MXPA96001427A - Adjustment of pressure spring toward ab - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tool support rig for an agricultural implement supported from a frame by a parallel bar link oscillating about a transversely extending axis, the parallel bar link includes the upper and lower links that have the first ends, the first pivot structure that connects the first ends to a first support and the second ends to a second support, a spring tensioner assembly for adjustably pressing the rigging in a pre-selected direction, the spring tensioning assembly includes: a vertical notched portion supported on one side of the first pivot structure, the notched portion includes the vertically spaced notches of preselected configuration, a rotating indexer member that includes a matching portion that is generally shaped to at least a portion of the configuration of the notches, a pressure spring n down between the rotary indexing member and the second support, the downward pressure spring urges the matching portion of the indexing member to contact one of the notches, and an arrangement for selectively rotating the indexing member to move the part. Increasingly, the indexing member for moving the coinciding part incrementally in a verical direction along the notches and thereby adjusting the tension of the spring, wherein the notched part comprises a section of saw teeth with the teeth of straight edge extending vertically along and integral with one of the supports, and where the indexer member giratirio includes the sides that conform to the area between the teeth

Description

ADJUSTMENT OF PRESSURE SPRING DOWN Background of the Invention 1) Field of the Invention: The present invention relates generally to agricultural implements for working the land, and, more specifically, to a downward pressure spring adjustment for a parallel hinge on an implement such as a row crop harvester or the like. 2) Related Art: Implements such as row crop cultivators or planters often use a parallel joint to connect a sower set or cultivator with a transverse tool bar or frame member. To push the rig down, the coil springs can be tensioned diagonally between the joints. Some of the previously available gears such as the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,461,355 include a threaded fit to sweep the tension of the springs and adjust the downward pressure. Threaded adjustments typically require one or more tools to change the spring tension for the desired downward pressure. Making the adjustments for downward pressure for various combinations of rigging tool and terrains and crop conditions can be time-consuming and difficult.

Some pressure systems of parallel joints have a structure to move one end of the springs along one of the joints. For example, a rack and pinion arrangement, such as that shown in United States Patent No. 4,766,962 which adjusts the springs along an upper link of the parallel mechanism to change the spring tension and so adjust the pressure down. Such systems require a special retention member which adds cost and complexity to the structure, and a separate tool is necessary to make the pressure adjustments.

Most rigging sets do not have a convenient or easily readable marker or gauge to determine the placement of spring tension to provide repeatable collocations. Frequently a time-consuming trial and error method is necessary to establish downward pressure on a large number of rigs so that the thrust on each rig is approximately the same. With some pressure adjustment systems, over-tensioning is possible in the extension in which the stresses become greater than desired when the rigging is in the working position.

Brief Summary of the Invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved downward pressure arrangement which overcomes some or all of the aforementioned problems. It is an additional object to provide such an improved downward pressure arrangement which facilitates rapid adjustment to several rigs at a predetermined downward pressure or placement.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved downward pressure arrangement wherein adjustments can be made without tools. It is a further object to provide such an arrangement where adjustments can be made quickly and easily and where the preselected setting is maintained in a simple manner without special fasteners or fastening procedures. It is still another object to provide such an arrangement wherein the spring pressure during adjustment is kept to a minimum and the possibility of an over-tensioning of the rig when it is in the working position is minimized.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved pressure array wherein the downward pressure can be easily determined by a visual inspection, and where a preselected downward pressure can be repeated. It is a further object to provide such an arrangement which is relatively simple and inexpensive to build in which a rack and pinion structure or screw thread settings are not required.

A rigging assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention includes a series of notches provided in the vertical plates on one end of a four bar link that connects the rig to a frame or tool bar. The coil springs are tensioned between the opposite end of the joint and a set of rod and stump that fits within the series of notches. A handle on the rod allows the operator to move the rod and trunnion assembly up and down the series of notches to adjust the downward pressure to a known placement or value. When the tool bar is raised to a transport position and the hinge pivots down to a lower position, the spring is stretched only slightly so that a wide range of incremental downward pressure adjustments can be made without the use of tools additional By placing the stump and rod assemblies on each of a plurality of rigs in the same notch, the same downward pressure can be provided for each rig. Pressure collocations are easily determined by a brief visual inspection of the location of the selected notch, and downward pressure collocations are repeatable. The spring tension retains the rod and core assembly in the selected notch without the need for additional securing mechanisms or procedures. The notch system reduces the problem of over-tensioning the rigging in the working position which can occur if the springs are highly stressed in structures with a screw cord or a similar infinite variable adjustment.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art of reading the following detailed description with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a side view of a row crop cultivator including a cultivator rig supported from a transversely extending tool bar.

Figure 2 is a side and back perspective view of a part of the rig of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a portion of an agricultural implement 10 such as a row crop cultivator. A transversely extending tool bar or implement frame 12 is connected to a conventional vertically movable hook structure (not shown) on a tractor for forward movement over a field. A plurality of individual cultivating implements 16 are connected by vertical clamps 18 and U-bolts 20 at transversely spaced locations along the tool bar. A pair of generally parallel lower and upper arms extending longitudinally or tubes 22 and 24 are connected to either the forward ends or the flanges extending rearwardly of the clamps 18. The forward ends of the arms 22 and 24 are embraced by a pair of transversely spaced vertical plates 32 and 34 (Figure 2) connected in a pivot to the arms by the pivot or hub and the bolt assemblies 36 and 38. The narrow plates 32 and 34 in the upward direction have their lower ends perforated 42 and 44 which are bent towards each other and then down to define a rigging support area. The plates 32 and 34 include the vertical leading edges 32a and 34a.

A longitudinally extending rigging tube 50 is held between the lower ends 42 and 44 of plates 32 and 34 in virtually a horizontal attitude by connecting bolts 52 and 54 (figure 2). A plurality of tools for working the ground, such as those shown at points 60, 62 and 64 of Figure 1, are supported from rigging tube 50 by tool holders 70, 72 and 74 connected by suitable clamps and / or tubes transverse to the tube 50. The tube 50 projects both downwards and upwards from the ends 42 and 44, with a distance of the projections being variable to accommodate the numerous combinations and locations of the different tools.

An adjustable wheel mounted caliper system 80, which is the subject of our co-pending, commonly assigned application, entitled "CALIBRATOR WHEEL SUPPORT" presented concurrently therewith, is connected in the form of a pivot near the front end of the tube. 50 rigging to adjust and control the working depth of the work tools 60-64. A downward pressure spring arrangement 82 is connected between the clamp 18 and the leading edges 32a and 34a on the side plates 32 and 34 for downward pressure control of rigging, described in detail below.

The straddle mounted gauge wheel system 80 includes a control arm 88, a bushing assembly 90 that pivotably supports a bifurcated central portion 92 of the arm 88. The arm 88 includes an upper end 94 connected to an adjustable depth control array 100 located above the tube 50 to selectively pivot the arm about the axis of the assembly bushing 90. Arm 88 also includes a lower forward turning end 104 with removable gauge wheel holders 110 which mount one or more of the gauging wheels that contact the ground 112 to control the depth of the tool.

The downward pressure spring arrangement 82 includes an indexing member 210 which is supported to rotate along the notched portions 212 and 214 of the leading edges 32a and 34a of the plates 32 and 34. The coil springs 222 and 224 are stressed between the indexing member 210 and the bolt connections 226 on the clamp 18 fixed to the tool bar 12 (Figure 1) the springs 222 and 224 push the rig down, with the pressure increasing as the rig swings upward with respect to the tool bar 12. When the indexing member 210 is turned up along the edges 32a and 34a, the distance between the connections 226 and the member increases and the tension in the springs 222 and 224 is increased for a given position of the rig 16 in relation to the tool bar 12. Turning the indexing member 210 down along the edges 32a and 34a decreases the distance and therefore the tension in the springs for a rigging position given in relation to the toolbar 12.

The notched portions 212 and 214 as seen in Fig. 2 are generally of identical sawtooth patterns with straight edge teeth 229 defining a series of V-shaped notches 230 generally pointing in the direction of the center lines of the teeth. the springs 222 and 224 to the respective bolt connections 226. The sides of the notches 230 have a length of approximately ID, except that the upper side 234 of the uppermost notches and the lower side 236 of the poorer notches, which they no longer help to avoid rotation of the indexing member from the notched portions 212 and 214. As shown, the teeth 229 are generally located between the pivot pin assemblies 36 and 38.

The indexing member 210 includes a pair of transversely spaced journals 240 supported on a transversely extending rod 242 outwardly to one side of the side plates 32 and 34. The journals 240 are mounted on the rod 242 for rotation with the rod. The hook ends of the springs 222 and 224 extend around the trunnions 240. The trunnions 240 include the ring-like guide members 246 and are fixed to the rod 242 with the members 246 on the opposite sides of the plates 32 and 34 to align the indexing member 210 in relation to the plates. Located on the stumps 240 in inward locations on one side of the washers 246 are a pair of notch engaging members 250 which match the notches 230. As shown, the members 250 are square and the sides of a notch. given 230 they find a right angle at the base of the notch. The members 250 are held in the notches 230 by the pressure of the springs 222 and 224. The length of each side of the members 252 is D2, with D2 being greater than DI (preferably, DI is on the order of 50-60% of D2) to facilitate rotation of member 210 from a pair of spaced grinds 230 to an adjacent pair of notches. The lengths of the sides 234 and 236 of the uppermost and lowermost notches 230 are approximately equal to or slightly larger than the dimension D2 to help prevent rotation of the member 210 outside the notched areas. The rod 242 includes a handle 252 that extends at a right angle to the rest of the rod. Handle 252 and members 250 provide sufficient leveling so that an operator can make spring tension adjustments without the need for additional tools.

When the tool bar 12 (Fig. 1) is raised to a transport position so that the hinges 220 and 224 are angled downwardly (Fig. 1) to a lowermost stopped position as the springs 222 and 224 approach the its relaxed position and only a small amount of tension is present to maintain the member 210 with the selected notches 230. In this lowermost position of the rig in relation to the tool bar 12, the tension of the reduced spring is also easily adjustable from the member 210 along notches 230.

As shown, three sets of vertically spaced notches 230 are provided with the two springs 222 and 224, even though the number of notch juices and the number and location of the springs can be varied. For the configuration shown, the pressure variations downwards in a range of from about 15% to 30%, the member 210 is rotated from a set of the notches 230 to an adjacent set. The adjustments, which can be made by simply rotating the handle 252 by hand, are repeatable and easily determined by observing the location of the notch of the member 210, and the operator is able to adjust several gears 16 to the predetermined placement or pressure down. The locations of the member 210 backward of the plates 32 and 34 and the springs 222 and 224 outwardly from the plates provide unobstructed areas between and forward of the plates for the tubes 22 and 24, as well as for other assemblies such as the depth control arrangement 210. By placing a depth control handle adjacent to the machine 252 as shown in Figure 2, both adjustments can be made from the same convenient location. The configuration described above has been largely given of repeatable downward pressure settings to be made while limiting the possibility of damage to the tensioning of the springs.

Although the preferred embodiments have been described, it will be evident that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the attached clauses. For example, even when the two springs 222 and 224 are shown located away from the plates 32 and 34, other spring arrangements may also be used. For example, a single or double spring arrangement can be mounted between the plates 32 and 34, and the notch portions of the rear edges of the plates can be vertically decen- tered to one side of the pivot connections 36 and 38.

Claims (21)

R E I V I ND I C A C I O N S

1. In a support tool for an agricultural implement supported by a frame by a parallel bar link rotatable about a transversely extending axis, the parallel bar linkage includes the upper and lower linkages having the first ends, a connected pivot structure at the first ends with a first clamp, and second ends connected to a second clamp, a tensioning spring assembly for adjustably pushing the rig in a preselected direction, the spring tensioning assembly includes: a vertical notch portion supported on one side of the first pivot structure, the notch portion includes two notches of a preselected configuration; a rotary indexing member that includes a matching part generally composed of at least a portion of the configuration to the notches; a downward pressure spring connected between the rotary indexing member and the second clamp, the downward pressure spring presses the matching part of the index member to contact one of the notches; a structure for selectively rotating the indexing member to move the matching part incrementally along the notches and thereby adjusting the tension of the spring.

2. The invention as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the notch part comprises a serrated section of saw with teeth with straight edges and wherein the rotary indexing member includes sides that conform to the area between the teeth.

3. The invention as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the matching part of the indexing member has a preselected dimension, the preselected dimension being greater than the dimension of the notches and facilitating the rotation of the part that matches from a notch to an adjacent notch when the indexing member is rotated.

4. The invention as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that the notch part defines a sawtooth edge with the straight edge teeth, and wherein the matching part of the indexing member includes straight edge corners that are shaped to an area between the teeth.

5. The invention as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the structure for selectively rotating the indexing member includes a handle fixed to the index member, the handle provides sufficient leveling to rotate the indexing member with the hand.

6. The invention as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the indexing member is kept in the selected groove virtually completely by spring pressure.

7. The invention as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the notched portion comprises a pair of transversely spaced edges and the indexing member extends between the edges.

8. The invention as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that the spaced edges are integrated with the first clamp.

9. The invention as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that the first ends of the upper and lower joints are embraced by the first clamp and the spaced edges are offset in the longitudinal direction away from the first ends.

10. the invention as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that the spring is held outwardly of the first clamp and the first ends of the upper and lower articulations are held inward to one side of the spring.

11. The invention as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that the notched portion extends vertically in an area generally between the pivot connections of the upper and lower articulations with the first clamp.

12. In a tool support rig for an agricultural implement rotatably supported from a frame by a parallel bar hinge for vertical movement, the parallel bar hinge includes the upper and lower links having the first ends connected in a pivot to the vertical plate structure and the second ends connected in a pivot to the frame, a tool carrier rigging tube connected to the plate structure below the lower joint, the joints pivot between a first position corresponding to the transport position of the rigging tube and positions corresponding to field work positions of the rigging tube, a spring tensioning assembly to adjustably press the rig when the pipe is in the working positions in the field, the tensioning assembly includes: a sustained indexing member for a vertical movement along the plate structure; a stressed downward pressure spring between the infecting member and the frame; Y means for moving the indexing member vertically along the plate structure to vary the tension in the spring.

13. The invention as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that the plate structure includes a plurality of vertically spaced notches, and wherein the downward pressure spring presses the indexing member to make contact with the notches.

14. The invention as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that the means for moving the indexing member includes a handle for rotating the indexing member to move the member along the notches and thus adjust the tension of the spring to the levels of incremental voltage preselected depending on the location of the indexing member.

15. The invention as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that it includes a sustained depth control between the vertical plates on one side of the index member to thereby facilitate depth control and downward pressure adjustments at a location above the rig.

16. The invention as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that the vertically spaced notches are located rearwardly to one side of the pivot connections of the first ends of the links, generally between the pivot connections of the upper and lower links with the vertical plate structure.

17. The invention as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that the indexing member extends outwardly from the plates and the downward pressure spring is located outwardly of the plates.

18. The invention as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that it includes two downward pressure springs, one located outward to one side of each plate.

19. An agricultural implement having a frame, a hinge having an end connected in the form of a pivot to the frame and an opposite end connected to the tool support structure, and a spring with proximal and distant ends, the spring connected at its distal end to a spring mounting location and at its end proximal to the tool support structure for pressing the tool holder in a preselected direction, the tension adjusting structure for varying the pressure in the preselected direction, the adjusting structure for Stress includes: an index area located on the tool holder and defining discrete locations at varying distances from the spring mounting location; a rotating member held to move along the indexing area and including an indexing structure keeping the rotating member in one of the discrete locations; Y wherein the proximal end of the spring is connected to the rotating member to move with it along the indexing area so that the distance between the distal end and the proximal end of the spring and therefore the tension in the spring will depend on the location of the rotating member along the path.

20. The invention as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that the indexing area includes an area of notches and wherein the rotating member includes a member that conforms to the notched area and that can be moved incrementally from one of the discrete locations to another to thereby adjust the tension in the spring incrementally.

21. The invention as claimed in clause 20, characterized in that the spring presses the rotary member to contact the index area and retains the index structure the discrete location. SUMMARY A series of notches are provided in the vertical plates on one end of the parallel bar link connecting to a set of planter or cultivator with a tool bar. The coil springs are tensioned between the opposite end of the joint and the rod and core assembly that fits within the series of notches. The spiral spring keeps the rod and core in a selected set of notches. A handle on the rod allows the operator to move the rod and trunnion assembly up and down the series of notches to select a different set of notches and thereby incrementally adjust the downward pressure to a known value or placement. When the tool bar is raised to a transport position and the hinge pivots down to a lower position, the spring is stretched only slightly so that downward pressure adjustments can be made easily using only the handle on the rod.