U.S. patent number 3,627,057 [Application Number 04/869,311] was granted by the patent office on 1971-12-14 for row marker safety mechanism.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Deere & Company. Invention is credited to Harold Valentine Hansen, Donald R. Hartwig.
United States Patent |
3,627,057 |
Hartwig , et al. |
December 14, 1971 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
ROW MARKER SAFETY MECHANISM
Abstract
A planter row marker includes a safety mechanism for preventing
damage during marking operations to the marker arm and supporting
structure in case the marker tool or outer portions of the arm
should strike a relatively immovable object. The safety mechanism
includes a rod which has one end reciprocably received in the bight
portion of a spring clevis and a spring pressure nut at the end of
the rod holds a compression spring between the nut and the bight of
the clevis. The safety mechanism is adapted for use with either
nonfolding or folding markers and in the case of the former, the
opposite ends of the safety mechanism are pivotally connected to
the planter frame and an intermediate point along the marker arm
and in the case of the latter, the opposite ends of the safety
mechanism are pivotally connected to the inner and outer arms of
the foldable arm assembly. The rod of the safety mechanism includes
two parts interconnected by a shear pin and should the load on the
compression spring reach a predetermined value, the shear pin will
break permitting outer sections of the nonfolding and folding
marker arms to pivot rearwardly relative to inner arm sections.
Inventors: |
Hartwig; Donald R. (Rock
Island, IL), Hansen; Harold Valentine (Cordova, IL) |
Assignee: |
Deere & Company (Moline,
IL)
|
Family
ID: |
25353311 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/869,311 |
Filed: |
October 24, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
172/126; 172/705;
172/271 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01B
69/024 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01B
69/02 (20060101); A01b 035/32 (); A01b
061/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;172/126-132,271,705,261,264,265 ;111/33 ;267/67 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pulfrey; Robert E.
Assistant Examiner: Pellegrino; Stephen C.
Claims
We claim:
1. An implement having a transverse frame, an elongate marker means
mounted at one end of the frame for vertical swinging movement
between an outwardly extended working position and an upwardly
extended transport position, marker control means operatively
connected to said frame and marker means for swinging the latter
between its working and transport positions, said marker means
including a marker arm having inner and outer sections, means
connecting the outer section to the inner section for generally
rearward horizontal swinging movement of the outer section relative
to the inner section when the marker means is in its working
position, a marking tool carried by the outer section, an elongate
resilient means mounted between one of the frame and inner arm
section and the outer section of the arm for maintaining the latter
in general longitudinal alignment with the inner section and for
cushioning the arm in the event that the marker tool or outer arm
section strikes an obstacle, said resilient means including a pair
of separable members joined by frangible means for breaking in
response to a predetermined force and thus releasing the outer
section for rearward pivoting.
2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the frangible means is
a shear pin.
3. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the bias means has one
end pivotally connected to the frame forwardly of the marker arm
and includes a support rod, a U-shaped spring clevis and a
compression spring, the support rod having one end reciprocably
received in the web of the clevis and carrying a stop means, the
compression spring acting between the stop means and the web of the
clevis and the other end of the rod and the legs of the clevis
being respectively pivotally connected to one or the other of the
implement frame and the outer arm section.
4. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein the support rod
includes a pair of sections, which constitute said separable
members and have their ends connected by said frangible means.
5. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein the support rod
includes a pair of sections, one being tubular and having one end
of the other section received therein to form a joint and wherein
said frangible means is a shear pin extending through said
joint.
6. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the marker tool is a
concavo-convex disk and the convex side faces inwardly whereby the
disk will tend to ride over obstacles which it might encounter.
7. A marker comprising a marker tool supporting arm having at least
one inner and one outer portion, the inner portion including means
adapted for connection to one side of an implement frame for
vertical swinging of the arm between a lower outwardly extended
position and an upper upwardly extended position, means pivotally
interconnecting the inner and outer arm portions for rearward
horizontal pivoting of the outer portion relative to the inner
portion when the arm is in its lower position, a marker tool
mounted on the outer arm position, an elongate arm support means
having one end adapted for connection to an implement frame and the
other end connected to the outer arm section, said support means
including resilient compressible means for permitting limited
rearward horizontal pivoting of the marker arm upon engagement of
the marker tool with an obstacle and said arm support means
including first and second sections interconnected by a shear pin
whereby a predetermined load acting on the marker arm will shear
permitting the outer portion of the arm to pivot rearwardly.
8. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein the arm support means
is adapted for connection to an implement frame forwardly of and
generally in the same horizontal plane as the connection of the
marker arm with the implement frame.
9. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein one of the arm portions
is tubular and has one end of the other portion received therein to
form a joint and wherein said shear pin extends through the
joint.
10. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein the marker tool is a
concavo-convex disk and the convex side faces inwardly whereby the
disk will tend to ride over obstacles which it encounters.
11. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein the resilient
compressible means includes a U-shaped spring clevis and a
compression spring and wherein the arm support means includes a
support rod having one end reciprocably received in the web of the
clevis and carrying a stop means, the compression spring acting
between the stop means and the web of the clevis and the other end
of the rod and the legs of the clevis being respectively pivotally
connected to one or the other of the implement frame and the outer
marker arm section.
12. An implement having a transverse frame, an elongate marker
means mounted at one end of the frame for vertical swinging
movement between an outwardly extended working position and an
upwardly extended transport position, marker control means
operatively connected to said frame and marker means for swinging
the latter between said working and transport positions, said
marker means including a marker arm having inner and outer
sections, means connecting the outer section to the inner section
for generally rearward swinging movement of the outer section
relative to the inner section when the marker means is in said
working position, a marking tool carried by the outer section, an
elongate resilient means including a support rod, a spring holder
having opposite legs joined by a web, and a compression spring,
said rod having one end reciprocably received in said web and
carrying a stop means, the spring acting between the stop means and
the web and the other end of the rod and the legs of the holder
being respectively pivotally connected to one of the frame and the
outer section for maintaining the latter in general longitudinal
alignment with the inner section.
13. The invention defined in claim 12 wherein one of the pair of
sections is tubular and has one end of the other section received
therein to form a joint and a shear pin extending through said
joint.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a planter marker and more specifically
relates to a safety mechanism for preventing damage to a marker arm
should the marker tool or outer arm portion engage a relatively
immovable obstacle.
Markers are normally mounted in pairs, one each being mounted at
opposite sides of an implement frame. The markers are usually
mounted for vertical swinging movement between a lower or working
position and an upper or transport position and marker-positioning
mechanisms are usually provided for alternately raising and
lowering the markers. Since it is desirable to expend as little
energy, mechanical or manual, as possible to operate the markers,
the marker arms are generally constructed of light rods and tubes
or the like. Marker arms so constructed are subject to damage when
the marker tool or outer arm portions engage a relatively immovable
obstacle in the field.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, it is an important object to
provide a safety mechanism for preventing damage to a marker arm
should the marker tool or the arm portions strike a relatively
immovable obstacle in the field.
More specifically, it is an object to provide a strutlike safety
mechanism for maintaining the marker arm in a generally laterally
outward position when the marker arm is in its working position,
the safety member including a compressible cushion spring.
A further object is to provide the marker arm with a pivot
connection permitting rearward horizontal pivoting of the marker
arm when it is in its working position and to provide the safety
mechanism with a shear pin connection that will, when sheared,
permit the marker arm to swing rearwardly about the pivot
connection.
Still a further object is to provide a concavo-convex disk as a
marker tool and to mount the disk with the convex side facing
inwardly so as to present a curved surface to any obstacles
encountered.
Another object is to provide a lightweight marker of simple
construction which is not subject to damage due to the marker tool
or outer marker portions engaging an obstacle.
These and other objects will be apparent from the following
description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a planter having nonfoldable row
markers constructed according to the present invention, the markers
being shown in their raised or nonworking positions.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the right marker shown in FIG. 1,
in its lowered or working position.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the end of the safety mechanism that
is connected to the marker arm.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the end of the marker arm that is
secured to the planter frame.
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a modification of
the safety mechanism.
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the safety
mechanism as used with a foldable marker, the marker being in its
lowered or working position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a six-row planter
designated in its entirety by the numeral 10. The planter has a
transverse frame 12 with generally triangular ends 14, which frame
is supported on ground wheels 16. Mounted atop the forward side of
the frame are a pair of fertilizer hoppers 18 and connected in
trailing relationship to the frame are laterally spaced planter
units 20 each of which includes from front to rear seed,
insecticide and herbicide hoppers 22, 24, and 26 respectively.
Identical nonfoldable markers 28 and 30 are respectively at the
right and left ends of the frame 12 and each have arms 34 pivotally
attached by means of fore-and-aft extending pivot pins 36 to
brackets 38 carried on the outer sides of the frame ends 14, only
the right pin and bracket being shown. A concavo-convex disk marker
tool 40 is rotatably mounted at the outer ends of each of the arms
34 and strutlike safety mechanism 42 are interconnected between the
frame ends 14 at a point forwardly of the brackets 38 and an
intermediate point along the arms 34 and normally act to restrain
the arms from moving rearwardly due to the resistance between the
earth and the marker disks. A pair of one-way hydraulic cylinders
44 are mounted between each bracket 38 and arm 34 and are operative
to selectively swing the marker arms between working (FIG. 2) and
nonworking (FIG. 1) positions.
Inasmuch as the right and left markers and their connections to the
planter frame are identical, it is thought that illustration and
description of the right marker 28 is sufficient for an
understanding of the invention.
Referring now to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the disk marker tool
40 is mounted with the convex side facing inwardly. This is
advantageous in protecting the marker arm 34 from damage since the
convex surface acts to lift the disk over obstacles that it
engages. The safety mechanism 42 cooperates to protect the marker
arm and includes a spring clevis 46 having opposite legs 48
pivotally connected to the marker arm by means of a pin 50. A
support rod 52 extends from the clevis 46 to the frame end 14 and
includes a first rod section 54 reciprocably received in the bight
56 of the clevis and a spring pressure nut 58 is threaded on the
outer end of the first rod section and engages one end of a
compression spring 60, the other end of the spring engaging the
bight 56. A tubular connector 62 is connected to the inner end of
first rod section 54 by means of a cotter pin 64 and the outer end
of a second rod section 66 is threadedly received in the connector.
The inner end of the second rod section terminates in an offset
portion 68 which is received in an apertured ear 70. Thus, it will
be appreciated that the spring 60 will be compressed when the
marker tool or arm encounters an obstacle and acts to cushion the
marker.
The marker arm 34 includes an inner rearwardly opening channel
section 72 and an outer tubular section 74. The tubular section is
pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin 76 adjacent the inner
end of the channel section and the pin extends generally vertically
when the marker is in the working position. Normally, the safety
mechanism 42 permits only limited rearward swinging of the tubular
arm section about the pivot pin 76, however, when the marker arm or
tool encounters a predetermined resistive force, the cotter pin 64
will shear, permitting the tubular arm section 74 to freely swing
rearwardly about the pivot 76.
A slight modification of the safety mechanism 42 is illustrated in
FIG. 5 wherein is shown a safety mechanism 77 that is reversed end
for end as compared to the safety mechanism 42. The safety
mechanism 77 includes a spring cage 78 having opposite sides 80
interconnected by cage inner and outer ends 82 and 84. The inner
end 82 threadingly receives the shank of a hook 86, which hook is
received in the apertured ear 70 carried by the frame end 14. A
first rod section 87 is reciprocably received in the cage outer end
84 and the pressure nut 58 holds the compression spring 60
encircled about the rod section 87 and in engagement with the cage
outer end 84. The first rod section 87 is received in the inner end
of a tubular second rod section 88 and is secured therein by the
cotter pin 64. The second rod section 88 has a clevis 90 at its
outer end connected by means of the pin 50 to the marker arm
34.
A foldable row marker 92 is shown in FIG. 6 wherein structure
common to that described above is given like reference numerals.
Foldable markers find application with planters which are wider
than the planter 10 (FIG. 1) and the row marker 92 would, for
example, be used with a twelve-row planter. The row marker 92
includes a marker arm assembly 94 that includes inner and outer
arms 96 and 98. The inner end of the inner arm 96 is pivotally
connected to the bracket 38 and a fore-and-aft extending tubular
cross member 100 is fixed adjacent to the outer end of the inner
arm. The outer arm includes first and second sections 102 and 104,
the first section including a pair of spaced vertical triangular
plates 106 which are pivotally mounted on the forward end of the
cross member 100 and which straddle and are fixed to a rearwardly
opening channel member 108. The outer arm is pivotally connected to
the channel member 108 for horizontal swinging movement when the
arm assembly 94 is in the working position (FIG. 6) and a safety
mechanism 110 similar in most respects to the safety mechanism 42
described above is connected between the forward end of the cross
member 100 and the outer arm section 104. The inner arm is
stabilized in the working position by means of a strutlike rod 112
which is connected between the forward end of the cross member 100
and an apertured ear 114 on the frame end 14. THe outer arm 98 is
stabilized when being raised from the working position (FIG. 6) to
a nonworking position (not shown) by a chain 116 which is
interconnected between the upper portion of the bracket 38 and a
connection means (not shown) located in the upper portion of the
triangular plates 106.
The operation of the safety mechanisms 42 and 110 is essentially
the same and only the operation of the nonfoldable row markers is
set forth. Assuming that the planter 10 is in a field to be planted
and that the unplanted portion of the field is to the right of the
planter, the right marker 28 will be placed in operation by
exhausting fluid from the hydraulic cylinder 44 permitting the arm
34 to lower until the marker disk 40 is in contact with the ground.
The planter is then propelled across the field by a tractor (not
shown). If, while traversing the field, the disk 40 should contact
a relatively small obstacle, the concave surface of the disk will
ride over the obstacle and raise the marker arm about the pivot pin
36, the rearward component of the force exerted by the obstacle
being absorbed by the compression spring 60 of the safety mechanism
42. However, should the disk 40 either engage a relatively
immovable object in such a manner that it cannot easily ride over
the obstacle or should the outer section of the marker arm contact
an obstacle and the rearward component of the force exerted by the
obstacle is such that it cannot be effectively absorbed by the
compression spring 60, the cotter pin 64 will shear and permit the
outer marker arm section 74 to pivot rearwardly about the pivot pin
connection 76, thus preventing damage to the marker 28. It is to be
noted that the reversed safety mechanism illustrated in FIG. 3
increases the effectiveness of the safety mechanism since it
ensures that the cotter pin 64 will shear even if obstacles are
encountered at locations inwardly from the connection of the safety
mechanism with the marker arm 34.
* * * * *