BRPI0806068A2 - agricultural implement - Google Patents

Abstract

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT. The present invention relates to an agricultural implement (100) including first (120a) and second (120b) outer grids positioned adjacent the front (1112a) and left (1112c) and front (1112a) and right sides 112d of a frame 110, respectively, in generally opposite diagonal directions. Third (120c) and fourth (120d) grids are similarly positioned adjacent the rear (112b) and left (112c) and rear (112b) and right (112d) sides of the frame (110), respectively, in generally opposite diagonal directions. The implement (100) may include internal grids (120e, 120f) positioned to close the gaps left by the external grids and positioned in generally opposite diagonal configurations. Each grid (120) includes a plurality of discs (122) and a chain (124) with a plurality of links (125) that are rotatable around the longitudinal direction of the chain (124) to affect multipurpose movement. from the ground by being able to level the surface rather than dragging the material while also fragmenting or pulling weeds or stubble. The left (112c) and right (112d) sides of the frame (110) are foldable up and inward for transport and storage.

Description

Descriptive Report of the Invention Patent for "AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to agricultural equipment and, more particularly, to an agricultural implement that does not remove material from above a soil surface. but it is notably able to plow the material, fragment the material so that it can be incorporated into the soil or decomposed. The farm implement also provides land leveling and weed extraction.

Cultivated land, by its very nature, undergoes cyclical periods of de-cultivation, cultivation and harvest. Sowing, cultivation and harvesting of crops all require some land conditioning if successful returns are to be obtained in the worked area. Conditions left over a cultivated area, particularly after harvesting, do not normally provide the ideal conditions under which additional crops can be sown.

When the main crop is harvested, the land often includes weeds that need to be destroyed, as well as stubble and similar previous challenges that need extraction and cutting before any seed can be sown.

Not only does stubble need to be extracted or cut, and weeds still need to be eliminated, but there is also an additional requirement that the soil be leveled so that sow implements responsible for reintroducing a new crop into the field can do this efficiently and effectively. diligently.

Although in the past several agricultural implements have been provided that attempt to address certain of the above soil coupling problems associated with stubble extraction or mowing, weeding and leveling, a simple multi-part structural farm piece has yet to be provided. purposes that can accomplish all these goals when engaging a surface soil. Moreover, existing proposals may even lead to an exaggeration of some of the problems also discussed above. For example, a Russian patent cited as SU1523061 discloses a heavy chain having a sequence of interlinked links that can be towed by a tractor or the like. The chain is able to pick up any debris, stubble or other material left on the surface and as it advances across the field, it essentially drags this material like a rake and slowly levels the soil left behind. A problem with this construction is that since the chain has no special characteristics other than simply being interconnected links without similar or adjusted rotation, the chain simply operates as a large heavy broom or rake that would drag the material in a sweeping action instead of having the material set in place. as part of the leveling process.

The chain in this Russian invention has no ability to weed the surface remaining nor can it effectively extract or cut the stubble and leave such material in place. As explained above, instead of simply extracting or cutting the stubble left on the surface, the chain would pull and sweep this material away from the location from which it was originally derived. Therefore, material swept away has no opportunity to decompose and return to the soil. At best, the farm implement was adapted for soil engaging in SU1523061 with the effect of shoveling the soil by virtue of the blades or tips preceding the chain and then a flattening or sweeping effect was provided by the chain. Merely fiddling with the material in the cultivated soil is undesirable, as it removes important nutrients that may be derived from stubble and the like and also exposes the new soil to eroding wind and the like.

There were additional proposals whereby chains were used to address some of the problems discussed above, but again each of these agricultural implements, seeking to solve the problem in one aspect, tends to exaggerate the problems associated with the other aspects. For example, US Patent No. 4,893,682 provides an agricultural implement in which a rotating flexible chain can assist in the control of soil erosion. However, the intended purpose of the invention is simply to reduce erosion by controlling the movement of water, which is caused by the creation of miniature or similar ripples or dams across the soil surface as the chain is passed along it. Creation of these ripple aspects results from single baffles or blades extending outward of the longitudinal links. Although the chain is being towed by a tractor or the like, it does not yet have a multipurpose function capable of providing soil leveling, weed control and fragmentation of substantially local stubble. As with the chain provided in the above Russian document, all that chain does is provide the rummage effect.

Although the devices proposed by SU745395 and SU982551 are potentially capable of providing some soil leveling effect, there is no mechanism to fragment the stubble, nor does it require the ability to control weeds by cutting weeds with some additional structural aspect. .

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a non-feather agricultural device removes the material from above a surface of the soybean, but also fragments the material and the soil so that the fragmented material can be incorporated into the earth or decomposed. In addition, it would be desirable to have an agricultural implement that flattens a soil surface, does not allow its chain grids to become highly centered and includes redundant auxiliary grids for efficient and complete fragmentation and grading of surface and soil materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an agricultural implement according to the present invention includes a frame having a front end, a rear end tremor, a left side, a right side and a plurality of bolts. In addition, the implement includes a plurality of gradient elements, each grid element having disk plurality and a chain with a plurality of links. The discs are coupled to the links and usually extend out of them. A first grid is operably coupled to the frame generally adjacent the front end and said left side, the first grid element extending in a first diagonal direction. A second grid element is operably coupled to the frame generally adjacent the front end and right side, with the second grid element extending in a second diagonal direction. A third grid element is operatively positioned on the frame generally adjacent to the left side and rear end, and the third grid element also extends in the second diagonal direction. A fourth grid element is operably coupled to the frame generally adjacent to the right side and rear end, with the fourth grid element extending in the first diagonal direction. Additional grid elements may be positioned on the interlocking grids disclosed above and may be located in opposite diagonal configurations.

Each chain has a front end and a rear end with each front end of the chain being relatively front of the rear end of the chain. In addition, each disc has a concave flange facing one front end of the respective chain and a convex flange facing a rear end of the respective chain. The first, second, third, and fourth grids are external grid elements. Each external grid element has an end coupled to a traction assembly such that the grid element remains flexible to conform to a ground surface, but with tension not to sink into low areas or to slide over high areas without digging.

It is important that the concave portions of the disks generally face forward. This facilitates a greater ability to engage the earth and plow the earth. Essentially, this orientation can contribute to the sharpening of the front edge of the disc to allow it to more effectively cut and weed and improve the stubble cover effect. In addition, the forward orientation of the concave portions more effectively revolves the earth to create greater ability to level irregular fields. The largest movement of the earth is also beneficial when using the harrow to incorporate beneficial seeds, fertilizers and fertilizer into the earth.

The farm implement also includes a pair of displaced rear wheels that prevent the harrow elements from being highly centered when a portion of the implement is situated over a low area, for example a water furrow, while another portion is over a high area. . More particularly, the displaced wheels help to hold any implement properly positioned on a ground surface while being dragged over uneven portions of a field.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide an agricultural implement for fragmenting the soil, plowing it and depositing the fragmented material back into the soil.

Another object of this invention is to provide an agricultural implement, as mentioned above, which levels the soil keeping its flexible chain harrows under tension.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an agricultural implement, as mentioned above, which includes multiple chain grids in diagonal configurations for fragmenting the earth and other materials.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an agricultural implement, as mentioned above, which prevents its chain rails from becoming highly centered.

A further object of this invention is to provide an agricultural implement, as mentioned above, in which its plurality of concave discs and chain links enable the material to traverse rather than to be dragged.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an agricultural implement, as mentioned above, having chain and disc links that are rotatable around the longitudinal direction of the chain so as to effect multipurpose movement of the earth by being able to level the surface rather than dragging material while also chipping or weeding or stubble.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an agricultural implement, as mentioned above, in which the main structure includes left and right folding elements which can be folded upwards and inwards for transport and storage.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which they are presented by way of illustration and example embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an agricultural implement thereof according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged scale isolated view taken from a portion of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an isolated view on a larger scale of the displaced wheels as shown in Figure 1,

Figure 4a is a top view of a decade-old grid element removed from the farm implement as in Figure 1;

Figure 4b is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the grid element of Figure 4a;

Figure 5a is a perspective view of the small-scale farm implement as in Figure 1 with the side elements in an unfolded configuration;

Fig. 5b is a perspective view of the agricultural implement as in Fig. 5a with the side elements in an upwardly folded configuration;

Figure 5c is a perspective view of the agricultural implement as in Figure 5a with the side elements in a folded up and inward configuration;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a disc removed from a grid element where the link is an open link. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a disc removed from a grid element where the link is a closed link.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the disk as shown in Figure 6 showing the disk and link with an integrated construction;

Figure 9 is a side view of a portion of a gradient element as in Figure 4b,

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the disk as shown in Figure 6 showing the disk and link with a separate construction;

Figure 11 is an exploded view of the disk as in Figure 6 and

Figure 12 is another perspective view of a chain degrade element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An agricultural implement 100 (also referred to herein as a "harrow device") in accordance with the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 12 of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, an agricultural implement 100 according to the present invention includes a frame 110 and a plurality of gradient elements 120.

The frame 110 has a front end 112a, a rear end 112b, a left side 112c and a right side 112d. As shown in Figs. 5a to 5c, a first hinge element 113 may define the left side 112c and a second hinge element 114 may define the right side 112d. The hinge elements 113, 114 may selectively fold upwardly (Fig. 5b) relative to a remainder 111 of the frame 110 and inwardly (Fig. 5c) relative to the remainder of the frame 110. Similarly, a hinge element 115 may define the rear end 112b and the hinge element 115 may selectively fold upward (Fig. 5c) relative to the rest 111 of the frame 110. The above folding may allow the frame 110 to move on a road piston or in other areas having restricted widths and / or lengths.

The frame 110 may also include a plurality of tires116. Two of the tires 116 may be coupled to the frame 110 in a generally central location 116a and may be generally coaxial (figure 1) and two of the tires 116 may be coupled to the frame 110 in a generally rear location 116b and have displaced axles (figures 1 and 2). 3). Shifting pebbles from tires 116 at rear location 116b may help to prevent the high centering (or "sinking") of frame 110 when passing over a water groove in a field or other similar obstacles, as one of wheels 116 may stay on a higher side of the white even when the other does not.

Each grid element 120 may include a plurality of discs 122 and a chain 124 with a plurality of links 125. As shown in Figures 4a, 4b and 6 to 12, the discs 122 may be coupled to the 125 and generally extend outwardly. their. Each chain 124 may have a front end 124a and a rear end 124b, each 122 may have a concave side 122b facing one front end of respective chain 124a and each disc 122 may have a convex side122a facing respective rear end of chain. 124b (Figures 4a, 8, 9, 10 and 12). Links 125 are preferably movable relative to one another and may be closed links 125a, such as links typically used in chains (Figures 4a, 4b and 12) or links 125 may be open links 125b with hook portions and rim 126a, 126b (Figures 6 to 11). The discs 122 may be coupled to each link 125 (Figures 4a and 4b), approximately every second link 125 (Figure 12) or otherwise as appropriate. If open links 125b are used, the hook portions 126 may be configured to receive a respective rim portion 126b from another link 125 and the rim portions 126b may be configured to receive a respective hook portion 126a from another link 125 (Fig. 9). . In addition, the hook and ring portions 126a, 126b may be selectively separable, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. In other words, the hook and ring portions 126a, 126b may be screwed or otherwise secured to form hoops. 125

Referring again to Fig. 1, a first gradient element 120 (marked 120a in Fig. 1) may be operably coupled to frame 110 generally adjacent front end 112a and left side 112c, such that first grid element 120a extends a first direction. diagonal. A second grid member 120 (marked 120b in FIG. 1) may be operably coupled to frame 110 generally adjacent front end 112a and to the right side 112d, such that second grid member 120b extends in a second generally diagonal direction. opposite to the diagonal direction of the first grid element 120a. A third grid element 120 (marked 120c in Figure 1) may be operably coupled to frame 110 generally adjacent to the left side 112c and rear end 112b, so that the third grid element 120c extends generally in the same diagonal direction as the second grid element. 120b. A fourth grid member 120 (marked 120d in FIG. 1) may be operably coupled to frame 110 generally adjacent to the right side 112d and rear end tremor 112b, so that the fourth grid member 120d extends generally in the same diagonal direction. that the first element degrades 120a.

The first and second grid elements 120a, 120b may be separated adjacent the front end 112a and the third and fourth grid elements 120c, 120d may be separated adjacent the rear end 112b. To ensure that all ground surfaces passing below the frame 110 contact at least two grid elements 120 extending in opposite diagonal directions, fifth and sixth grid elements 120 (marked 120e, 120f in Figure 1) may be included. The fifth grid element 120e may be operably coupled to the frame 110 so that it extends in a diagonal direction over a space having a width that is as wide as the space between the first and the second grid elements 120a, 120b in the front end 110a and as wide as the space between the third and fourth gradient elements 120c, 120d at the rear end 112b. Similarly, the sixth grid member 120f may be operably coupled to the frame 110 so that it extends in a diagonal direction over a space having a width that is as wide as the space between the first and second grid elements 120a, 120b. at the front end 112a and as wide as the space between the third and fourth grid members 120c, 120d at the rear end 112b. The diagonal direction of the sixth element of gra 120f may be opposite the diagonal direction of the fifth grid element 120e.

For each chain of the grid member 124, the front end 124a may be relatively forward of the rear end124b, so that the concave sides 122b of the discs 122 face forward (toward the front end of the frame 112a). As best shown in Figure 2, the chain 124 of each outer grid element 120 (i.e., the first, second, third and fourth grid elements 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) may have an end 124a, 124b coupled to each other. a drive assembly 130. Each drive assembly 130 may have a generally vertical axis 132 passing through the frame 110. The axis 132 may extend outwardly extending upper and lower arms 134a, 134b. Upper arm 134a may be coupled to frame 110 by a spring 135 and lower body 134b may be coupled to one end of the respective chain 124a, 124b. A bearing 136 may couple each lower arm 134b to its respective chain end 124a, 124b to allow the ends of chain 124a, 124b to rotate relative to lower arms 134b.

In use, the frame 110 may be pulled across a ground surface (for example, a field used for grass) by a shovel or other suitable traction device. The grid elements 120 can act to level the soil surface and further fragment the soil surface without dragging and removing all upper soil. More particularly, the links 125 of the chains 124 may rotate when they interact with the ground surface, causing the discs 122 to rotate and cut through the ground surface. The arrangement of concave discs 122 may allow parts of the ground surface to pass through the chains 124 rather than simply being dragged, as typically results when conventional chains are pulled across a ground surface. By positioning the grid elements 120 as described above, two separate grid elements 120 may pass in opposite directions over each part of the ground surface under the frame 110, assisting in leveling and cutting effect of the grid elements 120. Bearings136 may allow chains 124 to rotate. relative to the frame 110 and the traction assemblies 130 may keep the strings 124 at relative tension, so that the strings 124 are not forced too high over high ground surface locations or too low at low ground surface locations. In other words, the traction assemblies 130 can ensure that the grid elements 120 dig into the ground surface only when appropriate. To allow the agricultural implement 100 to move on a roadway or in other areas having restricted widths and / or lengths, the hinge elements 113, 114, 115 may be folded as described above. Some or all of the grid elements 120 may or may not have to be removed from the frame 110 so that the hinge elements 113, 114, 115 are folded.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited to them except as long as such limitations are included in the following claims and permissible functional equivalents thereof.

Claims (18)

An agricultural implement comprising: a frame having a front end, a rear end, a left side, a right side and a plurality of tires, a plurality of grid elements, each grain element having a plurality of discs and a chain with a plurality of links, said discs being coupled to said links and extending generally out of them, wherein a first said grid member is operatively coupled to said frame generally adjacent said front end to said left side, wherein said first grid element extends in a first diagonal direction, wherein a second grid element is operably coupled to said frame generally adjacent said front end of said right side, wherein said second grid element extends in a diagonal direction, wherein a third said grid member is operably coupled to said frame generally adjacent said left side and said said rear end member, wherein said third grid member extends in a diagonal direction, wherein a fourth said grid member is operatively coupled to said frame generally adjacent said right side and said rear end, wherein the said fourth grid element extends in a diagonal direction, wherein: said first, second, third and fourth grid element outer grid elements, each said outer grid element chain has an end coupled to a traction assembly Said traction assembly has a generally vertical axis passing through said frame and having upper and lower arms extending out of it, said lower arm being coupled to said end of the respective chain, said upper arm being coupled to said frame by a spring. Agricultural implement according to claim 1, wherein respective disks are coupled to approximately each second link in each chain. An agricultural implement according to claim 1, wherein: each chain has a front end and a rear end, each said front end of the chain being relatively forward of said rear end of the chain and said disc. it has a concave side facing a front end of the respective chain and a convex side facing a rear end of the respective chain. An agricultural implement according to claim 1, wherein: said first and second grid elements are separated adjacent said front end of the frame, said third and fourth grid elements are separated adjacent said rear end of the frame, a said fifth grid element is operably coupled to the frame and extends in a diagonal direction, a sixth said grid element is operatively coupled to the frame and extends in a diagonal direction opposite said diagonal direction of said fifth grid element and all surfaces of ground passing below said frame come into contact with at least two said grid elements extended in opposite diagonal directions. An agricultural implement according to claim 1, wherein: said two tires are coupled to said frame in a generally central location and are generally coaxial and said tires are coupled to said frame in a generally rear location and have displaced axes. Agricultural implement according to claim 1, wherein: said frame has a first folding element defining said left side of the frame, said frame has a second folding element defining said right side of the frame and said folding element. selectively folds upwardly with respect to a remainder of said frame and inwardly with respect to said remainder of said frame. An agricultural implement according to claim 1, wherein: said frame has a hinge element defining said rear end of the frame and said hinge element selectively folds upward relative to a remainder of said frame. An agricultural implement according to claim 1, wherein a bearing engages each said lower arm at each decade end to allow rotation of said chain ends relative to said lower arms. Agricultural implement according to claim 1, wherein each said chain link is movable relative to each other said chain link. An agricultural implement according to claim 1, wherein: at least one said chain link includes a hook portion and a rim portion, said hook portion is configured to receive a respective rim portion of another said link. and said rim portion is configured to receive a respective hook portion of another said chain link. Agricultural implement according to claim 10, wherein at least one said hook portion and rim portion are selectively separable. Agricultural implement according to claim 1, wherein at least one said link is a closed link. An agricultural implement according to claim 1, wherein: each chain has a front end and a rear end, each said front end of the chain being relatively forward of said rear end of the chain, each said The disc has a concave side facing a front end of the respective chain and a convex side facing a rear end of the respective chain, said first, second, third and fourth grate elements outer grate elements, each said chain. of the outer rail element has an end coupled to a traction assembly and each traction assembly has a generally vertical axis passing through said frame and having upper and lower arms extended therethrough, said lower arm being coupled to each other. said respective chain end, said upper arm being coupled to said frame by a spring. Agricultural implement according to claim 13, wherein: said first and second grid elements are separated adjacent said front end of the frame, said third and fourth grid elements are separated adjacent said rear end of the frame, a said fifth grid element is operably coupled to the frame and extends in a diagonal direction, a sixth said grid element is operatively coupled to the frame and extends in a diagonal direction opposite said diagonal direction of said fifth grid element and all surfaces of ground passing below said frame come into contact with at least two said grid elements extended in opposite diagonal directions. A grid device, comprising: a frame having a front end, a rear end, a left side and a right side and a plurality of grid elements, each degrade element having plurality of discs and a chain with a plurality of said elements. discs being coupled to said links and generally extending outwardly thereof, wherein a first said grid member is operatively coupled to said frame generally adjacent said front end to said left side, whereby said first grid member extends in such a manner. a first diagonal direction, wherein said second grid element is operably coupled to said frame generally adjacent said front end and said right side, whereby said second grid element extends in a second diagonal direction, wherein a third said grid member is operably coupled to said frame generally adjacent to said left side and said rear end, whereby said third grating member extends generally in said second diagonal direction, wherein a fourth said grating member is operably coupled to said frame generally adjacent to said right side and said rear end, for example. said fourth grid element generally extends in said first diagonal direction, wherein: said first, second, third and fourth grid element outer grid elements, each said outer grid element chain has an end. coupled to a pull assembly, each said pull assembly has a generally vertical axis passing through said frame and having upper and lower arms extending out of it, said lower arm being coupled to said respective end of the chain, said upper arm being coupled to a spring-loaded frame and a bearing engages each said lower arm at each end of the chain a to allow rotation of said chain ends relative to said lower arms. A grid device according to claim 15, wherein: each chain has a front end and a rear end, each said front end of the chain being relatively forward of said rear end of the chain and said disc. it has a concave side facing a front end of the respective chain and a convex side facing a rear end of the respective chain. A grid device according to claim 16, wherein: at least one said chain link has a hook portion and a rim portion, said hook portion is configured to receive a respective rim portion of another said link. of the chain and said rim portion is configured to receive a respective hook portion of another said chain link. Grid device according to claim 16, wherein at least one said link is a closed link.