GB2568517A

GB2568517A - Improved tine shoe securing arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2568517A
Application number: GB1719087.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Evan Frank John; Robin Pierre Henry-Lefort Arnaud
Original assignee: McConnel Ltd
Current assignee: McConnel Ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-17
Filing date: 2017-11-17
Publication date: 2019-05-22
Also published as: GB201719087D0

Abstract

A tine shoe 14 for removably mounting on a tine 12 of an agricultural cultivator, tine shoe 14 comprising a casing 28 with an aperture 36 to receive a tine foot 26 of the tine 12. Aperture 36 extends in a first direction of tine shoe 14. Casing 28 comprises at least one opening 66,68 to receive a locking pin 72 in a second direction that’s transverse to the first direction. Also a tine shin 16 for mounting on a tine 12 and securing to a tine shoe 14 of an agricultural cultivator, the tine shin 16 comprising a tine shoe securing peg 54 to be inserted in a recess of the tine shoe 14 and at least one lug 162,164 to engage with a protrusion 122,124 of the tine 12. Also a tine cover assembly for mounting on a tine 12, the tine cover assembly comprising: a tine shoe 14 and a locking pin 72 received in the at least one opening 66,68 of tine shoe 14. Locking pin 72 may be pre-bent to provide a friction fit by a resilient force created when the locking pin 72 is straightened during insertion into the at least one opening 66,68.

Description

Improved Tine Shoe Securing Arrangement

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a tine shoe for removably mounting on a tine, particularly but not exclusively a tine of an agricultural cultivator. Other aspects of the present invention relate to a tine shin, a tine cover assembly, a tine assembly and a cultivator.

BACKGROUND

Tines for use on agricultural cultivators generally comprise means for mounting to a chassis of a cultivator, a downwardly depending leg part which curves into a pointed foot part. A tine is intended to provide deep, loosening and conditioning of the soil structure to improve drainage and can be combined with other cultivating equipment on a cultivator. Because of the aggressive nature of the use of the tine, the tine surfaces are subjected to substantial wear. As a result, it is customary to fit a removable shroud or shoe over the foot part of the tine, which is subject to the most aggressive wear. Consequently, the tine shoe is subjected to the wear and when the tine shoe has worn beyond the point where it is effective it can be removed and replaced with a new shoe obviating the need to replace the entire tine. Currently, tine shoe removal requires a special tool to be fitted to the tine which is then struck with a substantial, long-handled hammer with a mild steel head. Removal of the tine shoe, which itself is made from a substantial piece of metal, presents possible risk of injury to the user. Firstly, the user has to strike the shoe removal tool with a heavy hammer, which itself can lead to the risk of injury. Secondly, eye protection must be worn to prevent eye injury due, for example, to chips flying off the tine shoe or hammer or the shoe removal tool. Thirdly, there is the risk that the shoe will strike either the user or a bystander upon removal.

In order to overcome the aforementioned problems of conventional tine shoes, EP1483950 Bl discloses a tine shoe towards with an aperture receiving the tine foot with a small clearance fit. The clearance allows a certain amount of play between the tine foot and the tine shoe, which helps mounting the tine shoe on the foot without the need for heavy equipment, such as long-handled hammers.

The aforementioned tine shoe and tine assembly have the disadvantage that the tine shoe can become loose due to the amount of play provided. It has also been found that attaching the tine shin of the tine assembly known from EP '950 Bl can be tedious and, again, requires the application of at least some tools.

It is an aim of the present invention to address the disadvantages associated with the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tine shoe and a tine assembly, which can be installed quickly and securely, preferably without the need for specific tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a tine shoe for removably mounting on a tine of an agricultural cultivator, a tine shin, a tine cover assembly, a tine assembly and a cultivator as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tine shoe for removably mounting on a tine of an agricultural cultivator, said tine shoe comprising a casing with an aperture configured to receive a tine foot of a tine, said aperture extending in a first direction of the tine shoe, wherein the casing comprises at least one opening adapted to receive a locking pin in a second direction, which is transverse to the first direction.

In other words, the tine shoe of the present invention includes an opening for receiving a locking pin, which engages the tine foot, after the latter is received in the aperture of the tine shoe. As will be described in more detail below, the tine foot may, therefore, comprise a corresponding recess for receiving the locking pin, which - in turn - may be introduced into the aperture of the tine shoe via the at least one opening. The present tine shoe is easy to fit, particularly because arranging the tine shoe on the tine foot does not require any tools to insert the locking pin into the at least one opening. The new tine shoe design further provides a particularly secure connection between the foot and the shoe, due to the positive locking effect of the locking pin introduced in a transverse direction of the shoe and foot.

In another embodiment, the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Accordingly, the locking pin will be introduced into the at least one opening in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the tine shoe, which improves the connection between the tine foot and the shoe.

The tine shoe may comprise first and second openings arranged to receive the locking pin. The first and second openings may be arranged on opposite sides of the casing. Providing two openings for receiving the locking pin helps to guide the locking pin more accurately and establish a more secure connection between the locking pin and the tine shoe. The locking pin may be introduced into the first opening and pushed through the aperture in the second direction until it is received in the second opening.

In yet another embodiment, the casing comprises a heel portion protruding from a bottom part of the casing, the first and second openings being arranged on opposing side walls of the heel portion. In other words, the new portion may be an extension of the aperture at a lower end of the casing. As will be discussed in more detail below, side walls of the heel portion may also function as flange sections for parts of the locking pin.

The casing may comprise a third opening arranged between the first and second openings and extending through the casing in a third direction that is substantially perpendicular to the second direction, said third opening being arranged to provide visibility of the locking pin when the latter is received in the first and second openings. The third opening may be provided on a bottom part of the tine shoe between the first and second openings. As such, the aperture of the tine shoe is visible through the third opening. Since the third opening extends between the first and second openings, a part of the locking pin that extends through the aperture between the first and second openings is visible via the third opening. Consequently, the third opening can be used by the operator to verify correct alignment of the locking pin with the first and second openings and a corresponding recess within the tine foot, which will be described in more detail below.

The third direction may be substantially perpendicular to the first direction. While the first direction is preferably a longitudinal direction of the tine shoe, the second direction may be a lateral direction of the tine shoe. In this case, the third direction may be a vertical direction of the tine shoe.

According to another embodiment, the at least one opening is sized to match with the locking pin to hold the locking pin by a friction fit.

The shape of the aperture may follow the shape of the tine foot it protects. In other words, the tine foot and the aperture may have conforming shapes such that there is substantially no play between the aperture and the tine foot, once the tine foot is fully received within the aperture. Once the tine shoe has been placed over the tine foot, it can only be moved in a longitudinal direction of the tine shoe away from the tine foot to remove the shoe from the foot. Of course, this longitudinal movement of the tine shoe with respect to the tine foot is prevented as soon as the locking pin is introduced in the transverse second direction. Constructing the aperture of the tine shoe in a shape that conforms to the tine foot prevents unintentional movements of the tine shoe during operation of the cultivator.

In yet another embodiment, the casing of the tine shoe comprises a recess arranged to receive a tine shoe securing peg. The at least one opening may be arranged on a first end of the aperture, whereas the recess for the tine shoe securing peg may be arranged on a second end, opposite the first end. In particular, the at least one opening may be arranged on a lower part of the aperture, wherein the at least one recess may be arranged on an upper part of the aperture. Providing the recess for the tine shoe securing peg provides for a more secure fit between the tine shoe and the tine foot. In particular, once inserted into the recess at the second end of the aperture, the securing peg will push the tine foot towards the locking pin that is received inside the at least one opening on the opposite end of the tine shoe aperture.

The aperture of the casing may taper inwardly from an opening arranged at a rear part of the tine shoe towards a front part.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a tine shin for mounting on a tine and securing to a tine shoe of an agricultural cultivator, the tine shin comprising a tine shoe securing peg adapted to be inserted into a recess of a tine shoe and at least one lug configured to engage with a protrusion of the tine.

The aforementioned tine shin is configured to be complementary with the tine shoe described hereinbefore. In detail, the tine shin of the present invention may be attached to the tine of the agricultural cultivator particularly quick and easy by attaching the at least one lug to a protrusion of the tine and subsequently inserting the tine shoe securing peg into the aperture of the tine shoe.

In another embodiment, the shoe securing peg and the at least one lug are positioned on opposite ends of the tine shin. In other words, the tine shin may be connected to the tine via the at least one lug, the first end thereof, whereas the second end may be secured to the tine shoe via the shoe securing peg.

The tine shin may comprise two lugs arranged to be positioned on the same end of the tine shin and adapted to receive corresponding protrusions on opposite sides of the tine. The two lugs, therefore, prevent movement of the tine shin with respect to the tine leg in a vertical direction.

The tine shin may comprise a saddle portion adapted to be arranged to astride the tine. The saddle portion of the tine shin may be adapted to conform to a concave side of a leg portion of the tine. In other words, the saddle portion of the tine shin may conform to parts of the tine leg to protect the latter from wear due to the movement of the cultivator through the soil.

According to another aspect, there is provided a tine cover assembly for mounting on a tine of an agricultural cultivator, the tine cover assembly comprising a tine shoe as described hereinbefore and a locking pin received within the at least one opening of the tine shoe.

In another embodiment of the tine cover assembly, the locking pin is pre-bent so as to provide a friction fit by means of a resilient force created when the locking pin is straightened during insertion into the at least one opening. It will be understood that the material of the locking pin of this embodiment is elastically deformable to a degree that allows for introduction of the pre-bent locking pin into the at least one opening and provides sufficient support for the tine shoe on the tine foot.

The locking pin may have a square cross-section.

In yet another embodiment, the tine cover assembly comprises a tine shin as described hereinbefore. Adding a tine shin to the cover assembly is particularly beneficial for cultivation operations. However, when performing grassland subsoiling operations, it may be preferred to not add a tine shin so as to reduce the disturbance of the turf.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tine assembly for use on an agricultural cultivator, the tine assembly comprising a tine cover assembly described hereinbefore and a tine, wherein the tine comprises at least one protrusion against which the lug of the tine shin abuts.

In another embodiment, the tine further comprises a recess for receiving the locking pin. The recess of the tine is arranged such that, once the tine shoe covers the tine foot, the at least one opening is aligned with the recess along the second direction. The locking pin can then be inserted through the at least one opening into the recess of the tine, thereby creating a positive lock between the casing of the tine shoe and the tine. Preferably, the recess is provided on the tine foot, particularly on a bottom part of the tine foot.

In another embodiment, the recess of the tine conforms to the shape of the locking pin.

The tine may comprise two protrusions. Each of the two protrusions may be provided to connect with a corresponding lug of the tine shin.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an agricultural cultivator comprising the tine assembly described hereinbefore.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiment and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the tine assembly according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 shows a right-side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

FIGURE 2b shows a left-side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

FIGURE 3 shows a bottom view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

FIGURE 4 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

FIGURE 5 shows a partial cross-section of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and

FIGURES 6a to 6d show an assembly process of the tine assembly shown in Figure 1.

Turning to Figure 1, there is shown a tine assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tine assembly is generally indicated at 10. The tine assembly 10 comprises a tine 12, a tine shoe 14 and a tine shin 16.

The tine 12 comprises an upper mounting part 20 with a plurality of apertures 22 to enable the tine 12 to be attached to an agricultural cultivator frame (not shown). The tine 12 further comprises a leg portion 24, which extends from the upper mounting portion 20 downwardly and curves in a substantially L-shaped manner into a foot 80, which is obscured by the shoe 14 in Figure 1. The tine foot 80 is illustrated in Figure 4, for example.

The tine shin 16 comprises a generally L-shaped body that conforms to the L-shaped leg portion 24 of the tine 12. The L-shaped body of the tine shin 16 is formed as a saddle portion 50, which is adapted to be arranged astride the leg portion 24 of the tine 12. As such, the tine shin 16 effectively acts like a tine cover to reduce wear of the leg portion 24 during use. The convex side of the L-shaped saddle portion 50 is formed so as to conform substantially to the concave side of the leg portion 24 of the tine 12.

As can be derived more clearly from the side view of Figures 2a and 2b, two recesses or lugs 162, 164 are provided at a top end of the tine shin 16. The recesses or lugs 162, 164 are shaped to receive corresponding protrusions 122, 124 of the tine 12, such that the tine shin 16 abuts against the protrusions 122, 124 along its upper end. The lugs 162, 164 are provided on opposite sides of the saddle portion 50 of the tine shin 16.

At an opposite, lower end of the tine shin 16, a tine shoe securing peg 54 is provided and shown in Figures 4 and 5, for example. In Figures 1 to 3, the tine shoe securing peg 54 is received within a recess 48 of the tine shoe 14, which will be described in more detail below.

Turning to the tine shoe 14, Figure 1 shows that the shoe comprises a casing 28, which tapers from a rear end 30a to a rounded front end 30b. Wings 32, 34 extend to the sides of the casing 28 in opposite directions.

The casing 28 is hollow and defines an aperture 36, as can be derived from Figures 4 and 5, for example. The aperture 36 is adapted for receiving the tine foot 80 of the tine 12. The aperture 36 is defined by inner top and bottom walls 42, 44 respectively (Figure 5). The aperture 36 tapers inwardly from an opening 38 arranged at the rear end 30a of the tine shoe 14 towards the rounded front end 30b. To this end, the lower wall 44 extends at an angle with respect to a horizontal direction, thereby reducing the height of the aperture 36 towards the leading end 30b. The upper wall 42 of the casing 28 extends in a substantially horizontal direction.

A recess 48 is defined in the upper wall 42 extending from the rear end opening 38 of the aperture 36 inwardly of the tine shoe 14 for a short distance. As can be derived from Figure 5, for example, the recess 48 is adapted to receive the shoe securing peg 54 of the tine shin 16 to wedge the tine foot 80 more securely into the aperture 36 of the tine shoe 14, thereby pushing the tine foot 80 towards a locking pin 72.

Figures 2a, 2b and 4 show that the casing 28 of the tine shoe 14 further comprises a heel portion 60 protruding from a lower part of the tine shoe 14, below wings 32 and 34. The heel portion 60, which is formed by the lower wall 44 is shown in more detail in Figure 3.

The heel portion 60 has first and second side walls 62, 64. The first and second side walls 62, 64 are joined together by lower wall 44 and arranged on opposite ends thereof. A first opening 66 (Figure 2a) extends through the first side wall 62 of the heel portion 60. A second opening 68 extends through the second, opposite side wall 64. The first and second openings 66, 68 extend through their corresponding side walls 62, 64 in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis LI of the tine shoe 14. In other words, the first and second openings 66, 68 extend along a lateral axis L2, which is perpendicular to longitudinal axis LI.

Figure 3 further illustrates a third opening 70, which extends through the bottom wall 44 between the first and second openings 66, 68. The third opening 70 enables the operator to view the aperture 36 of the casing 28 from the bottom of the tine shoe 14, thereby enabling the operator to inspect the position of a locking pin 72, which will be described in more detail below.

The tine foot 80 of the tine assembly 10 has a shape that conforms to the aperture 36 of the tine shoe 14. As such, the tine foot 80 has an upper edge 82, which extends in a substantially horizontal direction, whereas a lower edge 84 extends at an angle substantially identical to the angle of lower wall 44. At a lower rear end of the tine foot 80, there is provided a recess 86, which is configured to receive a locking pin 72 after it has been inserted into the aperture 36 via one of the first and second openings 66, 68.

Figure 3 shows the locking pin 72 received within the first and second openings 66 and 68 of the tine shoe 14. Parts of the locking pin 72 that extend through the aperture 36 of the tine shoe 14 are visible via the third opening 70. The locking pin 72 has an enlarged pin head which abuts with the first side wall 62 of the heel portion 60 in its assembled position. In other words, the side wall 62 acts as a flange surface for the enlarged head of the locking pin 72.

Figure 5 illustrates how the locking pin 72 is received in the recess 86 of the tine foot 80, after it has been inserted into one of the first and second openings 66, 68. Once the locking pin 72 is received in the first and second openings 66, 68 and the recess 86, the tine foot 80 can no longer be removed from the tine shoe 14 without removing the locking pin 72.

An embodiment of a method for assembling the tine assembly according to the embodiment of Figure 1 is shown in Figures 6a to 6d. In a first step, shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the lugs 162 and 164 of the tine shin 16 are aligned with their corresponding protrusions 122, 124. In other words, the protrusions 122, 124 are received within the lugs 162, 164 at the upper end of the tine shin 16. The tine shin 16 is then pivoted about the protrusions 122, 124 until the saddle portion 50 is arranged astride the leg portion 24 of the tine 12.

As depicted by Figure 6c, once the tine shin 16 is positioned with respect to the tine 12, the tine shoe 14 is mounted on the tine foot 80. In particular, the tine shoe 14 is pushed onto the tine foot 80 such that the tine foot 80 is received within the aperture 36. At the same time, the tine shoe securing peg 54 is inserted into the recess 48 (Fig. 5) of the aperture 36. At this point, as illustrated by Figure 6d, the tine shoe 14 can only be moved in a longitudinal direction, i.e. away from the tine foot 80 by pulling the tine shoe 14 to the left in Figure 6d. Any other translatory or rotary movement of the tine shoe 14 with respect to the tine 12 is prevented by means of the complementary shapes of the aperture 36 and tine foot 80.

As described hereinbefore, the removal of the tine shoe 14 in the longitudinal direction is prevented by a locking pin 72, which is inserted into the first opening 66 of the tine shoe 14, once the tine foot 80 has been fully received within the aperture 36.

Claims

1. A tine shoe (14) for removably mounting on a tine (12) of an agricultural cultivator, said tine shoe (14) comprising a casing (28) with an aperture (36) configured to receive a tine foot (26) of a tine (12), said aperture (36) extending in a first direction of the tine shoe (14), and wherein the casing comprises at least one opening (66, 68) adapted to receive a locking pin (72) in a second direction, which is transverse to the first direction.

2. The tine shoe (14) according to claim 1, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to first direction.

3. The tine shoe (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tine shoe (14) comprises first and second openings (66, 68) arranged to receive the locking pin (72).

4. The tine shoe according to claim 3, wherein the first and second openings (66, 68) are arranged on opposite sides of the casing (28).

5. The tine shoe according to claim 4, wherein the casing (28) comprises a heel portion (60) protruding from a bottom part thereof, the first and second openings (66, 68) being arranged on opposing side walls (62, 64) of the heel portion.

6. The tine shoe according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the casing (28) comprises a third opening (70) arranged between the first and second openings (66, 68) and extending through the casing (28) in a third direction that is substantially perpendicular to the second direction, said third opening (70) being arranged to provide visibility of the locking pin (72) when the latter is received in the first and second openings (66, 68).

7. The tine shoe (14) according to claim 6, wherein the third direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

8. The tine shoe (14) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one opening (66, 68) is sized to match with the locking pin (72) to retain the locking pin by a friction fit.

9. The tine shoe (14) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the shape of the aperture (36) follows the shape of the tine foot (80) it protects.

10. The tine shoe (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the casing (28) of the tine shoe (14) further comprises a recess (48) arranged to receive a tine shoe securing peg (54).

11. The tine shoe (14) according to claim 10, wherein the at least one opening (66, 68) is arranged on a first end of the aperture (36) and the recess (48) for the tine shoe securing peg (54) is arranged on a second end, opposite the first end.

12. The tine shoe (14) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the at least one opening (66, 68) is arranged on a lower part of the aperture (36), and wherein the at least one recess is arranged on an upper part of the aperture (36).

13. The tine shoe (14) according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the aperture (36) of the casing (28) tapers inwardly form an opening (38) arranged at a rear end (30a) of the tine shoe (14) towards a front end (30b).

14. A tine shin (16) for mounting on a tine (12) and securing to a tine shoe (14) of an agricultural cultivator, the tine shin comprising a tine shoe securing peg (54) to be inserted in a recess (48) of a tine shoe (14) and at least one lug (162, 164) configured to engage with a protrusion (122, 124) of the tine (12).

15. The tine shin (16) according to claim 14, wherein the shoe securing peg (54) and the at least one lug (162, 164) are positioned on opposite ends of the tine shin (16).

16. The tine shin (16) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the tine shin (16) comprises two lugs (162, 164) arranged to be positioned on the same end of the tine shin and adapted to receive corresponding protrusions (122, 124) on opposite sides of the tine (12).

17. The tine shin (16) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the tine shin (16) comprises a saddle portion (50) adapted to be arranged astride the tine (12).

18. The tine shin (16) according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the saddle portion (50) of the tine shin (16) is adapted to conform with a concave side of a leg portion (24) of the tine (12).

19. A tine cover assembly for mounting on a tine of an agricultural cultivator, the tine cover assembly comprising:

a tine shoe (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 13; and a locking pin (72) received in the at least one opening (66, 68) of the tine shoe.

20. The tine cover assembly according to claim 19, wherein the locking pin (72) is prebent so as to provide a friction fit by means of a resilient force created when the locking pin is straightened during insertion into the at least one opening (66, 68).

21. The tine cover assembly according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the locking pin (72) has a square cross-section.

22. The tine cover assembly according to any of claims 19 to 21, wherein the tine cover assembly further comprises a tine shin according to any one of claims 14 to 18.

22. A tine assembly (10) for use on an agricultural cultivator, comprising a tine cover assembly according to any one of the claims 19 to 21, and a tine (12), wherein the tine (12) comprises at least one protrusion (122, 124) against which the lug (162, 164) of the tine shin (16) abuts.

23. The tine assembly (10) according to claim 22 wherein the tine (12) further comprises a recess (86) for receiving the locking pin (72).

24. The tine assembly (10) according to claim 23, wherein the recess (86) of the tine (12) conforms to the shape of the locking pin (74).

25. The tine assembly (10) according to one of claims 23 or 24, wherein the tine (12) comprises a tine foot (80), and wherein the recess (86) of the tine (12) is positioned on a lower part of said tine foot (80).

26.

26. The tine assembly (10) according to any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the tine (12) comprises two protrusions (122, 124).

27. A cultivator comprising the tine assembly (10) according to any one of claims 22 to