Patents by Inventor Michael Van Mill

Michael 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).

  • Patent number: 9873570
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen, Shawn W. Gerdeman
  • Patent number: 9487990
    Abstract: 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 dosed positions relative to the discharge opening includes a dual position door control system. The system may include an arm pivotally connected at one end to the storage bin such that the arm is rotatable between at least a first operating position and a second operating position and a controller connected to the arm and to the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen
  • Patent number: 8967727
    Abstract: A gravity wagon includes a container for storing grain or other material and a discharge for allowing material to exit the hopper via gravity. A discharge chute and kickback are used to direct the material from the discharge and are coupled via a linkage such that they can be positioned to direct the material exiting the hopper to an area generally to the side of the hopper in a first position or an area generally towards the center of the hopper in a second position. The movement of the discharge chute and the kickback between the first and second positions is facilitated by a pusher or pushing member coupled to the kickback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Van Mill, John Walvatne, Daryl Rubner
  • Publication number: 20140151372
    Abstract: 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 dosed positions relative to the discharge opening includes a dual position door control system. The system may include an arm pivotally connected at one end to the storage bin such that the arm is rotatable between at least a first operating position and a second operating position and a controller connected to the arm and to the drive mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Van Mill, Ronald J. Schlimgen
  • Publication number: 20140001818
    Abstract: A gravity wagon includes a container for storing grain or other material and a discharge for allowing material to exit the hopper via gravity. A discharge chute and kickback are used to direct the material from the discharge and are coupled via a linkage such that they can be positioned to direct the material exiting the hopper to an area generally to the side of the hopper in a first position or an area generally towards the center of the hopper in a second position. The movement of the discharge chute and the kickback between the first and second positions is facilitated by a pusher or pushing member coupled to the kickback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: UNVERFERTH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael VAN MILL, John WALVATNE, Daryl RUBNER
  • Patent number: 7543365
    Abstract: A flexible connector may include a tube having an open end and a lower end distal from the open end, an inner surface of the open end comprising a plurality of apices forming a substantially polygonal lower cross-section, an upper shaft having an insert end disposed insertably in the open end, an outer surface of the insert end comprising a plurality of substantially planer flats forming a substantially polygonal upper cross-section normal to the driven axis of rotation, the upper cross-section being substantially similar to the lower cross-section, and an elastic member disposed compressably between each of the flats and each of the apices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Van Mill, Alan Gustafson, Daryl Rubner
  • Publication number: 20080220884
    Abstract: A flexible connector may include a tube having an open end and a lower end distal from the open end, an inner surface of the open end comprising a plurality of apices forming a substantially polygonal lower cross-section, an upper shaft having an insert end disposed insertably in the open end, an outer surface of the insert end comprising a plurality of substantially planer flats forming a substantially polygonal upper cross-section normal to the driven axis of rotation, the upper cross-section being substantially similar to the lower cross-section, and an elastic member disposed compressably between each of the flats and each of the apices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Van Mill, Alan Gustafson, Daryl Rubner
  • Publication number: 20080048414
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Van Mill, Ron Schlimgen, John Walvatne
  • Patent number: 7329189
    Abstract: A flexible connector may include a tube having an open end and a lower end distal from the open end, an inner surface of the open end comprising a plurality of apices forming a substantially polygonal lower cross-section, an upper shaft having an insert end disposed insertably in the open end, an outer surface of the insert end comprising a plurality of substantially planer flats forming a substantially polygonal upper cross-section normal to the driven axis of rotation, the upper cross-section being substantially similar to the lower cross-section, and an elastic member disposed compressably between each of the flats and each of the apices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Van Mill, Alan Gustafson, Daryl Rubner
  • Patent number: 7205490
    Abstract: A load measuring system for a grain cart that includes an axle pivotably coupled with a frame of a grain holder. The load measuring system includes load cells positioned between a portion of a frame of the grain holder and the top of the axle of the grain cart; and a processing unit coupled with the load cells and configured to calculate a weight of a load in the grain holder based on a force applied to the load cells by said frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Van Mill, Alan Gustafson, Ron Schlimgen
  • Publication number: 20060166747
    Abstract: A flexible connector may include a tube having an open end and a lower end distal from the open end, an inner surface of the open end comprising a plurality of apices forming a substantially polygonal lower cross-section, an upper shaft having an insert end disposed insertably in the open end, an outer surface of the insert end comprising a plurality of substantially planer flats forming a substantially polygonal upper cross-section normal to the driven axis of rotation, the upper cross-section being substantially similar to the lower cross-section, and an elastic member disposed compressably between each of the flats and each of the apices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Applicant: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Van Mill, Alan Gustafson, Daryl Rubner