Abstract:
A drainage tile stringer system which includes a spool which has an automated hat, which translates along the stinger or shaft of the spool so that the vertical size of the spool is adjustable to accommodate differences in coils of drainage tiles. The system is automated so that a single controller can be utilized to perform all of the hydraulic functions required to load a coil onto the drainage tile stringer system and to adjust the vertical spool dimension.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to agricultural machinery and soil drainage. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a new drain tile roll support and loading apparatus for replacing and dispensing drain tile rolls while in the field. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Tile drainage is a subsurface water control means often utilized in agricultural settings for improvement of moisture levels within the soil. Moisture content within the soil is often controlled in order to improve crop growth and for allowing access to the crops by way of heavy farm equipment. Too much moisture in the soil inhibits plant growth, and heavily saturated soil can quickly bog down heavy machinery utilized in crop cultivation, making access difficult. 
         [0003]    Tile drainage has been performed with a buried drain pipe that is either segmented or perforated to accept therein subsurface water, wherein the buried drain is graded such that the water naturally flows in one direction and into a surface water collection area, such as a nearby body of water or a man-made reservoir. The drain tile is an elongated section of pipe that is buried within an excavated trench within the soil, in a similar fashion as a French drain around buildings, wherein the drain tile is then optionally covered with gravel and then a layer of soil thereover. As the water level rises, or as water percolates into the soil from rainfall, the water enters the pipe and flows from the farm fields and away from the crops, which desire a specific range of moisture levels in order to ensure proper root growth for healthy development. 
         [0004]    Deploying drain tile, or “stringing” tile, involves placement of a drain tile piping roll onto a tractor or similar article of farm machinery for support thereof Workmen may draw the tile from a spool supporting the roll as the tractor advances along a desired path for the drain tile trench. The spool rotates and the length of tile is withdrawn from the roll for placement into the trench before backfilling with soil thereover. The roll is therefore rotatably supported by the tractor to facilitate withdrawing therefrom, while periodic replacement of the roll is required after its drain tile length is fully deployed. In the past, when replacing the roll of drainage tile, the operator had to position a new roll onto a spool shaft and secure the roll thereto using an upper and lower spool ring that ensures the roll does not slide from the spool during operation. During the process of stringing tile in the field, operators were often required to exit the vehicle cab in which they are loading a fresh roll of drain tile onto the spool shaft or when unloading a depleted roll therefrom. This process was time-consuming and inefficient to the overall tile stringing process. 
         [0005]    The replacement process further allowed for steps to be skipped that affect safety of the operators and workers in the field. During replacement of the roll, both rings of the spool were often required to be installed to contain the roll thereon. If operators choose not to install the removable top ring, the tile might dislodge from the spool and flip over as it is being unrolled, which could cause defects in the pipe. The tile might also bounce along the spool shaft while in the field, causing damage to the spool, the tile, and the trailer. It has been submitted in the past that an effective solution to these known problems was necessary. A solution was proposed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/866,263, Publication No. 20130277488 (published Oct. 24, 2013) (Paul Hovland, applicant), which patent application is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. This system utilizes a pivoting rocker arm  20  for placing the cap, which provides for only a single location of the upper ring  13  when it is oriented to be opposing the ring  12 . Additionally, the system refers to controls in the vehicle and shows multiple sets of hydraulic hoses, which suggest a configuration where there is the capability for independent manual cylinder control for each hydraulically adjusted portion of the implement. 
         [0006]    The present invention pertains to an automatic apparatus for and method of placing and replacing rolls of drainage tile onto a mobile spool of a hydraulic tile stringing implement, and for adjusting the vertical size of the spool during removal of the tile from the spool. 
         [0007]    Consequently, there exists a need for improved methods and apparatuses for efficiently deploying rolls of drainage tiles. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an easily implemented efficient system and method for placing and replacing rolls of drainage tiles. 
         [0009]    It is a feature of the present invention to utilize a fully automated system for control of a tile stringing implement from within the vehicle. 
         [0010]    It is an advantage of the present invention to provide for a reduction in time necessary to load and deploy a roll of drainage tile on a tile stringing implement. 
         [0011]    It is another object of the invention to reduce the potential for unwanted movement of tile within the spool while tile is being removed from the spool. 
         [0012]    It is another feature to provide a vertically adjustable height of the hat of the spool to make the vertical size of the spool variable to reflect variations in coiling of the tile, construction of the tile and even during dispensing of the tile with the declining amount of tile remaining on the spool. Hat travel when capping a coil is often limited by both the surface of the coil end as well as a “core”. The core is a larger diameter plastic tile sleeve the same width as the coil, onto which the tile is wrapped at the manufacturer. Thus, the hat has limited travel even when the amount of tile is declining. However, the fresh coil ends are sometimes uneven (nonplanar) with bulging internal coil loops. The present invention is often capable of compressing this to a planar surface. However, if it cannot, then it has the ability to preload down pressure and urge it to become planar as the tile is unwound. 
         [0013]    It is another advantage of the present invention to reduce the freedom for unwanted motion of the tile while on the spool. 
         [0014]    The present invention is an apparatus and method for efficiently and cost effectively deploying rolls of drainage tiles in the field. 
         [0015]    Accordingly, the present invention is a method of adjusting a spool size for a coil of drainage tile on a drainage tile stringing implement attachment comprising the steps of: providing a coil of an elongated drainage tile, said coil having a first height characteristic; providing a spool shaft oriented in a first direction and said coil being disposed about said spool shaft; providing a first spool end drainage tile retaining member, coupled to said spool shaft; providing a second spool end drainage tile retaining member; providing a spool shaft receiving member coupled to said second spool end drainage tile retaining member; translating said second spool end drainage tile retaining member in a second direction, which is substantially parallel with said first direction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The invention may be more fully understood by reading the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the appended drawing wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of the drainage tile stringing implement attachment  100  of the present invention, shown in an empty and mostly vertical compact configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the drainage tile stringing implement attachment  100  of  FIG. 1  in an empty and less vertically compact configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view of the drainage tile stringing implement attachment  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in a coil engaging configuration. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the drainage tile stringing implement attachment  100  of  FIGS. 1-3 , in a loaded and upright configuration. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the drainage tile stringing implement attachment  100  of  FIGS. 1-4 , in a loaded, upright and capped configuration. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an alternate view of the system shown in  FIGS. 1-5  with alternate numbering and additional numbering relating to the hydraulic portions of the present invention which are also shown in  FIGS. 7-11 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a hydraulic circuit diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a hydraulic flow diagram which corresponds to the system configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , wherein the arrows represent the direction of fluid flow. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a hydraulic flow diagram which corresponds to the system configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , wherein the arrows represent the direction of fluid flow. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a hydraulic flow diagram which corresponds to the system configuration shown in  FIG. 4 , wherein the arrows represent the direction of fluid flow. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a hydraulic flow diagram which corresponds to the system configuration shown in  FIG. 5 , wherein the arrows represent the direction of fluid flow. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Although described with particular reference to three point hitch implement, the system and method for tile stringing can be implemented in with many different types of devices, the particular implement shown here is merely an example of the many other implements that could utilize the present invention. The materials and construction techniques used in the fabrication of the present invention are common and well known in the art of agricultural implements. A person skilled in the art of design and fabrication of agricultural implements would readily understand how to make and use this invention after reading this application and viewing the drawings. 
         [0029]    Now referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals refer to like matters throughout, and more particularly referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a drainage tile stringing implement attachment  100  of the present invention, it is not shown attached to any type of vehicle but this embodiment may be attached to a three point hitch trailer of the type commonly pulled by tractors. However, drainage tile stringing implement attachment  100  could be attached to a regular automotive trailer, a truck, a UTV, an ATV, a cart, or the like. Drainage tile stringing implement attachment  100  is shown having a spool shaft  111 , a first spool end drainage tile retaining member  112  and a second spool end drainage tile retaining member  113 , where the spool shaft  111  extends between the first spool end drainage tile retaining member  112  and the second spool end drainage tile retaining member  113 . These items may be, but need not be, similar to items  11 ,  12  and  13 , respectively, in the above referenced published US Patent Application. Spool shaft  111  is shown in a generally upright position and having a shaft longitudinal axis which is shown as being temporarily substantially vertical. First spool end drainage tile retaining member  112  coupled to and disposed about spool shaft  111  and is preferably capable of being pivoted so that the spool shaft  111  is in a substantially horizontal orientation. ( FIG. 3 ). Second spool end drainage tile retaining member  113  is coupled to spool shaft receiving member  114 , which is coupled to reaching support arm  120 , which is coupled to upstanding frame member top portion  152 , which is coupled to upstanding frame member bottom portion  150 . Upstanding frame member bottom portion  150  having a bottom portion longitudinal axis and upstanding frame member top portion  152  having a top portion longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel with said bottom portion longitudinal axis. Upstanding frame member bottom portion  150  and upstanding frame member top portion  152  are configured in a nested telescoping arrangement, however other non-nested configurations are contemplated as well. Said bottom portion longitudinal axis is shown as being substantially vertical, but variations of this are also contemplated. Upstanding frame member top portion  152  is coupled to a powered telescoping actuator second portion  122 , which is coupled to powered telescoping actuator first portion  121 , which in combination may be a hydraulic cylinder or other powered linear actuator, such as a pneumatic cylinder or an electric or mechanical linear actuator or suitable substitute. When hydraulic pressure is applied to powered telescoping actuator second portion  122 , it moves and forces upstanding frame member top portion  152  to telescope to an expanded configuration, such as is shown in  FIG. 2 . Also shown in  FIG. 1  is a spool shaft receiving member side portion  1413  with a spool shaft receiving member first interior member  1411  and a spool shaft receiving member second interior member  1415 . Spool shaft  111  is shown having a spool shaft top portion  1111  which is disposed between spool shaft receiving member second interior member  1415  and spool shaft receiving member first interior member  1411 . Said spool shaft  111  having a substantially cylindrical intermediate portion disposed between said spool shaft top portion  1111  and a point of connection between first spool end drainage tile retaining member  112  and spool shaft  111 . 
         [0030]    Now referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown view of the drainage tile stringing implement attachment  100  of the present invention with upstanding frame member top portion  152  being powered into an extended configuration with respect to upstanding frame member bottom portion  150 . This results in the second spool end drainage tile retaining member  113  and spool shaft receiving member  114  being elevated above spool shaft top portion  1111 . This cap raising step is done before the next step which is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0031]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a coil engaging configuration where the spool shaft  111  is shown in a substantially horizontal configuration for insertion in a central opening of a coil of an agricultural drainage tile. First spool end drainage tile retaining member  112  is shown coupled to shaft supporting pivot arm  140  which is forced into a pivoted position by application of hydraulic pressure to powered pivoting actuator second portion  142 , or the like, which is coupled to powered pivoting actuator first portion  141 , or the like, which is coupled to a structural portion of drainage tile stringing implement attachment  100 . This construction and function of the items described in these paragraphs may be, but need not be, similar to items performing similar functions in the above referenced US published patent application. 
         [0032]    Now referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a configuration of the drainage tile stringing implement attachment  100  which has been retracted into an uncapped and loaded configuration. Note that the powered pivoting actuator second portion  142  and powered pivoting actuator first portion  141  are omitted from this figure, but it should be understood that they were used in combination with each other to tip the coil of drainage tile into the shown orientation. 
         [0033]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a configuration of the drainage tile stringing implement attachment  100  where the second spool end drainage tile retaining member  113  has been lowered by manipulation of powered telescoping actuator second portion  122  and powered telescoping actuator first portion  121  so that second spool end drainage tile retaining member  113  contacts the top portion of a coil of drainage tile disposed about spool shaft  111 . It should be noted that spool shaft top portion  1111  is shown below spool shaft receiving member second interior member  1415 , which is between spool shaft receiving member first interior member  1411  and spool shaft top portion  1111 . This configuration shows that the second spool end drainage tile retaining member  113  is being prohibited from going down to the most compact configuration of  FIG. 1  by the presence of the coil of drainage tile. As drainage tile is removed from the coil (depending on how it was wound and how the wound coil was oriented with respect to the spool shaft  111 ), a cap may appear between the second spool end drainage tile retaining member  113  and the top of the coil. In one embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic pressure on powered telescoping actuator second portion  122  can be changed and upstanding frame member top portion  152  may be retracted into upstanding frame member bottom portion  150  and the gap could be reduced or eliminated. The spool shaft receiving member side portion  1413  in some embodiments might be longer so as to permit an extended range of penetration or variable depth of penetration of the spool shaft  111  into spool shaft receiving member  114 . This ability to change the vertical height of the spool which is formed when second spool end drainage tile retaining member  113  is moved toward first spool end drainage tile retaining member  112  allows for a size characteristic of the spool to be adjustable and to thereby facilitate secure retention and use of partial coils of drainage tile and allows for reducing the space which might permit unwanted movement of the drainage tile within the drainage tile stringing implement attachment  100 . The control of the precise location of the second spool end drainage tile retaining member  113 , with respect to the spool shaft  111  could be left to the judgement of a human operator or vehicle drivers. 
         [0034]    Now referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown an alternate view of the system shown in the position as shown in  FIG. 1  with alternate numbering and additional numbering relating to the hydraulic portions of the present invention, which are also shown in  FIGS. 7-11 . More specifically, powered telescoping actuator first portion  121  and powered telescoping actuator second portion  122  are collectively labelled as hat lift cylinder  3  in  FIG. 6 . Similarly, powered pivoting actuator first portion  141  and powered pivoting actuator second portion  142  are collectively labeled as table lift cylinder  4  in  FIG. 6 . Note the table lift cylinder is not shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5 , but it should be understood that it would be present in an actual working embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0035]    Now referring to  FIG. 7 , there is a close up view of the hydraulic circuit of the present invention which includes a hydraulic pump  1 , which could be powered by an Option A dc power unit, or an Option B tractor hydraulics or suitable substitutes. A hydraulic flow control push button control  2  (which could be disposed within reach of the driver of a vehicle and could be either electrical for Option A or a Tractor Valve if Option B). The Hat Lift Cylinder  3  and the Table Lift Cylinder  4  are also shown. Also shown is Sequencing Valve  5  with associated connections to button  2  and cylinders  3  and  4 . 
         [0036]    Now referring to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a hydraulic flow diagram which corresponds to the system configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , wherein the arrows represent the direction of fluid flow. 
         [0037]    Now referring to  FIG. 9 , there is shown a hydraulic flow diagram which corresponds to the system configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , wherein the arrows represent the direction of fluid flow. 
         [0038]    Now referring to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a hydraulic flow diagram which corresponds to the system configuration shown in  FIG. 4 , wherein the arrows represent the direction of fluid flow. 
         [0039]    Now referring to  FIG. 11 , there is shown a hydraulic flow diagram which corresponds to the system configuration shown in  FIG. 5 , wherein the arrows represent the direction of fluid flow. 
         [0040]    In operation, and now referring to  FIGS. 1-5 and 8-11 , the system of the present invention could function as follows: the system starts from a transport configuration with the spool empty and the second spool end drainage tile retaining member  113  seated as far down as possible ( FIG. 1 ). Next the second spool end drainage tile retaining member  113  is raised up to allow for pivoting of the spool shaft  111  ( FIGS. 2 and 8 ). Next the spool shaft  111  is pivoted to allow mating with a coil of drainage tile ( FIGS. 3 and 9 ). Next the spool shaft  111  is pivoted upright ( FIGS. 4 and 10 ). And lastly, the second spool end drainage tile retaining member  113  is lowered into close proximity of the top portion of the coil of drainage tile ( FIGS. 5 and 11 ). From the tractor or truck seat, the operator while viewing the implement, manipulates the push button or lever to cycle the loading system. The cycle is stopped (at  FIG. 3 ) to maneuver the spool shaft into the fresh coil. After the spool shaft and coil are fully engaged, the button or lever is actuated to continue the loading cycle. At the end of the loading cycle, the operator can stop the capping process when  113  contacts the coil or then may continue lowering, thereby adding the desired down pressure or completely seats the cap, whichever comes first. 
         [0041]    It should be understood that while this invention could have benefits of automated operation, many of the benefits of the invention could still be enjoyed with simple separate manual hydraulic controls for each hydraulic cylinder. Our automated sequencing not only simplifies the cycling process, it also protects the implement&#39;s components. Our system will not allow the table to pivot while the spool shaft ( 111 ) is engaged with  113  or allow the coil or  111  to contact the  113  while loading. 
         [0042]    In the above description, it should be understood that the claimed means for translating might include only a linear actuator and some simple control mechanism. This could be a single hydraulic cylinder with a manual hydraulic controller, together with the required hoses, fluid, connections, and sources of hydraulic power. Alternatively, this means for translating could be electric and could be many different types of linear actuators, including, but not limited to, an electric motor and a treaded or toothed elongated member together with a simple switch, or suitable substitutes. Of course, the means for translating could include the system as shown in  FIGS. 6-11 . 
         [0043]    It should be understood that when the terms vertical and horizontal are used to describe the present invention, it is not intended that these terms be interpreted to make them incorrect if the present invention is on a vehicle which is on uneven ground or inclined. The terms are meant to encompass such variations. 
         [0044]    It is thought that the method and apparatus of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing description and that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construct steps and arrangement of the parts and steps thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of their material advantages. The form herein described is merely a preferred exemplary embodiment thereof.