Patents by Inventor Stephen K. Parsons

Stephen K. Parsons 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: 11256999
    Abstract: A system for forecasting the drying of an agricultural crop includes an electronic processor configured to receive weather data associated with an agricultural field and receive an agricultural field parameter from a field sensor associated with the agricultural field. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a drying score for each of a plurality of harvest times based on the weather data and the agricultural field parameter. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a recommended harvest time for harvesting the agricultural crop based on the drying score, wherein the recommended harvest time is included in the plurality of harvest times. The electronic processor is also configured to output a forecast for the agricultural crop for display to a user, wherein the forecast includes the drying score and the recommended harvest time for harvesting the agricultural crop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen K. Parsons, Joshua D. Graeve, David V. Rotole, Kellen B. Hill
  • Patent number: 10618362
    Abstract: A hitch mount assembly includes features configured to facilitate hitching of a drawbar receiver to a drawbar. The hitch mount assembly includes an alignment member supported for movement relative to the drawbar receiver. The alignment member is configured to abut the drawbar and consequently move the drawbar receiver relative to the drawbar to substantially align the pin opening of the receiver with the pin hole of the drawbar. The hitch mount assembly also includes a view window in the drawbar receiver for viewing movement of the drawbar within the drawbar cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Faust, Stephen K. Parsons, Roger D. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 10618361
    Abstract: A hitch mount assembly includes a drawbar receiver with a drawbar cavity and a pin opening and a pin removably received within the pin opening. A latch that is supported for movement between a first position and a second position. The latch, in the first position, is configured to engage the pin and retain the pin in a retracted position. The latch, in the second position, is configured to disengage the pin and release the pin for movement of the pin from the retracted position to the extended position. Furthermore, the hitch mount assembly includes a biasing member that biases the latch toward the first position and a pin rest configured to support the pin when the latch is in the second position. The pin rest is configured to release the pin as the latch biases from the second position to the first position and engages the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Faust, Stephen K. Parsons, Roger D. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 10589580
    Abstract: A hitch mount assembly includes a drawbar receiver configured to receive a drawbar and a pin receiver that is supported by the drawbar receiver. Furthermore, the assembly includes a pin that is received within the pin receiver and a latch that is supported for movement between a first position and a second position. The latch, in the first position, is configured to engage the pin and retain the pin in a retracted position. The latch, in the second position, is configured to disengage and release the pin for movement of the pin from the retracted position to an extended position. Moreover, the assembly includes a biasing member configured to bias the latch toward the first position to retain the pin in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Faust, Stephen K. Parsons, Roger D. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 10556472
    Abstract: A pin-drop hitch mount assembly includes a drawbar receiver that defines a drawbar cavity and a pin opening that is open to the drawbar cavity. The assembly also includes a pin that is supported for movement within the pin opening between first and second unhitched positions and a hitched position. The hitch mount assembly further includes a latch that is supported for movement relative to the drawbar receiver between a first position, an intermediate position, and a second position. The latch, in the first position, engages and supports the pin in the first unhitched position. The latch, in the second position, disengages the pin for movement toward the hitched position. The hitch mount assembly includes a biasing member that biases the latch from the intermediate position toward the first position to return the pin to the first unhitched position as the drawbar moves out of the drawbar cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Faust, Stephen K. Parsons, Roger D. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 10356980
    Abstract: A work vehicle for working a swath of crop has at least one ground-engaging wheel or track mounted to the work vehicle and movable in a travel direction along a tread path. A first redistribution device is mounted to the work vehicle to move crop that is ahead of the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction. A second redistribution device is mounted to the work vehicle to move crop that is behind the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction. The first redistribution device is configured to open the swath of crop along substantially only the tread path ahead of the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction, and the second redistribution device is configured to close the swath of crop along the tread path behind the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: David V. Rotole, Kellen B. Hill, Joshua D. Graeve, Roger D. Stephenson, Stephen K. Parsons
  • Patent number: 10343469
    Abstract: A hitch hook includes a hook body with a hook opening configured to removably receive a pin of another work vehicle. The hitch hook further includes a latch that is slideably supported on the hook body between a first position and a second position relative to the hook body. The hook opening is open when the latch is in the first position, and the latch is configured to retain the pin within the hook opening when the latch is in the second position. The hitch hook additionally includes a retainer that is configured to retain the latch in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Faust, Stephen K. Parsons
  • Publication number: 20180264900
    Abstract: A hitch hook includes a hook body with a hook opening configured to removably receive a pin of another work vehicle. The hitch hook further includes a latch that is slideably supported on the hook body between a first position and a second position relative to the hook body. The hook opening is open when the latch is in the first position, and the latch is configured to retain the pin within the hook opening when the latch is in the second position. The hitch hook additionally includes a retainer that is configured to retain the latch in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Faust, Stephen K. Parsons
  • Publication number: 20180215216
    Abstract: A hitch mount assembly includes features configured to facilitate hitching of a drawbar receiver to a drawbar. The hitch mount assembly includes an alignment member supported for movement relative to the drawbar receiver. The alignment member is configured to abut the drawbar and consequently move the drawbar receiver relative to the drawbar to substantially align the pin opening of the receiver with the pin hole of the drawbar. The hitch mount assembly also includes a view window in the drawbar receiver for viewing movement of the drawbar within the drawbar cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Faust, Stephen K. Parsons, Roger D. Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20180215214
    Abstract: A pin-drop hitch mount assembly includes a drawbar receiver that defines a drawbar cavity and a pin opening that is open to the drawbar cavity. The assembly also includes a pin that is supported for movement within the pin opening between first and second unhitched positions and a hitched position. The hitch mount assembly further includes a latch that is supported for movement relative to the drawbar receiver between a first position, an intermediate position, and a second position. The latch, in the first position, engages and supports the pin in the first unhitched position. The latch, in the second position, disengages the pin for movement toward the hitched position. The hitch mount assembly includes a biasing member that biases the latch from the intermediate position toward the first position to return the pin to the first unhitched position as the drawbar moves out of the drawbar cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Faust, Stephen K. Parsons, Roger D. Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20180215215
    Abstract: A hitch mount assembly includes a drawbar receiver with a drawbar cavity and a pin opening and a pin removably received within the pin opening. A latch that is supported for movement between a first position and a second position. The latch, in the first position, is configured to engage the pin and retain the pin in a retracted position. The latch, in the second position, is configured to disengage the pin and release the pin for movement of the pin from the retracted position to the extended position. Furthermore, the hitch mount assembly includes a biasing member that biases the latch toward the first position and a pin rest configured to support the pin when the latch is in the second position. The pin rest is configured to release the pin as the latch biases from the second position to the first position and engages the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Faust, Stephen K. Parsons, Roger D. Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20180215213
    Abstract: A hitch mount assembly includes a drawbar receiver configured to receive a drawbar and a pin receiver that is supported by the drawbar receiver. Furthermore, the assembly includes a pin that is received within the pin receiver and a latch that is supported for movement between a first position and a second position. The latch, in the first position, is configured to engage the pin and retain the pin in a retracted position. The latch, in the second position, is configured to disengage and release the pin for movement of the pin from the retracted position to an extended position. Moreover, the assembly includes a biasing member configured to bias the latch toward the first position to retain the pin in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Faust, Stephen K. Parsons, Roger D. Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20180121821
    Abstract: A system for forecasting the drying of an agricultural crop includes an electronic processor configured to receive weather data associated with an agricultural field and receive an agricultural field parameter from a field sensor associated with the agricultural field. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a drying score for each of a plurality of harvest times based on the weather data and the agricultural field parameter. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a recommended harvest time for harvesting the agricultural crop based on the drying score, wherein the recommended harvest time is included in the plurality of harvest times. The electronic processor is also configured to output a forecast for the agricultural crop for display to a user, wherein the forecast includes the drying score and the recommended harvest time for harvesting the agricultural crop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen K. Parsons, Joshua D. Graeve, David V. Rotole, Kellen B. Hill
  • Publication number: 20180116115
    Abstract: A work vehicle for working a swath of crop has at least one ground-engaging wheel or track mounted to the work vehicle and movable in a travel direction along a tread path. A first redistribution device is mounted to the work vehicle to move crop that is ahead of the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction. A second redistribution device is mounted to the work vehicle to move crop that is behind the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction. The first redistribution device is configured to open the swath of crop along substantially only the tread path ahead of the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction, and the second redistribution device is configured to close the swath of crop along the tread path behind the at least one ground-engaging wheel or track relative to the travel direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: David V. Rotole, Kellen B. Hill, Joshua D. Graeve, Roger D. Stephenson, Stephen K. Parsons
  • Patent number: 8353377
    Abstract: A windrower having an adjustable axle to vary a width of steerable caster-mounted rear wheels operably connected by right and left steering cylinders mounted to right and left reaction arms pivoted to respective rods coupled to steering arms fixed to respective spindles mounted within a cylindrical receptacle at outer ends of the adjustable axle. One embodiment each reaction arm has a bracket coupled to a fixed portion of the rear axle when telescopic end sections of the axle are in a narrow width position, and selectively mounted to outer ends of the telescopic end sections of the axle when in a wide width position. A second embodiment has the reaction arms mounted to spindle receptacles at outer ends of the axle sections to provide the reaction arms with an infinite number of angular positions about the spindle receptacles for different tread widths of the steered rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David W. Geiger, Stephen K. Parsons, Shirishkumar Jalindernath Chobhe
  • Patent number: 8186697
    Abstract: A work machine is provided having a suspension arrangement between an axle of the machine and a caster wheel assembly. The suspension arrangement comprising a torsion spring assembly. The torsion spring assembly having a first spring housing, a second spring housing, and an inner member. The inner member being integrated directly with a wheel arm of the caster wheel assembly. The first and second spring housings being fastened together around the inner member wherein a plurality of elastomeric members are interposed between the inner member and the first and second spring housings. A torsion spring assembly is provided having a first spring housing, a second spring housing, and an inner member, the first and second spring housings being fastened together around the inner member wherein a plurality of elastomeric members are interposed between the inner member and the first and second spring housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Roger D. Stephenson, Charles S. Sloan, Stephen K. Parsons
  • Publication number: 20110079977
    Abstract: A self-propelled windrower includes a rear axle having end sections which are adjustable to vary the tread width of caster-mounted rear wheels having upright spindles mounted for swiveling within cylindrical receptacles defining outer ends of the axle end sections. Front wheels of the windrower are steerable and a steering assist is provided including right and left steering cylinders having barrels respectively mounted to right and left reaction arms by a mounting permitting the cylinder to pivot vertically and horizontally, with the rods being coupled to respective steering arms fixed to the top of the spindles. In a first embodiment, right and left brackets are respectively fixed to forward surfaces of opposite end regions of a tubular center section of the rear axle in which the axle end sections are received for telescopic adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: David W. Geiger, Stephen K. Parsons, Shirishkumar Jalindernath Chobhe
  • Publication number: 20100201095
    Abstract: A work machine is provided having a suspension arrangement between an axle of the machine and a caster wheel assembly. The suspension arrangement comprising a torsion spring assembly. The torsion spring assembly having a first spring housing, a second spring housing, and an inner member. The inner member being integrated directly with a wheel arm of the caster wheel assembly. The first and second spring housings being fastened together around the inner member wherein a plurality of elastomeric members are interposed between the inner member and the first and second spring housings. A torsion spring assembly is provided having a first spring housing, a second spring housing, and an inner member, the first and second spring housings being fastened together around the inner member wherein a plurality of elastomeric members are interposed between the inner member and the first and second spring housings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Roger D. Stephenson, Charles S. Sloan, Stephen K. Parsons
  • Publication number: 20100043368
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a traction unit and a crop harvesting header coupled with the traction unit. The header includes a main frame with a right hand (RH) side and a left hand (LH) side. A RH gauge wheel is movably coupled with the RH side of the main frame, and a RH hydraulic cylinder is coupled between the RH gauge wheel and the main frame. A first hydraulic circuit is coupled with the RH hydraulic cylinder and configured to control an operating height of the RH gauge wheel. A LH gauge wheel is movably coupled with the LH side of the main frame, and a LH hydraulic cylinder is coupled between the LH gauge wheel and the main frame. A second hydraulic circuit is coupled with the LH hydraulic cylinder and configured to control an operating height of the LH gauge wheel. The second hydraulic circuit is independent from the first hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Charles S. Sloan, Thomas D. Bebernes, Stephen K. Parsons, Lary Williams, Tom Nichols, Dave V. Rotole
  • Patent number: 5359839
    Abstract: A mower conditioner header has a reel which includes a plurality of rotatably mounted toothbars each carrying teeth. The toothbars are controlled during rotation of the reel so that they rock to maintain the teeth at the desired attitude relative to the crop as it is swept across a cutterbar of the harvester to be cut and then on the nip of conditioner rolls. This control of the toothbars is done by toothbar guide arms fixed to an end of each toothbar, the arms each carrying a roller which is received in an upright D-shaped cam track carried by an adjacent one of opposite side structures of the frame of the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Stephen K. Parsons, Craig A. Richardson