WO2006083216A1

WO2006083216A1 - Device at a spring tine or similar for an agricultural machine

Info

Publication number: WO2006083216A1
Application number: PCT/SE2006/000138
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christer Stark
Original assignee: Väderstad-Verken Aktiebolag
Priority date: 2005-02-02
Filing date: 2006-01-31
Publication date: 2006-08-10
Also published as: SE0500263L; SE526848C2; DE112006000236T5

Abstract

The invention refers to a device at a spring tine (2) or similar for an agricultural machine with a cross-placed beam (4), which device is comprised of a crossbeam fastening (7, 8, 9a, 9b) for said spring tine (2), wherein said spring tine has two ends, of which a first end portion (6) is adapted for tillage of soil either directly or indirectly via a tool and of which a second end portion (3) is intended to be detachably fastened by means of said fastening (7, 8, 9a, 9b). The device comprises on the second end portion (3) a turn-resistant member (12, 15, 27, 28, 36, 40) intended to prevent turning of said spring tine (2) during any load imbalance of the same and a screw/nut connection seat (30, 37, 41) arranged at a distance (x) from the turn-resistant member, wherein said distance (x) is less than half the abutting surface of said second end portion against the intended crossbeam.

Description

DEVICE AT A SPRING TINE OR SIMILAR FOR AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINE

The invention refers to a device at a spring tine or similar for an agricultural machine, which device is comprised of a fastening for the said spring tine at an elongated beam arranged across the driving direction on the said machine, wherein the said spring tine has two ends, where the first end is intended for tilling the soil either directly or indirectly via a tool and the second end is intended to be detachably fastened by means of the said fastening at the said beam.

BACKGROUND

For a long time, spring tines of S- and C-shaped types have been used in different forms of agricultural machines. They have mainly been used for different forms of soil tillage. Characteristic of these is that they are in general always fastened with a spring fastening (tine fastening) and at least one screw. Despite sustained efforts by various manufacturers to find alternatives to the traditional tine fastening, it has lived on in various guises. The tine fastening has a range of disadvantages such as that the spring tine often loosens and slides on the axle, it is difficult to assemble in an industrial manner and it creates extra costs for assembly. The difficult assembly has led to assembly of harrow tines on a large scale being difficult to carry out in an ergonomic way.

One aim of the present invention is to achieve a device of the initially described type that overcomes the disadvantages described above of the known device of this type and that also provides a cost efficiency.

The aim of the invention was achieved through creating a device that has the characteristics described in the characterising part of Claim 1.

Preferred embodiments of the invention have been given the characteristics presented in the subclaims.

The invention is especially suitable for assembly of all types of spring tines with rectangular cross-section. Such spring tines are used in various machines such as harrows, seed drills and other types of agricultural machinery. They are often harrow tines of S- or C-type and tines of 'Crossboard'© type or seed coulters for a seed drill. The invention is also applicable for other types of machine element such as scrapers, various forms of holder, etc.

The invention thus solves all the above problems through the tine fastening (see Fig. 1) being eliminated completely. The tine fastening is eliminated since the connection area of the spring tine is given a special form so as to be connected with a screw against at least one of the sides of the beam. This provides the advantage that stocking of a specific item, such as a tine fastening, is no longer necessary.

This form together with appropriate nut/screw size provides a strong, stable, cheap and easily assembled connection. The beam on which the spring tines are mounted can be a massive beam (steel plate), a hollow polygonal (e.g. a square profile beam) or an open beam such as a U-beam. The beam is provided with holes at suitable positions. In these holes, screws are assembled. These can suitably, especially for ergonomic reasons, be assembled in advance and the nut only entered on the threading (in this case a seat for the screw with open removal is used), so that the spring tines hang on the screw heads in the assembly position to then adopt the correct position when the nuts are tightened in a predetermined tightening operation, which is advantageously executed with a pneumatically or hydraulically driven tool. The holes in the beam can be given a circular cross-section, wherein the spring tines are assembled in predetermined positions. At certain positions, for example near the wheels of a machine, it can be appropriate for the farmer to adjust the position of the spring tines. This is to adjust the clearance to the wheel. This clearance may need to be altered when the consistency and moisture of the soil are changed. The soil can also contain a varying amount of straw and other crop residues/weeds. When the device according to the invention is used at seed drills the need to adjust the relative spacings of the seed coulters can be great. When this need arises, the hole is as a suggestion made oblong to the desired degree. The spring tines can also be assembled on a beam consisting of two elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described more closely in the following with reference to the attached drawings, which show preferred embodiments.

Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of a previously known fastening for a spring tine, the end of which is conducted through a slit in the fastening and is made fast by means of a screw/nut connection. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through a beam of an agricultural machine, wherein is shown a first embodiment of a device according to the invention at a spring tine or similar made fast at the beam by means of a screw/nut connection. Fig. 3 shows partially a view similar to that in Fig. 2 of the first embodiment in a tightened, assembled position.

Fig. 4 shows partially a view similar to that in Fig. 2 of the first embodiment in a position in which the connection is placed in position, but not tightened. Fig. 5 shows partially a view similar to that in Fig. 2 of the first embodiment in an almost tightened, assembled position. Fig. 6 shows partially a view similar to that in Fig. 2 of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention at a spring tine or similar. Fig. 7 shows partially a view similar to that in Fig. 2 of a third embodiment of a device according to the invention at a spring tine or similar.

Fig. 8 shows partially a view similar to that in Fig. 2 of a fourth embodiment of a device according to the invention at a spring tine or similar.

Fig. 9a-c show a partial planar view of several embodiments of the fastening end of the spring tine or similar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Corresponding details in the embodiments described below and shown in the drawings have been given the same reference number.

Fig. 2 shows a seed coulter 1 of disc type fastened at a not shown agricultural machine. The seed coulter 1 is turnably fastened at a spring tine 2 of in general rectangular cross- section, at least at the end portion 3, which is detachably made fast at a beam 4 arranged on the agricultural machine. The spring tine 2 is of the type that forms a hoop 5 around the beam and thereafter, seen in the driving direction, extends backwards to another end portion 6, which is fastened at the seed coulter 1. Other tools can also be another soil tillage implement such as a harrow blade or similar. The spring tine in these cases can have a different curvature and thereby a different overall shape, which for some special cases will be elucidated further on.

The beam 4 has an essentially rectangular cross-section with elongated edges preferably designed with curves 4a and has a side 4b, at which the end portion 3 of the spring tine 2 abuts and is detachably fastened by means of a screw/nut connection 7, 8, where the screw is conducted through holes 9a and 9b taken up opposite each other in the beam, see Fig. 3. The holes 9a and 9b taken up opposite each other in the beam are placed at predetermined relative spacings between each other along the beam 4. For several successive rows in the driving direction (shown by the arrow 10 in Fig. 2) of spring tines 2, the holes 9a, 9b in the beams are distributed in such as way that the tools are placed in relation to one another to achieve a predetermined tillage of the soil.

The spring tine 2 is in a preferred embodiment of the invention at the outer end 11 lipped or forged up to form at least one stop heel 12 intended to abut against a side 4c of the beam 4. The stop heel 12 thereby forms a support against twisting of the spring tine 2 laterally during tillage of the soil. The holes 9a and 9b are so placed along the beam 4 that the screw/nut connection 7, 8 is assembled asymmetrically (see distances x and y in Fig. 3) in relation to the centre line of the beam, i.e. nearer the outer end 11 of the spring tine to provide a better lever arm x to the screw in the normal loading case. The lever arm x nearest the stop heel is thus shorter than half the width of the beam 4. The distance x is the lesser half of the abutting surface of the second end portion against the relevant crossbeam. The abutting surface 4b is mainly equal to the actual abutting surface on the spring tine 2 plus the outer radii of the elongated edges 4a existing at each end of the abutting surface.

The screw head 13 of the screw/nut connection 7, 8, which in this embodiment is disposed under the spring tine 2 in assembled status, can preferably be provided with a groove or mark 14, so that the assembler can feel that the screw is correctly orientated when the spring tine is conducted forwards into position above the screw.

Fig. 4 shows a spring tine with open slit at the end 11 (see below in Fig. 9a). The spring tine has been suspended on the preassembled screw where the nut is only entered on the threading. It is very practical to be able to assemble the spring tines in this way since the work procedure can be divided up and the passage of work can be carried out ergonomically correctly.

Fig. 5 shows a spring tine in almost fully tightened position. The fastening with the stop heel 12 creeps up into the correct position and the spring tine is fixed. The spring tine stop heel nearest the end 11 can have an angle to the portion 3 of the spring tine 2 abutting against the beam that is less than 90° in order to achieve an extra tension against the beam and thus a firmer connection. This tensioning effect can also be achieved through the stop heel or stop heels having a mainly concave form across the width of the spring tine, which is faintly indicated in the embodiments of various spring tine end portions in Fig. 9a-c below. Instead of a lipped or forged up stop heel 12 at end 11, the spring tine 2, as shown in

Fig. 6, can be provided with a preferably welded on or forged on stop flange 15, which is placed so that at assembly of the spring tine 2 it ends up at the side of the beam 4 facing the end 16 of spring tine 2, i.e. in the position where the spring tine first encounters the beam 2 in the direction towards its end 16. The distances x and y and thereby the position of the lever arm x in this embodiment are reversed relative to the embodiment according to Figs. 2-5. In this case too, a tension on the stop flange can be arranged through an incline less than 90° of the flange against the beam 4 or a concave form of the surface of the flange 15 against the beam 4.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a spring tine with a spring plate 17 fastened at the outer free end 18 and thereby forming a harrow tine 19. The harrow tine 19 extends around the beam 4 (dashed), but in contrast to the spring tine 2 according to Fig. 2-5 is bowed back at 20 so that the driving direction according to the arrow 21 is the reverse.

Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of the fastening for a harrow tine 22 with a spring plate 23 or similar fastened at the free end. The harrow tine 22 in this case is curved into a bow 24 away from the beam 4 and thereafter essentially in the direction downwards towards the ground. The driving direction is shown by an arrow 25.

Fig. 9a-c show some possible forms of the end of the spring tine with one or several stop heels 12, which are arranged to abut against the driving direction 10 facing side of the beam 4.

Fig. 9a shows one end of a spring tine 26 where the material is forged for increased width to both stop heels 27, 28. Between the stop heels is arranged an open slit 29, the inner end of which forms a seat 30, against which the screw shaft of a not shown screw/nut connection 7, 8 is intended to abut. Between the shanks 31, 32 formed by the slit, at the outer ends of which the stop heels 27 and 28 are bowed or forged up, the slit widens outwards towards its opening to form a predetermined angle. The stop heels thereby also form an angle in relation to each other so that the outer ends 33 and 34 of the stop heels first come to abut against the outer side of a not shown beam. In this way an extra tightening up of the spring tine 26 against the beam is achieved.

Fig. 9a also shows two lines (A-A and B-B), which fastening area can advantageously be bowed slightly in the direction of the surface that is intended to abut the beam. The bowing is so adapted that the area that lies over the screw head shall be given a clearance to the beam in untightened condition. The area can lie against the beam in the tightened position. It can also be so deeply bowed or cupped so that even in the tightened position there is a small space to the beam above the screw head. The bowing or cupping can have different geometrical forms. The aim of the bowing is to ensure abutment against the beam at a distance from the centre line of the screw.

Fig. 9b shows an embodiment of the fastening end of a spring tine 35 with a whole stop heel 36 and a hole 37 for assembly of a not shown screw/nut connection. The material of the spring tine 35 is forged to achieve an increased width at the fastening end on a not shown beam. The surface 38 facing the beam of the stop heel 36 can be concave formed so as like the embodiment in Fig. 9a to create an extra springing fastening against the beam.

Fig. 9c shows an embodiment of the fastening end of a spring tine 39 with a whole stop heel 40 and a hole 41 for assembly on a not shown beam by means of a not shown screw/nut connection. Here too the extra fastening can be achieved by the stop heel being bowed so that the ends 42 and 43 first come to abut against a not shown beam on tightening of a not shown screw/nut connection.

Regardless of how the hole is formed the spring tine is consequently held fast through two tightening devices:

1. The abutting surface on the spring tine is made slightly concave in such a way that the part of the spring that lies over the screw head does not abut the beam without force. In this way one ensures that the outer parts of the abutting surface are pressed against the beam. This gives good stability and cooperates with the other tightening device.

2. The other tightening device locks the spring tine in a predetermined angle which is usually 90° against the beam. When the spring tine is pressed up towards the beam through the nut being tightened the outer part of the stop heels tightens against the edge of the beam and the screw, which in turn tightens against the edge of the hole. Through giving the various parts the correct dimensions and shape, a very easily assembled and strong connection is achieved at a low cost.

It is not completely necessary for the function of the connection that a high tension against the heels is achieved. If however the measurement x exceeds the measurement y in Fig. 3 the spring tine can loosen subsequently since the angle is not completely fixed.

The hole in the beam can be taken up in that part of the beam half that is disposed next to the stop heel or stop flange, since it is advantageous that the lever arm behind the bolt is longer than that in front, this so the spring, which is often a spring tine, is bent backwards by the soil resistance. The force that bends forwards is most often the recoil when a spring tine has passed an obstacle, such as for example a stone.

The stop heels, which are suitably forged up, are advantageously given such a shape that the outermost end presses against the beam, which means that the angle is less than 90°. This shape provides the optimal angle fixation. To further improve the angle fixation, the width of the spring tine can be increased in the connection area through the open slit or slot being beaten out and only trim-punched. The width of the material is thereby decreased and the distance to the outer portions of the heels increased. The slit or slot can suitably be given an increased width towards the stop heels so as to facilitate assembly and further increase the abutting surface at the outer area of the heels.

For rotation locking the screw is suitably given a combined round and square part immediately above the head. A round part so as to avoid sharp corners in the connection area of the spring tine. It is important to avoid corners in this area since corners often give stress concentrations where cracks originate. On the opposite side the screw can suitably be given the form of a half square. This gives a rotation locking in the spring tine's slit or hole. It also provides the potential to assemble the screw in quadratic holes for use in other contexts.

The nut 8 of the screw 7 is suitably given a shape with enlarged foot so as to permit a high tightening operation without deforming the nut side 4d of the beam with thinner walled profiles. The screw can be specially adapted so as to give an optimal connection on assembly in oblong holes. It is then an advantage if the screw has a plane part that abuts against the plane surface of the hole towards the front side (i.e. towards the stop heels).

The slit or void is practical from an assembly perspective. An alternative to the open slit is a hole. During assembly, one must then hold the spring tine in one hand and assemble the screw with the other. This procedure is possible but involves an extra operation during assembly. The device according to the invention can naturally be modified further within the framework of the attached claims.

Claims

1. Device at a spring tine (2) or similar for an agricultural machine with a cross-placed beam (4), which device is comprised of a crossbeam fastening (7, 8, 9a, 9b) for the said spring tine (2), wherein the said spring tine has two ends, of which a first end portion (6) is adapted for tillage of soil either directly or indirectly via a tool and of which a second end portion (3) is intended to be detachably fastened by means of the said fastening (7, 8, 9a, 9b), characterised in that it comprises on the second end portion (3) a turn-resistant member (12, 15, 27, 28, 36, 40) intended to prevent turning of said spring tine (2) during any load imbalance of the same and a screw/nut connection seat (30, 37, 41) arranged at a distance (x) from the turn- resistant member, wherein said distance (x) is less than half the abutting surface of said second end portion against the intended crossbeam.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said turn-resistant member is a stop heel (12, 27, 28, 36, 40), which is formed through the outer end (11) of the end portion (3) of said spring tine (2) being bowed mainly 90° in relation to said abutting surface in the direction of said intended beam's side surface (12) facing the direction of driving (10).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that said stop heel (12, 27, 28, 36, 40) is bowed more than 90°.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the said turn-resistant member is a stop heel (15), which is arranged, preferably welded fast, on the spring tine (2) at the end of the abutting surface of said second end portion (3) that is facing away from the end (16) of the spring tine (2).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterised in that said abutting surface (4b) is mainly equal to the actual abutting surface on the spring tine (2) plus the outer radii of the elongated edges 4a existing at each end of the abutting surface.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1-5, characterised in that said screw/nut connection seat is comprised of the inner edge of a slit (29) arranged at the second end (11, 27, 28).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that said slit (29) widens in the direction of the outer ends (27, 28) of the shanks of the slit.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1-5, characterised in that said screw/nut connection seat (30) is a closed slit or a hole (37, 41) and is comprised of that part of the slit or hole that is facing away from the second end of said spring tine (2).

9. Device according to any one of claims 1-5, characterised in that said screw/nut connection seat (30) is a round hole (37, 41).

10. Device according to any one of claims 1-9, characterised in that the abutting surface of the turn-resistant member (12, 15, 27, 28, 40) of the spring tine (2) at the fastened tine fastening is concave or bowed so that the outer edges of said turn-resistant member first come to abut on tightening of said crossbeam fastening (7, 8) so as to create an inbuilt tension.