Patents by Inventor Lee A. Johnson

Lee A. Johnson 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: 12376511
    Abstract: A soil measure, such as a soil cone index, and a vehicle index indicating the amount of force the vehicle exerts on the ground as it travels over the ground, are obtained and compared to identify a soil damage score. The soil damage score can be mapped over a field and an agricultural vehicle can be controlled based upon the soil damage score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Lee A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 12369505
    Abstract: An adjustable frame assembly of a planter includes a main frame, a first frame member movably coupled to the main frame, and a drive mechanism operably coupled between the main frame and the first frame member for moving the first frame member along the first axis relative to the main frame. The first frame member is laterally movable along a first axis which is perpendicular to a direction of travel of the planter. The frame assembly also includes a first arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the main frame and the second end being coupled to a first row unit. A second arm is provided having a first end and a second end, where the first end is coupled to the first frame member and the second end is coupled to the first row unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Tyler G. Groves, Shane J. Brueggen, Steve P. Robisky, Lee A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 12361500
    Abstract: An agricultural planting machine includes a frame and a planting system supported on the frame and configured to plant seeds in a row. The planting system includes a ground-engaging element movable relative to the frame and configured to engage a ground surface of a field. A field contour detection system is configured to receive in-situ sensor data representing a location of the ground-engaging element, generate field contour data representing a contour of the ground surface based on the in-situ sensor data, and generate a control signal based on the field contour data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: John L. Peters, Thomas G. Bartlett, Lee A. Johnson, Kevin P. Cowles
  • Patent number: 12172631
    Abstract: A soil measure, such as a soil cone index, and a vehicle index indicating the amount of force the vehicle exerts on the ground as it travels over the ground, are obtained and compared to identify a soil damage score. The soil damage score can be mapped over a field and an agricultural vehicle can be controlled based upon the soil damage score. In another example, a detector detects a fill level of a material storage compartment on an agricultural vehicle. The inflation pressure of tires on the agricultural vehicle is controlled based upon the detected fill level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Potter, Eric A. Keen, Mark D. Klein, Lee A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20240393107
    Abstract: A visualization system for a planter row unit having closing and furrow opening disks. The visualization system includes a structured light unit and a camera mounted between the closing wheels and the furrow opening disks. The structured light unit is operable to project a patterned light on a trench in a ground surface formed by the planter row unit, and the camera is operable to record a field of view that includes the patterned light on the trench to determine and measure a three-dimensional trench measurement. The camera captures the 2D image of the trench with the projected patterned light. Optionally, the visualization system includes a general illumination light to illuminate the visual characteristics of the trench. The visualization system can determine the depth of the actual trench, the commodity depth of the commodity in the actual trench, and the 3D actual trench profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Michio Kise, Lee A. Johnson, Lee E. Zumdome, Joseph J. Ellerbach
  • Patent number: 12110007
    Abstract: A soil measure, such as a soil cone index, and a vehicle index indicating the amount of force the vehicle exerts on the ground as it travels over the ground, are obtained and compared to identify a soil damage score. The soil damage score can be mapped over a field and an agricultural vehicle can be controlled based upon the soil damage score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Lee A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20240065136
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a tractor having a front end, a rear end, and a front frame coupled to the front end. The agricultural machine includes an implement coupled to the rear end of the tractor. The agricultural machine includes a supply line configured to transfer commodity from a front tank, which is configured to be supported above the ground by the front frame, to a main tank of the agricultural machine. The main tank distributes commodity to row units, which distribute the commodity to the soil, and the supply line transfers additional commodity to the main tank. The front frame is movable relative to the front end of the tractor to cause engagement of the supply line with the front tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Lee A. Johnson, Colter W. Kinney, Nathan A. Mariman, Oscar S. Tinney
  • Publication number: 20230252587
    Abstract: An agricultural planting machine includes a frame and a planting system supported on the frame and configured to plant seeds in a row. The planting system includes a ground-engaging element movable relative to the frame and configured to engage a ground surface of a field. A field contour detection system is configured to receive in-situ sensor data representing a location of the ground-engaging element, generate field contour data representing a contour of the ground surface based on the in-situ sensor data, and generate a control signal based on the field contour data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: John L. PETERS, Thomas G. BARTLETT, Lee A. JOHNSON, Kevin P. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20230242095
    Abstract: A soil measure, such as a soil cone index, and a vehicle index indicating the amount of force the vehicle exerts on the ground as it travels over the ground, are obtained and compared to identify a soil damage score. The soil damage score can be mapped over a field and an agricultural vehicle can be controlled based upon the soil damage score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventor: Lee A. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20230232729
    Abstract: An adjustable frame assembly of a planter includes a main frame, a first frame member movably coupled to the main frame, and a drive mechanism operably coupled between the main frame and the first frame member for moving the first frame member along the first axis relative to the main frame. The first frame member is laterally movable along a first axis which is perpendicular to a direction of travel of the planter. The frame assembly also includes a first arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the main frame and the second end being coupled to a first row unit. A second arm is provided having a first end and a second end, where the first end is coupled to the first frame member and the second end is coupled to the first row unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Tyler G. Groves, Shane J. Brueggen, Steve P. Robisky, Lee A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20230234559
    Abstract: A soil measure, such as a soil cone index, and a vehicle index indicating the amount of force the vehicle exerts on the ground as it travels over the ground, are obtained and compared to identify a soil damage score. The soil damage score can be mapped over a field and an agricultural vehicle can be controlled based upon the soil damage score. In another example, a detector detects a fill level of a material storage compartment on an agricultural vehicle. The inflation pressure of tires on the agricultural vehicle is controlled based upon the detected fill level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Potter, Eric A. Keen, Mark D. Klein, Lee A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20230232731
    Abstract: A soil measure, such as a soil cone index, and a vehicle index indicating the amount of force the vehicle exerts on the ground as it travels over the ground, are obtained and compared to identify a soil damage score. The soil damage score can be mapped over a field and an agricultural vehicle can be controlled based upon the soil damage score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventor: Lee A. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 8545237
    Abstract: A connector comprises a generally cylindrical dielectric body with a central bore in the dielectric body. The dielectric body has a first end and second end opposite the first end. Conductors extend axially through the cylindrical dielectric body and are spaced apart from each other in a generally circular or elliptical arrangement. Each conductor comprises an embedded portion in the dielectric body and mating portions extending from the first end and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Lee A Johnson, Michael J. Zurn, Jon T. Jacobson, Dale A. Janssen
  • Patent number: 8338721
    Abstract: A cover or housing member for an electronic device comprises a central region and a perimeter region surrounding the central region. The central region comprises an elevated pattern of radial ribs and elliptical elevations elevated above a generally planar lower surface, such that the cover has multiple vibrational modes of natural resonance in which a maximum deflection of the cover occurs in a first mode at a central point of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Phoenix International Corporation
    Inventors: Prashant Bardia, Rahul Patil, Amir Osmani, Lee A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120003847
    Abstract: A connector comprises a generally cylindrical dielectric body with a central bore in the dielectric body. The dielectric body has a first end and second end opposite the first end. Conductors extend axially through the cylindrical dielectric body and are spaced apart from each other in a generally circular or elliptical arrangement. Each conductor comprises an embedded portion in the dielectric body and mating portions extending from the first end and the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Lee A. Johnson, Michael J. Zurn, Jon T. Jacobson, Dale A. Janssen
  • Publication number: 20110240361
    Abstract: A cover or housing member for an electronic device comprises a central region and a perimeter region surrounding the central region. The central region comprises an elevated pattern of radial ribs and elliptical elevations elevated above a generally planar lower surface, such that the cover has multiple vibrational modes of natural resonance in which a maximum deflection of the cover occurs in a first mode at a central point of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Prashant Bardia, Rahul Patil, Amir Osmani, Lee A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5644777
    Abstract: An enhanced modular avionics system for communication and processing in an air transport aircraft including a modular avionic cabinet having a first scsi bus for a first processor and associate memory wherein the first scsi bus extends across a first portion of the cabinet and a second scsi bus for connection to a second processor and associate memory which extends across a second portion of the cabinet where the first portion of the cabinet and the second portion of the cabinet together equal the entire cabinet and there is no overlapping between the first portion and the second portion. Also shown is an extended bus which extends the entire length of the cabinet. The extended bus is located a predetermined distance from the top edge of the cabinet, while the first and second buses are located in a parallel line with each other and with the extended bus, the same predetermined distance from the bottom edge of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Mark R. Meyer, Lee A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5570083
    Abstract: A door bell system presents a normal door bell alarm with an alternative speech record/playback assembly. Upon depression of the exterior button extending through an exterior housing adjacent a building entrance the system with either energize the door bell or urge the visitor to leave a recorded message for subsequent playback. The door bell and/or record modes are selected by the user by a switch located within an interior housing mounted adjacent a building entrance. The housings include the appropriate components and wiring to provide the door bell and record/playback functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventor: Lee A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4696381
    Abstract: A belt or chain-operated clutch and brake apparatus for lawnmowers which is mounted above the blade shroud or housing, and includes a shaft with a cooperating split drum assembly having a hub keyed to the shaft and oppositely-disposed, spring-loaded brake shoes bolted to opposed drum segments and pivoted to the hub plate attached to the hub. At least one drive pulley is freely rotatable on the shaft above the split drum assembly and carries a pulley drum which is shaped to define a round, downwardly extending drum flange located between the brake shoes and the drum segments in the split drum assembly. The brake shoes are biased into contact with the drum flange of the pulley drum in order to effect rotation of the split drum assembly and the shaft when the pulley is driven by a V-belt. A brake band encircles the drum segments in the split drum assembly and is secured to a fixed post at one end and a movable post at the opposite end for selectively tightening on the drum segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Inventor: Lee A. Johnson, Sr.
  • Patent number: D339130
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Inventor: Lee A. Johnson