Patents by Inventor Rhett Schildroth

Rhett Schildroth 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: 11558991
    Abstract: An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatuses for maintaining down force pressure at row units of the planter. The row units may include an electric linear actuator connected to linkages of the row units to maintain a down force pressure for the row unit. The linkage may also be removed and replaced with a strut or like mechanism to apply a direct down force pressure to components of the row unit. One or more sensors can be included to obtain information related to the ground to automatically adjust the amount of down force provided based upon a ground characteristic in order to maintain a substantially uniform furrow depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Rhett Schildroth, Merlan Rolffs, Michael J. Myers, John Kollman, John P. Mulherin
  • Publication number: 20220232755
    Abstract: A planting unit includes a seed meter for singulating and dispensing seed. Opening wheels or discs are included to create an opening in the field, such as a furrow. The unit includes one or more continuous tracks for supporting the row unit as it moves through the field. The tracks can be positioned on opposite sides. The tracks reduce compaction around the created furrow and provide better control of seed depth placement. One or more motors are included to operate the tracks to move the planting unit through a field for planting independent of a tow vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Dustan Hahn, Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Susanne Veatch, Rhett Schildroth, Robert Blackwell, Michael J. Myers
  • Publication number: 20220159894
    Abstract: The use of self-powered, autonomous vehicles in agricultural and other domestic applications is provided. The vehicles include a self-propelled drive system, tracks or wheels operatively connected to the drive system, a power supply operatively connected to the drive system, an attachment mechanism for attaching equipment to the vehicle, and an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system, power supply, and attachment mechanism. The vehicle is configured to connect to the equipment to perform agricultural operations based upon the equipment. Multiple vehicles can be used in a field at the same time. Furthermore, the invention includes the ability to move one or more of the autonomous vehicles from field to field, home to field, or from generally any first location to a second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Blackwell, Rhett Schildroth, Michael J. Myers, Merlan J. Rolffs, Derrick Becker
  • Publication number: 20220159893
    Abstract: The use of self-powered, autonomous vehicles in agricultural and other domestic applications is provided. The vehicles include a self-propelled drive system, tracks or wheels operatively connected to the drive system, a power supply operatively connected to the drive system, an attachment mechanism for attaching equipment to the vehicle, and an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system, power supply, and attachment mechanism. The vehicle is configured to connect to the equipment to perform agricultural operations based upon the equipment. Multiple vehicles can be used in a field at the same time. Furthermore, the invention includes the ability to move one or more of the autonomous vehicles from field to field, home to field, or from generally any first location to a second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Blackwell, Rhett Schildroth, Michael J. Myers, Merlan J. Rolffs, Derrick Becker
  • Patent number: 11324161
    Abstract: A planting unit includes a seed meter for singulating and dispensing seed. Opening wheels or discs are included to create an opening in the field, such as a furrow. The unit includes one or more continuous tracks for supporting the row unit as it moves through the field. The tracks can be positioned on opposite sides. The tracks reduce compaction around the created furrow and provide better control of seed depth placement. One or more motors are included to operate the tracks to move the planting unit through a field for planting independent of a tow vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustan Hahn, Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Susanne Veatch, Rhett Schildroth, Robert Blackwell, Michael J. Myers
  • Patent number: 11297768
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to agricultural devices, system, and methods, particularly for detecting and measuring plant stalks during harvest. The system may comprise a harvesting row unit, with a camera, a processing unit, and an in-cab display. The system may additionally include a stalk alignment guide, a leaf shield, an artificial light source, and/or a lens cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Ag Leader Technology
    Inventors: Rhett Schildroth, Roger Zielke, Barry Anderson, Scott Eichhorn, Tony Woodcock, Vahid Ellig
  • Patent number: 11252853
    Abstract: The use of self-powered, autonomous vehicles in agricultural and other domestic applications is provided. The vehicles include a self-propelled drive system, tracks or wheels operatively connected to the drive system, a power supply operatively connected to the drive system, an attachment mechanism for attaching equipment to the vehicle, and an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system, power supply, and attachment mechanism. The vehicle is configured to connect to the equipment to perform agricultural operations based upon the equipment. Multiple vehicles can be used in a field at the same time. Furthermore, the invention includes the ability to move one or more of the autonomous vehicles from field to field, home to field, or from generally any first location to a second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Blackwell, Rhett Schildroth, Michael J. Myers, Merlan J. Rolffs, Derrick Becker
  • Publication number: 20200267899
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to agricultural devices, system, and methods, particularly for detecting and measuring plant stalks during harvest. The system may comprise a harvesting row unit, with a camera, a processing unit, and an in-cab display. The system may additionally include a stalk alignment guide, a leaf shield, an artificial light source, and/or a lens cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Roger Zielke, Logan Handsaker, Barry Anderson, Scott Eichhorn, Tony Woodcock, Rhett Schildroth
  • Publication number: 20200170169
    Abstract: The use of self-powered, autonomous vehicles in agricultural and other domestic applications is provided. The vehicles include a self-propelled drive system, tracks or wheels operatively connected to the drive system, a power supply operatively connected to the drive system, an attachment mechanism for attaching equipment to the vehicle, and an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system, power supply, and attachment mechanism. The vehicle is configured to connect to the equipment to perform agricultural operations based upon the equipment. Multiple vehicles can be used in a field at the same time. Furthermore, the invention includes the ability to move one or more of the autonomous vehicles from field to field, home to field, or from generally any first location to a second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Blackwell, Rhett Schildroth, Michael J. Myers, Merlan J. Rolffs, Derrick Becker
  • Publication number: 20200120858
    Abstract: A planting unit includes a seed meter for singulating and dispensing seed. Opening wheels or discs are included to create an opening in the field, such as a furrow. The unit includes one or more continuous tracks for supporting the row unit as it moves through the field. The tracks can be positioned on opposite sides. The tracks reduce compaction around the created furrow and provide better control of seed depth placement. One or more motors are included to operate the tracks to move the planting unit through a field for planting independent of a tow vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Dustan Hahn, Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Susanne Veatch, Rhett Schildroth, Robert Blackwell, Michael J. Myers
  • Publication number: 20200077563
    Abstract: An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatuses for maintaining down force pressure at row units of the planter. The row units may include an electric linear actuator connected to linkages of the row units to maintain a down force pressure for the row unit. The linkage may also be removed and replaced with a strut or like mechanism to apply a direct down force pressure to components of the row unit. One or more sensors can be included to obtain information related to the ground to automatically adjust the amount of down force provided based upon a ground characteristic in order to maintain a substantially uniform furrow depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: COURTNEY N. ACHEN, MARVIN BACHMAN, RHETT SCHILDROTH, MERLAN ROLFFS, MICHAEL J. MYERS, JOHN KOLLMAN, JOHN P. MULHERIN
  • Patent number: 10575453
    Abstract: The use of self-powered, autonomous vehicles in agricultural and other domestic applications is provided. The vehicles include a self-propelled drive system, tracks or wheels operatively connected to the drive system, a power supply operatively connected to the drive system, an attachment mechanism for attaching equipment to the vehicle, and an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system, power supply, and attachment mechanism. The vehicle is configured to connect to the equipment to perform agricultural operations based upon the equipment. Multiple vehicles can be used in a field at the same time. Furthermore, the invention includes the ability to move one or more of the autonomous vehicles from field to field, home to field, or from generally any first location to a second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Blackwell, Rhett Schildroth, Michael J. Myers, Merlan J. Rolffs, Derrick Becker
  • Patent number: 10512209
    Abstract: A planting unit includes a seed meter for singulating and dispensing seed. Opening wheels or discs are included to create an opening in the field, such as a furrow. The unit includes one or more continuous tracks for supporting the row unit as it moves through the field. The tracks can be positioned on opposite sides. The tracks reduce compaction around the created furrow and provide better control of seed depth placement. One or more motors are included to operate the tracks to move the planting unit through a field for planting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustan Hahn, Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Susanne Veatch, Rhett Schildroth, Robert Blackwell, Michael J. Myers
  • Patent number: 10477753
    Abstract: An agricultural planter includes systems, methods, and apparatuses for maintaining down force pressure at row units of the planter. The row units may include an electric linear actuator connected to linkages of the row units to maintain a down force pressure for the row unit. The linkage may also be removed and replaced with a strut or like mechanism to apply a direct down force pressure to components of the row unit. One or more sensors can be included to obtain information related to the ground to automatically adjust the amount of down force provided based upon a ground characteristic in order to maintain a substantially uniform furrow depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Courtney N. Achen, Marvin Bachman, Rhett Schildroth, Merlan Rolffs, Michael J. Myers, John Kollman, John P. Mulherin
  • Publication number: 20180325009
    Abstract: The use of self-powered, autonomous vehicles in agricultural and other domestic applications is provided. The vehicles include a self-propelled drive system, tracks or wheels operatively connected to the drive system, a power supply operatively connected to the drive system, an attachment mechanism for attaching equipment to the vehicle, and an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system, power supply, and attachment mechanism. The vehicle is configured to connect to the equipment to perform agricultural operations based upon the equipment. Multiple vehicles can be used in a field at the same time. Furthermore, the invention includes the ability to move one or more of the autonomous vehicles from field to field, home to field, or from generally any first location to a second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: ROBERT BLACKWELL, RHETT SCHILDROTH, MICHAEL J. MYERS, MERLAN J. ROLFFS, DERRICK BECKER
  • Patent number: 10111373
    Abstract: The use of self-powered, autonomous vehicles in agricultural and other domestic applications is provided. The vehicles include a self-propelled drive system, tracks or wheels operatively connected to the drive system, a power supply operatively connected to the drive system, an attachment mechanism for attaching equipment to the vehicle, and an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system, power supply, and attachment mechanism. The vehicle is configured to connect to the equipment to perform agricultural operations based upon the equipment. Multiple vehicles can be used in a field at the same time. Furthermore, the invention includes the ability to move one or more of the autonomous vehicles from field to field, home to field, or from generally any first location to a second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Blackwell, Rhett Schildroth, Michael J. Myers, Merlan J. Rolffs, Derrick Becker
  • Patent number: 10104824
    Abstract: The use of self-powered, autonomous vehicles in agricultural and other domestic applications is provided. The vehicles include a self-propelled drive system, tracks or wheels operatively connected to the drive system, a power supply operatively connected to the drive system, an attachment mechanism for attaching equipment to the vehicle, and an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system, power supply, and attachment mechanism. The vehicle is configured to connect to the equipment to perform agricultural operations based upon the equipment. Multiple vehicles can be used in a field at the same time. Furthermore, the invention includes the ability to move one or more of the autonomous vehicles from field to field, home to field, or from generally any first location to a second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Blackwell, Rhett Schildroth, Michael J. Myers, Merlan J. Rolffs, Derrick Becker
  • Patent number: 10080321
    Abstract: The use of self-powered, autonomous vehicles in agricultural and other domestic applications is provided. The vehicles include a self-propelled drive system, tracks or wheels operatively connected to the drive system, a power supply operatively connected to the drive system, an attachment mechanism for attaching equipment to the vehicle, and an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system, power supply, and attachment mechanism. The vehicle is configured to connect to the equipment to perform agricultural operations based upon the equipment. Multiple vehicles can be used in a field at the same time. Furthermore, the invention includes the ability to move one or more of the autonomous vehicles from field to field, home to field, or from generally any first location to a second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Blackwell, Rhett Schildroth, Michael J. Myers, Merlan J. Rolffs, Derrick Becker
  • Patent number: 10064323
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes the use of one or more electromechanical hydraulic cylinder assembly in place of hydraulic cylinders. The assemblies may take various forms for actuation, and can convert an electric power source to hydraulic power for use on or with the implement. A control system is also provided for connecting to a tractor to provide control information to the assemblies or to a central hydraulic supply via a ISOBUS that rebroadcasts input controls from a source, such as a tractor used in conjunction with the agricultural implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustan Hahn, Merlan Rolffs, John P. Mulherin, Courtney N. Achen, Gary Volz, Steve Nolte, Ryan Legge, Rhett Schildroth
  • Patent number: 10028426
    Abstract: In one aspect, an agricultural system is provided and includes an information gathering component, a first component and a second component. The information gathering component is configured to gather information pertaining to at least one agricultural characteristic and generate agricultural data associated with the gathered information. The agricultural data is transmitted over a network and used to generate an agricultural prescription, which is comprised of at least one agricultural characteristic and at least one agricultural action. The first component includes a network interface for receiving the agricultural prescription over the network and the second component is in communication with the first component. The second component is configured to receive the agricultural prescription from the first component and is configured to output the at least one agricultural action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: 360 YIELD CENTER, LLC
    Inventors: Rhett Schildroth, Daryl B. Starr