Patents by Inventor John Mark Averink

John Mark Averink 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: 10238022
    Abstract: An angle adjustable coulter wheel assembly includes a rotatable shank having a longitudinal axis defined by an upper portion of the shank. The longitudinal axis is oriented neither vertically or horizontally with respect to the ground when the assembly is mounted on a tillage apparatus. A coulter wheel rotatably mounted on the shank proximate a lower portion of the shank. An actuator rotates the upper portion of the shank about the longitudinal axis to cause the face of the coulter wheel to rotate about three orthogonal axes thereby changing orientation of the face of the coulter wheel with respect to the ground when the assembly is on the tillage apparatus. The coulter wheel assembly permits adjusting the angle of the coulter wheel in at least two planes permitting greater control over how much soil the coulter wheel disturbs during tilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Salford Group Inc.
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, John Mark Averink, Jake A. Rozendaal, Frenz Hoeve, Simon Goveia
  • Patent number: 10231377
    Abstract: A metering apparatus for distributing an agricultural product in a field has a meterbox configured for association with a hopper for receiving agricultural product from the hopper. A rotatable metering element is disposed within a chamber in the meterbox, and the rotating metering element is configured to deliver the agricultural product at a regulated rate from the hopper through the chamber to a product distribution line. Delivery of the agricultural product to the product distribution line may be selectively stopped by a disengagement structure for disengaging the agricultural product from the meter roller while the meter roller continues to rotate. The disengagement structure may comprise the meter roller moveable between a lowered product engaging position and a raised product disengaging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, Mikhail Rodionov, John Mark Averink, Johan Braun Friesen, Jesse Abram Dyck
  • Patent number: 10225973
    Abstract: A tine harrow has a plurality of harrow tines mounted on and downwardly depending from a harrow frame. The tines are configured to be movable between a lowered position and a raised position, and at least one tine lowerable or raiseable to a different relative position in relation to a surface of a field than others of the tines. The ability to lower and raise individual tines or rows of tines to different positions in relation to a surface of a field provides more effective response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions. The positions to which individual tines or rows of tines are lowered or raised may be selectively set to further enhance effectiveness of the response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Salford Group Inc.
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, John Mark Averink, Jonathan Gillier, Bradley William Baker
  • Patent number: 10137951
    Abstract: A trailer has a frame having frame-members configured to support a container, at least a pair of traction devices rotatably mounted on the frame, and a tongue configured to be mounted on a transportation device or an implement being towed by a transportation device. The frame-members may have a three-point mount configured to support a container. The container may be configured to be interchangeable with another container. The container may be an element of a seeding apparatus, the seeding apparatus mountable on the frame-members of the frame. The trailer may have a steering mechanism for the traction devices, and may be convertible between steerable and non-steerable modes. The steering mechanism may be guidance controlled. A transverse distance between the traction devices may be adjustable and/or height of the frame in relation to the ground may be adjustable. The trailer provides greater flexibility of operation under a greater variety of conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Salford Group Inc.
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, John Mark Averink, Jacobus A. Rozendaal, Bradley William Baker, Chad Derek Pasma
  • Patent number: 10117373
    Abstract: A tine harrow has a plurality of harrow tines mounted on and downwardly depending from a harrow frame. The tines are configured to be moveable between a lowered position and a raised position, and at least one tine lowerable or raiseable to a different relative position in relation to a surface of a field than others of the tines. The ability to lower and raise individual tines or rows of tines to different positions in relation to a surface of a field provides more effective response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions. The positions to which individual tines or rows of tines are lowered or raised may be selectively set to further enhance effectiveness of the response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Salford Group Inc.
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, John Mark Averink, Jonathan Gillier, Bradley William Baker
  • Publication number: 20180295768
    Abstract: A tine harrow has a plurality of harrow tines mounted on and downwardly depending from a harrow frame. The tines are configured to be movable between a lowered position and a raised position, and at least one tine lowerable or raiseable to a different relative position in relation to a surface of a field than others of the tines. The ability to lower and raise individual tines or rows of tines to different positions in relation to a surface of a field provides more effective response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions. The positions to which individual tines or rows of tines are lowered or raised may be selectively set to further enhance effectiveness of the response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Salford Group Inc.
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, John Mark Averink, Jonathan Gillier, Bradley William Baker
  • Publication number: 20180043954
    Abstract: A trailer has a frame having frame-members configured to support a container, at least a pair of traction devices rotatably mounted on the frame, and a tongue configured to be mounted on a transportation device or an implement being towed by a transportation device. The frame-members may have a three-point mount configured to support a container. The container may be configured to be interchangeable with another container. The container may be an element of a seeding apparatus, the seeding apparatus mountable on the frame-members of the frame. The trailer may have a steering mechanism for the traction devices, and may be convertible between steerable and non-steerable modes. The steering mechanism may be guidance controlled. A transverse distance between the traction devices may be adjustable and/or height of the frame in relation to the ground may be adjustable. The trailer provides greater flexibility of operation under a greater variety of conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Salford Group Inc.
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, John Mark Averink, Jacobus A. Rozendaal, Bradley William Baker, Chad Derek Pasma
  • Publication number: 20170339818
    Abstract: A tillage apparatus for selective primary tillage and seed bed preparation makes use of a selectively moveable primary tillage shank to provide seasonal, in-field and/or on-the-fly flexibility of tillage operation. The tillage apparatus has a cultivator frame, at least one secondary tillage tool mounted on the frame and a primary tillage shank mounted on the frame, the primary tillage shank selectively moveable between a lowered soil engaging position and a raised disengaged position. In a method of tilling or preparing a seed bed, the tillage apparatus is dragged around a field with the at least one secondary tillage tool engaged with the field when secondary tillage of the field is desired, and the selectively moveable primary tillage shank lowered to be engaged with the field when the field is in need of primary tillage or raised to be disengaged from the field when primary tillage is not desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, Simon Goveia, John Mark Averink
  • Patent number: 9828051
    Abstract: A trailer has a frame having frame-members configured to support a container, at least a pair of traction devices rotatably mounted on the frame, and a tongue configured to be mounted on a transportation device or an implement being towed by a transportation device. The frame-members may have a three-point mount configured to support a container. The container may be configured to be interchangeable with another container. The container may be an element of a seeding apparatus, the seeding apparatus mountable on the frame-members of the frame. The trailer may have a steering mechanism for the traction devices, and may be convertible between steerable and non-steerable modes. The steering mechanism may be guidance controlled. A transverse distance between the traction devices may be adjustable and/or height of the frame in relation to the ground may be adjustable. The trailer provides greater flexibility of operation under a greater variety of conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Salford Group Inc.
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, John Mark Averink, Jacobus A. Rozendaal, Bradley William Baker, Chad Derek Pasma
  • Patent number: 9763373
    Abstract: A tillage apparatus for selective primary tillage and seed bed preparation makes use of a selectively moveable primary tillage shank to provide seasonal, in-field and/or on-the-fly flexibility of tillage operation. The tillage apparatus has a cultivator frame, at least one secondary tillage tool mounted on the frame and a primary tillage shank mounted on the frame, the primary tillage shank selectively moveable between a lowered soil engaging position and a raised disengaged position. In a method of tilling or preparing a seed bed, the tillage apparatus is dragged around a field with the at least one secondary tillage tool engaged with the field when secondary tillage of the field is desired, and the selectively moveable primary tillage shank lowered to be engaged with the field when the field is in need of primary tillage or raised to be disengaged from the field when primary tillage is not desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Salford Group Inc.
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, Simon Goveia, John Mark Averink
  • Publication number: 20170181371
    Abstract: A metering apparatus for distributing an agricultural product in a field has a meterbox configured for association with a hopper for receiving agricultural product from the hopper. A rotatable metering element is disposed within a chamber in the meterbox, and the rotating metering element is configured to deliver the agricultural product at a regulated rate from the hopper through the chamber to a product distribution line. Delivery of the agricultural product to the product distribution line may be selectively stopped by a disengagement structure for disengaging the agricultural product from the meter roller while the meter roller continues to rotate. The disengagement structure may comprise the meter roller moveable between a lowered product engaging position and a raised product disengaging position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, Mikhail Rodionov, John Mark Averink, Johan Braun Friesen, Jesse Abram Dyck
  • Patent number: 9635803
    Abstract: A metering apparatus for distributing an agricultural product in a field has a meterbox configured for association with a hopper for receiving agricultural product from the hopper. A rotatable metering element is disposed within a chamber in the meterbox, and the rotating metering element is configured to deliver the agricultural product at a regulated rate from the hopper through the chamber to a product distribution line. Delivery of the agricultural product to the product distribution line may be selectively stopped by a reversibly inflatable seal between the metering element and an outlet to the distribution line, a reversible seal formed by contact between the metering element and an inlet from the hopper to the chamber, or a disengagement structure for disengaging the agricultural product from the metering element while the metering element continues to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, Mikhail Rodionov, John Mark Averink, Johan Braun Friessen, Jesse Abram Dyck
  • Publication number: 20170043822
    Abstract: A trailer has a frame having frame-members configured to support a container, at least a pair of traction devices rotatably mounted on the frame, and a tongue configured to be mounted on a transportation device or an implement being towed by a transportation device. The frame-members may have a three-point mount configured to support a container. The container may be configured to be interchangeable with another container. The container may be an element of a seeding apparatus, the seeding apparatus mountable on the frame-members of the frame. The trailer may have a steering mechanism for the traction devices, and may be convertible between steerable and non-steerable modes. The steering mechanism may be guidance controlled. A transverse distance between the traction devices may be adjustable and/or height of the frame in relation to the ground may be adjustable. The trailer provides greater flexibility of operation under a greater variety of conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: Salford Group Inc.
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, John Mark Averink, Jacobus A. Rozendaal, Bradley William Baker, Chad Derek Pasma
  • Publication number: 20160324064
    Abstract: An angle adjustable coulter wheel assembly includes a rotatable shank having a longitudinal axis defined by an upper portion of the shank. The longitudinal axis is oriented neither vertically or horizontally with respect to the ground when the assembly is mounted on a tillage apparatus. A coulter wheel rotatably mounted on the shank proximate a lower portion of the shank. An actuator rotates the upper portion of the shank about the longitudinal axis to cause the face of the coulter wheel to rotate about three orthogonal axes thereby changing orientation of the face of the coulter wheel with respect to the ground when the assembly is on the tillage apparatus. The coulter wheel assembly permits adjusting the angle of the coulter wheel in at least two planes permitting greater control over how much soil the coulter wheel disturbs during tilling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Salford Group Inc.
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, John Mark Averink, Jake A. Rozendaal, Frenz Hoeve, Simon Goveia
  • Publication number: 20160234994
    Abstract: A tine harrow has a plurality of harrow tines mounted on and downwardly depending from a harrow frame. The tines are configured to be moveable between a lowered position and a raised position, and at least one tine lowerable or raiseable to a different relative position in relation to a surface of a field than others of the tines. The ability to lower and raise individual tines or rows of tines to different positions in relation to a surface of a field provides more effective response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions. The positions to which individual tines or rows of tines are lowered or raised may be selectively set to further enhance effectiveness of the response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: Salford Group Inc.
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, John Mark Averink, Jonathan Gillier, Bradley William Baker
  • Patent number: 9313937
    Abstract: A tillage apparatus includes a wheeled frame configured with a plurality of concave blades arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending columns and transversely extending rows. The rows are longitudinally spaced apart by a progressively increasing distance. The blades of each column are transversely tilted alternately to the left and right. The blades of each column are transversely offset from one another to create a swath of tilled ground along the width of the column. In operation, soil is thrown left and right between successive blades of a column to till the soil across the width of the column and leave a substantially level soil surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, Jacobus A. Rozendaal, John Mark Averink, Simon Goveia
  • Patent number: 9247687
    Abstract: A tillage apparatus having a rotary harrow mounted thereon with mounting elements utilizes a cooperative combination of: a compressible material at the mounting element to permit relative motion between the harrow and the mounting element in response to a motion of the harrow; and, a hydraulic actuator operated under a first pressure to lower the rotary harrow and maintain engagement of the rotary harrow with the ground. A pressure relief element is utilized to reduce back pressure in response to the harrow striking a hard impediment on the ground during operation of the tillage apparatus in a field. The combination cooperates to reduce damage to the harrow and/or other parts of the tillage apparatus when the harrow strikes a hard impediment such as a rock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Salford Group Inc.
    Inventors: Geof Gray, Jake Rozendaal, Frens Hoeve, John Mark Averink
  • Publication number: 20150319910
    Abstract: A tillage apparatus includes a wheeled frame configured with a plurality of concave blades arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending columns and transversely extending rows. The rows are longitudinally spaced apart by a progressively increasing distance. The blades of each column are transversely tilted alternately to the left and right. The blades of each column are transversely offset from one another to create a swath of tilled ground along the width of the column. In operation, soil is thrown left and right between successive blades of a column to till the soil across the width of the column and leave a substantially level soil surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, Jacobus A. Rozendaal, John Mark Averink, Simon Goveia
  • Patent number: 9179587
    Abstract: A tillage apparatus includes a wheeled frame configured with a plurality of concave blades arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending columns and transversely extending rows. The rows are longitudinally spaced apart by a progressively increasing distance. The blades of each column are transversely tilted alternately to the left and right. The blades of each column are transversely offset from one another to create a swath of tilled ground along the width of the column. In operation, soil is thrown left and right between successive blades of a column to till the soil across the width of the column and leave a substantially level soil surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Salford Group Inc.
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, Jacobus A. Rozendaal, John Mark Averink, Simon Goveia
  • Patent number: D836138
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Inventors: John Mark Averink, Geof J. Gray, Adam Lehman, Andrew Headon, Matthew Mayer, Jacobus A. Rozendaal