Patents by Inventor Steven R. Pilcher

Steven R. Pilcher 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: 20230234818
    Abstract: A lift system for a baler implement includes a hanger including a hanger body defining a first aperture and a second aperture. The first aperture is positioned such that a center of gravity of the hanger body is located within the first aperture. The second aperture is positioned vertically below the first aperture. A lift line includes an upper end portion secured to a line actuator, and a lower end portion supporting the hanger. The lower end portion of the lift line is routed through the first aperture and the second aperture and is secured relative to the hanger such that the lift line applies a lift force to the hanger body at the center of gravity of the hanger body. The hanger includes a first pocket and a second pocket at respective ends of the hanger body shaped to capture respective lifting bands on a roll of wrap material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: JEREMY M. ERDMANN, Steven R. Pilcher
  • Publication number: 20220061222
    Abstract: A bale roll includes a roll body, one protrusion, and crop stop apparatus. The roll body extends along a central longitudinal axis between a first roll end and a second roll end. Each of the first and second roll ends is operably rotatably coupled to a respective one of side walls of the baler. The roll body defines an exterior circumferential surface extending between the first and the second roll ends along the central longitudinal axis. The protrusion extends from the exterior circumferential surface at least partially between the first roll end and the second roll end. The crop stop apparatus is disposed adjacent to one of the first or second roll end on the roll body. The crop stop apparatus is operable to limit crop movement axially along the central longitudinal axis beyond one of the first or second roll end relative to a center of the roll body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventor: STEVEN R. PILCHER
  • Patent number: 11039575
    Abstract: A belt guide for a baler having a bale forming chamber with at least one belt to form a bale of crop material includes a guide. The guide includes a guide protrusion that extends inwardly toward the bale forming chamber proximate an edge of the at least one belt. The belt guide is coupled to the baler external to the bale forming chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven R. Pilcher, Henry D. Anstey
  • Patent number: 11032974
    Abstract: A round baler is provided. The baler includes a bale forming chamber having a belt to form a bale of crop material. The baler also includes a wrap feed system. The baler includes a belt guide coupled to the baler so as to be external to the bale forming chamber. The belt guide includes an inwardly facing surface substantially parallel to the belt. The belt guide includes a protrusion extending inwardly towards the bale forming chamber. The protrusion is positioned adjacent a side of the belt. The belt guide is configured to sandwich wrap material between the belt and the belt guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven R. Pilcher, Henry D. Anstey
  • Publication number: 20180303038
    Abstract: A belt guide for a baler having a bale forming chamber with at least one belt to form a bale of crop material includes a guide. The guide includes a guide protrusion that extends inwardly toward the bale forming chamber proximate an edge of the at least one belt. The belt guide is coupled to the baler external to the bale forming chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Steven R. Pilcher, Henry D. Anstey
  • Publication number: 20180242527
    Abstract: A round baler is provided. The baler includes a bale forming chamber having a belt to form a bale of crop material. The baler also includes a wrap feed system. The baler includes a belt guide coupled to the baler so as to be external to the bale forming chamber. The belt guide includes an inwardly facing surface substantially parallel to the belt. The belt guide includes a protrusion extending inwardly towards the bale forming chamber. The protrusion is positioned adjacent a side of the belt. The belt guide is configured to sandwich wrap material between the belt and the belt guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Steven R. Pilcher, Henry D. Anstey
  • Patent number: 7191699
    Abstract: A shield is provided for preventing crop build-up above the axle and behind the pickup frame from interfering with the closure of the gate after bale discharge. A spring member is interposed between the baler frame and a deflector surface. Preferably the spring member occupies the entire space between the baler frame and the deflector thereby preventing any accumulation of crop material in that space. As the gate of the baler begins to close a gate shield of the baler contacts the deflector surface and compresses the spring member allowing the deflector surface to deflect toward the baler frame. Because crop material cannot build up in the area occupied by the spring member and deflector surface, deflection of the deflector surface provides a clean path for the gate shield allowing the gate to close without interference from crop material build-up. When the gate is opened again the spring member expands pushing the deflector surface and any accumulated crop material toward the center of the baler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Henry Dennis Anstey, John David Burger, Steven Dave Anton, Steven R. Pilcher