Patents by Inventor Joshua C. Heitsman

Joshua C. Heitsman 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).

  • Publication number: 20240000026
    Abstract: A tree processing system may include a tree processing head and a controller. The tree processing head may include a header frame, a motor, a saw, an arm, and a sensor. The saw is used to cut a tree when the saw is driven by the motor. The saw engages with the tree from a first position and to a second position. The first position and the second position define a cutting zone therebetween. The sensor is used to detect a saw operation speed or current. The controller is coupled to the sensor and configured to determine whether the second position is reached based upon an increase of the saw operation speed or current detected by the sensor. When the second position is reached, the controller transmits a resting signal to the tree processing head to perform a resting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: SANKET PAWAR, JOSHUA C. HEITSMAN
  • Patent number: 11785901
    Abstract: A tree processing system may include a tree processing head and a controller. The tree processing head may include a header frame, a motor, a saw, an arm, and a sensor. The saw is used to cut a tree when the saw is driven by the motor. The saw engages with the tree from a first position and to a second position. The first position and the second position define a cutting zone therebetween. The sensor is used to detect a saw operation speed or current. The controller is coupled to the sensor and configured to determine whether the second position is reached based upon an increase of the saw operation speed or current detected by the sensor. When the second position is reached, the controller transmits a resting signal to the tree processing head to perform a resting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanket Pawar, Joshua C. Heitsman
  • Publication number: 20220055129
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a saw blade sharpness mechanism for use on a tree sawing device, having a saw blade which rotates to saw trees. The saw blade dulls over time during normal operating conditions, and the speed of the saw blade decreases as the saw blade contacts the tree during sawing operation. The speed of the saw blade during sawing operations decreases more after repeated operations as the saw blade dulls. A sensor senses the speed of the saw blade. A processor receives inputs from the sensor and determines when the speed of the saw blade during tree sawing operation has decreased due to wear to a point that it would be more economical to replace the saw blade with a new sharper blade. When such condition is determined, the processor sends a signal to an indicator which sends a signal to the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua C. Heitsman, Bryon P. Neumann
  • Patent number: 11161410
    Abstract: A pattern recognition system receives an image captured by an image capture device, of an operator and the operator is identified. Operator information is accessed, based upon the identified operator, and a control signal is generated to control a mobile machine, based upon the operator information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Joshua C. Heitsman, Reginald M. Bindl, Keith N. Chaston, Michael G. Kean, John M. Hageman, Mark J. Cherney, Sean P. West
  • Publication number: 20210243971
    Abstract: A tree processing system may include a tree processing head and a controller. The tree processing head may include a header frame, a motor, a saw, an arm, and a sensor. The saw is used to cut a tree when the saw is driven by the motor. The saw engages with the tree from a first position and to a second position. The first position and the second position define a cutting zone therebetween. The sensor is used to detect a saw operation speed or current. The controller is coupled to the sensor and configured to determine whether the second position is reached based upon an increase of the saw operation speed or current detected by the sensor. When the second position is reached, the controller transmits a resting signal to the tree processing head to perform a resting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: SANKET PAWAR, JOSHUA C. HEITSMAN
  • Publication number: 20210207338
    Abstract: A work machine with a bell crank for coupling an attachment to a work machine includes a frame extending in a fore-aft direction, and a pair of lift arms pivotally coupled to the frame. The bell crank comprises a support member interposedly positioned between the pair of lift arms; and a first and second elongated, laterally spaced tilt levers coupled to the support member. Each tilt member may have a first pivoting link, a second pivoting link, and an aperture positioned between the first pivoting link and the second pivoting link. The aperture may comprise a first wall, a second wall, and a through-hole for coupling the tilt lever to the support member with a pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: SATISHKUMAR PARTHASARATHY, HARIS T SURYA PRAKASH, Joshua C. Heitsman
  • Patent number: 11053659
    Abstract: A work machine with a bell crank for coupling an attachment to a work machine includes a frame extending in a fore-aft direction, and a pair of lift arms pivotally coupled to the frame. The bell crank comprises a support member interposedly positioned between the pair of lift arms; and a first and second elongated, laterally spaced tilt levers coupled to the support member. Each tilt member may have a first pivoting link, a second pivoting link, and an aperture positioned between the first pivoting link and the second pivoting link. The aperture may comprise a first wall, a second wall, and a through-hole for coupling the tilt lever to the support member with a pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Satishkumar Parthasarathy, Haris T Surya Prakash, Joshua C. Heitsman
  • Patent number: 10723226
    Abstract: A pattern recognition system receives an image captured by an image capture device, of an operator and the operator is identified. Operator information is accessed, based upon the identified operator, and a control signal is generated to control a mobile machine, based upon the operator information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Joshua C. Heitsman, Reginald M. Bindl, Keith N. Chaston, Michael G. Kean, John M. Hageman, Mark J. Cherney, Sean P. West
  • Publication number: 20200223312
    Abstract: A pattern recognition system receives an image captured by an image capture device, of an operator and the operator is identified. Operator information is accessed, based upon the identified operator, and a control signal is generated to control a mobile machine, based upon the operator information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Joshua C. HEITSMAN, Reginald M. Bindl, Keith N. Chaston, Michael G. Kean, John M. Hageman, Mark J. Cherney, Sean P. West
  • Publication number: 20200223311
    Abstract: A pattern recognition system receives an image captured by an image capture device, of an operator and the operator is identified. Operator information is accessed, based upon the identified operator, and a control signal is generated to control a mobile machine, based upon the operator information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Joshua C. Heitsman, Reginald M. Bindl, Keith N. Chaston, Michael G. Kean, John M. Hageman, Mark J. Cherney, Sean P. West
  • Patent number: 10190286
    Abstract: A debris deflection apparatus for work vehicles to prevent debris build-up from affecting the operation of work vehicle components within the mainframe of the vehicle and improved efficiency for cleaning the operator's station while reducing maintenance of work vehicle components by providing an apparatus coupled with the debris catch area of an operator's station and communicating to an opening in the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Kristy L. Konrardy, Krishnaswamy Nalliappan, Joshua C. Heitsman
  • Publication number: 20180266077
    Abstract: A debris deflection apparatus for work vehicles to prevent debris build-up from affecting the operation of work vehicle components within the mainframe of the vehicle and improved efficiency for cleaning the operator's station while reducing maintenance of work vehicle components by providing an apparatus coupled with the debris catch area of an operator's station and communicating to an opening in the work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Kristy L. Konrardy, KRISHNASWAMY NALLIAPPAN, Joshua C. Heitsman