AU612585B2 - Prickle chain - Google Patents
Prickle chain Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU612585B2 AU612585B2 AU75859/87A AU7585987A AU612585B2 AU 612585 B2 AU612585 B2 AU 612585B2 AU 75859/87 A AU75859/87 A AU 75859/87A AU 7585987 A AU7585987 A AU 7585987A AU 612585 B2 AU612585 B2 AU 612585B2
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- tool
- group
- ground working
- elements
- loop portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01B—SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL
- A01B21/00—Harrows with rotary non-driven tools
- A01B21/02—Harrows with rotary non-driven tools with tooth-like tools
- A01B21/04—Harrows with rotary non-driven tools with tooth-like tools on horizontally-arranged axles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01B—SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL
- A01B23/00—Elements, tools, or details of harrows
- A01B23/04—Frames; Drawing-arrangements
- A01B23/046—Specially adapted for harrows with rotating tools
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Soil Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Agricultural Machines (AREA)
Description
_/iLI_
PCT
WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION International Bureau AU-Al-75859/87
S
INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 4 (11) International Publication Number: WO 88/ 00002 A01B 23/02, 21/04 Al (43) International Publication Date: 14 January 1988 (14.01.88) (21) International Application Number: PCT/ 17/1831 A I nt), GB (European patent), HU, IT (Euro an p nt), JP, KP, KR, LK, LU (European (22) International Filing Date: 26 June 1987 (26.06.87) patent), MC, MG, ML (OAPI patent), MR (OAPI patent), MW, NL (European patent), NO, RO, SD, SE (European patent), SN (OAPI patent), SU, TD (OAPI (31) Priority Application Number: PH 6619 patent), TG (OAPI patent), US.
(32) Priority Date: 27 June 1986 (27.06.86) Published X L 4N (33) Priority Country: AU With international search report.
(71X72) SECTION 34(4)(a) DIRECTION SEE FOLIO_.
[A NAME DIRECTED r "-TV r13 (74) Age 7 6000 (AU).
AUSTRALIAN
(81) Designated States: AT (European patent), AU, BB, BE (European patent), BG, BJ (OAPI patent), BR, CF 29 JAN 1988 (OAPI patent), CG (OAPI patent), CH (European patent), CM (OAPI patent), DE (European patent), DK, PATENT OFFICE FI, FR (European patent), (54) Title: PRICKLE CHAIN (57) Abstract An elongated ground working tool (12) adapted to be supported at each end in a frame of a ground working implement for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the tool. The tool includes a multitude of tool elements (21) arranged in a plurality of groups (23) in the longitudinal direction of the tool. Each group (23) of tool elements (21) inter-engage with the next adjacent group to form flexible connections between the groups that will permit tensioning of the tool in the longitudinal direction when supported for rotation. The tool elements (21) are so constructed that when the groups of tool elements are inter-engaged and the tool longitudinally tensioned, each group of tool elements presents a plurality of prongs (27) spaced about and projecting outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tool.
A tool element and a ground working implement are also described and claimed.
D i i -i 1 PRICKLE CHMIN THIS INVENTION relates to a ground working tool and to a tool element for such a ground working tool.
It is known in agriculture to provide a ground working tool in the form of a so-called prickle chain which comprises a chain with projecting metal fingers welded along the length of the chain, preferably with at least one finger on each chain link. The prickle chain is rotatably supported at its ends in such a manner as to allow the chain to rotate when it is dragged in a generally sideways direction across the ground. The rotating action of the chain works the ground for tilling, secondary cultivation, ground levelling, trash removal .0 and/or other ground working operations.
'9 A prickle chain has the disadvantage that it is awkward e S and time consuming to construct owing to the fact that the T° fingers have to be welded onto the chain links at a see variety of angular positions along the length of the chain.
The present invention seeks to provide a novel and useful •9 :"20 ground working tool which is similar in some respects to a prickle chain but which can be constructed in a convenient 0:0 manner. The invention also seeks to provide a tool .900 element for such a ground working tool.
In one form the invention resides in an elongate ground working tool adapted to be supported at each end to rotate about the longitudinal axis thereof, characterised in that said tool includes a multitude of tool elements arranged in a plurality of groups in the longitudinal direction of the tool, each group of tool elements inter-engaging with the next adjacent group to form flexible connections 2 between the groups that will permit tensioning of the tool in the longitudinal direction when supported for rotation, said tool elements being adapted so that when the groups of tool elements are inter-engaged and the tool longitudinally tensioned, each group of tool eleiments presents a plurality of prongs spaced about and projecting outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tool and wherein each tool element includes a portion extending generally in said longitudinal direction and defining an opening, one prong from each of two tool elements of one group extending through said opening in said longitudinal portion of a tool element of the next adjacent group to provide the flexible connection between the groups of tool elements.
00*0 Preferably, the prongs of one group of tool elements are spaced in the longitudinal direction of the too. from the
S.
prongs of the next adjacent group of tool elements.
*o .0 Preferably, each tool element comprises a loop portion and a pair of fingers projecting from the loop portion, the loop portion defining said longitudinal portion of the tool element and the fingers defining said prongs.
*00005 Preferably, there are two or three tool elements in each 00 tool group.
0000 0000 Preferably, the loop portion of each tool element is substantially U-shaped having a pair of arms and a base bridging the arms.
go 0 Preferably, the arms of each loop occupy a common plane and the fingers extend in generally opposing directions to the same side of said plane.
Preferably, each finger is provided with an abutting portion adjacent the loop portion, the abutting portion 3 being arranged to abut a similar portion of a finger of a further similar tool element in the same group of tool elements.
In another form the invention resides in an elongated ground working tool characterised in that the tool is formed of a plurality of tool elements interlocked without any connecting means in a series of groups to form a chain-like structure the ends of which are intended to be connected to a support in such a way as to enable the chain-like structure to rotate, each group comprising at least two tool elements and each tool element comprising a loop portion and a pair of fingers projecting from the loop portion wherein the loop portion of the tool elements in those groups which in the longitudinal direction of the Ce..
o chain-like structure has a neighbouring group on the loop io* side, each receive two fingers one from each of two tool elements in a neighbouring tool group to retain the series of tool groups together.
C
CIn still another form the invention resides in a ground working implement to be drawn or propelled over ground to be worked and including a rigid frame, an elongated ground working tool defined in any one of the preceding S° paragraphs supported at each end by said frame for
OS..
o rotation about the longitudinal axis of the tqool, said :o support being arranged so said longitudinal axis of the tool is inclined to the direction of movement of the frame over the ground when in use.
Preferably, the ground working implement is provided with .A o means to adjust the tension of the tool when supported in the implement frame.
The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of three specific embodiments ZI0~~) ;;Now-, W 88/8000 PCT/A87/00183 4 thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an agricultural implement fitted with two ground working tools according to the first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a section of one of the ground working tools according to the first embodiments, the section comprising several tool groups; Fig. 3 is a side view of a section of the tool shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an end view the section of the tool shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a tool element for the ground working tool according to the first embodiment; Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the tool element of Fig. Fig. 7 is a side view of the tool element of Fig. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the tool element of Fig. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the tool according to the first embodiment supported between support means which form part of a ground working implement; Fig. 10 is an elevational view of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is an elevational view of a section of a tool according to a second embodiment; Fig. 12 is an end view of the section of tool assembly shown in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 with the exception that only the tools in the endmost group are illustrated; Fig. 14 is an elevational view of a tool element for the tool of Fig. 11; Fig. 15. is a side view of the tool element of Fig.
11; and WO 88/00002 PCT/AU87/00183 Fig. 16 is a plan view of the tool element of Fig.
11.
Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a ground working implement 11 fitted with two elongated ground working tools 12 according to the first embodiment.
The ground working implement 11 includes a mobile frame 13 which is supported on ground wheels 14 and which is adapted to be drawn by a tractor or other towing vehicle (not shown). The mobile frame 13 includes a pair of support beams 15 each of which is inclined to the direction of travel of the implement. At the ends of each beam 15 there are rearwardly extending each of which carries a support means 18. Each ground working tool 12 is supported at its ends by the support means 18 on a respective one of the beams 15 for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the tool.
Each ground working tool comprises a plurality of tool elements 21 arranged in a series of groups 23, there being two tool elements in each grouo in this embodiment. Each group of tool elements inter-engages with the next adjacent group to form flexible connections between the groups that will permit tensioning of the tool in the longitudinal direction when supported for rotation by the frame 13.
Each tool element 21 comprises a loop portion 25 and a pair of fingers 27 when the groups of tool elements are inter-engaged and the tool longitudinally tensioned the fingers 27 define prongs which are spaced about and project outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tool.
WO 88/00002 PCT/A L'87/00183 The loop portion 25 of each tool element is substantially U-shaped having two spaced arms 29 and a base 31 which bridges the arms. The fingers 27 extend one from the free end of each arm 29 of the loop portion. The two arms 29 of each loop portion occupy a common plane and the fingers 27 deviate from that plane to one side thereof. Each finger 27 includes an abutting portion 35 at the inner end.
thereof. The abutting portion 35 is arranged to butt against a corresponding abutting portion of a similar tool in the same group of tools, as will become evident later.
Conveniently, each tool element is formed from a length of metal rods which has been bent or. otherwise deformed to form the loop portion and the two fingers. Of course, each tool element may be formed by any other suitable means, such as forging.
As mentioned hereinbefore, the tool elements are connected together in a series of groups, with each group having two tool elements. In this way, each group provides four projecting prongs. The two tool elements of each group are positioned with their abutting portions 35 in contact, as best seen in Figs. 3 and 4. This has the effect of locatinq the fingers 29 in pairs 36, one finger of each pair being from each tool element in the group. Apart from at the tool group at one end of the tool, the loop portion 25 of each tool element 21 receives one pair of fingers from a neighbouring tool group, with the fingers being held captive between the arms of the loop and the base. The arrangement is such that the inner ends of the fingers are received in the loop portion, the fingers being inserted into the loop portion through the open end of the U.
wo 88/00002 PCT/AU87/00183 7 Tensioning of the ground working tool 12 in the longitudinal direction ensures that the tool elements remain connected together. The tool elements of each group are held in position by virtue of their connection with the two neighbouring groups. More specifically, the finger pairs of the two tools in any group are held in position by the loop portions of tools in one neighbouring tool group and the loop portions of the tools in the first-mentioned tool group are held in position by the fingers of the other neighbouring group.
The tool 12 is constructed from the tool elements 21 merely by connecting the tool elements together in the manner described hereinbefore.
As stated previously, each tool 12 is mounted at its ends on support means 18 for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the tool. Referring now to Figs. 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings, each support means 18 includes a shaft 41 rotatably supported adjacent one end in a bearing (not shown) enclosed within a housing 43. The housing 43 is mounted on the implement frame 13 and the shaft extends from the housing in cantilever fashion. The respective end of the tool 12 is detachably connected to the free end of the shaft by way of a coupling means 45, 46 which includes a universal joint 47. The universal joint accommodates angular misalignment between the longitudinal axis of the tool 12 and the axis of rotation of the shaft 41.
As the tool group at one end of the tool 12 has the loop portions of the two tool elements endmost and the tool group at the other end of the tool has fingers endmost, the coupling means 45 and 46 differ in construction. The coupling means 45 includes a clamping means 49 which WO 88/00002 PCT/AU87/.00183 8clampingly engage the fingers of the tool elements at the respective end of the tool The clamping means 49 comprises a clamping plate 51 and a pair of U-bolts 53 between which the fingers are clamped. The coupling means 46 includes a transverse pin 55 supported by a yoke 57.
The pin 55 is located in the loop portions of the tool elements at the respective end of the tool thereby to effect attachment of the loop portions to the coupling means.
Means are provided for selectively varying the spacing between the support means 18 to adjust the tension of the ground working tool when supported in the frame of the ground working implement. In this embodiment such means include a slide mechanism which supports one of the support means 18 for selective movement towards and away from the other support means. In an alternative arrangement, the spacing between the support means 18 can be varied by variation of the effective length of the support beam.
In use, each ground working tool 12 is mounted on the mobile frame 13 with the tool assembly at ground level.
As the mobile frame traverses the grounds,, the tool 12 is dragged in a generally sideways direction over the ground surface and this causes the tool to rotate. The rotating action of the tool causes the prongs to work the ground.
The flexible nature of the interconnection between the respective groups of tool elements allows the tool to work uneven ground and also serves to relieve stresses in the tool.
Referring now to Figs. II to 16 of the drawings, the tool according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment with an exception that each tool wo 88/00002 PCT/AU87/00183 9group consists of three tools instead of two tools.
Because of the similarity between the two embodiments, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts.
Likewise, because of the similarity between the two embodiments, it will not be necessary to describe the third embodiment in full. A distinguishing feature between the tool elements of the first embodiment and the tocl elements of the second embodiment is the inclination of the abutting portions 35 relative to the plane of the arms of the loop portion of each tool element. It will be appreciated that the abutting portions have to be suitably* angled to accommodate a group of three tools rather than a group of two tools. A further distinguishing feature is that each arm 29 of the loop portion has a bent portion adjacent the base 31. The bent portions 30 of the two arms serve to offset the base 31 from the plane of the two arms. This feature ensures that the respective base portions 31 of the tool elements in each group do not interfere with each other which the tool elements are in position in the group.
While the frame 13 illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings is suitable for supporting an elongated ground working cool according to the invention, an alternative frame construction has been devised which is particularly, although not solely, for such a purpose. The alternative frame construction is disclosed in Australian Patent Application No. PH07649 in the name of Farmers Tractors Australia Limited. The disclosure of Australian Patent Application No. PH07649 is incorporated herein by way of reference.
It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments described.
For instance, a tool assembly according to the embodiment L WO 88/00002 PCT/AU87/00 183 10 may be formed with groups of tools with more than three tools in each group if desized.
Claims (12)
1. An elongate ground working tool adapted to be supported at each end to rotate about the longitudinal axis thereof, characterised in that said tool includes a multitude of tool elements arranged in a plurality of groups in the longitudinal direction of the tool, each group of tool elements inter-engaging with the next adjacent group to form flexible connections between the groups that will permit tensioning of the tool in the longitudinal direction when supported for rotation, said tool elements being adapted so that when the groups of tool elements are inter-engaged and the tool longitudinally tensioned, each group of tool elements presents a plurality of prongs spaced about and projecting ~outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tool and wherein each tool element includes a portion lniuia ieto n extending generally in said longitudinal direction and defining an opening, one prong from each of two tool elements of one group extending through said opening in said longitudinal portion of a tool element of the next adjacent group to provide the flexible connection between the groups of tool elements. 8o o•
2. An elongated ground working tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the prongs of one group of tool elements are see* spaced in the longitudinal direction of the tool from the prongs of the next adjacent group of tool elements. o
3. An elongated ground working tool according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each tool element comprises a loop portion and a pair of fingers projecting from the loop portion, the loop portion defining said longitudinal portion of the tool element and the fingers defining said prongs. c- L i C I" -I tr__F 1 12
4. An elongated ground working tool according to claim 3, wherein the loop portion of each tool element is substantially U-shaped having a pair of arms and a base bridging the arms.
An elongated ground working tool according to claim 4, wherein one finger extends from the free end of each arm of the U-shaped loop portion.
6. An elongated ground working tool according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the arms of each loop occupy a common plane and the fingers extend in generally opposing directions to the same side of said plane.
7. An elongated ground working tool according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein each loop portion receives its respective fingers at the region thereof adjacent the S. 06 inner end of the fingers. coo a
8. An elongated ground working tool according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each finger is provided with an abutting portion adjacent the loop portion, the abutting portion being arranged to abut a similar portion of a finger of a further similar tool o element in the same group of tool elements.
9. An elongated ground working tool characterised in that the tool is formed of a plurality of tool elements interlocked without any connecting means in a series of o groups to form a chain-like structure the ends of which are intended to be connected to a support in such a way as to enable the chain-like structure to rotate, each group comprising at. least two tool elements and each tool elerent comprising a loop portion and a pair of fingers projecting from the loop portion wherein the loop portion 1 13 of the tool elements in those groups which in the longitudinal direction of the chain-like structure has a neighbouring group on the loop side, each receive two fingers one from each of two tool elements in a neighbouring tool group to retain the series of tool groups together.
A ground working implement to be drawn or propelled over ground to be worked and including a rigid frame, an elongated ground working tool as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, supported at each end by said frame for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the tool, said support being arranged so said longitudinal axis of the tool is inclined to the direction of movement of the frame over the ground when in use.
11. A ground working implement as claimed in claim 13 wherein means are provided to adjust the tension of the tool when supported by the implement frame. e g. C C. C C. C S SC
12. An elongated ground working tool substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. ft f -Nnm
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU75859/87A AU612585B2 (en) | 1986-06-27 | 1987-06-26 | Prickle chain |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AUPH6619 | 1986-06-27 | ||
AUPH661986 | 1986-06-27 | ||
AU75859/87A AU612585B2 (en) | 1986-06-27 | 1987-06-26 | Prickle chain |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
AU76248/91A Division AU648305B2 (en) | 1986-06-27 | 1991-04-29 | Tool element |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
AU7585987A AU7585987A (en) | 1988-01-29 |
AU612585B2 true AU612585B2 (en) | 1991-07-18 |
Family
ID=25638041
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
AU75859/87A Ceased AU612585B2 (en) | 1986-06-27 | 1987-06-26 | Prickle chain |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU612585B2 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU653554B2 (en) * | 1990-11-30 | 1994-10-06 | Norrish, N.B. | Prickle chain and link therefor |
AU677431B2 (en) * | 1993-09-15 | 1997-04-24 | Edward David Blesing | A rolling cultivator |
RU2628577C1 (en) * | 2016-04-12 | 2017-08-21 | Федеральное государственное автономное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Крымский федеральный университет имени В.И. Вернадского" | Flexible-impact harrow |
RU224445U1 (en) * | 2024-01-12 | 2024-03-25 | Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Научно-производственное объединение "СУР" (ООО НПО "СУР") | WORKING BODY OF THE CHAIN HARROW |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1995007605A1 (en) * | 1993-09-15 | 1995-03-23 | Edward David Blesing | A rolling cultivator |
AUPM338794A0 (en) * | 1994-01-14 | 1994-02-10 | Innotech Pty Ltd | Mobile frame |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU2067383A (en) * | 1982-11-05 | 1984-05-10 | Jericho, E.R. | Rolling trash harrow with resilient tine assembly |
AU5434286A (en) * | 1985-03-15 | 1986-09-18 | Jericho, E.R. | Improved rolling trash harrow |
-
1987
- 1987-06-26 AU AU75859/87A patent/AU612585B2/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU2067383A (en) * | 1982-11-05 | 1984-05-10 | Jericho, E.R. | Rolling trash harrow with resilient tine assembly |
AU5434286A (en) * | 1985-03-15 | 1986-09-18 | Jericho, E.R. | Improved rolling trash harrow |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU653554B2 (en) * | 1990-11-30 | 1994-10-06 | Norrish, N.B. | Prickle chain and link therefor |
AU677431B2 (en) * | 1993-09-15 | 1997-04-24 | Edward David Blesing | A rolling cultivator |
RU2628577C1 (en) * | 2016-04-12 | 2017-08-21 | Федеральное государственное автономное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Крымский федеральный университет имени В.И. Вернадского" | Flexible-impact harrow |
RU224445U1 (en) * | 2024-01-12 | 2024-03-25 | Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Научно-производственное объединение "СУР" (ООО НПО "СУР") | WORKING BODY OF THE CHAIN HARROW |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU7585987A (en) | 1988-01-29 |
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