AU2018100789A4 - Connection of seeder knife - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A seeder assembly includes a knife or tine which is held within a channel of a knife holder by a transverse pin. The knife holder is in turn held onto the frame of a seeding apparatus by means of transverse bolts. The knife and the knife holder can be separately replaced as each wears. 30 -32 Fig. 1 54 54 5 Fig. 2 50-- 20 Fig. 3

Description

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

Invention title:

“CONNECTION OF SEEDER KNIFE”

Applicant:

CRUEL SEA TECHNOLOGIES PTY LTD

Associated provisional applications:

The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:

2018100789 13 Jun2018 “CONNECTION OF SEEDER KNIFE”

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to agricultural machines, particularly seeders arranged to create furrows and deposit seeds within.

Background to the invention [0002] A seeder is a piece of agricultural machinery arranged to be drawn by a tractor. Generally, a seeder has a plurality of seeding units spaced across its width. Each seeding unit has a number of components: a leading ‘knife’ or tine arranged to penetrate the ground and create a furrow as the seeder is pulled forward; a fertiliser tube through which liquid or granular fertiliser can be deposited in the furrow, a seeding ‘boot’ through which seeds can be deposited into the furrow, and a trailing press wheel which acts to close the furrow.

[0003] The leading knife is subject to significant abrasive wear. As such, it is necessary for the knife to be periodically replaced.

[0004] It is desirable to construct seeders with knives which are readily replaceable. It is also important that the knives are securely and rigidly held in position during use. It has proved difficult to achieve both of these ends.

[0005] The present invention proposes a system of attachment of replaceable knives for seeders.

Summary of the Invention [0006] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a seeder assembly arranged to mount to a seeding apparatus frame, the assembly including a ground penetrating knife and a knife holder; the knife having a leading edge defining a direction of travel; the knife holder including a channel, the knife including a shank arranged to be received in the channel, wherein the knife holder includes a holding pin receiving bore generally perpendicular to the direction of travel, the holding pin receiving bore passing

2018100789 13 Jun 2018 through the channel, the knife shank including a holding pin receiving formation arranged to align, in use, with the holding pin receiving bore; the knife holder including a locating recess having an upper opening, the locating recess arranged to locate about a portion of the seeding apparatus frame.

[0007] Preferably, the locating recess includes at least one fixing pin receiving bore, arranged to align, in use, with a pin receiving aperture on the seeding apparatus frame. It is preferred that the fixing pin receiving bore is parallel to the holding pin receiving bore.

[0008] It is preferred that the knife shank is tapered, with thickness decreasing away from the leading edge.

[0009] The knife shank may be angled relative to the leading edge. In a preferred embodiment, the knife shank is angled between 10° and 40° relative to the leading edge, with an angle of around 20° being most preferred.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0010] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective of a ground penetrating knife within a seeder assembly according to the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 is a perspective of a knife holder within a seeder assembly according to the present invention;

[0013] Figure 3 is a cross-section through a seeder assembly according to the present invention;

[0014] Figure 4 is an exploded view of a seeder assembly according to the present invention; and

2018100789 13 Jun2018 [0015] Figure 5 is a perspective of the seeder assembly of Figure 4 shown once assembled.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [0016] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a seeder assembly 100 with two main components: a ground penetrating knife 10 and a knife holder 50.

[0017] The ground penetrating knife 10 as seen in Figure 1 has a main body portion 12 which extends away from a shoulder 14. The main body portion 12 is generally trapezoid-prismatic, with: two trapezoid side faces 16; a longest edge being a leading edge 18; a rear edge 20 parallel to the leading edge 18; a lower edge 22; and an upper edge corresponding to the shoulder 14. The leading edge 18 faces towards a forward direction, and the rear edge 20 faces towards a backwards direction.

[0018] The knife 10 has a shank 30 extending away from the shoulder 14 in a generally opposite direction to that of the main body portion 12. The shank 30 has a hook 32 at an outer end thereof, facing towards the rear direction. The shank 30 is generally tapered, with a body thickness reducing from the shoulder 14 towards the hook 32.

[0019] The shank 30 has a longitudinal direction which is offset by about 20° relative to the leading edge 18; that is, the shank 30 is tilted towards the rear direction by about 20° relative to the main body portion 12.

[0020] The hook 32 is formed as a semi-circular recess within the shank 30, extending from one side to the other in a direction perpendicular to the forward direction.

[0021] The knife holder 50 is generally prismatic in shape, with side faces 52 corresponding to the side faces 16 of the knife 10, and a front edge 54 corresponding to the leading edge 18 of the knife 10.

[0022] The knife holder 50 has an upper portion 56 and a lower portion 58.

2018100789 13 Jun2018 [0023] The upper portion 56 is generally rectangular prismatic in shape, having a top edge 60 which is arranged to be generally horizontal in use. A locating recess 62 extends within the upper portion, downwardly from the top edge 60. The locating recess 62 is generally rectangular.

[0024] Two fixing pin receiving bores 64 pass through the locating recess 62, extending from one side face 52 to the other side face 52. The fixing pin receiving bores 64 are generally horizontal, and are perpendicular to the side faces 52.

[0025] The arrangement is such that the knife holder 50 can be fixed to a seeder frame 80 by positioning the locating recess 62 around a lower end of the seeder frame 80, and passing fixing pins or bolts 82 through the pin receiving bores 64 as well as corresponding apertures in the seeder frame 80. Where bolts 82 are employed, the knife holder 50 can be locked in position using nuts 84.

[0026] The lower portion 58 of the knife holder 50 has a channel 70 extending generally diagonally within, oriented at about 45° to the horizontal. The channel 70 has an outer rim 72 located at a lower forward corner of the knife holder 50.

[0027] The channel 70 is complementary in shape to the shank 30 of the knife 10; that is, the channel 70 tapers inwardly from its outer rim 72. The arrangement is such that the shank 30 can be inserted into the channel 70 such that when the shoulder 14 sits against the outer rim 72, the shank 30 locates snugly within the channel 70. This is shown in Figure 3.

[0028] It will be appreciated that the leading edge 18 of the knife 10 will then extend downwardly and forward of the front edge 54 of the knife holder 50. The leading edge 18 of the knife 10 will be oriented at about 25° relative to the vertical.

2018100789 13 Jun 2018 [0029] The knife holder 50 has a holding pin receiving bore 74 passing though the knife holder 50 from one side face 52 to the other side face 52. The holding pin receiving bore 74 passes through the channel 70 near an inner end thereof. The holding pin receiving bore 74 is generally horizontal, and is parallel to the fixing pin receiving bores 64.

[0030] The arrangement is that when the shank 30 is inserted into the channel 70 so the shoulder 14 sits against the outer rim 72, the holding pin receiving bore 74 aligns with the hook 32 to create a generally cylindrical slot into which a pin 76 can be inserted. The pin 76 acts to hold to shank 30 securely in position within the channel 70. The pin 76 may have a cotter pin 78 located at an outer end thereof to assist in maintaining the pin 76 in position.

[0031] it will be appreciated that the knife 10 can be readily replaced by removing the cotter pin 78 and pin 76; removing a worn knife 10; inserting a new knife 10; and reinserting the pin 76 and cotter pin 78.

[0032] Should the knife holder 50 itself become worn, it can be readily replaced by removal of the bolts 82.

[0033] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

2018100789 13 Jun 2018

Claims (5)

1. Claims

   1. A seeder assembly arranged to mount to a seeding apparatus frame, the assembly including a ground penetrating knife and a knife holder; the knife having a leading edge defining a direction of travel; the knife holder including a channel, the knife including a shank arranged to be received in the channel, wherein the knife holder includes a holding pin receiving bore generally perpendicular to the direction of travel, the holding pin receiving bore passing through the channel, the knife shank including a holding pin receiving formation arranged to align, in use, with the holding pin receiving bore; the knife holder including a locating recess having an upper opening, the locating recess arranged to locate about a portion of the seeding apparatus frame.
2. 2. A seeder assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locating recess includes at least one fixing pin receiving bore, arranged to align, in use, with a pin receiving aperture on the seeding apparatus frame.
3. 3. A seeder assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fixing pin receiving bore is parallel to the holding pin receiving bore.
4. 4. A seeder assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the knife shank is tapered, with thickness decreasing away from the leading edge.
5. 5. A seeder assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the knife shank is angled between 10° and 40° relative to the leading edge.

   CRUEL SEA TECHNOLOGIES PTY LTD

   By its Patent Attorneys

   ARMOUR IP

   P2278AU00

   1/3

   2018100789 13 Jun 2018

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