WO1988006398A1

WO1988006398A1 - Securing a share to its mounting

Info

Publication number: WO1988006398A1
Application number: PCT/AU1988/000048
Authority: WO
Inventors: Austin Timothy Ryan
Original assignee: Austin Timothy Ryan
Priority date: 1987-02-26
Filing date: 1988-02-25
Publication date: 1988-09-07

Abstract

A ploughshare mounting configuration includes a ploughshare (12) with one or more forward edges (16, 17), and a mount (14) for the ploughshare. The ploughshare and the mount have complementary co-operable formations (24, 28) by which the ploughshare may be slid rear-first onto and into engagement with the mount. Co-operable abutments (24, 30) on the ploughshare and on the mount prevent the ploughshare from sliding rearwardly off the mount. Complementary lands (32, 34) are respectively provided on the mount and the ploughshare, and one of these lands substantially overlies the other when the ploughshare is fully engaged with the mount to define an opening (36) for receiving a wedge element (40). Wedge element (40) may be driven rearwardly into the opening (36) relative to the working edges (16, 17) until the element is wedged in the opening and thereby prevents inadvertent forward separation of the ploughshare (12) from the mount (14).

Description

"SECURING A SHARE TO ITS MOUNTING" FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is concerned with the securing of a ploughshare to its mounting in a manner which facilitates easy removal and replacement of the share.

BACKGROUND ART

The traditional method of securing a ploughshare to a depending foot or other mounting is by nut and bolt. However, due to build up of soil and trash on the mounting and wear on the mounting itself, the nut often proves difficult to remove when the time comes to replace the worn share. The task of replacing all of the shares on, for example, a wideline plough is thus a formidable chore not relished by the typical farmer. An alternative approach is the so-called knock-on share, which is hammered into place and similarly forced off its mounting when it is to be replaced. Such shares have not been wholly successful because of a relatively high rate of loss of shares during ploughing operations but they are nevertheless popular because they are certainly easier to remove and replace than bolted-on shares.

Another approach is described in the present applicant's co-pending Australian patent application No. 55797/86. This arrangement provides complementary engagement between a tapered foot on a depending adaptor and a corresponding tapered opening in the surface of the share: the parts are fitted together by applying the share in the opposite sense and rotating it through 180°. It has been found that separation of the parts can occur in very adverse soil conditions and thus applicant's co-pending application also describes arrangements for locking the share in place, including a rear crosspiece on the share and depending catches or wire clips fastened to the adaptor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the invention to provide a reliable arrangement for securing a ploughshare to its mount in a knock-on knock-off manner, without the use of bolts or like fastenings.

The invention accordingly provides a ploughshare mounting configuration comprising: a ploughshare with one or more forward working edges; a mount for the ploughshare; complementary co-operable formations on the ploughshare and on the mount by which the ploughshare may be slid rear-first onto and into engagement with the mount; co-operable abutment means on the ploughshare and on mount to prevent the ploughshare from sliding rearwardly off the mount; and complementary lands respectively provided on the mount and the ploughshare, one of which lands substantially overlies the other where the ploughshare is fully engaged with the mount to define an opening for receiving a wedge element which may be driven rearwardly into the opening, relative to said working edges until the element is wedged in the opening and thereby prevents inadvertent forward separation of the ploughshare from the mount.

Advantageously, the ploughshare has an aperture with respective edges providing said formation on the ploughshare, and one of said lands comprises a crosspiece separating said aperture from a rear edge of the ploughshare. The aforesaid formations preferably define a transverse dovetail engagement between the ploughshare and the mount.

Preferably, there is further included means on the underside of the mount behind which the wedge element seats when fully driven into said opening. This means may be an integral nipple.

In one embodiment, the wedge element is an integral relatively thin and flat metal plate of somewhat elongate rectangular shape, having a rectangular cross-section which diminishes towards its rear end. Alternatively, the wedge element may be a rod truncated from one end at a shallow angle to its axis. The invention is also directed to an assembly of the aforesaid share and mount with the wedge element wedged in said opening to hold the ploughshare to the mount and prevent inadvertent forward separation of the share from the mount.

The assembly may further include complementary apertures and/or slots in the mount and share to receive a transversely disposed pin to further guard against inadvertent separation of the share from the mount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of an assembly of a ploughshare and a mounting adaptor incorporating a first embodiment of mounting configuration according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a similar view of a separated share and adaptor;

Figure 3 is a perspective view from below of the assembly;

Figures 4 and 5 are respective longitudinal and transverse cross-sections of the assembly on the lines 4-4 and 5-5 in Figures 5 and 4 respectively;

Figures 6 and 7 are views similar to Figures 4 and 5 but showing a second embodiment of ploughshare mounting configuration according to the invention;

Figure 8 is perspective view of the wedge element forming part of the assembly depicted in Figures 6 and 7; and Figure 9 is a side elevation of the assembly depicted in Figures 6 and 7 but incorporating an additional feature.

BEST MODES OF PERFORMING THE INVENTION

The assembly 10 illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 includes an integral cast ploughshare 12 and a mount comprising a complementary cast adaptor 14. Share 12 is preferably fashioned from a suitable hardwearing alloy steel, is broadly triangular, and tapers down to a pair of forward working edges 16, 17 which converge forwardly to a tip 18 reinforced by an upstanding rib 20 trailing from the tip.

The adaptor 14 has a pair of apertures 22 to receive bolts by which the adaptor may be mounted to a depending tyne on a plough frame.

A dovetail engagement between the adaptor and share is provided by complementary formations comprising a downwardly displayed foot 24 (Figures 2 and 5) on the adaptor and opposed undercut downwardly diverging edge surfaces 26 on upstanding ribs 28 to either side of an aperture 30 in the share. The aperture extends from a position to the rear of rib 20 almost to the rear of the share so as to leave an integral crosspiece 32 behind the aperture. Foot 24 and edge surfaces 26 are parallel and complementary so that the share can be brought rear-first onto and engaged with the adaptor by sliding ribs 28 onto the foot. The resultant transverse dovetail engagement is best seen in Figure 5. The rear of foot 24 extends beyond the overlying body of the adaptor to form an integral land 34. The dovetail engagement between the parts is such that this land 34 is left just clear of and overlying an opposing land provided by crosspiece 32, leaving an opening 36 between the two. It will already have been appreciated that rearward disengagement of the share from the adaptor is prevented by abutment of the front of foot 24 with the closed front end of aperture 30 (as best seen in Figure 4) . Inadvertent disengagement in the forward direction is prevented by a wedge element 40 which is hammered thin end first into opening 36 from beneath foot 24. The dimensions are such that the thin rear end 41 of the wedge element just projects through opening 36 before it begins to lock the parts together. The wedge element 40 requires further driving, and therefore increased projection from the rear of opening 36, to effect a firm clamp (Figure 4). At this point, the rear 41 of the wedge is typically close to but just forwardly of the upper rear edge 33 of share crosspiece 32.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, wedge element 40 is an integral, relatively thin and flat metal plate. This plate is of somewhat elongate rectangular shape and has a rectangular cross-section which diminishes towards its rear end 41.

Foot 24 has an integral nipple 47 on its underside behind which wedge element 40 seats when fully driven into opening 36. Nipple 47 is convexedly shaped in three dimensions for facilitating disengagement of the wedge element from behind the nipple, by striking the rear end 41 of the wedge element, e.g. with a hammer. Foot 24 has a second depending projection in the form of a second nipple 47a which is of similar shape but shallower extent than nipple 47. This nipple 47a is provided on land 34 within opening 36 and is received by a complementary dimple 48 providing a seat for the nipple on the upper surface of wedge element 40 when the latter is fully driven home. This engagement, which is again readily broken by striking the rear end 41 of the wedge element, is effective to locate the wedge element when it is wedged in opening 36 between land 34 and crosspiece 32.

Figures 6 to 8, in which like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, depict an alternative embodiment in which the wedge element 40' comprises a rod truncated at one end at a shallow angle to its axis to define a flat surface 40a extending for about two-thirds of the length of rod. At its thin end 41', the rod's thickness is less than half the diameter at the other end. The underside of adaptor foot 24 has a shallow channel 43 of arcuate cross-section matching wedge element 40'. Channel 43 thereby seats the wedge element 40' and constrains it against lateral movement.

Surface 40a is provided with transverse grooves and ribs 42 to facilitate the wedging action by co-operation with an upstanding lip 44 on the rear edge of crosspiece 32. The wedge element is driven through opening 36 with surface 40a facing downwardly. Engagement of lip 44 with grooves and ribs 42 reduces the chances that the wedge element will slip out during use. Instead of the nipple 47 of the first embodiment, a shoulder 47' is formed on the underside of adaptor foot 24 at the forward end of channel 43. Shoulder 47' seats the forward end 41a of wedge element 40 and thereby substantially prevents its forward movement in opening 36. The wedge element snaps into the seat as it is driven past the shoulder when mounting a share to the adaptor.

When a share is worn or otherwise requires replacement, it is easily removed by striking the thin rear end 41 of the wedge element 40 or 40' with a hammer so as to cause the wedge element to jump over and onto nipple 47, or from shoulder 47', and move forwardly out of opening 36. No more than a few blows with the hammer on the flat rear edge 13 of share 12 will then be effective to slide the share off the foot of the adaptor so that a new one can be put in its place.

Figure 9 shows an additional or alternative means of locking the parts together. Integral upstanding lugs 50 spaced behind ribs 28" define with the ribs a pair of opposed grooves 49 to either side of land 34". An aperture 52 extends through land 34" in register with the grooves. A snap-on catch 56 in the form of a length of suitably shaped spring steel is passed through the grooves and apertures. A return leg of the catch is deflected outwardly so that it may pass the rear of land 34", thus allowing insertion of the catch, but then snaps back to its equilibrium position to prevent withdrawal of the catch. A split pin or any other suitable fastener may be used in place of catch 56.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A ploughshare mounting configuration comprising: a ploughshare with one or more forward working edges; a mount for the ploughshare; complementary co-operable formations on the ploughshare and on the mount by which the ploughshare may be slid rear-first onto and into engagement with the mount; co-operable abutment means on the ploughshare and on the mount to prevent the ploughshare from sliding rearwardly off the mount; and complementary lands respectively provided on the mount and the ploughshare, one of which lands substantially overlies the other when the ploughshare is fully engaged with the mount to define an opening for receiving a wedge element which may be driven rearwardly into the opening relative to said working edges until the element is wedged in the opening and thereby prevents inadvertent forward separation of the ploughshare from the mount.

2. A ploughshare assembly according to claim 1 wherein the ploughshare has an aperture with respective edges providing said formation on the ploughshare, and one of said lands comprises a crosspiece separating said aperture from a rear edge of the ploughshare.

3. A ploughshare mounting configuration according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said formations define a transverse dovetail engagement between the ploughshare and the mount.

4. A ploughshare mounting configuration according to claim 1, 2 or 3 further comprising means on the underside of the mount behind which the wedge element seats when fully driven into said opening.

5. A ploughshare mounting configuration according to claim 4 wherein said means on the underside of the mount comprises an integral nipple.

6. A ploughshare mounting configuration according to claim 5 wherein said nipple is convexedly shaped for facilitating disengagement of the wedge element from behind the nipple, by striking the rear edge of the wedge element.

7. A ploughshare mounting configuration according to any preceding claim further comprising a projection on one of said lands and a complementary seat on the wedge element, or vice versa, which projection is engageable in said seat to locate the wedge element when it is wedged in said opening between the lands.

8. A ploughshare mounting configuration according to any preceding claim wherein the wedge element is an integral, relatively thin and flat metal plate of somewhat elongate rectangular shape, having a rectangular cross-section which diminishes towards its rear end.

9. A ploughshare mounting configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the wedge element is a rod truncated from one end at a shallow angle to its axis.

10. A ploughshare mounting configuration according to any preceding claim wherein the wedge element has one or more surfaces which are grooved, ribbed or otherwise formed to facilitate engagement with one or other of said lands.

11. A ploughshare assembly comprising a mounting configuration according to any preceding claim, and a wedge element wedged in said opening between said lands to hold the ploughshare to the mount and prevent inadvertent forward separation of the ploughshare from the mount.

12. A ploughshare assembly according to claim 11 further comprising complementary apertures and/or slots in the mount and share to receive a transversely disposed pin to further guard against inadvertent separation of the share from the mount.