Patents by Inventor Timothy R. Blunier

Timothy R. Blunier 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: 10561052
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for adjusting fore/aft level trim of the frame of a towed agricultural tillage implement utilize an electronic control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, and automatically computes a desired for/aft trim angle as a function of the desired depth input, and then adjusts the fore/aft trim of the implement frame by titling the frame toward the front or rear of the frame in accordance with the desired fore/aft trim angle computed from the desired depth input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, John Endsley, Timothy R. Blunier, James W. Henry, Tracey Meiners, Klint Peterson
  • Patent number: 10542656
    Abstract: A remotely positionable stabilizer wheel arrangement for a towable agricultural implement utilizes an electronic control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired position of the stabilizer wheel, and/or a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, to automatically control an electrically powered linear actuator of the remotely positionable stabilizer wheel arrangement to position and hold the stabilizer wheel at the desired position of the stabilizer wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Timothy R. Blunier
  • Patent number: 10542655
    Abstract: In one aspect, an auxiliary tool assembly for an agricultural implement may be configured to support a finishing tool(s) at a location at or adjacent to the aft end of the implement. The auxiliary tool assembly may include a support arm extending lengthwise between a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end of the support arm being pivotally coupled to a portion of the implement at or adjacent to its aft end so that the tool assembly is pivotable relative to the implement between a work position and a transport position. In addition, the finishing tool(s) may be configured to be coupled to or otherwise supported relative to the ground by the support arm at a location between its proximal and distal ends. Moreover, the auxiliary tool assembly may include one or more surface-engaging wheels coupled to the distal end of the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Scott R. Faust, Timothy R. Blunier, Gaylen J. Kromminga
  • Patent number: 10426072
    Abstract: A tool bar mounting assembly for an agricultural implement. One agricultural implement includes a first tool bar assembly having a tool bar and a plurality of row units coupled to the tool bar and configured to deliver flowable agricultural product to a field. The agricultural implement also includes a frame assembly coupled to the first tool bar assembly. The frame assembly includes a mounting assembly having a mechanical linkage. The mechanical linkage is configured to removably couple the first tool bar assembly to the frame assembly via a plurality of fasteners. The frame assembly is configured to provide structural support to the first tool bar assembly. The mechanical linkage of mounting assembly is configured to removably couple a second tool bar assembly having a different configuration than the first tool bar assembly to the frame assembly via the plurality of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Brian McMahon
  • Patent number: 10405476
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a frame member and at least one double rolling basket assembly coupled to the frame member. The double rolling basket assembly has a forward basket and a rearward basket behind the forward basket. A horizontal beam is rotatably connected at the opposite ends thereof to the forward basket and the rearward basket. The horizontal beam has a pivotal connection to the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Bell, Dean A. Knobloch, Timothy R. Blunier
  • Patent number: 10405480
    Abstract: A remotely positionable stabilizer wheel arrangement for a towable agricultural implement utilizes a control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired position of the stabilizer wheel, and/or a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, to automatically control a hydraulic positioning cylinder of the remotely positionable stabilizer wheel arrangement to position and hold the stabilizer wheel at the desired position of the stabilizer wheel, by simultaneously controlling pressure in both the rod and base ends of the bore of the hydraulic cylinder to hold the stabilizer wheel at a target position determined from the desired position input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Yong Deng
  • Patent number: 10368474
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a frame member, a secondary frame member and at least one double rolling basket assembly coupled to the secondary frame member. A plurality of linkage assemblies interconnect the frame member and the secondary frame member. Each linkage assembly includes an upper link connected to upper connections of the frame member and the secondary frame member and a lower link connected to lower connections of the frame member and the secondary frame member. A force applicator operates against one of the links to move the baskets up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Gaylen J. Kromminga
  • Patent number: 10285321
    Abstract: A sleeve type bushing/bearing is assembled/pressed into a pivoting frame structure. This bearing runs on a spindle tube which is bolted rigidly to a support arm structure. The support arm structure supports the outside diameter of the spindle tube and well as clamping to the end face of the spindle tube. This support eliminates most of the shear load from being applied at the joint face to the bolt outside diameter. The larger outside diameter of the spindle tube can support more shear force through the joint allowing greater functional pressure to be applied through the joint without failure. The Joint can be easily assembled and disassembled in multiple configurations and for replacement of worn parts if needed and includes a sleeve type bearing which is maintenance free and requires no greasing or other lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Timothy R. Blunier
  • Publication number: 20190000006
    Abstract: A remotely positionable stabilizer wheel arrangement for a towable agricultural implement utilizes a control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired position of the stabilizer wheel, and/or a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, to automatically control a hydraulic positioning cylinder of the remotely positionable stabilizer wheel arrangement to position and hold the stabilizer wheel at the desired position of the stabilizer wheel, by simultaneously controlling pressure in both the rod and base ends of the bore of the hydraulic cylinder to hold the stabilizer wheel at a target position determined from the desired position input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Yong Deng
  • Patent number: 10138936
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a frame member and at least one rolling basket assembly coupled to the frame member. The rolling basket assembly has at least one bearing hanger, at least one rolling basket and at least one bearing assembly rotationally coupling the rolling basket to the bearing hanger. The bearing assembly has a bearing with an inner ring and a spindle holding the inner ring. The spindle is coupled to the bearing hanger. The spindle being configured to accommodate dynamic misalignment of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Gaylen J. Kromminga, Sven N. Setterdahl
  • Patent number: 10138935
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a frame member and at least one rolling basket assembly coupled to the frame member. The rolling basket assembly has at least one bearing hanger, at least one rolling basket and at least one bearing assembly rotationally coupling the rolling basket to the bearing hanger. The bearing assembly has a bearing with an inner ring and a spindle holding the inner ring. The spindle is coupled to the bearing hanger. The spindle being configured to accommodate dynamic misalignment of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Gaylen J. Kromminga, Sven N. Setterdahl
  • Publication number: 20180317367
    Abstract: In one aspect, an auxiliary tool assembly for an agricultural implement may be configured to support a finishing tool(s) at a location at or adjacent to the aft end of the implement. The auxiliary tool assembly may include a support arm extending lengthwise between a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end of the support arm being pivotally coupled to a portion of the implement at or adjacent to its aft end so that the tool assembly is pivotable relative to the implement between a work position and a transport position. In addition, the finishing tool(s) may be configured to be coupled to or otherwise supported relative to the ground by the support arm at a location between its proximal and distal ends. Moreover, the auxiliary tool assembly may include one or more surface-engaging wheels coupled to the distal end of the support arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Michael G. Kovach, Scott R. Faust, Timothy R. Blunier, Gaylen J. Kromminga
  • Publication number: 20180310459
    Abstract: A remotely positionable stabilizer wheel arrangement for a towable agricultural implement utilizes an electronic control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired position of the stabilizer wheel, and/or a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, to automatically control an electrically powered linear actuator of the remotely positionable stabilizer wheel arrangement to position and hold the stabilizer wheel at the desired position of the stabilizer wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventor: Timothy R. Blunier
  • Publication number: 20180310460
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for remotely and individually controlling a plurality of remotely positionable stabilizer wheels of a towable agricultural implement utilize an electronic control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired position of the stabilizer wheel, and/or a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, to automatically and individually control a plurality of hydraulic positioning cylinders for individually positioning and holding the plurality of stabilizer wheel at the desired position of the stabilizer wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Stovall, Kena Shah, Timothy R. Blunier
  • Publication number: 20180303022
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for adjusting fore/aft level trim of the frame of a towed agricultural tillage implement utilize an electronic control unit that receives an input signal indicative of a desired depth of penetration of tillage tools operatively attached to the front and rear of the implement frame, and automatically computes a desired for/aft trim angle as a function of the desired depth input, and then adjusts the fore/aft trim of the implement frame by titling the frame toward the front or rear of the frame in accordance with the desired fore/aft trim angle computed from the desired depth input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Barrick, John Endsley, Timothy R. Blunier, James W. Henry, Tracey Meiners, Klint Peterson
  • Patent number: 10104825
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a tool bar assembly configured to couple to a main frame of the agricultural implement and a pull frame. The tool bar assembly includes a first tool with a height that is adjustable relative to a soil surface. The pull frame includes a hitch assembly configured to be coupled to a work vehicle, a mounting portion configured to be removably coupled to the main frame of the agricultural implement, and a hollow portion that extends over the first tool bar between the hitch assembly and the mounting portion while the tool bar assembly and the pull frame are coupled to the main frame. The hollow portion is configured to accommodate one or more conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Brian McMahon, Matthew R. Sudbrink
  • Patent number: 10104823
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement has a disk frame assembly connected to a pull hitch extending in a travel direction with frame members extending generally laterally with respect to the travel direction. At least one disk blade is connected to and supported by the frame members to till soil over which the agricultural tillage implement traverses. A disk scraper mounting member is connected to at least one frame member. A channel shaped disk scraper is connected to the disk scraper mounting member using a bolted joint connection. The channel shaped disk scraper has a square mounting end adjoining an inner perpendicular surface of the disk scraper mounting member. The channel shaped disk scraper is operable to scrape residue from the at least one disk blade and deflect it away from the travel direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Timothy R. Blunier
  • Publication number: 20180206386
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a frame member and at least one double rolling basket assembly coupled to the frame member. The double rolling basket assembly has a forward basket and a rearward basket behind the forward basket. A horizontal beam is rotatably connected at the opposite ends thereof to the forward basket and the rearward basket. The horizontal beam has a pivotal connection to the frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Bell, Dean A. Knobloch, Timothy R. Blunier
  • Publication number: 20180206388
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a frame member, a secondary frame member and at least one double rolling basket assembly coupled to the secondary frame member. A plurality of linkage assemblies interconnect the frame member and the secondary frame member. Each linkage assembly includes an upper link connected to upper connections of the frame member and the secondary frame member and a lower link connected to lower connections of the frame member and the secondary frame member. A force applicator operates against one of the links to move the baskets up and down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Gaylen J. Kromminga
  • Publication number: 20180163778
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a frame member and at least one rolling basket assembly coupled to the frame member. The rolling basket assembly has at least one bearing hanger, at least one rolling basket and at least one bearing assembly rotationally coupling the rolling basket to the bearing hanger. The bearing assembly has a bearing with an inner ring and a spindle holding the inner ring. The spindle is coupled to the bearing hanger. The spindle being configured to accommodate dynamic misalignment of the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Gaylen J. Kromminga, Sven N. Setterdahl