U.S. patent application number 17/172364 was filed with the patent office on 2021-06-10 for paddle scraper for rolling basket attachment.
This patent application is currently assigned to Summers Manufacturing Company, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Summers Manufacturing Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jeff Huitt, Austin Luellen, Michael Vogel, Nick Weber.
Application Number | 20210168988 17/172364 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005405919 |
Filed Date | 2021-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210168988 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huitt; Jeff ; et
al. |
June 10, 2021 |
Paddle Scraper for Rolling Basket Attachment
Abstract
An apparatus for use in a rolling basket of a tillage implement,
the rolling basket comprising a plurality of elongated bars or
blades spaced apart around a plurality of spaced apart rings, the
bars or blades attached to the spaced apart rings, the apparatus
includes an elongated support structure extending through a central
axis of the rolling basket and a plurality of vertical stationary
paddles spaced apart along the elongated support structure between
the horizontally spaced apart rings.
Inventors: |
Huitt; Jeff; (Perry, IA)
; Vogel; Michael; (Ogden, IA) ; Luellen;
Austin; (Minburn, IA) ; Weber; Nick; (Perry,
IA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Summers Manufacturing Company, Inc. |
Devils Lake |
ND |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Summers Manufacturing Company,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
1000005405919 |
Appl. No.: |
17/172364 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16535387 |
Aug 8, 2019 |
10925202 |
|
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17172364 |
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15687147 |
Aug 25, 2017 |
10375872 |
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16535387 |
|
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|
62379557 |
Aug 25, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01B 76/00 20130101;
A01B 29/048 20130101; A01B 29/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01B 29/06 20060101
A01B029/06; A01B 29/04 20060101 A01B029/04; A01B 76/00 20060101
A01B076/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for a tillage implement, the apparatus comprising:
a rolling basket having a plurality of support rings horizontally
spaced apart from one another and a plurality of soil engaging
elongated bars or blades attached to the plurality of support
rings, wherein the plurality of soil engaging elongated bars or
blades are spaced apart around the plurality of support rings; an
elongated support member mounted within the rolling basket; and a
plurality of stationary paddles extending from the elongated
support member, wherein the plurality of stationary paddles are
positioned within an interior of the rolling basket in a stationary
manner; wherein the plurality of stationary paddles are spaced
apart along the elongated support member between the plurality of
support rings; wherein a plurality of slots are formed between the
plurality of stationary paddles, wherein the plurality of slots are
aligned with and receive the plurality of support rings.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first bracket and
a second bracket on opposite ends of the rolling basket.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first bracket is secured
to a first end of the elongated support member and wherein the
second bracket is secured to a second end of the elongated support
member.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stationary
paddles are generally vertical.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stationary
paddles extend outwardly from an axis.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the axis is comprised of a
central axis of the rolling basket.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first wing plate
and a second wing plate, wherein the first wing plate is secured to
a first end stationary paddle of the plurality of stationary
paddles and wherein the second wing plate is secured to a second
end stationary paddle of the plurality of stationary paddles.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated support member
is mounted at a center of rotation of the rolling basket.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stationary
paddles are each removably attached to the elongated support
member.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of stationary
paddles are each removably attached to the elongated support member
by a plurality of fasteners.
11. A tillage implement, comprising: a tillage implement comprised
of a disk, a field cultivator, a finisher, a ripper, or a vertical
tillage tool; a rolling basket rotatably mounted to the tillage
implement, wherein the rolling basket comprises a plurality of
support rings horizontally spaced apart from one another and a
plurality of soil engaging elongated bars or blades attached to the
plurality of support rings, wherein the plurality of soil engaging
elongated bars or blades are spaced apart around the plurality of
support rings; an elongated support member mounted within the
rolling basket; and a plurality of stationary paddles extending
from the elongated support member, wherein the plurality of
stationary paddles are positioned within an interior of the rolling
basket in a stationary manner; wherein the plurality of stationary
paddles are spaced apart along the elongated support member between
the plurality of support rings; wherein a plurality of slots are
formed between the plurality of stationary paddles.
12. The tillage implement of claim 11, further comprising a first
bracket and a second bracket on opposite ends of the rolling
basket.
13. The tillage implement of claim 12, wherein the first bracket is
secured to a first end of the elongated support member and wherein
the second bracket is secured to a second end of the elongated
support member.
14. The tillage implement of claim 11, wherein the plurality of
stationary paddles are generally vertical.
15. The tillage implement of claim 11, wherein the plurality of
stationary paddles extend outwardly from an axis.
16. The tillage implement of claim 15, wherein the axis is
comprised of a central axis of the rolling basket.
17. The tillage implement of claim 11, further comprising a first
wing plate and a second wing plate, wherein the first wing plate is
secured to a first end stationary paddle of the plurality of
stationary paddles and wherein the second wing plate is secured to
a second end stationary paddle of the plurality of stationary
paddles.
18. The tillage implement of claim 11, wherein the elongated
support member is mounted at a center of rotation of the rolling
basket.
19. The tillage implement of claim 11, wherein the plurality of
stationary paddles are each removably attached to the elongated
support member by a plurality of fasteners.
20. An apparatus for a tillage implement, the apparatus comprising:
a rolling basket having a plurality of support rings horizontally
spaced apart from one another and a plurality of soil engaging
elongated bars or blades attached to the plurality of support
rings, wherein the plurality of soil engaging elongated bars or
blades are spaced apart around the plurality of support rings; an
elongated support member mounted within the rolling basket; a
plurality of stationary paddles extending from the elongated
support member, wherein the plurality of stationary paddles are
positioned within an interior of the rolling basket in a stationary
manner; wherein the plurality of stationary paddles are spaced
apart along the elongated support member between the plurality of
support rings; wherein a plurality of slots are formed between the
plurality of stationary paddles; and a first bracket and a second
bracket on opposite ends of the rolling basket, wherein the first
bracket is secured to a first end of the elongated support member
and wherein the second bracket is secured to a second end of the
elongated support member; wherein the plurality of stationary
paddles are generally vertical.
Description
PRIORITY STATEMENT
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 16/535,387 filed on Aug. 8, 2019 which issues
as U.S. Pat. No. 10,925,202 on Feb. 23, 2021 (Docket No. SUMM-052),
which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/687,147
filed on Aug. 25, 2017 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,375,872
(Docket No. SUMM-045), which claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/379,557 filed Aug. 25, 2016 (Docket No.
SUMM-044). Each of the aforementioned patent applications, and any
applications related thereto, is herein incorporated by reference
in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to tillage implements. More
particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to
the use of paddles within a rolling basket.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Rolling baskets are used on any number of different tillage
implements including disks, field cultivators or finishers,
rippers, or other vertical tillage tools. Using rolling baskets
provides for improvement of the soil bed which can result in
improved crop performance.
[0004] One of the problems with rolling baskets is that if the soil
is wet they will get plugged with mud which is extremely
problematic as it can be very labor intensive to remove the mud and
the rolling basket's ability to function as it was intended can be
severely hampered.
SUMMARY
[0005] It is an object, feature, or advantage of one or more of the
various embodiments of the present invention to improve over the
state of the art.
[0006] It is a further object, feature, or advantage of one or more
of the various embodiments of the present invention to provide an
apparatus which may be added to a tillage implement which already
has a rolling basket without needing to replace the rolling
basket.
[0007] It is a still further object, feature, or advantage of one
or more of the various embodiments of the present invention to
allow for the use of paddles which may extend above inner,
cylindrical support rings of the frame of a rolling basket in order
to improve performance.
[0008] It is yet a further object, feature, or advantage of one or
more of the various embodiments of the present invention to provide
a series of paddles presenting a series of paddle edges in close
proximity to the rolling basket.
[0009] It is yet a another object, feature, or advantage of one or
more of the various embodiments of the present invention to provide
a series of paddles presenting a sweep path extending outwardly
from the rotational center of the rolling basket and terminating in
paddle edges in close proximity to the rolling basket.
[0010] It is a still further object, feature, or advantage of one
or more of the various embodiments of the present invention to
provide an apparatus which is easy to install.
[0011] Another object, feature, or advantage of one or more of the
various embodiments is to provide an apparatus which is effective
at preventing mud build-up.
[0012] One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or
advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the
specification and claims that follow. No single embodiment need
provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. Different
embodiments may have different objects, features, or advantages.
Therefore, the various embodiments of the present invention is not
to be limited to or by any objects, features, or advantages stated
herein.
[0013] According to one aspect, an apparatus for use in a rolling
basket of a tillage implement, the rolling basket comprising a
plurality of elongated bars or blades spaced apart around a
plurality of spaced apart rings, the bars or blades attached to the
spaced apart rings, the apparatus includes an elongated support
structure extending through a central axis of the rolling basket
and a plurality of generally vertical stationary paddles spaced
apart along the elongated support structure between the
horizontally spaced apart rings.
[0014] According to another aspect a method of retrofitting a
rolling basket attachment is provided.
[0015] According to another aspect, an apparatus for a tillage
implement includes a plurality of horizontally spaced apart rings,
a plurality of soil engaging elongated bars or blades spaced apart
around the plurality of spaced apart rings, the soil engaging bars
or blades attached to the spaced apart rings to form a rolling
basket, an elongated support structure extending along a central
axis of the rolling basket, and a plurality of stationary paddles
secured to the elongated support structure and inter-spaced along
the elongated support structure between the horizontally spaced
apart rings. The plurality of stationary paddles may include first
and second end paddles and a plurality of inner paddles between the
first and second end paddles. The apparatus may further include
first and second opposite wing plates wherein the first wing plate
is secured to the first end paddle and wherein the second wing
plate is secured to the second end paddle. The first end of the
elongated support structure may be secured to the first end paddle
inward from the first wing plate and a second end of the elongated
support structure may be secured to the second end paddle inward
from the second wing plate. The apparatus may further include a
first box assembly including a top, a first side, a second side and
the first wing plate and a second box assembly including a top, a
first side, a second side and the second wing plate. The apparatus
may further include a first bracket and a second bracket on
opposite ends of the rolling basket. The first bracket may be
secured to a first end of the elongated support structure through
the first box assembly and the second bracket may be secured to a
second end of the elongated support structure through the second
box assembly. The stationary paddles may be generally vertical.
[0016] According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided for
retrofitting a tillage implement having a plurality of spaced apart
horizontal rings, a plurality of elongated bars or blades spaced
apart around the plurality of spaced apart horizontal rings, the
bars or blades attached to the spaced apart rings to form a rolling
basket. The apparatus may include an elongated support structure
extending along a middle portion of a central axis of the rolling
basket, and plurality of stationary paddles secured to the
elongated support structure and inter-spaced along the elongated
support structure between the horizontally spaced apart rings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Illustrated embodiments of the disclosure are described in
detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which
are incorporated by reference herein.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a view of the paddle assembly installed
on a bar of a tillage implement.
[0019] FIG. 2 further illustrates the paddle assembly as viewed
from the rear of the tillage implement.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the paddle assembly.
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a bushing.
[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates a wing plate.
[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates a box side.
[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates a box top.
[0025] FIG. 8 illustrates an L-bracket.
[0026] FIG. 9 illustrates an end paddle.
[0027] FIG. 10 illustrates an individual middle paddle.
[0028] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a bearing assembly.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a view of the paddle assembly with an exploded
view of an end paddle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a view of an assembly 10 operatively
connected to a tillage implement. The assembly 10 includes a bar 8
which forms a part of the tillage implement and a rolling basket 11
which forms a part of the tillage implement. The tillage implement
may be of any number of different types including tillage
implements including disks, field cultivators or finishers,
rippers, or other vertical tillage tools. A paddle assembly 12 is
installed within the rolling basket 11. The rolling basket 11 may
be of any number of commercially available types including those
from Deere or CNH. Traditional rolling baskets of the type
pictorially illustrated include soil engaging elongated bars or
blades 15 extending between opposing ends. The elongated bars 15
are mounted to and supported by a series of horizontally spaced
apart cylindrical support rings 13 placed at desired intervals
between the opposing ends of the rolling basket 11. The ends of the
elongated bars 8 may be secured to a hub assembly at each end of
the rolling basket. The rolling basket 11 and elongated bars 15 are
rotationally supported by the end-mounted, hub assemblies. Mounted
to the cylindrical support rings 13 the elongated bars 8 form an
elongated, cylindrical rolling basket 11. The elongated bars 8 have
a generally shallow depth and therefore their elongated surface
area resides predominantly at the outer circumference of the
cylindrical support rings 13. The paddle assembly 12 shown in FIG.
1 includes a plurality of paddles 16, 20 positioned within the
rolling basket 11 to assist in preventing mud from building up
within the rolling basket 11.
[0031] The paddle assembly 12 includes an elongated paddle support
member 21 mounted at the center of rotation of the rolling basket.
Brackets 14 are located at opposing ends of the rolling basket 11.
In operation, the rolling basket 11 rotates around the paddle
assembly 12. In addition, note that the use of paddles 16, 20 is
advantageous over the use of a continuous blade or edge across the
length of the rolling basket, because the top edge of each paddle
16, 20 can extend to the outer circumference of the cylindrical
support rings 13 in close or near-touching proximity to the
elongated bars 8 of the rolling basket 11 thereby further
preventing mud from building up on the elongated bars 8 and within
the rolling basket 11. In addition, the paddle assembly 12 may be
retrofitted to an existing rolling basket as each paddle 16, 20 may
be separately secured to the elongated paddle support member 21
without removing the inner rings 13 or bars 8 of the roller basket.
The end paddles 16 may then be connected to the end fittings.
[0032] FIG. 2 further illustrates the paddle assembly 12 outside of
the rolling basket shown in FIG. 1. There are opposite support
brackets 14 shown on opposite ends of the paddle assembly 12. In
addition, there are a series of paddles which includes paddles 16,
20. Note that the paddles 16 on the respective ends have a
different configuration then the inner paddles 20. Each of the
paddles 16 on the end is connected to a fitting 22A, 22B. Each of
the paddles 16 on the end is secured to a wing plate which forms a
portion of a box assembly which is in turn bolted to the bearings
of the rolling basket through a bushing, thereby forming the
fitting 22A, 22B.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the paddle assembly 12 which
better shows the brackets 14. The paddle assembly 12 is operatively
connected to a bar of an implement using the brackets 14. FIG. 4
illustrates a bushing 30. The bushing 30 may be positioned at the
opposite support brackets. FIG. 5 illustrates a wing plate 32.
Opposite wing plates 32 are present near each end of the paddle
assembly. FIG. 6 illustrates a box side 34. FIG. 7 illustrates a
box top 36. FIG. 8 illustrates an L-bracket 14. There is a square
opening at the bottom of the bracket. FIG. 9 illustrates an end
paddle 16. FIG. 10 illustrates an individual middle or inner paddle
20.
[0034] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a bearing assembly. A bracket
14 is shown. A bolt 50 may be inserted through an aperture in the
bracket 14 and through a bushing 30, through a bearing 52, through
a washer 54, along an assembly formed from a box assembly with a
box side 34, a box top 36, and a wing plate 32, through washer 54,
a spring lock washer 36, and secured with a hex nut 58.
[0035] FIG. 12 is a view of the paddle assembly with an exploded
view of an end paddle 16. The end paddle 16 is secured to a wing
plate 32 with bolts 74, washers 62, and hex nuts 60. U-bolts 76,
washers 72, and hex nuts 70 further secure the end paddle 16 with
the paddle support member 21.
[0036] The various embodiments provide numerous advantages. First,
the paddle assembly 12 may be retrofitted to existing tillage
implements with rolling baskets. Thus, a farmer need not replace
the rolling basket they already have thereby reducing costs.
Second, the use of paddles as opposed to elongated blades allows
for the paddles to be positioned higher than would otherwise be
possible thus improving the ability to prevent mud from building up
within the rolling basket. Third, the manner in which the paddle
assembly 12 connects to the rolling basket through the fittings
better adapts the paddle assembly 12 to fitting a wide range of
different rolling baskets from different manufacturers.
[0037] The invention is not to be limited to the particular
embodiments described herein. In particular, the invention
contemplates numerous variations in size, shape, and structure. The
foregoing description has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be an
exhaustive list or limit any of the invention to the precise forms
disclosed. It is contemplated that other alternatives or exemplary
aspects are considered included in the invention. The description
is merely examples of embodiments, processes or methods of the
invention. It is understood that any other modifications,
substitutions, and/or additions can be made, which are within the
intended spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *