Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02597973 2007-08-17
BRUSH CUTTING HEAD WITH INTERNALLY HOUSED
DRIVE AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
100011 The present invention relates generally to brush cutters and to brush
cutting heads
therefor, and more specifically, to brush cutting heads having internally
housed drive and
bearing assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
100021 Extensive felling and mulching operations are often performed with a
heavy-duty
brush cutter mounted to the front of a work vehicle. A typical brush cutter
includes a brush
cutting head provided with an elongate support body that carries about its
outer surface a
plurality of teeth adapted to cut trees, brush or the like. The brush cutting
head is rotatably
mounted within an open-bottom housing. The housing has a pair of spaced apart
sidewalls
between which extend a top wall, a front wall and a rear wall. The walls of
the housing
cooperate with each other to define a well sized to receive therein the
elongate support
body of the brush cutting head. The brush cutting head is mounted for rotation
between
two spaced apart housing sidewalls with its ends supported on bearing
assemblies mounted
in the sidewalls.
[0003] A drive assembly is also provided to urge rotation of the support body.
This drive
assembly typically includes a motor carried on the sidewall of the housing and
a
transmission system for transmitting the torque produced by the motor to the
support body.
In one known brush cutting head, the transmission system includes a drive belt
arrangement. Chain and sprocket arrangements have also been employed. In such
brush
cutters, the transmission system is usually housed within a protective
enclosure carried on
one of the sidewalls. A removable cover plate provides access to the
protective enclosure
for servicing or repair of the motor and/or transmission system. In the case
of heavy-duty
brush cutters, each sidewall carries its own motor and associated transmission
system.
100041 The brush cutting head often needs to be detached from the brush cutter
for
servicing or replacement, for instance, where a plurality of cutting teeth are
broken or
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where the brush cutting head and its cutting teeth do not suit the particular
field conditions
encountered on a site to be cleared. In known brush cutters of the type
described above, the
detachment of the brush cutting head from the brush cutter tends to be a
complicated,
labour-intensive and time-consuming task because it requires not only that the
support body
be decoupled from the housing but also that the bearing assemblies and
transinission
system be taken apart as well. In some cases, disconnecting one brush cutting
head and
replacing it with another can take between six to eight hours. As a result, a
brush cutter
whose brush cutting head is undergoing servicing, repair or replacement tends
be subjected
to extended periods of non-use with adverse impacts on productivity.
(0005] In light of the foregoing, it would be advantageous to have a brush
cutter whose
brush cutting head could be easily attached/detached from the brush cutter
housing without
having to dismantle the drive assembly for improved productivity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
10006] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a
brush cutting head. The brush cutting head includes a hollow support body
having a first
end, an opposed second end, an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner
surface of the
support body defining a hollow which extends between the first and second ends
of the
support body. Also provided is a drive and bearing assembly housed at least
partially within
the hollow of the support body. The drive and bearing assembly includes a
drive block
mounted to extend within the hollow of the support body at the first end
thereof. The drive
block includes a motor provided with a torque transmitting driveshaft. A first
coupling
assembly is connected to the driveshaft of the motor and the support body. The
first
coupling assembly is operable to transmit the torque produced by the motor to
the support
body to thereby urge rotation of the brush cutting head. The drive and bearing
assembly is a
second coupling assembly mounted to extend within the hollow of the support
body at the
second end thereof. The second coupling assembly has a first end and a second
end. The
second end of the coupling assembly is fixedly attached to the support body.
The second
coupling assembly includes a bearing support member, a bearing assembly housed
within
the bearing support member and a coupling member. The bearing assembly is
mounted in
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surrounding relation with a portion of the coupling member to thereby allow
free rotation of
the coupling member relative to the bearing support member.
100071 In another feature, the drive block further includes a motor support
member for
retaining the motor within the hollow of the support body. The motor support
member
includes a body provided with a first end, a second end, a generally
cylindrical sidewall
extending between the first and second ends of the body. The sidewall defines
a hollow
which receives therein a portion of the motor. The motor is detachably mounted
to the
motor support member.
100081 In an additional feature, intermediate the first and second ends of the
body, the
sidewall has a radially inwardly extending portion defining a shoulder. The
motor is
provided with at least one tab for releasably fastening to the shoulder
defined in the
sidewall.
100091 In still another feature, the body of the motor support member further
includes a
flange member joined to the sidewall at the first end of the body. The flange
member is
fixable to the side panel of a brush cutter housing.
100101 In yet a further feature, the first coupling assembly includes a
coupling member.
The coupling member of the first coupling assembly includes a hub portion. The
hub
portion has a first end and a second end. The second end of the hub portion
has a bore
defined therein. The bore receiving the driveshaft in mating engagement
therewith.
100111 In one feature, the drive block further includes a motor support member
for
retaining the motor within the hollow of the support body. The motor support
member
includes a body provided with a first end, a second end, a generally
cylindrical sidewall
extending between the first and second ends of the body. The sidewall defining
a hollow
sized to receive therein a portion of the motor. The hub portion of the
coupling member is
mounted to extend into the hollow defined by the sidewall of the body.
Additionally, the
first coupling assembly includes a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly of
the first
coupling assembly is mounted in surrounding relation with the hub portion. The
bearing
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assembly of the first coupling assembly is housed within the body of the motor
support
member.
100121 In an additional feature, the first coupling assembly includes an
annular plate
mounted to the second end of the body. The annular plate has a central opening
defined
therein. The central aperture receives therethrough a portion of the hub
portion. The annular
plate cooperates with the sidewall of the body to at least partially enclose
the bearing
assembly of the first coupling assembly within the body. In a further feature,
the first
coupling assembly includes first means for retaining the bearing assembly of
the first
coupling assembly onto the hub portion. The first retaining means includes a
first retaining
ring fitted onto the second end of the hub portion. In yet another feature,
the first coupling
assembly includes second means for retaining the bearing assembly of the first
coupling
assembly within the body of the motor support member. The sidewall of the body
has an
inner surface which defines the hollow of the body. The second retaining means
includes a
second retaining ring mounted in surrounding relation with the hub portion at
a location
intermediate the first and second ends thereof. The second retaining ring
engages the inner
surface of the sidewall and a portion of the bearing assembly of the first
coupling assembly.
100131 In a further feature, the coupling member of the first coupling
assembly includes a
disc-shaped portion having a first face and an opposed second face. The hub
portion
extends outwardly from the second face of the disc-shaped portion. In another
feature, the
first coupling member includes a mounting plate fixed to the support body. The
mounting
plate is releasably fastened to the disc-shaped portion of the first coupling
member.
Additionally, the first coupling assembly includes means for aligning the disc-
shaped
portion of the first coupling member with the mounting plate. The disc-shaped
portion has a
puck-like projection standing proud of the first face thereof and the mounting
plate has an
annular body provided with a central aperture. The puck-like projection and
the central
aperture of the annular body together define the alignment means of the first
coupling
assembly.
10014] In another feature, the bearing support member includes a body provided
with a
first end, a second end, a generally cylindrical sidewall extending between
the first and
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second ends of the body. The sidewall defines a hollow which receives therein
the bearing
assembly. The body of the bearing support member further includes a flange
member
joined to the sidewall at the first end of the body. The flange member is
fixable to the side
panel of a brush cutter housing.
100151 In yet another feature, the bearing assembly is removeably mounted to
the bearing
support member. The coupling member of the second coupling assembly includes a
hub
portion. The bearing assembly is mounted in surrounding relation with the hub
portion.
100161 In another feature, the second coupling assembly includes an annular
plate
mounted to the second end of the body. The annular plate has a central opening
defined
therein. The central opening receives therethrough a portion of the hub
portion. The annular
plate cooperating with the sidewall of the body to at least partially enclose
the bearing
assembly within the body. In a further feature, the second coupling assembly
includes first
means for retaining the bearing assembly of the second coupling assembly onto
the hub
portion. The first retaining means includes a first retaining ring fitted onto
the second end
of the hub portion. Further still, the second coupling assembly includes
second means for
retaining the bearing assembly of the second coupling assembly within the body
of the
bearing support member. The sidewall of the body has an inner surface which
defines the
hollow of the body. The second retaining means includes a second retaining
ring mounted
in surrounding relation with the hub portion at a location intermediate the
first and second
ends thereof. The second retaining ring is sized to engage the inner surface
of the sidewall
and a portion of the bearing assembly of the second coupling assembly.
10017] In an additional feature, the coupling member of the second coupling
assembly
includes a disc-shaped portion having a first face and an opposed second face.
The hub
portion extends outwardly from the second face of the disc-shaped portion. The
second
coupling member includes a mounting plate fixed to the support body. The
mounting plate
is releasably fastened to the disc-shaped portion of the second coupling
member. Moreover,
the second coupling assembly includes means for aligning the disc-shaped
portion of the
second coupling member with the mounting plate. The disc-shaped portion has a
puck-like
projection standing proud of the first face thereof and the mounting plate has
an annular
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body provided with a central aperture. The puck-like projection and the
central aperture of
the annular body together define the alignment means of the second coupling
assembly.
100181 In still another feature, at a location adjacent the first end of the
support body, the
support body has a first shoulder projecting from the inner surface thereof
into the hollow.
The portion of the first coupling assembly is fixed to the first shoulder. At
a location
adjacent the second end of the support body, the support body has a second
shoulder
projecting from the inner surface thereof into the hollow. The second end of
the second
coupling assembly is fixedly attached to the second shoulder.
100191 In a further feature, the first coupling assembly includes a coupling
member
matingly engaged with the driveshaft and a first mounting plate fixed to the
first shoulder
defined in the support body. The coupling member of the first coupling
assembly is
releasably fastened to first mounting plate. Additionally, the second coupling
assembly
includes a second mounting plate fixed to the second shoulder defined in the
support body.
The coupling member of the second coupling assembly is releasably fastened to
second
mounting plate.
100201 In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided
to a brush cutter. The brush cutter including an open-bottom brush cutter
housing having a
plurality of panels. The plurality of panels includes a first side panel and a
second side
panel. The brush cutter also has a hollow support body rotatably mounted
between the first
and second side panels of the brush cutter housing. The support body has a
first end, an
opposed second end, an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface
of the support
body defines a hollow which extends between the first and second ends of the
support
body. Also provided is a drive and bearing assembly housed at least partially
within the
hollow of the support body. The drive and bearing assembly includes a drive
block
mounted to extend within the hollow of the support body at the first end
thereof. The drive
block includes a motor provided with a torque transmitting driveshaft. A first
coupling
assembly is connected to the driveshaft of the motor and the support body. The
first
coupling assembly is operable to transmit the torque produced by the motor to
the support
body to thereby urge rotation of the brush cutting head. The drive and bearing
assembly
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further includes a second coupling assembly mounted to extend within the
hollow of the
support body at the second end thereof. The second coupling assembly has a
first end and a
second end. The second end of the coupling assembly is fixedly attached to the
support
body. The second coupling assembly includes a bearing support member, a
bearing
assembly housed within the bearing support member and a coupling member. The
bearing
assembly is mounted in surrounding relation with a portion of the coupling
member to
thereby allow free rotation of the coupling member relative to the bearing
support member.
100211 In one feature, the drive block is releasably connected to the first
side panel of the
brush cutter housing and the bearing support member is releasably connected to
the second
side panel of the brush cutter housing. In another feature, the drive block
further includes a
motor support member for retaining the motor within the hollow of the support
body. The
motor support member has a flange member. The flange member is detachably
fastened to
the first side panel. Additionally, the first side panel has a cutout formed
therein sized to
receive a portion of the motor support member. In still another feature, the
bearing support
member has a flange member. The flange member is detachably fastened to the
second side
panel. Moreover, the second side panel has a cutout formed therein sized to
receive a
portion of the bearing support member.
100221 In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention,
there is
provided a drive and bearing assembly for a brush cutting head. The brush
cutting head has
a support body. The support body has a first end, an opposed second end, an
outer surface
and an inner surface. The inner surface of the support body defines a hollow
which extends
between the first and second ends of the support body. The drive and bearing
assembly
includes a drive block configured for placement within the hollow of the
support body at
the first end thereof. The drive block includes a motor provided with a torque
transmitting
driveshaft. A first coupling assembly is connectable to the driveshaft of the
motor and the
support body. The first coupling assembly is operable to transmit the torque
produced by
the motor to the support body to thereby urge rotation of the brush cutting
head. The drive
and bearing assembly further includes a second coupling assembly configured
for
placement within the hollow of the support body at the second end thereof. The
second
coupling assembly has a first end and a second end. The second end of the
coupling
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assembly is fixedly attachable to the support body. The second coupling
assembly includes
a bearing support member, a bearing assembly housed within the bearing support
member
and a coupling member. The bearing assembly is mounted in surrounding relation
with a
portion of the coupling member to thereby allow free rotation of the coupling
member
relative to the bearing support member.
100231 In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention,
there is
provided a brush cutting head including a hollow support body having a first
end, an
opposed second end, an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface
of the support
body defines a hollow which extends between the first and second ends of the
support
body. Also, provided is a drive and bearing assembly housed at least partially
within the
hollow of the support body. The drive and bearing assembly includes a first
drive block
mounted to extend within the hollow of the support body at the first end
thereof. The first
drive block includes a first motor provided with a first torque transmitting
driveshaft. A
first coupling assembly is connected to the first driveshaft and the support
body. The first
coupling assembly is operable to transmit the torque produced by the first
motor to the
support body to thereby urge rotation of the brush cutting head. The drive and
bearing
assembly further includes a second drive block mounted to extend within the
hollow of the
support body at the second end thereof. The second drive block includes a
second motor
provided with a second torque transmitting driveshaft. The second coupling
assembly is
connected to the second driveshaft and the support body. The second coupling
assembly is
operable to transmit the torque produced by the second motor to the support
body to
thereby urge rotation of the brush cutting head.
100241 In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a
brush cutter. The brush cutter includes an open-bottom brush cutter housing
having a
plurality of panels. The plurality of panels includes a first side panel and a
second side
panel. The brush cutter further includes a hollow support body rotatably
mounted between
the first and second side panels of the brush cutter housing. The support body
has a first
end, an opposed second end, an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner
surface of the
support body defines a hollow which extends between the first and second ends
of the
support body. Also provided is a drive and bearing assembly housed at least
partially within
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the hollow of the support body. The drive and bearing assembly includes a
first drive block
mounted to extend within the hollow of the support body at the first end
thereof. The first
drive block includes a first motor provided with a first torque transmitting
driveshaft. A
first coupling assembly is connected to the first driveshaft and the support
body. The first
coupling assembly is operable to transmit the torque produced by the first
motor to the
support body to thereby urge rotation of the brush cutting head. The drive and
bearing
assembly further includes a second drive block mounted to extend within the
hollow of the
support body at the second end thereof. The second drive block includes a
second motor
provided with a second torque transmitting driveshaft. The second coupling
assembly is
connected to the second driveshaft and the support body. The second coupling
assembly is
operable to transmit the torque produced by the second motor to the support
body to
thereby urge rotation of the brush cutting head.
100251 In another feature, the first drive block is releasably connected to
the first side
panel of the brush cutter housing and the second drive block is releasably
connected to the
second side panel of the brush cutler housing. Additionally, the first drive
block includes a
first motor support member for retaining the first motor within the hollow of
the support
body. The first motor support member has a first flange member. The first
flange member
is detachably fastened to the first side panel. The second drive block
includes a second
motor support member for retaining the second motor within the hollow of the
support
body. The second motor support member has a second flange member. The second
flange
member is detachably fastened to the second side panel.
10026] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention,
there is
provided a drive and bearing assembly for a brush cutting head. The brush
cutting head
having a hollow support body provided with a first end, an opposed second end,
an outer
surface and an inner surface. The inner surface of the support body defines a
hollow which
extends between the first and second ends of the support body. The drive and
bearing
assembly includes a first drive block mounted to extend within the hollow of
the support
body at the first end thereof. The first drive block includes a first motor
provided with a
first torque transmitting driveshaft. A first coupling assembly is connected
to the first
driveshaft and the support body. The first coupling assembly is operable to
transmit the
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torque produced by the first motor to the support body to thereby urge
rotation of the brush
cutting head. The drive and bearing assembly further includes a second drive
block
mounted to extend within the hollow of the support body at the second end
thereof. The
second drive block includes a second motor provided with a second torque
transmitting
driveshaft. The second coupling assembly is connected to the second driveshaft
and the
support body. The second coupling assembly is operable to transmit the torque
produced by
the second motor to the support body to thereby urge rotation of the brush
cutting head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
100271 The embodiments of the present invention shall be more clearly
understood with
reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments of the
invention taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
100281 FIG. I is a front right perspective view of a brush cutter according to
a first
embodiment of the present invention;
100291 FIG. 2 is rear right perspective view of the brush cutter illustrated
in FIG. 1
showing front and rear cover panels and the side cover plate exploded from the
brush cutter
housing;
100301 FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the brush cutter shown in FIG. 1;
100311 FIG. 4 is a right end elevation view of the brush cutter shown in FIG.
2;
100321 FIG. 5 is a left end elevation view of the brush cutter shown in FIG.
2;
100331 FIG. 6 is another right perspective view of the brush cutter of FIG. 1
showing
the brush cutting head and the side panel runners and end members exploded;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a right end elevation view of the brush cutter shown in FIG.
6;
100351 FIG. 8a is a front left perspective view of the brush cutting head
shown in FIG.
1;
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[0036] FIG. 8b is another perspective view similar to that shown in FIG. 8a
showing the
brush cutting head rotated 180 degrees;
10037] FIG. 9 is an end view of the brush cutting head shown in FIG. 8a with a
collar
removed therefrom for the sake of clarity;
100381 FIG. 10 is an enlarged view similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9
showing the
encircled portion '10';
100391 FIG. I 1 is an enlarged perspective view of one end of the brush
cutting head of
FIG. 8a showing a cutting tooth and a portion of its corresponding mounting
assembly
exploded;
100401 FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of one of the collars shown in FIG.
11;
100411 FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one of the cutting teeth shown in FIG.
11;
100421 FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the cutting tooth shown in FIG. 13;
100431 FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the mounting block shown in FIG. 11;
100441 FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the mounting plate shown in FIG. 11;
100451 FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the abutment plate shown in FIG. 11;
100461 FIG. 18 is an end elevation view of the retaining member shown in FIG.
11
100471 FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of the brush cutting head illustrated
in FIG. 8a
with the protective collars and cutting tooth assemblies omitted for the sake
of clarity and a
portion of the outer surface of the support body removed to reveal the drive
and bearing
assembly mounted within the hollow of the support body;
100481 FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of a portion of the drive and bearing
assembly
illustrated in FIG. 19 showing a drive block and a first coupling assembly
operatively
connected to each other, a portion of the outer wall of the motor support
member being
removed to reveal details of the interior thereof;
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10049] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the drive block illustrated in FIG. 20
showing a
motor, a motor support member and the first coupling assembly exploded;
10050] FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the first coupling assembly
shown in
FIG. 21;
100511 FIG. 23 is an elevation view of the second coupling assembly shown in
FIG. 20
with a portion of the sidewall of the bearing mounting support removed to
reveal the
bearing assembly mounted within the hollow of the bearing support member;
(0052] FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the second coupling assembly
shown
in FIG. 23;
10053] FIG. 25 is a front left perspective view of a brush cutter according to
a second
embodiment of the present invention;
10054] FIG. 26 is rear right perspective view of the brush cutter illustrated
in FIG. 25
showing front and rear cover panels and the side cover plate exploded from the
brush cutter
housing;
10055] FIG. 27 is a front elevation view of the brush cutter shown in FIG. 25;
10056] FIG. 28 is a right end elevation view of the brush cutter shown in FIG.
25;
100571 FIG. 29 is another right perspective view of the brush cutter of FIG.
25
showing the brush cutting head and the side panel runners and end members
exploded;
100581 FIG. 30 is a right end elevation view of the brush cutter shown in FIG.
29;
100591 FIG. 31 is a front left perspective view of the brush cutting head
shown in FIG.
25;
100601 FIG. 32 is a front elevation view of the brush cutting head illustrated
in FIG. 25
xvith a portion of the outer surface of the support body removed to reveal an
drive and
bearing assembly mounted within the hollow of the support body, the drive and
bearing
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assembly including a first drive block and first coupling assembly and a
second drive block
and second coupling assembly;
[0061] FIG. 33 is a side elevation view of the first drive block and the first
coupling
assembly illustrated in FIG. 32 showing the first drive block and the first
coupling
assembly operatively connected to each other, a portion of the outer wall of
the motor
support member being removed to reveal details of the interior thereof;
[0062] FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view of the first drive block and
first coupling
assembly illustrated in FIG. 33; and
100631 FIG. 35 is an end elevation view of the motor support member of the
first drive
block shown in FIG. 34;
[0064] FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view of the first coupling assembly
shown in
FIG. 34.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0065] The description which follows, and the embodiments described therein
are
provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples of particular
embodiments of
principles and aspects of the present invention. These examples are provided
for the
purposes of explanation and not of limitation, of those principles of the
invention. In the
description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification
and the
drawings with the same respective reference numerals.
100661 Referring to FIGS. I to 6, there is shown a brush cutter generally
designated with
reference numeral 20. Brush cutter 20 may be of the type attached to the front
of a vehicle,
such as a loader, skid steer, or the like. Brush cutter 20 includes an open-
bottom housing
22 and a brush cutting head 24 rotatably mounted within the housing 22. The
housing 22 is
defined generally by a front cover panel 26, a rear cover panel 28 and a pair
of side panels
32 and 34. The cover panels 26 and 28 extend longitudinally between, and are
joined to,
the side panels 32 and 34. A curved wall 33 disposed within the interior of
the housing 22
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spans the space between the side panels 32 and 34, its curved profile
partially defining a
well 35 (best shown in FIG. 6) sized to accommodate the brush cutting head 24.
10067] With reference to FIG. 2, the front cover panel 26 is a bent steel
panel whose
margins are defined by a rear upper longitudinal edge 36, a front lower
longitudinal edge
38, and a pair of spaced apart side edges 40 and 42 extending between the
longitudinal
edges 36 and 38. The front cover panel 26 is welded to the inner faces 44 of
the side panels
32 and 34 along its side edges 40 and 42. The front cover panel 26 includes an
upper panel
portion 46, a lower panel portion 48 and an intermediate panel portion 50
joining the upper
panel portion 46 to the lower panel portion 48. The lower panel portion 48
extends
generally vertically upwards from the front lower edge 38 to a first corner 52
whereat it
meets the intermediate panel portion 50. The front lower edge 38 is carried
above the axis
of rotation R-R of the brush cutting head 24 (as best shown in FIG. 3) leaving
the front of
the housing 22 substantially open to allow the brush cutting head 24 to engage
the brush to
be cut as the brush cutter 20 travels over an area to be cleared. The
intermediate panel
portion 50 is bent relative to the lower panel portion 48 and extends upwardly
and
rearwardly from the first corner 52 and terminates at a second corner 54
whereat it connects
to the upper panel portion 46. The upper panel portion 46 is also bent
relative to the
intermediate panel portion 48 such that it has a generally horizontal
orientation and defines
the top of the housing 22. At its rear upper edge 36, the upper panel portion
46 is supported
by, and secured to, a square hollow structural steel (HSS) support member 56
that is
mounted to extend longitudinally between the side panels 32 and 34. A
relatively large,
generally rectangular aperture 55 is defined in the upper panel portion 46
adjacent the side
edge 42 thereof to permit access to a removable cover plate 57 which shields
the hydraulic
fluid distribution system 162 (best shown in FIG. 7).
100681 The rear cover panel 28 is a bent steel panel that has a relatively
wide portion 58
and a narrow doglegged, upturned lip portion 60 joined to the wide portion 58
at a corner
62. Defined at various spaced apart locations in the wide portion 58, is a
plurality of small
apertures 64 for receiving bolts or the like to permit permanent fastening of
the brush
cutting head 24 to the brush cutter 20. The lip portion 60 is provided with a
pair of spaced
apart, relatively larger rectangular, openings 66 and 68 that serve to allow
quick attachment
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of the brush cutting head 24 to the brush cutter 20. A pair of vertically
extending, fin-
shaped, brace members 70 and 72 which protrude from the rear of the housing 22
are used
to attach the rear cover panel 28 to the housing 22. More specifically, the
rear cover panel
28 is welded along its side edges 74 and 76 to the inner faces 78 of the brace
member 70
and 72.
(0069] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, each brace member 70, 72 has a relatively
wide base
portion 80 that tapers to a relatively narrower tip portion 82. The base
portion 80 of each
brace member 70, 72 is carried a relatively small distance above the lowest
extremity of the
brush cutter 20. The tip portion 82 of each brace member 70, 72 includes a
first rabbet 84
configured to receive a corner of the HSS support member 56 in abutting
relation thereto. A
second rabbet 86 (sized larger than the first rabbet 84) is formed in the base
portion 80. The
second rabbet 86 is sized to correspond to the generally L-shaped profile of
an angle
member 88 upon which each brace member 70, 72 abuts. More specifically, the
vertical
edge 90 of the second rabbet 86 bears against, and is welded to, the vertical
portion 92 of
the angle member 88, while its horizontal edge 94 abuts, and is welded to, the
horizontal
portion 96 of the angle member 88.
100701 In this arrangement, the ends of the angle member 88 are themselves
welded to
the inner faces 44 of the side panels 32 and 34 and the brace member 70 and 72
are
mounted to the angle member 88 a relative short distance inwardly of the ends
thereof such
that there is a small space or gap between each brace member 70, 72 and each
corresponding side panel 32, 34.
10071] Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, each side panel 32, 34 is a steel panel
having a
shape generally resembling that of rectangular but for its truncated top front
corner 100.
The margins of each side panel 32, 34 are defined by an upper horizontal edge
102, an
opposed lower horizontal edge 104 and front and rear edges 106 and 108 that
extend
between the upper and lower horizontal edges 102 and 104. The rear edge 108
runs
vertically from the upper horizontal edge 102 to the lower horizontal edge
104. The front
edge 106 includes a vertically extending edge portion l 10 running upwardly
from the lower
horizontal edge 104, and a rearwardly inclined or slanted edge portion 112
that joins the
CA 02597973 2007-08-17
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vertically extending edge portion 110 to the upper horizontal edge 102. A
deflector plate
114, 116 is welded to the vertically extending edge portion 110 of each side
panel 32, 34.
As best shown in FIG. 3, the deflector plates 114 and 116 flare slightly from
the plane of
their respective side panels 32 and 34. Thus configured, the deflector plates
114 and 116
tend to encourage (i.e. funnel) the brush to be cut toward the brush cutting
head 24 during
operation of the brush cutter 20. In an alternative embodiment, the deflector
plates 114,
116 could be integrally formed with the side panels 34, 36 and bent to achieve
the desired
configuration.
100721 The upper horizontal edges 102 of the side panels 32 and 34 are carried
above the
upper panel portion 46. The portion of each side panel 32, 34 which protrudes
above the
upper panel portion 46 defines a tab 118 to which may be attached a protective
member in
the nature of bar (not shown) for protecting the housing 22 from being crushed
or otherwise
damaged by a falling tree during operation of the brush cutter 20.
100731 Fastened to the lower horizontal edge 104 of each side panel 32, 34 is
a ski-like
runner 120, 122 that is provided to facilitate passage of the brush cutter
over the terrain to
be cleared. The runner 120, 122 includes a steel strip 124 whose bottom face
126 is
adapted for contact with the ground and a bracket 128 welded to the top face
130 of the
strip 124 for securing the runner 120, 122 to the side panel 32, 34. The strip
124 has front
and rear upturned ends 132 and 134 and a flat portion 136 disposed
intermediate the front
and rear ends 132 and 134. The bracket 128 is similarly shaped to correspond
to the profile
of the strip 124. A plurality of apertures 138 formed in the bracket 128 are
alignable with
corresponding apertures 140 defined in each side panel 32, 34 adjacent the
lower horizontal
edge 104 thereof, to allow fasteners 142 to be received therethrough.
100741 Referring now to FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the side panel 34 carries on its
outer face 144 a
protective enclosure 150 defined by a peripheral sidewall 152 standing proud
of the side
panel 34 and a removable cover plate 154. The peripheral sidewall 152 has a
gap 156
formed therein along its lowermost margin to allow detachment of the brush
cutting head
24 from the housing 22 during maintenance, repair or re-tooling of the brush
cutter 20. The
cover plate 154 may be attached to the peripheral sidewall 152 using fasteners
(not shown).
CA 02597973 2007-08-17
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When secured to the peripheral sidewall 152, the cover plate 154 is adapted to
close off the
space defined by the peripheral sidewall 152 and the outer face 144 to prevent
dirt, dust or
debris from entering into the drive and bearing assembly 160 and the hydraulic
fluid
distribution system 162 (said system being accessible through a rectangular
opening 164
formed in the side panel 34).
100751 As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the side panel 34 has defined therein a
semi-
circular, arch-shaped cutout 170 sized to allow a portion of the drive and
bearing assembly
160 to be accommodated therein. Adjacent the curved edge defining the cutout
170, the
side panel has a plurality of apertures 166.
100761 Also provided, is an end member 172 designed to close off the arch-
shaped cutout
170. The end member 172 includes a plate portion 174 that is configured to fit
within the
arch-shaped cutout 170 and an upturned semi-annular portion 176 attached to
the back of
the plate portion 174. The upturned semi-annular portion 176 is adapted for
abutment with
a downturned semi-annular portion 177 (best shown in FIG. 6) fastened to the
inner face 44
of the side panel 34. When abutted, the semi-annular portion 176 and the
downturned semi-
annular portion 177 together define a protective end ring or collar which
serves to block
dust or debris from entering into the interior of the brush cutting head 24.
100771 The plate portion 174 is defined by a lower horizontal edge 178, an
opposed
doxvnwardly concaving edge 180 and a pair of spaced part vertical edges 182
and 184
extending between the edges 178 and 180. The upturned semi-annular portion 176
is
welded to the plate portion 174 along the downwardly concaving edge 180.
Adjacent the
lower horizontal edge 180, a plurality of apertures 188 is provided which are
alignable with
the corresponding apertures 138 in the bracket 128 to allow the insertion of
fasteners 189
therethrough to secure the plate portion 176 to the bracket 128.
(0078] In like fashion to side panel 34, side panel 32 also has a semi-
circular, arch-
shaped cutout 190 (albeit sized somewhat smaller than cutout 170). An end
member 191
generally similar to end member 172 is also provided (see FIG. 6). It too
includes a plate
portion 192 that is designed to fit within the arch-shaped cutout 190 and an
upturned semi-
annular portion 193 attached to the back of the plate portion 192. The
upturned semi-
CA 02597973 2007-08-17
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annular portion 193 is adapted to mate with a downturned semi-annular portion
(not shown)
fastened to the inner face 44 of the side pane132.
100791 The plate portion 192 is defined by a lower horizontal edge 194, an
opposed
downwardly concaving edge 196 and a pair of spaced part vertical edges 198 and
200
extending between the upper and lower edges 196 and 194. The upturned semi-
annular
portion 193 is welded to the plate portion 192 along the downwardly concaving
edge 196.
The plate portion 192 has a plurality of apertures 206 located near its lower
horizontal edge
194 and alignable with corresponding apertures 138. The apertures 206 are
sized to receive
threaded fasteners 208. Contrary to the plate portion 174, the plate portion
192 is longer
than it is wide.
100801 Referring now to FIG. 8a, 8b and 19, there is shown the brush cutting
head 24.
The brush cutting head 24 includes a tubular support body 210 and the drive
and bearing
assembly 160 housed substantially within the hollow 212 defined in the support
body 210.
The support body 210 has a first end 214, an opposed second end 216 and an
intermediate
portion 218 extending between the first and second ends 214 and 216. In this
embodiment,
the support body 210 is cylindrical; its circular cross-section defined by a
circumferential
wall 220 having an outer surface 222 and an inner surface 224. Disposed along
the outer
surface 222 is a plurality of cutting tooth assemblies 546.
[0081] The thickness of the circumferential wall 220 is not constant
throughout the length
of the support body 210. More specifically, the circumferential wall 220 is
thinner at the
regions 228 and 230 of the support body 210 (which regions extend inwardly
from the first
and second ends 214 and 216 a short distance) than at the mid-length of the
support body
210. In the regions 228 and 230 the hollow 212 has a greater cross-sectional
area to
accommodate the drive and bearing assembly 160. Defined by the increased
thickness of
the circumferential wall 220 beyond the regions 228 and 230, are
circumferentially
extending shoulders 232 and 234 upon which portions of the drive and bearing
assembly
160 wi l l abut.
100821 The drive and bearing assembly 160 includes a drive block 240, a first
coupling
assembly 242 operatively connected to the drive block 240, and a second
coupling
CA 02597973 2007-08-17
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assembly 244. The drive block 240 and the first bearing assembly 242 are
adapted to fit
within the hollow 212 in the region 228, while the second coupling assembly
244 is
designed to fit in the hollow 212 in the region 230.
100831 Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, the drive block 240 includes a hollow
motor
support member 250 and a hydraulic motor 252 adapted to fit at least partially
within the
motor support member 250. The motor support member 250 has a sleeve-like body
254
with a first end 256, an opposed second end 258 and a generally cylindrical
sidewall 260
extending between the first and second ends 256 and 258. At the first end 256,
the body
254 has a flange or outwardly projecting ring or collar 262 joined to the
sidewall 260. The
flange 262 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures
264. A
mounting ring 266 with apertures 268 is also provided for placement between
the side panel
34 and the flange 262 of the motor support member 250.
10084] The sidewall 260 defines an interior hollow 270 within the body 254 and
includes
a first sidewall portion 272 extending from the first end 256 and a second
sidewall portion
274 extending from the second end 258 to meet the first sidewall portion 272.
As best
shown in FIG. 20, the outer diameter of the body 254 defined by the first
sidewall portion
272 is greater than the outer diameter of the body 254 defined by the second
sidewall
poi-tion 274. A narrow band 276 extending radially inward from the first
sidewall portion
272 joins the first sidewall portion 272 to the second sidewall portion 274.
The narrow
band 276 defines a first shoulder 278 having a plurality of apertures 296
drilled therein.
100851 The hollow 270 includes a first region 280 extending between the flange
262 and
the narrow band 276, a second region 282 spanning from the narrow band 276 to
a second
shoulder 284 defined by a radially inwardly extending portion of the second
sidewall
portion 274, a third region 286 extending from the second shoulder 284 to a
third shoulder
288 formed by a radially outwardly extending portion of the second sidewall
portion 274,
and a fourth region 290 extending from the third shoulder 288 to the second
end 258 of the
body 254. Each region 280, 282, 286 and 290 is open at either end to provide
access to the
next adjacent region.
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100861 The hydraulic motor 252 has a first end 300, a second end 302 and a
housing body
304 that extends between the first and second ends 300 and 302. Defined in
face 292 of the
housing body 304 are inlet and outlet ports 294 and 296. The ports 294 and 296
are
connectable to the hydraulic fluid distribution system 162 for fluid
communication
therewith via flexible supply lines or hoses (not shown).
100871 At a location intermediate the first and second ends 300 and 302, the
housing
body 304 has first and second opposed tabs 306 and 308 provided for abutting
the first
shoulder 278. Each tab 306 and 308 is provided with an aperture 310 that is
sized to receive
a threaded fastener 312. The apertures 310 of the tabs 306 and 308 are
alignable with the
apertures 296 defined in the first shoulder 278 to allow fixation of the motor
252 to the
motor support member 250. While it this embodiment, the motor housing body is
provided
with a pair of fastening tabs, it will be appreciated that this need not be
the case in every
application. In alternative embodiments, the housing body may be constructed
with more
than two fastening tabs (i.e. three or four). Alternatively, a single
fastening tab may be
used. Other modifications to the means of attachment are also possible.
[00881 Additionally, while it is preferred for ease of servicing, maintenance
and repair to
have the motor support member 250 and the motor housing body 304 fabricated as
two
separate parts releaseably attachable to each other, this need not be the case
in every
application. In an alternative embodiment, the motor support member 250 may be
combined with the motor housing body 304 to form a single part.
100891 While it is preferred that the motor 252 be hydraulically powered, it
will be
appreciated that this need not be the case in every application. In other
embodiments, other
motors may be used to similar advantage, for instance, pneumatically-powered
motors or
gas-powered motors.
[00901 Beyond the tabs 306 and 308 (moving in the direction of the second end
302), the
motor housing body 304 has a first, relatively narrow, circumferential band
314 of constant
diameter joined to a tapering, funnel-shaped portion 316. The narrow band 314
is
configured to fit snugly in the third hollow region 286 and to bear against
the second
sidewall portion 274. More specifically, it is adapted to receive in
surrounding relation an
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O-ring (not shown) that serves to form a seal for preventing lubricant or
grease from the
first coupling assembly from entering into the second hollow region 282.
100911 The housing body 304 terminates with a second, relatively narrow,
circumferential band 318 joined to the funnel-shaped portion 316. When the
motor 252 is
attached to the motor support member 250, the second narrow band 318 fits
snugly into the
third hollow region 286 and abuts the second sidewall portion 274. Extending
outwardly
from the second end 304 of the hydraulic motor 252 is a splined driveshaft 320
for
connecting to the first coupling assembly 242.
(0092] Referring now to FIGS. 20 to 22, the first coupling assembly 242
includes a
mounting plate 330 for fixing to the support body 210, a coupling member 332
for mating
to the driveshaft 320, a flat annular plate 334 attachable to the motor
support member 250,
an annular sealing gasket 336, a first retaining ring 338, a bearing assembly
340 and a
second retaining ring 342.
100931 The mounting plate 330 has an annular body 344 with a central aperture
346, a
first face 348 and a second opposed face 350. Joining the first face 348 to
the second face
350 is a sidewall 352 formed by a narrow circumferential band 354 and a
tapering sidewall
portion 356. When mounting the plate 330 to the support body 210, the first
face 348 is
urged to abut the circumferential shoulder 232 of the support body 210. The
narrow band
354 is brought to bear against the inner surface 224 of the support body 210
and the
mounting plate 330 is welded to the support body 210 about its tapering
sidewall portion
356. Defined in the mounting plate 330 is a plurality of bores 358 sized to
accommodate
fasteners in the nature of threaded fasteners 360.
100941 The coupling member 332 includes a disc-shaped portion 362 having a
first face
364, a second face 366 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced bores 368
defined therein
extending between the first and second faces 364 and 366. Standing proud of
the first face
364 is a puck-like projection 370 that is sized for clearance fit with the
central aperture 346
formed in the mounting plate 330. During fabrication, the first face 364 of
the coupling
member 332 is brought to bear against the second face 350 of the mounting
plate 330 with
the puck-like projection 370 locating in the central aperture 346. Thereafter,
the coupling
CA 02597973 2007-08-17
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member 332 is fastened to the mounting plate 330 by inserting the threaded
fasteners 360
into the aligned the bores 358 and 268 and tightening them. Thus attached, the
coupling
member 332 and mounting plate 330 are fixed to each other for rotation. The
coupling
member 332 further includes a cylindrical hub portion 372 that extends
outwardly from the
second face 366. The hub portion 372 has a blind bore 374 defined at its free
or terminal
end 392 that is adapted for slip fit mating with the splined drive shaft 320.
100951 While in this embodiment, the locating or alignment means provided on
the
coupling member 332 take the form of a centrally disposed puck-like projection
370, it will
be appreciated that in other embodiments alternative alignment means may be
used. In still
other embodiments, such alignment means may be omitted altogether.
Additionally, while
it is preferred for ease of servicing, maintenance and repair to have the
mounting plate 330
and the coupling member 332 fabricated as two separate parts detachably
mountable to
each other, this need not be the case in every application. In another
embodiment, the
mounting plate may be combined with the coupling member to form a single part.
100961 The annular plate 334 has an inwardly projecting flange 376 that
radially bounds
the central aperture 377 formed in the plate 334 and defines a seat for the
sealing gasket
336. When the first coupling assembly 242 is assembled, the annular plate 334
surrounds
the cylindrical hub portion 372 and the gasket 336 tends to form a sea]
between the annular
plate 334 and the cylindrical hub portion 372 to prevent dust or debris from
fouling the
lubricant that coats the bearings (not shown) of the bearing assembly 340.
While it is
generally preferred that gasket 336 be used, in alternative embodiments, the
gasket may be
omitted.
100971 The annular plate 334 has a plurality of bores 378 which are alignable
with
longitudinal blind bores (not shown) drilled into the sidewall 260 at the
second end 258 of
the body 254. During fabrication, threaded fasteners 382 are inserted through
bores 378
and the blind bores and tightened to attach the annular plate 334 to the motor
support
member 250.
10098] The bearing assembly 340 includes a generally annular body 390 having a
central
aperture 392 defined therethrough. As best shown in FIG. 20, the annular body
390 is sized
CA 02597973 2007-08-17
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to fit snugly in the fourth hollow region 290 defined within the motor support
member 250.
The annular body 390 is securely retained at one end by the first retaining
ring 338
mounted in surrounding relation with the terminal end 392 of the hub portion
372 and at the
opposite end by the second retaining ring 342 which engages the inner surface
of the
second sidewall portion 274 of body 254. While in this embodiment, the bearing
assembly
340 is releasably mounted to the motor support member 250, this need not be
the case in
every application. In other embodiments, the bearing assembly may be
integrated into the
motor support member.
[00991 Housed within the annular body 390 is a plurality of bearings (not
shown)
disposed circumferentially about the central aperture 392. When the drive
block 240 is
assembled to the first coupling assembly 242, the bearing assembly 340
surrounds the
cylindrical hub portion 372. In this embodiment, the bearings in the bearing
assembly 340
are roller bearings. In alternative embodiments, other types of bearing could
also be
employed.
[001001 Referring now to FIGS. 23 and 24, there is shown the second coupling
assembly
244 which includes a mounting plate 400 for fixing to the support body 210, a
coupling
member 402, a flanged annular member 404, a first annular sealing gasket 406,
a first
retaining ring 408, a bearing assembly 410, a second retaining ring 414, a
mounting ring
416, a bearing support member 418 and a second annular sealing gasket 412.
1001011 The mounting plate 400 is generally similar to the mounting plate 330
in that has
an annular body 420 with a central aperture 422, a first face 424 and a second
opposed face
426. The first face 424 is joined to the second face 426 by a sidewall 428
formed by a
narrow circumferential band 430 and a tapering sidewall portion 432. When
mounting the
plate 400 to the support body 210, the peripheral edge of the first face 424
is urged to abut
the circumferential shoulder 234 of the support body 210. The narrow band 430
is brought
to bear against the inner surface 224 of the support body 210 and the mounting
plate 400 is
Nvelded to the support body 210 about its tapering sidewall portion 432.
Defined in the
mounting plate 400 is a plurality of bores 434 sized to accommodate fasteners
in the nature
of threaded fasteners 436.
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1001021 The coupling member 402 generally resembles the coupling member 332.
It
includes a disc-shaped portion 440 having a first face 442, a second face 444
and a plurality
of circumferentially spaced bores 446 defined therein extending between the
first and
second faces 442 and 444. Standing proud of the first face 442 is a puck-like
projection
448 that is sized for clearance fit with the central aperture 422 formed in
the mounting plate
400. During fabrication, the first face 442 of the coupling member 402 is
brought to bear
against the second face 426 of the mounting plate 400 with the puck-like
projection 448
locating in the central aperture 422. Thereafter, the coupling member 402 is
fastened to the
mounting plate 400 by inserting the fasteners 436 into the aligned the bores
436 and 446
and tightening them. The coupling member 402 further includes a cylindrical
portion 450
generally similar in shape and size to the cylindrical hub portion 372, except
that the
cylindrical portion 450 has no blind bore defined therein at its terminal end
452.
[00103] The flanged annular member 404 is defined at least partially by a
sidewall 454. A
first circumferential lip or flange 456 extends outwardly from the edge of the
sidewa11454.
The first flange 456 has defined therein a plurality of circumferentially
spaced apertures
458. Radially bounding the central aperture 460 formed in the flanged member
404 is a
second, inwardly projecting flange 462. The second flange 462 forms a seat for
the first
sealing gasket 406. When the second coupling assembly 244 is assembled, the
flanged
annular member 404 surrounds the cylindrical portion 450 and the first gasket
406 tends to
form a seal between the flanged annular member 404 and the cylindrical portion
450 to
prevent dust or debris from fouling the lubricant that coats the bearings (not
shown) of the
bearing assembly 410. The second gasket 412 disposed at the opposite end of
the bearing
assembly 410 and mounted between the bearing assembly 410 and an inwardly
extending
flange 464 of the bearing support member 418 serves a similar sealing
function. Again,
while it is generally preferred that gaskets 406 and 412 be employed, in
alternative
embodiments these gaskets may be omitted.
1001041 In like fashion to the bearing assembly 340, the bearing assembly 410
includes a
generally annular body 470 having a central aperture 472 defined therethrough.
Within the
hollow 474 of the bearing support member 418, the annular body 470 is securely
retained at
one end by the second retaining ring 414 mounted in surrounding relation with
the terminal
CA 02597973 2007-08-17
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end 452 of the cylindrical portion 450 and at the opposite end by the first
retaining ring 408
which engages the inner surface of the sidewall 476 of the bearing support
assembly 418.
While it is generally preferred that the bearing assembly 410 be releasably
mounted to the
bearing support member 418, in alternative embodiments, the bearing assembly
may be
integrated into the motor support member.
1001051 Housed within the annular body 470 is a plurality of bearings (not
shown)
disposed circumferentially about the central aperture 472. When the second
coupling
assembly 244 is assembled, the bearing assembly 410 surrounds the cylindrical
portion 450
and allows free rotation of the coupling member 402 relative to the bearing
support member
418. As with the bearing assembly 340, the bearing assembly 470 uses roller
bearings.
1001061 The bearing support member 418 has a generally tubular body 480 having
a first
end 482, a second end 484 and sidewall 476 extending between the first and
second ends
482 and 484. Extending outwardly from the edge of the sidewall 476 at the
first end 482 is
a first circumferential lip or flange 486. The first flange 486 has defined
therein a plurality
of circumferentially spaced apertures 458 which are alignable with apertures
488 defined in
the mounting ring 416 and apertures 490 formed in the housing side panel 32.
At its first
end 482, the tubular body 480 also has a second, inwardly projecting flange
492 that
radially bounds the hollow 474 in the tubular body 480. When the second
coupling
assembly 244 is assembled, the second gasket 412 sits on the cylindrical
portion 450 and
abuts the inner face of the second flange 492. A plurality of longitudinal
bores 496 drilled
into the sidewall 476 at the second end 484 are alignable with the apertures
458 defined in
the first flange 456 of the flanged annular member 404. During fabrication,
threaded
fasteners 498 are inserted through bores 484 and 458 and tightened to attach
the bearing
support member 418 to the flanged annular member 404.
(00107] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the mounting of the brush cutting head
24 to the
housing 22 of the brush cutter 20 is now described in greater detail. As a
preliminary step,
the brush cutter 20 is operatively connected to the front of a vehicle (not
shown) and the
brush cutting head 24 is placed on the ground or other support surface which
may be raised
above the ground. Care is taken to ensure that the runners 120 and 122 and the
end plates
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172 and 192 are detached from the side panels 32 and 34 and that the cutouts
170 and 190
are free from obstructions. The cover plate 154 is also removed from the
protective
enclosure 150.
1001081 Using the liffting means (not shown) provided on the vehicle (for
instance,
mechanical lifting arms) the housing 22 is hoisted above the brush cutting
head 24 and
positioned such that the arch-shaped cutouts 170 and 190 defined in the side
panels 34 and
32 are aligned with the first and second ends 214 and 216 of the support body
210.
Thereafter, the housing 22 is lowered onto the brush cutting head 24 with the
motor support
member 250 received within the arch-shaped cutout 170 and the bearing support
member
418 accommodated within the arch-shaped cutout 190.
1001091 Once the brush cutting head 24 is properly positioned within the well
35 of the
housing 22, the brush cutting head 24 is attached at each end to the side
panels 32 and 34.
The flange 262 of the motor support member body 254 and the mounting ring 266
are
fastened to the outer face 144 of the side panel 34 by inserting threaded
fasteners 500
through the aligned apertures 264 (defined in the flange 262), apertures 268
(defined in the
mounting ring 266) and apertures 166 (defined in the side panel 34), and
tightening the
fasteners 500.
100110] The end member 172 is then attached to the side panel 34. More
specifically, the
plate portion 174 is fitted into the arch-shaped cutout 170 and secured in
place with the
threaded fasteners 187 extending through the aligned apertures 268 (defined in
the
mounting ring 266) and the apertures 186 (defined in the plate portion 174).
The upturned
semi-annular portion 176 is in turn fastened to the inner face 44 of the side
panel 34.
100111] With the end member 172 secured in place, the runner 122 is next
installed. If
required, the housing 22 is raised off the ground to create sufficient
clearance between the
lower horizontal edge 104 of the side panel 34 and the ground to permit
installation of the
runner 122. To fix the runner 122 to the side panel 34, fasteners 142 are
inserted through
the aligned apertures 138 (defined in the bracket 128) and the apertures 140
(defined in the
side panel 34) and tightened. In like fashion, the end plate 172 is tied to
the runner 122 by
CA 02597973 2007-08-17
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fasteners 142 extending through the aligned apertures 138 and the apertures
186 (defined in
the end plate 172).
1001121 To attach the opposite end of the brush cutting head 24 to the housing
22, the
bearing support member 418 and the mounting member 416 are secured to the
outer face
144 of the side panel 32. Threaded fasteners 502 are inserted into aligned
apertures 458
(defined in the first flange 456 of the bearing support member 418), apertures
488 (defined
in the mounting ring 416) and apertures 490 (defined in the side panel 32) and
the fasteners
502 are then tightened.
[001131 The end member 191 is then attached to the side panel 32 in a manner
similar to
that used to attach the end member 172 to the side panel 34. The plate portion
192 is fitted
into the arch-shaped cutout 190 and secured in place with threaded fasteners
204 extending
through the aligned apertures 488 and the apertures 202 (defined in the plate
portion 192).
The upturned semi-annular portion (not shown) is fastened to the inner face 44
of the side
panel 32.
1001141 Thereafter, the runner 120 is attached to the side panel 32 and the
end member
191. To fix the runner 120 to the side panel 32, fasteners 142 are inserted
through the
aligned apertures 138 (defined in the bracket 128) and the apertures 140
(defined in the side
panel 32) and tightened. In like fashion, the runner 120 is tied to the plate
portion 192 by
fasteners 208 extending through the aligned apertures 138 and the apertures
206 (defined in
the plate portion 192).
1001151 With the mounting of the brush cutting head 24 onto the housing 22
completed,
the hydraulic fluid distribution system 162 is operatively connected to the
hydraulic motor
252 via fluid supply lines tied to the inlet and outlet ports 294 and 296 and
the brush cutter
20 is now operation ready. To actuate the brush cutting head 24, the hydraulic
motor 250 is
energized thereby causing the driveshaft 320 to rotate. By virtue of the
mating connection
between the driveshaft 320 and the cylindrical hub portion 372, the torque
generated by the
driveshaft 320 is transmitted to the support body 210 via the coupling member
332, the
mounting plate 330 and the circumferential shoulders 232 and 234 formed in the
support
body 210. As a result, the support body 210 is urged to rotate about the
longitudinal axis R-
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R. During rotation of the support body 210, neither the motor support member
250 nor the
bearing support member 418 is subjected to torque.
[00116] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the brush cutting head
24 may be
operatively connected to, or detached from, the brush cutter 20 relatively,
quickly and
easily to thereby allow the brush cutter 20 to be rapidly adapted to suit the
field conditions
of the site to be cleared. In a relatively short period of time, the brush
cutter could be
outfitted with a brush cutting head carrying teeth specifically designed for
the terrain. For
instance, where the site to be cleared is rocky, a brush cutting head carrying
thin-edged
cutting teeth could be replaced with a brush cutting head having hammer-type
teeth which
tend to better resist frequent impacts with rocks.
(00117] By housing the drive and bearing assembly 160 substantially within the
hollow
212 defined in the support body 210, the brush cutter 20 tends to avoid many
of the
shortcomings associated with prior art brush cutters. In contrast to those
prior art devices
which require the drive assembly (i.e. the motor and drive belt arrangement)
to be
decoupled from the support body before the brush cutting head can be
disconnected from
the brush cutter (which operation often took three to four hours to perform),
the brush
cutting head 24 can be detached from the brush cutter 20 (i.e. housing 22)
without having to
disconnect the drive block 240 or motor 252 from the support body 210. In the
brush cutter
20, this operation can be carried out in well under one hour.
[00118] Moreover, the brushing cutting head designed in accordance with the
principles of
the present invention allows re-tooling, repair and maintenance activities to
be carried out
on the brush cutter in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner. The drive
block 240 and
the first and second bearing subassemblies 242 and 244 tend to be easily
accessible. In the
event the hydraulic motor 252 is in need of servicing, it may be removed
simply by
unfastening fasteners 312 and decoupling from the cylindrical hub portion 372.
A
replacement motor can be installed quickly with minimal impact on operations.
By
minimizing the time during which the brush cutter is out-of service,
productivity may be
improved and cost savings may be realized.
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[00119] Referring now to FIGS. 8a, 8b and 9, a plurality of protective collars
designated
with reference numerals 542a through to 542u (collectively, "collars 542") are
concentrically mounted to the support body 210 at spaced intervals along the
intermediate
portion 538. As will be explained in greater detail below, pairs of adjacent
collars 542
cooperate with each other to define mounting sites or stations 544 for each
receiving a
cutting tooth assembly 546 therein.
1001201 Referring to FIG. 12, each collar 542 is has a substantially
penannular structure
defined by a relatively flat, circumferentially extending, sidewall 548. The
sidewall 548 is
bounded circumferentially by an outer edge 550 and inner edge 552, and has
first and
second spaced apart ends 554 and 556. The space between the ends 554 and 556
defines a
cutout 558 formed in the collar 542. The cutout 558 is disposed slightly off
centre of the
centreline CL of the collar 542.
1001211 At second sidewall end 556, the outer edge 550 has been trimmed back
(by laser
cutting) at a first location 562 to define a first substantially planar edge
564. A short
distance away from the second sidewall end 556, the edge 564 terminates at a
relatively
small shoulder 566 defined in the outer edge 550. Inwardly of the first end
554 (i.e. moving
counterclockwise), there is a rebate 568 that has been formed by a cut away in
the outer
edge 550. The outer edge 550 has also been trimmed at a second location 570
circumferential] y spaced from the first location 562, to define a second
substantially planar
edge 572 and rebate 574. The edge 572 also terminates at a shoulder 576 of a
size similar to
that of shoulder 566. The rebates 568 and 574 are provided to facilitate the
removal of bits
of wood or debris that may be lodged within the cutting assembly 546.
[00122] Adjacent each of the first and second locations 562 and 570, the inner
edge 552 of
the sidewall 228 has a generally channel-shaped rebate 580, 582 (as the case
may be)
defined therein. The first rebate 580 is circumferentially spaced from the
second rebate 582.
The rebates 580 and 582 provide access to the space between adjacent collars
542 thereby
facilitating the welding of a portion of the cutting tooth assembly 546 to the
collar sidewalls
548.
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[001231 The collars 542 are radially mounted to the support body 210 with
their inner
sidewall edges 552 welded to the curved surface 540. The spacing between
adjacent collars
542 is sized to correspond generally to the width of the cutting tooth
assembly 546 and
tends to minimize the risk that the cutting tooth assembly 546 will be damaged
by violent
contact with a rock or a large tree. Each collar 542 is radially offset from
its adjacent collar
542 such that the cutouts 558 of adjacent collars are staggered relative to
each other. In this
embodiment, each station 544 is defined between the cutout 558 formed in a
given collar
542 and that portion of the sidewall 548 of the adjacent collar 542 that is
disposed opposite
the cutout 558. Referring to FIG. 11, the station 544tu (previously identified
generically as
"station 544") can be seen to be defined between the cutout 558 in collar 542u
and the
portion of sidewall 548 of collar 542t located opposite the first cutout 558.
Each of the
other stations 542, identified in FIG. 8a is similarly defined between the
cutout 558 of one
collar 542 and a portion of sidewall 548 of an adjacent collar 542. As best
shown in FIGS.
8a and 11, each station 544 is circumferentially staggered from its adjacent
station.
1001241 In this embodiment, the staggered arrangement of the collars 542
allows the
plurality of cutting tooth assemblies 546 to be disposed along the support
body 210 in a
generally double helix pattern thereby permitting cutting across the entire
length of the
support body 210 when the brush cutting head 24 is rotated about its
longitudinal axis `R-
R'. It will however be appreciated that the cutting tooth assemblies 546 could
be disposed
differently along the support body 210.
1001251 Turning now to FIGS. 8a, 9 and 13 to 18, the cutting tooth assembly
546 is now
described in greater detail. The cutting tooth assembly 546 includes a cutting
tooth 590 and
a mounting assembly 592 for securely fixing the cutting tooth 590 within a
respective
station 544. The cutting tooth 590 has a base portion 594 having a first end
596 and a
second end 598, and a cutting portion 600 mounted to the second end 598 of the
base
portion 594.
1001261 The base portion 594 has a generally planar, leading face 602, an
opposing trailing
face 604 and two, spaced apart, lateral faces 606 and 608. Defined in the base
portion 604
is a bore 610 that extends between the leading face 602 and the trailing face
604. The bore
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610 is adapted to receive a fastener therethrough to permit fastening of the
cutting tooth
590 to the mounting assembly 592. Adjacent the second end 598, the trailing
face 604 of
the base portion 594 flares outwardly to partially define a wedge-shaped
abutment shoulder
612. The abutment shoulder 612 serves to reinforce the cutting tooth 590 and
enables it to
better resist the high impact forces to which it may be subjected during
operation of the
brush cutting head 24. As a result, the cutting tooth 590 tends to be less
vulnerable to
cracking failures along the area where the cutting portion 600 meets the base
portion 604.
As will be explained in greater detail below, when the cutting tooth 590 is
mounted within
its respective station 544, the abutment shoulder 612 will rest on a portion
of the mounting
assembly 592.
1001271 The cutting portion 600 is carried on the second end 598 of the base
portion 594
in a generally, forwardly leaning or canted fashion, and is integrally formed
with the base
portion 594. The cutting portion 600 has a leading face 620, an opposed
trailing face 622
and two spaced-apart lateral faces 624 and 626. The leading face 620 of the
cutting portion
600 joins the leading face 602 of the base portion 594 while the trailing face
622 joins the
trailing face 604. Adjacent the juncture of the leading face 620 and the
leading 602, a spur
624 projects from the leading face 620. The spur 624 is provided for further
chipping
cutting debris. As best shown in FIG. 14, an external obtuse angle 01 is
formed between the
leading face 620 and the leading face 602. In this embodiment, the angle 01
measures
approximately 116 degrees.
1001281 The leading and trailing faces 620 and 622 cooperate with each other
to define a
tapering, wedge-like, profile 630 that terminates in a cutting edge 632. The
cutting edge
632 is carried forwardly of the leading face 622 of the base portion 594 such
that it tends to
be the first element of cutting tooth 590 to make contact with the brush. The
cutting edge
632 extends generally linearly between the lateral faces 624 and 626 and
substantially
parallel to the rotational axis R-R of the brush cutting head 24. However, in
alternative
embodiments, the cutting edge could be configured differently. For instance,
the cutting
edge could be configured to extend generally diagonally between the lateral
faces 624 and
626, askew of the rotational axis R-R. This configuration would tend to favor
one end of
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the cutting edge over the other contacting the brush. In a further
alternative, the cutting
edge could be scalloped or formed to extend in a generally, zigzagging
fashion.
100129] When the cutting tooth 590 is mounted within the station 544, the
cutting edge
632 extends beyond the first and second edges 564 and 572 of the sidewall 548
(of adjacent
collars 542) to facilitate the cutting action of the tooth. The reduced
profile of the sidewall
548 at the edges 564 and 572 tends to facilitate evacuation of the cutting
debris away from
the station 544 and the cutting tooth 590. In operation, the cutting edge 632
of each cutting
tooth 590 comes into contact with the brush thereby creating debris as a
result of the cutting
action of the cutting tooth 590. As the debris passes over the cutting edge
632, it abrades
the surface of the cutting edge 632 thereby sharpening the cutting tooth 590.
This
sharpening action tends to maintain or enhance the cutting efficiency of the
cutting tooth
and tends to reduce the need for mechanical sharpening. Thereafter the debris
travels along
the channels 642 to be carried away from cutting edge 632.
100130] Returning to FIG. 14, the trailing face 622 of the cutting portion 600
has an upper
portion 634, a lower portion 636 and an intermediate portion 638 disposed
between the
upper portion 634 and lower portion 636. The upper portion 634 extends between
the
cutting edge 632 and the intermediate portion 638. The upper portion 634 is
bent relative to
the intermediate portion 638 such that an internal obtuse angle 02 is defined
therebetween.
In the present embodiment, the angle 02 measures approximately 158.5 degrees.
Similarly,
the lower portion 636, which partially defines the abutment shoulder 612, is
also canted
relative to the intermediate portion 638.
1001311 The cutting portion trailing face 622 has a plurality of knuckle-like
protuberances
in the nature of ridges 640 formed thereon. The ridges 640 are generally
evenly spaced and
extend generally transverse of the cutting edge 632 between the upper and
intermediate
portions 634 and 638 of the trailing face 622. Defined between each pair of
adjacent ridges
640 is a channel or groove 642 which when viewed from the side (as shown in
FIG. 14) is
generally curved. The alternate arrangement of ridges 640 and channels 642
define
corrugations 644 on the trailing face 622. These corrugations serve to direct
rocks, wood
chips and other debris away from the cutting edge 632 thereby minimizing
dispersion of the
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debris over the cutting area. In addition, the ridges 640 can themselves
define additional
cutting edges for improved cutting performance.
1001321 In this embodiment, the grooves 642 are machine ground into the
trailing face 622
during fabrication. However, it should be appreciated that in alternative
embodiments, the
cutting portion 600 could be cast or forged in such a way that grooves and
ridges are
formed.
100133] While in this embodiment, the corrugations 644 have a generally
crenellated
profile when view in cross-section, it will be appreciated that this need not
be the case in all
applications. In alternative embodiments, the corrugations could be configured
differently.
For instance, the corrugations could have a generally arcuate or zigzag
profile when viewed
in cross-section. Other profiles may also be employed to similar advantage.
1001341 While it is preferred that the brush cutting head 24 be used with
cutting teeth 590,
it will be appreciated that other types of teeth could also be used to similar
advantage. More
specifically, it may be advantageous to change the cutting tooth to adapt to
the nature of the
materials likely to be encountered during cutting operations. For instance,
where the terrain
to be cleared is rocky, the cutting tooth 590 described above could be
replaced with a
hammer-type tooth which tends to be better suited to resisting frequent
impacts with rocks
and the like.
1001351 Referring to FIGS. 8a to 11, the mounting assembly 592 includes a
mounting
block 650 disposed forwardly of the cutting tooth 590, a mounting plate 652
disposed
rearwardly of the cutting tooth 590, a fastener in the nature of a nut 654 and
bolt 656, an
abutment plate 658 for placement on the substantially planar edges 564 and
572, and a C-
shaped retaining member 660.
1001361 Referring to FIG. 15, the mounting block 650 is defined by a top face
660, a
bottom face 662 disposed opposite the top face 660, leading and trailing faces
664 and 666
which extend between the top and bottom faces 660 and 662 and a pair of spaced
apart
lateral faces 668, 670. The bottom face 662 is generally arcuate - its radius
of curvature
matching that of the curved surface 220 to thereby facilitate welding of the
mounting block
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650 to the support body 210. The trailing face 666 extends generally upwardly
from the
bottom face 662 to join the top face 660. As compared to the bottom face 662,
the top face
660 is relatively short. The leading face 664 extends away from the top face
660 at a
downward angle toward the bottom face 662. A narrow band 672 joins the leading
face
664 to the bottom face 662. The leading face 664, the narrow band 672 and the
bottom face
662 cooperate with each other to impart to the mounting block 650 a generally
tapering
(wedge-like) profile. It will be appreciated that the configuration of the
mounting block
650 with its sloped leading face 664 tends to encourage the deflection of
debris away from
the cutting tooth 590.
1001371 Formed centrally in the leading face 664 and extending partially into
the top face
660, is a relatively large rebate 674. The rebate 674 defines a generally
curved bottom wall
676 and a leading wall 678 that is generally parallel to and spaced apart from
the trailing
face 666. The rebate 674 communicates with a bore 680 that extends between the
trailing
face 666 and the leading wall 666. The rebate 674 and the bore 680 are sized
to
accommodate the bolt 656 extending therethrough.
1001381 With reference to FIG. 16, the mounting plate 652 is now described in
greater
detail. The mounting plate 652 is a generally rectangular plate with truncated
corners, its
shape defined primarily by a pair of opposed, relatively short, sides 690 and
692 and a pair
of opposed, relatively long sides 694 and 696 that extend between the short
sides 690 and
692. The short sides 690 and 692 and the long sides 694 and 696. Moreover, the
mounting
plate 652 has a leading face 698, an opposed trailing face 700 and an aperture
702 defined
therein between the leading and trailing faces 698 and 700. The aperture 702
is adapted to
receive the bolt 656 therethrough.
1001391 Referring now to FIG. 17, there is shown the abutment plate 658.
Abutment plate
658 is generally C-shaped when viewed in top plan. It has a back portion 710
and a pair of
spaced apart arm portions 712 and 714 joined to the back portion 710 and
extending away
therefrom. The abutment plate 658 further includes a top face 716, an opposed
bottom face
718 and a leading face 720 spanning the back portion 710. The leading face 720
extends
downwardly from the top face 716 toward the bottom face 718. A narrow band 722
joins
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the leading face 720 to the bottom face 718. The leading face 720, the narrow
band 722 and
the bottom face 718 cooperate with each other to impart to the abutment plate
658 a
generally tapering (wedge-like) profile. A portion of the outer-facing side
717 of each arm
portions 712, 714 is also trimmed inwardly starting at a point roughly one
third of the way
from the top face 716 and terminating at the bottom face 718.
1001401 With reference to FIG. 18, the retaining member 660 has a back portion
724 and a
pair of spaced apart arm portions 726 and 728, each depending from one end of
the back
portion 724. To facilitate welding of the arm portions 726 and 728 to the
collars 542, the
terminal end 730 of each arm portion 726, 728 is trimmed on an angle. The
spacing
between the arm portions 726 and 728 is sized so that the retaining member 660
can span
the distance between two adjacent collars 542, with one arm portion 726
abutting the first
face 732 of one collar 542 and the other arm portion 728 abutting the second
face 734 of
another adjacent collar 542.
100141] As best shown in FIG. 11, during fabrication of the brush cutting head
24, the
mounting block 650 and the abutment plate 658 are fixed to adjacent collars
542u and 542t
(as the case may be). More specifically, the mounting block 650 is positioned
between
adjacent collars 542u and 542t with its bottom face 662 abutting the curved
surface 540 of
the support body 210 and its trailing face 666 disposed flush with the
sidewall end 554 of
collar 542u so as to allow unobstructed access to the cutout 558 during re-
tooling. The
mounting block 650 is then welded to the adjacent collars 542 about the first
and second
rebates 580 and 582. The abutment plate 658 is mounted to span the space
between
adjacent collars 542u and 542t. The first arm portion 712 of the abutment
plate 658 is
supported on the first substantially planar edge 564, while the second arm
portion 714 rests
on the second substantially planar edge 572. At their terminal extremities the
arm portions
712 and 714 abut the shoulders 566 and 576 defined on the outer edges of the
collars 542u
and 542t. Thus disposed, the abutment plate 658 is welded in place.
1001421 Referring now to FIG. 11, the attachment of the cutting tooth 590 to
the brush
cutting head 24 is now described in greater detail in the context of station
544ab. The
cutting tooth base portion 594 is placed between the mounting block 650 and
the abutment
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plate 658 with its leading face 664 abutting the trailing face 666 of the
mounting block 650
and its abutment shoulder 612 bearing on the leading face 620 of the abutment
plate 658.
The mounting plate 652 is then placed between the collars 542a and 542b with
its long side
694 abutting the curved surface 540 and its opposed long side 696 abutting the
bottom of
the abutment plate 658. Thereafter, the bolt 656 is inserted into the aligned
apertures of the
mounting block 650, the cutting tooth 590 and the mounting plate 652 and
securely
fastened with the nut 654. The space between the arm portions 712 and 714
facilitates the
use of a tool to tighten or loosen (as the case may be) the nut 654.
1001431 It will be appreciated that in other embodiments different collars and
cutting tooth
assemblies may be employed to similar advantage, for instance, those described
and shown
in United States Patent Application Serial No. 11/431,748 and United States
Patent No.
6,764,035; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
1001441 While in the embodiment shown in FIGS. I to 24, the brush cutting head
24 is
provided with a drive and bearing assembly 160 having a single motor 252
carried at one
end of the support member 210, this need not be the case in every application.
In an
alternative embodiment, it may be possible to construct a drive and bearing
assembly
having two motors - one disposed at each end of the support body. FIGS. 25 to
30 show a
brush cutter 800 which includes an alternate brush cutting head 802
incorporating such a
drive and bearing assembly identified in the drawings with reference numeral
930.
[00145) Brush cutter 800 includes an open-bottom housing 804 defined generally
by a
front panel assembly 806, a rear panel assembly 808 and a pair of side panels
810 and 812.
The panel assemblies 806 and 808 extend longitudinally between, and are joined
to, the
side panels 810 and 812. A curved wall 814 disposed within the interior of the
housing 804
spans the space between the side panels 810 and 812, its curved profile
partially defining a
well 814 (best shown in FIG. 29) sized to accommodate the brush cutting head
802.
1001461 With reference to FIG. 26, the front panel assembly includes a lower
panel 820
and three upper panels - a first upper panel 822, a second upper panel 824 and
a third upper
panel 826 disposed between the first upper panel 822 and the second upper
panel 824. The
lower panel 820 is a bent steel panel whose margins are defined by a rear
upper
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longitudinal edge 828, a front lower longitudinal edge 830, and a pair of
spaced apart side
edges 832 and 834 extending between the longitudinal edges 828 and 830. The
lower panel
820 is welded to the inner faces 840 of the side panels 810 and 812 along its
side edges 832
and 834. The lower panel 820 includes an upper portion 842 and a lower portion
844. The
lower portion 842 extends generally vertically upwards from the front lower
edge 830 to a
first corner 846 whereat it meets the upper portion 844. The front lower edge
830 is carried
above the axis of rotation R-R of the brush cutting head 800 (as best shown in
FIG. 27)
leaving the front of the housing 804 substantially open to allow the brush
cutting head 802
to engage the brush to be cut as the brush cutter 800 travels over an area to
be cleared.
1001471 Each upper panel 822, 824, 826 is a bent steel panel having a lower
portion 850
and an upper portion 852 which meets the lower portion 850 at a corner 854.
The upper
portion 852 has a generally horizontal orientation and defines the top of the
housing 804.
Defined in the upper portions 852 of the first and second upper panels 824 and
826 are
cutouts 856 through which extend tabs 858. The tabs 858 provide an attachment
site for
fixing a protective member in the nature of bar (not shown) for protecting the
housing 804
from being crushed or otherwise damaged by a falling tree during operation of
the brush
cutter 800. The upper panels 822, 824 and 826 are attached to the housing 804
with
fasteners 828.
100148J The rear panel assembly 808 includes first and second, rectangular,
rear panels
860 and 862 mounted side-by-side and fastened to the housing 804 by a
plurality of
fasteners (not shown).
1001491 Referring to FIGS. 28, 29 and 30, each side panel 810, 812 is a steel
panel having
a roughly rectangular shape with its top front corner 863, bottom front corner
864 and
bottom rear corner 865 truncated. The margins of each side panel 810, 812 are
defined by
an upper horizontal edge 866, an opposed lower horizontal edge 868 and front
and rear
edges 870 and 872 that extend between the upper and lower horizontal edges 866
and 868.
The rear edge 872 runs substantially vertically from the upper horizontal edge
866 to the
lower horizontal edge 868. The front edge 870 includes a frontwardly inclined
edge portion
874 extending from the lower horizontal edge 868, a vertically extending edge
portion 876
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running upwardly from the edge portion 874, and a rearwardly inclined or
slanted edge
portion 878 that joins the vertically extending edge portion 876 to the upper
horizontal edge
866. A deflector plate 880, 882 is welded to the vertically extending edge
portion 876 of
each side panel 810, 812. As best shown in FIG. 27, the deflector plates 880
and 882 flare
slightly from the plane of their respective side panels 810 and 812. In like
fashion to
deflector plates 114 and 116, the deflectors plates 810 and 812 tend to
encourage the brush
to be cut toward the brush cutting head 802 during operation of the brush
cutter 800.
[001501 Fastened to the lower horizontal edge 868 of each side panel 810, 812
is a ski-like
runner 884, 886 that is generally similar to runner 120, 122 in that it
includes a steel strip
888 whose bottom face 890 is adapted for contact with the ground and a bracket
892
welded to the top face 894 of the strip 888 for securing the runner 884, 886
to the side panel
810, 812. The strip 888 has front and rear upturned ends 896 and 898 and a
flat portion 900
disposed intermediate the front and rear ends 896 and 898. The bracket 892 is
similarly
shaped to correspond to the profile of the strip 888. A plurality of apertures
902 formed in
the bracket 892 are alignable with corresponding apertures 904 defined in each
side panel
810, 812 adjacent the lower horizontal edge 868 thereof, to allow fasteners
906 to be
received therethrough.
1001511 Each side panel 810, 812 is similarly configured in that it carries on
its outer face
910 a protective enclosure 912 defined by a peripheral sidewall 914 standing
proud of the
side panel 810, 812 and a removable cover plate 916. The peripheral sidewall
914 has a gap
918 formed therein along its lowermost margin to allow detachment of the brush
cutting
head 802 from the housing 804 during maintenance, repair or re-tooling of the
brush cutter
20. The cover plate 916 may be attached to the peripheral sidewall 914 using
fasteners (not
shown). When secured to the peripheral sidewall 914, the cover plate 916 in
cooperation
with bent plate 920 (best shown in FIG. 29) is adapted to close off the space
defined by the
peripheral sidewall 914 and the outer face 910 to prevent dirt, dust or debris
from entering
into the drive and bearing assembly 930 and the hydraulic fluid distribution
system (not
shown) (said system being accessible through a rectangular opening 932 formed
in the side
panel 810, 812).
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[00152] As best shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, each side panel 810, 812 has defined
therein a
generally semi-circular, arch-shaped cutout 940 sized to allow a portion of
the drive and
bearing assembly 930 to be accommodated therein. Adjacent the straight edges
defining
the cutout 940, the side panel has a plurality of apertures 942.
1001531 Also provided, is an end member 944 designed to close off the arched-
shaped
cutout 940. The end member 944 includes a plate portion 946 that is configured
to fit
within the arch-shaped cutout 940 and an upturned semi-annular portion 948
welded to the
back of the plate portion 946. The upturned semi-annular portion 948 is
adapted for
abutment with a downturned semi-annular portion 949 (best shown in FIG. 29)
fastened to
the inner face 840 of the side panel (in this case side panel 812). When
abutted, the semi-
annular portion 948 and the downturned semi-annular portion 949 together
define a
protective end ring or collar which serves to block dust or debris from
entering into the
interior of the brush cutting head 802.
[00154] The plate portion 946 is defined by a lower horizontal edge 950, an
opposed
downwardly concaving edge 952 and a pair of spaced part substantially vertical
edges 954
and 956 extending between the edges 950 and 952. Disposed along the downwardly
concaving edge 952 is a plurality of apertures 958 configured to receive
fasteners 960 for
securing the plate portion 946 to side panel 810, 812. Adjacent the lower
horizontal edge
950 of the plate portion 946, a pair of apertures 962 is provided. The
apertures 962 are
alignable with the corresponding apertures 902 in the bracket 892 to allow the
insertion of
fasteners 964 therethrough to secure the plate portion 946 to the bracket 892.
[00155] Referring now to FIG. 31, 32, there is shown the brush cutting head
802. The
brush cutting head 800 includes a tubular support body 970 and the drive and
bearing
assembly 930 housed substantially within the hollow 972 defined in the support
body 970.
The support body 970 is generally similar to the support body 210 in that it
has a first end
974, an opposed second end 976 and an intermediate portion 978 extending
between the
first and second ends 974 and 976. The support body 970 has a circular cross-
section
defined by a circumferential wall 980 having an outer surface 982 and an inner
surface 984.
Disposed along the outer surface 982 is a plurality of cutting tooth
assemblies 986.
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[00156] In like fashion to the support body 210, the thickness of the
circumferential wall
980 is not constant throughout the length of the support body 970. More
specifically, the
circumferential wall 970 is thinner at the regions 990 and 992 of the support
body 970
(which regions extend inwardly from the first and second ends 974 and 976 a
short
distance) than at the mid-length of the support body 970. In the regions 990
and 992 the
hollow 972 has a greater cross-sectional area to accommodate the drive and
bearing
assembly 930. Defined by the increased thickness of the circumferential wall
980 beyond
the regions 990 and 992, are circumferentially extending shoulders 994 and 996
upon
which portions of the drive and bearing assembly 930 will abut.
[00157] The support body 970 however differs from support body 210 in that it
is sized
longer and has a greater diameter than the support body 210.
[001581 In contrast to the drive and bearing assembly 160 shown in FIG. 19
which only
has a single drive block 240, the drive and bearing assembly 930 includes a
first drive block
1000 operatively connected to a first coupling assembly 1002 and a second
drive block
1004 operatively connected to a second coupling assembly 1006. The first drive
block
1000 and the first coupling assembly 1002 are adapted to fit within the hollow
972 in the
region 990, while the second drive block 1004 and the second coupling assembly
1006 are
designed to fit in the hollow 972 in the region 992. The provision of two
drive blocks
allows greater torque to be generated for the rotation of the support body
970.
[00159] The first drive block 1000 and first coupling assembly 1002
combination is
identical to the second drive block 1004 and second coupling assembly 1006
combination
such that a description of one will suffice for the other. Referring now to
FIGS. 33, 34 and
35, the first drive block 1000 includes a hollow motor support member 1010 and
a
hydraulic motor 1012 adapted to fit at least partially within the motor
support member
1010. The motor support member 1010 has a sleeve-like body 1014 with a first
end 1016,
an opposed second end 1018 and a generally cylindrical sidewall 1020 extending
between
the first and second ends 1016 and 1018. At the first end 1016, the body 1014
has a flange
or outwardly projecting ring or collar 1022 joined to the sidewall 1020.
However, unlike
flange 262 shown in FIG. 21, which extends about the entire circumference of
the body
CA 02597973 2007-08-17
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254, the flange 1022 is trimmed back to impart a generally horseshoe-like
shape to the
flange 1022. Defined in the flange 1022 are a first plurality of threaded
apertures 1024
alignable with apertures 942 defined in the side panel 812 (or side panel 810,
as the case
may be) and a second plurality of threaded apertures 1026 which are provided
to allow
fastening of the hydraulic motor 1012 to the motor support member 1010.
[00160] In like fashion to the flange 1022, a portion of the sidewall 1020 is
also trimmed
back. In the area where the sidewall 1020 has been trimmed, a rebate 1030 has
been
formed. The rebate 1030 is sized to accommodate therethrough the passage of a
hydraulic
fluid sensor line (not shown) connected to the hydraulic motor 1012. The
sidewall 1020
defines an interior hollow 1032 within the body 1014 and includes a first
sidewall portion
1034 extending from the first end 1016 to a juncture 1036 and a second
sidewall portion
1038 extending from the second end 1018 to meet the first sidewall portion
1034 at the
juncture 1036. Defined at circumferentially spaced locations along the first
sidewall
portion 1034 are a plurality of relatively large cutouts 1040.
1001611 As best shown in FIG. 33, the outer diameter of the body 1014 defined
by the first
sidewall portion 1034 is greater than the outer diameter of the body 1014
defined by the
second sidewall portion 1038. At the juncture 1036, a portion of the sidewall
1020 extends
radially inward from the first sidewall portion 1034 to define a first
shoulder 1042.
Projecting from the first shoulder 1042 at each corner thereof is a locating
pin or dowel
1046.
100162] The hollow 1032 includes a first region 1050 extending between the
flange 1022
and the first shoulder 1042, a second region 1052 spanning from the first
shoulder 1042 to a
second shoulder 1054 defined by a radially outwardly extending portion of the
sidewall
1020 and a third region 1056 extending from the second shoulder 1054 to the
second end
1018 of the body 1014. Each region 1050, 1052 and 1056 is open at either end
to provide
access to the next adjacent region. As best shown in FIG. 35, the first region
1050 is
roughly square and is configured to correspond generally to the shape of the
hydraulic
motor 1012. Both the second and third regions 1052 and 1056 have a generally
cylindrical
shape. However, the third region 1056 is sized larger than the second region
1052.
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1001631 The hydraulic motor 1012 has a first end 1060, a second end 1062 and a
housing
body 1064 that extends between the first and second ends 1060 and 1062.
Projecting from
the first end 1060 of the housing body 1064 is a hydraulic coupling member
1066. The
hydraulic coupling member 1066 includes inlet and outlet ports 1068 and 1070
defined on
its top face 1072. The ports 1068 and 1070 are connectable to the hydraulic
fluid
distribution system (not shown) for fluid communication therewith via flexible
fluid supply
lines or hoses (not shown).
1001641 A horseshoe-shaped member 1074 whose shape corresponds generally to
that of
flange 1022 but is sized relatively smaller, is fastened to the first end
1060. The horse-
shaped member 1074 partially surrounds the hydraulic coupling member 1066 and
provides
a flange to the housing body 1064 for fixing the hydraulic motor 1012 to the
motor support
member 1010. The horseshoe-shaped member 1074 has a plurality of apertures
1076 that
are alignable with the apertures 1026 defined within the flange 1022 and
through which
threaded fasteners 1078 may be inserted.
[00165] The housing body 1064 is formed with a roughly square, end wall 1080.
When
the motor 1012 is attached to the motor support member 1010, the end wall 1080
abuts the
first shoulder 1042. Disposed at each corner of the end wall 1080 is an
aperture 1082 that
is adapted to receive one of the locating pins 1046 of the motor support
member body 1014
for mating connection therewith. It will be appreciated that in an alternative
embodiment,
each locating dowel 1046 may be replaced with an aperture defined in the first
shoulder
1042. Such an aperture would be alignable with an aperture 1082 and would be
configured
to receive therethrough a threaded fastener. In such an embodiment, the
cutouts 1040
would provide access to the second hollow region 1052 to allow facilitate
insertion and
tightening of each fastener.
1001661 Extending outwardly from the second end 1062 of the hydraulic motor
1012 is a
splined driveshaft 1084 for connecting to the first coupling assembly 1002.
1001671 While it is preferred that the motor 1012 be hydraulically powered, it
will be
appreciated that this need not be the case in every application. In other
embodiments, other
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motors may be used to similar advantage, for instance, pneumatically-powered
motors or
gas-powered motors.
[001681 Referring now to FIGS. 34 to 36, the first coupling assembly 1002 is
generally
similar to the first coupling assembly 242 in that it includes a mounting
plate 1090 for
fixing to the support body 970, a coupling member 1092 for mating to the
driveshaft 1084,
a flat annular plate 1094 attachable to the motor support member 1010, a first
retaining ring
1098, a bearing assembly 1100 and a second retaining ring 1102.
1001691 The mounting plate 1090 resembles mounting plate 330. It has an
annular body
1110 with a central aperture 1112, a first face 1114 and a second opposed face
1116.
Joining the first face 1114 to the second face 1116 is a sidewall 1118 formed
by a narrow
circumferential band 1120 and a tapering sidewall portion 1122. When mounting
the plate
1090 to the support body 970, the peripheral edge of the first face 1114 is
urged to abut the
circumferential shoulder 996 of the support body 970. The narrow band 1120 is
brought to
bear against the inner surface 984 of the support body 970 and the mounting
plate 1090 is
welded to the support body 970 about its tapering sidewall portion 1122.
Defined in the
mounting plate 1090 is a plurality of bores 1124 sized to accommodate
fasteners in the
nature of threaded fasteners 1126.
[00170] In like fashion to the coupling member 332, the coupling member 1092
includes a
disc-shaped portion 1130 having a first face 1132, a second face 1134 and a
plurality of
circumferentially spaced bores 1136 defined therein. Standing proud of the
first face 1132
is a puck-like projection 1138 that is sized for clearance fit with the
central aperture 1112
formed in the mounting plate 1090. During fabrication, the first face 1132 of
the coupling
member 1092 is brought to bear against the second face 1116 of the mounting
plate 1090
with the puck-like projection 1138 locating in the central aperture 1112.
Thereafter, the
coupling member 1092 is fastened to the mounting plate 1090 by inserting the
threaded
fasteners 1126 into the aligned the bores 1124 and 1136 and tightening them.
Thus
attached, the coupling member 1092 and mounting plate 1090 are fixed to each
other for
rotation. The coupling member 1092 further includes a cylindrical hub portion
1140 that
extends outwardly from the second face 1134. The hub portion 1140 has a blind
bore 1142
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defined at its free or terminal end 1144 that is adapted for slip fit mating
with the splined
drive shaft 1084.
[00171] The annular plate 1094 is has a wall 1150 that radially bounds the
central aperture
1152 formed in the plate 1094. When the first coupling assembly 1002 is
assembled, the
annular plate 1094 surrounds the cylindrical hub portion 1140. The annular
plate 1094 has a
plurality of bores 1154 which are alignable with longitudinal blind bores 1156
drilled into
the sidewall 1020 at the second end 1018 of the body 1014. During fabrication,
threaded
fasteners 1158 are inserted through bores 1154 and 1156 and tightened to
attach the annular
plate 1094 to the motor support member 1010.
[00172] The bearing assembly 1100 includes a generally annular body 1160
having a
central aperture 1162 defined therethrough. As best shown in FIG. 33, the
annular body
1160 is sized to fit snugly in the third hollow region 1056 defined within the
motor support
member 1010. The annular body 1160 is securely retained at one end by the
first retaining
ring 1098 mounted in surrounding relation with the terminal end 1144 of the
hub portion
1140 and at the opposite end by the second retaining ring 1102 which engages
the inner
surface of the second sidewall portion 1038 of body 1014. Housed within the
annular body
1160 is a plurality of bearings (not shown) disposed circumferentially about
the central
aperture 1162. When the drive block 1000 is assembled to the first coupling
assembly
1002, the bearing assembly 1110 surrounds the cylindrical hub portion 1140.
[00173] Referring now to FIGS. 29 and 30, the mounting of the brush cutting
head 802 to
the housing 804 of the brush cutter 800 is now described in greater detail.
The brush cutter
800 is operatively connected to the front of a vehicle (not shown) and the
brush cutting
head 802 is placed on the ground or other support surface which may be raised
above the
ground. Care is taken to ensure that the runners 884 and 886 and the end
members 944 are
detached from the side panels 810 and 812 and that the cutouts 940 are free
from
obstructions. The cover plate 916 is also removed from the protective
enclosure 912.
1001741 Using the lifting means (not shown) provided on the vehicle (for
instance,
mechanical lifting arms) the housing 804 is hoisted above the brush cutting
head 802 and
positioned such that the arch-shaped cutouts 940 defined in the side panels
810 and 812 are
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aligned with the first and second ends 974 and 976 of the support body 970.
Thereafter, the
housing 804 is lowered onto the brush cutting head 802 with the motor support
member
1010 of each drive block 1000 and 1004 received within each arch-shaped cutout
940.
100175] Once the brush cutting head 802 is properly positioned within the well
814 of the
housing 804, the brush cutting head 802 is attached at each end to the side
panels 812 and
814. The flange 1022 of each motor support member body 1014 is fastened to the
outer
face of each side panel 812, 814 by inserting threaded fasteners 1170 through
the aligned
apertures 1024 (defined in the flange 1022) and apertures 942 (defined in the
side panels
812, 814), and tightening the fasteners 1170.
1001761 The end members 944 are then attached to the side panels 812 and 814.
More
specifically, each plate portion 946 is fitted into each respective arch-
shaped cutout 940 and
secured in place with the threaded fasteners 960 extending through the aligned
apertures
1170 (defined in the flange 1022) and the apertures 958 (defined in the plate
portion 1024).
The upturned semi-annular portions 948 are in turn fastened to the inner faces
840 of the
side panel 812 and 814.
1001771 With the end members 944 secured in place, the runners 884 and 886 are
next
installed. If required, the housing 804 is raised off the ground to create
sufficient clearance
between the lower horizontal edges 868 of the side panel 812 and 814 and the
ground to
permit installation of the runners 884 and 886. To fix each runner 884, 886 to
its respective
side panel 810, 812, fasteners 906 are inserted through the aligned apertures
902 (defined in
each bracket 892) and the apertures 904 (defined in each side panel 810, 812)
and
tightened.
[00178] With the mounting of the brush cutting head 802 onto the housing 804
completed,
the hydraulic fluid distribution system (not shown) is operatively connected
to the hydraulic
motor 1012 via fluid supply lines tied to the inlet and outlet ports 1068 and
1070 and the
brush cutter 800 is now operation ready. To actuate the brush cutting head
800, the
hydraulic motors 1012 of each drive block 1000 and 1004 are energized thereby
causing
their respective driveshafts 1084 to rotate. By virtue of the mating
connection between
each driveshaft 1084 and its associated cylindrical hub portion 1140, the
torque generated
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by each driveshaft 1084 is transmitted to the support body 970 via the
coupling members
1092, the mounting plate 1090 and the circumferential shoulders 994 and 996
formed in the
support body 970. As a result, the support body 970 is urged to rotate about
the longitudinal
axis R-R. A hydraulic fluid sensor (not shown) operatively connected to the
hydraulic
fluid distribution system associated with each drive block 1000, 1004 monitors
the speed of
the hydraulic motor 1012 of the drive block 1000 to ensure that it matches the
speed of the
hydraulic motor 1012 of the drive block 1004. During rotation of the support
body 970, the
motor support members 1010 are not subjected to torque.
[00179] In like fashion to the brush cutting head 24, the brush cutting head
802 can be
relatively easily attached/detached from the brush cutter 20 while minimizing
the duration
of out-of-service periods. Additionally, the configuration of the drive and
bearing assembly
930 tends to permit the performance of re-tooling, repair and maintenance
activities in a
cost-effective and time-efficient manner. As previously mentioned, with the
provision of
two hydraulic motors 1012, the drive and bearing assembly 930 allows for the
use of a
larger and heavier support body 970 to meet more challenging field conditions.
1001801 Referring now to FIG. 31, a plurality of protective collars designated
generally
with reference numerals 1180 are concentrically mounted to the support body
970 at spaced
intervals along the intermediate portion 978. As with the collars 542 of the
brush cutting
head 24, pairs of adjacent collars 1180 cooperate with each other to define
mounting sites
or stations 1182 for each receiving a cutting tooth assembly 986 therein. The
configuration
and structure of the collars 1180 and the cutting tooth assemblies 986 is
generally similar to
that described in United States Patent No. 6,764,035 such that it is not
necessary for the
purposes of this specification to describe these components and their mounting
on the
support body 970 in greater detail.
1001811 It will however be appreciated that in alternative embodiments,
different collars
and cutting tooth assemblies may be employed to similar advantage. For
example, it may
be possible to use the collars 542 and cutting tooth assemblies 546 described
above or those
described and shown in United States Patent Application Serial No. 11/431,748.
CA 02597973 2007-08-17
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[00182] Although the foregoing description and accompanying drawings relate to
specific
preferred embodiments of the present invention as presently contemplated by
the inventor,
it will be understood that various changes, modifications and adaptations, may
be made
without departing from the spirit of the invention.
