Richard D Gramm

US Patent:

6883299, Apr 26, 2005

Filed:

Aug 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/634929

Inventors:

Richard Gramm - Bremen IN, US

International Classification:

A01D075/28

US Classification:

56 102E, 172 4

Abstract:

A sensor for detecting the height above the soil of harvesting machinery such as a combine header includes an elongated, curved, flexible arm attached at one end to a rotation sensor mounted to the harvester. The sensor arm is concave in an upward direction and includes and outer sheath such as of plastic and an inner metal rod for increased strength to resist breakage such as during turns and when traversing irregular terrain. The arm is positioned forward of, or immediately adjacent to, the lowest part of the harvester which includes a cutter assembly for cutting and separating the crop. As the harvester encounters upraised portions of the soil, the arm's point of contact with the soil moves forward along the arm to provide an increasingly early warning of upraised soil to facilitate early height adjustment and the avoidance of soil contact and possible damage to the harvester.

US Patent:

7310931, Dec 25, 2007

Filed:

Jul 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/901824

Inventors:

Richard Gramm - Bremen IN, US

International Classification:

A01D 67/00

US Classification:

56208

Abstract:

A curved arm coupled to a rotating shaft in a sensor for detecting the height of an apparatus, such as used in agriculture, traveling over the ground is comprised entirely of a high strength, lightweight, flexible and resilient elastomeric material such as thermoplastic polyurethane. An upper end of the sensor arm is attached to the shaft, while a lower portion of the arm engages the soil and undergoes vertical displacement as it traverses irregular terrain. The height of the apparatus above the soil is measured in terms of the rotational displacement of the shaft. The strength, flexibility and resiliency of the sensor arm allows it to withstand large applied forces. As the arm traverses the soil and engages various obstructions such as ruts, terraces, rocks, roots, etc. , it undergoes deflection (in all directions), twisting, compression and stretching, yet assumes its original configuration, size and shape to provide accurate height measurements.

US Patent:

62023950, Mar 20, 2001

Filed:

Dec 31, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/223921

Inventors:

Richard Gramm - Plymouth IN

International Classification:

A01D 7528

US Classification:

56 10.2E

Abstract:

An arrangement for controlling the height above or depth below an irregular surface of a body moving over or below the surface includes a rotation sensor coupled to a controller responsive to an angular deflection signal output by the rotation sensor. The rotation sensor and controller are mounted to a vehicle moving over the surface such as an agricultural vehicle traversing a field. A semi-rigid, flexible arm has a first end coupled to the rotation sensor with a ground engaging member attached to a second opposed end of the arm. In one embodiment, the flexible arm includes an elongated coil spring attached to a rigid shaft and the ground engaging member is a spherical ball attached to the shaft's distal end. The coil spring is pre-loaded to a selected bending or flexure force and permits the ground engaging member to impact obstructions in the field without damage to the rotation sensor. The coil spring also prevents damage to the rotation sensor when the vehicle is reversed in direction.