Earth working – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-04
2001-04-10
Batson, Victor (Department: 3671)
Earth working
Miscellaneous
C111S054000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213221
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to improved bearing assemblies for flexible frame towed agricultural implements for use in cultivation and the like and in particular bearing assemblies for such implements incorporating cylindrical bearings formed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.
Flexible frame towed agricultural implements have been developed to permit cultivation of uneven terrain with wider implements. The flexible frame towed implements generally comprise a plurality of rigid frames pivotally secured together in side by side alignment transverse to the direction of travel of the towing vehicle with a tool or set of tools connected to each frame. A plurality of hinges connect adjacent frame members. Each hinge generally comprises a male hinge member extending from the side of a first frame and a female hinge member extending from the side of a second or adjacent frame. The hinge members are generally formed from square tubing and the male hinge tube has a bore extending through the front and rear walls thereof. An outer cylindrical bearing sleeve, formed of metal, is welded inside of the end of the first length of square tubing in alignment with the bores in the front and rear walls thereof. An inner cylindrical bearing sleeve, formed of metal, is positioned within the outer cylindrical bearing sleeve.
The female hinge member includes a hinge clevis welded to a distal end of a section of square tubing. The distal end of the male hinge member on the first frame extends between front and rear ears of the hinge clevis such that the bores in the front and rear walls of the male hinge member are aligned with bores in the front and rear ears of the hinge clevis. A pivot pin extends through the bores in the ears of the hinge clevis, the bores in the front and rear walls of the male hinge tube and through the inner cylindrical bearing sleeve such that the male and female hinge tubes pivot about the pivot pin and relative to one another.
A grease zerk is secured to the outer cylindrical bearing sleeve and accessible through the end of the male hinge tube. Grease is injected between the inner and outer cylindrical bearing sleeves through the grease zerk for lubrication and to reduce wear. The continuing need to grease the numerous sets of bearing sleeves in a large implement consumes a considerable amount of time. Even with routine greasing, the outer cylindrical bearing sleeve will experience wear due to the metal on metal contact with the inner cylindrical bearing sleeve, which may require replacement of the outer cylindrical bearing sleeve. Because the outer cylindrical bearing sleeve is generally welded to the male hinge tube, its replacement is generally difficult and time consuming.
In addition to wear on the cylindrical bearing sleeves, the forward advancement of the implement generally thrusts either the front or rear wall of the male hinge tube against the front or rear ear of the hinge clevis respectively causing wear therebetween. The wear between the respective clevis ear of the female hinge tube and the wall of the male hinge tube may result in the need for additional costly repairs. To extend the life of the implements, users will grease the bearing surfaces between the hinge clevis and the male hinge tube, which only adds to the time required for routine maintenance.
Coulter mounting assemblies on many implements also require considerable maintenance and are subject to wear. Coulters are typically mounted on a hub which is connected to a coulter arm having a cylindrical bearing sleeve mounted on an end of the coulter arm opposite the hub. The cylindrical bearing sleeve is pivotally secured to a coulter shaft which is secured to and depends from the implement frame in front of a tool. The cylindrical bearing sleeve pivots about the coulter shaft to permit rotation of the coulter as the implement frame makes a turn. The metal on metal contact between the cylindrical bearing sleeve and the coulter shaft results in wear which can be reduced by the application of grease therebetween. Although the grease reduces wear it does not eliminate it and often the cylindrical bearing sleeve along with the coulter shaft need to be replaced. Further, the multiple greasings necessary to avoid excessive wear further increase the time necessary for routine maintenance. There remains a need for improved towed flexible frame agricultural implements with reduced maintenance needs which also resist wear at hinge points.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises improved bearing assemblies for agricultural implements and in particular flexible frame towed agricultural implements such as plows and the like. In one embodiment the improved bearing assembly includes a flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve adapted for use with a hinge connecting adjacent frame sections of a flexible frame towed agricultural implement. The flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve is preferably formed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene and is positioned within an outer cylindrical metal bearing sleeve which is mounted in the end of a male hinge member in alignment with a pivot pin receiving bore extending therethrough. A pivot pin extending through the flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve connects a hinge clevis on a female hinge member to the male hinge member. A flange on the flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve extends between thrust bearing surfaces on the male hinge member and the female hinge member.
A bearing assembly for a coulter for the implement includes an inner cylindrical bearing sleeve positioned between a coulter pivot shaft and an outer bearing sleeve on a coulter arm. The inner cylindrical bearing sleeve is also preferably formed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The objects of this invention include providing a flexible frame towed agricultural implement that requires less maintenance; providing such a flexible frame towed agricultural implement which resists wear without greasing; providing such a flexible frame towed agricultural implement which resists wear at hinge points; providing such a flexible frame towed agricultural implement which resists wear at a thrust bearing surface of a hinge assembly; and providing such an implement which is particularly well adapted for its intended uses.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
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1968 Oldsmobile Chassis Service Manual, pp. 4-1-4-4, Jan. 1968.*
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Batson Victor
Shughart Thomson & Kilroy P.C.
Sunflower Manufacturing Company, Inc.
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