Timothy A Meeks

US Patent:

7107747, Sep 19, 2006

Filed:

Feb 3, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/050124

Inventors:

Michael J. Covington - Bettendorf IA, US
Tracy R. Archer - West Liberty IA, US
Timothy A. Meeks - Davenport IA, US
Dwight D. Lemke - Geneseo IL, US

Assignee:

CNH America LLC - New Holland PA

International Classification:

A01D 46/08

US Classification:

56 28

Abstract:

An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.

US Patent:

7178454, Feb 20, 2007

Filed:

Mar 25, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/089697

Inventors:

Michael J. Covington - Bettendorf IA, US
Timothy A. Meeks - Davenport IA, US
Gary R. Gallens - Geneseo IL, US
George H. Hale - Arlington TN, US

Assignee:

CNH America LLC - New Holland PA

International Classification:

B30B 1/00
A01D 46/08

US Classification:

100226, 100177, 100229 A, 100245, 56 28

Abstract:

Compactor apparatus for an on-board module builder, including single cylinders and guide members on opposite sides of the module builder for guiding and effecting a cotton compacting process. The compactor apparatus includes a frame disposed in a cotton module builder chamber, movable downwardly within the chamber against the cotton for compacting the cotton against the floor and walls of the chamber. The frame includes cross members which extend across the chamber and protrude outwardly therefrom through upwardly and downwardly extending slots or passages through the sides of the module builder. The ends on each side are connected together by an exterior side structure which is movable upwardly and downwardly by a suitable driver, guided by at least one vertically extending guide member.

US Patent:

7204752, Apr 17, 2007

Filed:

Sep 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/230045

Inventors:

Tracy R. Archer - West Liberty IA, US
Timothy A. Meeks - Davenport IA, US
Earl R. Snyder - Lititz PA, US

Assignee:

CNH America LLC - New Holland PA

International Classification:

A01D 17/02
A01F 12/46

US Classification:

460114

Abstract:

The apparatus for directing a flow of air and cotton from a cotton conveyor duct of a cotton harvester into a cotton receiver includes a cover member and a mounting element configured for mounting the cover member to a cotton conveyor duct for movement between a first position located at least partially in a path of a flow of air and cotton discharged through a discharge outlet of the duct, and a second position located adjacent to the path for directing the flow therealong. The cover member when in the first position is movable to the second position by a force exerted thereagainst by a flow of at least air discharged from the duct. A locking element of the apparatus is configured for automatically holding the cover member in the second position, the locking element being automatically operable for releasing the cover member when a downward force is applied thereagainst by the cotton receiver for moving the cover member to the first position.

US Patent:

7222477, May 29, 2007

Filed:

Jun 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/449332

Inventors:

Michael J. Covington - Bettendorf IA, US
Tracy R. Archer - West Liberty IA, US
Timothy A. Meeks - Davenport IA, US
Dwight D. Lemke - Geneseo IL, US

Assignee:

CNH America LLC - New Holland PA

International Classification:

A01D 46/08

US Classification:

56 28

Abstract:

An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.

US Patent:

7228680, Jun 12, 2007

Filed:

Jun 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/449331

Inventors:

Michael J. Covington - Bettendorf IA, US
Tracy R. Archer - West Liberty IA, US
Timothy A. Meeks - Davenport IA, US
Dwight D. Lemke - Geneseo IL, US

Assignee:

CNH America LLC - New Holland PA

International Classification:

A01D 46/08

US Classification:

56 28

Abstract:

An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.

US Patent:

7281471, Oct 16, 2007

Filed:

Mar 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/093137

Inventors:

Timothy A. Meeks - Davenport IA, US
Michael J. Covington - Bettendorf IA, US

Assignee:

CNH America LLC - New Holland PA

International Classification:

B30B 1/00
A01D 46/08

US Classification:

100226, 100178, 100229 A, 56 28

Abstract:

A cotton receiver of a cotton harvesting machine including a floor and opposing side walls defining a cotton compacting chamber, each of the side walls including a plurality of spaced apart perforations therethrough for passage of air from the chamber, and a door enclosing an end of the chamber. The receiver includes compacting apparatus for compacting cotton into a compacted body which will have a sideward shape and extent at least generally defined by the opposing side walls, the door being openable to allow removal of a compacted body of cotton from the chamber through the end. The opposing walls are tapered divergingly toward the end such that when a compacted body is removed from the chamber through the end, cotton protruding into the performations will be released.

US Patent:

7296392, Nov 20, 2007

Filed:

Mar 30, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/093844

Inventors:

Michael J. Covington - Bettendorf IA, US
Timothy A. Meeks - Davenport IA, US
Gary R. Gallens - Geneseo IL, US
George H. Hale - Arlington TN, US

Assignee:

CNH America LLC - New Holland PA

International Classification:

A01D 46/08

US Classification:

56 28, 100214, 100177

Abstract:

Bellows structure for a cotton module builder or packager, for enclosing or covering slots or passages through walls of a cotton module builder, for preventing entry of cotton into the slots or passages, to allow free movement of cross members therethrough of apparatus for distributing and compacting cotton within the module builder. The bellows can include telescoping rigid members below the cross members, and more flexible bellows thereabove.

US Patent:

7296512, Nov 20, 2007

Filed:

Mar 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/728380

Inventors:

Michael J. Covington - Bettendorf IA, US
Timothy A. Meeks - Davenport IA, US
Gary R. Gallens - Geneseo IL, US
George H. Hale - Arlington TN, US

Assignee:

CNH Amercia LLC - New Holland PA

International Classification:

B30B 1/00
B30B 1/42

US Classification:

100214, 56 28

Abstract:

Bellows structure for a cotton module builder or packager, for enclosing or covering slots or passages through walls of a cotton module builder, for preventing entry of cotton into the slots or passages, to allow free movement of cross members therethrough of apparatus for distributing and compacting cotton within the module builder. The bellows can include telescoping rigid members below the cross members, and more flexible bellows thereabove.