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: 20140288789Abstract: 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: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Shawn W. GERDEMAN, Ronald J. Schlimgen
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Publication number: 20140286731Abstract: 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: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen, Shawn W. Gerdeman
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Publication number: 20140284118Abstract: A weigh system for a mobile farm implement including a plurality of sensors and an indicator. The indicator may receive signals directly from each individual sensor related to the weight or load at the location of the sensor. The indicator may then use the information to determine if the mobile farm implement is in danger of hitch overload or rollover.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Shawn W. GERDEMAN, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN
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Publication number: 20140277963Abstract: 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: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Shawn W. GERDEMAN, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN
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Patent number: 8702368Abstract: 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: July 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen
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Publication number: 20130259615Abstract: 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: March 5, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN, John WALVATNE, Christopher M. SELF
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Publication number: 20130181425Abstract: A towable farm implement includes a plurality of wheel assemblies coupled to a frame by a plurality of suspension systems. Each suspension system includes an upper support structure and a lower support structure. Each of the upper and lower support structures have a first end configured to be pivotably coupled to the frame about a first pivot axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame, and a second end pivotably coupled to a portion of the wheel assembly about a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis. Each suspension system further includes a damping device having a first end configured to be pivotably coupled to the frame, and a second end pivotably coupled to the wheel assembly. The damping device is configured to move the wheel assembly generally vertically while maintaining the longitudinal position and, optionally, a steering angle of the wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Ronald J. Schlimgen, John Walvatne
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Publication number: 20130028694Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen
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Patent number: 7810823Abstract: An oscillating in-line steering system for a pulled agricultural implement includes first and second in-line axles pivotably coupled with a frame. The system also includes at least first and second in-line wheel arrangements pivotably coupled with the first and second axles respectively. Each wheel arrangement has a plurality of pivotable wheel assemblies arranged in-line and wheel linkages coupling the in-line wheel assemblies such that in-line wheel assemblies oscillate together. A right-to-left linkage couples the wheel linkage of the first in-line wheel arrangement to the wheel linkage of the second in-line wheel arrangement so that the first in-line wheel arrangement oscillates at a steering angle proportional to that of the second in-line wheel arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ron Schlimgen, John Walvatne
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Publication number: 20100209223Abstract: 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 4, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL, Ronald J. SCHLIMGEN, John WALVATNE, Christopher M. SELF
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Publication number: 20090123262Abstract: A high-throughput auger includes a receiving end auger portion that has a first shaft. The receiving end auger portion also includes a first screw having a first pitch and a first diameter, and a first housing portion of a second diameter. The auger also includes a main auger portion coupled to a discharge end of the receiving end auger portion. The main auger portion includes a second shaft, a second screw having a second pitch and a third diameter, and a second housing of a fourth diameter. The first diameter is greater than the third diameter and the second pitch is greater than the first pitch.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Ryan Fleshner
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Publication number: 20040179929Abstract: A self-unloading cart has a hopper with a sump and several inclined floor portions arranged substantially symmetrically about a longitudinal plane through the sump and extending generally outward and upward from the sump. An inclined floor auger having a inlet underneath the sump and an outlet at a predetermined height above the inlet is disposed beneath a forward one of inclined floor portions and extends to a front of the cart. The inclined floor auger has a first helical blade disposed rotatably about an axial centerline of the inclined floor auger within a hollow, partially enclosed first cylinder. A vertical folding auger with an entrance end connectably disposed to the outlet for receiving material transported by the inclined floor auger and a discharge end is disposed proximate to the front of the cart. The vertical folding auger has a second helical blade disposed rotatably within a hollow, enclosed second cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Applicant: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.Inventor: Michael D. Van Mill
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Patent number: 6281441Abstract: A retractable harness system for an electrical wire having a slidable harness wire pulley, an elastic cord pulley, and an elastic cord. The slidable harness wire pulley places a rearward tension on the harness wire while allowing the harness wire to be extended and retracted from the front portion of an elongate support member. A clamp is provided capable of clamping the harness wire in fixed relation to the elongate support member, and capable of being released to allow extension and retraction of the harness wire.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Philip J. Kenkel
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Patent number: 6176504Abstract: A short steer wagon having an improved turning capability, including a pair of wheels at each of opposed ends, a tongue having a rear portion connected to a frame of the wagon and having a front portion adapted for connection to a vehicle, at least one of the pair of wheels being steerable to right and left sides and connected to a rear portion of a corresponding tongue for steering, with a wheel having a leading edge facing toward an end of the wagon and a trailing edge facing toward a central portion of the wagon, the wagon having a longitudinal frame member on each side, each longitudinal frame member having an outer edge portion on an intermediate portion of the longitudinal member, the steerable wheels being completely outside the longitudinal frame members when the steerable wheels are oriented in a straight running direction, and each longitudinal frame member including an inwardly oriented indentation adjacent the trailing edge of each corresponding steerable wheel, each of the indentations allowing tType: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Philip J. Kenkel
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Patent number: 5590721Abstract: A conservation tillage tool, including a main frame and a rear frame pivotally mounted on the main frame disposed to support a number of soil working implements in sequence. The main frame is supported by ground wheels attached to the rear section of the main frame. The wheels are movable with respect to the main frame to move the latter between a raised transport position and a number of lowered working positions. A tongue and hitch unit connect the main frame to a prime mover, and a leveling mechanism operably interconnects the main frame, ground wheels and tongue for maintaining the main frame level at any of its positions. A spring-cushioned linkage operably interconnects one of the implements at the front of the main frame with one of the implements mounted on the rear frame for simultaneously raising and lowering those two implements between transport and working positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1996Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Van Mill
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Patent number: 5322328Abstract: A suspension system for a cart having a pair of longitudinally aligned, oscillating wheel support units pivotally mounted fore and aft within a frame assembly on each side of the cart, a pair of longitudinally aligned wheels mounted on each support unit, the frame assemblies pivotally mounted in transverse alignment centrally of the cart for movement with the wheel support units in a vertical plane, all three pivotal mountings on each side of the part having horizontal axes disposed transversely of the cart, with the load of the cart distributed on each side to a quartet of wheels and with each pair of wheel support units oscillatable independently of each other and independent of the pivotal movement of their respective frame assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1992Date of Patent: June 21, 1994Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, David A. Steimel
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Patent number: 5156216Abstract: A conservation tillage tool including a frame disposed to support a number of soil working implements in sequence. The frame is supported by ground wheels attached to the rear section of the frame. The wheels are movable with respect to the rear section of the frame to move the frame between a raised transport position and a number of lowered working positions. A hitch attached to a tractor supports the front section of the frame, and a pivotally attached tongue interconnects the front section and the hitch. A leveling mechanism interconnects the rear section, the front section and the pivotally attached tongue. The leveling mechanism is a four-bar linkage that applies a force at the pivotal connection of the tongue to the front section as the wheels move to raise or lower the rear section thereby maintaining the frame substantially level with respect to the ground.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1991Date of Patent: October 20, 1992Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Van Mill
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Patent number: 4926617Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping round hay bales includes a load supporting frame having means for mounting to a three-point hitch and a generally horizontally extending dispenser arm. An elongated spindle is rotatably mounted on the frame for engagement with a round hay bale along its longitudinal axis. A spinner plate is also rotatably mounted on the frame coaxially with the spindle and includes prongs for engaging an end of the hay bale. A hydraulic motor is provided for rotating the spinner plate which in turn rotates the hay bale on the spindle. The motor also moves a sheet material dispenser assembly along the dispenser arm at a predetermined rate to helically wrap the material on the exterior of the bale.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1989Date of Patent: May 22, 1990Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Van Mill
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Patent number: D318056Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1989Date of Patent: July 9, 1991Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Van Mill
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Patent number: D339358Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1991Date of Patent: September 14, 1993Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Dennis J. Hohlbein