Patent ID: 6263976
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: A01B

Abstract:
A field marker for mounting on an agricultural implement comprising:an elongated arm adapted to project outwardly laterally of the implement when in an outwardly extending operating position and being adapted to carry a field marking device at its outer distal end for making a score mark on the ground;a mount for said arm at an inner proximal end thereof allowing pivoting of said arm about first and second generally transverse axes whereby to allow the arm to swing upwardly and downwardly about said first axis when operating on uneven ground while also allowing said arm to swing around said second axis from its outwardly projecting operating position into a transport position, said arm including inner and outer arm sections secured together by a folding joint to permit said inner and outer arm sections to be folded into juxtaposition with one another and brought into the transport position;an actuator mounted to said inner arm section for effecting rotation of said inner and outer arm sections; anda mechanism interacting between said mount and said inner and outer arm sections and connected to said actuator such that as said inner arm section is pivoted by said actuator through a selected angle relative to said mount, said outer arm section is pivoted about said folding joint through an angle relative to said inner arm section substantially greater than the extent of said selected angle;wherein said mechanism includes:an elongated link extending generally parallel to said inner arm section from said mount; anda crank arm pivotally connected between distal end portions of the inner arm section and said elongated link, said crank arm being linked to said outer arm section, said actuator being adapted to extend and retract and being connected such that, as said actuator extends and retracts, said crank arm is rotated and said inner and outer arm sections are caused to pivot relative to one another.