SYSTEME DE PLIAGE POUR INSTRUMENT A SECTIONS MULTIPLES

FOLDING SYSTEM FOR MULTI-SECTIONAL IMPLEMENT

Abrégé anglais

ABSTRACT
A method and means of folding a multi-section
field machine, such as agricultural implements, which
require a reduction in width for or during transportation.
A series of strategically placed hydraulic rams serve
to fold sections of the implement, in stages, to folded
positions, some of which are at least 90°.

Revendications

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PRO-
PERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In a multi-sectional field machine having an
inner, towing section and a plurality of outer wing sections
pivotally hinged to one another and to at least one side of the
towing section, means for folding at least one said wing sec-
tions relative to another and to said towing section between
unfolded operating and folded towing positions, at least one
of said folds being in excess of 90°, said folding means for
each said section comprising interconnecting adjacent sections
by a hydraulic ram; pivotally connecting the piston rod end of
the ram to one section; a lug on the adjacent section for se-
curing the body end of the ram thereto; the length of the ram
between extended and retracted positions being great enough
to fold the adjacent section beyond 90°; and the height of said
ram body lug being sufficient to provide that, between the folded
and unfolded positions of said sections, the piston rod end
of the ram does not reach an over centre mark with regard to the
body end of the ram.
2. In a multi-sectioned field machine having an in-
ner, towing section and a plurality of outer wing sections
pivotally hinged to one another and to at least one side of the
towing section, a method of determining the location of hydraulic
rams interconnecting said sections for folding said wing sec-
tions relative to one another between operating and towing posi-
tions through angles in excess of 90°, said method comprising:
a. selecting an angle of fold in excess of 90° for each section
between its unfolded operating position and its folded transport
position with respect to an adjacent section; b. projecting the
available ram travel across the selected angle of fold; c. se-
curing the piston end of the ram to one section; d. positioning

a lug on the other, adjacent section and securing the body of
the ram thereto; and e. selecting the height for said ram body
lug to provide that, between the folded and unfolded positions
of said sections, the piston rod end of the ram does not reach
an over centre mark with regard to the body end of the ram.
3. In a multi-sectioned field machine having a
plurality of sections pivotally hinged to one another in side
by side relationship in which a first group of one or more
sections is adapted to be folded in sections from an unfolded
operating configuration to a transport configuration over a
second group of sections, means for folding a section in
relation of an adjacent section to an angle of fold in excess
of 90°, said folding means comprising a hydraulic ram inter-
connecting said adjacent sections having a piston end of the
ram pivotally connected to a part of one such section and
having a body end of the ram pivotally connected to a part on
the other such section, the height of said ram body end being
sufficient to provide that, between the folded and unfolded
positions of said sections, the piston rod end of the ram does
not reach an over centre mark with regard to the body end of
the ram.
4. In a multi-sectioned field machine having a
plurality of sections pivotally connected to one another in
side by side relationship by one or more hinges in which a
first group of sections is adapted to be folded sectionally
from an unfolded operating configuration to a transport con-
figuration over a second group of sections and in which at
least one section is folded about a hinge through a predeter-
mined angle (A) in excess of 90°:
folding means for said section comprising:
a hydraulic ram having a predetermined open length
(OL) and a predetermined closed length (CL),

a first pivot means affixed to said section and
second pivot means affixed to an adjacent section
connected by said hinge,
each said pivot means being adapted to pivotally re-
tain opposite ends of the ram, wherein said first pivot means
is located on said section a horizontal distance (d) from the
hinge point where,
<IMG>
and at a suitable vertical height, and where said second pivot
means is located horizontally and vertically on said adjacent
section at a point lying on the intersection of arcs of OL
and CL measured from said first pivot means in the unfolded
and folded positions of said section respectively.

Description

75958
This invention relates to sectional, mobile field
machines of the type having their sections hinged together for
folding purposes. In particular, the invention relates to a
system of folding sectional machines from an open, operating
position to a closed, folded position for transport.
There are numerous forms of mobile field machines
or devices which utilize sectionalized frames wherein the
sections are hinged together either for quick disassembly or for
folding so that they can be moved on public roads from one area
to another. The examples of such devices are mobile cranes,
mobile derrick platforms, wide, sectional agricultural machines,
and the like.
One example of the prior art in this field is U.S.
Patent 3,321,028 to Groenke of May 23, 1967. This patent dis-
closes mechanism for folding agricultural implements, but, like
most known devices of this type, the main folds do not go beyond
90. Moreover, when the machine is completely folded, it is
secured together by a winged nut and bolt. Most devices, such
as in the Groenke patent, use a series of cables, telescoping
pipes, gravity return to transport positions, etc. Obviously,
cables can break, and serious damage can result.
The present invention utilizes a series of strategic- ¦
ally placed hydraulic rams for folding sections of a mobile de-
vice in stages, with each fold being substantially in excess of
90. Moreover, in accordance with the system of this invention,
double ended folds of sectionalized machines are possible which
permits more favourable weight distribution in the transport
position with a low, stable profile resulting therefrom.
The system of the present invention is adapted to
any sectional machine although by way of example, the present
application will deal with a system as applied to a sectionalized
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1~75958
agricultural machine. It is a common belief by those skilled
in this art that to fold one section of a sectionalized machine
towards or beyond the 90 mark requires at least two hydraulic
- rams, as the main ram over-centres and it requires one short
ram to start unfolding the device. However, in accordance with
the present invention, a strategic positioning of the ram and
the height of the lugs on the frame therefor allows such folding
with the use of only one ram.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
the system applies to a mul':i-sectioned field machine of the type
having a plurality of sections pivotally hinged together and the
system of folding and unfolding the machine between operating
and transport positions comprises positioning a ram on each
section adjacent to a section to be folded and orienting the
ram generally normal to the pivot hinge axis between the sec-
tions. The ram has a cylinder and piston rod with the cylinder
being secured to one section and the rod being secured to an
^ adjacent section whereby actuation of the ram folds or unfolds
one section with respect to another; the arrangement of the
ram and its connection between the sections being such that
the ram piston connection does not reach an over-centre point
between the folded and unfolded positions of the machine sec-
tion; and whereby at least two successive folds can be made at
` each terminal end of the field machine and wherein each fold
may be substantially in excess of 90.
The invention will be described by way of examples
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a foldable,
sectionalized machine;
Figure 2 is a schematic elevation view of a section-
alized machine showing two folds in the terminal ends thereof;

1075i958
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the
points of connection for a ram and a seetionalized maehine;
Figure 4 is similar to Figure 2 but shows a ram
mounted on a foldable deviee and illustrates the ram in its
extended and eontraeted positions;
Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing
a first fold in the terminal ends of the maehine;
Figure 6 is an end view similar to Figure 5 but
- showing two folds.
Referring to the drawings, and in particular to
Figure 1, a foldable machine such as an agricultural implement
10 consists of seven separate sections, a centre section 1
pivotally and hingedly joined to a first section 2 on either
side thereof, each section 2 being similarly joined to an ad-
' jacent section 3 whieh in turn, is joined to a terminal seetion
4 at eaeh outer end of the implement. The eentre seetion 1 has
a hiteh point 5 for being towed by a suitable traetor or the
like.
Seetions 3 and 4 of the maehine 10 are foldable
! 20 seetions whieh, when moved to a folded or transport position
reduee the width of the maehine from W as shown in Figure 1 to
TW, approximately half its open or operating width. To effeet
this folding, each section 3 is provided with a hydraulie ram
12 whieh is connected at its piston rod end to seetion 4 and
seetion 2 is also provided with a ram 14 eonneeted at its piston
rod end to section 3. When folding the maehine to the trans-
port position, shown sehematieally in Figure 2 and full in Figure
5, ram 12 is actuated thereby folding seetion 4 inwardly rela-
tively to section 3 to approximately 120. Subsequently, as
shown in Figure 2 and Figure 6, ram 14 is actuated drawing
folded sections 3 and 4 inwardly with respeet to section 2, the
angle between sections 2 and 3 being approximately 120 whereby

` - l
~C~7S~58
the folded configuration is substantially that of Figures 2
and 6.
The angle of fold of the machine section depends upon
the environment ln which the machine is working and what acces-
sories, if any, that the sections hold. In the implement shown
~- in Figures 5 and 6 for example, each section is provided with
a tilling blade 16 detachably secured to the section frame 18.
The latter also includes a suspension member 20 supporting a
; pneumatic tire 22. It will be observed from Figure 6 that the
inward double folding of sections 3 and 4 is roughly the limit
of inward folding because of the interference between the
tilling blade 16 with the frame section if further folds were
.;
to be made. However, it will be appreciated that if the centre
section 1 is wide enough and if the tilling blades were re-
moved from their associated frame sections or if a different
type of tool was being carried by the sections, a further fold
could be made to the sections 2 inwardly toward the section 1.
The angle selected for the fold therefore will vary depending
upon the accessories carried by the frame sections. In the
present example,the angle of fold selected is 120 and a ram
having a suitable piston travel is then selected to effect the
actual holding. A 24" ram is an example.
The method of determining the location of the ram is
unique and results in the heretofore unobtainable double fold-
ing of the machine by single rams as shown in the drawings. By
virtue of the positioning of the ram connection points, the
above angles of fold are obtainable using only a single ram for
each fold and wherein the ram piston end will not reach or ex-
ceed on over-centre mark when the foldable section is in either
its open or closed position.
The following procedure must be followed to obtain
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1(1759S8
the proper ram connection locations on the adjacent machine
sections.
First, the angle of fold of the implement section is
chosen in relation to the original unfolded section. This may
be less than 90 or, as in the present example, this angle may
be 120. The angles, points of ram connection and section mem-
bers are shown schematically in Figure 3 and in full in Figure
4.
(b) The 120 angle between foldable element 4 in its
open position and its closed position 4a is sub-divided to pro-
- vide two 60 angles and the available ram travel, 24" is thenprojected across the 120 angle providing points B and C as
shown in Figure 3. As isosceles triangle is formed between
points A, B and C. It will be appreciated that the distance
, AB will be equal to one half the travel length of the ram multi-
plied by the sine of one half the angle of fold.
(c) At the points of intersection B and C on the
folded and unfolded positions of the arm, an arc is scribed
from the base pivot point A which corresponds to the longitud-
inal pivot axis of the foldable member.
(d) A height then must be selected for the lug to
which the ram piston rod will be attached. This height is deter-
mined by mechanical necessity, the present example being 3".
This 3" height is projected vertically above the
; base line to provide point Bl and a corresponding 3" height point
is also positioned above the 120 angle line to provide point
Cl. This represents the lug point of the ram piston rod in open
and folded positions respectively. Obviously, the ram travel
of 24" should correspond to the distance between the folded and
unfolded points Bl and Cl.
(e) In order to determine the position D of the ram
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~07S958
- body lub 32, two arcs must be projected and the first is an arc
of 24" radius corresponding to the maximum travel (plus the
length of ram body) taken from point Bl, the open or unfolded
positions of the piston rod lug 24. This provides arc 28 in
Figure 4.
(f) The second arc is taken from point Cl and as
this arc is representative of the ram in its closed position,
the radius of the second arc from point Cl is equal to length
between the extreme points of the ram in its closed position.
- 10 This provides arc 30.
The point of intersection D of the Bl arc and Cl
arc provide the exact location above the base line of section 3
for the location of the ram body lub 32 and specifically the lug
connection point 32a.
It will be noted from Figure 4 and from the compari-
son of the open and closed positions of the piston lug 24 in
relation to the ram body 12 that the piston rod lug 24 and in
particular point Bl never reaches or exceeds an "over-centre"
point, i.e. a line between points A and D of Figures 3 or 4.
This is a direct result of the precise positioning of the ram
body lug 32 in relation to the implement section to which it is
attached, as provided by the previously described locating
process.
As shown in Figure 4, ram 12 is interconnected be-
tween its lug 32 on frame section 3 and lug 26 on frame section
4. The open or operating position of the above elements is
shown in phantom line with frame section 4 being pivoted to its
downward position along its pivotal axis A. When the ram 12 is
actuated, frame section 4 is drawn upwardly through a 120 arc to
its folded or transport position shown in Figure 4. In accord-
ance with Figure 6, a further folding of frame section 3 and 4

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with respect to section 2 would be effected by actuation of the
second ram 14 showll in ~igure 1.
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