Patents by Inventor Michael D. Van Mill
Michael D. Van Mill 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).
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Patent number: 11457562Abstract: A method of unloading mobile farm implements is presented. Unloading the mobile farm implement is accomplished by transmitting commands to unfold an auger arm and to open a container door and by monitoring weight measurements from the implement.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Shawn W. Gerdeman, Ronald J. Schlimgen
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Publication number: 20220272903Abstract: A grain cart and foldable auger assembly having an upper auger assembly portion with a discharge portion, a lower auger assembly portion with an intake portion, and a joint that allows the upper auger assembly portion to be moved between operating and transport positions. When in an operating position, the upper auger portion and the lower auger portion are offset from each other by an operating offset angle. The grain cart also has a hitch for allowing the grain cart to be towed. The discharge portion is forward of the hitch when in the operating position. Embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, increased forward and side reach, additional storage capacity of the hopper, increased discharge rate from the hopper, and a more compact transport position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN
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Publication number: 20220225558Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a toolbar system having a toolbar frame, an elevator assembly, and a first wing on one side of the toolbar frame. The first wing may be coupled to the elevator and pivotable about a first vertical axis of rotation between an extended and a folded position. Tools may be coupled to the first wing and rotatable relative to a longitudinal axis of the first wing from an operating position below the first wing to a transport/shipping position above the first wing. Further, the first wing may be adapted to be moveable to position the first wing higher than a wheel of the agricultural implement on the same side of the toolbar frame in the folded position. Subsequently, the tools may be circularly rotated and the middle wing and tools pushed down to reduce the overall width and height of the implement for transporting or shipping.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Ryan J. FLESHNER, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN
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Publication number: 20220194499Abstract: A track assembly for assisting in moving a farm implement along a ground surface in a line of travel is provided. The track assembly includes a tilt arm comprising front and rear ends. The track assembly includes a camber arm coupled to the tilt arm such that the camber arm permits the tilt arm to pivot about a first axis perpendicular to the line of travel and a second axis parallel to the line of travel. The camber arm is located between the front and rear ends of the tilt arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2022Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Christopher M. SELF, John WALVATNE
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Patent number: 11343971Abstract: A grain cart and foldable auger assembly having an upper auger assembly portion with a discharge portion, a lower auger assembly portion with an intake portion, and a joint that allows the upper auger assembly portion to be moved between operating and transport positions. When in an operating position, the upper auger portion and the lower auger portion are offset from each other by an operating offset angle. The grain cart also has a hitch for allowing the grain cart to be towed. The discharge portion is forward of the hitch when in the operating position. Embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, increased forward and side reach, additional storage capacity of the hopper, increased discharge rate from the hopper, and a more compact transport position.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen
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Patent number: 11304354Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a toolbar system having a toolbar frame, an elevator assembly, and a first wing on one side of the toolbar frame. The first wing may be coupled to the elevator and pivotable about a first vertical axis of rotation between an extended and a folded position. Tools may be coupled to the first wing and rotatable relative to a longitudinal axis of the first wing from an operating position below the first wing to a transport/shipping position above the first wing. Further, the first wing may be adapted to be moveable to position the first wing higher than a wheel of the agricultural implement on the same side of the toolbar frame in the folded position. Subsequently, the tools may be circularly rotated and the middle wing and tools pushed down to reduce the overall width and height of the implement for transporting or shipping.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ryan J. Fleshner, Ronald J. Schlimgen
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Patent number: 11299222Abstract: A mobile farm implement includes a track assembly with a plurality of arms that are pivotally coupled to support idler wheels and bogie wheels such that the track assembly is able to better conform to the terrain when the implement is towed behind a tractor or otherwise moved.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Christopher M. Self, John Walvatne
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Patent number: 11272667Abstract: A scale controller system and method of using the system is disclosed. The scale controller is adapted for use with a grain cart or similar implement that includes a discharge opening and conveyor. The system includes a scale and a plurality of sensors that work together to automate numerous functions that are typically performed manually. For example, the present invention discloses a system that automatically records the amount of material loaded or unloaded by continuously monitoring the load on a scale and the RPMs of a power take-off shaft that drives a conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Digi-Star, LLCInventors: Jerome Bump, Steven L. Johansen, Ronald J. Schlimgen, Michael D. Van Mill, Shawn W. Gerdeman
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Patent number: 11140829Abstract: A farm implement includes a frame, a container mounted on the frame, a hitch extending away from a front wall of the container in a first direction, and an auger assembly extending away from the front wall. The auger assembly includes a receiving portion coupled to the container, a lower portion coupled to the receiving portion, an upper portion coupled to the lower portion, a joint assembly coupled to both the upper and lower portions, and a discharge portion coupled to the upper portion. The joint assembly allows the upper portion to pivot about a folding axis between a transport position and an operating position. In the operating position, the lower portion is angled toward the hitch relative to a vertical plane extending transverse to a direction of travel by the farm implement, and the lower portion is angularly offset from the upper portion by a second angle.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen, Shawn W. Gerdeman
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Publication number: 20210307252Abstract: A grain cart and foldable auger assembly having an upper auger assembly portion with a discharge portion, a lower auger assembly portion with an intake portion, and a compound angle joint that allows the upper auger assembly portion to be moved between operating and transport positions. When in an operating position, the upper auger portion and the lower auger portion are offset from each other by an operating offset angle. When in a transport position, the upper auger assembly portion is offset from the lower auger assembly portion by a transport offset angle such that the upper auger assembly portions folded across the front of the grain cart in a non-obstructive and non-protruding manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN, John WALVATNE, Christopher M. SELF
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Publication number: 20210294337Abstract: Systems and methods for automated cart operation. The automated cart operation may include determining whether a container is full at a first unloading location and, if so, moving the cart from the first unloading location to a second unloading location. The automated cart operation may include moving the cart to a container, determining whether the cart is near the container, and, if the cart is determined to be near the container, stopping the cart. The automated cart operation may include determining a route from a current location to the location of a farm implement that avoids one or more permanent obstacles and areas of the field that have not been harvested and moving the cart to the farm implement on the determined route.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2020Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Christopher M. SELF, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN
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Publication number: 20210235623Abstract: A farm implement includes a frame, a container mounted on the frame, an intake housing rotatably connected to a front wall of the container proximate to a discharge opening, a first auger assembly, and a second auger assembly. The first auger assembly is disposed in the container and conveys agricultural material through the discharge opening. The second auger assembly is rotatably connected to an outlet of the intake housing and includes an inlet that receives agricultural material from the intake housing and an outlet that discharges agricultural material. The farm implement further includes a first mounting assembly and a second mounting assembly disposed along the front wall. The second auger assembly is mounted on one of the first and second mounting assemblies at an operating position, without being mounted to the other one of the first and second mounting assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN, Michael D. VAN MILL
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Patent number: 11019771Abstract: A farm implement includes a frame, a container mounted on the frame, an intake housing rotatably connected to a front wall of the container proximate to a discharge opening, a first auger assembly, and a second auger assembly. The first auger assembly is disposed in the container and conveys agricultural material through the discharge opening. The second auger assembly is rotatably connected to an outlet of the intake housing and includes an inlet that receives agricultural material from the intake housing and an outlet that discharges agricultural material. The farm implement further includes a first mounting assembly and a second mounting assembly disposed along the front wall. The second auger assembly is mounted on one of the first and second mounting assemblies at an operating position, without being mounted to the other one of the first and second mounting assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Ronald J. Schlimgen, Michael D. Van Mill
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Publication number: 20210107575Abstract: A farm implement is provided having a frame and first and second track assemblies for assisting in moving the farm implement along a ground surface in a line of travel. The first track assembly and the second track assembly are positioned on opposite lateral sides of the frame. The first track assembly has a first track frame, a first idler wheel, and a first brake assembly. The first idler wheel has an inboard side facing toward a center of the first track frame and an outboard side facing away from the center the first track frame. The first brake assembly has a first disc coupled to the first idler wheel on the outboard side of the first idler wheel, a first caliper couplable to first and second sides of the first disc, and a first torque arm coupled to the first track frame and a spindle of the first idler wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2019Publication date: April 15, 2021Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Shawn W. GERDEMAN, John WALVATNE
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Patent number: 10874055Abstract: A farm implement having an auger assembly that includes a first auger section with a first auger shaft and a first helical flight array and a second auger section with a second auger shaft and a second helical flight array. When the auger assembly is set in the operating position, a leading edge of the first helical flight array opposes a trailing edge of the second flight array, and the leading edge is spatially separated from the trailing edge by a gap. The auger assembly further includes a first flight extension detachably mounted to the leading edge of the first helical flight array and/or a second flight extension detachably mounted to the trailing edge of the second helical flight array.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Shawn W. Gerdeman, Michael D. Van Mill
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Publication number: 20200367436Abstract: A dual auger grain cart includes a horizontal auger assembly, a vertical auger assembly, and a drive assembly operatively connected to the horizontal and vertical auger assemblies. The horizontal and vertical auger assemblies each include an auger shaft and flighting disposed on the auger shaft. The drive assembly includes a first member operatively connected to the horizontal auger shaft, a second member operatively connected to the vertical auger shaft, and a power input device operatively connected to the first and second drive members to drive rotation of the horizontal and vertical auger shafts. The arrangement of the first and second members allow the longitudinal axes of the horizontal and vertical auger shafts to be coplanar and the vertical auger flighting to extend at least in part below the longitudinal axis of the horizontal auger shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN, Michael D. VAN MILL
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Publication number: 20200367433Abstract: A method of unloading mobile farm implements is presented. Unloading the mobile farm implement is accomplished by transmitting commands to unfold an auger arm and to open a container door and by monitoring weight measurements from the implement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Applicant: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Shawn W. GERDEMAN, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN
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Publication number: 20200359566Abstract: A farm implement includes a frame, a container mounted on the frame, an intake housing rotatably connected to a front wall of the container proximate to a discharge opening, a first auger assembly, and a second auger assembly. The first auger assembly is disposed in the container and conveys agricultural material through the discharge opening. The second auger assembly is rotatably connected to an outlet of the intake housing and includes an inlet that receives agricultural material from the intake housing and an outlet that discharges agricultural material. The farm implement further includes a first mounting assembly and a second mounting assembly disposed along the front wall. The second auger assembly is mounted on one of the first and second mounting assemblies at an operating position, without being mounted to the other one of the first and second mounting assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2019Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN, Michael D. VAN MILL
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Patent number: 10765063Abstract: A method of unloading mobile farm implements is presented. Unloading the mobile farm implement is accomplished by transmitting commands to unfold an auger arm and to open a container door and by monitoring weight measurements from the implement.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Shawn W. Gerdeman, Ronald J. Schlimgen
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Patent number: 10743474Abstract: A dual auger grain cart includes a horizontal auger assembly, a vertical auger assembly, and a drive assembly operatively connected to the horizontal and vertical auger assemblies. The horizontal and vertical auger assemblies each include an auger shaft and flighting disposed on the auger shaft. The drive assembly includes a first member operatively connected to the horizontal auger shaft, a second member operatively connected to the vertical auger shaft, and a power input device operatively connected to the first and second drive members to drive rotation of the horizontal and vertical auger shafts. The arrangement of the first and second members allow the longitudinal axes of the horizontal and vertical auger shafts to be coplanar and the vertical auger flighting to extend at least in part below the longitudinal axis of the horizontal auger shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: Ronald J. Schlimgen, Michael D. Van Mill