U.S. patent application number 10/966450 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-20 for dry material surface applicator.
Invention is credited to Leslie L. Auer, Mitchell R. Auer, Bart A. Erickson.
Application Number | 20060081163 10/966450 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36147261 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060081163 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Auer; Leslie L. ; et
al. |
April 20, 2006 |
DRY MATERIAL SURFACE APPLICATOR
Abstract
A dry material surface applicator comprising: a plurality of
receptacles for attaching hoses from an air seeder cart; a
plurality of towers mounted on a boom; a plurality of smaller
distribution tubes emanating from each tower; a plurality of
deflector shields mounted to the rear side of the boom; two boom
wheels at either end of the boom; a center section comprising a
single axle, two center wheels, an inside support bar, and two
outside support bars; two swing arms, each of which is pivotally
connected to one of the outside support bars of the center section
proximate the center wheels; two main arms, each of which is
releasably attached to a swing arm on one end and a bracket mounted
to the boom on the other end; and a latching mechanism that locks
the swing arm in place when the applicator is in a field or highway
position.
Inventors: |
Auer; Leslie L.; (Broadview,
MT) ; Erickson; Bart A.; (Broadview, MT) ;
Auer; Mitchell R.; (Billings, MT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Antoinette M. Tease, P.L.L.C.
PO Box 51016
Billings
MT
59105
US
|
Family ID: |
36147261 |
Appl. No.: |
10/966450 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
111/130 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01B 73/067 20130101;
A01M 9/0076 20130101; A01M 9/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
111/130 |
International
Class: |
A01C 7/08 20060101
A01C007/08; A01C 17/00 20060101 A01C017/00; B05B 3/00 20060101
B05B003/00; B05B 3/18 20060101 B05B003/18 |
Claims
1. A material surface applicator comprising: (a) a plurality of
receptacles for attaching hoses from an air seeder cart; (b) a
plurality of primary distribution tubes extending from the rear of
the receptacles; (c) a plurality of towers that are mounted on a
boom; (d) a plurality of secondary distribution tubes emanating
from each tower; (e) a plurality of deflector shields mounted to
the rear side of the boom; (f) two boom wheels at either end of the
boom; (g) a center section comprising a single axle, two center
wheels, an inside support bar, and two outside support bars; (h)
two swing arms, each of which is pivotally connected to one of the
outside support bars of the center section proximate the center
wheels; (i) two main arms, each of which is releasably attached to
a swing arm on one end and a bracket on the other end, wherein the
bracket is mounted to the boom; and (j) a latching mechanism that
locks the swing arm in place when the material surface applicator
is in a field or highway position.
2. The material surface applicator of claim 1, wherein the boom is
pivotally connected to the center section so that the boom can be
folded back when the material surface applicator is in a trail or
highway position.
3. The material surface applicator of claim 1, wherein the number
of receptacles equals the number of air seeder hoses.
4. The material surface applicator of claim 1, wherein the number
of towers equals the number of primary distribution tubes.
5. The material surface applicator of claim 1, wherein the
secondary distribution tubes deliver material to the deflector
shields, and wherein the deflector shields evenly distribute the
material over the surface of a field.
6. The material surface applicator of claim 1, wherein material is
evenly distributed through the air seeder hoses by a meter on the
air seeder cart, and wherein a hydraulic-driven fan on the air
seeder cart propels the material through the air seeder hoses,
primary distribution tubes, secondary distribution tubes, and out
through the deflector shields onto the surface of a field.
7. The material surface applicator of claim 1, wherein the center
wheels are stationary wheels.
8. The material surface applicator of claim 1, wherein the boom
wheels are non-caster wheels with a quarter-turn plate.
9. The material surface applicator of claim 8, wherein the
quarter-turn plate allows the boom wheels to be rotated ninety
degrees.
10. The material surface applicator of claim 1, further comprising
two saddles mounted on each side of the boom for receiving the main
arms when the material surface applicator is in highway
position.
11. The material surface applicator of claim 1, wherein the
latching mechanism comprises a latch arm, a first spring, a second
spring, and a rod, wherein the latch arm controls the first spring,
wherein the first spring controls the rod, wherein the swing arm
comprises a swing arm extension, wherein the swing arm extension
comprises a notch, and wherein the rod fits into the notch in the
swing arm extension when the swing arm is in a locked position.
12. The material surface applicator of claim 11, wherein the second
spring pushes the swing arm away from the latching mechanism when
the first spring is compressed and the rod is retracted from the
notch in the swing arm extension.
13. The material surface applicator of claim 1, further comprising
a first adjustment arm and a second adjustment arm, wherein the
center section further comprises a center section housing, wherein
the first adjustment arm stabilizes the center section housing, and
wherein the second adjustment arm raises or lowers the swing arm so
that the swing arm hits the latching mechanism at the correct
angle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of agricultural
machinery, and more specifically, to a piece of equipment that
allows for the distribution of dry material over agricultural
fields.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Several different versions of a spraying system and/or tool
bar have been invented and patented. None of these inventions,
however, solves the problem of evenly distributing dry material
over the surface of a large area with a piece of equipment that is
easily maneuvered and transported. Furthermore, none of these
inventions is designed to be used with existing air seeder carts,
which are already present on most farms. The discussion below
illustrates the evolution of the background art in this field.
[0005] In U.S. Pat. No. 2,657,949 (Morrison, 1953), the inventor
disclosed an agricultural machine for distributing chemical weed
destroyers and other spray materials. This invention is limited in
that it contains spray nozzles for the distribution of liquid
chemicals. It is also limited in that includes caster wheels, which
can contribute to skidding and are also more difficult to maintain
than non-caster wheels. Furthermore, with this design, the wheels
on the outer ends of the spray boom are not aligned with the center
section, which can also contribute to skidding.
[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. 3,447,750 (Weston, 1969), the inventor
described a spraying boom for mounting on an agricultural tractor
or similar self-propelled vehicle. As with the '949 patent, this
patent is limited in that it is intended for use with liquid
chemicals and not dry materials. In addition, this design
encompasses a suspended boom, which is problematic in terms of
efficacy and durability. The apparatus mounts on either side of the
front of a tractor, so that it is pushed--not pulled--by the
tractor.
[0007] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,892 (Dietrich, Sr. et al., 1978), the
inventors provided an agricultural folding tool bar with a rigid
cross frame. This invention is limited in that it includes a rigid
(or double) cross frame as opposed to a single cross frame.
Although it can be used to apply dry material, this device does so
by means of a ground-engaging implement. It is intended more for
use as a planter rather than as an applicator for dry fertilizer.
This particular device does not have any center section, which
would contribute to its stability, and it has non-aligned, caster
wheels (i.e., the wheels are not aligned with the cross frame but
rather sit behind it.
[0008] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,004 (Frase et al., 1985), the
inventors described a collapsible farm implement that has a central
support and two toolbars that are hingedly connected to the central
support. One significant limitation of this invention is that it
relies on hydraulics for its operation. Another limitation is that
it is ground-engaging and cannot be used as a broadcasting system
for distributing dry material on the surface of a field. This
apparatus lacks the simplicity and ease of manufacture of the
present invention.
[0009] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,857 (Wilger, 1987), the inventor
disclosed an agricultural field sprayer frame with two laterally
extending boom sections. The boom sections fold inward for
transportation, but the folding and unfolding of the booms is
controlled by hydraulics. As with the '949 and '750 patents
discussed above, this invention is intended to be used for the
distribution of liquid chemicals and not dry materials. This
particular invention has a double hinge in the center of each boom
that effectuates a double fold in the boom but that also
contributes to the overall weakness of this design. The combination
of a double tandem center section with four wheels on the booms
increases the risk of skidding.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,930 (Pask, 1988) involves an
agricultural field sprayer with a main boom center section and wing
sections that are hingedly attached to the center section. The wing
sections are each comprised of two booms--a main boom and a spray
boom. This invention is limited in that it applies only to the
application of liquid chemical solutions. The invention is further
limited in that it relies on hydraulics for movement of the booms.
In addition, the wing sections are offset from direct alignment
with the center section (in other words, this patent teaches away
from direct alignment of the center section with the booms). The
wing sections are supported by caster wheels that can be locked in
a non-castering mode for transport.
[0011] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,757 (Bourgault et al., 1991), the
inventors described a sprayer implement comprised of two wing booms
that are independently controlled by hydraulic cylinders. This
invention is limited in that it applies only to the spraying of
liquid chemicals and it relies on hydraulics. It also has caster
wheels, which can cause skidding when the tractor takes a sharp
turn.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,579 (Tellefson, 1992) relates to a
method and apparatus for applying fixed nitrogen to plants. The
invention comprises a farming implement with a boom on which a
series of bell-shaped members are mounted. Inside of each
bell-shaped member is an ion emitter. An electrical circuit ion
generating mechanism is connected to the ion emitters, and a power
source is provided for energizing the electrical circuit. This
invention is limited in that it is dependent upon the generation of
electricity, and it cannot be used to broadcast dry material over a
field surface.
[0013] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,328 (Broyhill, 1993), the inventor
provided a spray boom apparatus that folds up vertically so that it
can fit through a doorway. This invention is limited in that it is
designed for use with liquid chemicals. In addition, the multiple
folding points represent potential weak points in the
structure.
[0014] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,854 (Kinder, 1997), the inventor
disclosed a foldable spraying system with a closed boom (called a
"bottomless box" in the patent) and four caster wheels. This
invention is limited in that it applies only to the spraying of
liquid chemicals.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,950 (Shoup, 2002) involves a foldable
implement frame and hitch designed to carry an air-injection
planter for corn and other hard kernel grains, rotary hoes,
"duck-foot" field cultivators, and similar ground-engaging
implements. The apparatus has two wing frames that are moved by a
hydraulic motor. Motors are also used to move the field wheels and
the dedicated transport wheels from ground-engaging, transport
positions to stored positions. This invention is limited in that it
applies primarily to ground-engaging implements and relies on
hydraulics for its operation.
[0016] Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,483 (Yocom et al., 2002)
provides another spray boom apparatus. This device mounts on the
front of the tractor and folds up both horizontally and vertically.
This invention is limited in that it cannot be used to broadcast
dry material over a field, and the multiple folding points
contribute to the weakness of the overall structure.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention is a dry material surface applicator
comprising: a plurality of receptacles for attaching hoses from an
air seeder cart; a plurality of towers that are mounted on a boom;
a plurality of smaller distribution tubes emanating from each
tower; a plurality of deflector shields mounted to the rear side of
the boom; two boom wheels at either end of the boom; a center
section comprising a single axle, two center wheels, an inside
support bar, and two outside support bars; two swing arms, each of
which is pivotally connected to one of the outside support bars of
the center section proximate the center wheels; two main arms, each
of which is releasably attached to a swing arm on one end and a
bracket mounted to the boom on the other end; and a latching
mechanism that locks the swing arm in place when the dry material
surface applicator is in a field or highway position.
[0018] The dry material surface applicator of the present invention
can be adapted to work with a variety of different air seeder
systems and folds up easily for transport on highways or roads. In
the preferred embodiment, the boom is pivotally connected to the
center section so that it can be folded back when the dry material
surface applicator is in a trail or highway position. Also in the
preferred embodiment, the number of receptacles equals the number
of air seeder hoses, the number of towers equals the number of
large distribution tubes, and the smaller distribution tubes
deliver dry material to the deflector shields, which evenly
distribute the dry material over the surface of a field.
[0019] In the preferred embodiment, the center wheels are solid
mount, stationary wheels, and the boom wheels are solid mount,
non-caster wheels with a quarter-turn plate. The quarter-turn plate
allows the boom wheels to be rotated ninety degrees. The position
of the boom wheels, swing arms and main arms is dependent upon
whether the applicator is in field, trail or highway position. Two
saddles are mounted on either side of the boom for receiving the
main arms when the dry material surface applicator is in highway
position. When the applicator is in field or highway position, the
swing arms are locked into place by a latching mechanism on the
front end of the outside support bar of the center section.
[0020] The latching mechanism comprises a latch arm, a first
spring, a second spring, and a rod. The latch arm controls the
first spring, and the first spring controls the rod. The swing arm
comprises a swing arm extension with a notch into which the rod
fits when the swing arm is in a locked position. The second spring
pushes the swing arm away from the latching mechanism when the
first spring is compressed and the rod is retracted from the notch
in the swing arm extension.
[0021] The present invention further comprises two adjustment arms.
The first adjustment arm stabilizes the inside support bar, and the
second adjustment arm raises or lowers the swing arm so that it
hits the latching mechanism at the correct angle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention
attached to an air seeder cart and tractor.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention in
field position.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a top view of the present invention in field
position.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the present invention in field
position.
[0026] FIG. 4A is a side view of a deflector shield.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention in trail
position.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a top view of the present invention in highway
position.
[0029] FIG. 7A is a partial perspective view of the latching
mechanism of the present invention with the swing arm in a closed
or locked position.
[0030] FIG. 7B is a top view of the latching mechanism of the
present invention with the swing arm in a closed or locked
position.
[0031] FIG. 7C is a partial perspective view of the latching
mechanism of the present invention with the swing arm in an open or
unlocked position.
[0032] FIG. 7D is a top view of the latching mechanism of the
present invention with the swing arm in open or unlocked
position.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the two adjustment
arms of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 9A is a partial perspective view of the boom wheel in
field position shown from the rear/top of the boom.
[0035] FIG. 9B is a partial perspective view of the boom wheel in
trail or highway position shown from the inside/top of the
boom.
[0036] FIG. 9C is a partial perspective view of the boom wheel in
field position shown from the front/bottom of the boom.
[0037] FIG. 9D is a partial perspective view of the boom wheel in
trail or highway position shown from the outside/bottom of the
boom.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0038] 1 Dry material applicator
[0039] 2 Air seeder cart
[0040] 2a Air seeder hoses
[0041] 3 Tractor
[0042] 4 Large distribution tube
[0043] 5 Tower
[0044] 5a Smaller distribution tube
[0045] 6 Boom
[0046] 7 Receptacle
[0047] 8 Axle
[0048] 8a Center wheel
[0049] 9 Boom wheel
[0050] 10 Main arm
[0051] 11 Deflector shield
[0052] 12 Field/trail bracket
[0053] 13 Highway bracket
[0054] 14 Saddle
[0055] 15 Swing arm
[0056] 16 Swing arm extension
[0057] 16a Notch in swing arm extension
[0058] 17 Latching mechanism
[0059] 17a Gap
[0060] 18 Latch arm
[0061] 19 First spring
[0062] 19aRod
[0063] 20 Second spring
[0064] 21 Front support bar
[0065] 21a Hitch attachment point
[0066] 22 Outside support bar
[0067] 23 Main arm attachment point
[0068] 24 First adjustment arm
[0069] 24a Nut (for first adjustment arm)
[0070] 24b Plate (for first adjustment arm)
[0071] 25 Second adjustment arm
[0072] 25a Nut (for second adjustment arm)
[0073] 25b Plate (for second adjustment arm)
[0074] 26 Inside support bar
[0075] 27 Top plate
[0076] 27a Bottom plate
[0077] 27b Quarter turn plate
[0078] 27c Receiver in quarter turn plate
[0079] 28 Lever
[0080] 29 Leg
[0081] 30 Pivot point
[0082] 31 Center section housing
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0083] Unlike any of the prior art, the present invention is an
attachment to an air seeder cart and tractor that enables farmers
to evenly broadcast dry material over the surface of a field. The
present invention is easy to use and needs no hydraulics to
operate. The manual boom latches and overall simplicity of design
of the present invention make it superior to other, more
complicated types of machinery. The deflector shields are unique to
the present invention and allow the dry material to be scattered
evenly across the length of the boom. The fact that the present
invention uses solid mount, non-caster wheels further distinguishes
it from prior art. Additional advantages over the prior art are
discussed below in specific reference to the figures.
[0084] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention
attached to an air seeder cart and tractor. The present invention
is a dry material applicator 1 that attaches directly to the rear
of an air seeder cart 2 through a conventional hitch mechanism (not
shown). The air seeder hoses 2a are connected to a set of two
receptacles (shown in FIG. 2) in the front of the dry material
applicator 1. The present invention can be configured to work with
a wide variety of air seeder systems, such as those manufactured
and sold by Flexi-Coil, John Deere, Bourgault and Morris
Industries. The present invention is not limited to any particular
type of dry material and can be used to distribute dry fertilizer,
grass seed, alfalfa seed, etc. In FIG. 1, the present invention is
shown in field position.
[0085] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention in
field position when it is not attached to an air seeder cart. This
figure shows the two sets of receptacles 7 to which the air seeder
hoses (shown in FIG. 1) are attached. A set of large distribution
tubes 4 extends from the rear of each set of receptacles 7. One set
of large distribution tubes 4 runs down the right-hand side of the
boom 6, and the other set runs down the left-hand side of the boom
6. This figure shows a total of five large distribution tubes, but
the present invention can be adapted to work with any number of
large distribution tubes. The number of large distribution tubes
has to correspond to the number of air seeder hoses; therefore, the
number of large distribution tubes will vary depending on the type
of air seeder system used.
[0086] Each large distribution tube 4 terminates in a tower 5 that
is mounted on top of the boom 6. Each tower further distributes the
dry material into a number of smaller distribution tubes 5a.
Although each tower in this figure is shown with five smaller
distribution tubes 5a, the present invention is not limited to any
particular number of smaller distribution tubes. The smaller
distribution tubes 5a terminate in deflector shields (shown in FIG.
4), which are on the rear side of the boom 6.
[0087] The present invention comprises four wheels. The center
wheels 8a are at either end of a single axle 8 in the center
section. The boom wheels 9 are located at either end of the boom 6.
The center wheels 8a are solid mount, stationary wheels. The boom
wheels 9 are solid mount, non-caster wheels that can be locked into
one of two positions (see FIGS. 9A-9D). The center section also
comprises two front support bars 21 that come together to form the
attachment point 21 a to which the air seeder cart is hitched. Two
outside support bars 22 provide further stability to the center
section. A swing arm 15 is pivotally attached to each outside
support bar 22. The pivot point for each swing arm 15 is proximate
to the center wheel 8a.
[0088] The present invention further comprises two main arms 10.
One end of each main arm 10 is releasably attached to the end of
the swing arm 15 that is farthest from the center wheel 8. The
other end of each main arm 10 is releasably attached to one of two
brackets 12, 13 located on the boom 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the
present invention is in field position; therefore, the main arms 10
are releasably attached to the field/trail brackets 12 on the boom
6. FIG. 6 illustrates the present invention in highway position, in
which the main arm 10 is releasably attached to the highway bracket
13 instead of the field/track bracket 12.
[0089] FIG. 3 is a top view of the present invention in field
position. This figure shows the hitch attachment point 21a, front
support bars 21, outside support bars 22, single axle 8 and center
wheels 8a of the center section. An inside support bar 26 runs
through the middle of the center section and is discussed further
in connection with FIG. 8. This figure also shows the swing arms
15, the main arms 10, the field/trail brackets 12, and the highway
brackets 13 on the boom 6. It shows the large distribution tubes 4,
the towers 5, the smaller distribution tubes 5a, and the boom
wheels 9. This figure also shows the saddles 14 into which the main
arms 10 are placed when the present invention is in highway
position (see FIG. 6). This figure provides a top view of the
latching mechanism 17, which is depicted in greater detail in FIGS.
7A-7D.
[0090] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the present invention in field
position. In addition to the large distribution tubes 4, towers 5,
smaller distribution tubes 5a, boom 6, single axle 8, and boom
wheels 9, all of which have been discussed previously, this figure
shows the deflector shields 11, which protrude downward and
slightly rearward from the boom 6 and which cause the dry material
to be distributed evenly across the length of the boom 6. FIG. 4A
is a side view of a deflector shield 11, showing the angle of the
deflector shield 11 in relation to the boom 6. As can be seen in
FIG. 4, the consistent height of the boom 6 provides for even
distribution of the dry material, and the relative closeness of the
boom to the ground as compared to sprayers and similar types of
machinery allows farmers to broadcast the material even during
windy conditions.
[0091] FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention in trail
position. A trail position would typically be used when moving from
one position to another in the field and when not broadcasting dry
material. To go from field position (shown in FIG. 3) to trail
position (shown in FIG. 5), the swing arms 15 are released from the
latching mechanism 17, the boom wheels 6 are rotated by ninety
degrees (see FIGS. 9A-9D), and the boom 6 is folded back behind the
center section. Two pivot points 30 on either side of the center
tower 5 allow the right and left sides of the boom to be folded
back. In this position, the swing arms 15 are extended away from
the outside support bars 22 of the center section, and the swing
arm extension 16 is no longer held in place by the latching
mechanism 17.
[0092] FIG. 6 is a top view of the present invention in highway
position. As shown in this figure, the present invention has a
narrower profile in the highway position than in the trail position
shown in FIG. 5. In highway position, the present invention can be
towed at normal highway speeds. In order to go from trail to
highway position, the front end of each main arm 10 is released
from the swing arm 15 and placed in the saddle 14 alongside the
boom 6. The other end of the main arm 10 is removed from the
field/trail bracket 12 and secured to the highway bracket 13 on the
boom 6. The swing arms 15 are swung forward and locked into place
by the latching mechanism 17. The latching mechanism is depicted in
greater detail in FIGS. 7A-7D.
[0093] FIG. 7A is a partial perspective view of the latching
mechanism of the present invention with the swing arm in a closed
or locked position. As shown in this figure, the latching mechanism
17 comprises a latch arm 18, which moves a first spring 19. When
compressed, the first spring 19 retracts a rod 19a that fits into a
notch 16a (see FIG. 7D) in the swing arm extension 16, thereby
releasing the swing arm 15 from the latching mechanism 17. When the
first spring 19 is in a relaxed state (i.e., not compressed by the
latch arm), the rod 19a fits into the notch 16a in the swing arm
extension 16 and holds the swing arm 15 in place.
[0094] FIG. 7B is a top view of the latching mechanism of the
present invention with the swing arm in a closed or locked
position. This figure shows a second spring 20, which serves to
push the swing arm 15 away from the latching mechanism 17 when the
first spring 19 is compressed and the rod 19a is retracted from the
notch 16a in the swing arm extension 16. This figure also shows the
main arm attachment point 23, to which the main arm 10 is attached
in the field and trail positions.
[0095] FIG. 7C is a partial perspective view of the latching
mechanism of the present invention with the swing arm in an open or
unlocked position. In addition to the features shown in FIGS. 7A
and 7B, this figure shows the gap 17a into which the swing arm
extension 16 fits when the swing arm 15 is in a locked
position.
[0096] FIG. 7D is a top view of the latching mechanism of the
present invention with the swing arm in open or unlocked position.
This figure shows the notch 16a in the swing arm extension 16 of
the swing arm 15.
[0097] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the two adjustment
arms of the present invention. On either side of the inside support
bar 26 are two adjustment arms 24, 25. Both adjustment arms are
threaded, which allows them to be tightened or loosened through the
use of two threaded nuts 24a, 25aon either side of a plate 24b, 25b
that is attached to the center section housing 31. The purpose of
the first adjustment arm 24 is to stabilize the center section
housing 31, to which the swing arm is pivotally attached. The
purpose of the second adjustment arm 25 is to raise or lower the
swing arm 15 so that it hits the latching mechanism 17 at the
correct angle.
[0098] FIG. 9A is a partial perspective view of the boom wheel in
field position shown from the rear/top of the boom. As shown in
this figure, the boom wheel 9 is perpendicular to the boom 6 when
in field position.
[0099] FIG. 9B is a partial perspective view of the boom wheel in
trail or highway position shown from the inside/top of the boom. As
shown in this figure, the boom wheel 9 is parallel to the boom 6
when in trail or highway position.
[0100] FIG. 9C is a partial perspective view of the boom wheel in
field position shown from the front/bottom of the boom. FIG. 9D is
a partial perspective view of the boom wheel in trail or highway
position shown from the outside/bottom of the boom. Each boom wheel
9 is connected to a top and bottom plate 27, 27a by a leg 29. A
quarter turn plate 27b lies directly beneath the bottom plate 27a.
To move the wheel from field position to trail or highway position,
the lever 28 is lifted, a bar (not shown) is inserted into the
receiver 27c on the bottom of the quarter turn plate, and the
quarter turn plate is manually moved either right or left,
depending upon the position of the wheel. When moved, the quarter
turn plate 27b causes the leg 29 to rotate in the top and bottom
plates 27, 27a. The lever 28 is then reinserted into a hole in the
quarter turn plate, which locks the wheel in place. The boom wheels
9 are interchangeable in that the same wheel can be placed on
either the right- or left-hand side of the boom 6, which is not the
case with caster wheels.
[0101] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention
has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled
in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended
claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and
modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *