Patents by Inventor Steven D. Rodgers

Steven D. Rodgers 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: 6148747
    Abstract: The wheel arms of a planter row unit are mounted to the row unit frame for independent pivotal motion. The ends of a saddle link are received in sockets formed on gauge wheel arms; and a yoke (or ring-shaped link) pivotally mounted to the frame engages a central saddle bearing surface on the saddle link. The wheel arms, saddle link and yoke are constructed and arranged such that when one gauge wheel raises when it encounters an obstruction, the other lowers and the frame raises by about one-half the distance which the first gauge wheel is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Harry C. Deckler, Alan F. Barry, Steven D. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 5740870
    Abstract: An agricultural implement such as a planter has wing sections which, when folded for transport, are stacked side-by-side above a center section. Improvements include structure which reduces bending moments about the pivot connections between a guide link forming part of a four-bar linkage which stacks the wings, and the wing frame. A drive train for the row unit meters is also placed in the transport position without disconnecting the drive shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Rodgers, Alan F. Barry, Harry C. Deckler