AU677785B2 - A shock absorbing support for a tyne, and a tyne assembly - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

a Name of Applicant: RYAN TILLAGE EQUIPMENT PTY LTD Actual Inventor(s): Austin Timothy Ryan Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

Invention Title: A Shock Absorbing Support for a Tyne, and a Tyne Assembly Details of Associated Provisional Application(s): No(s): PL4349/92 filed 28 August 1992 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: -1- I I, "A SHOCK ABSORBING SUPPORT FOR A TYNE, AND A TYNE ASSEMBLY' The present invention relates to a shock absorbing support for a tyne, ad=t e Conventional tyne supports are pivotally secured to a mounting bracket which is bolted to the plough frame. The tyne is welded to the rearward end of the support and a plough shear is secured to the free end of the tyne. A spring assembly is seated in the housing and the spring applies a downward vertical load on the support to prevent it from pivoting within the mounting bracket. While this load is applied the shear is maintained within the soil. However, when a load is applied to the tyne which is greater than the load applied by the spring, the support will pivot enabling the tyne to move rearwardly. The force required to enable the support to pivot in the mounting bracket is determined by the spring and is known as the break-out 15 force. The break-out force on conventional devices ranges between 150 pounds and 300 pounds. If, while ploughing a field the shear strikes an object in the soil, such as a tree stump, and the shear cannot pass over the stump, the tyne will be subject to a high horizontally directed force. If this loading on the tyne becomes greater 0* :than the break-out force, thereby overcoming the spring force, the tyne will pivot rearwardly. The spring will consequently be compressed, causing the shear to lift out of the ground.

When the shear has passed over the object in the soil the compressed spring will S* return to its original state causing the support to pivot back to its original position.

Because the spring force on the spring is so high the support is returned to its original position under considerable force. In fact, the force is so great that the support is slammed into the underside of the mounting bracket. The underside of the mounting bracket acts as a backstop to the support. The resulting shock force generated in the support and the connected tyne can be sufficient to break the welded connection between the tyne and the support, and thereby damage the support, or to break the tyne shank, e.g. into two, because of the sudden shock.

Consequently one problem with conventior al tyne supports is that the tynes are 930M,p\oper\gjy3Dry cw.-

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PA\OPER\GCPM989-93.325 -20/11/96 -2constantly breaking away from the support and having to be replaced.

According to the present invention there is provided a shock absorbing support for a tyne, said support being arranged to support said tyne for pivotal movement of the support and tyne as an assembly, and said support also comprising a shock absorbing means arranged to absorb shock forces on the tyne, and wherein said shock absorbing means comprises a body of resiliently compressible material, said tyne being mounted to said support for movement to abut and compress said body when pivotal movement of the support and tyne as an assembly is suddenly stopped.

S: Preferably the support comprises two spaced parallel plates which are adjoined in a manner whereby the shock absorbing means lies between the plates and is arranged to be contacted by said tyne.

In a preferred arrangement of the invention, said support is adapted to be secured to a mounting for pivotal movement between a normal working position and a retracted position, said support being maintained in said normal working position by biasing means and said support being pivoted to said retracted position only when a predetermined load is applied to said tyne, said support being returned to said normal working position by the action of the biasing means when the load on the tyne is less than the predetermined load and said tyne being adapted to contact said shock absorbing means as the support is returned from said retracted position to said first normal position or shortly thereafter.

Preferably, the support also comprises a shear pin which is adapted to prevent pivotal movement of the tyne with respect to the support, said shear pin being further adapted to shear when the force on the tyne reaches a predetermined level so as to enable the tyne to pivot freely with respect to the support.

Preferably, said shock absorbing means comprises either a rubber pad, or a spring, e.g. a coil I c- P:\OPER\GCPM4089-93,3 25.20/1/96 -3spring.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference o the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a side view of a shock absorbing support and tyne assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 4 Figure 2 is an enlarged partially cut-away view of the support shown in Figure 1; and Figures 3 and 4 are cross-sections on the lines 3-3 and 4-4 in Figure 1.

Figure 1 illustrates a support 10 for a tyne 12. One end of the tyne 12 is secured to the support 10 while the other end of the tyne 12 carries a ground working tool such as a shear 15 13 bolted to the tyne. The support 10 may be a single casting comprising a lower portion and an upper portion 10b. Alternatively, the portions 10a, 10b may be fabricated or cast separately and welded together. The lower portion 10a is formed from two similar spaced plates or plate-like segments 10c. Upper portion 10b of the support 10 is pivotally connected by a pin 14 to mounting bracket 16. The mounting bracket 16 is bolted to a cultivator frame 18 and is shaped to receive a spring assembly The spring assembly 20 comprises a somewhat open structure helical compression spring 22 and a bolt 24. The bolt 24 is positioned centrally within the coils of the s= u -4spring 22. The top end 24a of the bolt 24 is secured to the top end 22a of the spring 22 and the lower end 24b of the bolt 24 projects past the bottom end 22b of the spring 22. The bottom end 22b of the spring 22 abuts and is seated in the mounting bracket 16, while the lower end 24b of the bolt 24 projects through respective openings in the mounting bracket 16 and in the underlying upper support portion Secured to the lower end 24b of the bolt 24 and projecting perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the bolt 24 is a cross bar 26 comprising two armas. The arms are of equal length and each engages in a seat 11 of part-circular cross-section, formed at a lower forward region of the upper portion 10a of the support to either side of the opening for bolt 24. Each component of the spring assembly 20 is sized and arranged to ensure that at all times the arms are in contact with the part-circular seat 11. This means that when the support 10 pivots rearwardly about the pin 14, the engagement between the arms 26 and the seat 11 causes the bolt 24 to be pulled **:*.downwardly, compressing the spring 22. The seat 11 is reinforced and widened by laterally projecting integral ribs 23. These ribs extend obliquely into lower support portion 10a and taper down to merge at 23a into the side surfaces of this lower portion.

When there is no load on the tyne 12 or the load applied to the tyne 12 is less than 20 the break-out force of the spring 22, the spring assembly 20 prevents the support from pivoting about the pin 14. If, however, the load on the tyne 12 exceeds the break-out force of the spring 22, the support 10 and tyne 12 Will pivot rearwardly as an assembly about the pin 14, pulling the bolt 24 do.wnwardly and compressing the *spring 22. When the load on the tyne 12 dec.--ases to below the break-out force of the spring 22 the spring 22 expands, causing the support 10 to pivot about pin 14 to return the support 10 to its original position. As the spring force on the spring 22 is so high the support 10 is returned to its original position under considerable force.

However, the support 10 is adapted to mount the tyne 12 in such a manner whereby the effective shock loading on the point of contact between the tyne 12 and the support 10 is greatly reduced, reducing the likelihood of damage to the pivotal connection between tyne 12 and the support 10 and to these components themselves.

The mounting of the tyne 12 in the support 10 wil be described in detail below.

930830,p:\opcr\gjyan.coMi4 Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the inside of the lower portion 10a of the support As stated previously the lower portion 10a is formed from two similar, spaced but mutually overlying side plates or plate-like segments 10c secured together by an integral or welded web 35 and reinforced by bolts 34, 36. Web 35 extends along the front and top edges of plates 10c. In this Figure one side plate 10c of the suppurt has been removed for illustrative purposes.

As shown in Figure 2, one end of the tyne 12 has a pair of apertures 37a, 37b which enables the tyne 12 to be selectively fastened in place by means of bolt 34. The different apertures 37a, 37b, in the tyne and two apertures 39 in the plates, provide different depth settings. For example, this arrangement is suitable for setting a tyne lower down when it is travelling behind a wheel of the drawing tractor, since the tractor wheels tend to compress the soil. The location of the tyne is further determined by bolt 36, which abuts against the rear edge of' the tyne 12 so that the front edge 40 of the tyne 12 is pushed against a body of a resiliently deformable material in the form of a rubber pad 32 clamped in the space defined by plates web 35 and tyne 12. Pad 32 is an oval shaped flat-faced pad of rubber capable of resiliently deform ably absorbing at least the return kinetic energy of tyne 12. The deformation may, e.g. be a resilient compression of the pad.

Bolt 36 can be set at two different positions determined by respective sets of holes 38 in plates 10c. These different positions enable the angle of the tyne 12 to be changed thereby changing the angle of entry of the shear 13 into the soil.

Alternatively, a wider tyne 12 can be mouned in the support As explained previously, the spring assembly 20 prevents the support 10 ftrm pivoting until the load on the tyne 12 exceeds the break-out force of the spring 22.

When this occurs the support 10 and tyne 12 pivot rearwardly as an assembly, pulling the bolt 24 downwardly. When the load on the tyne 12 has been reduced below the break-out force of the spring 22, the support 10 is returned, under significant force, to its original position. However, unlike conventional devices wherein a large portion of the spring return force must be absorbed by the welded connection 930830,p:\oper~gjnranc=m5

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-6 between the tyne 12 and the support 10, the present invention significantly reduces the forces exerted on the connection between the tyne 12 and the support 10. This is because, when the top portion 10b of the support 10 hits the underside of the mounting bracket 16, the tyne 12, which is also moving forwardly with the support 10, continues to pivot forwardly on bolt 34. It is rapidly slowed down, however, as the rubber pad is compressed and absorbs the momentumn of the assembly. Indeed, this results in a large portion of the momentum of the support 10 and tyne 12 being transferred into the energy required to ccmnpress the rubber pad 32. Consequently the shock force exerted on the tyne 12 and on the connection between the tyne 12 and the support 10 is significantly reduced, preventing breakage of the tyne 12 or the connection.

In certain conditions, the constant pounding has been known to steadily shatter a machine to pieces: a potential danger substantially avoided by the illustrated arrangement.

The support 10 also incorporates another additional safety feature which reduces the incidence of damage to the tyne 12 and support 10. This safety feature is the provision of bolt 36 as a shear bolt. When the tyne 12 is subject to an instantaneous shock load greater than a predetermined force that would normally significantly damage the tyne 12 or support 10, the shear bolt 36 is designed to shear, enabling the tyne 12 to pivot rearwardly about pivot bolt 34. The tyne 12 is thus free to move, enabling the cultivator to move over the stump or other foreign object in the soil which has applied the load to the tyne 12. The farmer can then easily replace the shear bolt 36. Replacement of this component is a relatively qulck and inexpensive operation when compared with the replacement of either the tyne 12 or the support Although the present invention does not significantly reduce the wear on the underside of the moitnting bracket 16 it does reduce the amount of damage to both the tyne 12 and the connection between the tyne 12 and support 10. The present invention also enables the farmer to increase the break-out force of the spring 22 930830,p:\oper~gjn,ryancomn6 where previously he was unable to do so because of the likelihood of damage to the support 10 and tyne 12. Furthermore, the size of the support 10 can be reduced, thereby decreasing the cost of this cast component. It is also possible to provide for tyne shanks of different sizes to suit different conditions. Thus, lightweight tynes, which farmers now often prefer, can be employed without the likelihood that these tynes will break in half on recoil. Conversely, a longer and heavier tyne can be used if desired without increasing the risk of damage to the mounting system.

Pad 32 serves an additional useful purpose in that its presence facilitates the removal and repositioning of bolt 36: the tyne 12 can be readily pushed away from the bolt against the pad, and thereby kept clear while the bolt is removed and reinserted.

Pad 32 may include a centre hole so as to allow easier compression as the tyne is S" moved between the two positions defined by the respective apertures 38.

15 As evident from Figure 1, tyne 12 includes a curved intermediate bend 50 to which :e a sowing/fertiliser boot 52 is pivotally mounted. Bend 50 defines the rearward extremity of the tyne when in its working depending position. The boot lies behind the tyne and includes an integral moulding 54 defining parallel forward and rearward tubes 56, 57. This moulding 54 is fixed to a U-shaped bracket 58 which in turn embraces tyne 12. The bracket 58 has side arm plates 60, 61 which overlie the sides of the tyne and are pivotally attached to the tyne by a common transverse bolt or pin 62.

Tubes 56, 57 are adapted to be coupled to respective flexible hoses 64, 65 along which fertiliser and/or seed/grain may be continuously delivered, entrained in respective airstreams. Typically, front tube 56 will carry fertiliser and rear tube seed/grain, perhaps mixed with fertiliser. Front tube 56 opens at-a longitudinal oblique slot 68, while rear tube 57 is rotatably fitted, by means of a circular clamp with a curved tubular segment 72. Segment 72 fits inside tube 57 and is of larger or similar internal diameter. Segment 72 may be rotated to selectively direct the seed or seed/fertiliser mix either directly behind shear 13 and slot 68, or to one or other side, offset from the line of travel of the shear and front slot. This means that 930830,p:\oper\gjnhIyv.cca3,7

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-8a farmer can direct seed/grain to whatever depth is desired. The correct depth can be critical with some seeds, and this may vary, e.g. between inch and 3 inches.

The pivotal connection of boot 52 to tyne 12 at a point intermediate the bend allows the boot to be rotated about the tyne between a forward, deeper sowing position (shown in full lines in Figure 1) in which the seed/grain is delivered close behind the shear and therefore before the furrow formed by the shear has closed over, and a rearward, shallower sowing position (broken lines) in which the seed/grain is thrown back behind the closed over furrow. The form of curved tubular segment 72 allows the seed/grain to be thrown still further to the rear where desired. The boot 52 can be rotated even further forward than the full-line position actually depicted in Figure 1.

In so-called deep-banding of fertiliser, the fertiliser can be placed well down in the 15 soil behind the share using tube 56, while the grain can be directed through tube 57 to any position within a range extending from the top of the soil down. This relative positioning of the fertiliser and grain is especially preferred when laying nitrogenous fertiliser.

20 To raise selected tynes in a row of tynes on a frame, the respective bolt 36 can be removed, the tyne rotated rearwardly and upwardly on bolt 34, and the bolt 36 repositioned in front of the tyne. In this manner, the sowing spacings can be varied doubled) without the need to remove tynes, as is the traditional practice.

Again, the ability to press the tyne against the rubber pad 32 facilitates the bolt repositioning operation. Moreover, the seed/grain hoses on the out-of-use boots can be transferred onto the second tube of in-use boots, to maintain the same sowing rates when this is desirable or essential.

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Claims (12)

1. A shock absorbing support for a tyne, said support being arranged to support said tyne for pivotal movement of the support and tyne as an assembly, and said support also comprising a shock absorbing means arranged to absorb shock forces on the tyne, and wherein said shock absorbing means comprises a body of resiliently compressible material, said tyne being mounted to said support for movement to abut and compress said body when pivotal movement of the support and tyne as an assembly is suddenly stopped. 10

2. A shock absorbing support for a tyne according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises two spaced parallel plates or plate segments which are adjoined in a manner j: whereby the shock absorbing means lies between the plates or plate segments and is arranged to be contacted by said tyne. a a

3. A shock absorbing support for a tyne according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said tyne is secured to the support by fastening means such as a bolt, means being provided on the support for ho'ding the tyne is contact with the shock absorbing means.

4. A shock absorbing support for a tyne according to claim 3, wherein said means for holding the tyne in contact with the shock absorbing means comprises an adjustable bolt fitting.

A shock absorbing support for a tyne according to any preceding claim, wherein said support is adapted to be secured to a mounting for pivotal movement between a normal working position and a retracted position, said support being maintained in said normal working position by biasing means and said support being pivoted to said retracted position only when a predetermined load is applied to said tyne, said support being returned to said normal working position by the action of the biasing means when the load on the tyne is less than the predetermined load and said tyne being adapted to contact said shock absorbing /i 30 means as the support is returned from said retracted position to said first normal position or II 'plll~CII P:\OPER\GaW449S9-93.325 -5f/96 shortly thereafter.

6. A shock absorbing support according to any preceding claim, wherein said support also comprises a shear pin which is adapted to limit pivotal movement of the tyne with respect to S the support, said shear pin being further adapted to shear when the force on the tyne reaches a predetermined level so as to enable the tyne to pivot freely with respect to the support.

7: 7. A shock absorbing support for a tyne according to any preceding claim, wherein said shock absorbing means comprises a rubber insert or a spring.

8. A shock absorbing support according to any preceding claim, in combination with a tyne adapted to mount a ground working tool, and further comprising a sowing boot secured to said tyne for pivotal movement between a forward, deeper sowing position in which the seed may be directed into a furrow formed by the tool before it has closed over, and a S 15 rearward, shallower sowing position in which the seed is thrown back behind the closed over furrow.

9. A combination according to claim 8, wherein said tyne includes an intermediate bend, and the sowing boot is pivotably secured to the tyne at a location in said bend.

A combination according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said sowing boot includes a tube fitted with a tubular segment which may be selectively rotated to respective positions in which seed is deposited directly behind the ground working tool and in which seed is directed to one or other side.

11. A plough comprising a frame and a plurality of tynes which are mounted on the frame by shock absorbing supports as defined in any preceding claim. PA:OPIIR\0a 49B9-93.325 Sl12/6

12. A shock absorbing support as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 0c 500S5* *9 0.0 S Dated this 5th day of December, 1996 RYAN TILLAGE EQUIPMENT PTY LTD By its Pat ent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE I -12- ABSTRACT A shock absorbing support for a tyne is arranged to support a tyne (12) for pivotal movement of the support (10) and tyne (12) as an assembly. The support also comprises a shock absorbing means (32) arranged to absorb shock forces on the tyne In another aspect, the invention provides a tyne assembly which includes a tyne (12) adapted to be supported in a depending position from a horticultural frame and to mount a ground working tool at or adjacent a lower end of the tyne. A sowing boot (52) is secured to the tyne (12) for pivotal movement between a forward, deeper sowing position in which the seed may be directed into a furrow formed by the tool before it has closed over, and a rearward, shallower sowing position inwhich the seed is thrown back behind the closed over furrow. 0s 0 00 93O83,pAoper\&4znyanXor12j