Patents by Inventor James G. Lafferty

James G. Lafferty 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: 8683931
    Abstract: Expensive seed wasting and crop stunting are avoided by electronically controlling solenoids to selective supply fluid pressure to double acting cylinders. Rams operate links and roller mounted seed doors. Extending or withdrawing the rams closes or opens the doors. Clips on the rams limit door openings. A microprocessor stores field dimensions and planting patterns, spacing of seed planting headers from an onboard GPS and distances of seed travel through spaced seed distribution tubes. The microprocessor electronically controls solenoids to timely shut seed doors in groups before reaching turns or unplanted headlands and to timely open groups of seed doors before reaching planting areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: James G. Lafferty
  • Patent number: 5078066
    Abstract: A clutching mechanism for a seed meter incorporates a spring wrapped clutch for selectively disengaging a seed meter on a seed drill in order to tramline fields for agricultural purposes. A common shaft rotates and dispenses seeds from a series of seed meters on the drill. The spring wrapped clutch of the present invention allows for disengagement of singular meters from the rotational actuation of the common shaft. The seed metering clutch incorporates a rotatable drum which dispenses the seed as it is turned. The drum is attached to a driven element which is further attached to a spring. The spring compressibly holds a driving element attached to the rotatable shaft. Seals on the clutch prevent intrusion of foreign matter such as soil into the interior clutch. A selective engagement of the spring causes a decompression on the driving element and consequently, stops the rotation of the seed drum within the seed meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventor: James G. Lafferty
  • Patent number: 5003894
    Abstract: A clutching mechanism for a seed meter incorporates a spring wrapped clutch for selectively disengaging a seed meter on a seed drill in order to tramline fields for agricultural purposes. A common shaft rotates and dispenses seeds from a series of seed meters on the drill. The spring wrapped clutch of the present invention allows for disengagement of singular meters from the rotational actuation of the common shaft. The seed metering incorporates a rotatable drum which dispenses the seed as it is turned. The drum is attached to a driven element which is further attached to a spring. The spring compressibly holds a driving element attached to the rotation shaft. A selective engagement of the spring causes a decompression on the driving element and consequently, stops the rotation of the seed drum within the seed meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: James G. Lafferty