GB1579927A

GB1579927A - Yieldable plough body mounting

Info

Publication number: GB1579927A
Application number: GB2693676A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-06-28
Filing date: 1977-06-28
Publication date: 1980-11-26

Description

(54) YIELDABLE PLOUGH BODY MOUNTING (71) I, CHARLES VERNON ROGER Dow DESWELL, a British Subject of Lower Radbourne Farm, Southam, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The object of this invention is to provide an improved yieldable plough body mounting for minimising damage to the body or ploughshare and plough structure generally in the event of the body or share striking a stone, rock or similar obstruction in the ground, the mounting having an automatic return or reset action back to the normal ploughing position after the obstruction has been passed.

The invention has particular application to multi-body reversible ploughs whilst practical advantages will be apparent from the following disclosure.

According to the invention a yieldable plough body mounting is characterised by an arm which has at least one depending rear part or leg for carrying a plough body in a lowermost position in use, the forward end of the arm being pivotally connected to pivot support means mounted or mountable on plough structure such as on a beam of the latter, said pivotal connection being about a fixed transverse axis inclined to the horizontal whereby on a plough body or share thereof carried by the arm encountering an obstruction in the ground, the arm and plough body are able to yield in an upward direction inclined to the vertical and against the action of resiliently acting return means connected either between the arm and the pivot support means or between the arm and the plough structure.

In practice as applied to a plough body mounting of a reversible p]ough, constructions and arrangements may be as follows, reference being had to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 are a plan view and side elevation respectively of one form of the mounting, Figure 3, is a rear view in the direction of the arrow III in Figures 1 and 2, Figures 4 and 5 are a similar plan view and side elevation showing a modification, Figures 6 and 7 are a plan view and side elevation respectively of an alternative arrangement of the mounting, and Figure 8 is a rear view in the direction of the arrow VIII of Figures 6 and 7.

Like parts are referred to by the same or similar reference numerals or letters throughout the drawings.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 a rearwardly extending or trailing arm 1 which is substantially horizontal in position of use, is pivotally mounted at its forward end by pivot support means 2 from the beam 3 of the plough structure, which beam 3 is rearwardly inclined in a generally horizontal plane in position of use. The rear of the arm 1 carries a pair of oppositely directed legs 10, the lower depending one of which is shown carrying a plough body 11 in the operative position whilst the upper leg 10 carries an inoperative body (not shown) in the usual arrangement of a reversible plough. Also in the usual manner the plough body 11 (or plough bottom or mould board) has a share 111 having a cutting edge 112.

The pivot support means 2 is shown consisting of a bracket 20 mounted on and extending laterally from the plough beam 3 and providing for either mode of use of the plough, a pivotal mounting or location of the arm 1 about a transverse axis X. This axis X is inclined to the horizontal and is shown substantially at right angles to the direction of travelling movement of the plough as indicated by the arrow T, but this angle may be varied according to requirements.

For the purpose of a reversible plough arrangement, the pivotal mounting is provided by a universal or ball joint mounting 21 at A and a pivot pin location 12 at C a distance from the ball mounting 21 and radially disposed in relation to the latter along the tranverse inclined axis X.

On the leading point P of the ploughshare 111 encountering an obstruction such as a large stone embedded in the soil or underlying rock or root, the arm 1 and plough body 11 are able to yield in an upward direction in dined to the vertical i.e. at right angles to the transverse axis X as indicated at Y more particularly in Figure 3 but also elsewhere in the drawings.

This yielding movement is against the action of resiliently acting means connected between the arm 1 and the bracket 20 (or otherwise between the arm 1 and the plough structure) and is shown consisting of a hydraulic cylinder 4 of which the hydraulic fluid acts on a volume of an inert gas such as nitrogen in a hydraulic system connected to it and incorporating a nitrogen accumulator for obtaining a resilient action. The hydraulic system may be common to several cylinders 4 and is preferably arranged for variable pressure operation e.g. by appropriate connection to the hydraulic system of a tractor drawing the plough. Alternatively suitable spring means may be employed for the purpose.

As indicated by the arrows on the cylinder 4 the retracting action of the latter is to urge the arm 1 to the horizontal operative position and to provide adequate resistance against normal ploughing loads but which yields to permit yielding movement of the arm 1 on the share 111 encountering an obstruction. Thus the cylinder 4 transmits the tractive effort to the body 11 and in view of this the effective yielding pressure of the cylinder 4 is preferably adjustable to suit varying operating conditions.

The upwardly inclined yielding movement Y of the body 11 is such that the body tends to move clear of the obstruction either when the point P strikes the obstruction head-on, or especially where the front lower cutting edge 112 of the share 111 strikes an obstruction with a glancing blow. In the somewhat less likely event of the rear end part of the body 11 encountering an obstruction, the same action is obtained whilst in every case the body 11 is automatically returned to the normal ploughing position by the action of the cylinder 4.

When the plough is reversed, the pin 12 at B assumes the upper position but on the lefthand of the beam 3 in Figure 3 and together with the ball mounting 21 at A becomes operative in providing pivotal mounting of the arm 1 about an oppositely directed inclined transverse axis X1. The angle contained between the radial axes through the pins 12 at B and C and intersecting at A may be varied according to requirements.

Under normal ploughing conditions both pins 12 are thrust into engagement with forward bearing lugs 22 carried by the bracket 20 but on yielding movement of the arm 1 and body 11 only the upper pin 12 at C in Figure 2 is maintained in engagement with its lug 22, the lower pin 12 at B moving rearwardly and upwardly away from the lower bearing lug 22 (Figure 2), a similar but opposite action being obtained when the plough is reversed.

Thus during normal ploughing three point location of the arm 1 is provided i.e. by the ball mounting 21 at A and the radial pin locations 12/22 at B and C i.e. under the action of the cylinder 4. However on yielding movement of the arm 1 pivotal movement about the fixed axis X or X1 is obtained about two pivot points viz: either about the ball mounting 21 at A and the pivot pin 12 at C or about the ball mounting at A and the pivot pin 12 at B.

In Figures 1 to 3 pivotal connection of the arm 1 to the ball mounting 21 is shown effected by a transverse end plate 13 at the leading end of the arm 1, which plate 13 also carries the radial pins 12. The plate 13 is provided with an opening 113 through which a connecting rod 41 of the cylinder 4 has a universal or ball joint connection at 42 with the bracket 20.

In the modification shown in Figures 4 and 5, the general yielding action about the transverse inclined axis X (or X1) through the ball mounting 21 at A and radial pin location at C (or B) is the same as that already described but a modified arrangement of resiliently acting nitrogen cylinder 40 is shown which is connected between the arm 1 and ball crank levers or plates 5 pivotally mounted on the arm 1 about a normally vertical axis at 51 and pivotally connected by a link 50 to the bracket 20, the link 50 passing through an opening 113 in the end plate 13 of the arm 1 and having a universal or ball joint pivotal connection 52 with the bracket 20.

In this case the cylinder 40 has an extending action is maintaining the body 11 in the ploughing position and together with the linkage 5, 50 transmits the tractive effort to the body 11. On yielding action of the body 11 taking place as a result of its encounter with an obstruction, the leverage provided by the linkage 5, 50 is such that maximum resistance to the yielding movement is first effected by the cylinder 40 but which progressively reduces as yielding movement of the arm I and body 11 continues.

For adjustment or setting purposes the plates 5 are preferably provided with a series of pivotal connection holes for the connecting rod 44 of the cylinder 40 and/or for the link 50.

If desired the universal or ball mounting 21 may be further advanced from the plate 113 than the position shown.

In the alterntive construction shown in Figures 6 to 8 the arrangement is in some respects reversed in that the universal or ball mounting 210 at A of the end plate 130 of the arm 1 is situated outermost on the bracket 200 whilst the radial pins 120 at B and C are situated innermost in relation to the beam 3 and co-operate with bearing lugs 220 which are shown directly mounted on the beam 3, but which may be carried by the bracket 200.

Furthermore the bearing lugs 220 engage behind the radial pins 120 and thus directly transmit the tractive effort to the latter and hence to the arm 1 and body 11 in a positive manner.

In view of this the resiliently acting cylinder 400 is only required to permit yielding action of the arm 1 by retraction and thus has an extending action in maintaining the arm 1 and body 11 in the normal ploughing position.

On yielding action pivotal movement of the arm 1 is about the axis XX through the pivotal mounting 210 at A and the lower pivot pin location at B, the upper pin 120 at C moving forwardly away from its associated upper bearing lug 220. The converse of this action occurs when the plough is reversed i.e. to the left-hand side of the beam in Figure 8 when pivotal movement of the arm 1 is about the axis XX1.

The connecting rod 440 of the cylinder 400 is shown passing through an opening 140 in the end plate 130 and has a universal or ball joint pivotal connection 420 with the bracket 200.

In any of the embodiments of the invention herein described it will be noted that the upward and inclined yielding movement of the arm 1 and body 11 is in a single direction only. Even so sufficient positive yielding action of the or each plough body 11 is afforded when required, yet on the other hand firm three point location is provided in the normal ploughing position with a minimum tendency of the body 11 or bodies to waver from such a position.

A further practical advantage resides in the fact that the arm 1 remains positively connected to the bracket 20 or 200 at all times by the universal or ball joint connection 21 or 210 and therefore cannot become displaced relative to the bracket even during yielding movement.

In the case of a multi-body preferably reversible plough the brackets 20 or 200 together with bearing lugs 22, 220 can be angularly adjustable on the plough beam according to required furrow spacing and with appropriate rearward inclination of the beam 3.

If desired the bearing lugs 22, 220 may be carried by the plate 13 or 130 on the arm 1 and co-operate with inclined pins 12, 120 on the bracket 20 or 200.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A yieldable plough body mounting characterised by an arm which has at least one depending rear part or leg for carrying a plough body in a lowermost position in use, the forward end of the arm being pivotally connected to pivot support means mounted or mountable on plough structure such as on a beam of the latter, said pivotal connection being about a fixed transverse axis inclined to the horizontal whereby on a plough body or share thereof carried by the arm encountering an obstruction in the ground, the arm and plough body are able to yield in an upward direction inclined to the vertical and against the action of resiliently acting return means connected either between the arm and the pivot support means or between the arm and the plough structure.

2. A yieldable plough body mounting according to claim 1 wherein the pivotal connection of the forward end of the arm to the pivot support means about the transverse inclined axis consists of a pivotal mounting and a pivotal location a distance from the pivotal mounting and radially disposed in relation to the latter along the fixed transverse inclined axis.

3. A yieldable plough body mounting according to claim 1 or 2 and for a reversible plough wherein pivotal connection of the forward end of the arm to the pivot support means is about two fixed transverse axes which are oppositely inclined whereby the arm is able to pivot for yielding movement about one or the other of said fixed transverse inclined axes according to the mode of use of the reversible plough.

4. A yieldable plough body mounting according to claim 1, 2 and 3 wherein the pivotal mounting of the arm to the pivot support means consists of a universal or ball joint mounting and the pivotal location consists of a pair of pivot pins each arranged to lie along a corresponding fixed transverse inclined axis and disengageably engaging corresponding bearing members or lugs fixedly mounted or mountable on or from plough structure, the arm, on yielding movement, pivoting about the universal or ball joint mounting and about one or the other of pivot pins in engagement with a corresponding bearing member or lug according to the mode of use of the reversible plough.

5. A yieldable plough body mounting according to claim 4 wherein the bearing members or lugs are situated forwardly of the pivot pins in relation to ploughing movement, the pins being thrust forwardly into engagement with said bearing members or lugs by the resiliently acting return means during the normal ploughing position of the arm, said means permitting one of said pivots to move rearwardly out of engagement with its associated bearing member or lug for yielding movement of the arm.

6. A yieldable plough body mounting according to claim 5 wherein the resiliently acting return means has a retracting action in thrusting the pivot pins into engagement with the corresponding bearing members or lugs during the normal ploughing position of the arm.

7. A yieldable plough body mounting according to claim 5 wherein the resiliently acting return means has an extending action

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. behind the radial pins 120 and thus directly transmit the tractive effort to the latter and hence to the arm 1 and body 11 in a positive manner. In view of this the resiliently acting cylinder 400 is only required to permit yielding action of the arm 1 by retraction and thus has an extending action in maintaining the arm 1 and body 11 in the normal ploughing position. On yielding action pivotal movement of the arm 1 is about the axis XX through the pivotal mounting 210 at A and the lower pivot pin location at B, the upper pin 120 at C moving forwardly away from its associated upper bearing lug 220. The converse of this action occurs when the plough is reversed i.e. to the left-hand side of the beam in Figure 8 when pivotal movement of the arm 1 is about the axis XX1. The connecting rod 440 of the cylinder 400 is shown passing through an opening 140 in the end plate 130 and has a universal or ball joint pivotal connection 420 with the bracket 200. In any of the embodiments of the invention herein described it will be noted that the upward and inclined yielding movement of the arm 1 and body 11 is in a single direction only. Even so sufficient positive yielding action of the or each plough body 11 is afforded when required, yet on the other hand firm three point location is provided in the normal ploughing position with a minimum tendency of the body 11 or bodies to waver from such a position. A further practical advantage resides in the fact that the arm 1 remains positively connected to the bracket 20 or 200 at all times by the universal or ball joint connection 21 or 210 and therefore cannot become displaced relative to the bracket even during yielding movement. In the case of a multi-body preferably reversible plough the brackets 20 or 200 together with bearing lugs 22, 220 can be angularly adjustable on the plough beam according to required furrow spacing and with appropriate rearward inclination of the beam 3. If desired the bearing lugs 22, 220 may be carried by the plate 13 or 130 on the arm 1 and co-operate with inclined pins 12, 120 on the bracket 20 or 200. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A yieldable plough body mounting characterised by an arm which has at least one depending rear part or leg for carrying a plough body in a lowermost position in use, the forward end of the arm being pivotally connected to pivot support means mounted or mountable on plough structure such as on a beam of the latter, said pivotal connection being about a fixed transverse axis inclined to the horizontal whereby on a plough body or share thereof carried by the arm encountering an obstruction in the ground, the arm and plough body are able to yield in an upward direction inclined to the vertical and against the action of resiliently acting return means connected either between the arm and the pivot support means or between the arm and the plough structure.

through linkage means pivotally mounted on the arm in thrusting the pivot pins into engagement with the corresponding bearing members or lugs during the normal ploughing position of the arm.

8. A yieldable plough body mounting according to claim 7 wherein the linkage is arranged to provide maximum leverage for the resiliently acting return means when the arm is in the normal ploughing position and whereby the leverage decreases with yielding movement of the arm.

9. A yieldable plough body mounting according to claim 4 wherein the bearing members or lugs are situated behind the pivot pins in relation to ploughing movement, the pins being thrust rearwardly into engagement with said bearing members or lugs by the resiliently acting return means during the normal ploughing position of the arm.

10. A yieldable plough body mounting according to claim 9 wherein the resiliently acting means has an extending action in thrusting the pivot pins into engagement with the corresponding bearing members or lugs during the normal ploughing position of the arm.

11. A yieldable plough body mounting according to any of claims 4 to 10 wherein the bearing members or lugs are carried by the pivot support means or by adjacent plough structure.

12. A yieldable plough body mounting according to any of claims 4 to 11 wherein the forward end of the arm in relation to ploughing movement has mounted thereon a cross member or plate attached by the universal or ball joint mounting to the pivot support means, said cross member or plate also carrying the pivot pins.

13. A yieldable plough body mounting according to claim 12 wherein the cross member or plate is provided with an opening through which connection of the resiliently acting return means is effected between the arm and the pivot support means.

14. A yieldable plough body mounting according to any of the preceding claims wherein the resiliently acting return means consists of fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder means or spring means.

15. A yieldable plough body mounting substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 and 5 or Figures 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.