the container. The upper section of the auger conveyor has a tubular housing with an askewed discharge spout supporting a pivotable flow control spout for tilting movement on a horizontal axis extending parallel to the left side wall of the container for discharge of grain laterally across an open top rectangular semi-trailer within a vertical plane perpendicular to the left side wall of the cart. The flow control spout is tilted by a remotely controlled actuator for filling and topping off the semi-trailer including all four corner portions of the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: James E. Wood, Joshua P. Gaerke
  • Patent number: 8328497
    Abstract: A grain cart includes a wheel supported frame supporting a container having front and rear walls connected by an inclined left side wall and an inclined right side wall. An auger conveyor has a lower section having an inlet to receive grain from the container and an upper section pivotable between a storage position adjacent the container and an extended discharge position projecting laterally outwardly from the cart. A side wall extension panel is pivotally connected to the inclined right side wall of the container and is movable from a retracted position projecting above the right side wall and an inclined extended position projecting laterally outwardly from the right side wall beyond a right support wheel. A set of inclined brace members are pivotally connected to the extension panel and are adjustably connected to a corresponding set of horizontal tie members rigidly connecting the side walls of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: J. & M. Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Wood
  • Publication number: 20120093622
    Abstract: A grain cart includes a wheel supported frame supporting a container having front and rear walls connected by an inclined left side wall and an inclined right side wall. An auger conveyor has a lower section having an inlet to receive grain from the container and an upper section pivotable between a storage position adjacent the container and an extended discharge position projecting laterally outwardly from the cart. A side wall extension panel is pivotally connected to the inclined right side wall of the container and is movable from a retracted position projecting above the right side wall and an inclined extended position projecting laterally outwardly from the right side wall beyond a right support wheel. A set of inclined brace members are pivotally connected to the extension panel and are adjustably connected to a corresponding set of horizontal tie members rigidly connecting the side walls of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: James E. Wood
  • Patent number: D667850
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: J. & M. Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Wood, Joshua P. Gaerke
  • Patent number: D685973
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: J. & M. Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Wood, Joshua P. Gaerke