AU2021202883A1

AU2021202883A1 - Chassis frame

Info

Publication number: AU2021202883A1
Application number: AU2021202883A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Garry Richardson
Original assignee: Cahejo Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Cahejo Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-05-06
Filing date: 2021-05-06
Publication date: 2021-11-25

Abstract

A chassis frame for a towable apparatus comprises a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the second frame layer is connected to and is held suspended above the first frame layer by a plurality of supports. The second frame layer comprises first and second elongate supports extending widthways across the towable apparatus perpendicular to a direction of travel of the towable apparatus, wherein the first and second elongate supports are disposed towards, respectively, frontmost and rearmost ends of the chassis frame. The second frame layer also comprises a plurality of elongate frame members that are oriented transverse to, and extend between, the first and second elongate supports. Peripheral ends of the elongate frame members are pivotally connected to the elongate supports to enable the second frame layer to flex in response to forces acting on the chassis frame during use. 1/4 bN co 00 CN Coo NC rU-

Description

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CHASSIS FRAME

Field

[0001]The present invention relates to agricultural equipment and, more particularly, to a chassis frame for towable agricultural equipment such as seeding bars and tillage machines.

Background

[0002] Various types of towable machinery and equipment are commonly used in agriculture to carry out work on farmland. For example, seeding bars are used to sow and plant seeds into soil across large paddocks. A seeding bar typically comprises a wide chassis frame that has a drawbar on its frontmost leading edge for connecting the seeding bar to a tractor or other towing vehicle. The chassis frame comprises a set of ground-engaging swivel casters at its front leading edge and a set of fixed wheels at its rear trailing edge.

[0003] The chassis frame of the seeding bar may comprise a pair of frame layers that are held in a stacked arrangement by a plurality of upright supports. Each of the frame layers may comprise a set of elongate frame members that are welded together to form a rigid structure. The frame members in each layer are typically arranged in a crosswise pattern whereby a first set of the frame members extend widthways across the frame layer and a second set of the frame members are longitudinally aligned with the seeding bar's direction of travel.

[0004] The chassis frame provides a rigid box-like structure that the wheels, casters, drawbar, shanks and various other components of the seeding bar are secured to. When the seeding bar is being pulled across an area of land, the casters and wheels may encounter bumps, divots and other ground features that cause a range of different forces to be exerted on the seeding bar in a non-uniform manner. For example, if casters positioned at a frontmost corner of the seeding bar are pulled over a bump, then the corner is lifted upwards which causes a substantial torsional force to be exerted on the chassis frame.

[0005] When the casters or wheels are pulled over bumps, the second set of frame members in each layer that are aligned with the direction of travel bear the brunt of these forces. Generally, the relevant frame members in the lowermost of the two layers are put into tension and the frame members in the uppermost layer are put into compression. Over time, the compressive forces acting on the frame members in the uppermost layer cause fatigue fracturing to occur in the frame members. The fractures adversely affect the structural integrity of the frame members and the overall strength of the chassis frame.

[0006] It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a chassis frame for a towable apparatus, the chassis frame comprising a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the second frame layer is connected to and held suspended above the first frame layer by a plurality of supports and comprises: first and second elongate supports extending widthways across the towable apparatus perpendicular to a direction of travel of the towable apparatus, wherein the first and second elongate supports are disposed towards, respectively, frontmost and rearmost ends of the chassis frame; and a plurality of elongate frame members that are oriented transverse to, and extend between, the first and second elongate supports, wherein peripheral ends of the elongate frame members are pivotally connected to the elongate supports to enable the second frame layer to flex in response to forces acting on the chassis frame during use.

[0008] The peripheral ends may be connected to the elongate supports such that the elongate frame members are pivotable about respective rotational axes that are horizontally aligned and extend widthways across the towable apparatus perpendicular to the direction of travel.

[0009] The peripheral ends may be connected to the elongate supports such that the elongate frame members are also pivotable about respective rotational axes that are vertically aligned relative to the towable apparatus.

[0010] The peripheral ends may be connected to the elongate supports such that the elongate frame members are also axially rotatable about respective longitudinal axes of the frame members.

[0011] Each of the peripheral ends may be pivotally connected to one of the elongate supports by a pin joint assembly.

[0012] The pin joint assembly may comprise: a base plate connected to the second frame layer; a pair of retainers connected to the base plate that are spaced apart from one another; and a pin supported by the retainers, wherein the pin is receivable into an eye extending transversely through the relevant of the peripheral ends.

[0013] The pin may extend through a pair of apertures formed in the retainers.

[0014] The pin joint assembly may comprise a pair of bush members disposed in the apertures, wherein each of the bush members is elastically deformable and comprises an internal tubular cavity that receives the pin.

[0015] Each of the bush members may comprise a frustoconical bung having an outermost surface that tapers inwardly towards a centre of the pin joint assembly.

[0016] The apertures formed in the retainers may taper inwardly towards the centre of the pin joint assembly.

[0017] The bung may be substantially comprised of rubber.

[0018] The eye may comprise a pair of hollow cylindrical portions adjacent to one another, wherein inwardly facing walls of the cylindrical portions taper inwardly towards a centre of the eye.

[0019] The tubular cavity may contain a tubular insert that is non deformable, and the pin may extend through a lumen of the tubular insert.

[0020] The tubular insert may be substantially comprised of nylon.

[0021] The pin may comprise a bolt having a threaded end that threadedly receives a nut.

[0022] The present invention also provides a chassis frame for a seeding bar, the chassis frame comprising a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the second frame layer is connected to and is held suspended above the first frame layer by a plurality of supports and comprises: first and second elongate supports extending widthways across the seeding bar perpendicular to a direction of travel of the seeding bar, wherein the first and second elongate supports are disposed towards, respectively, frontmost and rearmost ends of the chassis frame; and a plurality of elongate frame members that are oriented transverse to, and extend between, the first and second elongate supports, wherein peripheral ends of the elongate frame members are pivotally connected to the elongate supports to enable the second frame layer to flex in response to forces acting on the chassis frame during use.

[0023] The present invention also provides a seeding bar that comprises a chassis frame, wherein the chassis frame comprises a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the second frame layer is connected to and is held suspended above the first frame layer by a plurality of supports and comprises: first and second elongate supports extending widthways across the seeding bar perpendicular to a direction of travel of the seeding bar, wherein the first and second elongate supports are disposed towards, respectively, frontmost and rearmost ends of the chassis frame; and a plurality of elongate frame members that are oriented transverse to, and extend between, the first and second elongate supports, wherein peripheral ends of the elongate frame members are pivotally connected to the elongate supports to enable the second frame layer to flex in response to forces acting on the chassis frame during use.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0024] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric front view of a seeding bar, wherein the seeding bar comprises a chassis frame according to an example embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a partial enlarged isometric rear view of the seeding bar; Figure 3 is an isometric view of an individual frame member comprised in a second frame layer of the chassis frame; and Figure 4 is an exploded isometric view of a peripheral end of the frame member and a pin joint assembly of the chassis frame.

Description of Embodiments

[0025] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an example embodiment of the present invention provides a chassis frame 10 for a towable apparatus 12. The chassis frame 10 comprises a first frame layer 14 and a second frame layer 16, wherein the second frame layer 16 is connected to and is held suspended above the first frame layer 14 by a plurality of supports 18. The second frame layer 16 comprises first and second elongate supports 28, 30 extending widthways across the towable apparatus 12 perpendicular to a direction of travel of the towable apparatus 12, wherein the first and second elongate supports 28, 30 are disposed towards, respectively, frontmost and rearmost ends of the chassis frame 10. The second frame layer 16 also comprises a plurality of elongate frame members 20 that are oriented transverse to, and extend between, the first and second elongate supports 28, 30. Peripheral ends 22 of the elongate frame members 20 are pivotally connected to the elongate supports 28, 30 to enable the second frame layer 16 to flex in response to forces acting on the chassis frame 10 during use.

[0026] More particularly, in the example depicted the towable apparatus 12 comprises a seeding bar of the type that is commonly towed by a tractor and used to plant seeds in farmland. The seeding bar 12 may comprise a plurality of swivel casters 24 attached to the leading (frontmost) edge of the chassis frame 10. A plurality of wheels 26 may be attached to a trailing (rearmost) edge of the chassis frame 10 that are held in a fixed orientation relative to the chassis frame 10. A drawbar 27 may be attached to the leading edge of the chassis frame 10 that is used to connect the seeding bar 12 to a tractor or other towing vehicle.

[0027] The second (uppermost) frame layer 16 may comprise frontmost and rearmost elongate supports 28, 30 that are disposed towards, respectively, the leading and trailing edges of the chassis frame 10. A set of the elongate frame members 20 may be connected and extend transversely between the elongate supports 28, 30. In the example depicted, a total of five of the frame members 20 are connected between the elongate supports 28, 30 and are aligned parallel with the direction of travel of the towable apparatus 12. In other examples, the frame members 20 may extend between the elongate supports 28, 30 in alternative alignments. For example, the frame members 20 may diagonally extend between the elongate supports 28, 30.

[0028] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, a single frame member 20 of the uppermost frame layer 16 is depicted in isolation. Each of the peripheral ends 22 of the frame member 20 may be connected to one of the elongate supports 28, 30 by a pin joint assembly 32. The pin joint assembly 32 may comprise a base plate 34 that is connected to the relevant elongate support 28, 30. A pair of retainers 36 may be connected to the base plate 34 that are spaced apart from one another and outwardly protrude from the base plate 34 in parallel alignment. A pin 38 may be supported by the retainers 36 that is receivable into an eye 40 extending transversely through the relevant peripheral end 22 of the frame member 20.

[0029] The retainers 36 may comprise a pair of apertures 42 that are adapted to receive the pin 38 therethrough. The pin joint assembly 32 may also comprise a pair of bush members 44 that are insertable into the apertures 42. Each bush member 44 may comprise a frustoconical bung that has an outermost surface that is inwardly tapered towards a centre of the pin joint assembly 34. The bung 44 may have an internal tubular cavity 46 extending through a longitudinal axis of the bung 44 that receives the pin 38. The inside surfaces of the apertures 42 of the retainers 36 may also each be inwardly tapered towards the centre of the pin joint assembly 34 such that they receive the bungs 44. Each bung 44 may be elastically deformable and, in one example, the bungs 44 may be substantially comprised of natural or synthetic rubber. In other examples, the bungs 44 may be substantially comprised of an elastically deformable plastic-based material such as flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[0030] The eye 40 may comprise a pair of hollow cylindrical portions 48 that are adjacent to one another. The cylindrical portions 48 may have inwardly facing circular walls that are inwardly tapered towards the centre of the eye 40. The tapered walls ensure that the eye 40 is fittingly shaped to receive the innermost end portions of the bungs 44.

[0031]The tubular cavity 46 of each bung 44 may contain a tubular insert (not shown) that lines the cavity 46. The insert may comprise an internal elongate lumen extending longitudinally that receives the pin 38. The insert may be made of a material that is non deformable and preferably harder than the bungs 44 so that the insert reduces frictional wear between the pin 38 and bungs 44 during use. For example, the insert may be substantially comprised of nylon.

[0032] The pin 38 may comprise a bolt that has a threaded end that threadedly receives a nut 50. A washer 52 may be threaded onto the bolt 38 that is sandwiched between the nut 50 and one of the bungs 44.

[0033] When secured to the pin joint assembly 32, the frame member 20 is pivotable about a rotational axis 54 aligned with the shaft of the bolt 38 that extends transversely across a width of the seeding bar 12 perpendicular to its direction of travel. Further, because the bungs 44 are deformable, the frame member 20 is also slightly pivotable about an axis 56 that is vertically aligned relative to the seeding bar 12. The frame member 20 is also slightly axially rotatable about a longitudinal axis 58 of the frame member 20.

[0034] In use, the seeding bar 12 is connected to a tractor, or similar towing vehicle, using the drawbar 27 and is pulled over an area of land. When the casters 24 or wheels 26 encounter a bump, trough, divot or similar feature on the land, a range of forces may act on the chassis frame 10. The lowermost frame layer 14 is rigid and its various elongate frame members are generally put into tension when the relevant forces act on the chassis frame 10. In contrast, the elongate frame members 20 in the uppermost frame layer 16 generally experience compressive forces.

[0035] The direction and magnitude of the forces acting on the frame members 20 may vary substantially across the chassis frame 10. For example, this may particularly be the case when only one of the casters 24 or wheels 26 is pulled over a bump in the land. When these forces are applied to the chassis frame 10, the frame members 20 pivot and roll about the three axes 54, 56, 58 in response to the forces. This advantageously enables the chassis frame 10 to flex dynamically and absorb the forces. The problematic fatigue fracturing that occurs in wholly rigid chassis frames is, therefore, avoided which prolongs the durability and operating life of the seeding bar 12.

[0036] Over time, if the bungs 44 of one of the pin joint assemblies 32 suffer from wear, the nut 50 of the relevant pin joint assembly 32 may be retightened. Because the bungs 44 are tapered, when the nut 50 is turned the bungs 44 are advantageously urged deeper into the apertures 42 of the retainers 36 of the pin joint assembly 32. This allows the nut 50 to be tightened such that the shank of the bolt 38 of the pin joint assembly 32 is at substantially the same tension as before the wear occurred.

[0037] To provide for additional structural flexibility, one or more of the upright supports 18 of the chassis frame 10 may also be pivotally connected to the second frame layer 16 using the pin joint assembly 32. For example, as shown in Figure 2 five of the upright supports 18, as indicated by reference label 60, may upwardly extend from the first frame layer 14 and be pivotally connected to the five frame members 20 extending between the two elongate supports 28, 30.

[0038] The topmost frame layer 16 may also comprise additional frame members aligned with the direction of travel of the seeding bar 12 that are pivotally connected to the frame layer 16. For example, frame layer 16 may comprise the frame member that is labelled 62 in Figure 2. The frame member 62 diagonally extends away from a centre point of the frame layer 16 up to a vertically oriented hydraulic actuator assembly 64 arranged at a leading edge of the chassis frame 10. A piston rod of the hydraulic actuator assembly 64 is connected by cables or chains to a set of pivotable yokes that attach the wheels 26 pivotally to the chassis frame 10. The actuator assembly 64 controls the pivotable movement of the yokes and wheels 26 by applying and releasing a tensional force to the cables or chains. The uppermost end 66 of the frame member 62 may be pivotally connected to a top portion of the actuator assembly 64 using the pin joint assembly 32.

[0039] By way of further example, referring to Figure 1 the outermost wing sections of the chassis frame 10 may comprise one or more sets of frame member pairs, as indicated by reference label 68. The frame members in each pair 68 may be pivotally connected to a central crossbar 70 and to outermost crossbars 72 that extend partially along a width of the seeding bar 12.

[0040] The chassis frame 10 depicted in the Figures is shown being used on a seeding bar 12 but it will be appreciated that the chassis frame 10 may be used on other towable agricultural equipment. For example, the chassis frame 10 may be used on tillage machines such as deep rippers.

[0041] For the purpose of this specification, the word "comprising" means "including but not limited to", and the word "comprises" has a corresponding meaning.

[0042] The above embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A chassis frame for a towable apparatus, the chassis frame comprising a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the second frame layer is connected to and held suspended above the first frame layer by a plurality of supports and comprises: first and second elongate supports extending widthways across the towable apparatus perpendicular to a direction of travel of the towable apparatus, wherein the first and second elongate supports are disposed towards, respectively, frontmost and rearmost ends of the chassis frame; and a plurality of elongate frame members that are oriented transverse to, and extend between, the first and second elongate supports, wherein peripheral ends of the elongate frame members are pivotally connected to the elongate supports to enable the second frame layer to flex in response to forces acting on the chassis frame during use.

2. The chassis frame according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral ends are connected to the elongate supports such that the elongate frame members are pivotable about respective rotational axes that are horizontally aligned and extend widthways across the towable apparatus perpendicular to the direction of travel.

3. The chassis frame according to claim 2, wherein the peripheral ends are connected to the elongate supports such that the elongate frame members are also pivotable about respective rotational axes that are vertically aligned relative to the towable apparatus.

4. The chassis frame according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the peripheral ends are connected to the elongate supports such that the elongate frame members are also axially rotatable about respective longitudinal axes of the frame members.

5. The chassis frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the peripheral ends is pivotally connected to one of the elongate supports by a pin joint assembly.

6. The chassis frame according to claim 5, wherein the pin joint assembly comprises: a base plate connected to the second frame layer; a pair of retainers connected to the base plate that are spaced apart from one another; and a pin supported by the retainers, wherein the pin is receivable into an eye extending transversely through the relevant of the peripheral ends.

7. The chassis frame according to claim 6, wherein the pin extends through a pair of apertures formed in the retainers.

8. The chassis frame according to claim 7, wherein the pin joint assembly comprises a pair of bush members disposed in the apertures, wherein each of the bush members is elastically deformable and comprises an internal tubular cavity that receives the pin.

9. The chassis frame according to claim 8, wherein each of the bush members comprises a frustoconical bung having an outermost surface that tapers inwardly towards a centre of the pin joint assembly.

10. The chassis frame according to claim 9, wherein the apertures taper inwardly towards the centre of the pin joint assembly.

11. The chassis frame according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the bung is substantially comprised of rubber.

12. The chassis frame according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the eye comprises a pair of hollow cylindrical portions adjacent to one another, wherein inwardly facing walls of the cylindrical portions taper inwardly towards a centre of the eye.

13. The chassis frame according to any one of claims 8 or 12, wherein the tubular cavity contains a tubular insert that is non deformable, and wherein the pin extends through a lumen of the tubular insert.

14. The chassis frame according to claim 13, wherein the tubular insert is substantially comprised of nylon.

15. The chassis frame according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein the pin comprises a bolt having a threaded end that threadedly receives a nut.

16. A chassis frame for a seeding bar, the chassis frame comprising a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the second frame layer is connected to and is held suspended above the first frame layer by a plurality of supports and comprises: first and second elongate supports extending widthways across the seeding bar perpendicular to a direction of travel of the seeding bar, wherein the first and second elongate supports are disposed towards, respectively, frontmost and rearmost ends of the chassis frame; and a plurality of elongate frame members that are oriented transverse to, and extend between, the first and second elongate supports, wherein peripheral ends of the elongate frame members are pivotally connected to the elongate supports to enable the second frame layer to flex in response to forces acting on the chassis frame during use.

17. A seeding bar comprising a chassis frame, the chassis frame comprising a first frame layer and a second frame layer, wherein the second frame layer is connected to and is held suspended above the first frame layer by a plurality of supports and comprises: first and second elongate supports extending widthways across the seeding bar perpendicular to a direction of travel of the seeding bar, wherein the first and second elongate supports are disposed towards, respectively, frontmost and rearmost ends of the chassis frame; and a plurality of elongate frame members that are oriented transverse to, and extend between, the first and second elongate supports, wherein peripheral ends of the elongate frame members are pivotally connected to the elongate supports to enable the second frame layer to flex in response to forces acting on the chassis frame during use.

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