Patents by Inventor James Vandervalk

James Vandervalk 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: 6171047
    Abstract: A bale loading apparatus, which includes a wheeled undercarriage having front and rear ends; a deck pivotally mounted by a pivot mount to the rear end of the undercarriage for supporting a row of bales thereon; and actuating component driven by a first drive to pivot said deck between a first generally horizontal position and a second generally vertical position. The apparatus also includes forks mounted to the rear of the deck, with the forks preferably composed of tines. The forks are positionable at substantially ground level and in a generally horizontal orientation when the deck is generally vertical. A conveyor is incorporated within the deck to convey a bale from the rear end of the deck to the front end thereof. A drive component is provided to drive the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: James Vandervalk
  • Patent number: 5813616
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a bale processor for separating and selectively chopping baled crop materials. A moving barrier advances a bale into a separator which includes a rotating elongate tube provided with hinged finger-like flails. The flails remove material from the bale and discharge it in a directed manner. The material may be cut to differing sizes as desired by retractable knives positioned in the discharge outlet. Alternatively material can be separated without chopping. A second freely rotating blade separates material from the upper portion of the bale directing it into the path of the separator tube. The processor may be used to distribute crop material over a wide area mounted on a trailer and towed by a tractor. The apparatus advantageously can accommodate square or round bales employing a simple and economical bale handling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Fastec Manufacturing
    Inventor: James Vandervalk
  • Patent number: 5211297
    Abstract: There is disclosed a mobile crane having at least one hollow load bearing support member which is rotatable about a base. The load bearing support member is pivotally connected to a hollow boom which telescopically receives a plurality of secondary hollow and interengageable booms. The load bearing support member and boom are pivotally connected by an inwardly collapsible support. The crane cable is connected to a drive source and extends within the hollow booms and load bearing support member and is releasably retained by at least one boom. The crane may be automatically unfolded from a storage position when the boom is substantially parallel to the mast, to an operational position when the boom is angularly inclined to the load bearing support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventor: James Vandervalk