Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Kraus

Timothy J. Kraus 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).

  • BALE STORAGE SYSTEM WITH DAMPER ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20170290268
    Abstract: A bale collection system and method for receiving and storing a bale. The bale collection system including a baler having a rear aperture through which a bale may be ejected, a trough defining a storage bay sized to receive one or more bales therein, where the trough is coupled to the baler and movable with respect thereto between a first position, where no bale is positioned within the storage bay, and a second position where a bale is at least partially positioned within the storage bay, and where the first position is different than the second position. The bale collection system also includes a resistance element operatively coupled to the frame and configured to at least partially control the movement of the frame between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Austin J. Jones, Henry D. Anstey, Jeremy Erdmann, Timothy J. Kraus
  • Control logic for applying preservative to agricultural bales
    Patent number: 9736987
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for applying preservative to agricultural crops during baling. More particularly, a baler has a preservative application system and a crop moisture sensor array. The crop moisture sensor array is in communication with the preservative application system so that the application of preservative to the crop can be controlled in response to a moisture content sensed by the crop moisture sensor array that exceeds both a moisture content threshold value and a threshold value relating to the percentage of crop material having a moisture content above the moisture content threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J Kraus
  • STRATEGIC CROP PLACEMENT USING A VIRTUAL TRIP LINE FOR A HARVESTER AND CROP ACCUMULATOR COMBINATION
    Publication number: 20170172069
    Abstract: A harvester and a crop accumulator combination. The harvester is configured to transfer a harvested crop to the crop accumulator. The crop accumulator comprises at least one actuator to selectively discharge the harvested crops onto a field. A GPS unit is configured with at least one virtual trip line. An ECU is in communication with the GPS unit. The ECU is configured to selectively command the actuator of the crop accumulator to discharge harvested crop onto the field when the ECU receives a signal from the GPS unit when at least one of the virtual trip line is being approached, the virtual trip line is being crossed, and the virtual trip line has been crossed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Timothy J. KRAUS
  • Strategic crop placement using a virtual trip line for a harvester and crop accumulator combination
    Patent number: 9635814
    Abstract: A harvester and a crop accumulator combination. The harvester is configured to transfer a harvested crop to the crop accumulator. The crop accumulator comprises at least one actuator to selectively discharge the harvested crops onto a field. A GPS unit is configured with at least one virtual trip line. An ECU is in communication with the GPS unit. The ECU is configured to selectively command the actuator of the crop accumulator to discharge harvested crop onto the field when the ECU receives a signal from the GPS unit when at least one of the virtual trip line is being approached, the virtual trip line is being crossed, and the virtual trip line has been crossed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J Kraus
  • VARIABLE RATE DISCHARGE SYSTEM FOR CROP ACCUMULATOR
    Publication number: 20170112069
    Abstract: A system for controlling the speed of harvested crop as it is discharged from a crop accumulator onto a field comprising a discharge mechanism for imparting a desired rearward travel speed to the harvested crop as it is being discharged from the crop accumulator and a speed measurement device for measuring forward travel speed of the crop accumulator. A processor is in communication with the discharge mechanism and the speed measurement device and is operable to adjust the discharge mechanism for imparting the desired rearward travel speed or the forward travel speed of the crop accumulator, to discharge harvested crop with a rearward travel speed that is substantially equal to the forward travel speed such that the harvested crop has a substantially net zero speed as it contacts the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kraus, HENRY D. ANSTEY
  • AGRICULTURAL BALER PLATFORM
    Publication number: 20170112070
    Abstract: An agricultural baler comprising a baler mechanism and a carriage assembly coupled to the baler mechanism. A platform is coupled to at least one of the baler mechanism and the carriage assembly. The platform is configured to move a bale from the baler mechanism to the carriage assembly and remain tilted until the bale is moved onto the carriage assembly at least substantially out of contact with the platform. A sliding mechanism is coupled to the carriage assembly. The sliding mechanism is configured to move the bale onto the carriage assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kraus, Henry D. Anstey
  • Agricultural baler platform
    Patent number: 9622420
    Abstract: An agricultural baler comprising a baler mechanism and a carriage assembly coupled to the baler mechanism. A platform is coupled to at least one of the baler mechanism and the carriage assembly. The platform is configured to move a bale from the baler mechanism to the carriage assembly and remain tilted until the bale is moved onto the carriage assembly at least substantially out of contact with the platform. A sliding mechanism is coupled to the carriage assembly. The sliding mechanism is configured to move the bale onto the carriage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J Kraus, Henry D Anstey
  • Clutch mechanism for a baler
    Patent number: 9585311
    Abstract: A clutch for selectively driving a mechanism. The clutch includes an engagement member movable between an engaged position for driving the mechanism and a disengaged position. The clutch also includes an actuation assembly having a first member pivotable about a pivot and cooperative with a control element for movement between a retaining position and a release position, and a second member pivotable about the pivot between the retaining position and the release position. The second member extends towards the engagement member in the retaining position for maintaining the engagement member in the disengaged position. The second member is pivotable about the pivot independently of the first member such that the second member is rotatable relative to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kraus, Carl F. DeMulder, Alan Lugert
  • Variable rate discharge system for crop accumulator
    Patent number: 9578811
    Abstract: A system for controlling the speed of harvested crop as it is discharged from a crop accumulator onto a field comprising a discharge mechanism for imparting a desired rearward travel speed to the harvested crop as it is being discharged from the crop accumulator and a speed measurement device for measuring forward travel speed of the crop accumulator. A processor is in communication with the discharge mechanism and the speed measurement device and is operable to adjust the discharge mechanism for imparting the desired rearward travel speed or the forward travel speed of the crop accumulator, to discharge harvested crop with a rearward travel speed that is substantially equal to the forward travel speed such that the harvested crop has a substantially net zero speed as it contacts the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J Kraus, Henry D Anstey
  • OVER-CENTER LINKAGE SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL ACCUMULATOR
    Publication number: 20160366832
    Abstract: An accumulator is coupled to an agricultural baler and is configured to support a crop package exiting the baler. The accumulator includes an accumulator frame coupled to a wheel supported on a surface and a carriage pivotably coupled to the accumulator frame about a first rotational axis for movement between a first position and a second position. The carriage is configured to support the crop package when the carriage is in the first position. The carriage is also configured to discharge the crop package from the accumulator when the carriage is in the second position. The accumulator also includes an over-center linkage system coupled between the accumulator frame and the carriage. The over-center linkage system is configured to lock the carriage in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kraus, Henry D. Anstey
  • Two-stage harvesting system
    Patent number: 9510509
    Abstract: A two-stage harvesting system including a first stage harvesting apparatus and a second stage harvesting apparatus. The first stage harvesting apparatus takes a first crop portion from an agricultural crop leaving a second crop portion in a field. The second stage harvesting apparatus takes the second crop portion. The first stage harvesting apparatus and the second stage harvesting apparatus are connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J Kraus, Jeremy M Erdmann
  • COMPOSITE WRAP MATERIAL WITH OVERLAPPING SEGMENTS
    Publication number: 20160137372
    Abstract: A composite wrap material for wrapping a bale may include a segment of net wrap, a first barrier segment of semi-permeable material disposed to overlap with the segment of net wrap, and a second barrier segment of material disposed to overlap, at least in part, with the first barrier segment of semi-permeable material and the segment of net wrap. The segment of net wrap may be longer than an outer perimeter length of the bale and may be at least as wide as a width of the bale. When the bale is wrapped by the composite wrap material, the overlap of the second barrier segment of material with the first barrier segment of semi-permeable material may form first and second barrier layers to impede movement of liquid water from outside the composite wrap material to the outer perimeter of the bale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Henry D. Anstey, Timothy J. Kraus
  • BALER AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED BALE HANDLING
    Publication number: 20160113206
    Abstract: A baler and method are described for forming and wrapping bales of crop material. A baler may include a baling chamber, a crop-moving device for compressing crop material into a bale within the baling chamber, a bale chute oriented outside the baling chamber, and a wrap frame supported by the bale chute. Once formed within the baling chamber, the bales may be ejected from the baling chamber to the bale chute. A sheet of wrap material may be wrapped about the wrap frame, such that a sleeve of wrap material is formed from the sheet. The bale may be moved through the wrap frame, such that the bale engages the sleeve to pull the sleeve from the wrap frame and the bale is wrapped by the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventor: TIMOTHY J. KRAUS
  • CLUTCH MECHANISM FOR A BALER
    Publication number: 20160081277
    Abstract: A clutch for selectively driving a mechanism. The clutch includes an engagement member movable between an engaged position for driving the mechanism and a disengaged position. The clutch also includes an actuation assembly having a first member pivotable about a pivot and cooperative with a control element for movement between a retaining position and a release position, and a second member pivotable about the pivot between the retaining position and the release position. The second member extends towards the engagement member in the retaining position for maintaining the engagement member in the disengaged position. The second member is pivotable about the pivot independently of the first member such that the second member is rotatable relative to the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kraus, Carl F. DeMulder, Alan Lugert
  • BALE ORIENTATION CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AGRICULTURAL ROUND BALER
    Publication number: 20160050851
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling the orientation of a bale discharged from an agricultural round baler according to the position of the discharge gate. When the bale reaches the desired orientation inside the bale forming chamber, such as when a segment or the cut end of the bale wrap is within a desired angular position, an electro-hydraulic control valve is activated, manually or automatically, to actuate the gate cylinders to open the gate, thereby stopping bale rotation and discharging the bale in the desired orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • Method for adjusting a tare weight of an agricultural baler to reflect usage of preservative in treating formed bale
    Patent number: 9267836
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the weight of an agricultural bale that compensates for un-level terrain such as hillsides. The method uses an empty baler tare weight and a full baler weight to determine a raw bale weight. The cosine of the slope upon which the baler sits is then calculated based upon the empty baler weight as it sits and the empty baler tare weight. The cosine of the angle of slope and raw bale weight are then used to determine an actual bale weight. Further steps are provided for compensating in the tare weight of the baler for the weight of wrapping material and/or preservative consumed in the formation of each bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
  • MOWER- CONDITIONER HEADER SPEED CONTROL BASED ON FORWARD TRAVEL SPEED
    Publication number: 20160021820
    Abstract: A self-propelled mower includes a rotary cutter bar that feeds cut crop to a driven crop conveying arrangement which delivers the crop to a windrow forming arrangement. The speed at which the crop conveying arrangement delivers crop to the windrow forming arrangement is controlled so as to be a predetermined ratio of the ground speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: TIMOTHY J KRAUS
  • Gate position control of round bale discharge
    Patent number: 9241443
    Abstract: An agricultural round baler has an electronic control unit (ECU), a bale diameter sensor, a gate position sensor, and an electro-hydraulic valve that controls the flow to the gate lift cylinder. The ECU determines the height to which the gate must be raised based on the bale diameter. When the gate reaches the desired height, the ECU closes or restricts the electro-hydraulic valve for a brief period of time thereby momentarily slowing or stopping gate the gate. Momentarily trapping the bale between the gate and ground allows the bale to come to rest before the bale is released from the baler. The gate can then be fully opened so that the tractor and baler can be moved clear of the bale before closing the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Henry D. Anstey, Timothy J. Kraus
  • AGRICULTURAL BALE SLIDING METHOD AND MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20160014967
    Abstract: An agricultural baler includes a baler mechanism. A carriage assembly is coupled to the baler mechanism. The carriage assembly includes a bale carriage and a bale sliding mechanism operable along the bale carriage in a direction generally normal to the direction of travel. The bale sliding mechanism includes a pusher and a plurality of movement devices drivingly coupled to the pusher. The plurality of movement devices being coupled to the bale carriage and including a first movement device and a second movement device. The first and second movement devices operate in opposite directions to each other as the pusher is moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: TIMOTHY J KRAUS, HENRY D ANSTEY
  • VARIABLE RATE DISCHARGE SYSTEM FOR CROP ACCUMULATOR
    Publication number: 20160014970
    Abstract: A system for controlling the speed of harvested crop as it is discharged from a crop accumulator onto a field comprising a discharge mechanism for imparting a desired rearward travel speed to the harvested crop as it is being discharged from the crop accumulator and a speed measurement device for measuring forward travel speed of the crop accumulator. A processor is in communication with the discharge mechanism and the speed measurement device and is operable to adjust the discharge mechanism for imparting the desired rearward travel speed or the forward travel speed of the crop accumulator, to discharge harvested crop with a rearward travel speed that is substantially equal to the forward travel speed such that the harvested crop has a substantially net zero speed as it contacts the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: TIMOTHY J. KRAUS, HENRY D. ANSTEY