Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
SHALLOW CONCAVITY SCALLOPED DISC BLADE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to agricultural equipment,
and more particularly to a shallow concavity scalloped disc blade for use with
harrows and like agricultural implements for tilling soil. The shallow
concavity
scalloped disc blade of the present invention is particularly suitable for use
in vertical
tillage applications.
[0002] Disc blades have been used in the agricultural industry for decades.
Typically such devices are attached to a harrow or like agricultural implement
and are
pulled through the soil while being caused to rotate. The rotating blade
engages the
soil as it passes through the soil, thereby working the soil (leveling,
breaking up,
burying residue, etc.), generally in preparation for planting and/or for
seasonal soil
maintenance.
[0003] Prior art disc blades traditionally have been made in numerous
configurations. However, nearly all such prior art blades typically have a
generally
round (disc-like) shape with either a generally flat or a generally concave
central
portion configured with a hole or other opening, or openings, configured to
mount the
blade to a harrow or like agricultural implement. Many of the other features
of such
blades can vary depending on the nature of the particular tilling application
and the
characteristics of the soil being tilled (such as the hardness of the soil,
the presence of
rocks or other content, and/or the presence of certain types of agricultural
residue).
[0004] For example, some prior art blades have a generally smooth
surface. However, other blades are formed with surface deformations, such as
flutes,
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ridges, grooves, scallops, waves and the like that are designed to cut and
move the soil
in a manner that results in the desired soil condition.
[0005] Similarly, some prior art blades comprise a generally circular edge
(or perimeter or periphery), while other blades incorporate various edge
geometries
and/or deformations, such as notches, grooves, bevels, teeth, saw-teeth and
like
structures that are adapted to address various types of soils and tilling
conditions.
[0006] As is known to those skilled in the art, prior art disc blades have
been made in various diameters, ranging from diameters of about 8 inches to
diameters of about 36 inches, depending on the geometry and configuration of
the
particular blade, the nature of the particular tilling application and the
characteristics
of the soil being tilled. Similarly, prior art blades typically have been made
either as
flat blades (having essentially zero concavity) or as high concavity blades
(having
radii of curvature in the range of about 600-750 mm). In this context, the
radius of
curvature of the blade refers to degree of curvature of the curved portion of
the blade
[0007] One particular disc blade that has been developed in the art is a
scalloped or fluted disc blade with a radially toothed cutting edge or outer
periphery
(the edge comprises teeth having a generally radially sinusoidal, or wavy,
geometry).
This prior art blade comprises a generally circular plate having a peripheral
radially
toothed cutting edge, a smooth (non-scalloped or non-fluted) central portion
configured to mountingly engage a harrow or like agricultural implement, and a
curved scalloped (or fluted) portion having a plurality of scallops, flutes or
waves
formed by a plurality of adjacent crests and valleys disposed between the
smooth
central portion and the radially toothed edge.
[0008] In this particular prior art blade, the plurality of crests (as viewed
from the convex side of the blade) extend radially from the central portion of
the
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blade at a distance that is further than the distance that the plurality of
valleys (as
viewed from the convex side of the blade) extend from the central portion of
the
blade. In this manner, a radially toothed cutting edge is formed along the
outer
periphery of the blade. The geometry of this radially toothed edge
advantageously
provides for improved soil and residue cutting performance while at the same
time
providing the blade with the ability to self-sharpen with ongoing use.
[0009] That is, as the blade wears with use, and the diameter of the blade
decreases, the structure of the blade provides that the crests and valleys
will wear
generally evenly, maintaining the radially toothed profile of the outer
periphery of the
blade instead of wearing unevenly and creating a generally smooth outer
periphery
over a period of extended use. Thus, with wear, the edge of the blade will
generally
maintain its radially toothed profile instead of becoming smooth (non-
toothed), as has
been the case with other prior art disc blade designs. This allows the blade
to be
continually sharpened to permit its continued use.
[0010] As appreciated by those skilled in the art, the precise number and
depth the of scallops (i.e., the crests and valleys) may vary depending on the
diameter
of the blade, the nature of the particular tilling application and the
characteristics of
the soil being tilled (such as the hardness of the soil, the presence of rocks
or other
content, and/or the presence of certain types of agricultural residue). For
example, a
common 20 inch blade may have 32 scallops formed by the plurality of adjacent
crests and valleys, and each scallop may have a depth of between 6 and 9 mm
(this
distance from the top of one crest to the bottom of an adjacent valley).
However,
numerous variations in the number of scallops and their depth are possible.
[0011] This particular prior art blade, which is well known in the art and
has been commercially available for years under various brand names from
various
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manufacturers, traditionally has been formed in a high concavity
configuration. That
is, the curved scalloped (or fluted) portion of the blade has a radius of
curvature in the
range of about 600-750 mm, meaning the overall concavity of the blade is
relatively
high (i.e., the blade has a deep concavity).
[00121 For example, in a common 20 inch (508 mm) diameter size of a flat
center portion version of this prior art blade, the concavity is about 2
inches (or 51
mm), and in a common 22 inch (260 mm) diameter version of such a blade, the
concavity is about 2.17 inches (or 55 mm). And, in a 36 inch (or 915 mm)
diameter
size of such a blade, the concavity is about 5.12 inches (or 130 mm). As noted
above,
the radii of curvature of the curved scalloped (or fluted) portion of such
prior art
blades typically ranges from about 600 mm to about 750 mm, meaning the blades
have a relatively deep concavity or dish shape.
[00131 Traditionally, tilling has been accomplished using horizontal tillage
methods and apparatuses as are well known to those skilled in the art. In
recent years,
however, the agricultural industry has embraced a relatively new type of
tilling known
as vertical tillage. Vertical tillage involves the use of disc blades
configured in a
generally vertical orientation relative to the soil. That is, the blades are
mounted such
that the edge or outer periphery of the blade is perpendicular or transverse
to the
horizontal plane of the soil. Those skilled in the art are well versed in the
advantages
of vertical tillage over horizontal tillage, however, one of the major
advantages of
vertical tillage is the ability to cut, size and bury residue.
Because vertical tillage applications involve relatively high speed and
relatively shallow depth use of disc blade, as compared to horizontal tillage
applications, prior art disc blades designed for use in prior art horizontal
tillage
applications are not suitable for use in vertical tillage systems. That is,
many such
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prior art disc blade designs would create undesirable side effects if used in
vertical
tillage applications, such as unacceptable soil throw. Additionally, many
prior art disc
blade designs do not have a sufficiently sharp edge for cutting, sizing and
burying
residue.
[0014] What is needed, therefore, is a new disc blade that is particularly
suitable for use in vertical tillage applications. Preferably, such a disc
blade comprises
a scalloped or fluted disc blade with a radially toothed edge or outer
periphery. More
preferably, such a disc blade comprises a flat or concave smooth central
portion
configured to mountingly engage a harrow or like agricultural implement, and a
curved scalloped portion adjacent to the central portion, the curved scalloped
portion
having plurality of scallops formed by a plurality of adjacent crests and
valleys
disposed between the flat central portion and the radially toothed edge. More
preferably still, the curved scalloped portion has a high radius of curvature
that has
not heretofore been applied to prior art blades having a similar design. The
present
invention satisfies this need.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention comprises a shallow concavity scalloped disc
blade for use with harrows and like agricultural implements for tilling soil.
The
shallow concavity scalloped disc blade of the present invention is
particularly suitable
for use in vertical tillage applications
[0016] The disc blade of the present invention comprises a generally
circular plate having a peripheral radially toothed cutting edge, a smooth
central
portion configured to mountingly engage a harrow or like agricultural
implement, and
a curved scalloped (or fluted) portion adjacent to the central portion, the
curved
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scalloped portion having a plurality of scallops (or flutes or waves) formed
by a
plurality of adjacent crests and valleys disposed between the flat central
portion and
the radially toothed edge. The smooth central portion may be generally flat or
curved
(concave).
[0017] Preferably, the plurality of crests (as viewed from the convex side
of the blade) extend radially from the central portion of the blade at a
distance that is
greater than the distance that the plurality of valleys (as viewed from the
convex side
of the blade) extend from the central portion of the blade. In this manner, a
radially
toothed cutting edge is formed along the outer periphery of the blade.
[0018] Unlike prior art disc blades, the disc blade of the present invention
is formed with a generally shallow concavity. In this sense, concavity is
derived from
the radius of curvature of the curved scalloped (or fluted) portion of the
blade.
[0019] In the preferred embodiment of the shallow concavity scalloped
disc blade of the present invention, the radius of curvature of the curved
scalloped (or
fluted) potion of the blade ranges from about 850 mm to about 1000 mm and,
more
preferably about 900 mm. Such shallow concavities are not known in the art for
such
scalloped disc blades.
[0020] It has been found that the particular shallow concavity ranges of
the scalloped blades of the present invention advantageously allows such
blades to be
used in high speed, low depth vertical tillage applications in a manner that
adequately
tills particularly tough soil clods while minimizing the amount of soil
undesirably
thrown by such blades and adequately cutting, sizing and burying residue.
[0021] These and other features and advantages of the present invention
will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with
the
appended claims.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become
more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after
reviewing the
following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0023] FIG. I is a front perspective view of concave side of the shallow
concavity scalloped disc blade embodying the principles of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the shallow concavity
scalloped disc blade embodying the principles of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the radially toothed cutting edge of
the shallow concavity scalloped disc blade embodying the principles of the
present
invention as shown in Section A of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional, fragmentary view of the
curved scalloped (or fluted) portion of the shallow concavity scalloped disc
blade
embodying the principles of the present invention as shown in Section B of
FIG. 2;
and,
[0027] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, cross-sectional fragmentary view of the
radially toothed cutting edge of the shallow concavity scalloped disc blade
embodying
the principles of the present invention taken long the line C-C of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in
various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be
described a
presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present
disclosure is
to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to
limit the
invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
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[0029] It should be further understood that the title of this section of this
specification, namely, "Detailed Description of the Invention," relates to a
requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor should
be
inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein.
[0030] FIGS. I - 5 illustrate the shallow concavity scalloped disc blade I
according to the principles of the present invention. Disc blade I of the
present
invention is configured for use with harrows and like agricultural implements
for
tilling soil, and is particularly suitable for use in vertical tillage
applications.
[0031] Disc blade 1 of the present invention preferably is comprised of
steel or other suitable materials as are known to those skilled in the art,
and is formed
using methods and techniques well known to those skilled in the art. All such
materials, methods and techniques are included within the scope of the instant
disclosure, and may be utilized with disc blade I without departing from the
scope of
the instant disclosure.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, shallow concavity scalloped disc blade I
preferably comprises a generally circular plate 2 having a peripheral radially
toothed
cutting edge 3, a smooth (i.e., non-scalloped) central portion 4 configured to
mountingly engage a harrow or like agricultural implement (not shown), and a
curved
scalloped (or fluted) portion 5 having plurality of scallops (or flutes or
waves) formed
by a plurality of adjacent crests 6 and valleys 7 disposed between central
portion 4
and the edge 3 of disc blade 1. Curved scalloped (or fluted) portion 5 has a
slight
arcuate shape such that disc blade 1 has a slight bowl-shaped profile, as most
clearly
seen in FIG. 2.
[0033] While the illustrated disc blade I depicts smooth central portion 4
as generally flat, it will be appreciated that smooth central portion 4
alternatively may
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be concave, depending on the particular agricultural implement to which disc
blade I
may be attached. All such configurations of smooth central portion 4 are
included
with the scope of the present disclosure.
[0034] As appreciated by those skilled in the art, the precise number and
depth of scallops in curved scalloped (or fluted) portion 5 may vary depending
on the
diameter of blade 1, the nature of the particular tilling application and the
characteristics of the soil being tilled (such as the hardness of the soil,
the presence of
rocks or other content, and/or the presence of certain types of agricultural
residue).
[0035] By way of example only, FIG. I depicts a disc blade I having 32
scallops formed by the plurality of adjacent crests 6 and valleys 7. Such a
configuration is typical for disc blades having a diameter of 20 inches, a
popular size
for such blades. However, both the diameter d of disc blade 1 and the number
of
scallops may vary without departing from the scope of the instant disclosure,
and all
such variations are included within the scope of the present invention.
[0036] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, each scallop has a depth x as
measured from the top of one crest 6 to the bottom of an adjacent valley 7. In
the
preferred embodiment of disc blade 1 of the present invention, the depth x of
each
scallop is in the range of between about 6 mm and 9 mm. However, again,
variations
in the depth x of scallops are included within the scope of the instant
disclosure, and
those skilled in the art will appreciate the many variations that may be used
for disc
blade 1.
[0037] Further, as shown most clearly in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, edge 3
preferably is beveled to enhance the sharpness of edge 3 and to better cut,
size and
bury residue. The bevel on edge 3 may be cut or ground into disc blade 1, or
created
using other techniques as are known to those skilled in the art.
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[0038] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality
of crests 6 (as viewed from the convex side of blade 1) extend radially from
central
portion 4 of blade I at a distance that is greater than the distance that the
plurality of
valleys 7 (as viewed from the convex side of blade 1) extend from central
portion 4 of
blade 1. In this manner, radially toothed cutting edge 3 is formed along the
outer
periphery of blade 1. The benefits of the combination of scallops and radially
toothed
cutting edge 3 are well known to those skilled in the art, as discussed above.
[0039] In particular, as disc blade 1 wears with use, and diameter dofdisc
blade 1 decreases, crests 6 and valleys 7 will wear generally evenly,
maintaining the
radially toothed cutting edge 3 of disc blade I instead of wearing unevenly
and
creating a generally smooth (non-toothed) edge.
[0040] Unlike prior art disc blades, shallow concavity scalloped disc blade
I of the present invention is formed with a generally shallow concavity. In
this sense,
concavity refers to the radius of curvature of the curved scalloped (or
fluted) portion 5
of disc blade 1.
[0041] In the preferred embodiment of the shallow concavity scalloped
disc blade of the present invention, the radius of curvature of curved
scalloped (or
fluted) potion 5 of disc blade I ranges from about 850 mm to about 1000 mm
and,
more preferably, about 900 mm. Such shallow concavities (high radii of
curvature)
are not known in the art for such scalloped disc blades.
[0042] As discussed above, it has been found that the particular shallow
concavity of shallow concavity scalloped disc blade 1 of the present invention
advantageously allow disc blade 1 to be used in high speed, low depth vertical
tillage
applications in a manner that adequately tills particularly tough soil clods
while
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minimizing the amount of soil undesirably thrown by disc blade I and
adequately
cutting, sizing and burying residue.
[0043] All patents referred to herein, are hereby incorporated herein by
reference, whether or not specifically done so within the text of this
disclosure.
[0044] In the present disclosure, the words "a" or "an" are to be taken to
include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural
items
shall, where appropriate, include the singular.
[0045] From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous
modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the
true spirit
and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be
understood that no
limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or
should be
inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such
modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
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