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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Publication number: 20180027736Abstract: 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: August 16, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN, John WALVATNE, Christopher M. SELF
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Patent number: 9848536Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen, John Walvatne, Christopher M. Self
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Publication number: 20170354091Abstract: 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 15, 2017Publication date: December 14, 2017Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN
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Patent number: 9839175Abstract: 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: February 3, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ryan J. Fleshner, Ronald J. Schlimgen
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Publication number: 20170318747Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Applicant: Digi-Star, LLCInventors: Jerome Bump, Steven L. Johansen, Ronald J. Schlimgen, Michael D. Van Mill, Shawn W. Gerdman
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Patent number: 9810013Abstract: A door control system for a farm implement with a storage bin having a discharge opening and a door movable by a drive mechanism between open and closed positions relative to the discharge opening includes a dual position door control system. The system includes at least two controllers at spaced positions relative to the door and coupled to a drive mechanism for opening and closing the door.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen, Daryl Rubner
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Publication number: 20170290270Abstract: A cart for transporting and conveying agricultural materials is provided. The cart includes a frame; a set of wheels or tracks coupled with said frame; and a hitch assembly coupled with said frame to allow the cart to be towed on the wheels or tracks behind a tow vehicle. The cart further includes a hopper defined by a plurality of walls supported by the frame and having a hopper opening to receive agricultural material and a discharge opening for discharging agricultural material. The cart further includes a conveyor assembly coupled to the hopper, the conveyor assembly including an inlet in communication with the discharge opening to receive agricultural material therefrom and an outlet to discharge agricultural material. The conveyor assembly includes a lower conveyor section and an upper conveyor section.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN
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Patent number: 9763389Abstract: 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: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Digi-Star, LLCInventors: Jerome Bump, Steven L. Johansen, Ronald J. Schlimgen, Michael D. Van Mill, Shawn W. Gerdman
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Patent number: 9723789Abstract: A cart having an adjustable elevation auger. A junction box may located within the opening of a sump of a bin of a cart. The junction box may have an open top, closed bottom and sides, and back wall. The back wall of the junction box may be secured to a bin wall by a hinge such that the junction box may pivot about a pivot axis. An auger housing may be connected to and extend from the junction box. An auger may extend through the auger housing and have an intake end disposed within the junction box. The auger housing and auger may pivot with the junction box about a pivot axis between a lowered position and an elevated position. The auger may be a corner auger and may be a folding auger.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen
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Patent number: 9706713Abstract: According to one aspect, a cart for transporting and conveying agricultural materials is provided. The cart includes a frame and a plurality of wheels coupled with the frame. The cart further includes a bin supported on the frame and including a plurality of bin walls defining a storage space for an agricultural material. The cart further includes a conveyor assembly having an intake end configured to receive agricultural material from the bin and a discharge end configured to discharge agricultural material, the conveyor assembly including a lower conveyor section, an intermediate conveyor section, and an upper conveyor section. The lower conveyor section includes a lower conveyor housing and a lower conveyor extending within the lower conveyor housing, the intermediate conveyor section includes an intermediate conveyor housing, and the upper conveyor section includes an upper conveyor housing and an upper conveyor extending within the upper conveyor housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen
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Publication number: 20170182921Abstract: According to a first aspect, a grain cart is provided. The grain cart includes a rolling frame; and a bin mounted to the frame and having one or more walls defining a space for storing an agricultural product. The grain cart also includes a folding auger assembly having an upper auger portion with a first longitudinal axis and a lower auger portion with a second longitudinal axis. The upper auger portion further has an upper auger, an upper auger housing, and a discharge spout coupled to a top end of the upper auger housing. The lower auger portion further has a lower auger and lower auger housing. A bottom end of the lower auger housing is coupled to the bin and a top end of the lower auger housing is coupled to a bottom end of the upper auger housing, such that the lower auger and upper auger are operable to convey the agricultural product from the bin to the discharge spout.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2016Publication date: June 29, 2017Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, IncInventor: Michael D. VAN MILL
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Publication number: 20170150679Abstract: 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: February 9, 2017Publication date: June 1, 2017Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Shawn W. GERDEMAN, Ronald J. Schlimgen
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Publication number: 20170142902Abstract: A method of automating unloading for a mobile farm implement is presented. The method includes determining whether the speed of the mobile farm implement is below a first threshold. In response to a determination that the speed of the mobile farm implement is below the first threshold, a conveyor is moved to an operating position, where it is used to unload agricultural material from the mobile farm implement. Upon termination of the unloading of the agricultural material, the controller folds the conveyor to a storage or transport position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Shawn W. GERDEMAN, Ronald J. Schlimgen
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Patent number: 9596809Abstract: A method of automating unloading for a mobile farm implement is presented. The method includes determining whether the speed of the mobile farm implement is below a first threshold. In response to a determination that the speed of the mobile farm implement is below the first threshold, a conveyor is moved to an operating position, where it is used to unload agricultural material from the mobile farm implement. Upon termination of the unloading of the agricultural material, the controller folds the conveyor to a storage or transport position.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Shawn W. Gerdeman, Ronald J. Schlimgen
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Patent number: 9596805Abstract: 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: November 16, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Shawn W. Gerdeman, Ronald J. Schlimgen
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Publication number: 20160355221Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Christopher M. SELF, John Walvatne
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Patent number: 9457850Abstract: A farm implement includes an undercarriage including at least a front crossbeam and a rear crossbeam and first and second dual track propulsion systems. Each dual track propulsion system includes a first track assembly and a second track assembly. Each track assembly includes at least a track frame, at least two wheels and a track belt looped around the wheels. Each track assembly also includes a track support beam coupled to the track frames of the first and second track assemblies. The track support beam is pivotably coupled to the front and rear crossbeams such that said track support beam can pivot about a first axis of rotation parallel to a longitudinal axis of the track support beam, thereby allowing the first track assembly to move generally upwardly and downwardly in the opposite direction of the second track assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Van Mill
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Patent number: 9457854Abstract: 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: March 19, 2015Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Christopher M. Self, John Walvatne
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Publication number: 20160251167Abstract: A system and method for discharging material from a chute on a farm implement into a container or bin such that the discharged material is evenly distributed in the container or bin. The system and method includes a farm implement with a bin for holding material, a conveyor for discharging material from the bin and a chute at the end of the conveyor for directing the material discharged from the conveyor. The chute may be moved into a plurality of positions based on sensor outputs to facilitate the even distribution of material in the container or bin receiving the discharged material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Ronald J. Schlimgen, Shawn W. Gerdeman
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Publication number: 20160165800Abstract: 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: February 22, 2016Publication date: June 16, 2016Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN, John WALVATNE, Christopher M. SELF