Patents by Inventor Kenneth M. Aoyama

Kenneth M. Aoyama 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).

  • Loading and transport vehicle
    Patent number: 4171927
    Abstract: A loading and transport vehicle, especially for a load like a cotton module, has an elongated, relatively high main frame supported on some ground-engaging wheels. An elongated conveyor frame carries a horizontal conveyor belt driven preferably at a surface speed coordinated with the rotational speed of a ground-engaging wheel. The conveyor frame is supported through vertically movable, hydraulically expansible chambers on the main frame and is guided for movement between a horizontal position on the ground and a higher horizontal position pressing a load on the conveyor belt against a ceiling on the main frame. The chambers may put force on the conveyor frame to lift the ground-engaging wheels, which can then be moved transversely to vary the tread between one position beneath the conveyor frame and another position alongside the conveyor frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1979
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Aoyama
  • Apparatus for facilitating the mechanical harvesting of tomatoes
    Patent number: 4047573
    Abstract: In a tomato field in which the tomato plants are grown in a plurality of substantially parallel rows an apparatus is advanced along a predetermined one of the rows. The apparatus cuts the tomato plants in the row, carries the cut plants rearwardly and discharges them onto a transverse conveyor. The transverse conveyor transfers and deposits the cut plants laterally onto a parallel row of uncut plants in a row located at a predetermined distance from the row being cut, thereby uniting two rows of plants for subsequent harvesting by a mechanical tomato harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Aoyama
  • Method of mechanically harvesting tomatoes
    Patent number: 3990217
    Abstract: In a tomato field in which the tomato plants are grown in a plurality of substantially parallel rows an apparatus is advanced along a predetermined one of the rows. The apparatus cuts the tomato plants in the row, carries the cut plants rearwardly and discharges them onto a transverse conveyor. The transverse conveyor transfers and deposits the cut plants laterally onto a parallel row of uncut plants in a row located at a predetermined distance from the row being cut, thereby uniting two rows of plants for subsequent harvesting by a mechanical tomato harvester.By advancing the apparatus to and fro across the field in a predetermined pattern, an unobstructed avenue is provided for the movement of a bulk trailer accompanying the mechanical tomato harvester in the subsequent harvesting process.The method and apparatus are also used to advantage in the mechanical harvesting of other row crops, such as melons and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1976
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Aoyama