Patents by Inventor Stephen E. O'Connor

Stephen E. O'Connor 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: 11096331
    Abstract: A wrap removal assembly includes an elongated support member extending along a central longitudinal axis and having an exterior surface. A snagging wire is disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the elongated support member and includes an active material changeable between a first shape and a second shape in response to a control signal. The snagging wire presents a catch spaced outward and away from the exterior surface when disposed in the first shape to snag the wrap material and gather the wrap material around the elongated support member. The snagging wire is positioned substantially flat against the exterior surface of the elongated support member when disposed in the second shape to release the wrap material and allow removal of the wrap material from the elongated support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Stephen E. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 11051456
    Abstract: A bale holder is actuated to hold a bale in a lift gate of a baler. Lift gate actuators are then actuated to lift the gate, while it is holding the bale. A gate position sensor senses the position of the lift gate, and a force detector detects a force that is used in order to support the gate in the detected position. Bale weight generation logic then generates a bale weight based on the sensed lift gate position and the detected force. A control signal is generated based on the bale weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Sloan, Daniel E. Derscheid, Stephen E. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20210045291
    Abstract: A wrap removal assembly includes an elongated support member extending along a central longitudinal axis and having an exterior surface. A snagging wire is disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the elongated support member and includes an active material changeable between a first shape and a second shape in response to a control signal. The snagging wire presents a catch spaced outward and away from the exterior surface when disposed in the first shape to snag the wrap material and gather the wrap material around the elongated support member. The snagging wire is positioned substantially flat against the exterior surface of the elongated support member when disposed in the second shape to release the wrap material and allow removal of the wrap material from the elongated support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventor: STEPHEN E. O'BRIEN
  • Publication number: 20200205348
    Abstract: A bale holder is actuated to hold a bale in a lift gate of a baler. Lift gate actuators are then actuated to lift the gate, while it is holding the bale. A gate position sensor senses the position of the lift gate, and a force detector detects a force that is used in order to support the gate in the detected position. Bale weight generation logic then generates a bale weight based on the sensed lift gate position and the detected force. A control signal is generated based on the bale weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Charles S. Sloan, Daniel E. Derscheid, Stephen E. O'brien
  • Patent number: 10537064
    Abstract: An accumulator is coupled to an agricultural baler and includes a frame having a first end, a second end, and a support structure positioned between the first and the second ends. The accumulator includes a crop package moving assembly moveably coupled to the frame in a first direction and in a second direction. The crop package moving assembly is configured to move a crop package in the first direction. The accumulator includes a carriage coupled to the first end of the frame and configured to move relative to the frame between a retracted position and an extended position. The carriage is configured to move into the extended position to support the crop package. The carriage is also configured to move from the extended position into the retracted position in response to the crop package being removed from the carriage and the crop package moving assembly moving in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen E. O'Brien, Austin J. Jones
  • Publication number: 20190183054
    Abstract: An accumulator is coupled to an agricultural baler and includes a frame having a first end, a second end, and a support structure positioned between the first and the second ends. The accumulator includes a crop package moving assembly moveably coupled to the frame in a first direction and in a second direction. The crop package moving assembly is configured to move a crop package in the first direction. The accumulator includes a carriage coupled to the first end of the frame and configured to move relative to the frame between a retracted position and an extended position. The carriage is configured to move into the extended position to support the crop package. The carriage is also configured to move from the extended position into the retracted position in response to the crop package being removed from the carriage and the crop package moving assembly moving in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen E. O'Brien, Austin J. Jones
  • Patent number: 10212886
    Abstract: An accumulator is coupled to an agricultural baler and is configured to support a crop package exiting the agricultural baler. The accumulator includes a frame including a first end, a second end, and a support structure positioned between the first and the second ends. The accumulator also includes a crop package moving assembly moveably coupled to the frame in a first direction and a second direction. The accumulator further includes a carriage coupled to the first end of the frame and configured to move relative to the frame between a retracted position and an extended position. The carriage is configured to move into the extended position to support the crop package. The carriage is configured to move into the retracted position in response to the crop package moving assembly moving in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen E. O'Brien, Austin J. Jones
  • Publication number: 20170290267
    Abstract: An accumulator is coupled to an agricultural baler and is configured to support a crop package exiting the agricultural baler. The accumulator includes a frame including a first end, a second end, and a support structure positioned between the first and the second ends. The accumulator also includes a crop package moving assembly moveably coupled to the frame in a first direction and a second direction. The accumulator further includes a carriage coupled to the first end of the frame and configured to move relative to the frame between a retracted position and an extended position. The carriage is configured to move into the extended position to support the crop package. The carriage is configured to move into the retracted position in response to the crop package moving assembly moving in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen E. O'Brien, Austin J. Jones
  • Patent number: 9120504
    Abstract: A four-bar linkage is provided as a mechanical interface for transferring respective outputs from a speed/direction control device and a hydraulic steering cylinder to displacement control arms of a pair of pumps of a dual-path hydrostatic transmission including a pair of motors respectively coupled for driving a pair of front wheels of a vehicle. The hydraulic steering cylinder is fixed and has a piston rod slidably coupled to an input arm of the four-bar linkage in such a way that a rotation speed decrease occurs as the arm and a linked control plate are pivoted from a neutral position, the control plate transferring pivotal movement to effect differential movement of the displacement control arms. This results in the vehicle speed decreasing during a turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Bebernes, Stephen E O'Brien, Thomas A. Nichols, Mitchell R. Usasz, Kyle R. Teach, David V. Rotole, Walter C. Wright
  • Patent number: 8925672
    Abstract: An integrated steering control system includes a primary, automatic and rear control valves. A steering wheel operates the primary steering control valve and is of a type which includes a leakage characteristic. Steering wheel movement is sensed and a signal is sent which results in the automatic steering control valve being operated for adding fluid that supplied to a steering cylinder by the primary steering control valve in order to compensate for leakage, the amount of added fluid being a function of vehicle ground speed. An electric actuator with position feedback is used for ground speed control. Whenever the actuator position shows that the ground speed is set to zero and a switch in the hydro-handle slot shows that the handle is in the Park position, the automatic steering control valve is activated to move the steering cylinder to a neutral, straight ahead position, as determined by a sensor in a mechanical linkage of the steering control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Bebernes, Stephen E. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20140138167
    Abstract: A four-bar linkage is provided as a mechanical interface for transferring respective outputs from a speed/direction control device and a hydraulic steering cylinder to displacement control arms of a pair of pumps of a dual-path hydrostatic transmission including a pair of motors respectively coupled for driving a pair of front wheels of a vehicle. The hydraulic steering cylinder is fixed and has a piston rod slidably coupled to an input arm of the four-bar linkage in such a way that a rotation speed decrease occurs as the arm and a linked control plate are pivoted from a neutral position, the control plate transferring pivotal movement to effect differential movement of the displacement control arms. This results in the vehicle speed decreasing during a turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Bebernes, Stephen E. O'Brien, Thomas A. Nichols, Mitchell R. Usasz, Kyle R. Teach, David V. Rotole, Walter C. Wright
  • Publication number: 20140138165
    Abstract: An integrated steering control system includes a primary, automatic and rear control valves. A steering wheel operates the primary steering control valve and is of a type which includes a leakage characteristic. Steering wheel movement is sensed and a signal is sent which results in the automatic steering control valve being operated for adding fluid that supplied to a steering cylinder by the primary steering control valve in order to compensate for leakage, the amount of added fluid being a function of vehicle ground speed. An electric actuator with position feedback is used for ground speed control. Whenever the actuator position shows that the ground speed is set to zero and a switch in the hydro-handle slot shows that the handle is in the Park position, the automatic steering control valve is activated to move the steering cylinder to a neutral, straight ahead position, as determined by a sensor in a mechanical linkage of the steering control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Bebernes, Stephen E. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8469208
    Abstract: A display unit for displaying materials, such as flooring materials, is provided. The display unit includes a frame having a plurality of spaced apart legs arranged in a common vertical plane, each of the legs having a plurality of vertically spaced slots. The frame also includes a plurality of walls, each having two opposite end portions attached to two adjacent legs and arranged parallel to the common vertical plane. A plurality of horizontal rails having knife brackets affixed to opposite ends thereof is included. The knife brackets each include a plurality of engagement tabs that engage with the slots, and a movable locking device. A plurality of display pages are mounted for pivoting movement between an upper rail and a lower rail of the plurality of horizontal rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Art Guild, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen E. O'Day, Joseph Roan, Ivan Letinic
  • Publication number: 20110297630
    Abstract: A display unit for displaying materials, such as flooring materials, is provided. The display unit includes a frame having a plurality of spaced apart legs arranged in a common vertical plane, each of the legs having a plurality of vertically spaced slots. The frame also includes a plurality of walls, each having two opposite end portions attached to two adjacent legs and arranged parallel to the common vertical plane. A plurality of horizontal rails having knife brackets affixed to opposite ends thereof is included. The knife brackets each include a plurality of engagement tabs that engage with the slots, and a movable locking device. A plurality of display pages are mounted for pivoting movement between an upper rail and a lower rail of the plurality of horizontal rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: ART GUILD, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen E. O'Day, Joseph Roan, Ivan Letinic
  • Patent number: 7285588
    Abstract: A plasticized thermoplastic composition including a thermoplastic, and plasticizer compound selected from the group consisting of a cyclic dimerate ester, a cyclic trimerate ester plasticizer, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Hallstar Innovations Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen E. O'Rourke, Kimberly L. Stefanisin, Gary Wentworth
  • Patent number: 7109264
    Abstract: An elastomeric composition including a natural or synthetic rubber, and a cyclic dimerate ester and/or a cyclic trimerate ester plasticizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: CPH Innovations Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen E. O'Rourke, Kimberly L. Stefanisin, Gary Wentworth, Urvil B. Shah
  • Publication number: 20040214933
    Abstract: A plasticized thermoplastic composition including a thermoplastic, and plasticizer compound selected from the group consisting of a cyclic dimerate ester, a cyclic trimerate ester plasticizer, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen E. O'Rourke, Kimberly L. Stefanisin, Gary Wentworth
  • Publication number: 20040072934
    Abstract: An elastomeric composition including a natural or synthetic rubber, and a cyclic dimerate ester and/or a cyclic trimerate ester plasticizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: The C.P. Hall Company
    Inventors: Stephen E. O'Rourke, Kimberly L. Stefanisin, Gary Wentworth, Urvil B. Shah
  • Patent number: 5476794
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of rapidly checking surfaces for the presence of traces of specific compounds such as certain explosives and drugs. A hand-covering such as a cotton glove is used to wipe surfaces to pick up particles of the specific compound which may indicate the presence of larger amounts or previous contact of a surface by a person who has handled the compound. The particles are transferred--unheated--to collection surfaces of a hand-held sample probe by vacuuming of the gloved hand by the battery-operated probe. Heat is then supplied by a source external to the probe to vaporize the particles, and the vapors are analyzed by a suitable technique such as high speed gas chromatography. The method permits checking of surfaces for explosives at processing rates of up to several samples per minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Thermedics Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen E. O'Brien, David H. Fine, Freemand W. Fraim
  • Patent number: 5428507
    Abstract: A front panel for mounting a printed circuit board in a card cage. A central frame is formed with an integral extrusion from which integral printed circuit board mounting brackets can be formed on one surface of the central frame. Ejector assemblies mount at each end of the central frame and include an extruded mounting bracket that attaches to the central frame, an extruded ejection handle with legs that straddle the mounting frame and a solid handle portion with a pivot that mounts to a solid pin captured in the assembled structure. Rotating the extraction handle causes the legs to bear against the card cage and fully extract the printed circuit board from a back plane. When adjacent printed circuit boards are fully seated, the extraction handles align parallel the central plane and can support identifying labels in a clear and secure fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Louis R. Chatel
    Inventors: Louis R. Chatel, Stephen E. O'Neal