Patents by Inventor Nicholas R. Alpers

Nicholas R. Alpers 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).

  • Automated depth control adjustment system for seed planter
    Patent number: 9943029
    Abstract: An automated depth control adjustment assembly for a seed planter includes an adjustable mechanism. Also included is a beam arrangement operatively coupled to the adjustable mechanism and adjustable upon manipulation of the adjustable mechanism. Further included is an electric motor operatively coupled to the adjustable mechanism to drive the adjustable mechanism, manipulation of the adjustable mechanism adjusting the beam arrangement to control seed planting depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matt R. Burk, Nicholas R. Alpers, David L. Westphal
  • BALL SCREW ASSEMBLY FOR SPRING DOWNFORCE ACTUATOR ADJUSTMENT
    Publication number: 20170204927
    Abstract: A spring downforce actuator adjustment assembly includes a spring exerting a downforce on an object. Also included is a ball screw extending within an interior location defined by the spring. Further included is a ball nut threaded to the ball screw and in abutment with an end of the spring. Yet further included is a coupling connectable with an input device to rotate the ball screw, rotation of the ball screw translating the ball nut therealong and adjusting an effective length of the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Alpers, Eric J. Ford
  • Automated Suspension Adjuster
    Publication number: 20170151851
    Abstract: A shock absorber assembly that includes a piston rod damper is provided. The shock absorber includes a partially hollow screw acting as a telescoping tube for the piston rod damper, a coil spring at least partially surrounding the screw, a nut affixed to the screw and acting as a spring seat for an end of the coil spring and a motor drive for actuating the nut to selectively compress or decompress the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Alpers, Matthew R. Burk, Eric J. Ford
  • SEED SPACING SYSTEM FOR A SEED PLANTER
    Publication number: 20160316613
    Abstract: A seed spacing system for a seed planter is provided. The seed spacing system includes a plurality of row units of the seed planter, each of the row units having a seed planting device configured to dispense seeds at a specified interval. Also included is at least one position sensor for monitoring ground speed of the seed planting device, each seed planting device individually adjustable based on the speed detected by the position sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Matt R. Burk, Nicholas R. Alpers, David L. Westphal
  • AUTOMATED SPRING FORCE ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY FOR SEED PLANTER
    Publication number: 20160316610
    Abstract: An automated spring force adjustment assembly for a seed planter includes a screw. Also included is a spring wound around an outer surface of the screw. Further included is a nut in threaded engagement with the outer surface of the screw and in contact with the spring. Yet further included is a motor operatively coupled to the screw to rotatably drive the screw, rotation of the screw translating the nut, translation of the screw adjusting the compression of the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Matt R. Burk, Nicholas R. Alpers, David L. Westphal
  • AUTOMATED DEPTH CONTROL ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FOR SEED PLANTER
    Publication number: 20160316614
    Abstract: An automated depth control adjustment assembly for a seed planter includes an adjustable mechanism. Also included is a beam arrangement operatively coupled to the adjustable mechanism and adjustable upon manipulation of the adjustable mechanism. Further included is an electric motor operatively coupled to the adjustable mechanism to drive the adjustable mechanism, manipulation of the adjustable mechanism adjusting the beam arrangement to control seed planting depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Matt R. Burk, Nicholas R. Alpers, David L. Westphal