Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Nichols

Thomas A. Nichols 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: 20200375112
    Abstract: A harvesting apparatus includes a crop conditioning element and an associated hood for conditioning crop material. The hood is moveably mounted to a frame of the harvesting apparatus, at a position located above the crop conditioning element. The hood is moveably mounted to the frame for movement toward and away from the crop conditioning element to adjust a gap therebetween. A swathboard is attached to and moveable with the hood. The swathboard is moveable relative to the hood between a plurality of operating positions. The swathboard is operable to maintain its position relative to the hood during movement with the hood toward and away from the crop conditioning element to form a consistent swath while moving the hood relative to the crop conditioning element to adjust the gap therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: THOMAS A. NICHOLS, LANCE T. FRAHM
  • Patent number: 10793185
    Abstract: A steering system is described for a vehicle having steerable wheels. A hydraulic charge pressure circuit may be configured to provide charge pressure to one or more hydraulic components of the vehicle and a hydraulic drive pressure circuit may be configured to provide working pressure to one or more other hydraulic components of the vehicle. Hydraulic machines may rotate front wheels in order to drive the vehicle, and a front valve assembly may control steering of the front wheels by controlling the hydraulic machines. The hydraulic machines may be driven to rotate the front wheels by the working pressure from the hydraulic drive pressure circuit, and the front valve assembly may control the front hydraulic machines to steer the agricultural vehicle by controlling flow of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic charge pressure circuit through the front valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: David V. Rotole, Thomas D Bebernes, Thomas A Nichols, Kyle R Teach
  • Patent number: 10766526
    Abstract: A steering system and method is described for a vehicle having steerable front and rear wheels, and a steering input device for receiving manual steering input. Front and rear hydraulic steering devices may be coupled, respectively, to the front and rear wheels. Front and rear valve assemblies may be configured, respectively, to steer the front and rear wheels. In a manual steering mode, the front valve assembly may be disabled with respect to the front steering device, and the front hydraulic steering device may steer the front wheels based upon the manual steering input. In a rear steering assist mode, a rear steering command may be determined based upon the manual steering input, and the rear wheels steered based upon the rear steering command. In an automated steering mode, the front and rear wheels may be automatically steered based upon a target path of travel for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas D. Bebernes, Thomas A. Nichols, David V. Rotole, Walter C. Wright
  • Publication number: 20200280680
    Abstract: A personal care system having a treatment device for applying a treatment to the skin or hair of a user is provided. The treatment device has a camera for taking an image of the skin. The system may include or be in communication with an application programming interface (API) that can process the image. The system or an associated API can recommend the use of treatment regimens or topical products according to information determined from the digital image of the skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas Nichols
  • Patent number: 10518804
    Abstract: A steering system and method for a vehicle having steerable front and rear wheels has rear hydraulic steering device that may be coupled to one or more of the rear wheels. A rear valve assembly may hydraulically control the rear hydraulic steering device to steer the rear wheels based upon a rear steering command from a controller. In a manual steering mode, the controller does not determine a rear steering command for the rear valve assembly such that the rear wheels are freely rotatable. In a rear steering assist mode, the controller determines the rear steering command based upon, at least in part, the manual steering input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas D. Bebernes, Thomas A. Nichols, David V. Rotole, Walter C. Wright, Eric R. Lang, Mitchell R. Usasz
  • Patent number: 10511777
    Abstract: A personal care system having a treatment device for applying a treatment to the skin or hair of a user is provided. The treatment device has a camera for taking an image of the skin. The system includes an application programming interface (API) that can process the image. The API can recommend the use of treatment regimens or topical products according to information the API gathers from the digital image of the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Nichols
  • Patent number: 10477774
    Abstract: A mower-conditioner assembly of a self-propelled windrower includes a frame, a cutting mechanism coupled to the frame for cutting crop, a conditioner rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the cutting mechanism, and a fluffer assembly rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the conditioner. The fluffer assembly includes at least an elongated roll and a crop moving element. The conditioner crimps the crop after it is cut, and the fluffer assembly fluffs or moves the crop during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Kellen B. Hill, David V. Rotole, Thomas A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 10412883
    Abstract: A modular cutterbar assembly capable of moving in a direction of travel may include a first module forming a first surface, a second surface, a front edge, and a rear edge. The assembly may also include a second module coupled to the first module such that the second module forms a first surface, a second surface, a front edge, and a rear edge. A joint is defined between first and second module and defining a joint plane. A first coupler is defined through the joint of the first and second modules at each respective front edge and defining a first coupler axis, and a second coupler is defined through the joint of the first and second modules at each respective rear edge and defining a second coupler axis. The joint plane is angled relative to the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger Stephenson, Todd Aeschliman, Thomas Nichols
  • Patent number: 10412885
    Abstract: A modular cutterbar assembly operably coupled to a work machine includes at least one module and an end cap coupled to the at least one module. The end cap includes an upper surface defined between a first end and a second end, and an inner cavity is defined in the first end of the end cap. The inner cavity is configured to substantially enclose a drive transfer mechanism. An aperture is defined in the upper surface, and a coupler arm is integrally formed with the second end of the end cap. The coupler arm is configured to be coupled to the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger Stephenson, Todd Aeschliman, Thomas Nichols
  • Patent number: 10412884
    Abstract: A module cutterbar assembly includes a plurality of modules coupled to one another along a joint. Each module has a first surface defining a first plane and an internal cavity. A drive transfer mechanism is disposed within the internal cavity of each of the plurality of modules, and a drive hub assembly is mechanically coupled to the drive transfer mechanism and extends out of the internal cavity away from the first plane. A cutting disk is coupled to the drive hub of each of the plurality of modules. A coupling mount is positioned on each side of each joint and extends from the first plane towards the cutting disk. A cavity is partially defined by the first plane, the cutting disk, and the drive hub in each module. The coupling mount is disposed at least partially within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger Stephenson, Todd Aeschliman, Thomas Nichols
  • Patent number: 10398079
    Abstract: An elongated rotary cutterbar assembly includes a housing having a first surface, a second surface, a front portion, and a rear portion. At least one disk is rotatably coupled to the housing, and the assembly further includes a first tab at least partially disposed between the first surface and the second surface, and a tab plane defined by the first tab and extending between the first surface and the second surface. A stop surface is defined in the housing offset from the tab plane towards the first surface, and a disk guard is coupled to the housing at the first tab. A receiver is defined in the disk guard at a location adjacent to the first stop surface. When a force is applied to the disk guard towards the first surface, the first receiver contacts the first stop surface to restrict deflection of the disk guard relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger Stephenson, Todd Aeschliman, Thomas Nichols
  • Publication number: 20190262607
    Abstract: A Handheld Facial Massage and Light Therapy Device. One form of the device is a standard handpiece having a series of interchangeable treatment heads insertible therein. The handpiece has a head receptacle for accepting cooperating treatment heads for twist-locking therein or by other engagement arrangement. The treatment heads may or may not have an internal motor assembly within them to create vibratory motion in the assembled device. The groups of possible treatment heads include LED-light-emitting heads, microcurrent-emitting heads, a treatment head having an abrasive or pebbled surface, as well as a bristle brush head. Other versions of the treatment head may combine the features of the aforementioned heads. In another version, the handpiece and treatment head are integrated and not exchangeable. In this second version, a combination LED-light-emitting outer ring surrounds a central dual-lobe massage surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Nichols
  • Publication number: 20190261570
    Abstract: A harvesting header of an agricultural machine includes a frame, a cutting mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to cut crop, an auger rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the cutting mechanism, and an impeller rotatably coupled to the frame at a location rearward of the auger. The impeller is configured to receive crop from the auger and condition the cut crop. The crop is projected by the auger in a rearward and upward direction relative to the impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas A. Nichols, Lance Frahm, Charles S. Sloan
  • Patent number: 10383486
    Abstract: A Handheld Motorized Facial Brush Having Three Floating Heads. The motorized device can generate rotational, oscillating or vibrating motion at a plurality of micro-treatment heads. The microheads are interchangeable and selectable from a group including bristle brushes, sponge applicator, silicone massage finger/element, among others. The device has a detachable three-headed treatment head assembly that interlocks to the main handle housing by twist-lock or other mechanism. The treatment head assembly may have the option of being pivotally attached to the handle housing in order to allow it to closely follow the contours of the user's face. Finally, the device has internal batteries that are rechargable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Nichols
  • Patent number: 10376659
    Abstract: A Personal Care Vaporizer Device for the Eye Area of the Face. A treatment chamber formed within the device will encircle the user's eyes and surrounding facial area when the device is positioned over the eye area of the face. A soft gel eyemask element provides maximum comfort for the wearer during treatment. The device introduces therapeutic mist or vapor into the treatment chamber. The mist/vapor is generated from an internal reservoir containing plain water or water mixed with other therapeutic additives. An onboard blower can control the flow rate of the mist/vapor into the treatment chamber. One or more onboard heating elements within the device provide direct heat to the treatment chamber wall(s), and/or to heat the mist/vapor prior to its being introduced into the treatment chamber. Onboard vibration generators apply soothing massaging motion to the user's face when activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Nichols
  • Publication number: 20190106148
    Abstract: A steering system is described for a vehicle having steerable wheels. A hydraulic charge pressure circuit may be configured to provide charge pressure to one or more hydraulic components of the vehicle and a hydraulic drive pressure circuit may be configured to provide working pressure to one or more other hydraulic components of the vehicle. Hydraulic machines may rotate front wheels in order to drive the vehicle, and a front valve assembly may control steering of the front wheels by controlling the hydraulic machines. The hydraulic machines may be driven to rotate the front wheels by the working pressure from the hydraulic drive pressure circuit, and the front valve assembly may control the front hydraulic machines to steer the agricultural vehicle by controlling flow of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic charge pressure circuit through the front valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: David V. ROTOLE, Thomas D. BEBERNES, Thomas A. NICHOLS, Kyle R. TEACH
  • Patent number: 10252051
    Abstract: One form of the device is a standard handpiece having a series of interchangeable treatment heads. The handpiece can accept cooperating treatment heads for twist-locking therein or by other engagement arrangement. The treatment heads may or may not have an internal motor assembly within them to create vibratory motion in the assembled device. The groups of possible treatment heads include LED-light-emitting heads, microcurrent-emitting heads, a treatment head having an abrasive or pebbled surface, as well as a bristle brush head. In another version, the handpiece and treatment head are integrated and not exchangeable. In this second version, a combination LED-light-emitting outer ring surrounds a central dual-lobe massage surface. The dual-lobe massage surface may be made from an inert material such as silicone, or it may be metallic in order to provide emission of therapeutic microcurrents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Nichols
  • Patent number: D861738
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Vittetoe, Charles S. Sloan, Thomas A. Nichols
  • Patent number: D865209
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Nichols
  • Patent number: D873569
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas Nichols