Patents by Inventor Lucas J. Helton

Lucas J. Helton 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: 11793105
    Abstract: In one aspect, a planter row unit is provided an includes a frame, a first opener disc configured to open a seed trench, and a second opener disc configured to open a second trench different than the seed trench. The second opener disc is rotatable relative to the frame and is vertically moveable relative to the frame. In one aspect, an opener assembly is provided and includes a bracket, an opener disc coupled to the bracket and rotatable relative to the bracket and vertically moveable relative to the bracket, and a biasing member coupled to and between the bracket and the opener disc. The biasing member biases the opener disc vertically downward. In one aspect, a planter row unit is provided and includes an applicator support member made of a resilient material to allow movement of the applicator support member and inhibit deformation of the applicator support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: 360 YIELD CENTER, LLC
    Inventors: Jesse D. Kaiser, Lucas J. Helton, Gregg A. Sauder, Justin L. Koch
  • Publication number: 20200352089
    Abstract: In one aspect, a planter row unit is provided an includes a frame, a first opener disc configured to open a seed trench, and a second opener disc configured to open a second trench different than the seed trench. The second opener disc is rotatable relative to the frame and is vertically moveable relative to the frame. In one aspect, an opener assembly is provided and includes a bracket, an opener disc coupled to the bracket and rotatable relative to the bracket and vertically moveable relative to the bracket, and a biasing member coupled to and between the bracket and the opener disc. The biasing member biases the opener disc vertically downward. In one aspect, a planter row unit is provided and includes an applicator support member made of a resilient material to allow movement of the applicator support member and inhibit deformation of the applicator support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Jesse D. Kaiser, Lucas J. Helton, Gregg A. Sauder, Justin L. Koch
  • Publication number: 20200060076
    Abstract: A liquid applicator implement includes a boom vertically adjustable with respect to a vehicle. The boom supports a plurality of drop assemblies laterally spaced along the boom in communication with a liquid product source. A height sensor assembly is attached to at least one of the drop assemblies and generates signals indicative of a distance between the drop assembly and a ground surface as the vehicle advances in a direction of travel. An adjustment mechanism coupled to the boom is responsive to the signals generated by the height sensor assembly for vertically adjusting the boom. In some embodiments, a breakaway sensor is used to determine whether at least one drop assembly has broken away from its normal substantially vertical operating orientation. In some embodiments, a data processing and/or height control action is determined upon detection of a breakaway event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Welte, Lucas J. Helton, Lee Dahlhauser, Timothy Sauder
  • Publication number: 20180368387
    Abstract: A liquid applicator implement includes a vehicle supporting a boom which is vertically adjustable with respect to the vehicle. The boom supports a plurality of drop assemblies laterally spaced along the boom, each of the plurality of drop assemblies is in communication with a liquid product source. At least one height sensor assembly is attached to one of the plurality of drop assemblies. The at least one height sensor generates signals indicative of a distance between the one drop assembly and a ground surface as the vehicle advances in a direction of travel. At least one adjustment mechanism coupled to the boom is responsive to the signals generated by the at least one height sensor assembly for vertically adjusting the boom as said vehicle advances in the direction of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Welte, Lucas J. Helton, Lee Dahlhauser, Timothy Sauder