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).

  • Publication number: 20140060868
    Abstract: System and method for controlling wing tool bars of an agricultural implement are provided. One implement includes a tool bar assembly having a central tool bar and a first wing tool bar rotatably coupled to an end of the central tool bar. The implement also includes a first actuator coupled to the first wing tool bar and to the central tool bar, and configured to raise and lower the first wing tool bar. The implement includes a solenoid controlled valve having a first position configured to enable fluid flow to the first actuator, and a second position configured to block fluid flow to the first actuator. The implement also includes a switch electrically coupled to the valve and configured to transition the valve between the first and second positions based on an angle of the first wing tool bar relative to the central tool bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH American LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Timothy Allen Olson
  • Publication number: 20140060403
    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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Brian McMahon, Matthew R. Sudbrink
  • Publication number: 20140060401
    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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Brian McMahon
  • Publication number: 20140060861
    Abstract: An agricultural implement is presented that includes a main tool bar supporting main agricultural tools. The agricultural implement also includes an inner wing tool bar pivotally coupled to the main tool bar and supporting inner wing agricultural tools. Moreover, the agricultural implement includes an outer wing tool bar pivotally coupled to the outer wing tool bar and supporting outer wing agricultural tools. Furthermore, the agricultural implement includes a folding system configured to rotate that outer wing tool bar relative to the inner wing tool bar to enable the agricultural implement to be operated in a narrower configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Timothy R. Blunier
  • Publication number: 20140060869
    Abstract: An agricultural implement system, including a center toolbar including at least one ground engaging tool, a first inner-wing toolbar rotatably coupled to the center toolbar, the first inner-wing toolbar including at least one ground engaging tool, a first outer-wing toolbar rotatably coupled to the first inner-wing toolbar, the first outer-wing toolbar including at least one ground engaging tool, a first actuating cylinder coupled to the center toolbar, a second actuating cylinder extending between the center toolbar and the first inner-wing toolbar, a third actuating cylinder extending between the first inner-wing toolbar and the first outer-wing toolbar, and a control system configured to drive the first actuating cylinder, the second actuating cylinder, and the third actuating cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Jessica Haynes
  • Publication number: 20140060404
    Abstract: A storage tank sump arrangement for an agricultural implement. One agricultural implement includes row units configured to deliver flowable agricultural product to a field. The agricultural implement also includes a storage tank configured to hold the flowable agricultural product. The storage tank includes a first sump and a second sump. Further, the first sump is positioned adjacent to a front portion of the storage tank relative to a direction of travel and the second sump is positioned adjacent to a rear portion of the storage tank relative to the direction of travel. The agricultural implement includes a pump in fluid communication with the first sump and the second sump. The pump is configured to pump the flowable agricultural product from the storage tank to the row units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Timothy R. Blunier
  • Publication number: 20140060406
    Abstract: An agricultural implement is provided that includes a first tool bar and a second tool bar each supporting respective ground engaging tools and fluid dispersal components. The second tool bar is pivotally coupled to the first tool bar. The agricultural implement further includes fluid conduits coupled to respective tool bars for conveying fluid to the respective fluid dispersal components. Additionally, each of the conduits has a flexible end adjacent to the other tool bar. Furthermore, the agricultural implement includes a fluid joint coupled between the first and second flexible ends and configured to provide a sealed connection between the first and second flexible ends during relative pivotal movement of the first and second tool bars in operation but to allow for uncoupling of the first and second flexible ends for servicing of the implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Jarod Murdock
  • Publication number: 20140060871
    Abstract: An agricultural implement is provided that includes a first tool bar supporting first ground engaging tools. The agricultural implement further includes a second tool bar supporting second ground engaging tools and coupled to the first tool bar by a pivot joint. Additionally, the agricultural implement includes a working plate secured to the first tool bar and having a joint structure partially defining the pivot joint. Furthermore, the agricultural implement includes a stress feathering plate secured between the working plate and the first tool bar and secured to both the working plate and the first tool bar, the stress feathering plate extending beyond the working plate and having a contour that provides a reduced stress gradient when the first tool bar, the working plate and the stress feathering plate are loaded by engagement of the first and second ground engaging tools with the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Matthew R. Sudbrink, Scott Robert Faust
  • Publication number: 20140060863
    Abstract: A storage tank frame assembly for an agricultural implement. One agricultural implement includes a tool bar assembly having a tool bar and row units coupled to the tool bar and configured to deliver flowable agricultural product to a field. The agricultural implement also includes a storage tank configured to hold the flowable agricultural product and to provide the flowable agricultural product to the row units. The agricultural implement includes a frame assembly having a first and a second mounting assembly. The frame assembly is coupled to the tool bar assembly. The agricultural implement also includes an axle removably coupled to the frame assembly and configured to be coupled to wheels for transportation of the agricultural implement. The frame assembly is configured to be coupled to multiple sizes of storage tanks via the first mounting assembly and to multiple sizes of axles via the second mounting assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Jessica Haynes, Brian McMahon
  • Publication number: 20140060867
    Abstract: An agricultural implement having a tool bar extension. One agricultural implement includes a tool bar assembly having a central tool bar, a first wing tool bar rotatably coupled to a first end of the central tool bar, a second wing tool bar rotatably coupled to the first wing tool bar, a third wing tool bar rotatably coupled to a second end of the central tool bar, and a fourth wing tool bar rotatably coupled to the third wing tool bar. The agricultural implement also includes ground engaging tools. At least a portion of the ground engaging tools is coupled to the tool bar assembly. The agricultural implement includes a tool bar extension rigidly coupled via fasteners to a first distal end of the second wing tool bar, or to a second distal end of the fourth wing tool bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Jessica Haynes
  • Publication number: 20140060866
    Abstract: A wing folding arrangement for an agricultural implement includes a tool bar assembly having a central tool bar, a first wing tool bar rotatably coupled to a first end of the central tool bar, a second wing tool bar rotatably coupled to the first wing tool bar, a third wing tool bar rotatably coupled to a second end of the central tool bar, and a fourth wing tool bar rotatably coupled to the third wing tool bar. The agricultural implement also includes row units coupled to the tool bar assembly and configured to deliver flowable agricultural product to a field. The second wing tool bar is configured to fold over the first wing tool bar, the fourth wing tool bar is configured to fold over the third wing tool bar, and the first and third wing tool bars are configured to fold crosswise over the central tool bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Matthew R. Sudbrink, Jessica Haynes
  • Patent number: 8016044
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an agricultural implement includes at least a first row of ground engaging tools, each of the tools spaced a first distance apart from one another, and a second row of ground engaging tools disposed behind the first row of ground engaging tools, each of the second row of ground engaging tools spaced a second distance apart from one another. The implement also includes a row of soil shaping disks disposed behind the second row of ground engaging tools, wherein a spacing between each of the soil shaping disks is not uniform and corresponds to whether the spacing is behind the first row of ground engaging disks or behind the second row of ground engaging disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Gaylen J. Kromminga, Timothy R. Blunier, Michael C. Hatton, Scott Faust
  • Publication number: 20110100653
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an agricultural implement includes at least a first row of ground engaging tools, each of the tools spaced a first distance apart from one another, and a second row of ground engaging tools disposed behind the first row of ground engaging tools, each of the second row of ground engaging tools spaced a second distance apart from one another. The implement also includes a row of soil shaping disks disposed behind the second row of ground engaging tools, wherein a spacing between each of the soil shaping disks is not uniform and corresponds to whether the spacing is behind the first row of ground engaging disks or behind the second row of ground engaging disks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Gaylen J. Kromminga, Timothy R. Blunier, Michael C. Hatton, Scott Faust
  • Patent number: 6557646
    Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement employing a series of apparatus to perform one-pass primary tillage is disclosed. A cutting disk is the first apparatus that works the field. These disks cut the residue laterally (across the machine) and mix the majority of the residue throughout the disk tillage profile. Additional conditioning occurs by knocking residue/stalks over into a prone position with large cast spools between each disk for quicker decay. Next, chisel plow units work the soil to fracture and loosen the soil, providing proper soil aggregate size and air pore space relationship throughout the shank tillage profile. The last apparatus to work the field is a set of leveling disks, or a combination of leveling disks and a rotary reel/drag harrow. The function of these will provide is to reduce clod size and leave the soil level and smooth enough to allow one-pass secondary tillage in the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Case, LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Hurtis, Joseph M. Keeler, Timothy R. Blunier, Marvin D. Kuebler
  • Patent number: D680559
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Matthew R. Sudbrink, Scott Robert Faust, Brian McMahon, Jessica Haynes