MXPA99005387A - Construction of implement framework including a pipe within a t - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an implement frame for an implement having tools that make contact with the ground and adapted to stay ahead on the ground, the implement frame comprises: a first tubular member having a rectangular cross section with side walls first and second connected by upper and lower walls, the first and second side walls space the upper and lower walls by a first separation distance, a second tubular member having a rectangular cross section with upper and lower walls spaced apart by a second distance of separation, the second distance being less than the first distance, the first side wall of the first tubular member includes a perforated portion having an opening between the upper and lower walls that conform to the cross section of the second tubular member and receive the second tubular member through them and that resist the torsional force and the bending moments introduced when the tools that make contact with the earth are dragged forward through the ground, a connecting structure that secures the first tubular member, the second tubular member at one side of the opening in a generally fixed relationship with the second tubular member, and a third member offset and extending parallel to the first tubular member and connected to the second tubular member, the third member helps to maintain the fixed relationship between the tubular members first and second

Description

CONSTRUCTION OF IMPLEMENT FRAMEWORK INCLUDING A PIPE WITHIN A PIPE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1) Field of the Invention: The present invention relates generally to agricultural implements and more specifically to a pipe frame construction for an implement such as a chisel plow or a field cultivator. 2) Related Art: Frameworks for implements such as field cultivators or chisel plows are typically fabricated by welding a series of similarly sized tubes together. In some framework fabrication methods, such as shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,190,207, the end of a tube is laser cut to conform to the adjacent tube shape. The cut provides a solid connection by wrapping a portion of the cut tube end around the radius of the adjacent tube, and shortened welding time is achieved. However, the joint can be expensive compared to a straight joint. Straight cut joints sometimes require filler rods during the welding process and often fail to provide the joint strength and integrity needed for the heavy load present during field operations of the implement. Frame sections are often made from numerous short tube lengths with joint strength resting on the weld. If a joint weld is improperly made, the frame may fail. In addition, paint operations frequently require drainage holes in the weld pipe members and add extra steps to the frame manufacturing process. Numerous gussets have usually been required which add extra soldier steps and present problems of pickup and paint run-off during painting operations.

In some agricultural frame constructions, the end of the tube is welded to the side of another tube that has a larger dimension (for example, a tube that is 4 by 4 inches is welded to the 5-inch face of a 2-way tube). 5 inches) . Although this joint can usually be formed with a simple fillet weld, the larger wall is prone to flexing (oil canning) due to the load of the tube welded to it. The matching tube is attached to the larger wall by means of a solder joint only, and the wall can be deflected under heavy bending and the torsional loads encountered in the field. This reflection greatly reduces the fatigue of the life of the board. When the hinge clamps or the like are joined, the bolts that hold the clamps or supports can fold the wall of the clamping tube. The retention of the bolt torque required to maintain the joint strength becomes difficult as a result of wall collapse.

The frame constructions frequently include bolting or gripping sub-frames to a main frame. The sub-frames transfer the pulling loads of the towing vehicle to the transverse members of the main frame but are expensive to manufacture, send and assemble. The construction of the hitch subframe frequently requires expensive connection points on the main frame. As with any attached or bolted joint arrangement, structural integrity and draft load transfer for the transverse members is sometimes compromised. An additional problem with such an arrangement is that the sub-frame does not extend to the back of the machine; therefore, adding a rear hitch becomes more difficult.

To provide continuous side tube or row members, some manufacturers use a bridge structure to help transmit loads through the machine. The transversely extending tool support tubes are welded between the smaller or larger upper cross section tubes. The bridge structure usually has high welding costs, and many small welds are used rather than large continuous welds. Bell chamfer groove welds are necessary and tend to have less structural integrity compared to a fillet weld. The joints tend to crack during the combined loading and bending load.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved frame construction for an agricultural implement. It is another object to provide such a frame construction that overcomes most or all of the aforementioned problems.

It is a further object to provide an improved frame construction for an agricultural implement that eliminates large numbers of short weld pipe sections and reduces or eliminates the need for gussets at pipe intersections. It is still another object to provide such a frame construction which reduces or eliminates tube wall problems in pipe joints caused by the torsional bending load. It is another object to provide such a frame construction which has fewer parts and fewer problems with joint deformation and cracking than at least the majority of previously available frame constructions.

It is still another object to provide an agricultural frame construction having continuous transversely extending frame tubes without the need for bridge structures or sub-frame assemblies bolted or grabbed. It is a further object to provide such a construction that has a better joint and overall structural integrity and better resistance to paralleling the majority of the previously available frame constructions. It is another object to provide such a construction which provides an improved load distribution for the side tubes.

It is another object to provide a frame construction for agricultural implements that simplifies welding and solidification welding operations. It is another object to provide such a frame construction that is easier, faster and less expensive to manufacture than most previously available frame constructions. It is another object to provide such a construction which advantageously uses continuous holes and tubes to provide an accurate and positive positioning of the frame tubes.

It is another object to provide an implement frame construction that has fewer welding starts and more continuous welds in the joints than at least the majority of previously available frame constructions. It is still a further object to provide a construction which eliminates the crowning of gaskets, filler rods, and bell chamfer groove joints. It is another object to provide such a construction which reduces the sectioning of the side walls.

It is yet another object to provide an agricultural implement frame construction having an improved hinge area. It is a further object to provide such a construction which has a better joint torque force retention for a bolted hinge structure than at least the majority of previously available constructions.

An implement frame construction includes a longitudinally extending tube having a cross section of a first height with the perforated side walls. The tool support tubes that extend transversely with the cross section having a height less than the first height and equalizing the shape of the openings inserted through the openings to provide a mechanical connection that does not rest only on the welding resistance of meeting. The bending stiffness is also increased over a conventional frame construction since the opening will have to be distorted for a total joint failure. The openings allow the cross tubes to pass through the tube of a larger height to eliminate or reduce the side wall performance or the "canning of oil" of the larger tube. The resulting joint has more torsion and bending strength than a welded joint. The frame construction provides easily welded fillet welds on both sides of the larger dimension tube and reduces the number of gussets and problems associated with the gussets. The smaller tube runs continuously through the joint to reduce the number of components and welds needed for a given frame configuration. None of the tubes requires being crowned, and the filler rods are eliminated since the fillet weld fills the gap between the larger dimension tube and the continuous tube. The components themselves place frame tubes in relation to one another to simplify the welding of the accessories and increase the resistance to parallelogramming.

The hinge areas are provided with increased torsional resistance by passing the smaller height tube through the larger dimension tube and welding the joint and locating the hinge in the joint. In one embodiment, a side wall of the larger dimension tube is perforated to receive the cross tube, and the joint is welded. The hinge pins pass through the side walls and the solder joint prevents wall collapse to retain the torsional force of the bolt. In another embodiment, the sidewalls of the larger dimension tube are perforated, the smaller tube passes through and is welded on both sides of a larger dimension tube for improved torsional stiffness and better torsional force retention of meeting. The smaller tube protrudes slightly from the outer side wall, and the hinge is recessed to accept the protrusion and weld.

The longitudinally extending, continuous and long hitch tube members make the hitch sub-frames obvious and evenly distribute the hitch load to the side tubes independently of the bolted or gripped joints and the extensive shielding. The continuous longitudinal members are incorporated into two main frame sections or halves so that the sub-frame assembly and shipping is eliminated. Since the hitch tube members are continuous from the hitch to the back of the machine, a rear hitch option can be added to allow the rear hitch load to be efficiently transferred to the implement's front hitch.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below in view of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a portion of a main frame section (half) for an implement using the frame construction of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a wing frame section for an implement.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a gasket on the wing frame section of Figure 2 and illustrating the gasket construction used for the frame sections of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of an end portion of an implement frame section showing a joint area for a hinge location.

Figure 5 is a view of an end portion of an implement frame section showing an alternate incorporation of the joint area for a hinge location.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a portion 10 of a main frame 12 for an implement such as a field cultivator or a plow adapted to be pulled in a direction F forward on the ground by means of a towing vehicle and a latch (not shown) connected to a front hitch connector 14. Only the right side portion 10 (as seen in the direction of travel F) of the frame 12 is shown since the left side has a similar tube within a tube construction and is generally an identical image of the part 10. A wing section 16 (Figure 2) is adapted for support from the main frame 12 and includes a tube within a tube construction of the type similar to that of the main frame 12. On the drawings, the parts of the wing frame 16 are identically numbered to correspond to the main frame parts 12 but are distinguished by a premium after the number .

The main frame 12 includes a continuous longitudinally extending tubular member or a main beam 22 having a rectangular cross section with the first and second vertical side walls 24 and 26 connected by the upper and lower walls 28 and 30. The tubular member 22 it has a generally rectangular cross section with the side walls 24 and 26 defining a pre-selected tube height which, as shown in Figure 1, is greater than the tube width defined by the walls 28 and 30. On the main frame 12 , the hook connector 14 is perforated to conform to and receive the member 32 and is fixed to the forward end of the tubular member 22.

The main frame 12 includes the transverse tubular members 32, 34, 36 and 38 having the rectangular cross sections with the front and rear walls 44 and 46 and the upper and lower walls 48 and 50 spaced apart by a distance which is less than the spacing between the upper and lower walls of the member 22. Both side walls 24 and 26 of the tubular member 22 are pierced at the locations 52, 54, 56 and 58 receive the corresponding tubular members 32-38. The openings at points 52-58 are generally centered vertically relative to the side walls and conform to the cross section of the corresponding members 32-38 to facilitate fabrication of the frame with minimum welding accessories and to provide mechanical support for the members. members to help resist the torsion and bending loads. The continuous fillet welds 60 (Figure 3) on both walls around each opening location fixes the tubular member transverse to the walls 24 and 26 of the tubular member 22.

As shown in Figure 1, the main frame 12 includes a longitudinally extending inner beam or connecting board member 66 welded or otherwise fixed to the inner ends of the members 32-38 in a parallel relationship with the member 22. Plate 66 is perforated and bolted to the corresponding plate (not shown) on the left side section of the main frame. Alternatively, the main frame can be formed as a single weld with the transverse members 32-38 extending continuously through both main longitudinal members 22. The two-piece construction provides easier handling and shipping.

The outermost ends of the transverse members 32-38 are connected to an outer longitudinal extending member 70 which is generally of the same height as (but narrower) than the member 22. The member 70 may be pierced in places 72, 74, 76 and 78 to receive the ends of the corresponding transverse members 32-38, and the fillet welds around the places rigidly secure the members together. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, both the inner and outer walls (see 70a and 70b) of the member 70 are perforated to form and receive the ends of the transverse members 32-38 and the end of each member projects slightly outward from the outer wall (see 32p of Figure 5). The continuous fillet welds 80 between the outer wall 70b and the projection 32p and between the inner wall 70a and the member rigidly fix the members 32-38 to the member 70. Alternatively, only the inner wall (see 70a of Figure 4) is perforated and the transverse member (T of Figure 4) extends through the opening and terminates within member 70 '. A continuous fillet weld is then formed around the location of the opening. If the end of the member T connects the interior of the member 70 ', a drain hole can be provided at the point 84 to ensure drainage of paint can from within the tube T during the painting operations. The openings 90a and 90b for the hinge connections are formed in the walls 70a and 70b near the tube T and the openings 92 in a hinge casting 94 are aligned with the openings 90a and 90b. The bolts (not shown) are inserted through the openings 90a, 90b and 94 and tightened to secure the hinge cast 94 'against the outer wall 70b. The welded wall construction stiffens and reinforces the wall 70a 'and prevents wall collapse to retain the hinge bolt torque force. In the double welded construction as shown in Figure 5, the additional wall strength is provided on one side of the hinge locations. The openings 90 in the walls 70a and 70b are aligned with the openings 92 in a hinge cast 94, which includes a hollow portion indicated generally at point 96 for receiving the projection 32p and the fillet weld 80. The bolts ( not shown) are inserted through the openings and tightened to secure the hinge cast 94 against the wall 70b. The double-welded construction stiffens and reinforces the walls 70a and 70b against collapse.

The wing frame 16 shown in Figure 2 includes a longitudinal member 100 pierced at the locations 102, 104 and 108 to receive the transverse member 32 ', 34' and 38 'therethrough. The fillet welds secure the members to the side walls of the member 100. The end of the cross member 36 'is welded to the outer wall of the member 100, and the perforations in the point 110 are provided for mounting the frame stop frames. The hinge plates 112, 114 and 118 are welded to the ends of the members 32 ', 34' and 38 '. If the wing frame 16 is used as the inner section of a five-section machine, the additional hinges are mounted on the outer longitudinal member 70 'as shown in Figure 4. The drainage holes are not required in the cross tube (32 ') since the tube is completely covered by 70' and 112. The paint is allowed to move freely through the longitudinal member 22 'during the painting operations.

As shown, the frame sections are vertically compact and lie generally within parallel planes defined by the upper and lower walls 28 and 30 (28 'and 30') of the main longitudinal members. The tubular members 22 define a continuous and strong frame section column and provide excellent hook load transfer from the transverse tubular members on the main frame 12 without bridge or subframe structure. A rear hitch can be attached to the rear ends (22a of Figure 1) of the members, with the rear draft loads efficiently transferred to the front hitch through the members 22.

Having described the preferred embodiment it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. For example, even when in the preferred embodiment the longitudinal members are perforated, the longitudinal tubes can pass through the openings in laterally extending tubes.

Claims (19)

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

1. An implement frame comprising: a first tubular member having a rectangular cross section with the first and second side walls connected by the upper and lower walls, the first and second side walls by spacing the upper and lower walls by a first separation distance; a second tubular member having a rectangular cross section with the upper and lower walls spaced apart by a second separation distance, the second distance being smaller than the first distance; the first side wall of the first tubular member includes a perforated part having an opening between the upper and lower walls which conforms to the cross section of the second tubular member and which receives the second tubular member therethrough; Y a connection structure that fixes the first tubular member in the second tubular member to one side of the opening.

2. The implement frame as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that the second tubular member terminates within the first tubular member.

3. The implement frame as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that both first and second side walls of the first tubular member are perforated and the second tubular member projects through the first tubular member.

4. The implement frame as claimed in clause 2 characterized in that it comprises a hinge connected to the second side wall of the first tubular member in an axial alignment with the second tubular member, the hinge includes a base having a cross section with parts of end projecting on opposite sides of the opening, and connectors extending through the first and second side walls of the first tubular member and the end portions of the hinge base.

5. The implement frame as claimed in clause 3 characterized in that the second tubular member terminates in an adjacent outward end projection of the second side wall, and further comprises a hinge having a recessed portion supported on the end projection .

6. The implement frame as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that the first tubular member comprises a longitudinally extending hook member.

7. The implement frame as claimed in clause 6 characterized in that it includes a pair of first longitudinally spaced tubular members transversely spaced with the first and second sets of openings aligned in the transverse direction, and two second tubular members, one of the second tubular member extends transversely through the first set of openings and the other second tubular member extends transversely through the second set of openings.

8. The implement frame as claimed in clause 7 characterized in that the second tubular members are welded to both side walls of each of the first tubular members.

9. An implement frame for an implement that has ground engaging tools and adapted to tow forward on the ground, the implement frame comprises: the first and second longitudinal extending hook tubes, the hook tubes have the wall side with openings of a preselected configuration; the transverse tubes have the outer and inner ends and hold the ground working tools, the cross tubes held in the joint places between their ends in the openings, the transverse tubes extend generally perpendicular to the coupling tubes and have a cross-section which generally conforms to the preselected configuration of the openings for the mechanical support by the hooking tubes to resist the bending and torsional force loads and transmit the pulling loads from the ground engaging tools to the pipes hitch; Y connect the structure that fixes the joints of the transverse tubes to the coupling tubes.

10. The implement frame as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that the connection structure comprises welds connecting the transverse tubes to the side walls of the coupling tube.

11. The implement frame as claimed in clause 9 characterized in that the frame comprises the individual left and right frame sections, each section having an end member extending longitudinally and inwardly, the end members are connected one to another to define a main frame section.

12. The implement frame as claimed in clause 11 characterized in that the left and right frame sections are generally identical images of one another and include the first and second hook tubes, respectively.

13. The implement frame as claimed in clause 9 characterized in that it includes an outer end member which is tubular and includes the side walls directed outwardly and inwardly, the side wall facing inwardly being perforated to receive the outer ends of the cross tubes.

14. The implement frame as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that it comprises a hinge structure connected to the side wall directed outward to one side of one of the outer ends of the transverse tubes, where the cross tubes are welded to the inner side walls to define a solder joint, and the hinge structure includes the connection structure extending through the outer end member adjacent to one of the solder joints on the inner side wall so that the joint welding leads to a resistance to bending to the inner side wall in the hinge connection structure.

15. The implement frame as claimed in clause 14 characterized in that the transverse tube adjacent to the hinge connection structure extends through both the inner and outer side walls of the longitudinal extending member, and the structure of hinge includes a recessed part that receives the end of the transverse tube.

16. The implement frame as claimed in clause 15 characterized in that the transverse tube adjacent to the hinge structure is welded to the inner and outer side walls of the longitudinal extending member.

17. An implement frame for an agricultural implement, the frame includes: a tubular frame member extending longitudinally and continuously having a generally rectangular cross section with the outer side walls of a preselected height; transverse tubular tool support members having cross sections with heights less than the preselected height and outermost end portions; the tubular frame member includes perforated portions with openings of cross sections that conform to the cross sections of the transverse tubular members, the openings receive the transverse tubular members therethrough, the perforated portions provide mechanical support to the tubular members cross-sectional the longitudinally extending tubular support member has the vertical walls with at least one of the vertical side walls including openings for receiving the transverse tubular members at transversely centered locations of the tubular frame member and holding the transverse tubular members in parallel relation to others; Y a connection structure that fixes the tubular members transverse to the perforated portions and the tubular support member and provides a generally rectangular frame construction resistant to parallelogram and torsional force and bending loads.

18. The implement frame as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that the connecting structure comprises fillet welds joining the transverse tubular members to the perforated parts.

19. The implement frame as claimed in clause 17 characterized in that the longitudinally extending tubular frame member includes the upper and lower surfaces that lie generally along vertically et and parallel planes, and the rectangular frame construction lies essentially between the center planes to provide a compact frame construction. SUMMARY An implement frame construction including a longitudinally extending perforated tube with tool mounting tubes that extend transversely with the cross section equaling the shape of the openings. The tubes are inserted through the openings to provide a mechanical connection not resting only on the solder joint resistance. The resulting seals are welded fillet on both sides of the longitudinal pipe and provide greater torsion and bending strength than a glue welding joint without the need for scuffs. The smaller tube runs continuously through the joint to reduce the number of components and welds needed for a given frame configuration. The components themselves place the frame tubes one in relation to the other to simplify the welding of accessories and increase the resistance to parallelogramming. The hinge areas are provided with a tube construction inside a welded tube to prevent wall collapse and retain the mounting bolt torque force. A main frame section is constructed with continuous longitudinal extending hooking tubes that directly transfer the load from the cross tubes to the towing vehicle and include the rear ends to support the tail hook structure. The wing frame sections are constructed with a similar tube construction, and a frame configuration for the right or left wings can be used.