FR3130500A1 - Agricultural module for tillage and associated agricultural equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an agricultural module for working the soil comprising at least one upright (5), carrying at least one comb (6) for working the soil, the comb comprising at least one elastically deformable body (11) forming a handle (12 ) connected to at least one soil working tine (10), the module being characterized in that the upright comprises at least one first opening (15) and at least one cleat, the comb passing through the first opening so that the handle surrounds the cleat, the first opening being shaped to exert a force on the portion of the comb extending through it. The invention also relates to an apparatus comprising such a module. FIGURE OF THE ABRIDGE: Fig. 2

Description

Agricultural module for tillage and associated agricultural equipment

The invention relates to an agricultural module for working the soil.

The invention also relates to an agricultural device equipped with such a module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In agriculture, harrows are used to work the soil to loosen it, prepare it for planting a new crop, maintain the soil, etc.

In particular, tine harrows are intended to maintain growing crops. Spring tine harrows are thus equipped with a frame on which several modules are mounted, each module carrying a plurality of tillage combs, all provided with teeth intended to penetrate the soil.

During the passage of a weeder harrow in a crop, the tines will eliminate weeds before destroying these undesirables which could hinder the growth of the crop. Preferably, the tine harrow is moved into the crop when the weeds are still at the seedling stage, thus making it easier to destroy them.

Advantageously, it is possible to modify the inclination of the teeth of certain spring tine harrows so that the more the teeth extend vertically with respect to the ground, the more the aggressiveness of the teeth will be strong and will work the ground with intensity.

Although effective, spring tine harrows have the disadvantage that their tines wear out relatively quickly, especially when they are in their most aggressive position.

Accordingly, the combs should be changed regularly. The problem is that a weeder harrow includes a large number of combs and the current attachment of the combs to the associated agricultural module is relatively lavish.

It is thus known to pass each comb through an upright of the module and then to use a pin to hold it in place. Alternatively, it is also known to use a screw-nut system to hold the comb in place on the upright or on an interface part itself fixed to the upright.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an agricultural module for tillage facilitating the attachment of a tillage tine to the module.

An object of the invention is also to provide an agricultural device provided with such a module.

With a view to achieving this object, an agricultural module for working the soil is proposed comprising at least one upright, carrying at least one soil working reed, the reed comprising at least one elastically deformable body forming a handle connected to at least a tillage tine.

According to the invention, the upright comprises at least one first opening and at least one cleat, the comb passing through the first opening so that the handle surrounds the cleat, the first opening being shaped to exert a force on the portion of the comb s 'extending through it.

In this way, to fix the comb to the module, an operator just needs to pinch the comb to make it pass through the first opening and to surround the cleat by the handle of the body. The operator only has to release the pressure exerted on the body to complete the attachment of the comb to the module. Indeed, the reed is then retained both by its cooperation with the cleat and both by the stress exerted by the first opening on the reed.

Attaching the reed to the module is thus simple and quick, as is removing the reed (the operator pinches the reed again to pass it over the cleat then through the first opening). In particular, the operator can position and attach the reed in a single movement. In addition, the fixing of the comb to the module does not require any dedicated external means of fixing such as bolt, screw, nut, pin, etc.

The invention thus proves to be simple and effective.

Optionally, the upright is a profile.

Optionally, the cleat is integral with the upright.

Optionally, the upright has a second opening associated with the comb.

Optionally, the second opening is opposite the first opening.

Optionally, the cleat is arranged in the second opening.

Optionally, the cleat extends outward from the upright.

Optionally, the first opening is provided with at least one comb retaining element.

The invention also relates to an agricultural device comprising at least one frame carrying at least one module as mentioned above.

Optionally, the device is a spring tine harrow.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of a particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

The invention will be better understood in the light of the following description with reference to the appended figures, including:

there is a perspective view of an agricultural implement according to a particular embodiment of the invention;

there is an enlarged perspective view of part of the agricultural implement shown in ;

there is an enlarged perspective view of part of the agricultural implement shown in , in the absence of a comb carried at the level of a portion of an amount of a module of the device;

there is an enlarged perspective view of part of the agricultural implement shown in , in the absence of a comb carried at the level of a portion of an amount of a module of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

There represents an agricultural device, generally denoted by 1, according to a particular embodiment of the invention. The device 1 is here a harrow and preferably a tine harrow. The harrow is preferably used to maintain growing crops but could of course be used in another context such as for example to loosen the soil, prepare it for planting a new crop, etc.

The device 1 comprises a frame 2 having attachment means 3 to a motorized vehicle such as for example a tractor so that the device 1 can be pulled by said motorized vehicle.

Furthermore, at least one, and here a plurality of tillage modules 4 are carried by the frame 2. For example the device 1 comprises between five and fifteen modules 4 and preferably between seven and thirteen modules 4 and comprises by example ten modules 4.

Preferably, the different modules 4 are identical to each other, so that the following description of one of the modules 4 is also applicable to the other modules 4.

The module 4 comprises at least one, and here a plurality, of uprights 5 each carrying at least one tillage comb 6 (only one of which is referenced in ). For example the module 4 comprises between two and ten uprights 5 and for example between four and eight uprights 5 and for example for example six uprights 5.

Preferably, the module 4 is shaped so that the inclination of the combs 6 with respect to the ground can be modified in order to be able to ensure more or less aggressive tillage according to the needs of an operator.

For example, module 4 comprises a frame 7 which is fixed to frame 2 so as to be integral in movement with said frame 2. On the other hand, the various uprights 5 are connected to frame 7 so as to be able to pivot with respect to said frame 7 around an axis parallel to an axis X along which the frame 2 extends longitudinally, axis X which is orthogonal, in use, to the direction of advancement A of the device vis-à-vis the ground.

The frame 7 has for example two side members 8 as well as at least one spacer 9 extending between the two side members 8. Each side member 8 here extends straight.

Preferably, the frame 7 comprises several spacers 9 (only one of which is referenced here). For example, frame 7 has as many spacers 9 as there are uprights 5. Each spacer 9 here extends straight.

In particular, the two beams 8 extend parallel to each other and to an axis Y. Preferably the axis Y is orthogonal to the axis X.

In a particular way again, the spacers 9 extend parallel to each other and to the axis X. The spacers 9 therefore extend orthogonally between the two beams 8. For example the spacers 9 are simple tubes whose first end is fixed to the first spar 8 and of which a second end is fixed to the second spar 8. The spacers 9 do not protrude here from the two spars 8 and therefore extend only between the two spars 8.

Preferably, the different uprights 5 of the same module 4 are identical to each other so that the following description of an upright 5 is also applicable to the other uprights.

Upright 5 runs straight here. Preferably, the upright 5 is arranged in the module so that it extends between the two beams 8. In particular, the upright 5 protrudes from the two beams 8 so that its two ends extend outside the two beams 8. The amount 5 extends for example parallel to the axis X and can pivot vis-à-vis the frame 7 around said axis X.

Thus the frame 7 has an alternation of uprights 5 and spacers 9 spaced from each other along the Y axis, uprights and spacers extending parallel to each other. Furthermore, the frame 2 carrying several modules 4, the frame 2 also has an alternation of uprights 5 and spacers 9 spaced from each other along the Y axis, uprights 5 and spacers 9 extending parallel to each other . In addition, the various modules 4 are arranged so that each upright 5 of a module 4 extends in the extension of an upright 5 of at least one of the modules 4 which is adjacent to it and along the same parallel axis. to the X axis. In addition, the various modules 4 are arranged so that each spacer 9 of a module 4 extends in the extension of a spacer 9 of at least one of the modules 4 which is adjacent to it and along the same axis parallel to the X axis.

If we go back to the description of amount 5, amount 5 is hollow here. The upright 5 is for example shaped into a tube, a bar, a beam, etc.

Preferably, the amount 5 is a profile. For example, upright 5 is formed by bending a metal sheet.

In particular, the post 5 has a cross section (according to a section plane normal to the axis X) in the form of a polygon. Preferably, said cross section is shaped as an open polygon. The amount 5 is thus shaped so as to be open downwards, that is to say to be open vis-à-vis the ground when the device 1 rolls on the ground.

Said cross section is shaped for example into a polygon having between four and eight sides and for example a polygon having six sides.

As indicated above, the upright 5 carries at least one comb 6 for working the soil. Preferably, the upright 5 carries several tillage combs 6 and for example between four and twelve combs 6 and for example between six and twelve combs 6 and for example between eight and twelve combs 6 and for example ten combs 6.

The different combs 6 carried by the same upright 5 are preferably identical so that the following description of one of the combs 6 is also applicable to the other combs 6.

Comb 6 (more visible at ) comprises at least one tooth 10 and preferably at least two teeth 10. In the present case, the comb 6 strictly comprises two teeth 10. The upright 5 is here shaped so that the different teeth 10 carried by the same upright 5 are positioned next to each other along said post 5 and substantially parallel to each other. Thus the frame 7 has several rows of teeth 10 spaced from each other along the Y axis, rows extending parallel to each other. Furthermore, the frame 2 carrying several modules 4, the frame 2 also has several rows of teeth along the Y axis, rows extending parallel to each other. In addition, the various modules 4 are arranged so that each row of teeth of a module 4 extends in the extension of a row of teeth 10 of at least one of the modules 4 which is adjacent to it and according to a same axis parallel to the X axis.

Returning to the description of comb 6, comb 6 here comprises at least one elastically deformable body 11 and preferably a single elastically deformable body 11.

For example the body 11 is shaped so as to have a central handle 12 extended by at least two arms 13 and in the present case by strictly two arms 13.

The body 11 is preferably shaped so that the handle 12 substantially forms a point. For example, handle 12 is shaped like a triangular loop. The two arms 13 extend in the extension of the loop, moving away from each other to continue to draw the two sides of the triangle formed by the triangular loop. The two arms 13 are identical to each other. The triangle drawn by the body 11 is therefore isosceles or equilateral.

The handle 12 and the two arms 13 extend here in the same plane. Said plane is for example parallel to the X and Y axes.

The body 11 also has springs 14, and for example helical springs 14, each extending one of the arms 13. Each spring 14 has for example between one and five turns and for example two turns. Each spring 14 extends here at the end of one of the two arms 13 so that the two springs 14 extend substantially at the same level, drawing a base to the triangle. The two springs 14 extend coaxially to each other. The two springs 14 extend so as to be coaxial with an axis which is here parallel to the X axis.

Preferably the body 11 comprises at least two teeth 10. In the present case the body 11 strictly comprises two teeth 10. For this purpose, each spring 14 is itself extended by a tooth 10. The teeth 10 extend direction of the ground and therefore in a plane different from that of the body 11, the springs 14 allowing this change of direction.

Preferably, the body 11 is in one piece. The body 11 is for example made of or based on metal. For example the body 11 is formed of a wire forming the handle 12, the two arms 13 and the two springs 14.

Preferably again, the comb 6 is in one piece. The comb 6 is for example made of or based on metal. For example the reed 6 is made of a wire forming the handle 12, the two arms 13, the two helical springs 14 and the two teeth 10.

We will now explain how the comb 6 is fixed to the upright 5 with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

The upright 5 comprises at least one opening associated with each comb 6 that said upright 5 carries. In the present case, the upright 5 comprises at least two openings associated with each comb 6 and here strictly two openings associated with each comb 6. The two openings associated with each of the combs 6 being identical to each other, the following description of a pair of openings associated with one of the combs 6 of the upright 5 is also applicable to the other openings associated with the other combs 6 of the upright 5.

The two openings face each other. For example, a first opening 15 is made in at least one wall of upright 5 and a second opening 16 is made in at least one second wall of upright 5 opposite the first.

The first opening 15 is for example formed in:

• a first wall 17 of the upright 5,
• a fillet 18 of upright 5 connecting said first wall 17 and a second wall 19 adjacent to first wall 17,
• said second wall 19.

The first opening 15 is through. The first opening 15 thus extends between the outside of the upright 5 and the inside of the upright 5.

The first opening 15 here extends longitudinally parallel to the X axis.

The first opening 15 has a section which is for example globally shaped like a quadrilateral. The first opening 15 presents here:

- a lower longitudinal edge 20 (the edge closest to the ground),

- a longitudinal upper edge 21 opposite the lower edge 20,

- a first lateral edge 22 connecting the two edges 20, 21,

- a second side edge 23 connecting the two edges 20, 21 and which is opposite the first side edge 22.

Preferably the two longitudinal edges 20, 21 both extend parallel to the X axis.

Preferably, the two side edges 22, 23 extend in a curved manner and not in a straight manner. For example the two side edges 22, 23 are curved identically.

Preferably, the edges of the section of the first opening 15 are rounded.

The first opening 15 preferably has a symmetrical section along an axis orthogonal to the X axis and to the Y axis.

Preferably, the first opening 15 comprises at least one, and preferably several retaining elements, of the comb 6 in the first opening 15.

Optionally, the retaining element is a lug 24 extending from one of the edges in the direction of the heart of the first opening 15 and for example from one of the longitudinal edges and for example from the edge lower 20.

The lug 24 preferably has the same thickness as the walls of the upright 5. Preferably the lug 24 is integral with the rest of the upright 5. The lug 24 is for example formed directly by bending with the rest amount 5.

The lug 24 extends in the same plane as that in which the associated edge extends.

The lug 24 extends straight.

The lug 24 generally has a rectangular section. The edges of the lug 24 are preferably rounded (whether at its free end or at its connection to the associated edge).

Optionally the lower edge 20 comprises at least one and preferably at least two lugs 24 each forming a retaining element and as previously described. In the present case, a first end of each lug 24 is thus fixed to said lower edge 20. The two lugs 24 are preferably arranged at the longitudinal ends of the lower edge 20. Preferably, the two lugs 24 are arranged symmetrically on the along the bottom edge 20.

Optionally, the retaining element is a shoulder. For example, the upper edge 21 comprises at least one shoulder and preferably at least two and preferably at least three and preferably at least four shoulders each forming a retaining element.

For example, the upper edge 21 has a flat central portion 25 which is extended at each of its ends by two recesses 26 sinking further into the associated wall (here the first wall 17) which defines two shoulders 27 on either side. other of the central portion 25. The two recesses 26 are themselves extended by two recesses 28 sinking even deeper into the associated wall (here the first wall 17) which defines two additional shoulders 29 on either side first recesses 26. The two second recesses 28 define the two longitudinal ends of the upper edge 21 and are thus connected to the side edges 22, 23. The two first recesses 26 are identical to each other so that the two first shoulders 27 are identical between them. The two second recesses 28 are identical to each other so that the two second shoulders 29 are identical to each other.

Preferably, the second recesses 28 are higher than the first recesses 26 (i.e. they sink further into the first wall 17) and/or the first recesses 26 are longer than the second recesses. 28.

Each first recess 26 is shaped so as to draw a curved portion extending from the central portion 25 of the upper edge 21 towards the nearest side edge and then to draw a flat portion in turn. Preferably said planar portion is parallel to the central portion 25 of the upper edge 21.

Each second recess 28 is shaped so as to present only a flat portion. Preferably said planar portion is parallel to the central portion 25 of the upper edge 25.

Each shoulder therefore has here the same thickness as the walls of the associated upright 5. Preferably each shoulder is integral with the rest of the upright 5.

Each shoulder extends in the same plane as that in which the associated edge extends.

The edges of the shoulders are preferably rounded (whether at the level of the free ends or at the level of the connections to the associated edge).

In the present case, the lugs 24 extend offset from the first shoulders 27. Preferably the lugs 24 are closer to the side edges 22, 23 than the first shoulders 27. Preferably the lugs 24 are closer to the side edges 22, 23 than the second shoulders 29. For example the two lugs 24 are each arranged opposite the flat portion of one of the second recesses 28.

The second opening is here less wide than the first opening (width considered along the X axis). The second opening is here higher than the first opening (height considered along an axis orthogonal to the X axis and to the Y axis).

The second opening 16 is for example formed in:

• a third wall 30 of upright 5, which here is opposite first wall 17,
• a fillet 31 of upright 5 connecting said third wall 30 and a fourth wall 32 adjacent to third wall 30.

The second opening 16 is through. The second opening 16 thus extends between the outside of the upright 5 and the inside of the upright 5.

The second opening 16 has a section which is for example globally shaped like a quadrilateral and for example a rectangle. The second opening 16 presents here:

- a lower longitudinal edge 33 (the edge closest to the ground),

- a longitudinal upper edge 34 opposite the lower edge 33,

- a first lateral edge 35 connecting the two edges 33, 34,

- a second side edge 36 connecting the two edges 33, 34 and which is opposite the first side edge 35.

Preferably the two edges 33, 34 both extend parallel to the X axis. The two side edges 35, 36 extend partly straight (along an axis orthogonal to the X axis and to the Y axis) in the third wall 30 and partly in a curved manner in the fillet 31 in order to follow the rounding of the said fillet 31.

Preferably, the edges of the section are rounded.

The second opening 16 preferably has a symmetrical section along an axis orthogonal to the X axis and to the Y axis.

The amount 5 also comprises at least one cleat 37 associated with the second opening 16 and in the present case strictly a cleat 37.

Preferably, the cleat 37 is arranged in the second opening 16. For this purpose, a first end of the cleat 37 is fixed to one of the edges of the second opening 16 and for example to one of the longitudinal edges of the second opening 16 and for example at the lower edge 33.

Cleat 37 is preferably centered in second opening 16. Cleat 37 therefore extends here from the center of bottom edge 33.

The cleat 37 preferably has the same thickness as the walls of the upright 5. Preferably the cleat 37 is integral with the rest of the upright 5. The cleat 37 is for example formed directly by folding with the rest of the upright 5 .

Cleat 37 extends in a plane different from that in which the associated edge extends. Preferably, the cleat 37 extends from the second opening 16 towards the outside of the upright 5.

Cleat 37 extends straight. The cleat 37 extends along an axis which is neither parallel to the X axis nor parallel to the Y axis.

The cleat 37 is here shaped as a tab. The leg generally has a rectangular section.

The edges of the tab are preferably rounded (whether at its free end or at its connection to the associated edge).

In service, when an operator wishes to attach a comb 6 to the upright 5, he pinches the comb 6 so as to constrain the body 11 to bring its two arms 13 and its two springs 14 closer together. This allows him to pass the body 11 through the first opening 15 then the second opening 16 from the outside of the upright 5 until the body 11, and more precisely the handle 12, surrounds the cleat 37. The operator can then release the pressure exerted on comb 6.

In this position, the most hooked part of the handle 12, namely the apex of the triangle, surrounds the cleat 37. The arms 13 extend through the upright 5 between the cleat 37 on the one hand and the outside of the upright 5 on the first opening 15 side. More specifically here, the arms 13 emerge from the first opening 15 extending obliquely between the flat portions of the first recesses 26 and the portions of the lower edge 20 delimited by the side edges 22, 23 on the one hand and the lugs 24 on the other hand. The springs 14 and the teeth 10 are thus entirely outside the upright 5.

The reed 6 is therefore held in place in the upright 5 in particular by the restraint exerted by the cleat 37 on the handle 12 but also by the fact that the arms 13 of the body 11 cannot return to their position of equilibrium. Indeed, the first opening 15 is shaped to constrain the portion of the comb 6 extending through it, namely here the two arms 13. The first opening 15 is thus shaped to have dimensions smaller than what would be necessary for the portion of the comb 6 extending through it can return to its equilibrium position. The stresses exerted by the edges of the first opening 15 on the body 11 consequently participate in maintaining the comb 6 in the upright 5. In particular, because the lugs 24 extend in an offset manner vis-à-vis the first shoulders 27, this allows the arms 13 to be constrained between the first shoulders 27 on the one hand and the lugs 24 on the other hand, which contributes to keeping the comb 6 in place in the upright 5.

To remove the reed 6 from the upright 5 (for example in order to change it), the operator again need only pinch the reed 6 so as to constrain the body 11 to bring its two arms 13 and its two springs 14. This allows him to pass the body 11 above the cleat 37 then through the second opening 15 and finally the first opening 16. The operator can then release the pressure exerted on the reed 6.

The device 1 which has just been described thus allows a fixing as well as a simple and quick dismantling of the comb 6 in the upright 5.

Comb 6 thus turns out to be embedded (but temporarily) in upright 5, which in particular allows it to follow its movements. In particular, comb 6 can thus follow the movements of upright 5 allowing teeth 10 to be more or less inclined with respect to the ground.

It will be noted that the second shoulders 29, and therefore the second recesses 28 make it possible in particular to ensure the correct geometry of the first opening during its manufacture.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and variations can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Thus, although here the orientation of the combs with respect to the ground is managed at the level of the uprights, the orientation can be managed at another level. For example, it could be the frame which is mobile with respect to the frame in order to be able to modify the orientation of the combs, a frame which may itself be fixed or mobile with respect to the frame of the module.

The shape of at least one of the amounts may be different from what has been indicated. For example, the upright may have a closed and unopened section.

The shape of the openings may be different from what has been indicated. The two openings may have sections with more or fewer sides.

The number of retaining elements per opening may be different from what has been indicated and/or the number of cleats. It will thus be possible to adapt the number of retaining elements and/or cleats to the type of associated reed.

Likewise, the shape of the retainers and/or cleats may be different from what has been indicated. It will thus be possible to adapt the shape of the retaining elements and/or of the lugs to the type of associated comb.

The shape and dimensions of the first and second openings, like those of the lugs and the shoulders, may differ from one device to another and depend on the shape and dimensions of the comb.

Claims (10)

Agricultural module for working the soil comprising at least one upright (5), carrying at least one tillage reed (6), the reed comprising at least one elastically deformable body (11) forming a handle (12) connected to at least a tillage tine (10), the module being characterized in that the upright comprises at least one first opening (15) and at least one cleat (37), the reed passing through the first opening so that the handle surrounds the cleat, the first opening being shaped to exert a force on the portion of the comb extending through it. Module according to Claim 1, in which the upright (5) is a profile. Module according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cleat (37) is integral with the upright. Module according to one of the preceding claims, in which the upright (5) comprises a second opening (16) associated with the comb (6). Module according to claim 4, in which the second opening (16) faces the first opening (15). Module according to one of Claims 4 or 5, in which the tab (37) is arranged in the second opening (16). Module according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cleat (37) extends towards the outside of the upright (5). Module according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first opening (15) is provided with at least one comb retaining element. Agricultural apparatus comprising at least one frame (2) carrying at least one module according to one of the preceding claims. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the apparatus is a tine harrow.