Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02381690 2008-06-18
HOSE CONSTRAINT FOR PLANTER APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to agricultural equipment and more
specifically to a hose guide for use with an extendable multi-stage hitch
assembly for
linking an agricultural implement to a prime mover.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of agricultural implements have been developed that can be
linked via an implement tongue member to a tractor hitch or other type of
prime mover
to facilitate different tasks including, for example, seeding, fertilizing and
tilling.
Hereinafter, unless indicated otherwise, the background of the invention and
the present
invention will be described in the context of an exemplary planter implement
assembly.
While there are many different factors that have to be considered when
assessing the value of a planter assembly, one relatively important factor is
how quickly
the assembly can accomplish the task that the assembly has been designed to
facilitate. One way to increase task speed has been to increase planter
assembly width
thereby reducing the number of passes required to perform the implement's task
for an
entire field. Thus, for instance, doubling the width of the exemplary planter
assembly
generally reduces the time required to completely seed a field by half.
With the development of modern high-powered tractors and planter
assemblies, many planter assemblies extend to operating field widths of 40
feet or
more. Hereinafter when a planter assembly is extended into an operating
configuration
to accomplish a seeding task, the planter assembly will be said to be in an
operating
position and have an operating width.
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[0006] Unfortunately, while expansive planter assembly operating widths are
advantageous for quickly accomplishing tasks, such expansive widths cannot be
tolerated during planter assembly transport and storage. With respect to
transport,
egresses to many fields are simpiy not large enough to accommodate transport
of a 40
plus, foot pianter assembly Into and out of the fields. In addition, often
buildings and
fences obstruct passageways and therefore will not allow transport. Moreover,
many
farrri fields are separated by several miles and farmers have to use
commercial
roaclways to transport their planter assemblies to and from fields.
Essentially all
commercial roadways are not designed to facilitate wide planter assembly
transport.
[0007] Recognizing the need for expansive pianter assembly operating widths
and
relatively narrow transport widths, the industry has developed some solutions
that
facilitate both transport and operating widths. To this end, one solution has
been to
provide plece-meal planter assemblies that can be disassembled into separate
sections
and stacked on a wheel supported carrier member or on a separate trailer for
transport.
Obviously this solution is disadvantageous as it requires excessive labor to
assemble
and disassemble the planter assemblies between transport and intended use and
may
also require additional equipment (e.g., an additional trailer)_
[000i3] Another solution has been to provide a folding planter assembly
configuration.
For instance, in a "scissors type" configuration, where a planter assembly
chassis is
supported by wheels, right and left implement bars are pivotally mounted to
the chassis
where each bar is moveable between an operating position extending laterally
from the
chassis and a transport position where the bar is forwardly swingable over the
tongue
member and supportable by the tongue member during transport. As another
instance.
"pivctal-type" configurations provide a single implement bar centrally mounted
for pivotal
movement on a wheel supported carrier platform where the single bar Is
pivotable about
the rnount so that half of the bar extends over the tongue member and is
supportable
thereby and the other half of the bar extends away from the tractor behind the
chassis-
In either of these scissors or pivotal configurations, the tongue member has
to be long
enough to accommodate half the implement bar length plus some clearance
required to
allow a tractor linked to the tongue member to turn left and right. Thus, for
instance, ---_
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CA 02381690 2002-04-15
where the planter assembly operating width is 40 feet, the tongue member
generally
has to be greater than 20 feet long.
[0009] While task speed is one important criteria with which to judge planter
assembly value, one other important criteria is planter assembly effectiveness
and
efficiency. In agricultural endeavors, perhaps the most important measure of
effectiveness is yield per acre. For this reason, when seeding a field, a
farmer wants to
seed every possible square foot of the field and thereafter, when maintaining
(i.e., tilling,
fertilizing, etc.) and harvesting a field, the farmer wants to avoid
destroying the plants in
the field. To maximize field seeding, farmers typically travel along optimal
field paths.
For instance, to ensure that seed is planted along the entire edge of a field,
a farmer
typically starts seeding the field by first traveling around the edge of the
field with a
seeding implement at least once and often two or more times along adjacent
consecutively smaller paths prior to traveling in parallel rows through the
field. These
field edge paths are generally referred to in the industry as headland passes.
By
performing one or more headland passes about a field edge prior to performing
parallel
passes, the farmer provides a space for turning the tractor and Implement
around
between parallel passes while still covering the entire space along the field
edge.
[0010] While headland passes increase overall field coverage, whenever a
tractor is
driven over field sections that have already been seeded, the tractor and
planter
assembly wheels crush the seeds or growing plants that they pass over and
therefore
reduce overall field production (i.e_, yield per acre). For this reason, as
known in the
industry, where possible, farmers routinely attempt to reduce the number of
headland
passes required in a field.
[00111 Unfortunately, the number of headland passes required to facilitate
compiete
fieid coverage is related to the tuming radius of a tractor and planter
assembly
combination and the oombination turning radius is directly related to the
length of the
tongue member between the planter assembly and the tractor_ Thus, for
instance,
where the tongue is six feet long the turning radius may require only one
headland pass
while a twenty foot long tongue may require two or more headland passes to
facilitate
complete coverage. _
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CA 02381690 2002-04-15
[0012] Recognizing that a short tongue during planter assembly operation
reduces
the !number of required headland passes and therefore increases efficiency and
that a
long tongue is desirable to accommodate pivotal and scissors type implement
configurations, some industry members have developed staged tongue members
that
expand to accommodate implement transport and retract to provide a minimal
turning
radiiis during implement operation. One of these solutions provides a single
stage
telescoping tongue member including a first tongue member mounted to a planter
assembly chassis and a second tongue member that is telescopically received in
the
first tongue member. To facilitate expansion and retraction, a hydraulic
cylinder is
positioned within one of the first and second tongue members with a base
member
mounted to one of the tongue members and a rod secured to the other of the
tongue
members. With relatively large implements and tractors, the force required by
the
cylirider is relatively large, By placing the cylinder inside the tongue
members, cylinder
force is evenly distributed thereby reducing cylinder wear, reducing cylinder
requirements and increasing the useful cylinder life cycle.
[00131 While better than non-telescoping tongue members, unfortunately, single
stage members cannot telescope between optimal maximum and minimum lengths.
For this reason, where single stage tongue members have been employed, either
extended implement operating width has been minimized or extra headland passes
have been used to accommodate a larger than optimum turning radius.
[0014] One other solution has been to provide a multi-stage tongue member that
is
able to telescope between optimal maximum and minimum lengths, Designing
workable multi-stage tongue assemblies, however, has proven to be a difficult
task. To
this end, a separate cylinder is required for each stage in a multi-stage
assembly. For
instance, in a two stage assembly at least two cylinders are required.
Unfortunately, in
the case of a retracted multi-stage tongue assembly, the retracted assembiy
can only
accommodate a single internally mounted cylinder (i.eõ a cylinder mounted
within the
internal tongue assembly member). As indicated above, to balance cylinder load
during
operation and thereby minimize cylinder wear and increase useful cylinder
lifecycle, the
industry has opted to place tongue dedicated cylinders inside tongue member
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passageways and external tongue dedicated cylinders have not been considered a
viable option.
[0015] One exemplary and seemingly workable multi-stage tongue assembly is
described'in US patent No. 5,113,956 which is entitled "Forwardly Folding Tool
Bar" and
which issued on May 19, 1992 (hereinafter "the '956 patent"). The implement
contiguration in the '956 patent teaches a scissors-type implement having left
and right
bar members mounted to a wheel supported chassis for pivotal rotation between
an
extended operating position and a transport position over the tongue assembly.
The
tongue assembly is mounted to the chassis and extends toward a tractor
including
several (e.g., 5) telescoped tongue members including a distal tongue member
14 that
actually links to a tractor hitch. To move the bar members between the
operating and
transport positions the'956 patent teaches that first and second hydraulic
cylinders are
mounted between the chassis and a point spaced from the chassis on each of the
right
and left bar members, respectively. By extending cylinder rods, the bar
members are
driven into extended operating positions and when the rods are retracted the
bar
members are driven into transport positions.
[0016] The '956 patent teaches that the tongue assembly can be extended and
retracted while the bar members are driven between their operating and
transport
positions and by the first and second hydraulic cylinders by attaching braces
between
the bar members and the distal tongue member. More specifically, a first rigid
brace is
pivotally secured at one end about midway along the right bar member and so as
to
form an acute angle therewith and at an opposite end to the distal tongue
member and
a second rigid brace is pivotally secured at one end about midway along the
left bar
member so as to form an acute angle therewith and at an opposite end to the
distal
tongue member.
[0017] The '956 patent teaches that when the cyiinder rods are retracted so
that the
bar members are in the transport position, the tongue assembly is extended so
that the
distal end of the assembly clears the ends of the bar members. When the
cylinder rods
are extended, the bar members are driven toward their extended operating
positions
and the braces simultaneously pull the distal tongue member toward the chassis
thereby causing the tongue assembly to retract. By reversing the rods so that
the rods
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CA 02381690 2008-06-18
extend, the braces force the distal tongue member away from the chassis
thereby
causing the tongue assembly to extend. Thus, the '956 patent configuration
replaces
the tongue dedicated rods with the first and second braces on opposite sides
of the
tongue assembly, the braces in effect operating as rods to extend and retract
the
tongue assembly and providing a balanced load to the distal tongue member
during
extension or retraction.
The '956 solution, like other solutions, has several shortcomings. First,
because the '956 patent configuration cylinders are linked between the chassis
and the
bar members, in the case of some planting assemblies, the cylinders will get
in the way
of planting assembly components (e.g., seed metering devices, ground engaging
coulters, etc.). Similarly, because of the locations of the braces (i.e.,
secured between
centrai points of the braces and the distal tongue member), the braces also
will obstruct
use of certain planting assembly components.
Second, in order to simultaneously drive the bar members between the
operating and transport positions and drive the distal tongue member between
the
retracted and extended positions, the cylinders have to be relatively large
and therefore
expensive. One way to reduce cylinder size is to modify the planter assembly
configuration to increase the acute angles that the braces form with each of
the bar
members when the bar members are in the extended operating positions. This
solution,
however, leads to a third problem with the '956 patent configuration.
Specifically, to
simultaneously provide a workable design including braces and accommodate
larger
acute angles that enable the use of smaller cylinders, the overall retracted
tongue
assembly length must be increased which is contrary to the primary purpose for
which
the assembly has been designed (i.e., to reduce tongue length during planter
assembly
operation and increase tongue length during planter assembly transportation).
One solution to the problems above is described in the related
U.S. Patent No. 6,663,134 (hereinafter "the related reference") which is
entitled
"Planter Hitch Apparatus", which is commonly owned with the present invention.
The
related reference recognizes that where separate hydraulic cylinders have been
provided for each stage in a multi-stage tongue assembly, the cylinder loads
are shared between the separate cylinders and
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therefore the overall load requirements on each stage cylinder are reduced
appreciably.
Where cylinder load is reduced the cylinder can be placed "off-load" center
without
appreciably affecting load balance on the cylinder and therefore without
appreciably
reducing cylinder lifecycle.
[0021] Thus, it has been recognized that, in the case of a multi-stage tongue
assembly that can accommodate only a single internally mounted cylinder,
additional
externally mounted cylinders can be provided for each of the additiQnal
stages. For
instance, in the case of a two stage assembly, a first stage may be motivated
via an
interrially mounted cylinder and a second stage may be motivated via an
externally
mounted cylinder. In this case, the extemal cylinder will only assume a
fraction (e.g.,
50%) of the overall load and therefore can be placed off-load center without
appreciable
effects and without a balancing cylinder on the other side of the tongue
assembly.
[0022] According to one embodiment described in the related reference, a multi-
stage tongue assembly includes a separate hydraulic cylinder for each stage
where at
least one of the cylinders is mounted externally of the tongue members (see
Figs. 1 and
7 generally). For instance, in the case of a two stage assembly including a
first tongue
member mounted to the underside of a carrier platform, a second tongue member
telescopically received within the first member and a third tongue member
telescopically
received within the second member, one cylinder is mounted externally and the
other
cyiinder may be mounted either internally or externally.
[0023] The related reference also teaches a hydraulic automated locking
mechanism
for locking the tongue members in extended and retracted positions. To this
end, in the
case of the two-stage tongue assembly described above, the locking mechanism
includes two separate locking assemblies, a first assembly mounted to the
distal end of
a first tongue member and a second assembly mounted to the distal end of the
second
tongue member. Thus, in this case, hydraulic fluid has to be provided to each
of the
first and second locking assemblies.
[00241,] In most cases planter assemblies (and agricultural implements
generally) that
are pulled by tractors or other types of prime movers do not come equipped
with their
own power piants. This is because most farmers employ many different
implements
andto prouide a-separate-power plantfor eaoh implement-w-ould renderthe
combined _-
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CA 02381690 2002-04-15
suite of implements far to costly for most farmers. Instead, tractors, the
farmer's
primary mechanical tools, are typically constructed such that they have power
capacities sufficient to both transport an attached implement as well as
provide power to
run the implement. For instance, in the case of the planter assembly described
above
and in greater detail below, a tractor linked to a planter hitch assembly
would provide
hydraulic fluid to any planter assembly cylinders required to rotate the
implement
between transport and functional positions, to raise and lower support wheels,
to raise
and lower an implement bar, to extend and retract the telescopic tongue
assembly and
to control the locking assemblies. In addition, the tractor would also provide
electrical
power to the hydraulic valves (e.g., solenoid valves), any blower mechanisms
for seed
delivary, to the row unit metering devices and to any other devices requiring
electrical
power (e.g., tail lights, sensors, etc.).
[0025] To provide power to a planter assembly, a tractor typically comes
equipped
with one or, in most cases, a plurality of power or power source ports that
are positioned
proximate a hitch receiving member and the planter assembly is equipped with
one or
more+ power receiving ports. Power cables are then provided to iink associated
ports
(i.e., hydraulic to hydraulic, electrical to electrical, etc.) together.
Generally the planter
assembly pivots about the hitch receiving assembly with respect to the tractor
and
therefore the power cables are constructed to flex and accommodate a degree of
pivoting consistent with a minimum tractor turning radius.
[0026] As in most assemblies including power cables, in the case of a planter
assembly, the power cables have to be protected from damage. For instance, if
the
hydraulic hose providing fluid to the intemal tongue member of a multi-stage
tongue
assembly is severed with the tongue in the retracted and functional position
(see Fig. 1).
the planter assembly cannot be rotated into the transport position (see Fig.
9) and
hence the assembly cannot assume a suitable configuration for transport along
most
roadways.
[002,1] Generally, one solution for protecting a power cable has been to mount
the
cable such that the cable's relative juxtaposition with respect to the
components that the
cable is mounted to remains unchanged and such that the cable resides in a
space
devoid of other moving components. For instance, in the case of a hydraulic
hose and
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CA 02381690 2008-06-18
a non-staged tongue assembly (i.e., a non-telescoping tongue member), the hose
can
be mounted directly to the external surface of the non-staged tongue member.
Unfortunately, in the case of a multi-staged tongue assembly power cable
protection is a more difficult task because the tongue assembly length is
variable. One
solution for accommodating a variable length tongue assembly is described in
U.S.
Patent. No. 6,561,535 which is entitled "Hose Control For Planter Apparatus"
which was
filed on Mar. 21, 2002, which is commonly owned with the present invention.
While the
protective sheath member described in the aforementioned reference protects
and
routes cables sufficiently adjacent a multi-staged tongue assembly, the sheath
does
little to restrain cables proximate other portions of the planter assembly.
For instance,
cables have to generally be routed from the sheath to other planter components
such as
hydraulically controlled markers and other components at the ends of the
implement
bar(s).
Fortunately, planters can generally be configured such that many of the
planter cables follow a similar path for most of their length and only diverge
at distal
ends thereof. Thus, mounting assemblies have been configured that, in effect,
bundle
all of the cables together at certain points and mount the cables to adjacent
planter
members to restrict or minimize cable movement at those points. For instance,
one
mounting assembly includes a clamp member and associated relatively long
bolt/nut
combinations. An exemplary clamp member includes a concave member that, as its
label implies, is concave to one side and forms apertures on either end of the
concave
member for receiving bolts. The bolts are received through the apertures and
through
similarly arranged apertures on a support structure (e.g., the carrier frame
or some
other rigid planter member) and can be secured thereto via the associated nuts
with the
concave side of the member facing the support structure.
This clamp-bolt/nut assembly is advantageous as the clamp assembly can
be adjusted so that the size of the space between the concave member and the
support
structure is adjustable to accommodate variable cable configurations. For
instance, two
cables may be positioned within the clamp assembly and the bolts can be
tightened
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dowri to secure and restrict the two cables or, in the alternative, ten cables
may be fed
through the clamp assembly and secured thereby to the support member.
[0031] While the clamp assembly described above has some advantages, the
assembly also has several shortcomings. First, in the case of any assembly
including
bolt/riut combinations for securing purposes, it is desirable to completely
tighten the
bolt/nut combinations to ensure that the nuts do not loosen during use. This
is
particularly true in environments where extreme vibrations are anticipated
such as in a
typical agricultural environment. Thus, with a clamp type assembly like the
assembly
described above, to ensure that the assembly performs its function properly,
the
assembly must be completely tightened. Also, in this regard, it should be
noted that a
completely tightened clamp reduces noise caused by vibrating components that
are not
clamped.
[0032] Unfortunately, while necessary to ensure that the assembly remains
functional, the tight assembly requirement renders the clamp type assemblies
rather
cumbersome to use. To this end, during configuration several components have
to be
manipulated at one time including the nuts and bolts, the concave member and
each of
several different cables. In some cases as many as ten or more cables have to
be
manipulated and therefore configuration is difficult. In addition, where a
cable has to be
added to an already configured clamp type assembly, machinations required to
unclamp
the assembly, insert the additional cable and re-clarnp the assembly are
cumbersome.
[003:1] Second, most clamps have a relatively short length along an axis
parallel to
the concave surface of the concave member and therefore, in many cases, to
ensure
that the cables are aligned along a desired or optimal trajectory, two or more
clamp
assemblies may be required.
[0034] Third, as in the case of any mechanical assembly, in the present case,
the
relatively large number of components required to configure the clamp assembly
increases assembly costs. This problem is particularly acute where, as
indicated
above, two or more clamp assemblies have to be mounted adjacent each other to
ensure that cables are aligned along a desired trajectory_
[0035] Fourth, in some cases where the cables are mounted adjacent moveabie
planter-assemb-ly compotients,--proteciive-ca.s.es that formthe external
surfaces of-the -----
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CA 02381690 2002-04-15
cables rub against the clamp assembly components during planter assembly
movements. For instance, in the case of a pivotable implement bar where a
clamp
assembly is mounted to the implement bar but one end of cables passing
therethrough
is securely mounted to a bulkhead, when the bar is rotated, the cables may rub
against
the bolt shafts adjacent thereto tending to wear the external surfaces of the
cables and
reduce the length of the cables useful life. Where the bolt shafts are
threaded, the
rough threaded shaft surfaces tend to exacerbate this wearing problem.
[0036] Therefore a need exists for an apparatus that can be used to provide a
cable
restraining member that is versatile, inexpensive and easy to configure and
employ.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0037] It has been recognized that a simple, substantially rigid restraining
assembly
can be configured that forms a passageway that is large enough to easily pass
a
relatively large number (e.g., 15) of cables. For instance, the passageway may
be
formed via a plastic (e.g., PVC) conduit. The conduit can be mounted to any
support
member including, in the planter assembly described above, the implement bar,
in a
position that is generally aligned with a desired trajectory of cables passing
adjacent
thereto. By making the passageway substantially larger than the cross
sectional area of
each of the cables to pass therethrough and generally larger than the combined
cross
sectional areas of the cables to pass therethrough, the restraining assembly
facilitates
quick and versatile restraint configuration.
[0038] Consistent with the above, the invention includes an apparatus for use
with
an agricultural assembly including at least ane rigid support member and a
plurality of
power cables that traverse along trajectories generally aligned with a cable
trajectory
adjacent a mounting segment on a mounting side of the support member, each of
the
power cables having a cable specific cross sectional area, the apparatus
comprising a
substantially rigid restraining member that forms an elongated passageway that
traverses between first and second ends, the passageway defining a minimum
cross
sectional area that is greater than the combined cross sectional areas of the
plurality of
power cables and a mounting member linked to the restraining member and
operable to
-mount the restrain-ing-member to the mounting side of ttre support member-
suclTthatrthe
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CA 02381690 2002-04-15
passageway is substantially aligned with the cable trajectory, wherein, with
the
restraining member mounted to the support member, the cables are loosely
receivable
through the passageway to generally retain the cables proximate the support
member,
[0039] In one aspect each of the cables may include a connector mounted to an
end,
at least a first connector corresponding to a first cable has a cross
sectional area that is
greater than the cross sectional area of the first cable and wherein, with all
but the first
cable passing through the passageway, the passageway cross sectional area is
large
enough to allow the first connector to pass.therethrough. In some embodiments
the first
conriector has a cross sectional area that is at least as small as the cross
sectional area
of each of the connectors corresponding to each of the cables. In other
embodiments
the first connector has a cross sectlonal area that is at least as large as
the cross
sectional area of each of the connectors corresponding to each of the cables.
[004,D] In at least some embodiments the restraining member includes a lateral
wall
member that extends between the first and second ends and the lateral wall
member
forms at least one aperture that passes therethrough that is large enough to
allow
passage of the first connector. In some cases the restraining member forms a
plurality
of apertures and more specifically may form a cylinder having apertures formed
in
different sides of the cylinder.
[0041] The invention further includes a n apparatus for use with an
agricultural
assembly including at least one rigid support member and a plurality of power
cables
that traverse along trajectories generally aligned with a cable trajectory
adjacent a
mounting segment on a mounting side of the support member, each of the power
cables
having a cable specific cross sectional area, the apparatus comprising a means
for
forming an elongated substantially rigid passageway that traverses between
first and
second ends, the passageway defining a minimum cross sectional area that is
greater
than the combined cross sectional areas of the plurality of power cables, and
a means
for mounting the means for forming to the mounting side of the support member
such
that the passageway is substantially aligned with the cable trajectory,
wherein, with the
means for forming mounted to the support member, the cables are loosely
receivable
through the passageway to generally retain the cables proximate the support
member.
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CA 02381690 2002-04-15
[0042] Moreover, the invention furttier includes an agricultural apparatus
comprising
a wheel mounted carrier platform, an implement bar mounted for pivotal motion
to the
carrier platform, the implement bar including a mounting segment on a mounting
side, a
plurality of power cables mounted to the apparatus such that the cables extend
along a
cable trajectory proximate the mounted segment, a substantially rigid
restraining
member that forms an elongated passageway that traverses between first and
second
ends, the passageway defining a minimum cross sectional area that is greater
than the
combined cross sectional areas of the plurality of power cables and a mounting
member
secured to the restraining member and mounted to the mounting segment of the
implement bar such that the passageway is substantially aligned with the cable
trajectory, wherein, with the restraining member mounted to the support
member, the
cables are loosely received through the passageway to generally retain the
cables
proximate the implement bar.
[0043] These and other objects, advantages and aspects of the invention will
become apparent from the following description. In the description, reference
is made
to the accompanying drawings which farm a part hereof, and in which there is
shown a
preferred embodiment of the invention. Such embodiment does not necessarily
represent the full scope of the invention and reference is made therefore, to
the claims
herein for interpreting the scope of the invention
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] Fig. I is a is perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a planter
apparatus constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0045] Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the carrier frame of illustrated in Fig.
1;
(004tS) Fig, 3 is a bottom plan view of the carrier frame illustrated in Fig.
1;
[004"7] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a mainframe assembly used with the
configuration of Fig. 1;
[0048] Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 in an extended
operating
position;
[0049] Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 't in a transport
position;
CA 02381690 2002-04-15
[0050] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 in an
intermediate
position with an implement between the operating and the transport positions;
[0051] Fig. 8 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig.
1 with
storage units attached and in the transport position;
[005.2] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 8 with storage
units in
the transport position;
[0053] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the power cable control system shown
in the
operation position of the agricultural apparatus;
[0054] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the restraining
assembly of
Fig. 10;
[0055] Fig. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line 12-12 of
Fig. 11;
[00551 Fig. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end of the restraining
member in
Fig. 11; and
[0057] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a connector corresponding to one power
cable.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0058] Referring now to Figs. 1 through 4, a preferred embodiment of the
present
invei-ition will be described in the context of an agricultural assembly 10
which includes
a carrier frame assembly 12, a main frame assembly 69 and an implement
assembiy
15. As its label implies, carrier frame assembly 12 includes components
configured to
facilitate transport or carrying of other assembly 10 components. Main frame
assembly
69 iricludes components that generally remain with the carrier frame assembly
and that
are used to mount different implement assemblies thereto. As its label implies
impliement assembly 16 includes components used to carry out a speoific
agricultural
process corresponding to a specific implement. For instance, the components
that
comprise the Implement assembly may be used for tilling, fertilizing,
planting, etc. Main
frame assembly 69 is mounted to carrier frame assembly 12 and implement
assembly
15 is mounted to main frame assembly 69.
[0059] The present invention generally resides in the carrier frame assembly
12 and,
more particularly, in a power cable routing or restraining assembly 54 that is
mounted to
CA 02381690 2002-04-15
an implement bar 16 that forms part of assembly 15. In the Figs. the
restraining
configuration generally includes three separate but similar restraining
assemblies
identified separately by numerals 54a, 54b and 54c and hereinafter sometimes
referred
to collectively as configuration or assembly 54. For this reason, hereinafter,
first, an
exemplary implement assembly 15 and the main frame assembly 69 are described
in
minimal detail and thereafter restraining assemblies 54 are described in
greater detaii.
[0060] Referring still to Figs. 1 through 3 and also to Figs. 5 through 9, the
exemplary implement assembly 15 includes a bar member 16, row units 17 (e.g.,
planting assemblies including seed hoppers, coulters and seed metering
devices),
wheels 35. 36, wheel support members 37 and extendable markers 42, 43. Bar
rnernber 16 is typically a rigid steei rectifinear bar having dimensions
within the six by
six to ten by ten range and extends along the length of implement assembly 15.
Bar 16
is generally mounted to main frame assembly 69 in any manner known in the art
and
the relationship between implement assembly 15 and the main frame assembly 69
is
adju-stabie.
[0061] Wheels 35 and 36 are mounted via wheel support members 37 at opposite
end;i of bar 16 and are generally positionable in two positions with respect
to the ground
(not illustrated). First, as illustrated in the figures. wheels 35 and 36
and/or the entire
implement assembly 15 may be manipulated via hydraulic cylinders or the like
such that
wheels 35 and 36 are in an upright position where the wheels 35 and 36 clear
the
ground below. Second, wheels 35 and 36 or the entire implement assembly 15 may
be
manipulated such that wheels 35 and 36 contact the ground below and support
the
end.-; of the implement assembly there above with implement components either
above
the ground or, depending on Implement type, perhaps partially engaging the
ground.
[0062] Markers 42 and 43, like wheeis 35 and 36, are mounted at opposite ends
of
bar 16 and generally extend from bar 16 to a front side (see Figs. 1, 5, etc)
of the
Implement assembly. Operation of markers 42 and 43 is well known in the art
and
therefore will not be explained here in detail. Suffice it to say markers 42
and 43 may
assume either a stored position (see Fig. 5) where the markers are generally
retracted
or ari extended and operating position (not illustrated) where the markers 42
and 43 are
- -- -- -- - -- -
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CA 02381690 2002-04-15
unfolded and extend at least in part in the direction away from units 17 and
toward a
tractor (not illustrated) that may be attached to assembly 10.
[0063] Referring now to Fig. 4, the main frame assembly 69 includes, among
other
components, a main frame bar member 14, a roller assembly 14, a latching
assembly
45 and a pivot plate 28. Pivot plate 28 is mounted to an undersurface of bar
member 14
abolt one fourth the length of bar member 14 from a first end thereof and
forms a
downwardly opening pivot receiving aperture (not observable in the Figs.) for
receiving
a carrier frame assembly pivot pin (see 34 in Fig. 2) which is described in
more detail
below. Latch assembly 45 cooperates with other system latching components
(e.g., see
two instances of latch 46 in Fig. 2) mounted on the carrier frame assembly 12
to lock
the main frame assembly 69 and attached implement assembly 15 in either a
transport
position (see Figs. 6, 8 and 9) or an operating position (see Figs 1 and 5).
Precise
configuration and operation of assembly 45 is not explained here in the
interest of
simplifying this explanation.
[0064] Roller assembly 44 is mounted to bar member 14 at a point about one-
fourth
the length of bar 14 from a second bar 14 end (not numbered) and includes at
least one
roller mounted for rotation in a directiori substantially perpendicular to the
length of bar
member 14 and that is formed so as to be supportable on a track runner (e.g.,
38 in Fig.
2) formed by a carrier frame platform (see platform 24 in Figs. 2 and 3) that
is explained
in greater detail below. Thus, plate 28 and assembly 14 are, in the present
example,
essentially equispaced along the length of bar 14. Positioning of plate 28 and
wheel
assembly 44 is important to ensure proper balancing of the attached implement
assembly 15 and Is generally a function of how best to balance assembly 15
about a
carriier assembly axis 310 which is also referred to herein as a transport
axis and that
dofines a transport direction along which the tongue assembly 18 extends (see
Figs. 1
and 2).
[0065] Bar member 14 is configured so as to have means for attaching the
implement assembly bar member 16 to main frame bar member 14 at either end of
the
main frame bar member 14. Representative views that show attachment are Figs.
1
and 5 through 7. While many linking means are contemplated, as illustrated in
Fig. 4,
exemplary means include rigid, substantially vertical and upwardly extending
receiving
. -is_ -
CA 02381690 2002-04-15
plates collectively identified by numeral 48 that extend in parallel from
opposite ends of
bar '14 and bolt holes (not separately numbered) for receiving some type of
clamping
brackets.
[0066] ' Referring to Figs. 8 and 9 and also to Fig. 4, in addition to the
components
described above, main seed hoppers 40 are shown secured to the main frame bar
14
via brackets 49 that mount to plate members 48. Hoppers 40 receive and store
seed for
delivery to mini-hoppers (not separately numbered) that form part of the row
units 17.
while not described here in detail it should suffice to say that a pneumatic
seed delivery
system including a blower of some type and a network of seed delivery hoses
links
hoppers 40 to the mini-hoppers to automate seed delivery.
[0067] Referring still to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, carrier frame assembly 12
generally
includes a cross bar 13, two wheel assemblies 30, a draw bar assembly 18 and
platform
24. Each wheel assembly 30 includes an axle support member 32 and a pair of
wheels
31 niounted on opposite sides of a corresponding support member 32. Cross bar
13
(see Fig. 3) is a steel elongated bar. A separate one of wheel assemblies 30
is
mounted at each one of the cross bar 13 ends and extends downward therefrom so
that
assemblies 30 support cross bar 13 above ground.
[0068] A pivot pin 34 (see bottom end thereof in Fig. 8) is provided that
extends
upwardly from a top surface of bar 13. Pin 34 is formed about a vertical axis
11 and is
formed so as to be receivable by the downwardly facing opening formed by pivot
plate
28 (see Fig. 4) for rotation thereabout.
[0069] Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 7 and 9 draw bar assembly 18 is a two stage
tongue
assembly that is described in greater detail below. Suffice it to say at this
time that,
among other components, assembly 18 includes a first tongue member 25 having
first
and second ends 150 and 151 and forming a first passageway (not numbered).
First
tongue member 25 also forms an external surface 154. As best seen in Fig. 3,
first
tongue member 25 is secured at its first end 150 to a central point of cross
bar 13 via
welding or some other suitable securing process_
[0070] Referring to Figs. 2, 3, 8, platform 24 is essentialiy a rigid flat bed
member
that is secured to a top surface of cross bar 13 and approximateiy half of
first tongue
member 25 proximate cross bar 13. Among other features, platform 24 forms a
track
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CA 02381690 2002-04-15
runner 38 on a top surface which is reinforced on a platform undersurface (see
Fig. 3)
via supporting tracks 23 and 22 or in any other manner known in the art. Pivot
pin 34
extends through an opening in platform 24. Refeming also to Fig. 4, track
runner 38
forms an arc about pivot pin 34 having a radius dimension that is identical to
the space
dimension between pivot plate 28 and roiler assembly 44 on bar 14. Runner 38
is
dimensioned so as to securely support the roller of assembly 44 in any
position along
the runner and thereby provide support to main frame bar 14 thereabove.
[0071] Referring still to Figs. 2 and 4, transport and operating implement
locking
brackets or latches 46 are also provided on the top surface of platform 24. A
transport
bracket 46 is generally spaced from pivot pin 34 along a line parallel to the
length of first
tong,je member 25 while an operating bracket 46 is generally spaced from pin
34 on the
side of first tongue member 25 opposite pin 34. Each bracket 34 is formed so
as to
securely receive and lock to lateh assembly 45 to lock the main frame assembly
69 and
other components secured thereto to platform 24 in either the transport or
operating
positions.
[007:2] Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 8, with carrier frame assembly 12
assembled and implement assembly 15 secured to the main frame assembly 69 as
described above, the main frame bar 14 is positioned such that pin 34 is
received in the
operiing formed by plate 28 and with the assembly 44 roller supported on
runner 38.
Gravity maintains main frame assembly 69 on runner 38 and some type of collar
(not
illustrated) on pin 34 may be provided to further ensure that assembly 69
remain
secured. With wheels 35 and 36 andlor the implement assembly manipulated so
that
the wheels 35, 36 are off the ground, the entire main frame bar 14 and
components
attached thereto are moveable between the transport position illustrated in
Fig. 9 to the
operating position illustrated in Fig. I and to any intermediate position
therebetween
(see Fig. 7) by simply rotating main frame bar 14 about pivot pin 34. As
indicated
above, when in either the transport or operating positions, latch assembly 45
and one of
brackets 46 cooperate to lock main frame bar 14 to carrier assembly 12 to
eliminate
relative movement during transport. Any means for rotating bar 14 about pin 34
may be
employed. Similarly, any means for operating latch assembly 45 and for raising
and
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CA 02381690 2002-04-15
lowering the implement assembly and/or the lateral support wheels 35, 36 may
be
employed.
[0073) Referring again to Fig. 1 where the assembly is shown in the operating
position, consistent with reducing the number of required headland passes
needed to
perform an agricultural task for an entire field, the cross bar assembly 18 is
relatively
short. Referring also to Figs. 7 and 9, however, it can be seen that, in order
to
accommodate a long implement configuration in the transport position, the
tongue
assembly has to be extended.
(0074] Referring now to Figs, 1, 2, 3, 7 and 9, an exemplary two stage tongue
assembly according to the present invention includes the first tongue member
25
described above, second and third tongue mgmbers 19 and 20, respectively, a
hitch
assembly 26 and a first hydraulic tongue cylinder 50 and a second hydraulic
tongue
cylinder 52.
[0075] First member 25 has first and second ends 150 and 151, an external
surface
154, forms a first passageway (not numbered) and is secured to a central point
on cross
bar '13. Second tongue member 19 has first (not numbered) and second 161 ends,
an
external surface and forms a second passageway (not numbered) while third
tongue
member 20 has first (not numbered) and second 171 ends, has an external
surface and
forms a third passageway (not numbered). Hitch assembly 26 is secured to the
second
end 171 of third tongue member 20. Attached to the two-stage tongue is a power
cable
control system 21 that retracts during implement operation and extends during
transport
and that is described in greater detail below. Referring to Figs. 16 and 17,
third tongue
mentber 20 is dimensioned to be received within the second tongue member
passageway with minimal olearance while second tongue member 19 is dimensioned
to
be received within the first tongue member passageway.
[0076] Referring once again to Figs. 1, 2 and 3. first cylinder 50 includes a
rod that
extends therefrom to a distal end and is double acting meaning that the
cylinder 50 is
plurribed so that the rod can be forced to either extend or retract.
Similarly, a second
cylinder (not illustrated) includes a rod having a distal end and that is
double acting.
The second hydraulic cylinder is generally mounted within the third tongue
member
passageway. More detail regarding an exemplary multi-stage tongue assembly
that
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CA 02381690 2009-02-02
may be used with the present invention is described in the related reference
identified
above and entitled "Planter Hitch Apparatus".
An exemplary power cable system that may be used to provide power
(e.g., hydraulic fluid, electrical power, etc.) to assembly 10 is described in
detail in U.S.
Patent No. 6,561,535 which is entitled "Hose Control For Planter Apparatus",
which was
filed on March. 21, 2002. For the purposes of the present invention it should
suffice to
say that, referring to FIG. 10, a plurality cables 75 that are linked to ports
on a tractor or
some other type of prime mover (not illustrated) are routed through a bracket
66 and
down through cable control system 21 (system 21 including trough member 61 and
sheath member 58), out an end 59 of assembly 21 and back to a bulkhead 56. The
cables 75 pass from a back side of bulkhead 56 through a bracket 131 to
another
bulkhead 67 that is mounted to and for movement with main bar member 14. While
the
cables are identified via single line 75, it should be appreciated that line
75 generally
represents a plurality of cables and will likely represent a variable number
of cables, the
number of cables being a function of the configuration 10.
Referring still to FIG. 10, from bulkhead 67 at least some of the cables 75
are routed along the implement bar 16 in either direction to distal ends or
some
intermediate point thereof. For instance, separate hydraulic cables may extend
in either
direction from bulkhead 67 to markers 42 and 43 for controlling markers 42 and
43. The
present invention resides in the restraining members or assemblies 54a, 54b
and 54c
that are mounted along bar 16. As illustrated, restraining assembly 54b is
centrally
mounted along bar 16 and generally extends along the segment of bar 16 that
supports
the eight central most row units 17. Assembly 54a is mounted to one end of bar
16 and
extends along a segment that supports four end row units and assembly 54c is
similarly
mounted to the other end of bar 16. Cables from bulkhead 67 may be fed through
central assembly 54b to the other assemblies 54a and 54c or may simply fed
directly to
one of end assemblies 54a or 54c. Each of assemblies 54a, 54b and 54c are
similarly
constructed and operate and are used in a similar fashion and therefore, in
the interest
of simplifying this explanation, only assembly 54b will be described in
detail.
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CA 02381690 2009-02-02
Referring also to FIGS. 11 and 12, an exemplary embodiment of
restraining assembly 54a is illustrated and, generally, includes a restraining
member
100 and a mounting member or assembly including, mounting supports or
extensions
120a, 120b and 120c, a plurality of substantially U-shaped brackets
collectively
identified by numeral 102 and a plurality of nuts collectively identified by
numeral 115.
Restraining member 100 is generally annular or conduit shaped and forms a
passageway 114 that extends from a first end 124 to a second end 126. Member
100
can be formed of any rigid material but, preferably, is formed using a plastic
or PVC
pipe and may be of various lengths. In at least one embodiment, the length of
member
100 is approximately three to eight feet. Also, in at least one embodiment,
the diameter
of passageway 114 is approximately 31/2 to 5 inches. Referring also to FIG.
13, in at
least one embodiment, the edges 140 of restraining member 100 are rounded. By
rounding the edges 140, wear and tear on cables passing through passageway 114
is
substantially minimized.
Referring still to FIGS. 11 and 12 and also to FIG. 10, mounting supports
120a, 120b and 120c are similarly constructed and operate in a similar fashion
and
therefore only support 120c will be described in detail to simplify this
explanation. It
should suffice to say supports 120a, 120b and 120c are spaced along bar 16
adjacent
the corresponding four end row units 17 and are rigidly secured to bar 16
along a
mounting section. Support 120c extends up from bar 16 to a distal end and
forms two
apertures (not illustrated) for receiving distal ends of a U-shaped bracket
102 (see
FIGS. 11 and 12). Generally, the apertures formed by support 120c are spaced
such
that restraining member 100 can be placed therebetween.
Clamp or bracket member 102 is generally U-shaped including a concave
central member 112 that forms a concave surface 116 and distal ends 110 and
111.
Each of ends 110 and 111 is threaded and sized to receive one of nuts 115 and,
as
indicated above, ends 110 and 111 are separated such that ends 110 and 111
simultaneously align with apertures formed in support 120c. As illustrated in
FIG. 12, a
separate end 110, 111 passes through a separate one of the apertures in
support 120c
and a separate nut 115 is received and securely tightened to each of the ends
110 and
111. Bracket 102 is sized and shaped to receive a lateral side of restraining
member
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CA 02381690 2009-02-02
100.
As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, to assemble assembly 54, first supports
120a-120c are mounted to bar 16 so that they extend upward therefrom and are
generally aligned with each other. Thereafter, restraining member 100 is
placed against
a bearing surface (i.e., see 159 in FIG. 12) of each of supports 120a-120c and
between
apertures formed thereby. U-shaped brackets 102 are placed over restraining
member
100 such that distal ends 110, 111 ass through corresponding apertures. Next,
nuts 115
are used to secure U-shaped brackets 102 to supports 120a-120c, thereby
securing
restraining member 100 to bar 16. Hoses and other types of power cables 75 are
fed
through passageway 114 from bulkhead 67 to other assembly 10 components or
visa
versa.
Importantly, the uniform cross-sectional area of passageway 114 is
greater than the combined cross-sectional areas of the power cables 75 that
pass
therethrough. More particularly, referring to FIG. 14, according to at least
one
embodiment of the present invention, each of the power cables 75 includes a
connector
155 at an end that is passed through passageway 114 where the connector has a
cross-sectional area which is greater than the corresponding cable 75 and the
cross-
sectional area of passageway 114 is greater than the combined cross-sectional
areas of
all of the cables 75 except a first the cables plus the cross-sectional area
of the
connector 155 corresponding to the first of the cables. The connector
corresponding to
the first of the cables may be either the largest or the smallest of the
connectors in
terms of cross-sectional area or may be any other size connector in between.
Referring now to FIG. 11, in at least one embodiment, a lateral wall of
restraining member 100 forms at least one and perhaps several apertures that
pass
therethrough. In FIG. 11, two exemplary apertures are identified by numerals
130 and
132. Apertures 130 and 132 are provided so that at least one and perhaps more
than
one of the cables passing in first end 124 may be extended in a direction
other than the
direction out second end 126. For instance, two directions in FIG. 11 that
correspond to
apertures 130 and 132 are identified by numerals 134 and 136, respectively.
Referring
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CA 02381690 2002-04-15
still to Fig. 11 and also to Fig. 10, cables may be passed through apertures
like
apertures 130 and 132 to direct the cables to a space either above or below
bar 16.
[0085] While the drawings, specific examples, and particular formations given
describe exempfary embodiments, they serve the purpose of illustration only.
The
matE:rials and configurations shown and described may differ depending on the
chosen
performance characteristics and physical characteristics of the planter
equipment. For
example, the type of planter equipment may differ. in addition, other cross-
sectionai
shapes (e.g., rectilinear) may be extruded to form restraining member 100.
Moreover.
the edges of member 100 need not be rounded.
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