Patents by Inventor Michael J. Keener

Michael J. Keener 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).

  • Publication number: 20240138295
    Abstract: An adjustable divider system that is adapted to assist in distributing a crop material being discharged from a draper header to a feederhouse. The adjustable divider system can include a plurality of dividers positioned adjacent to an upper side of a drum floor and at least one actuator coupled to the plurality of dividers. A controller can be coupled to the at least one actuator and adapted to selectively operate the at least one actuator. Additionally, at least one sensor can be adapted to provide information to the controller indicative of a distribution of the crop material that can be used by the controller in connection with generating a signal to selectively operate the at least one actuator. Further, one or more of the plurality of dividers can be pivotally displaceable about the drum floor in response to the selective operation of the at least one actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Derek J. Franke, Michael T. Meschke, Nicholas J. Keener
  • Patent number: 5714178
    Abstract: A rounder bar for use with conventional dough manufacturing equipment is used to convert a piece of dough into a spherical dough ball. The rounder bar includes a contact face used to engage and shape the piece of dough. The contact face has a gradually varying height and radius to form a compression section proximate the first end of the bar and a rounding section proximate the second end of the bar. A bumpy texture and coating on the contact face prevent the dough from sticking to the rounder bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventor: Michael J. Keener