Patents by Inventor Mark P. Hoffman

Mark P. Hoffman 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: 7721815
    Abstract: A cushion standard shield system to remove and deflect residue, dirt, debris, and soil from a cushion bearing hanger, or cushion standard, portion of a disk gang type agricultural implement is provided. The cushion standard shield system includes a mounting bracket supported by a common axle which carries multiple disk blades of the disk gang. A blade assembly is mounted to an upright portion of the mounting bracket, and is positioned generally behind and above the axle, behind the cushion standard. The blade assembly includes one or more plate member with arcuate lateral edges. The radii of the arcuate lateral edges correspond closely in magnitude to the radii of the concave and convex surfaces of the disk blades. The plate members are laterally adjustable with respect to each other, whereby the width dimension of blade assembly is variable to accommodate different axial spacing widths of adjacent disk blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Mark P. Hoffman, Aaron Beyer, Rickey Gerber, Gaylen J. Kromminga
  • Publication number: 20100084148
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a novel configuration for agricultural tandem disk systems that feature soil finishing systems. This configuration of the finishing system features finishing reels that provide a robust assembly that will require less frequent repair and maintenance. The finishing system also features support arms that allow the user to adjust the position of finishing reels and the downward force applied to the reels. In an exemplary embodiment, the soil finishing reels are located behind two rows of ground breaking disk blades. After the soil is opened by the disks, the finishing reel may be used to break up or split large soil clods created by the disks. The soil finishing system allows the user to have the soil in an optimized state for germination after one pass of the agricultural system, reducing the number of passes needed to prepare the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Rickey L. Gerber, Melvin L. Blunier, Mark P. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7631701
    Abstract: A bearing shield and disk scraper system to remove and deflect dirt, debris, and soil from a bearing assembly, rigid bearing hanger or standard, and/or disk blade, is provided; the system also provides a protective barrier structure for the bearing assembly. The bearing shield and disk scraper system includes a shield member and a scraper blade connected thereto. The bearing shield at least partially encases and protects a bearing assembly that rotatably supports a common axle which carries multiple disk blades of the disk gang. The scraper blade is attached to the shield member by way of a mounting flange that extends therefrom. An edge of the scraper blade is positioned in close proximity to a concave surface of an adjacent disk blade, whereby the entire assemblage of bearing shield and disk scraper system protects the bearing assembly and prevents non-desired accumulation of dirt and debris on the disk blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Gaylen J. Kromminga, Aaron Beyer, Rickey Gerber, Scott Faust, Mark P. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20080264659
    Abstract: A cushion standard shield system to remove and deflect residue, dirt, debris, and soil from a cushion bearing hanger, or cushion standard, portion of a disk gang type agricultural implement is provided. The cushion standard shield system includes a mounting bracket supported by a common axle which carries multiple disk blades of the disk gang. A blade assembly is mounted to an upright portion of the mounting bracket, and is positioned generally behind and above the axle, behind the cushion standard. The blade assembly includes one or more plate member with arcuate lateral edges. The radii of the arcuate lateral edges correspond closely in magnitude to the radii of the concave and convex surfaces of the disk blades. The plate members are laterally adjustable with respect to each other, whereby the width dimension of blade assembly is variable to accommodate different axial spacing widths of adjacent disk blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Mark P. Hoffman, Aaron Beyer, Rickey Gerber, Gaylen J. Kromminga
  • Publication number: 20080264657
    Abstract: A bearing shield and disk scraper system to remove and deflect dirt, debris, and soil from a bearing assembly, rigid bearing hanger or standard, and/or disk blade, is provided; the system also provides a protective barrier structure for the bearing assembly. The bearing shield and disk scraper system includes a shield member and a scraper blade connected thereto. The bearing shield at least partially encases and protects a bearing assembly that rotatably supports a common axle which carries multiple disk blades of the disk gang. The scraper blade is attached to the shield member by way of a mounting flange that extends therefrom. An edge of the scraper blade is positioned in close proximity to a concave surface of an adjacent disk blade, whereby the entire assemblage of bearing shield and disk scraper system protects the bearing assembly and prevents non-desired accumulation of dirt and debris on the disk blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Gaylen J. Kromminga, Aaron Beyer, Rickey Gerber, Scott Faust, Mark P. Hoffman
  • Patent number: D635590
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael George Kovach, Rick L. Gerber, Melvin L. Blunier, Mark P. Hoffman