US20200060067A1 - Implement with forward folding wing frames - Google Patents
Implement with forward folding wing frames Download PDFInfo
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- US20200060067A1 US20200060067A1 US16/672,582 US201916672582A US2020060067A1 US 20200060067 A1 US20200060067 A1 US 20200060067A1 US 201916672582 A US201916672582 A US 201916672582A US 2020060067 A1 US2020060067 A1 US 2020060067A1
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- Prior art keywords
- tool bar
- lock
- roller
- catch
- frame
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01B—SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL
- A01B73/00—Means or arrangements to facilitate transportation of agricultural machines or implements, e.g. folding frames to reduce overall width
- A01B73/005—Means or arrangements to facilitate transportation of agricultural machines or implements, e.g. folding frames to reduce overall width for endwise transportation, i.e. the direction of transport being substantially perpendicular to the direction of agricultural operation
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01B—SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL
- A01B73/00—Means or arrangements to facilitate transportation of agricultural machines or implements, e.g. folding frames to reduce overall width
- A01B73/02—Folding frames
- A01B73/06—Folding frames foldable about a vertical axis
- A01B73/065—Folding frames foldable about a vertical axis to a position essentially forward of the axis, in relation to the direction of travel
Definitions
- This disclosure relates to the field of agricultural implements and in particular an implement with forward folding wing frames.
- Wide agricultural implements typically include wing frames extending laterally from a center of the implement where each wing frame is pivotally attached to the adjacent wing frame about a horizontal pivot axis aligned with the operating travel direction such that each wing frame can pivot up and down with respect to the next to follow ground contours and maintain a desired depth of ground penetration of ground engaging tools such as furrow openers.
- Such telescoping hitches require considerable added material to provide the required strength to resist the forces exerted on the hitch, and lock mechanisms are required to secure the hitch in the extended and retracted positions which must be engaged and disengaged when moving between the operating and transport positions, adding time and complexity.
- This telescoping also adds complexity when locating hydraulic lines from the tractor to the implement, product lines for air seeders, and the like.
- the implement typically comprises a tool bar extending laterally with the desired number of wing frames, and then tool carrier frames pivotally mounted to the tool bar such that the carrier frames extend generally horizontally from the tool bar when in the operating position and upward when in the transport position.
- the carrier frames can extend horizontally rearward of the tool bar as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,581,597 to Neudorf et al, U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,517 to Friggstad et al., or forward of the tool bar as in U.S. Pat. No. 9,198,342 to Friggstad.
- Ground engaging tools such as furrow openers are attached to each carrier frame and are moved into and out of engagement with the ground surface.
- each ground engaging tool is pivotally attached to the carrier frame which remains horizontal and stationary at a defined vertical location with respect to the ground when in the operating position.
- the ground engaging tools pivot up and down with respect to the carrier frame to engage or disengage the ground.
- the ground engaging took are fixed to the carrier frame which is maintained at a horizontal orientation and moved up and down to engage and disengage the tools with the ground.
- the present disclosure provides an implement apparatus that overcomes problems in the prior art.
- the present disclosure provides an implement apparatus comprising a tool bar frame mounted on tool bar wheels for travel along a ground surface in an operating travel direction.
- the tool bar frame comprises a right tool bar frame and a left tool bar frame pivotally attached at a front inner end thereof to a front inner end of the right tool bar frame about a substantially vertical center frame axis located on a central tool bar axis that is aligned with the operating travel direction in a center of the tool bar frame.
- the tool bar frame is movable from an operating position, where the right and left tool bar frames are oriented substantially perpendicular to the central tool bar axis and extend laterally away from the central tool bar axis, to a transport position where the right and left tool bar frames are substantially aligned with the central tool bar axis and extend forward from the center frame axis.
- An operating position latch is operative to releasably connect a rear portion of the right tool bar frame to a rear portion of the left tool bar frame when the tool bar frame is in the operating position
- a transport position latch is operative to releasably connect the right tool bar frame to the left tool bar frame when the tool bar frame is in the transport position.
- Right and left hitch arms are pivotally attached at rear ends thereof to spaced apart locations on front portions of the corresponding right and left tool bar frames about substantially vertical corresponding right and left rear hitch arm axes and extend forward from the tool bar frame and inward toward the central tool bar axis when the tool bar frame is in the operating position.
- a rigid hitch frame is adapted at a front end thereof for attachment to a towing vehicle and is pivotally attached at corresponding right and left rear portions thereof to front ends of the corresponding right and left hitch arms about corresponding substantially vertical right and left front hitch arm axes.
- the hitch arms and hitch frame are configured such that when the tool bar frame is in the transport position, the rear end of the hitch frame is forward of the right and left tool bar frames, and the front end of the rigid hitch frame is a desired clearance distance forward of the right and left tool bar frames.
- the present disclosure provides an implement apparatus comprising a tool bar frame mounted on tool bar wheels for travel along a ground surface in an operating travel direction, the tool bar frame comprising a right tool bar frame and a left tool bar frame pivotally attached to the right tool bar frame about a substantially vertical center frame axis such that the tool bar frame is movable from an operating position, where the right and left tool bar frames are oriented substantially perpendicular to the operating travel direction, to a transport position where the right and left tool bar frames are substantially aligned with the operating travel direction and extend forward from the center frame axis.
- a plurality of carrier frames is attached at front ends thereof to the tool bar frame such that the carrier frames are laterally spaced along a width of the tool bar frame, and such that the carrier frames are movable from an operating position extending rearward from the tool bar frame to a transport position extending upward from the tool bar frame.
- a carrier wheel is mounted to a rear portion of each carrier frame, and a plurality of ground engaging tools is mounted to each carrier frame.
- the tool bar wheels and carrier wheels are caster wheels pivotally mounted to the corresponding tool bar frame and carrier frames about vertical caster axes.
- the tool bar wheels When the tool bar frame is in the operating position the tool bar wheels are substantially free to pivot about their respective caster axes and the carrier wheels are secured to resist pivoting about their respective caster axes away from a forward orientation rolling in the operating travel direction.
- the tool bar frame moves from the operating position toward the transport position the tool bar wheels and carrier wheels are substantially free to pivot about their respective caster axes, and when the tool bar frame is in the transport position, selected tool bar wheels are locked to prevent pivoting about their respective caster axes away from the forward orientation rolling in the operating travel direction.
- the present disclosure provides a wide forward folding implement where no complex and costly telescoping mechanism is required. All wheels are castering wheels, facilitating movement between the operating and transport positions, and the pivoting movement of the wheels about the respective caster axes is controlled to provide a desired operating castering action when the tool bar frame is in the operating position, and a different desired transport castering action when the tool bar frame is in the transport position.
- the castering action is controlled conveniently by hydraulic cylinders, electric actuators, or like devices which may be operated manually or remotely from the towing vehicle.
- the required control of the actuators is simple, as the actuators are either in a lock/catch mode or a release mode.
- FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the implement apparatus of the present disclosure in the operating position
- FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the tool bar frames in an intermediate position between the operating and transport positions;
- FIG. 3 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the tool bar frames in the transport position, and the carrier frames in their lowered operating positions;
- FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the tool bar frames in the transport position and the carrier frames in their raised transport positions;
- FIG. 5 is an top rear perspective view of the hitch arms and hitch frame of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ,
- FIG. 6 is a top view of the link mechanism connecting the right and left hitch arms of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 7 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of the catch plate, catch recess, and catch roller of the carrier wheel securing mechanism of FIG. 8 ;
- FIG. 10 is a top view of the carrier wheel securing mechanism of Fig.
- FIG. 11 is a bottom rear perspective view of the carrier wheel securing mechanism of FIG. 8 with the catch actuator retracted so that the catch roller is in the catch mode rolling along the outer periphery of the catch plate;
- FIG. 12 is a top front perspective view of a tool bar wheel locking mechanism of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the lock actuator extended so the lock roller is in the release mode;
- FIG. 13 is a top front perspective view of the tool bar wheel locking mechanism of FIG. 12 with the lock actuator retracted so the lock roller is in the lock mode and is seated in the lock slot;
- FIG. 14 is a top rear perspective view of the damping mechanism of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view of the hydraulic cylinder, conduit, and valve mechanism of the damping mechanism of FIG. 14 with the valve mechanism in the damping mode;
- FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view of the conduit and valve mechanism of the damping mechanism of FIG. 14 with the valve mechanism in the release mode;
- FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the hydraulic cylinder assembly of the embodiment of FIG. 1 for moving between the operating and transport positions.
- FIGS. 1-4 and 7 illustrate an embodiment of an implement apparatus 1 of the present disclosure.
- the apparatus 1 comprises a tool bar frame 3 mounted on tool bar wheels 5 for travel along a ground surface 7 in an operating travel direction T.
- the tool bar frame 3 comprises a right tool bar frame 3 R and a left tool bar frame 3 L pivotally attached at a front inner end thereof to a front inner end of the right tool bar frame 3 R about a vertical center frame axis CFA located on a central tool bar axis TA that is aligned with the operating travel direction in a center of the tool bar frame 3 .
- the tool bar frame 3 is movable from an operating position shown in FIG. 1 , where the tight and left tool bar frames 3 R, 3 L are oriented substantially perpendicular to the central tool bar axis TA and extend laterally away from the central tool bar axis TA, to a transport position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 where the right and left tool bar frames 3 R, 3 L are substantially aligned with the central tool bar axis T and operating travel direction T and extend forward from the center frame axis CFA.
- An operating position latch 9 is operative to releasably connect a rear portion of the right tool bar frame 3 R to a rear portion of the left tool bar frame 3 L when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position
- a transport position latch 11 is operative to releasably connect a middle portion of the right tool bar frame 3 R to a middle portion of the left tool bar frame 3 L when the tool bar frame is in the transport position.
- Right and left hitch arms 13 R, 13 L are pivotally attached at rear ends thereof to spaced apart locations on front portions of the corresponding right and left tool bar frames 3 R, 3 L about substantially vertical corresponding right and left rear hitch arm axes HRR, HRL and extend forward from the tool bar frame 3 and inward toward the central tool bar axis TA when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position.
- a rigid hitch frame 15 is adapted at a front end thereof for attachment to a towing vehicle typically a tractor, and is pivotally attached at corresponding right and left rear portions thereof to front ends of the corresponding right and left hitch arms about corresponding substantially vertical right and left front hitch arm axes HFR, HFL.
- the hitch arms 13 and 15 and hitch frame are configured such that when the tool bar frame 3 is in the transport position, the rear end of the hitch frame 15 is forward of the right and left tool bar frames 3 R, 3 L, and the front end of the rigid hitch frame 15 is a desired clearance distance forward of the right and left tool bar frames 3 R, 3 L.
- the tractors towing the apparatus 1 will typically have wide dual wheels or tracks and to allow the tractor to turn it is necessary to provide a sufficient open area between the front of the hitch frame 15 and the front ends of the tight and left tool bar frames 3 R, 3 L.
- a hydraulic cylinder assembly 110 is operative to selectively pivot the right and left tool bar frames 3 R, 3 L about the center frame axis CFA.
- the hydraulic cylinder assembly 110 exerts forces that move the right and left tool bar frames 3 R, 3 L to the intermediate position of FIG. 2 and then to the transport position of FIG. 3 where the transport position latch 11 can be latched to secure the tool bar frames 3 R, 3 L together.
- the transport position latch is released, the tractor moves the hitch frame 15 rearward and the right and left tool bar frames 3 R, 3 L move to the intermediate position of FIG. 2 and then to the operating position of FIG. 1 where the operating position latch 9 can be latched.
- the tractor During movement between the operating position and transport position, depending on the terrain, slope, and surface hardness, the tractor will typically be in neutral and will roll back and forth and/or the drill will roll back and forth. An operator will see what is happening and can move the tractor forward or backward to relieve some of the required hydraulic force.
- the tight tool bar frame 3 R comprises a right center frame 17 R and a right inner wing frame 19 R pivotally attached to the right end of the right center frame 17 R about a right inner wing frame axis IAR oriented, when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position, substantially horizontally and aligned with the operating travel direction T.
- the left tool bar frame 3 L comprises a left center frame 17 L and a left inner wing frame 19 L pivotally attached to the left end of the left center frame 17 L about a left inner wing frame axis IAL oriented, when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position, substantially horizontally and aligned with the operating travel direction T.
- the right and left rear hitch arm axes HRR, HRL are located on front sides of the corresponding right and left inner wing frames 19 R, 19 L, about in the middle of each inner wing frame 19 .
- a right outer wing frame 21 R is then pivotally attached to the right end of the right inner wing frame 19 R about a right outer wing frame axis OAR oriented, when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position, substantially horizontally and aligned with the operating travel direction T, and a left outer wing frame 21 L pivotally attached to the left end of the left inner wing frame 19 L about a left outer wing frame axis OAL oriented, when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position, substantially horizontally and aligned with the operating travel direction T.
- the illustrated apparatus with center frames 17 locked to each other and inner and outer wing frames 19 , 21 pivoting about the illustrated axes with respect to the center frames 17 and each other provides a wide implement apparatus, contemplated to be about 70 feet wide, that has good ground following characteristics.
- the illustrated apparatus comprises a link mechanism 23 that keeps the right and left hitch arms 13 R, 13 L at substantially the same angle HN with respect to the central tool bar axis TA as the tool bar frame 3 moves between the operating and transport positions.
- the link mechanism 23 comprises a forward link bracket 25 fixed to a front portion of a first one of the right and left hitch arms 19 and extending toward a second one of the right and left hitch arms 19 and a rearward link bracket 27 fixed to a front portion of the second one of the right and left hitch arms 19 and extending toward the first one of the right and left hitch arms 19 .
- the forward link bracket 25 is fixed to a front portion of the left hitch arm 19 L and the rearward link bracket 27 is fixed to a front portion of the right hitch arm 19 R, but it is contemplated the opposite arrangement would work as well.
- a link bar 29 is pivotally attached at a front end thereof to the forward link bracket 25 about a substantially vertical front link axis LF and pivotally attached at a rear end thereof to the rearward link bracket 27 about a substantially vertical rear link axis LR.
- the link brackets 25 , 27 are configured such that the link bar 29 is located between the right and left front hitch arm axes HFR, HFL, and such that when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position of FIG. 1 , the front link axis LF is located substantially midway along a line between the right and left front hitch arm axes HFR, HFL, and when the tool bar frame 3 is in the transport position of FIG. 3 , the rear link axis LR is located substantially midway along the line between the right and left front hitch arm axes HFR, HFL.
- the hitch arms 19 each comprise an upper arm beam 19 A, a lower arm beam 19 B, and a link support beam 19 C rigidly attached to each other in a truss like arrangement to provide rigid arms 19 .
- the upper and lower arm beams 19 A, 19 B are fixed to upper and lower ends of an upright end member 31 in proximity to the corresponding rear hitch arm axis HRR, HRL and slope toward each other toward the front end of the hitch arms 19 where they are fixed to one of the link brackets 25 , 27 .
- the link support beams 19 C are rigidly attached at a rear ends thereof to a middle portion of the upright end member 31 and rigidly attached at front ends thereof to the corresponding one of the forward and rearward link brackets 25 , 27 .
- a plurality of carrier frames 33 is attached at front ends thereof to the tool bar frame 3 such that the carrier frames 33 are laterally spaced along a width of the tool bar frame 3 .
- the carrier frames 33 are each pivotally attached to the tool bar frame 3 about a carrier frame pivot axis CF oriented horizontally and perpendicular to the central tool bar axis TA when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position such that same are movable from the operating position shown in FIGS. 1-3 extending rearward from the tool bar frame 3 to the transport position shown in FIG. 4 extending upward from the tool bar frame 3 .
- Each carrier frame 33 is supported by carrier wheel 35 mounted to a rear portion thereof and a plurality of ground engaging tools 37 is mounted to each carrier frame 33 .
- the tool bar wheels 5 and carrier wheels 35 are caster wheels pivotally mounted to the corresponding tool bar frame 3 and carrier frames 33 about vertical caster axes CAX. To support the weight of the tool bar frame 3 , the tool bar wheels 5 are shown as cantering dual wheel assemblies as are known in the art.
- the tool bar wheels 5 When the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position, the tool bar wheels 5 are substantially free to pivot about their respective caster axes CAX and the carrier wheels 35 are secured by a carrier wheel securing mechanism 39 to resist pivoting about their respective caster axes CAX away from a forward orientation rolling in the operating travel direction T.
- the mechanism 39 keeps the carrier wheels 35 in the forward orientation, however when a significant torque force is exerted on the carrier wheels 35 , the mechanism 39 will release the carrier wheels 35 to allow them to pivot in response to the torque force to reduce the possibility of the damage to the assembly.
- the carrier wheel securing mechanism 39 is activated to release the carrier wheels 35 to allow them to pivot, and then both the tool bar wheels 5 and carrier wheels 35 are free to pivot about their respective caster axes CAX.
- the carrier wheels 35 are substantially locked in the forward orientation to maintain stability of motion in the operating travel direction T, and during the movement to the transport position the carrier wheels 35 are free to pivot to facilitate movement of the apparatus 1 to the transport position and avoid lateral stresses on the carrier wheels 35 .
- a tool bar wheel locking mechanism 41 is activated to lock selected tool bar wheels 35 to prevent pivoting about their respective caster axes CA away from the forward orientation.
- tool bar wheel locking mechanisms 41 are mounted to releasably lock the center tool bar wheels 5 C, which are the rearmost tool bar wheels 5 when the tool bar frame 3 is in the transport position of FIG. 4 .
- the center wheels 5 C remain in the forward orientation during transport, and the tool bar wheels 5 located forward along the tool bar frame 3 can pivot to follow turns.
- FIGS. 8-13 The tool bar wheels 3 , carrier wheels 33 , tool bar wheel locking mechanism 41 , and carrier wheel securing mechanism 39 are illustrated in FIGS. 8-13 .
- Each caster wheel, both tool bar wheels 5 and carrier wheels 35 is pivotally mounted to the corresponding tool bar frame 3 or carrier frame 33 , by a wheel shaft 43 extending through a shaft aperture 45 in the corresponding frame 3 , 33 .
- the shaft 43 is rotatable in the shaft aperture 45 such that the wheel shaft 43 provides the corresponding vertical caster axis CAX.
- each carrier wheel 35 is secured to resist pivoting about the respective caster axis CAX by a carrier wheel securing mechanism 39 comprising, as illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 , a substantially horizontal catch plate 47 fixed to the corresponding wheel shaft 43 , the catch plate 47 defining a catch recess 49 in a curved outer periphery thereof.
- a catch roller 51 is mounted to the carrier frame 33 on a catch arm 53 and configured, when in a catch mode, to roll along the outer periphery of the catch plate 47 as illustrated in FIG. 10 when the corresponding carrier wheel 35 pivots about the caster axis CAX thereof.
- a catch roller activator 55 is operative to move the catch roller 51 to the catch mode by exerting a bias force BF on the catch roller 51 toward the outer periphery of the catch plate 47 , and is operative to move the catch roller 51 to a release mode by moving the catch roller 51 away from the outer periphery of the catch plate 47 .
- the catch roller activator 55 comprises a spring 57 that exerts the bias force BF on the catch roller 51 and an extendable catch actuator 59 operative to move the catch roller 55 to the release mode by extending and moving the catch roller 51 away from the outer periphery of the catch plate 47 against the bias force as shown in FIG. 10 .
- the catch plate 47 and catch roller 51 are configured such that when the catch roller 51 is in the catch mode rolling along the outer periphery of the catch plate 47 , and the wheel shaft 43 rotates in the shaft aperture 45 to a location where the catch roller 51 is aligned with the catch recess 49 , the catch roller 51 is forced into the catch recess 51 where the corresponding carrier wheel 35 is in the forward orientation and the catch roller 51 in the catch recess 49 and resists further rotation of the wheel shaft 43 in the shaft aperture 45 .
- the catch recess 49 comprises a center portion 49 A configured to conform to an outer surface of a portion of the catch roller 51 , and lateral portions 49 B on each side of the center portion 49 A.
- the center portion 49 A has a center depth CD greater than a lateral depth LD of the lateral portions 49 B such that when the shaft 43 rotates, the spring 57 will force the roller 51 into the deeper center portion 49 A where the corresponding carrier frame wheel 35 is in the forward orientation.
- the lateral portions 49 B comprise side edges 61 sloping from the center portion to the outer periphery of the catch plate such that a second rotational release force RF′ exerted on the wheel shaft 43 that is greater than the first rotational release force RF will move the catch roller 51 up the side edges 61 to the outer periphery of the catch plate 47 .
- the tool bar wheel locking mechanism 41 comprises, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 , a horizontal lock plate 63 fixed to the corresponding wheel shaft 43 and defining a lock slot 65 in an outer periphery thereof.
- a lock roller 67 is movably mounted to the tool bar frame 3 and configured, when in a lock mode, to roll along the outer periphery of the lock plate 63 when the corresponding selected tool bar wheel, one of the center tool bar wheels 5 C, pivots about the caster axis CAX thereof.
- a lock roller activator 69 is operative to move the lock roller 67 to the lock mode by exerting a bias force BF on the lock roller 67 toward the outer periphery of the lock plate 63 , and operative to move the lock roller 67 to a release mode by moving the lock roller 67 away from the outer periphery of the lock plate 63 .
- the lock slot 65 has a width only slightly greater than, substantially equal to, the diameter of the lock roller 67 , and a depth substantially equal to or greater than the length of the lock roller 67 such that the risk of the lock roller 67 moving out of the lock slot 65 and releasing the corresponding center tool bar wheel 5 C to pivot is small.
- the lock plate 63 is mounted to a top of the corresponding wheel shaft 43 and a wall 71 extends upward from the outer periphery thereof and defines the lock slot 65 .
- the lock roller 67 is inside the wall 71 and configured to roll along an inner surface of the wall 71 when in the lock mode such that when the wheel shaft 43 rotates in the shaft aperture 45 to a location where the lock roller 67 is aligned with the lock slot 65 , the lock roller 67 is forced into the lock slot 65 and prevents further rotation of the wheel shaft 43 in the shaft aperture 45 .
- a lock arm 73 is pivotally attached to the tool bar frame 3 and the lock roller 67 is rotatably mounted to an outer end of the lock arm 73 .
- the lock roller activator 69 comprises an extendable lock actuator 75 attached between the tool bar frame and the lock arm 73 and operative to move the lock roller 67 to the release mode by moving the lock roller 67 to an open area above the lock plate 63 removed from the walls as shown in FIG. 12 , and operative to move the lock roller 67 to the lock mode by exerting the bias force BF on the lock arm 73 to force the lock roller 67 against the inner surface of the wall 71 .
- the lock roller activator 69 also comprises a coil spring 77 with an inner end bearing against a spring plate 79 extending from the tool bar frame 3 , and a spring shaft 81 extending through the spring 77 from an outer end thereof to the inner end thereof and through a shaft hole 83 in the spring plate 79 and attached to a stop member 85 that is larger than the shaft hole 83 .
- the extendable lock actuator 75 is attached to the stop member 85 such that when the extendable lock actuator 75 is extended the stop member 85 bears against the spring plate 79 as seen in FIG. 12 and the lock roller 67 is moved to the release mode where the lock plate 63 and attached wheel shaft 43 are free to pivot.
- the tool bar wheels 5 of the illustrated apparatus 1 include selected tool bar wheels, here selected to be center tool bar wheels SC, that are locked when the tool bar frame 3 is in the transport position and unselected tool bar wheels, here the tool bar wheels 5 W mounted on the right and left inner and outer wing frames 19 R, 19 L, 21 R, 21 L.
- unselected tool bar wheels here the tool bar wheels 5 W mounted on the right and left inner and outer wing frames 19 R, 19 L, 21 R, 21 L.
- the wheel shaft 43 of each unselected tool bar wheel 5 W is connected to a damping mechanism 87 , as shown in FIG. 14 , when the tool bar frame 3 is in the transport position.
- the damping mechanism 87 is operative to resist pivoting of the wheel shafts 43 of the unselected tool bar wheels 5 W.
- the damping mechanism 87 comprises a crank 89 extending laterally from the corresponding wheel shaft 43 and a hydraulic cylinder 91 , schematically illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 , comprising a barrel 93 with first and second end caps 93 A, 93 B on corresponding first and second ends of the barrel 93 and sealing the barrel, a piston 95 inside the barrel, and a piston shaft 97 extending through the first end cap 93 A.
- a conduit 101 connects the first and second ports 99 A, 99 B, and there is a valve mechanism 103 in the conduit 101 .
- the barrel 93 and conduit 101 are filled with hydraulic fluid and an outer end of the piston shaft 97 is connected to the crank 89 .
- pivoting of the wheel shaft 43 in a first direction D 1 moves the piston 95 toward the first port 99 A and forces hydraulic fluid out of the first port 99 A and through the conduit 101 and valve mechanism 103 and into the second port 99 B
- pivoting of the wheel shaft 43 in a second direction D 2 moves the piston 95 toward the second port 99 B and forces hydraulic fluid out of the second port 99 B and through the conduit 101 and valve mechanism 103 and into the first port 99 A.
- valve mechanism 103 is activated in a damping mode as schematically illustrated in FIG. 15 to direct the hydraulic fluid through a small orifice 105 such as a needle valve to restrict flow through the conduit 101 .
- This restriction causes the hydraulic fluid to exert back pressure on the piston 95 and crank 89 such that movement of the crank 89 which accompanies wheel wobble, is resisted. Pivoting movement is allowed such as during turns, however erratic movements during travel in the operating travel direction are resisted.
- valve mechanism 103 When the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position the valve mechanism 103 is activated in a release mode as schematically illustrated in FIG. 16 to allow unrestricted flow through the conduit 101 and allow the unselected tool bar wheels 5 W to pivot freely.
- a center beam 113 is pivotally attached to the right and left tool bar frames 3 R, 31 about the center frame axis CFA, and the front and rear right hydraulic cylinders 111 FR, 111 RR are connected between front and rear ends of the center beam and the right tool bar frame 3 R, and the front and rear left hydraulic cylinders 111 FL, 111 RL are connected between front and rear ends of the center beam and the left tool bar frame 3 L.
- the present disclosure thus provides a wide forward folding implement where no complex and costly telescoping mechanism is required.
- All wheels are castering wheels, facilitating movement between the operating and transport positions, and the pivoting movement of the wheels about the respective caster axes is controlled to provide a desired operating castering action when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position, and a different desired transport castering action when the tool bar frame 3 is in the transport position.
- the castering action is controlled conveniently by hydraulic cylinders, electric actuators, or like devices which may be operated manually or remotely from the towing vehicle.
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Abstract
An implement has right and left pivotally attached tool bar frames movable from an operating position extending laterally to a transport position extending forward from the connecting pivot axis. Right and left hitch arms are pivotally attached about vertical axes at rear ends to spaced apart locations the right and left tool bar frames and extend forward and inward when the tool bar frame is in the operating position. A hitch frame is pivotally attached at right and left rear portions thereof to front ends of the hitch arms about vertical axes. When the tool bar frame is in the transport position, the rear end of the hitch frame is forward of the right and left tool bar frames, and the front end of the hitch frame, attachable to a tractor, is a desired clearance distance forward of the right and left tool bar frames.
Description
- This application claims priority to and benefit of CA Serial No. 2,964,431, filed Apr. 18, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
- This disclosure relates to the field of agricultural implements and in particular an implement with forward folding wing frames.
- Wide agricultural implements typically include wing frames extending laterally from a center of the implement where each wing frame is pivotally attached to the adjacent wing frame about a horizontal pivot axis aligned with the operating travel direction such that each wing frame can pivot up and down with respect to the next to follow ground contours and maintain a desired depth of ground penetration of ground engaging tools such as furrow openers.
- It is common to fold the wing frames upward and inward to a more compact transport position as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,962 to Lewallen, however with wider implements the implement in the transport position can be quite high causing stability problems as well as making same difficult to move under utility lines, bridges, and the like.
- Thus it is also known to fold the wing frames rearward as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 7,581,597 to Neudorf et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,517 to Friggstad et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 9,198,342 to Friggstad. With an implement such as an air seeder it is common to pull a cart behind the implement to supply agricultural products such as seed and fertilizer. These carts can be very large and must be towed rearward of ends of the wing frames in the transport position which is a significant distance from the towing tractor such that stability during towing can be problematic.
- It is also known to fold the wing frames of agricultural implements forward to a more compact transport position however the width of the implement is limited by the length of the hitch. In order to accommodate wider implements the hitch length can be extended when in the transport position, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,216 to Friggstad and U.S. Pat. No. 9,554,497 to Sudbrink et al and in United States Published Patent Application Number 20070163791 of Meek.
- Such telescoping hitches require considerable added material to provide the required strength to resist the forces exerted on the hitch, and lock mechanisms are required to secure the hitch in the extended and retracted positions which must be engaged and disengaged when moving between the operating and transport positions, adding time and complexity. This telescoping also adds complexity when locating hydraulic lines from the tractor to the implement, product lines for air seeders, and the like.
- In such forward and rearward folding implements the implement typically comprises a tool bar extending laterally with the desired number of wing frames, and then tool carrier frames pivotally mounted to the tool bar such that the carrier frames extend generally horizontally from the tool bar when in the operating position and upward when in the transport position. The carrier frames can extend horizontally rearward of the tool bar as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,581,597 to Neudorf et al, U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,517 to Friggstad et al., or forward of the tool bar as in U.S. Pat. No. 9,198,342 to Friggstad.
- Ground engaging tools such as furrow openers are attached to each carrier frame and are moved into and out of engagement with the ground surface. In the implement of U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,517 to Friggstad et al. each ground engaging tool is pivotally attached to the carrier frame which remains horizontal and stationary at a defined vertical location with respect to the ground when in the operating position. The ground engaging tools pivot up and down with respect to the carrier frame to engage or disengage the ground. In the implement of U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,216 to Friggstad, the ground engaging took are fixed to the carrier frame which is maintained at a horizontal orientation and moved up and down to engage and disengage the tools with the ground.
- The present disclosure provides an implement apparatus that overcomes problems in the prior art.
- In a first embodiment the present disclosure provides an implement apparatus comprising a tool bar frame mounted on tool bar wheels for travel along a ground surface in an operating travel direction. The tool bar frame comprises a right tool bar frame and a left tool bar frame pivotally attached at a front inner end thereof to a front inner end of the right tool bar frame about a substantially vertical center frame axis located on a central tool bar axis that is aligned with the operating travel direction in a center of the tool bar frame. The tool bar frame is movable from an operating position, where the right and left tool bar frames are oriented substantially perpendicular to the central tool bar axis and extend laterally away from the central tool bar axis, to a transport position where the right and left tool bar frames are substantially aligned with the central tool bar axis and extend forward from the center frame axis. An operating position latch is operative to releasably connect a rear portion of the right tool bar frame to a rear portion of the left tool bar frame when the tool bar frame is in the operating position, and a transport position latch is operative to releasably connect the right tool bar frame to the left tool bar frame when the tool bar frame is in the transport position. Right and left hitch arms are pivotally attached at rear ends thereof to spaced apart locations on front portions of the corresponding right and left tool bar frames about substantially vertical corresponding right and left rear hitch arm axes and extend forward from the tool bar frame and inward toward the central tool bar axis when the tool bar frame is in the operating position. A rigid hitch frame is adapted at a front end thereof for attachment to a towing vehicle and is pivotally attached at corresponding right and left rear portions thereof to front ends of the corresponding right and left hitch arms about corresponding substantially vertical right and left front hitch arm axes. The hitch arms and hitch frame are configured such that when the tool bar frame is in the transport position, the rear end of the hitch frame is forward of the right and left tool bar frames, and the front end of the rigid hitch frame is a desired clearance distance forward of the right and left tool bar frames.
- In a second embodiment the present disclosure provides an implement apparatus comprising a tool bar frame mounted on tool bar wheels for travel along a ground surface in an operating travel direction, the tool bar frame comprising a right tool bar frame and a left tool bar frame pivotally attached to the right tool bar frame about a substantially vertical center frame axis such that the tool bar frame is movable from an operating position, where the right and left tool bar frames are oriented substantially perpendicular to the operating travel direction, to a transport position where the right and left tool bar frames are substantially aligned with the operating travel direction and extend forward from the center frame axis. A plurality of carrier frames is attached at front ends thereof to the tool bar frame such that the carrier frames are laterally spaced along a width of the tool bar frame, and such that the carrier frames are movable from an operating position extending rearward from the tool bar frame to a transport position extending upward from the tool bar frame. A carrier wheel is mounted to a rear portion of each carrier frame, and a plurality of ground engaging tools is mounted to each carrier frame. The tool bar wheels and carrier wheels are caster wheels pivotally mounted to the corresponding tool bar frame and carrier frames about vertical caster axes. When the tool bar frame is in the operating position the tool bar wheels are substantially free to pivot about their respective caster axes and the carrier wheels are secured to resist pivoting about their respective caster axes away from a forward orientation rolling in the operating travel direction. When the tool bar frame moves from the operating position toward the transport position the tool bar wheels and carrier wheels are substantially free to pivot about their respective caster axes, and when the tool bar frame is in the transport position, selected tool bar wheels are locked to prevent pivoting about their respective caster axes away from the forward orientation rolling in the operating travel direction.
- The present disclosure provides a wide forward folding implement where no complex and costly telescoping mechanism is required. All wheels are castering wheels, facilitating movement between the operating and transport positions, and the pivoting movement of the wheels about the respective caster axes is controlled to provide a desired operating castering action when the tool bar frame is in the operating position, and a different desired transport castering action when the tool bar frame is in the transport position. The castering action is controlled conveniently by hydraulic cylinders, electric actuators, or like devices which may be operated manually or remotely from the towing vehicle. The required control of the actuators is simple, as the actuators are either in a lock/catch mode or a release mode.
- While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
-
FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the implement apparatus of the present disclosure in the operating position; -
FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 with the tool bar frames in an intermediate position between the operating and transport positions; -
FIG. 3 is a top view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 with the tool bar frames in the transport position, and the carrier frames in their lowered operating positions; -
FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 with the tool bar frames in the transport position and the carrier frames in their raised transport positions; -
FIG. 5 is an top rear perspective view of the hitch arms and hitch frame of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 , -
FIG. 6 is a top view of the link mechanism connecting the right and left hitch arms of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 7 is a rear view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 8 is an top rear perspective view of a carrier wheel securing mechanism of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 with the catch roller in the catch recess; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of the catch plate, catch recess, and catch roller of the carrier wheel securing mechanism ofFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 10 is a top view of the carrier wheel securing mechanism of Fig. - with the catch actuator extended so the catch roller is in the release mode;
-
FIG. 11 is a bottom rear perspective view of the carrier wheel securing mechanism ofFIG. 8 with the catch actuator retracted so that the catch roller is in the catch mode rolling along the outer periphery of the catch plate; -
FIG. 12 is a top front perspective view of a tool bar wheel locking mechanism of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 with the lock actuator extended so the lock roller is in the release mode; -
FIG. 13 is a top front perspective view of the tool bar wheel locking mechanism ofFIG. 12 with the lock actuator retracted so the lock roller is in the lock mode and is seated in the lock slot; -
FIG. 14 is a top rear perspective view of the damping mechanism of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view of the hydraulic cylinder, conduit, and valve mechanism of the damping mechanism ofFIG. 14 with the valve mechanism in the damping mode; -
FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view of the conduit and valve mechanism of the damping mechanism ofFIG. 14 with the valve mechanism in the release mode; -
FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the hydraulic cylinder assembly of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 for moving between the operating and transport positions. -
FIGS. 1-4 and 7 illustrate an embodiment of an implement apparatus 1 of the present disclosure. The apparatus 1 comprises a tool bar frame 3 mounted on tool bar wheels 5 for travel along a ground surface 7 in an operating travel direction T. The tool bar frame 3 comprises a righttool bar frame 3R and a lefttool bar frame 3L pivotally attached at a front inner end thereof to a front inner end of the righttool bar frame 3R about a vertical center frame axis CFA located on a central tool bar axis TA that is aligned with the operating travel direction in a center of the tool bar frame 3. - The tool bar frame 3 is movable from an operating position shown in
FIG. 1 , where the tight and left tool bar frames 3R, 3L are oriented substantially perpendicular to the central tool bar axis TA and extend laterally away from the central tool bar axis TA, to a transport position shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 where the right and left tool bar frames 3R, 3L are substantially aligned with the central tool bar axis T and operating travel direction T and extend forward from the center frame axis CFA. - An operating position latch 9 is operative to releasably connect a rear portion of the right
tool bar frame 3R to a rear portion of the lefttool bar frame 3L when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position, and atransport position latch 11 is operative to releasably connect a middle portion of the righttool bar frame 3R to a middle portion of the lefttool bar frame 3L when the tool bar frame is in the transport position. - Right and
left hitch arms - A
rigid hitch frame 15 is adapted at a front end thereof for attachment to a towing vehicle typically a tractor, and is pivotally attached at corresponding right and left rear portions thereof to front ends of the corresponding right and left hitch arms about corresponding substantially vertical right and left front hitch arm axes HFR, HFL. - The
hitch arms 13 and 15 and hitch frame are configured such that when the tool bar frame 3 is in the transport position, the rear end of thehitch frame 15 is forward of the right and left tool bar frames 3R, 3L, and the front end of therigid hitch frame 15 is a desired clearance distance forward of the right and left tool bar frames 3R, 3L. The tractors towing the apparatus 1 will typically have wide dual wheels or tracks and to allow the tractor to turn it is necessary to provide a sufficient open area between the front of thehitch frame 15 and the front ends of the tight and left tool bar frames 3R, 3L. - Attaching the rear ends of the lengthy hitch arms 13 to widely spaced rear hitch arm axes HRR, HRL allows the front ends of the hitch arms 13 to extend past the front ends of the tool bar frames 3R, 3L and provide the required clearance distance without the need for a telescoping hitch mechanism.
- To move from the operating position of
FIG. 1 to the transport position ofFIGS. 3 and 4 the operating position latch 9 is released and ahydraulic cylinder assembly 110, described below, is operative to selectively pivot the right and left tool bar frames 3R, 3L about the center frame axis CFA. Thehydraulic cylinder assembly 110 exerts forces that move the right and left tool bar frames 3R, 3L to the intermediate position ofFIG. 2 and then to the transport position ofFIG. 3 where the transport position latch 11 can be latched to secure the tool bar frames 3R, 3L together. To move from the transport position to the operating position the transport position latch is released, the tractor moves thehitch frame 15 rearward and the right and left tool bar frames 3R, 3L move to the intermediate position ofFIG. 2 and then to the operating position ofFIG. 1 where the operating position latch 9 can be latched. - During movement between the operating position and transport position, depending on the terrain, slope, and surface hardness, the tractor will typically be in neutral and will roll back and forth and/or the drill will roll back and forth. An operator will see what is happening and can move the tractor forward or backward to relieve some of the required hydraulic force.
- In the illustrated apparatus 1 the tight
tool bar frame 3R comprises aright center frame 17R and a rightinner wing frame 19R pivotally attached to the right end of theright center frame 17R about a right inner wing frame axis IAR oriented, when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position, substantially horizontally and aligned with the operating travel direction T. Similarly the lefttool bar frame 3L comprises aleft center frame 17L and a leftinner wing frame 19L pivotally attached to the left end of theleft center frame 17L about a left inner wing frame axis IAL oriented, when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position, substantially horizontally and aligned with the operating travel direction T. The right and left rear hitch arm axes HRR, HRL are located on front sides of the corresponding right and left inner wing frames 19R, 19L, about in the middle of each inner wing frame 19. - A right
outer wing frame 21R is then pivotally attached to the right end of the rightinner wing frame 19R about a right outer wing frame axis OAR oriented, when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position, substantially horizontally and aligned with the operating travel direction T, and a leftouter wing frame 21L pivotally attached to the left end of the leftinner wing frame 19L about a left outer wing frame axis OAL oriented, when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position, substantially horizontally and aligned with the operating travel direction T. The illustrated apparatus with center frames 17 locked to each other and inner and outer wing frames 19, 21 pivoting about the illustrated axes with respect to the center frames 17 and each other provides a wide implement apparatus, contemplated to be about 70 feet wide, that has good ground following characteristics. - To facilitate moving between the operating and transport positions the illustrated apparatus comprises a
link mechanism 23 that keeps the right andleft hitch arms FIGS. 5 and 6 , thelink mechanism 23 comprises aforward link bracket 25 fixed to a front portion of a first one of the right and left hitch arms 19 and extending toward a second one of the right and left hitch arms 19 and arearward link bracket 27 fixed to a front portion of the second one of the right and left hitch arms 19 and extending toward the first one of the right and left hitch arms 19. In the illustratedlink mechanism 23 theforward link bracket 25 is fixed to a front portion of theleft hitch arm 19L and therearward link bracket 27 is fixed to a front portion of theright hitch arm 19R, but it is contemplated the opposite arrangement would work as well. - A
link bar 29 is pivotally attached at a front end thereof to theforward link bracket 25 about a substantially vertical front link axis LF and pivotally attached at a rear end thereof to therearward link bracket 27 about a substantially vertical rear link axis LR. Thelink brackets link bar 29 is located between the right and left front hitch arm axes HFR, HFL, and such that when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position ofFIG. 1 , the front link axis LF is located substantially midway along a line between the right and left front hitch arm axes HFR, HFL, and when the tool bar frame 3 is in the transport position ofFIG. 3 , the rear link axis LR is located substantially midway along the line between the right and left front hitch arm axes HFR, HFL. - As shown in
FIG. 5 the hitch arms 19 each comprise anupper arm beam 19A, alower arm beam 19B, and alink support beam 19C rigidly attached to each other in a truss like arrangement to provide rigid arms 19. The upper andlower arm beams upright end member 31 in proximity to the corresponding rear hitch arm axis HRR, HRL and slope toward each other toward the front end of the hitch arms 19 where they are fixed to one of thelink brackets upright end member 31 and rigidly attached at front ends thereof to the corresponding one of the forward andrearward link brackets - It can be seen that movement of one of the right and
left hitch arms link bar 29 to force the other hitch arm 19 a substantially equal distance from the central tool bar axis TA, thus keeping the hitch arms 19 at substantially the same angle HN with respect to the central tool bar axis TA. - In the illustrated apparatus 1, a plurality of carrier frames 33 is attached at front ends thereof to the tool bar frame 3 such that the carrier frames 33 are laterally spaced along a width of the tool bar frame 3. The carrier frames 33 are each pivotally attached to the tool bar frame 3 about a carrier frame pivot axis CF oriented horizontally and perpendicular to the central tool bar axis TA when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position such that same are movable from the operating position shown in
FIGS. 1-3 extending rearward from the tool bar frame 3 to the transport position shown inFIG. 4 extending upward from the tool bar frame 3. Eachcarrier frame 33 is supported bycarrier wheel 35 mounted to a rear portion thereof and a plurality ofground engaging tools 37 is mounted to eachcarrier frame 33. - The tool bar wheels 5 and
carrier wheels 35 are caster wheels pivotally mounted to the corresponding tool bar frame 3 and carrier frames 33 about vertical caster axes CAX. To support the weight of the tool bar frame 3, the tool bar wheels 5 are shown as cantering dual wheel assemblies as are known in the art. - When the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position, the tool bar wheels 5 are substantially free to pivot about their respective caster axes CAX and the
carrier wheels 35 are secured by a carrierwheel securing mechanism 39 to resist pivoting about their respective caster axes CAX away from a forward orientation rolling in the operating travel direction T. Themechanism 39 keeps thecarrier wheels 35 in the forward orientation, however when a significant torque force is exerted on thecarrier wheels 35, themechanism 39 will release thecarrier wheels 35 to allow them to pivot in response to the torque force to reduce the possibility of the damage to the assembly. - When the tool bar frame 3 moves from the operating position toward the transport position the carrier
wheel securing mechanism 39 is activated to release thecarrier wheels 35 to allow them to pivot, and then both the tool bar wheels 5 andcarrier wheels 35 are free to pivot about their respective caster axes CAX. Thus, in the operating position thecarrier wheels 35 are substantially locked in the forward orientation to maintain stability of motion in the operating travel direction T, and during the movement to the transport position thecarrier wheels 35 are free to pivot to facilitate movement of the apparatus 1 to the transport position and avoid lateral stresses on thecarrier wheels 35. - When the tool bar frame 3 is in the transport position shown in
FIG. 4 with the carrier frames moved to the transport position extending upward from the tool bar frame 3, the tractor moves the apparatus 1 in the operating travel direction T, and the tool bar wheels 5 pivot from the position they attained when the right and left tool bar frames 3R, 3L reached their transport position, shown inFIG. 3 , to the forward orientation shown inFIG. 4 , In order to maintain steering control of the apparatus 1 in the transport position when moving along roads and the like, a tool barwheel locking mechanism 41 is activated to lock selectedtool bar wheels 35 to prevent pivoting about their respective caster axes CA away from the forward orientation. In the illustrated apparatus 1 tool barwheel locking mechanisms 41 are mounted to releasably lock the centertool bar wheels 5C, which are the rearmost tool bar wheels 5 when the tool bar frame 3 is in the transport position ofFIG. 4 . Thus, thecenter wheels 5C remain in the forward orientation during transport, and the tool bar wheels 5 located forward along the tool bar frame 3 can pivot to follow turns. - The tool bar wheels 3,
carrier wheels 33, tool barwheel locking mechanism 41, and carrierwheel securing mechanism 39 are illustrated inFIGS. 8-13 . Each caster wheel, both tool bar wheels 5 andcarrier wheels 35, is pivotally mounted to the corresponding tool bar frame 3 orcarrier frame 33, by awheel shaft 43 extending through ashaft aperture 45 in thecorresponding frame 3, 33. Theshaft 43 is rotatable in theshaft aperture 45 such that thewheel shaft 43 provides the corresponding vertical caster axis CAX. - As described above each
carrier wheel 35 is secured to resist pivoting about the respective caster axis CAX by a carrierwheel securing mechanism 39 comprising, as illustrated inFIGS. 8-10 , a substantiallyhorizontal catch plate 47 fixed to thecorresponding wheel shaft 43, thecatch plate 47 defining acatch recess 49 in a curved outer periphery thereof. Acatch roller 51 is mounted to thecarrier frame 33 on a catch arm 53 and configured, when in a catch mode, to roll along the outer periphery of thecatch plate 47 as illustrated inFIG. 10 when the correspondingcarrier wheel 35 pivots about the caster axis CAX thereof. Acatch roller activator 55 is operative to move thecatch roller 51 to the catch mode by exerting a bias force BF on thecatch roller 51 toward the outer periphery of thecatch plate 47, and is operative to move thecatch roller 51 to a release mode by moving thecatch roller 51 away from the outer periphery of thecatch plate 47. - In the illustrated carrier
wheel securing mechanism 39, thecatch roller activator 55 comprises aspring 57 that exerts the bias force BF on thecatch roller 51 and anextendable catch actuator 59 operative to move thecatch roller 55 to the release mode by extending and moving thecatch roller 51 away from the outer periphery of thecatch plate 47 against the bias force as shown inFIG. 10 . - The
catch plate 47 and catchroller 51 are configured such that when thecatch roller 51 is in the catch mode rolling along the outer periphery of thecatch plate 47, and thewheel shaft 43 rotates in theshaft aperture 45 to a location where thecatch roller 51 is aligned with thecatch recess 49, thecatch roller 51 is forced into thecatch recess 51 where the correspondingcarrier wheel 35 is in the forward orientation and thecatch roller 51 in thecatch recess 49 and resists further rotation of thewheel shaft 43 in theshaft aperture 45. - In the illustrated carrier
wheel securing mechanism 39, thecatch recess 49 comprises acenter portion 49A configured to conform to an outer surface of a portion of thecatch roller 51, andlateral portions 49B on each side of thecenter portion 49A. Thecenter portion 49A has a center depth CD greater than a lateral depth LD of thelateral portions 49B such that when theshaft 43 rotates, thespring 57 will force theroller 51 into thedeeper center portion 49A where the correspondingcarrier frame wheel 35 is in the forward orientation. The center depth CD is greater than the lateral depth LD by a distance that is less than one half of a diameter of thecatch roller 51 such that a first rotational release force RF exerted on thewheel shaft 43, and thus on thecatch plate 47, will move thecatch roller 51 to the lateral portion, indicated by thecatch roller 51′ in phantom lines, corresponding to the direction of the first release force. - The
lateral portions 49B comprise side edges 61 sloping from the center portion to the outer periphery of the catch plate such that a second rotational release force RF′ exerted on thewheel shaft 43 that is greater than the first rotational release force RF will move thecatch roller 51 up the side edges 61 to the outer periphery of thecatch plate 47. - In the illustrated apparatus 1 the tool bar
wheel locking mechanism 41 comprises, as illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13 , ahorizontal lock plate 63 fixed to thecorresponding wheel shaft 43 and defining a lock slot 65 in an outer periphery thereof. Alock roller 67 is movably mounted to the tool bar frame 3 and configured, when in a lock mode, to roll along the outer periphery of thelock plate 63 when the corresponding selected tool bar wheel, one of the centertool bar wheels 5C, pivots about the caster axis CAX thereof. - A
lock roller activator 69 is operative to move thelock roller 67 to the lock mode by exerting a bias force BF on thelock roller 67 toward the outer periphery of thelock plate 63, and operative to move thelock roller 67 to a release mode by moving thelock roller 67 away from the outer periphery of thelock plate 63. Thelock plate 63 and lock-roller 67 are configured such that when thelock roller 67 is in the lock mode and the toolbar wheel shaft 43 rotates in theshaft aperture 45 to a location where thelock roller 67 is aligned with the lock slot 65, thetool bar wheel 5C is in the forward orientation when the tool bar frame 3 is in the transport position, and thelock roller 67 is forced into the lock slot 65 and prevents further rotation of the toolbar wheel shaft 43 in theshaft aperture 45. - The lock slot 65 has a width only slightly greater than, substantially equal to, the diameter of the
lock roller 67, and a depth substantially equal to or greater than the length of thelock roller 67 such that the risk of thelock roller 67 moving out of the lock slot 65 and releasing the corresponding centertool bar wheel 5C to pivot is small. - In the illustrated tool bar
wheel locking mechanism 41, thelock plate 63 is mounted to a top of thecorresponding wheel shaft 43 and a wall 71 extends upward from the outer periphery thereof and defines the lock slot 65. Thelock roller 67 is inside the wall 71 and configured to roll along an inner surface of the wall 71 when in the lock mode such that when thewheel shaft 43 rotates in theshaft aperture 45 to a location where thelock roller 67 is aligned with the lock slot 65, thelock roller 67 is forced into the lock slot 65 and prevents further rotation of thewheel shaft 43 in theshaft aperture 45. - A lock arm 73 is pivotally attached to the tool bar frame 3 and the
lock roller 67 is rotatably mounted to an outer end of the lock arm 73. Thelock roller activator 69 comprises an extendable lock actuator 75 attached between the tool bar frame and the lock arm 73 and operative to move thelock roller 67 to the release mode by moving thelock roller 67 to an open area above thelock plate 63 removed from the walls as shown inFIG. 12 , and operative to move thelock roller 67 to the lock mode by exerting the bias force BF on the lock arm 73 to force thelock roller 67 against the inner surface of the wall 71. - The
lock roller activator 69 also comprises acoil spring 77 with an inner end bearing against aspring plate 79 extending from the tool bar frame 3, and aspring shaft 81 extending through thespring 77 from an outer end thereof to the inner end thereof and through ashaft hole 83 in thespring plate 79 and attached to astop member 85 that is larger than theshaft hole 83. The extendable lock actuator 75 is attached to thestop member 85 such that when the extendable lock actuator 75 is extended thestop member 85 bears against thespring plate 79 as seen inFIG. 12 and thelock roller 67 is moved to the release mode where thelock plate 63 and attachedwheel shaft 43 are free to pivot. - When the extendable lock actuator 75 is retracted the
stop member 85 moves away from thespring plate 81 as seen inFIG. 13 , thespring 77 exerts the bias force BF on the extendable lock actuator 75 and thelock roller 67 is moved to the lock mode bearing against the wall 71. - The tool bar wheels 5 of the illustrated apparatus 1 include selected tool bar wheels, here selected to be center tool bar wheels SC, that are locked when the tool bar frame 3 is in the transport position and unselected tool bar wheels, here the
tool bar wheels 5W mounted on the right and left inner and outer wing frames 19R, 19L, 21R, 21L. To reduce wheel wobble when travelling at higher speeds in the transport position thewheel shaft 43 of each unselectedtool bar wheel 5W is connected to a dampingmechanism 87, as shown inFIG. 14 , when the tool bar frame 3 is in the transport position. The dampingmechanism 87 is operative to resist pivoting of thewheel shafts 43 of the unselectedtool bar wheels 5W. - In the illustrated apparatus 1 the damping
mechanism 87 comprises a crank 89 extending laterally from thecorresponding wheel shaft 43 and ahydraulic cylinder 91, schematically illustrated inFIGS. 15 and 16 , comprising abarrel 93 with first andsecond end caps 93A, 93B on corresponding first and second ends of thebarrel 93 and sealing the barrel, apiston 95 inside the barrel, and apiston shaft 97 extending through thefirst end cap 93A. There is afirst port 99A in thebarrel 93 adjacent thefirst end cap 93A and a second port 99B in the barrel adjacent the second end cap 93B. Aconduit 101 connects the first andsecond ports 99A, 99B, and there is avalve mechanism 103 in theconduit 101. Thebarrel 93 andconduit 101 are filled with hydraulic fluid and an outer end of thepiston shaft 97 is connected to thecrank 89. - As can be seen in the figures; pivoting of the
wheel shaft 43 in a first direction D1 moves thepiston 95 toward thefirst port 99A and forces hydraulic fluid out of thefirst port 99A and through theconduit 101 andvalve mechanism 103 and into the second port 99B, and pivoting of thewheel shaft 43 in a second direction D2 moves thepiston 95 toward the second port 99B and forces hydraulic fluid out of the second port 99B and through theconduit 101 andvalve mechanism 103 and into thefirst port 99A. - To reduce hazardous wheel wobble when travelling at higher speeds in the transport position when the tool bar frame 3 is in the transport position the
valve mechanism 103 is activated in a damping mode as schematically illustrated inFIG. 15 to direct the hydraulic fluid through asmall orifice 105 such as a needle valve to restrict flow through theconduit 101. This restriction causes the hydraulic fluid to exert back pressure on thepiston 95 and crank 89 such that movement of thecrank 89 which accompanies wheel wobble, is resisted. Pivoting movement is allowed such as during turns, however erratic movements during travel in the operating travel direction are resisted. - When the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position the
valve mechanism 103 is activated in a release mode as schematically illustrated inFIG. 16 to allow unrestricted flow through theconduit 101 and allow the unselectedtool bar wheels 5W to pivot freely. - In the illustrated apparatus 1, a
hydraulic cylinder assembly 110 is operative to selectively pivot the right and left tool bar frames 3R, 31 about the center frame axis CFA between the operating position and the transport position. Theassembly 110 is shown inFIG. 17 and includes front and rear right hydraulic cylinders 111FR, 111RR and front and rear left hydraulic cylinders 111FL, 111RL. A center beam 113 is pivotally attached to the right and left tool bar frames 3R, 31 about the center frame axis CFA, and the front and rear right hydraulic cylinders 111FR, 111RR are connected between front and rear ends of the center beam and the righttool bar frame 3R, and the front and rear left hydraulic cylinders 111FL, 111RL are connected between front and rear ends of the center beam and the lefttool bar frame 3L. - In the operating position of
FIG. 1 the rear hydraulic cylinders 111RR, 111RL are fully retracted and the front hydraulic cylinders 111FR, 111FL are fully extended. To move from the operating position to the transport position pressurized hydraulic fluid is directed into the hydraulic cylinders to extend the rear hydraulic cylinders 111RR, 111RL and to retract the front hydraulic cylinders 111FR, 111FL. In the transport position of Fig, 3 the rear hydraulic cylinders 111RR, 111RL are then fully extended and the front hydraulic cylinders 111FR, 111FL are fully retracted. Moving from the transport position to the operating position is accomplished by reversing the process. - The present disclosure thus provides a wide forward folding implement where no complex and costly telescoping mechanism is required. All wheels are castering wheels, facilitating movement between the operating and transport positions, and the pivoting movement of the wheels about the respective caster axes is controlled to provide a desired operating castering action when the tool bar frame 3 is in the operating position, and a different desired transport castering action when the tool bar frame 3 is in the transport position. The castering action is controlled conveniently by hydraulic cylinders, electric actuators, or like devices which may be operated manually or remotely from the towing vehicle.
- The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
Claims (16)
1-13. (canceled)
14. An implement apparatus comprising:
a tool bar frame mounted on tool bar wheels for travel along a ground surface in an operating travel direction, the tool bar frame comprising a right tool bar frame and a left tool bar frame pivotally attached to the right tool bar frame about a substantially vertical center frame axis such that the tool bar frame is movable from an operating position, where the right and left tool bar frames are oriented substantially perpendicular to the operating travel direction, to a transport position where the right and left tool bar frames are substantially aligned with the operating travel direction and extend forward from the center frame axis;
a plurality of carrier frames attached at front ends thereof to the tool bar frame such that the carrier frames are laterally spaced along a width of the tool bar frame, and such that the carrier frames are movable from an operating position extending rearward from the tool bar frame to a transport position extending upward from the tool bar frame;
wherein a carrier wheel is mounted to a rear portion of each carrier frame, and a plurality of ground engaging tools is mounted to each carrier frame;
wherein the tool bar wheels and carrier wheels are caster wheels pivotally mounted to the corresponding tool bar frame and carrier frames about vertical caster axes; and
wherein when the tool bar frame is in the operating position the tool bar wheels are substantially free to pivot about their respective caster axes and the carrier wheels are secured to resist pivoting about their respective caster axes away from a forward orientation rolling in the operating travel direction;
wherein when the tool bar frame moves from the operating position toward the transport position the tool bar wheels and carrier wheels are substantially free to pivot about their respective caster axes; and
when the tool bar frame is in the transport position, selected tool bar wheels are locked to prevent pivoting about their respective caster axes away from the forward orientation rolling in the operating travel direction.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the selected tool bar wheels are the rearmost tool bar wheels when the tool bar frame is in the transport position.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each caster wheel is pivotally mounted to the corresponding frame by a wheel shaft extending through a shaft aperture in the corresponding frame and rotatable in the shaft aperture such that the wheel shaft provides the corresponding vertical caster axis.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each carrier wheel is secured to resist pivoting about the respective caster axis by a carrier wheel securing mechanism comprising:
a substantially horizontal catch plate fixed to the corresponding wheel shaft, the catch plate defining a catch recess in a curved outer periphery thereof;
a catch roller movably mounted to the carrier frame and configured, when in a catch mode, to roll along the outer periphery of the catch plate when the corresponding carrier wheel pivots about the caster axis thereof;
a catch roller activator operative to move the catch roller to the catch mode by exerting a bias force on the catch roller toward the outer periphery of the catch plate, and operative to move the catch roller to a release mode by moving the catch roller away from the outer periphery of the catch plate;
wherein the catch plate and catch roller are configured such that when the catch roller is in the catch mode and the wheel shaft rotates in the shaft aperture to a location where the catch roller is aligned with the catch recess, the catch roller is forced into the catch recess where the corresponding carrier wheel is in the forward orientation and the catch roller in the catch recess resists further rotation of the wheel shaft in the shaft aperture.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the catch recess comprises a center portion configured to conform to an outer surface of a portion of the catch roller, and lateral portions on each side of the center portion, and wherein the center portion has a center depth greater than a lateral depth of the lateral portions such that the bias force forces the catch roller into the deeper center portion of the catch recess where the corresponding carrier frame wheel is in the forward orientation, and wherein a first rotational release force exerted on the wheel shaft will move the catch roller to the lateral portion corresponding to the direction of the first release force.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the center depth is greater than the lateral depth by a distance that is less than one half of a diameter of the catch roller.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the lateral portions comprise side edges sloping from the center portion to the outer periphery of the catch plate such that a second rotational release force exerted on the wheel shaft that is greater than the first rotational release force will move the catch roller up the side edges to the outer periphery of the catch plate.
21. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the catch roller activator comprises a spring operative to move the catch roller to the catch mode by exerting the bias force on the catch roller, and an extendable actuator operative to move the catch roller to the release mode by moving the catch roller away from the outer periphery of the catch plate against the bias force.
22. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the selected tool bar wheels are locked to prevent pivoting about their respective caster axes by a tool bar wheel locking mechanism comprising:
a substantially horizontal lock plate fixed to the corresponding wheel shaft, the lock plate defining a lock slot in an outer periphery thereof;
a lock roller movably mounted to the tool bar frame and configured, when in a lock mode, to roll along the outer periphery of the lock plate when the corresponding selected tool bar wheel pivots about the caster axis thereof;
a lock roller activator operative to move the lock roller to the lock mode by exerting a bias force on the lock roller toward the outer periphery of the lock plate, and operative to move the lock roller to a release mode by moving the lock roller away from the outer periphery of the lock plate;
wherein the lock plate and lock roller are configured such that when the lock roller is in the lock mode and the tool bar wheel shaft rotates in the shaft aperture to a location where the lock roller is aligned with the lock slot, the lock roller is forced into the lock slot and prevents further rotation of the tool bar wheel shaft in the shaft aperture.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the lock slot has a width substantially equal to a diameter of the lock roller, and a depth substantially equal to or greater than a length of the lock roller.
24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the lock plate is mounted to a top of the corresponding wheel shaft and a wall extends upward from the outer periphery thereof and defines the lock slot, and wherein the lock roller is inside the wall and configured to roll along an inner surface of the wall when in the lock mode such that when the wheel shaft rotates in the shaft aperture to a location where the lock roller is aligned with the lock slot, the lock roller is forced into the lock slot and prevents further rotation of the wheel shaft in the shaft aperture.
25. The apparatus of claim 22 comprising a lock arm pivotally attached to the tool bar frame and wherein the lock roller is rotatably mounted to an outer end of the lock arm, and lock roller activator comprises an extendable actuator attached between the tool bar frame and the lock arm and operative to move the lock roller to the release mode by moving the lock roller to an open area above the lock plate removed from the walls, and operative to move the lock roller to the lock mode by exerting the bias force on the lock arm to force the lock roller against the inner surface of the wall.
26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the lock roller activator comprises a coil spring with an inner end bearing against a spring plate extending from the tool bar frame, and a spring shaft extending through the spring from an outer end thereof to the inner end thereof and through a shaft hole in the spring plate and attached to a stop member that is larger than the shaft hole, and wherein the extendable actuator is attached to the stop member such that when the extendable actuator is extended the stop member bears against the spring plate and the lock roller is moved to the release mode, and when the extendable actuator is retracted the stop member moves away from the spring plate, the spring exerts the bias force on the extendable actuator and the lock roller is moved to the lock mode.
27. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the tool bar wheels include selected tool bar wheels that are locked when the tool bar frame is in the transport position and unselected tool bar wheels, and wherein the wheel shaft of each unselected tool bar wheel is connected to a damping mechanism when the tool bar frame is in the transport position, the damping mechanism operative to resist pivoting of the wheel shafts of the unselected tool bar wheels.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the damping mechanism comprises:
a crank extending laterally from the corresponding wheel shaft;
a hydraulic cylinder comprising a barrel with first and second end caps on corresponding first and second ends of the barrel and sealing the barrel, a piston inside the barrel, and a piston shaft extending through the first end cap, a first port in the barrel adjacent the first end cap, a second port in the barrel adjacent the second end cap, a conduit connecting the first and second ports, and a valve mechanism in the conduit;
wherein the barrel and conduit are filled with hydraulic fluid and an outer end of the piston shaft is connected to the crank;
wherein pivoting of the wheel shaft in a first direction moves the piston toward the first port and forces hydraulic fluid out of the first port and through the conduit and valve mechanism and into the second port; and pivoting of the wheel shaft in a second direction moves the piston toward the second port and forces hydraulic fluid out of the second port and through the conduit and valve mechanism and into the first port; and
wherein when the tool bar frame is in the transport position the valve mechanism is activated to restrict flow through the conduit, and when the tool bar frame is in the operating position the valve mechanism is activated to allow substantially unrestricted flow through the conduit.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/672,582 US20200060067A1 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2019-11-04 | Implement with forward folding wing frames |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA2964431 | 2017-04-18 | ||
CA2964431A CA2964431A1 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2017-04-18 | Implement with forward folding wing frames |
US15/909,325 US10499553B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2018-03-01 | Implement with forward folding wing frames |
US16/672,582 US20200060067A1 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2019-11-04 | Implement with forward folding wing frames |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/909,325 Division US10499553B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2018-03-01 | Implement with forward folding wing frames |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20200060067A1 true US20200060067A1 (en) | 2020-02-27 |
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Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US15/909,325 Active 2038-05-01 US10499553B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2018-03-01 | Implement with forward folding wing frames |
US16/672,582 Abandoned US20200060067A1 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2019-11-04 | Implement with forward folding wing frames |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US15/909,325 Active 2038-05-01 US10499553B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2018-03-01 | Implement with forward folding wing frames |
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US (2) | US10499553B2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2018201520B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2964431A1 (en) |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB201816626D0 (en) * | 2018-10-12 | 2018-11-28 | Agco Feucht Gmbh | Improved agricultural apparatus |
WO2021168526A1 (en) * | 2020-02-26 | 2021-09-02 | Stara S/A. Indùstria De Implementos Agrícolas | Dispenser for soil improvers, fertilizers and seeds |
US20210392807A1 (en) * | 2020-06-18 | 2021-12-23 | Ag Premier, Inc. | Agricultural tool bar system |
CN111891335B (en) * | 2020-08-04 | 2022-03-18 | 中国电子科技集团公司第四十一研究所 | Compact folding wing unfolding and locking mechanism |
Family Cites Families (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6209657B1 (en) | 1998-03-12 | 2001-04-03 | Flexi-Coil Ltd. | Forward folding tillage implement |
US6684962B1 (en) | 2001-10-15 | 2004-02-03 | Agco Corporation | Folding agricultural implement |
US20050087350A1 (en) * | 2003-10-28 | 2005-04-28 | Bauer Vaughn L. | Sectional toolbar for a planter |
US8127861B2 (en) | 2006-01-17 | 2012-03-06 | Agco Corporation | Front folding agricultural implement frame with rearwardly telescoping tongue |
US7581597B2 (en) | 2006-04-14 | 2009-09-01 | Cnh Canada, Ltd. | System for and method of moving an agricultural implement between a folded, inoperative position and an extended, operative position |
US20100126743A1 (en) * | 2008-11-21 | 2010-05-27 | Cnh America Llc | Implement frame with front folding wings and transport wheels |
US8567517B2 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2013-10-29 | Cnh Canada, Ltd. | Agricultural implement tool frame actuating system |
ES2803227T3 (en) * | 2011-06-03 | 2021-01-25 | Prec Planting Llc | Agricultural implement carrier apparatus, systems and methods |
LT3284329T (en) * | 2012-01-25 | 2020-10-12 | Precision Planting Llc | Agricultural toolbar method |
WO2013134457A1 (en) * | 2012-03-08 | 2013-09-12 | Kinze Manufacturing, Inc. | Implement frame with forward foldable wings |
CA2859184C (en) | 2012-08-01 | 2016-01-05 | Bourgault Industries Ltd. | Rear folding toolbar implement |
US9549496B2 (en) | 2013-12-11 | 2017-01-24 | Cnh Industrial America Llc | Tillage implement with foldable frame |
US9907223B2 (en) * | 2015-07-10 | 2018-03-06 | Cnh Industrial America Llc | Caster wheel assembly for an agricultural implement |
US10660257B2 (en) * | 2017-10-26 | 2020-05-26 | Cnh Industrial America Llc | System and method for automatically actuating wing assemblies of an agricultural implement |
-
2017
- 2017-04-18 CA CA2964431A patent/CA2964431A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2018
- 2018-03-01 US US15/909,325 patent/US10499553B2/en active Active
- 2018-03-02 AU AU2018201520A patent/AU2018201520B2/en active Active
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2019
- 2019-11-04 US US16/672,582 patent/US20200060067A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US20180295770A1 (en) | 2018-10-18 |
AU2018201520B2 (en) | 2024-05-02 |
US10499553B2 (en) | 2019-12-10 |
CA2964431A1 (en) | 2018-10-18 |
AU2018201520A1 (en) | 2018-11-01 |
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