Apparatus for creating a furrow

Apparatus for creating a ditch or furrow for agricultural use, including an implement pulled by a tractor. Generally, an implement includes a plow, a roller, and a wheel, such as a packer wheel. A plow is located towards an implement front end, and a wheel is located towards an implement back end, typically with the plow coaligned with a wheel. A roller is located on one or both sides of the plow wherein a frame supports the configurations of the plow, roller, and wheel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a field corrugator for creating an irrigation furrow.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Crop irrigation is a vital aspect of agriculture. A furrow or ditch allows water to flow across the surface of a field and supply water to nearby seeds and plants. Furrow irrigation is advantageous for use with certain crops, such as row crops like corn (maize). A challenge in creating furrows in a crop field is producing adequate trenches consistently and quickly.

A notable device used in creating irrigation furrows is a field creaser (also referred to as a Mormon Creaser). Although a field creaser is simple to use, there are a number of disadvantages with its design. A field creaser typically has a plurality of plows secured on a flat horizontal body, which is pulled by a tractor. The flat horizontal body is typically sled-like, having a slope at its front end.

Despite this slope, when in use, a field creaser collects soil towards its front end, which drags the soil towards the end of the field. Another device, such as a tractor, is necessary to clear the excess soil collected towards the edge of a crop field. In cases where seeds have already been broadcasted on the field, these seeds are also dragged towards the edge of the crop field.

Additionally, a field creaser may create imperfect furrows. The characteristic of the soil, and uneven terrain may affect how a field creaser creates a furrow. A field creaser has plows attached to a rigid horizontal body, so it may create shallow or uneven furrows when used on uneven terrain. Furthermore, a field creaser may require pulling at slower speeds in order to effectively create furrows, which leads to wasted time. In some cases, additional manual work is required to “clean up” these imperfect furrows.

There is a need for an implement that creates furrows for irrigation in a consistent manner. There is a need for an implement to be deployed quickly while creating regularly sized furrows, and without requiring additional work. There is a need for an implement to create furrows without dragging soil and possibly seeds across the field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention are related to creating a ditch or furrow for agricultural use. Certain embodiments of the invention include an apparatus, also referred to as an implement. In certain embodiments, a tractor pulls an implement. Generally, an implement includes a plow, a roller, and a wheel. The configuration of the plow, roller, and wheel as described herein solve a number of problems, including creating a furrow quickly and in a consistent manner. It is the object of certain embodiments of the invention to provide a superior device to create furrows in a field. It is also the object of certain embodiments to effectively create furrows while minimizing additional work. It is also the object of certain embodiment to feature replaceable and/or adjustable parts.

In certain embodiments, a plow is located towards an implement front end, and a compacting device, such as wheel or a packer wheel located towards the implement back end. In certain embodiments, a plow is coaligned with a wheel. In certain embodiments, a roller is located on one or both sides of the plow, where the plow is in coalignment with a wheel. In certain embodiments, a frame supports certain configurations of the plow, roller, and wheel.

In certain embodiments of the invention, a plow creates the initial trench in the ground. Plows are configured to attach a replaceable cutting edge, allowing its replacement after wear. As the plow creates a furrow and displaces soil to either side, a roller partially catches the displaced soil while leveling the ground. The wheel compacts the soil and reinforces the furrow. A wheel helps to level the furrow to create an even furrow line. In certain embodiments, a wheel includes a wheel cover that aids to reinforce the sides of the furrow, while protecting the wheel from accumulating soil and debris that may seize the wheel. Certain embodiments include a wheel that is provided with a downward force towards the ground. In certain embodiments, a wheel's downward force and height can be adjusted, such that the implement may be tailored towards various types and sizes of tractors.

Generally, a roller levels the ground as a plow creates a furrow. A roller is rotatable about an axle, allowing the implement to traverse a field while minimizing soil from being dragged across the field. Rollers also allow the implement to be used at a relatively high speed while creating the furrow. In certain embodiments, a roller includes a plurality of segments, allowing customization and replacement of the roller. In certain embodiments, a roller is disposed to move (for example, up and down) relative to the plow. In certain embodiments, motion of the roller allows the roller to conform to the ground as an implement is pulled across uneven terrain. Certain embodiments include a plurality of rollers, where a roller or a set of rollers moves independently of one another. Certain embodiments include flaps to limit soil and debris from dispersing. For example, flaps positioned behind rollers limit soil and debris from entering the furrow.

These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the inventions contained herein. The above-described embodiments, objectives, and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the invention are possible using, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below. Further, this Summary is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in this Summary, as well as in the attached drawings and the detailed description below, and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended to either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the detailed description, particularly when taken together with the drawings, and the claims provided herein

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that certain embodiments of the invention include an implement1. As seen inFIG. 1, in certain embodiments, a tractor7pulls an implement1. Generally, as seen inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, an implement1includes a plow3, a roller4, and a wheel5. In certain embodiments, as seen for example inFIG. 2, a frame2supports a plow3, a roller4, and a wheel5.

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, in certain embodiments, a plow3is located towards the bottom of an implement1. A plow contacts the ground, and creates a furrow as the implement is advanced across the ground. It can be appreciated that an implement1can include a plurality of plows, where the plows are arranged in a parallel orientation.

Referring toFIG. 2, in certain embodiments, an implement1further includes a mounting structure18located towards the frame front end2a. In certain embodiments, a mounting structure18generally attaches to a plow3. As shown inFIG. 3,FIG. 5, andFIG. 6, a mounting structure18has a bottom wall11and a front wall10. In certain embodiments, a plow3is attached to the bottom wall11of a mounting structure18. In certain embodiments, referring toFIG. 3andFIG. 5, a front wall10supports at least one mount6, where the mount6is attachable to a receiver hitch. As seen for example inFIG. 2,FIG. 3andFIG. 5, certain embodiments also include a mount6on a central support member23. A bottom wall11and a front wall10are planar and meet at an angle, for example, perpendicular to one another as seen inFIG. 1. It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments, a bottom wall11and a front wall10meets at an angle besides 90°. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, certain embodiments of a frame and mounting structure include other structural characteristics to allow attachment to a plow and other features of an implement.

As seen inFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 5andFIG. 6, a mounting structure18further includes a side wall17attaching to a bottom wall11and a front wall10. In certain embodiments, as seen inFIG. 2andFIG. 6, a plurality of braces19further support a bottom wall11and a front wall10.

Still referring toFIG. 2showing a top-down view of an embodiment of an implement, a plow3and a wheel5are in coalignment and as seen by line22. A wheel5is attached to a frame back end2b. In certain embodiments, the configuration of the plow, roller, and wheel allow the effective creation of the irrigation furrow. In certain embodiments, the effective width51(seen inFIG. 7B) of a wheel5is greater than the effective width50(seen inFIG. 8) of a plow3. By having the effective width51of a wheel5be greater than that of a plow, the wheel is able to reinforce the furrow. However, it will be appreciated that other size variations may be used. In certain embodiments, a wheel effective width is approximately 15 cm (6 inches), while a plow effective width is approximately 11 cm (4⅜ inches), although it will be appreciated that other sizes may be used.

Certain embodiments of an implement include a roller4disposed to move relative to the plow (for example, move up and down). Referring toFIG. 5, the bottom4aof a roller4may be in contact with the ground. Still referring toFIG. 5, in certain embodiments, a plow has a front end3aand a back end3b, with a plow body3cextending therebetween. In certain embodiments, a plow back end3bextends back past a roller leading edge4b. Moreover, as seen inFIG. 5andFIG. 6, certain embodiments of a plow3are configured to attach a replaceable cutting edge28, allowing replacement of the cutting edge after wear.

In certain embodiments, as seen for example inFIG. 1,FIG. 3,FIG. 5, andFIG. 6, a frame2includes a horizontal member14attaching to a mounting structure18. A horizontal member14extends from a frame front end2atowards a frame back end2b. A horizontal member14optionally attaches to a vertical member13, as seen inFIG. 3. In certain embodiments, as seen inFIG. 5, a vertical member13is further attached to a plow3. In certain embodiments, a cross bar supports a plurality of vertical members or horizontal members. Certain embodiments of a cross bar15, as seen inFIG. 3, are joined with a vertical member13.

In certain embodiments, as seen inFIG. 6, a frame2further includes other support members to stabilize the frame. For example, certain embodiments include a first web12having a first end12aattaching to a mounting structure18and a second end12battaching to a central support member23. In certain embodiments, a frame2further includes a second web24having one end attaching to a first web12. A second web24includes another end attaching to a mounting structure18, and a second web24further attaches to a horizontal member14. Referring toFIG. 5andFIG. 6, in certain embodiments, a chord29is attached between a central support member23and a vertical member13. Referring toFIG. 4, andFIG. 6, a diagonal member21further attaches to a top end of a vertical member13. It will be appreciated that the frame described herein is merely exemplary, and other configurations in certain embodiments have other structural configurations that allow for the frame to generally support the plows, rollers, and wheel.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, in certain embodiments, a plow3coaligned with a wheel5is disposed between rollers4, where such rollers may share a similar axis of rotation. In certain embodiments, a roller has an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the direction of motion of an implement. A roller is generally adjacently located to a plow. A roller levels the ground after the plow3creates a furrow. A roller generally has a round outer wall, where a roller may include, but is not limited to, a cylindrical form, a barrel form, and a hyperboloid form. In certain embodiments, a roller4further includes a plurality of segments. It will be appreciated that the implement1may be constructed to various widths as to allow more than or less than the number of rollers shown herein. It will also be appreciated that the distance between two plows may be sized to fit any number of roller segments. Certain embodiments of a roller segment have a round form, with for example a smooth outer surface. In certain embodiments, as shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 8, a roller segment47is a cultipacker further having peaks and troughs along the outer surface. It will also be appreciated that the outer surface of a roller may include other types of surface features including, but not limited to, annular ridges, helical ridges, and protrusions.

The pivotable attachment of the roller arm to the implement allows the rollers4to level the ground while conforming to the ground as the implement1traverses uneven terrain. Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 6, in certain embodiments, a roller4rotates about an axis of rotation, for example, around an axle. A roller is further mounted to a roller arm16with fasteners26. The roller arm16is further pivotably attached to an implement frame2, for example, at a pivot27on a side wall17. It will be appreciated that certain embodiments of the invention include a roller or rollers sharing an axis of rotation. In certain embodiments, more than one axle is provided, where each axle is able to move independently of one another in space via different sets of roller arms. In certain embodiments, a roller is connected to one another with a connection25(as seen inFIG. 8). In certain embodiments, as seen inFIG. 10, a second roller arm16ais attached to the implement, for example, on a pivot housing49. In certain embodiments, a pair of roller arms contains a roller or a set of roller, where the pair of roller arms is attached along the implement. In certain embodiments, as seen inFIG. 10, a roller arm16ais located approximately near the central support member23. However, it will be appreciated that in certain embodiments of the implement, an implement includes at least one roller axle having a roller, where the at least one roller axle is attached to a pair of roller arms. The roller arms may be attached anywhere along an implement, including, but not limited to, for example, along the mounting structure18, or attached to a plow.

Referring toFIG. 4, in certain embodiments, a mud flap9is placed behind a roller4. A mud flap9limits soil and debris from dispersing into a furrow created by a plow. In certain embodiments, as shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 6, a mud flap9is attached to a horizontal bar45towards the back end of an implement. In certain embodiments, a mud flap9is secured to a mud flap holder46where a mud flap holder is further attached to the horizontal bar45.

In certain embodiments, a scraper removes excess soil build up on a roller. In certain embodiments, as shown inFIG. 8, a scraper20is attached to a horizontal bar45. A scraper20positioned between roller segments47of a roller4removes soil and debris from the roller. In certain embodiments, an implement includes a scraper20disposed to move simultaneously with a roller4. As a roller4moves up and down relative to the pivot27, a scraper20moves in concert with the roller. For example, referring toFIG. 9, a scraper20is located on a scraper frame48, where a scraper frame48is attached to an aspect of a roller such as a roller arm16.

Generally, a wheel is aligned with a plow. In certain embodiments, a wheel compacts the soil of a furrow created by the plow. Furthermore, a wheel levels the ground, making a furrow line even. A wheel5is generally actuated to deliver a downward force towards the ground. In certain embodiments, a wheel assembly includes a spring-actuated assembly, although it will be appreciated that other mechanical features are possible to provide the wheel a downward force. As seen for example inFIG. 2andFIG. 4, a wheel assembly30is located at the frame back end2b. Certain embodiments of a wheel assembly30are illustrated inFIG. 7AandFIG. 7B. A wheel arm8has a first end8athat is rotatably attached to a wheel5. A wheel arm8has a second end8bthat pivots around a first pivot36located on an upper arm37. An upper arm37has an overhang38, where a first end of a coil assembly35attaches to an upper mount42. A wheel arm8has a second pivot39located between the wheel arm first end8aand second end8b, where the second pivot39attaches to a second end of a coil assembly35. In certain embodiments, a coil assembly35includes a spring32and a stem33. In certain embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B, the spring32is a helical compression spring. It can be appreciated that the stiffness of the spring may be adjusted, for example, by reducing the length of the stem33between the upper mount42and the lower mount43.

In certain embodiments, the upper arm37has a mounting member, for example, a support mount44. In certain embodiments, a U-bolt31fastens the support mount44of the wheel assembly to a vertical member13. It will be appreciated that the height of the wheel assembly relative to the ground may be adjusted by securing the wheel assembly along the vertical member13. In certain embodiments, a wheel5includes a wheel cover34to prevent soil or debris from seizing the wheel. It will also be appreciated that a wheel cover34aids to reinforce the sides of the furrow. It will be appreciated that a wheel is attached to an implement in other manners, or in other locations besides those as described herein. It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments, a wheel is provided with a downward force through other assemblies known to those skilled in the art.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Further, the inventions described herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “adding” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.