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Patent 2955638 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2955638
(54) English Title: AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT
(54) French Title: ACCESSOIRE AGRICOLE
Status: Report sent
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A01B 69/00 (2006.01)
  • A01B 73/00 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • BEAUJOT, NORBERT (Canada)
(73) Owners :
  • DOT TECHNOLOGY CORP. (Canada)
(71) Applicants :
  • SEEDMASTER MANUFACTURING LTD. (Canada)
(74) Agent: MLT AIKINS LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(22) Filed Date: 2017-01-23
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 2018-07-23
Examination requested: 2021-11-15
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data: None

Abstracts

English Abstract


An agricultural implement for mounting on a U-shaped foundation frame
supported on
wheels for travel over a ground surface where the foundation frame includes
first and
second laterally spaced mounting beams fixed to and extending from a base. The

implement is configured to perform an agricultural operation, to rest on the
ground
surface when in an idle position, and to attach to the foundation frame when
in an
operating position. The implement comprises a rigid implement portion
configured to be
attached to the first and second mounting beams at first and second beam
locations
remote from the base such that the first and second mounting beams are
prevented from
moving laterally with respect to each other.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. An agricultural implement for mounting on a U-shaped foundation frame
supported on wheels for travel over a ground surface where the foundation
frame
includes first and second laterally spaced mounting beams fixed to and
extending
from a base, wherein the implement is configured to perform an agricultural
operation, to rest on the ground surface when in an idle position, and to
attach to
the foundation frame when in an operating position, and wherein the implement
comprises a rigid implement portion configured to be attached to the first and

second mounting beams at first and second beam locations remote from the base
such that the first and second mounting beams are prevented from moving
laterally with respect to each other.
2. The implement of claim 1 comprising first and second beam attachment
mechanisms adapted to be mounted to the corresponding first and second
mounting beams at the corresponding first and second beam locations, and first

and second implement attachment mechanisms mounted on the rigid implement
portion at locations corresponding to the first and second beam attachment
mechanisms.
3. The implement of claim 2 comprising an implement support assembly
configured
to support the implement on the ground surface when in the idle position, and
wherein the implement support assembly comprises an implement moving
mechanism operative, when the foundation frame is in a loading position, to
move
the implement vertically such that the first implement attachment mechanism
bears against the first beam attachment mechanism and the second implement
attachment mechanism bears against the second beam attachment mechanism, and

17

such that a weight of the implement is transferred from the ground surface to
the
foundation frame.
4. The implement of claim 3 wherein the beam attachment mechanisms and the
implement attachment mechanisms comprise plates defining mounting holes, and
wherein the implement is attached to the first and second mounting beams by
bolts through the holes in the plates.
5. The implement of claim 3 wherein the beam attachment mechanisms and the
implement attachment mechanisms comprise cooperating latch mechanisms and
wherein the rigid implement portion is attached to the first and second
mounting
beams when the first implement attachment mechanism bears against the first
beam attachment mechanism to engage a first latch mechanism and the second
implement attachment mechanism bears against the second beam attachment
mechanism to engage a second latch mechanism.
6. The implement of any one of claims 3 - 5 wherein the implement moving
mechanism moves the implement downward so that the first implement
attachment mechanism bears downward against the first beam attachment
mechanism and the second implement attachment mechanism bears downward
against the second beam attachment mechanism.
7. The implement of claim 6 wherein implement moving mechanism is operative
to
raise the support assembly off the ground surface when the weight of the
implement is wholly transferred from the ground surface to the foundation
frame.
8. The implement of any one of claims 3 ¨ 7 configured such that when the
foundation frame is ill the loading position at least a portion of the
implement is
between and above the first and second mounting beams.

18

9. The implement of any one of claims 1 - 8 wherein the agricultural
operation the
implement configured to perform is one of seeding a crop, cultivating a field
surface, spraying liquid chemicals on a crop, and transporting harvested crop.
10. An agricultural implement apparatus for mounting on a U-shaped
foundation
frame supported on wheels for travel over a ground surface where the
foundation
frame includes a base beam and first and second substantially parallel and
laterally spaced mounting beams fixed to and extending in a like direction
from
corresponding first and second ends of the base beam, the apparatus
comprising:
an operating implement configured to perform an agricultural operation and
including a rigid structural member;
a support assembly configured to support the operating implement in an idle
position on the ground surface;
wherein the rigid structural member is configured to be attached to the first
and
second side beams at corresponding first and second beam locations remote from

the base beam such that the first and second mounting beams are substantially
prevented from moving laterally with respect to each other.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 comprising first and second beam attachment
mechanisms adapted to be mounted on the corresponding first and second
mounting beams at fixed beam locations and first and second implement
attachment mechanisms mounted on the rigid structural member at locations
corresponding to the first and second beam attachment mechanisms.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 comprising an implement moving mechanism
operative, when the foundation frame is in a loading position, to move the
implement vertically from the idle position such that the first implement

19

attachment mechanism bears against the first beam attachment mechanism and the

second implement attachment mechanism bears against the second beam
attachment mechanism and such that a weight of the implement is transferred
froth the ground surface to the foundation frame.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the beam attachment mechanisms and
the
implement attachment mechanisms comprise plates defining mounting holes, and
wherein the implement is attached to the first and second mounting beams by
bolts through the holes in the plates.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the beam attachment mechanisms and
the
implement attachment mechanisms comprise cooperating latch mechanisms and
wherein the implement is attached to the first and second mounting beams when
the first implement attachment mechanism bears against the first beam
attachment
mechanism to engage a first latch mechanism and the second implement
attachment mechanism bears against the second beam attachment mechanism to
engage a second latch mechanism.
15. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 - 14 wherein the implement moving

mechanism moves the implement downward so that the first implement
attachment mechanism bears downward against the first beam attachment
mechanism and the second implement attachment mechanism bears downward
against the second beam attachment mechanism.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the implement moving mechanism is
operative
to raise the support assembly off the ground surface when the weight of the
implement is wholly transferred from the ground surface to the foundation
frame.
17. The apparatus of any one of claims 10 - 16 configured such that when
the
foundation frame is in the loading position at least a portion of the
implement is
between and above the first and second mounting beams.


18. The apparatus of any one of claims 10 - 19 wherein the agricultural
operation the
implement is configured to perfonn is one of seeding a crop, cultivating a
field
surface, spraying liquid chemicals on a crop, and transporting harvested crop
material.
19. An agricultural implement apparatus comprising:
a U-shaped foundation frame supported on wheels for travel over a ground
surface where the foundation frame includes right and left substantially
parallel
and laterally spaced mounting beams fixed at inner ends thereof to a
substantially
horizontal base beam and extending in an outward direction from the base beam
to outer ends thereof remote from the base beam such that an open implement
area is provided between the mounting beams from the outer ends of the
mounting beams to the base beam;
an implement configured to perform an agricultural operation, to rest on the
ground surface when in an idle position, and to attach to the foundation frame
in
the open implement area when in an operating position;
a plurality of beam attachment mechanisms mounted to the foundation frame,
each beam attachment mechanism comprising:
a lift arm pivotally attached at an inner end thereof to the corresponding
beam and defining a hook at an outer end thereof;
wherein the lift ann is pivotal from a loading position extending in the
outward direction to an operating position extending upward;
a hydraulic cylinder operative to pivot the lift arm between the loading
position and the operating position; and

21

a beam engagement member;
for each beam attachment mechanism, a corresponding implement attachment
mechanism mounted to the implement, each implement attachment mechanism
comprising a shaft oriented substantially horizontally, and an implement
engagement member;
wherein the attachment mechanisms are configured such that, with the lift arms
in
the loading position, the foundation frame is movable to an implement loading
position with respect to the implement in the idle position where the hook of
each
beam attachment mechanism is located under the shaft of the correSponding
implement attachment mechanism such that pivoting the lift arms to the
operating
position moves the implement upward and in an inward direction such that each
implement engagement member moves into engagement with the corresponding
beam engagement member.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 comprising a hydraulic fluid source operative
to direct
pressurized hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic cylinders to move the lift arms
from
the loading position to the operating position and operative to exert a bias
force on
the lift arms urging the lift arms toward the operating position.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein a force exerted on the lift arm
toward the
loading position that is greater than the bias force moves the lift arm toward
the
loading position and moves pressurized hydraulic fluid out of the hydraulic
cylinder and back to hydraulic fluid source.
22. The apparatus of any one of claims 19 ¨ 21 wherein, on each implement
attachment mechanism, the shaft extends between substantially vertical
mounting
plates, and wherein portions of the mounting plates that are next to the hooks

22

when the foundation frame is moving into the implement loading position slope
laterally away from the shaft to guide the corresponding lift arm toward the
shaft.
23. The apparatus of any one of claims 19 ¨ 21 comprising a releasable lock

mechanism operative to secure the lift arms in the operating position with the

implement engagement members engaged with the corresponding beam
engagement members.
24. The apparatus of any one of claims 19 ¨ 23 wherein the engagement
members are
provided by sockets and pins configured to slide into the sockets.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the pins comprise tapered ends
operative to
guide the pins into the sockets.
26. The apparatus of any one of claims 19 ¨ 25 comprising:
right and left outer beam attachment mechanisms mounted to corresponding right

and left end portions of the corresponding right and left mounting beams, and
at
least one inner beam attachment mechanism mounted to the base beam; and
right and left outer implement attachment mechanisms mounted to the implement
at locations corresponding to locations of the right and left outer beam
attachment
mechanisms, and at least one inner implement attachment mechanism mounted to
the implement at a location corresponding to a location of the at least one
inner
beam attachment mechanism.

23

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CA 02955638 2017-01-23
AGRICULTI.TRAL IMPLEMENT
This disclosure relates to the field of agricultural implements and in
particular an
implement configured to perform a wide variety of agricultural operations and
to be
attached to a foundation frame supported on wheels.
BACKGROUND
Implements. such as are used in agriculture and various industries such as
road
construction and maintenance include a wide variety of sizes and
configurations.
Implements such as combines, swathers, sprayers, road graders, earth movers,
and the
like are commonly self-propelled, with the engine, drive system, and operators
station
incorporated into the implement itself Implements such as air seeders,
cultivators, discs,
grain carts, mowers, and the like are more commonly towed behind a tractor.
Some
implements are configured to be mounted directly on a tractor instead of being
towed
behind, such as snowplows mounted on the front end of a tractor, mowers
mounted under
a middle portion of the tractor, and a wide variety of implements mounted to
the arms of
a three point hitch system commonly incorporated on the rear end of tractors.
Canadian Patent Application Number 2,921,130 of the present inventor Beaujot
discloses
an implement operating apparatus comprising a drive frame supported on drive
wheels
for travel on a ground surface. A motor is mounted on the drive frame and
rotates the
drive wheels as well as providing power for controls and various implements
that are
attached to the drive 'frame. The drive frame includes a base beam and right
and left
substantially parallel side mounting beams extending from corresponding right
and left
ends of the base beam.
1

CA 02955638 2017-01-23
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION =
The present disclosure provides an agricultural implement apparatus that
overcomes
problems in the prior art.
In a first embodiment the present disclosure provides an agricultural
implement for
mounting on a U-shaped foundation frame supported on wheels for travel over a
ground
surface where the foundation frame includes first and second laterally spaced
mounting
beams fixed to and extending from a base. The implement is configured to
perform an
agricultural operation, to rest on the ground surface when in an idle
position, and to
attach to the foundation frame when in an operating position. The implement
comprises
a rigid implement portion configured to be attached to the first and second
mounting
beams at first and second beam locations remote from the base such that the
first and
second mounting beams are prevented from moving laterally with respect to each
other.
In a second embodiment the present disclosure provides an agricultural
implement
apparatus for mounting on a U-shaped foundation frame supported on wheels for
travel
over a ground surface where the foundation frame includes a base beam and
first and
second substantially parallel and laterally spaced mounting beams fixed to and
extending
in a like direction from corresponding first and second ends of the base beam.
The
apparatus comprises an operating implement configured to perform an
agricultural
operation and including a rigid structural member. A support assembly is
configured to
support the operating implement in an idle position on the ground surface. The
rigid
structural member is configured to be attached to the first and second side
beams at
corresponding first and second beam locations remote from the base beam such
that the
first and second mounting beams are substantially prevented from moving
laterally with
respect to each other.
2

CA 02955638 2017-01-23
In a third embodiment the present disclosure provides an agricultural
implement
apparatus comprising a U-shaped foundation frame supported on wheels for
travel over a
ground surface where the foundation frame includes right and left
substantially parallel
and laterally spaced mounting beams fixed at inner ends thereof to a
substantially
horizontal base beam and extending in an outward direction from the base 'beam
to outer
ends thereof remote from the base beam such that an open implement area is
provided
between the mounting beams from the outer ends of the mounting beams to the
base
beam. An implement is configured to perform an agricultural operation, to rest
on the
ground surface when in an idle position, and to attach to the foundation frame
in the open
implement ,area when in an operating position. A plurality of beam attachment
mechanisms is mounted to the foundation frame. Each beam attachment mechanism
comprises a lift arm pivotally attached at an inner end thereof to the
corresponding beam
and defining a hook at an outer end thereof, where the lift arm is pivotal
from a loading
position extending in the outward direction to an operating position extending
upward.
Each beam attachment mechanism further comprises a hydraulic cylinder
operative to
pivot the lift arm between the loading position and the operating position,
and a beam
engagement member. For each beam attachment mechanism, a corresponding
implement
attachment mechanism is mounted to the implement, each implement attachment
mechanism comprising a shaft oriented substantially horizontally and an
implement
engagement member. The attachment mechanisms are configured such that, with
the lift
arms in the loading position, the foundation frame is movable to an implement
loading
position with respect to the implement in the idle position where the hook of
each beam
attachment -mechanism is located under the shaft of the corresponding
implement
attachment mechanism such that pivoting the lift arms to the operating
position moves
the implement upward and in an inward direction such that each implement
engagement
member moves into engagement with the corresponding beam engagement member.
The disclosed implement apparatus provides structural rigidity to a foundation
-.frame
which includes mounting beams extending from a base to form a U-shape
enclosing an
=
3

CA 02955638 2017-01-23
open implement area. With no connection between the first and second mounting
beams
except at the base beam, there is a clear space between the mounting .beams
which
facilitates loading of implements that extend above the mounting beams however
since
the mounting beams are connected to each other only at their ends fixed to the
base beam,
forces exerted on the opposite outer ends thereof can put severe stresses on
the
connection to the base beam. Attaching the rigid structural member to outer
portions of
the mounting beams prevents lateral movement of one beam with respect to the
such that
lateral forces on the outer end of one beam are resisted by both beams.
The present disclosure further provides an agricultural implement comprising
corresponding beam and implement attachment mechanisms which provides a secure

mounting of the implement to the foundation frame, as well as providing a
rigid
implement connected to each beam such that lateral movement of one mounting
beam
with respect to the other is prevented. The implement also provides a simple
and
effective implement moving mechanism to raise the implement from the idle
position
supported on the ground to the operating position supported on the foundation
frame.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred
embodiments
are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best
.understood in
conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the
several
diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
Fig. 1 is a schematic top view of a foundation frame adjacent to an embodiment
of the
agricultural implement apparatus of the present disclosure;
Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the foundation frame and agricultural
implement
apparatus as shown in the top view of Fig. 1;
4

CA 02955638 2017-01-23
Fig. 3 is a schematic side view the foundation frame in a loading position
with respect
to the agricultural implement apparatus of Fig. 1, where the agricultural
implement
apparatus is in the idle position supported on the ground;
Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the agricultural implement apparatus of
Fig. 1 wholly
supported on the foundation frame with the support assembly raised above the
ground;
Fig. 5 is a schematic end view of the foundation frame in loading position
with respect
to the agricultural implement apparatus shown in Fig. 3, where the
agricultural
implement apparatus is in the idle position supported on the ground;
Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a latch assembly which can be used to
provide
the beam attachment mechanisms and the implement attachment mechanisms;
Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively schematic side and top views of plates defining
holes and
connected by a bolt which can be used to provide the beam attachment
mechanisms
and the implement attachment mechanisms;
Fig. 9 is a schematic top view of the foundation frame connected to an
implement
configured to seed a crop;
Fig. 10 is a schematic top view of the foundation frame connected to an
implement
configured to cultivate a field surface;
Fig. 11 is a schematic top view of the foundation frame connected to an
implement
configured spray liquid chemicals on a crop;
5

CA 02955638 2017-01-23
Fig. 12 is a top view of an agricultural implement apparatus comprising a self-

propelled foundation frame, with the motor assembly there removed, approaching
the
implement loading position with respect to an implement;
Fig. 13 is a top view of the apparatus of Fig. 12 with the implement mounted
on the
foundation frame in the operating position;
Fig. 14 is a side view of a beam attachment mechanism mounted on a beam of the

foundatien frame approaching the implement loading position of Fig. 12 with
respect
to a corresponding implement attachment mechanism mounted on the implement;
Fig. 15 is a top perspective view of the beam attachment mechanism mounted on
the
beam of the foundation frame approaching the corresponding implement
attachment
mechanism mounted on the implement as shown in the side view of Fig. 14;
Fig. 16 is a top perspective view of the hook of the lift arm of the beam
attachment
mechanism shown in Fig. 15 located under the shaft of the corresponding
implement
attachment mechanism with the lift arm raised from the loading position but
not yet in
the operating position;
Fig. 17 is a top perspective view of the hook of the lift arm of the beam
attachment
mechanism located under the shaft of the corresponding implement attachment
mechanism as shown in Fig. 16 but with the lift arm fully raised to the
operating
position;
Fig. 18 is a schematic cut away side view of a lock mechanism operative to
maintain
the engagement of the beam and implement engagement members;
6

CA 02955638 2017-01-23
Fig. 19 is as top perspective view of the implement mounted to the foundation
frame
by the corresponding beam and implement attachment mechanisms.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
Figs. 1 - 5 schematically illustrate an embodiment of an agricultural
implement apparatus
1 of the present disclosure for mounting on a U-shaped foundation frame 3
supported on
wheels 5 for travel over a ground surface 7. A foundation frame 3 includes
first and
second laterally spaced mounting beams 9A, 9B fixed to and extending from a
base,
illustrated here as a base beam 11, and with no connection between the first
and second
mounting beams 9A, 9B except at the base beam 11. The foundation frame 3 may
be
self-propelled to move an implement 15 over a field to perform an agricultural
operation,
or may simply be a foundation platform providing a wheeled support frame to
which
various implements can be connected.
The apparatus 1 includes first and second beam attachment mechanisms 13A, 13B
adapted to be mounted on the corresponding first and second mounting beams 9A,
9B at
beam locations remote from the base beam 11. The
various beam attachment
mechanisms 13 described can be attached to the beams 9 by welding or with
plates and
bolts and the like suitably configured.
The apparatus 1 includes an operating implement 15 configured to perform an
agricultural operation. The illustrated implement 15 is a grain tank
configured to receive
and dispense granular material such as harvested crops, and when mounted on
the
foundation frame 3, to transport the granular material.
In the illustrated apparatus 1 the first and second mounting beams 9A, 9B are
laterally
spaced and substantially parallel and extend in a like direction from
corresponding first
and second ends 11A, 11B of the base beam 11. The apparatus 1 includes a rigid
7

CA 02955638 2017-01-23
implement portion that is configured to be attached to the mounting beams 9 by
the beam
attachment mechanisms 13 such that the first and second mounting beams 9A, 9B
are
prevented from moving laterally with respect to each other.
In the illustrated apparatus 1 the rigid implement portion is provided by a
rigid structural
member 17, here the frame forming part of the operating implement 15, that is
configured
to be attached to the first and second beam attachment mechanisms 13A, 13B
mounted
on the corresponding first and second mounting beams 9A, 9B at fixed beam
locations
remote from the base beam 11 such that the mounting beams 9 are substantially
locked
in a position that is fixed with respect to each other and with respect to the
rigid structural
member 17. In the illustrated apparatus 1 first and second implement
attachment
mechanisms 19A, 19B are mounted on the rigid structural member 19 at locations

corresponding to the beam locations where the first and second beam attachment

mechanisms 13, 13B have been attached.
When the foundation frame 3 is in the loading position with respect to the
implement 15 =
as schematically illustrated in Fig. 3, the first and second implement
attachment
mechanisms 19A, 19B are directly above the corresponding first and second beam

attachment mechanisms 13A, 13B. The illustrated implement 15 is configured
such that
when the foundation frame 3 is in the loading position as seen in Fig. 5, the
implement 15
is between and above the first and second mounting beams 9A, 9B.
The apparatus 1 includes a support assembly, illustrated as hydraulic jacks -
21 configured
to support the operating implement 15 in an idle position on the ground
surface 7 as
shown in Figs. 1 ¨ 3. The apparatus 1 further includes an implement moving
mechanism
operative, when the foundation frame 3 is in the loading position with respect
to the
implement 15 as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5, to move the implement 15
vertically upward
or downward from the position of Figs. 3 and 5 to the position of Fig. 4 where
the weight
of the implement is transferred wholly from the ground surface 7 to the
foundation frame
8

CA 02955638 2017-01-23
3. In the schematically illustrated apparatus 1 the implement moving mechanism
is
provided by jack handles 23 that extend or retract the hydraulic jacks 21. It
is
contemplated that the hydraulic jacks 21 could also be connected to a
hydraulic power
source of the foundation frame 3 when the foundation frame 3 is in the loading
position.
In the illustrated apparatus 1 the jack handles 23 are manipulated to move the
implement
downward such that the first implement attachment mechanism 19A bears against
the
first beam attachment mechanism 13a and the second implement attachment
mechanism
19B bears against the second beam attachment mechanism 13B as shown in Fig. 4.
The
10 jack handles 23 are manipulated such that the weight of the implement 15
is wholly
transferred from the ground surface 7 to the foundation frame 3, and then
further such
that the hydraulic jacks 21 move off the ground surface 7 as shown in Fig. 4.
It is contemplated as well that in some configurations of the implement, the
implement
15 moving mechanism will move the implement upward so that the first implement

attachment mechanism bears upward against the first beam attachment mechanism
and
the second implement attachment mechanism bears upward against the second beam

attachment mechanism, and the two are connected together.
In the illustrated apparatus 1 the beam attachment mechanisms 13 and the
implement
attachment mechanisms 19 can be conveniently provided by cooperating latch
mechanisms 25 as schematically illustrated in Fig. 6. The latch mechanisms 25
are
provided by conical projections 27A extending upward from the top surface of
the
mounting beams 9 and corresponding conical recesses 27B in the rigid
structural member
17. As the rigid structural member 17 moves downward the conical projection
27A
enters the conical recess 27B and further downward movement moves the conical
projection 27A and recess 27B into full engagement in the correct alignment.
The
implement 15 is attached to the first and second mounting beams 9 when the
implement
9

CA 02955638 2017-01-23
attachment mechanisms 19 bear against the beam attachment mechanisms 13 to
engage
the latch mechanisms 25.
Correct alignment of the rigid structural member 17, and thus the implement
15, with the
foundation frame 3 is facilitated since the conical projection 27A can enter
an edge of the
conical recess 27B and will be forced into alignment as the conical projection
27A moves
fully into the conical recess 27B.
Further a lock recess 31 can be provided in the conical projection 27A
:configured to
receive a lock member 33 that is biased by a spring 35 or the like when the
conical
projection 27A and recess 27B are fully engaged. A latch release 29 is mounted
on the
open side of the rigid structural member 17.
The illustrated latch members 25 prevent lateral movement of one beam 9 with
respect to
the other however up and down movement of one mounting beam 9 with respect to
the
other is not significantly reduced.
Figs. 7 and 8 schematically illustrate an alternate arrangement wherein the
beam
attachment mechanisms 13 and the implement attachment mechanisms 19' comprise
plates 37 attached to the rigid structural member 17' and to the mounting
beams 9' and
defining mounting holes 39. The implement via the rigid structural member 17'
is
attached to the mounting beams 9' by a bolt 41 through the holes 39 in the
plates 37.
The implement apparatus 1 can be configured to perform a variety of
agricultural
operations. Fig. 9 schematically illustrates an implement 115 comprising
agricultural
product tanks 151 mounted to the mounting beams 109 of the foundation frame
103 by
plates 137 and bolts 141. Furrow openers 153 are mounted on a laterally
ex/ending
implement frame 155 and the implement 115 is configured to seed a crop. =

CA 02955638 2017-01-23
Fig. 10 schematically illustrates an implement 215 comprising cultivator
shanks 257
mounted on a laterally extending implement frame 259 and configured to
cultivate a field
surface.
Fig. 11 schematically illustrates an implement 315 comprising a liquid tank
361 and
sprayer nozzles 363 mounted on a laterally extending sprayer boom and
configured to
spray liquid chemicals on a crop.
The disclosed implement apparatus 1 adds structural rigidity to a foundation
frame which
includes mounting beams 9 extending from a base, such as a base beam 11. With
no
connection between the first and second mounting beams 9A, 9B except at the
base beam
11, there is a clear space between the mounting beams 9 which facilitates
loading of
implements that extend above the mounting beams 9, such as the grain tank 15
however
since the mounting beams 9 are connected to each other only at their ends
fixed to the
base beam 11 forces exerted on the opposite outer ends thereof can put severe
stresses on
the connection to the base beam 11. By attaching the rigid structural member
17 to outer
portions of the mounting beams 9, lateral movement of one beam with respect to
the
other is prevented and so lateral forces on the outer end of one beam 9 are
resisted by
both beams 9A. 9B.
It is contemplated that in the operations contemplated up and down movement of
one
mounting beam 9 with respect to the other will not subject the connection of
the
mounting beams 9 to the base beam to excessive forces.
Figs. 12 ¨ 19 illustrate an agricultural implement apparatus 101 comprising a
U-shaped
foundation frame 103 supported on wheels 105 for travel over a ground surface
where the
foundation frame 103 includes right and left substantially parallel and
laterally spaced
mounting beams 109R, 109L fixed at inner ends thereof to a substantially
horizontal base
beam 111 and extending in an outward direction OD from the base beam 111 to
outer
11

CA 02955638 2017-01-23
ends 110 thereof remote from the base beam 111 such that an open implement
area 112 is
provided between the mounting beams 109 from the outer ends 110 of the
mounting
beams to the base beam 111. The illustrated foundation frame 103 is self-
propelled and
includes a motor assembly 108 that provides hydraulic power to drive and steer
the
wheels 105, and provide any other implement power requirements. For clarity of
illustration the motor assembly 108 is not shown in Figs. 12 and 13.
An implement is configured to perform an agricultural operation such as
seeding,
cultivating, spraying as described above, and only the implement frame 115 of
the
implement is illustrated to facilitate viewing the attachment of the implement
frame to the
foundation frame 103. Also as described above the implement is configured to
rest on
the ground surface when in an idle position, as illustrated in the top view of
Fig. 12, with
the foundation frame 103 approaching. The implement frame 115 is configured to
attach
to the foundation frame 103 in the open implement area 112 when in an
operating
position as shown in Figs. 13 and 19.
In the illustrated apparatus 101 four beam attachment mechanisms 114 are
mounted to
the foundation frame 103. Right and left outer beam attachment mechanisms
114RO,
114L0 are mounted to corresponding right and left end portions of the con-
esponding
right and left mounting beam s 109R, 109L, and right and left inner beam
attachment
mechanisms 114RI, 114LI are mounted to the base beam 111 .
Corresponding right and left outer implement attachment mechanisms 126R0,
126L0 are
'mounted to the implement 115 at locations corresponding to locations of the
right and left
outer beam attachment mechanisms 114R0, 114L0, and corresponding right and
left
inner implement attachment mechanisms 126R1, 126L1 are mounted to the
implement
115 at locations corresponding to locations of the right and left inner beam
attachment
mechanisms 114R1, 114LI. The four connections raise the implement 115 up from
the
12

CA 02955638 2017-01-23
idle position in a level orientation and then hold the implement 115 securely
to the
foundation frame 103.
Each beam attachment mechanism 114 comprises a lift arm 116 pivotally attached
at an
inner end thereof to the corresponding beam about a lift pivot axis LPA
oriented
. substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the outward direction OD.
The lift arms
116 define a hook 118 at the outer ends thereof and are pivotal from a loading
position
shown in Figs. 14 and 16 extending in the outward direction OD to an operating
position
extending upward as shown in Fig. 17. A hydraulic cylinder 120 is operative to
pivot the
lift arm 116 between the loading position and the operating position and a
beam
engagement member 122 is operative to engage a corresponding implement
engagement
member 124 attached to the implement 115.
For each beam attachment mechanism 114, a corresponding implement attachment
mechanism 126 is mounted to the implement 115. Each implement attachment
mechanism 126 comprises a shaft 128 oriented substantially horizontally and
perpendicular to the outward direction OD, and the implement engagement member
124.
The attachment mechanisms 114, 126 are configured such that, with the lift
arms 116 in
the loading position, the foundation frame 103 is movable to an implement
loading
position with respect to the implement 115 in the idle position where the hook
118 of
each beam attachment mechanism 114 is located under the shaft 128 of the
Corresponding
implement attachment mechanism 126. Figs. 12, 14, and 15 show the lift arm 116
in the
loading position approaching the implement attachment mechanisms 126 on the
implement 115, and Fig. 14 shows, in phantom lines, the lift arm 116 in the
implement
loading position with the hook 118 under the shaft 128.
With the foundation frame 103 in implement loading position, pivoting the lift
arms 116
toward the operating position of Fig. 17 moves the implement 115 upward and in
an
13

CA 02955638 2017-01-23
inward direction ID. Fig. 16 shows the lifting arm 116 in an intermediate
position
partially raised from the loading position of Fig. 15 and the implement 115
raised from its
idle position supported on the ground. When the lifting arm 116 reaches the
operating
position of .Fig. 17, each implement engagement member 124 moves into
engagement
with the corresponding beam engagement member 122 and the implement 115 is
fully
raised and secured in the operating position as shown in Figs. 13, 17, and 19.
Removing the implement 115 from the foundation frame 103 and returning same to
the
idle position supported on the ground is accomplished by activating the
hydraulic
cylinders 120 in the opposite direction to move the lift arms 116 from the
operating
position to the loading position which moves the implement 115 forward and
downward
to the idle position, where the foundation frame 103 and attached beam
attachment
mechanisms 114 can be moved away from the implement 115 and the corresponding
implement attachment mechanisms 126.
In the illustrated apparatus 101 the beam engagement member 122 is provided by
a pin
configured to slide into the socket that forms the implement engagement member
124.
The pin comprises a tapered end 130 operative to guide the pin into the
socket. The
illustrated pins and sockets are cylindrical such that the pins can rotate in
the sockets to
allow some flexing of the implement and foundation frame 103 during operation.
It is
contemplated that the beam engagement member 122 could instead be provided by
the
socket and the implement engagement member 124 provided by the pin. It is also

contemplated that other engagement mechanisms could be used as well.
A hydraulic fluid source 132 of the motor assembly 108 is operative to direct
pressurized
hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic cylinders 120 to move the lift arms 116
from the
loading position to the operating position and operative to exert a bias force
BF on the lift
arms 116 urging the lift arms 116 toward the operating position as shown in
Fig. 17. The
hydraulic fluid source 132 directs pressurized hydraulic fluid to the
hydraulic cylinders
14

CA 02955638 2017-01-23
120 at a pressure selected to exert the desired bias force BF which holds the
beam and
implement engagement members 122, 124 together in engagement. The engagement
supports the implement 115 on the foundation frame 103 and also serves to
prevent
lateral movement of the right mounting beam 109R with respect to the left
mounting
beam 109L. Thus if an opposite force F is exerted on the lift arm 116 away
from the
operating position toward the loading position that is greater than the bias
force BF, the
lift arm 116 will move away from the operating position toward the loading
position and
pressurized hydraulic fluid will move out of the hydraulic cylinder 120 and
back to
hydraulic fluid source 132.
Using the hydraulic cylinders 120 to exert a strong bias force BF toward the
operating
position allows the lift arms 116 to move slightly in response to sudden
forces on the
apparatus 1 during operation and then be pushed back into the desired
operating position.
Such sudden forces can break bolts and like fasteners and this slight movement
of the lift
arms 116 can relieve the strain on other parts of the apparatus 1 and reduce
the
occurrence of damage.
Loss of hydraulic pressure is typically sensed and the apparatus 1 powered off
to avoid
damage. If desired a releasable lock mechanism 134 such as schematically
illustrated in
Fig. 18 may be provided as well to secure the lift arms 116 in the operating
position with
the implement engagement members 124 engaged with the corresponding beam
engagement members 122. Fig. 18 illustrates a loose engagement which will
allow some
flexing as discussed with respect to the hydraulic cylinders 120 exerting a
bias force BF.
It is contemplated that the hydraulic fluid source could also be configured to
conventionally extend and retract the hydraulic cylinders and lock them to
keep the lift
arms in the operating position with no hydraulic fluid allowed to move in and
out as is
also known in the art. The lock mechanism 134 would also then maintain the
engagement of the beam and implement engagement members 122, 124.
=

CA 02955638 2017-01-23
=
In the illustrated apparatus 101 the shaft 128 on each implement attachment
mechanism
126 extends between substantially vertical mounting plates 136. Portions 136A
of the
mounting plates 136 that are next to the hooks 118 when the foundation frame
103 is
moving into the implement loading position, as seen in Fig. 15, slope
laterally away from
the shaft 128 to guide the corresponding lift arm 116 and corresponding hook
118 toward
the shaft 128.
The implement frame 115 can be incorporated into wide variety of implements.
The
implement mounting system of the apparatus 101 comprising corresponding beam
and
implement attachment mechanisms 114, 126 provides a secure mounting of the
implement 115 to the foundation frame 103 and also provides a simple and
.effective
implement moving mechanism to raise the implement 115 from the idle position
supported on the ground to the operating position supported on the foundation
frame 103.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the
invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those
skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction
.and operation
shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or
modifications in
structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within
the scope of
the claimed invention.
16

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

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Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date Unavailable
(22) Filed 2017-01-23
(41) Open to Public Inspection 2018-07-23
Examination Requested 2021-11-15

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Maintenance Fee

Last Payment of $210.51 was received on 2023-12-11


 Upcoming maintenance fee amounts

Description Date Amount
Next Payment if small entity fee 2025-01-23 $100.00
Next Payment if standard fee 2025-01-23 $277.00

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Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Application Fee $400.00 2017-01-23
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2019-01-23 $100.00 2018-10-24
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2020-01-23 $100.00 2019-10-23
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2021-01-25 $100.00 2020-12-16
Registration of a document - section 124 2021-02-26 $100.00 2021-02-26
Request for Examination 2022-01-24 $816.00 2021-11-15
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 5 2022-01-24 $204.00 2021-12-14
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 6 2023-01-23 $203.59 2022-12-08
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 7 2024-01-23 $210.51 2023-12-11
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
DOT TECHNOLOGY CORP.
Past Owners on Record
SEEDMASTER MANUFACTURING LTD.
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Request for Examination 2021-11-15 2 41
Examiner Requisition 2023-01-25 5 185
Abstract 2017-01-23 1 17
Description 2017-01-23 16 653
Claims 2017-01-23 7 252
Drawings 2017-01-23 7 1,038
Representative Drawing 2018-06-18 1 9
Cover Page 2018-06-18 2 39
Maintenance Fee Payment 2018-10-24 3 109
Maintenance Fee Payment 2019-10-23 3 106
Examiner Requisition 2024-01-22 3 153
New Application 2017-01-23 5 125
Amendment 2023-05-25 19 862
Claims 2023-05-25 5 271
Drawings 2023-05-25 7 162