Jeffrey Kenneth Fox

US Patent:

6550230, Apr 22, 2003

Filed:

May 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/863926

Inventors:

Jeffrey Robert Fox - Minburn IA

Assignee:

Deere Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

A01D 4616

US Classification:

56 44, 56 41

Abstract:

A tandem spindle drum row unit arrangement includes a rotary knife offset ahead of the forward drum to sever plants. A feeder rotor with fingers projecting through grid bar structure gently directs plants laterally into a standing row prior to substantial engagement by the spindles on the forward drum. Feeder column rotational speed is synchronized with ground speed. The knife, having a common axis with the rotor, operates at a higher speed for an efficient cut. The feeder column includes curved fingers which project through vertically spaced bars on a guard assembly to positively separate the plant from the fingers. The feeder column and rotary knife are driven through separate slip clutches. A kicker wheel between the drums moves plant material rearwardly.

US Patent:

6591597, Jul 15, 2003

Filed:

Jun 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/179728

Inventors:

Scott F. Stueck - Ankeny IA
Jeffrey Robert Fox - Minburn IA
Timothy Arthur Deutsch - Newton IA

Assignee:

Deere Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

A01D 4618

US Classification:

56 41, 56 50

Abstract:

A scrapping plate for improving cotton picker efficiency incorporate an angle in the bottom profile which forces cotton into the spindle before being released from the picking zone. The scrapping plate ribs which are spaced vertically from each other and located between adjacent rows of spindles are tapered so that rib surfaces are generally parallel to the spindle tapered surfaces in the picking zone. The parallel arrangement places cotton equidistant from the spindle along the length of the picking zone. In one embodiment, the ribs are tapered in the fore-and-aft direction to better hold cotton bolls in the picking zone. The forward portion of alternating ribs can also be terminated rearwardly of the leading portion of the plate to allow the cotton bolls to gather more easily.

US Patent:

6901732, Jun 7, 2005

Filed:

Oct 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/695096

Inventors:

Robert Matthew Bares - Johnston IA, US
Jeffrey Robert Fox - Minburn IA, US
Michael Lee Pearson - Ankeny IA, US

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

A01D039/00

US Classification:

56341, 100 88

Abstract:

Lower spiked rollers in the bottom of a cotton accumulator are inclined in the downstream direction towards an opening and rotate in the same direction to pull cotton down to the opening. An upper spiked roller located above the opening and above the last of the lower spiked rollers is only partially exposed to the cotton in the accumulator. The upper roller meters the cotton and tears apart clumps. An opening above the upper roller defines an upper discharge opening over the main discharge opening. When in a non-rotating condition, the spiked rollers act as a floor for the accumulator and prevent egress of the cotton through the openings.

US Patent:

6938401, Sep 6, 2005

Filed:

Oct 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/695095

Inventors:

Robert Matthew Bares - Johnston IA, US
Jeffrey Robert Fox - Minburn IA, US
Michael Lee Pearson - Ankeny IA, US

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

A01D046/10

US Classification:

56 131, 56 30

Abstract:

A hood receives a stream of material including a mix of cotton, air and debris from an air delivery system on a cotton harvester. A forward deflector directs the mixture towards the rear of an accumulator. The deflected mixture passes under finger grates which retains cotton but allows some of the air and light trash to pass through out of the stream. A curved rear deflector forces the remaining mix downwardly towards the accumulator and prevents build-up on receptacle walls. Air and light debris change direction abruptly at the bottom of the rear deflector and exit through an inlet area and upwardly directed path at the back of the deflector. The momentum of the heavier cotton prevents cotton from making the tight turn around the bottom of the deflector and directs the cotton towards the receptacle or accumulator. The inlet area can be adjusted or closed completely to prevent cotton loss in certain conditions.

US Patent:

6941740, Sep 13, 2005

Filed:

Oct 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/687256

Inventors:

Jeffrey Robert Fox - Minburn IA, US
Michael Lee Pearson - Ankeny IA, US
Robert Matthew Bares - Johnston IA, US

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

A01F039/00

US Classification:

56341, 100 88

Abstract:

A chassis-mounted round baler particularly useful with an on-board cotton module building system includes a bale release gate frame section connected to a forward frame section by a four bar linkage to define a gate path that allows the folding of the baler into both field transport and shipping configurations while maintaining desirable operating, transport and shipping heights. The gate linkage incorporates a self latching feature wherein a small vertical movement of the gate as the gate cylinders are operated releases a gate latch member from a forward frame member during gate opening and reengages the gate latch with the forward frame member during closing. The gate interacts with the bale handler to provide a stop for the baler gate when the baler gate is placed into a cradle on the handler.

US Patent:

7370460, May 13, 2008

Filed:

Oct 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/583452

Inventors:

Mark Samuel Philips - Grimes IA, US
Jeffrey Robert Fox - Minburn IA, US
Daniel John Johannsen - Ankeny IA, US
Kent Cleo Mckee - Mingo IA, US

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

A01D 46/08

US Classification:

56 28

Abstract:

One or two conventional picking units are mounted on a two-wheel, high clearance running gear or frame. A two-point hitch is coupled to the draft links of a tractor or an equal-angle hitch is coupled to the tractor drawbar. Hitch and tongue interface on the harvester facilitates sharp turn angles between the implement and the tractor through use of a pivoting member containing the driveline powering the units from the tractor. A center pivot tongue allows offset for appropriate row alignment and provides improved maneuverability and implement steering on headlands and turn rows. A hydraulic cylinder connected to the tongue or a crossed four-bar linkage structure controls tongue angle. A basket is supported at the rear of the frame and the row units are located forwardly of the frame to provide counterbalancing forces about the wheel axis.

US Patent:

7614208, Nov 10, 2009

Filed:

Jun 28, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/770108

Inventors:

Daniel John Johannsen - Des Moines IA, US
Jeffrey Robert Fox - Minburn IA, US
Mark Samuel Philips - Akron IA, US

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

A01D 46/16
A01D 46/08
A01D 46/14

US Classification:

56 47, 56 28, 56 43, 56 48

Abstract:

To reduce destructive effects of cotton picker high speed drum rotation, rearward spindle tip motion is adjusted in part by angularly positioning the spindles in the picking zone with an improved cam track arrangement. The cam rotates the picker bar about the upright axis of the bar to vary the speed of the spindle tip in the picking zone and allow a higher drum speed. In a first portion of the picking zone the spindle tips are closer together than the spindle bases at the picker bar. The spindle tip spacing in a second portion of the picking zone is approximately equal to spindle base spacing in the extremities. The resulting spindle tip movement facilitates higher cotton picker vehicle ground speed without picking efficiency loss or additional damage to the cotton plants.

US Patent:

7631716, Dec 15, 2009

Filed:

Jul 26, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/493734

Inventors:

Jeffrey Robert Fox - Minburn IA, US
Michael Lee Pearson - Ankeny IA, US
Robert Matthew Bares - Johnston IA, US

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

B62D 61/02

US Classification:

180219, 180291, 180900, 56 131, 56 28

Abstract:

Cotton harvester frame structure includes main structural members elevated to approximately cab floor level and extending horizontally rearwardly in a planar fashion over the engine compartment and the rear axle. The structural members attach to the central portion of the rear axle to provide added clearance for larger wheels and tires. The single elevated plane of the main frame structure provides simplified attachment of a power module including a transversely mounted engine. Access areas under the main structural members are of sufficient minimum width and height to allow an operator or an assembler to stand fairly erect while accessing most areas of the power module and a harvester fan.