GB2532335A

GB2532335A - Improvements in or relating to ploughing tines

Info

Publication number: GB2532335A
Application number: GB1517345.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leonard Cronk Richard; Stewart Glen
Original assignee: Pearson Engineering Ltd
Current assignee: Pearson Engineering Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-02
Filing date: 2015-10-01
Publication date: 2016-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2035-10-01
Also published as: GB201517345D0; GB2532335B

Abstract

A replaceable tine tip is provided and comprises a floor 334 and a pair of spaced sidewall sections 333a, 333b upstanding from the floor, and a wedge-shape section 360 including an inclined front face 362. A shoe-like structure is formed by the sidewalls, floor and front face which defines a recess for receiving a tine. The invention extends to a plough, particularly a mine plough having one or more tips as previously described. A method for modifying a plough tine comprising the steps of removing a terminal section of the tine to form a stump, fitting a replacement section to the stump and fitting a replaceable tine tip to the replacement section.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO PLOUGHING TINES

The present invention relates generally to ploughs and particularly to a plough with one or more tines.

Ploughing tines can be damaged in use. For example they can be bent by impacts with subsurface rocks, and they are subject to wear caused by abrasive soils.

In one aspect the present invention relates to a replaceable tine tip.

In an aspect the present invention provides a replaceable tine tip comprising a floor and a pair of spaced sidewall sections upstanding from the floor, and a wedge-shape section including an inclined front face, a shoe-like recess being formed by the sidewalls, floor and front face for receiving a tine.

In one embodiment the front face extends above the floor (but not over the sidewall sections).

The present invention also provides a tine fitted with a tip as described herein and a plough having one or more tine tips as described herein. The plough may be a mine plough.

A further aspect provides a method of modifying a plough tine comprising the steps of: removing a terminal section of the tine to form a tine stump; fitting a replacement section to the stump; and fitting a replaceable tine tip to the replacement section.

In one aspect the present invention relates to the idea of modifying one or more tines on a plough blade.

In one embodiment a tine is cut at a point along its length; then a replacement tine section is introduced and connected to the free end of the cut tine, for example by welding and/or by using fixings (such as bolts). The new section is typically of significantly higher strength, for example being a thicker section and/or a stronger material (for example steel). An optional tine tip may then be fitted to the end of the replacement section.

In some embodiments the ploughing depth is generally unchanged by the introduction of the replacement section (and the tip, where present).

In some embodiments the present invention relates to a method for strengthening plough tines and to a plough fitted with strengthened tines.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a means for converting a plough tine to be able to receive a replaceable tine tip.

The present invention also provides a method substantially as shown and/or described herein.

The present invention also provides a modified tine substantially as shown and/or described herein.

The present invention also provides a replacement section substantially as shown and/or described herein.

The present invention also provides a plough blade having one or more modified tines substantially as shown and/or described herein.

The present invention also provides a tine tip substantially as shown and/or described herein.

The present invention also provides a vehicle fitted with a plough formed in accordance with the present invention.

Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

The present invention is more particularly shown and described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiment can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention or its connection to a closure.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers are used to designate like elements throughout the various views, several embodiments of the present invention are further described. The figures are not necessary drawn to scale, and in some instances the drawings may have been exaggerated or simplified for illustrative purposes only. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the many possible applications and variations of the present invention based on the following examples of possible embodiments of the present invention.

In Figures IA to I E the steps of a method of modifying a plough blade tine according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

The unmodified metal tine 10 is shown in Figure IA. This tine 10 is not able to receive replaceable tine tips.

In a first step (Figure I B) the tine 10 is cut along a cut line 15. Cutting may be done, for example, by plasma or oxy-acetylene cutting. This leaves a tine stump 20 (Figure IC).

After cutting off the old part, a suitable "weld preparation" is ground onto the remaining part of the main blade (Figure IC), this is typically a chamfered edge along the weld line to allow the weld to penetrate some depth into the joint Subsequently a replacement section 25 is provided. The section 25 is secured, for example by welding, to the stump 20 (Figure 1 D).

A replaceable tip 30 is provided (Figure I E) and is formed like a shoe.

The replacement section 25 includes a foot portion 27 which is received in the tip 30. In this embodiment the tip 30 is held on by a pin 35 (pushed through holes 34 in the tip sidewalls 33a, 33b) locating in a U-shaped slot 40 in the replacement section 25.

The modified tine 50 is shown in Figure 1 F. Figures 2A to 2D show a plough blade 100 modified with replacement sections 125 formed according to the present invention. Each tine is shown in the condition after doing a cut/weld modification to the blade with the replacement section fitted.

Figures 3A to 3D shows the modified tines with replaceable tine tips 130 fitted, and the plough blade in a final operational condition.

In Figures 4A to 4D a replacement section 225 is shown fitted on plough blade tine stumps. The plough and tines are shown in dotted lines, with the replacement sections shown is solid lines for clarity.

Figures 5A to 5D show the section 225 separated from the plough.

Figures 6A to 61 show a replaceable tine tip 330 formed in accordance with the present invention. The tip could be fitted to a pre-existing tine, or could be used in conjunction with a modification process and fitted to a replacement tine section as previously described.

The tip 330 comprises a pair of spaced sidewalls 333a, 3336 upstanding from a floor 334. Each of the walls 333a, 333b has a hole 334a, 334b (for receiving a fixing pin).

A wedge-shape front portion 360 is provided and continues from the sidewalls. The portion 360 includes an inclined front face 362 beneath which (and together with the floor and the sidewalls) is formed a shoe-like structure with a recess 364 for receiving a tine.

The face 362 includes a central recess 366 which extends from the point at which the face meets the floor. The recess defines two spaced prongs 368a, 368b.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSI. A replaceable tine tip comprising a floor and a pair of spaced sidewall sections upstanding from the floor, and a wedge-shape section including an inclined front face, a recess being formed by the sidewalls, floor and front face for receiving a tine.
2. A tine tip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
3. A tine fitted with a tip as claimed in claim I or claim 2.
4. A plough having one or more tine tips as claimed in claim I or claim 2.
5. A mine plough having one or more tine tips as claimed in claim I or claim 2.
6. A method of modifying a plough tine comprising the steps of: removing a terminal section of the tine to form a tine stump; fitting a replacement section to the stump; and fitting a replaceable tine tip to the replacement section.
7. A tine modification method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
8. A replacement tine section substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.