Patents by Inventor Richard D. Zaun

Richard D. Zaun 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: 20040151565
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and filling a freight container, such as an ISO standard intermodal container, with grain or other crop at the point of harvest. The apparatus includes a chassis adapted to support the freight container and a hopper for receiving grain from a harvesting machine. A conveyor moves the grain from the hopper and into the container. The apparatus is pulled by a tractor or can be a self propelled vehicle to move the container through a field to the harvester to receive grain and fill the container while the harvester continues to move through the field harvesting grain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Richard D. Zaun, Richard W. Hook, John D. Long, John Overbeeke, Bruce L. Warman, Gregory M. Knott, John M. Robinson, Christopher G. Kay, Mark Guterman, Dmitry I. Spivak, Thomas E. Sparrow, John A. Madson, Jon Ambuehl
  • Patent number: 6591875
    Abstract: A cart for filling intermodal shipping containers with a bulk particulate material, such as grain, includes a hopper to receive the bulk material and a belt conveyor to deliver the material to the container. The conveyor is positioned external of the container and throws the material along an arcuate path to the opposite end of the container whereby the container is substantially filled without the need to extend the conveyor into the container. The cart is supported on wheels to be moved where needed. The cart can straddle a standard truck trailer carrying a container so that the container need not be removed from the trailer for filling. The conveyor height is variable to reach a container on a truck trailer or on the ground. The cart width can also be reduced for road transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard D. Zaun, Richard W. Hook, Bruce L. Warman, Gregory M. Knott, John M. Robinson, Christopher G. Kay, Mark Guterman, Dmitry I. Spivak, Thomas E. Sparrow, John A. Madson, Jon Ambuehl
  • Publication number: 20030063968
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and filling a freight container, such as an ISO standard intermodal container, with grain or other crop at the point of harvest. The apparatus includes a chassis adapted to support the freight container and a hopper for receiving grain from a harvesting machine. A conveyor moves the grain from the hopper and into the container. The apparatus is pulled by a tractor or can be a self propelled vehicle to move the container through a field to the harvester to receive grain and fill the container while the harvester continues to move through the field harvesting grain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Richard D. Zaun, Richard W. Hook, John D. Long, John Overbeeke, Bruce L. Warman, Gregory M. Knott, John M. Robinson, Christopher G. Kay, Mark Guterman, Dmitry I. Spivak, Thomas E. Sparrow, John A. Madson, Jon Ambuehl
  • Publication number: 20030062096
    Abstract: A cart for filling intermodal shipping containers with a bulk particulate material, such as grain, includes a hopper to receive the bulk material and a belt conveyor to deliver the material to the container. The conveyor is positioned external of the container and throws the material along an arcuate path to the opposite end of the container whereby the container is substantially filled without the need to extend the conveyor into the container. The cart is supported on wheels to be moved where needed. The cart can straddle a standard truck trailer carrying a container so that the container need not be removed from the trailer for filling. The conveyor height is variable to reach a container on a truck trailer or on the ground. The cart width can also be reduced for road transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Richard D. Zaun, Richard W. Hook, Bruce L. Warman, Gregory M. Knott, John M. Robinson, Christopher G. Kay, Mark Guterman, Dmitry I. Spivak, Thomas E. Sparrow, John A. Madson, Jon Ambuehl, john overbeeke
  • Patent number: 5277265
    Abstract: A bypass and switch arrangement is connected to the conventional steering system on a towable vehicle. A rotary bypass valve includes two ports connected between the two hydraulic lines leading from the steering control valve to the steering cylinder or motor. The bypass valve has a normal operating position which blocks flow between the lines so that normal steering operation is provided. When the vehicle is connected for towing, the bypass valve is rotated to an open towing position to permit free flow of fluid between the ports and lines so that fluid may move freely to and from the steering motor or cylinder. If a steering cylinder is used, a third port on the valve is connected to the oil cooler on the vehicle and opens the lines to reservoir through the cooler to accommodate the deficient or excess flow from or to the cylinder which results from the difference in effective area on opposite sides of the ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Richard D. Zaun
  • Patent number: 5241780
    Abstract: A combination wheel shield and ladder for an agricultural vehicle such as a sprayer includes a deformable plastic body with a profile designed to control the path of deflection and to return the body to original shape after deflection. The shield is mounted on a steel framework also designed to help control deflection and assure return to the original shape. A bail limits maximum shield deflection and increases the strength of the framework. A ladder is incorporated into a plastic wheel shield extension A combination handle-step structure located above the wheel and special platform structure located on the drop axle provide convenient access to the operator's station for all adjusted positions of the drop axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard D. Zaun, Michael L Pearson
  • Patent number: 5083630
    Abstract: A self-propelled chemical applicator with adjustable rear wheel tread includes two rear fore-and-aft spaced cross tubes which are cantilevered from the main frame. A pair of roller mechanisms are supported between the tubes on opposite sides of the centerline of the vehicle. Each mechanism includes a roller frame supporting eight rollers, two transversely spaced on each of the upper and lower sides of each tube. The roller frames, contained between and rollable along the tubes, are connected to the upper ends of corresponding drop assemblies which mount hydraulically driven wheels. A transversely extending hydraulic cylinder is connected between each roller frame and the main frame to roll the drop assembly in or out to change wheel spacing. Each drop assembly is releasibly clamped in position by a simple mechanism which includes a fore-and-aft extending bolt which pulls the spaced cross tubes towards each other to clamp the roller frame tightly between the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Richard D. Zaun
  • Patent number: 5066030
    Abstract: A very compact and cushioned narrow front assembly for a high crop spray vehicle. A U-shaped and generally horizontal pivoting frame is connected to the lower end of a steering yoke for rocking about a first axis. A ground wheel is carried on the side legs of the U-shaped frame for rotation about a second axis offset in the rearward direction slightly from the first axis. A pair of shock absorbers extend downwardly from the upper portion of the steering yoke to pivotal connections with each of the side legs just behind and above the second axis. The forward ends of the side legs, which terminate rearwardly of the forwardmost extremity of the ground wheel, are each pivotally connected to the eye-end of a tension link which extends upwardly through a spring abutment bracket fixed to the lower end of the corresponding side of the yoke. A spring is compressed between the upper end of each of the links and the corresponding spring abutment bracket to provide balanced shock-absorbed cushioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: William A. Brett, Richard D. Zaun