AU2009100128A4

AU2009100128A4 - Pivot block assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2009100128A4
Application number: AU2009100128A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Miles Christopher Ellery; Brett Mccouat
Original assignee: AGGCAST Pty Ltd
Current assignee: AGGCAST Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-02-11
Filing date: 2009-02-11
Publication date: 2009-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2017-02-11

Description

a, C4 P/00/012 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: "PIVOT BLOCK ASSEMBLY" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: PIVOT BLOCK ASSEMBLY In the agricultural environment, when planting seeds for large scale applications 00 such as commercial farms, a cultivator apparatus may be towed behind a tractor or S fixed to the tractor's three-point linkage to create channels or furrows in the soil, which is followed by planting of a seed within the channel, which in turn is followed by a press wheel assembly to press down on the soil to cover the seed and 0 firm down the soil to provide optimal soil conditions for germination. Usually, a plurality of cultivator units are attached to a toolbar that aligns the planter units and press wheels at selected distances apart from each other and that there are a number of toolbars mounted in parallel in a frame attachable to a tractor via a tow 0 bar or three-point linkage.

Various types of press wheel arrangements, such as trailing press wheel gangs or individual frame-mounted press wheel assemblies have been utilized, but these types of arrangements are often not suited for uneven terrain and do not track well during turns. Individual press wheel assemblies often are cumbersome and expensive, and space limitations on the main frame can hinder proper placement.

Typically, when there is a plurality of press wheel assemblies, operational adjustments between each of the assemblies is not consistent because there is no form of calibration of these adjustments. This results in non-uniform seed planting and pressing and thus uneven and diminished germination.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to overcome the uneven tracking of the press wheel on poor or uneven terrain and poor tracking during turns, as well as allowing the entire cultivator assembly to store effectively when folded for transportation.

In one form of the invention, lateral movement of the press wheel assembly is adjustable and controllable such that optimum tracking can be achieved for varying soil and operational conditions including long straight row formations or alternatively cultivation in smaller fields requiring curves or smaller radius turns.

This same press wheel lateral control also allows the press wheel to be stowed for folded transportation without fouling or excessive wear.

To enable the lateral movement of the assembly as described, it is necessary to provide a pivot point, which typically involves a boss and lugs connected by a bolt and nut. Because of the load and vibration demands placed upon heavy duty in S frame press wheel assemblies, these pivot points suffer from increased compression pressure, friction and wear during continued operations, resulting in restriction of movement when tightened.

0 It is, therefor, a preferred object of this invention to provide a pivot attachment 'i 0 method that enables superior strength and stability, while reducing tightening compressive pressures and friction, allowing better freedom of movement and reduced wear.

The large variety of soil conditions, crop types, tilling and planting methods require different press wheel applications. Press wheel assemblies achieve the desired tamping of the soil in the seed furrow by applying specific pressures to a wide variety of size, width and shaped press wheels. Typically, press wheel assembly down-pressure is achieved utilizing extension or torsion springs which are subject to fatigue and breakage adjacent to the connecting or hooked end portions. The pressure applied is also un-calibrated and the subject of guess work 0 or trial and error by the operator.

It is, therefore, another preferred object of this invention to provide a calibrated download on the press wheel to ensure optimal planning conditions, while providing a more stable and fatigue free adjustment mechanism.

The invention may be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings which show one example of the invention. The drawings depict the application from a holistic context. In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, preferred embodiments are described by way of example with reference to accompanying drawings as stated.

Figure 1 shows a 3D view of a typical press assembly that would include the pivot block assembly. This is a holistic view that depict the invention for clarity, without specifying preferred embodiments.

Figure 2 is a sideways elevation view of a typical press wheel assembly showing the pivot block assembly in relation to other typical main components in a press wheel assembly. This is a holistic view that depict the invention for clarity, without specifying preferred embodiments.

Figure 3 is a sectional 3D view of the adjustable pivot block which is attached at 00 one end, in this case, to a hinged front mount clamp bracket and at the other to a trailing arm mechanism and spring tensioning device The pivot block allows lateral movement about a vertical pivot point and vertical movement 01, about a horizontal pivot point The amount of lateral movement about the C 0 vertical pivot point is controlled by locating variously sized wedges onto the front mount clamp bracket and immediately in front of either side, or both sides, of the pivot block. These wedges restrict the lateral movement of the pivot block by varying amounts, the thicker the wedge, the greater the restriction and thus less lateral movement provided. The amount of lateral movement provided is able to be reproduced across a plurality of assemblies.

Figure 4 shows another 3D sectional view of the pivot block, this time with the tear drop pins exploded. These pins are used to locate and attach the pivot block to the front mounting clamp bracket and to the trailing arm assembly as previously described. The tear drop pins pass through both sets of pivot points o and are affixed to the clamp and pivot block by retaining bolts Because the tear drop pins are affixed by said bolts, there is no requirement to retain the pins with a standard bolt and nut that would act as the pin or shaft in the pivot point.

This eliminates any form of applied compression that would normally occur when the standard nut and bolt are tightened to ensure retention. The single sided tear drop pin affixing ensures superior strength and friction reduction without compromising freedom of movement or durability. The tear drop pins used also allow ease of removal for adjustment or maintenance.

Figure 5 has three 3D views typical wedges that are used in the adjustable pivot block to vary and control the lateral movement about its pivot point. Also shown is the bolt hole (11) where the wedge attaches to the adjustable pivot block.

Figure 6 is a sectional sideways elevation view of the adjustable pivot block (2) clearly showing the horn shaped bracket (12) which has a series of attachment bolt 4 ci locator holes (13) that enable location of the spring tensioning ram (14) proving the required adjustment to and calibration of the spring tension applied to the attached trailing arm The other end of the spring ram is attached to the trailing arm assembly The trailing arm, spring ram and pivot block mechanisms have three pivot points, thus translating the variable location of the spring ram within oo the shaped bracket into a calibrated and reproducible variable download to the trailing arm mechanism.

Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated without departing from the present invention.

c-I 0

Claims

1. An agricultural device including: at least a hinged front mounting clamp bracket with an adjustable pivot block attached to said clamp bracket; and attached to said pivot block is an adjustable trailing arm assembly, which includes at least an adjustable arm and a spring tensioning mechanism. o00 S

2. The device of Claim 1, wherein: said adjustable pivot block is attached to and retained by the hinged front mounting clamp bracket, said pivot block allowing the trailing arm assembly to move laterally, about said pivot block, where said 0 pivot block lateral movement is controlled or adjusted by variable wedge insertion i 0 therein; and the adjustable pivot block is attached to said front mounting clamp bracket and retained by tear drop pins ensuring freedom of movement under load and operational conditions.

3. The device of Claim I or Claim 2, wherein: said adjustable pivot block includes a calibrated spring tensioning assembly comprising a shaped bracket housing a series of locator holes to enable location of the spring ram; and where said locator holes enable relocation of the spring ram therein providing the required adjustment to and calibration of the spring tension for and downward force on said attached trailing arm.

4. The device of Claim 3, wherein: the locator holes are proscribed in a 0 calibrated curve that allows single operator relocation of the spring ram; said calibrated spring tensioning assembly having guides and calibration marks employed therein and thereon to ensure accurate and easy location of said spring ram. The device of Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein: the calibrated spring tensioning assembly is attached to said adjustable pivot block and said trailing arm such that said calibrated spring tensioning assembly and trailing arm assemblies are free to rotate about two common points of attachment forming a proscribed and calibrated arc of movement for said calibrated spring tensioning assembly and trailing arm assemblies, and where movement along said proscribed arc provides for and maintains specified spring tension for the spring tensioning assembly.