Patents by Inventor Tom Lykken
Tom Lykken 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).
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Patent number: 10448558Abstract: A towable farm implement having a frame element having a field end, a fold gate, and an inner wing tow bar rotatably connected to the frame member. The farm implement having a wing having a wing frame extending from a center end to an outer end. The fold gate can be rotatable between a transport position in which the fold gate is parallel to the main carrier and a field position in which the fold gate is perpendicular to the main carrier. Rotating the fold gate into the transport position can pivot the wing about the inner wing tow bar into a parallel orientation relative to the frame member. Rotating the fold gate into the field position can pivots the wing about the inner wing tow bar into a transverse orientation relative to the frame member.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Norwood Sales, Inc.Inventor: Tom Lykken
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Patent number: 10370046Abstract: An undercarriage assembly including a track assembly that can be oriented to align with the primary roll axis of the farm implement. The track assembly can be pivotably connected to an undercarriage arm of the farm implement such that the track assembly can be pivoted about a pivot axis parallel to the roll axis of the farm implement. In this configuration, when moving a farm implement in a direction parallel to the roll axis, the track assembly can pivot around the pivot axis in response to an angled road surface to maximize the amount of the track surface that contacts the road surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Norwood Sales, Inc.Inventor: Tom Lykken
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Patent number: 10370045Abstract: A work vehicle includes left and right track assemblies, each track assembly having a main frame, a pivot member, a pivot shaft coupled to the pivot member, and an electrical actuator coupled between the pivot shaft and the main frame. The work vehicle also includes a control system having a controller communicatively coupled to each electrical actuator of the track assemblies. The controller includes processors that control the electrical actuator to steer the work vehicle about a generally vertical steering axis. Each pivot member is mounted to the main frame of the track assemblies. Each track assembly is pivotal about a generally horizontal pitch axis of the pivot shaft to permit pitch movement of the track assembly. Each track assembly is pivotal about a generally horizontal camber axis through a portion of the pivot member to permit camber movement of the track assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Marvin A. Prickel, Shivakumar Prodduturi, Tom Lykken, David Allen Zach
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Patent number: 10259513Abstract: An actuator assembly for an implement includes a pivot shaft configured to be received in a tubular member rigidly coupled to an implement frame, configured to pivot relative to the tubular member about a generally horizontal pitch axis, and configured to support a track assembly of the implement and to enable the track assembly to pivot about the generally horizontal pitch axis. The actuator assembly also includes an actuator anchor disposed on the pivot shaft. Further, the actuator assembly includes an actuator having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. The actuator is coupled to the actuator anchor at the first longitudinal end, and the actuator is configured to be coupled to a track assembly frame of the track assembly at the second longitudinal end. Moreover, the actuator is configured to extend and retract to pivotally steer the track assembly about a generally vertical steering axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Marvin A. Prickel, Shivakumar Prodduturi, Tom Lykken, David Allen Zach
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Publication number: 20190023333Abstract: A work vehicle includes left and right track assemblies, each track assembly having a main frame, a pivot member, a pivot shaft coupled to the pivot member, and an electrical actuator coupled between the pivot shaft and the main frame. The work vehicle also includes a control system having a controller communicatively coupled to each electrical actuator of the track assemblies. The controller includes processors that control the electrical actuator to steer the work vehicle about a generally vertical steering axis. Each pivot member is mounted to the main frame of the track assemblies. Each track assembly is pivotal about a generally horizontal pitch axis of the pivot shaft to permit pitch movement of the track assembly. Each track assembly is pivotal about a generally horizontal camber axis through a portion of the pivot member to permit camber movement of the track assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2017Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Marvin A. Prickel, Shivakumar Prodduturi, Tom Lykken, David Allen Zach
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Publication number: 20180153086Abstract: A farm implement supported by at least one wheeled support mounted on a pivot arm extending from a wing and at least one tracked support on a main carrier. The tracked support can be rotated about a primary rotational axis and the wheeled support being rotatable about a secondary rotational axis. The pivot arm can be rotated to position the wheeled support to elevate or lower the wing. The rotational of the pivot arm also changes the alignment of the secondary rotational axis of the winged support relative to the primary rotational axis of the tracked support to prevent berming when maneuvering the farm implement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Tom Lykken, Matt Meyer
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Patent number: 9801324Abstract: A farm implement having rotatable wings rotatably connected to a main carrier and also having a folding bar linkage, which folds as the corresponding wing is rotated into a stowed position and extends as the wing rotates into a deployed position. A fixed length control bar rotatably linking a tow bar of the folding bar linkage to the main carrier controls the folding and unfolding of the bar linkage as the wing rotates between the deployed and stowed positions.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: NORWOOD SALES Inc.Inventor: Tom Lykken
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Publication number: 20170291651Abstract: An actuator assembly for an implement includes a pivot shaft configured to be received in a tubular member rigidly coupled to an implement frame, configured to pivot relative to the tubular member about a generally horizontal pitch axis, and configured to support a track assembly of the implement and to enable the track assembly to pivot about the generally horizontal pitch axis. The actuator assembly also includes an actuator anchor disposed on the pivot shaft. Further, the actuator assembly includes an actuator having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. The actuator is coupled to the actuator anchor at the first longitudinal end, and the actuator is configured to be coupled to a track assembly frame of the track assembly at the second longitudinal end. Moreover, the actuator is configured to extend and retract to pivotally steer the track assembly about a generally vertical steering axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Marvin A. Prickel, Shivakumar Prodduturi, Tom Lykken, David Allen Zach
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Publication number: 20170273233Abstract: A towable farm implement having a frame element having a field end, a fold gate, and an inner wing tow bar rotatably connected to the frame member. The farm implement having a wing having a wing frame extending from a center end to an outer end. The fold gate can be rotatable between a transport position in which the fold gate is parallel to the main carrier and a field position in which the fold gate is parallel to the main carrier. Rotating the fold gate into the transport position can pivot the wing about the inner wing tow bar into a parallel orientation relative to the frame member. Rotating the fold gate into the field position can pivots the wing about the inner wing tow bar into a transverse orientation relative to the frame member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventor: Tom Lykken
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Publication number: 20170210435Abstract: An undercarriage assembly including a track assembly that can be oriented to align with the primary roll axis of the farm implement. The track assembly can be pivotably connected to an undercarriage arm of the farm implement such that the track assembly can be pivoted about a pivot axis parallel to the roll axis of the farm implement. In this configuration, when moving a farm implement in a direction parallel to the roll axis, the track assembly can pivot around the pivot axis in response to an angled road surface to maximize the amount of the track surface that contacts the road surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2017Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventor: Tom Lykken
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Patent number: 9699949Abstract: A farm implement supported by at least one wheeled support mounted on a pivot arm extending from a wing and at least one tracked support on a main carrier. The tracked support can be rotated about a primary rotational axis and the wheeled support being rotatable about a secondary rotational axis. The pivot arm can be rotated to position the wheeled support to elevate or lower the wing. The rotational of the pivot arm also changes the alignment of the secondary rotational axis of the winged support relative to the primary rotational axis of the tracked support to prevent berming when maneuvering the farm implement.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: NORWOOD SALES, Inc.Inventors: Tom Lykken, Matt Meyer
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Patent number: 9688322Abstract: A work vehicle includes left and right track assemblies, each track assembly including a main frame, a pivot member, a pivot shaft coupled to the pivot member, and an actuator coupled between the pivot shaft and the main frame. Each track assembly is configured to permit pivotal steering movement, pivotal pitch movement, and pivotal camber movement. The actuator of each track assembly is coupled to the respective main frame at one end of the actuator, and at an opposite end of the actuator to an actuator anchor via a self-aligning bearing arrangement to permit transmission of steering forces while enabling pivotal movement of the respective track assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Marvin A. Prickel, Shivakumar Prodduturi, Tom Lykken, David Allen Zach
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Patent number: 9682736Abstract: A work vehicle includes left and right track assemblies, each track assembly including a main frame, a pivot member, a pivot shaft coupled to the pivot member, and an actuator coupled between the pivot shaft and the main frame. Each pivot member is mounted to a respective main frame to permit pivotal steering movement about a generally vertical steering axis for steering the track assemblies under the influence of the actuator. Additionally, each track assembly is pivotal about a generally horizontal pitch axis of the respective pivot shaft to permit pitch movement of the respective track assembly. Each track assembly is also pivotal about a generally horizontal camber axis through a portion of the respective pivot member to permit camber movement of the respective track assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Marvin A. Prickel, Michael J. Connors, Tom Lykken, David Allen Zach
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Publication number: 20150223387Abstract: A farm implement having rotatable wings rotatably connected to a main carrier and also having a folding bar linkage, which folds as the corresponding wing is rotated into a stowed position and extends as the wing rotates into a deployed position. A fixed length control bar rotatably linking a tow bar of the folding bar linkage to the main carrier controls the folding and unfolding of the bar linkage as the wing rotates between the deployed and stowed positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventor: Tom Lykken
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Publication number: 20150223385Abstract: A farm implement supported by at least one wheeled support mounted on a pivot arm extending from a wing and at least one tracked support on a main carrier. The tracked support can be rotated about a primary rotational axis and the wheeled support being rotatable about a secondary rotational axis. The pivot arm can be rotated to position the wheeled support to elevate or lower the wing. The rotational of the pivot arm also changes the alignment of the secondary rotational axis of the winged support relative to the primary rotational axis of the tracked support to prevent berming when maneuvering the farm implement.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Tom Lykken, Matt Meyer
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Patent number: 6971466Abstract: This torque compensating track drive is designed to provide track drive vehicles with an undercarriage that distributes the weight of the vehicle over the greatest possible area and also ensures that as much of the drive track is in contact with the surface as possible in all driving situations.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Sno-Bear Industries, LLCInventor: Tom Lykken
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Patent number: 6899191Abstract: This actuated ski suspension provides a method of raising and lowering a vehicle to which it is attached by raising and lowering the ski assembly in a vertical plane. Additionally, the process of raising and lowering the vehicle also incorporates a mechanism which effectively breaks frozen skis loose from the surface of snow or ice without causing damage to the skis and without requiring effort from the operator.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Sno-Bear Industries, LLCInventor: Tom Lykken