# Patent

## Title
Flexible wing sections for a field cultivator

## Abstract

An agricultural tillage implement for use in a field. The agricultural tillage implement including a frame section and a plurality of wing sections. The frame section has a pull hitch extending in a travel direction. Each of the plurality of wing sections are coupled to the frame section and/or a wing section. The wing sections each have an articulated portion pivotal about an axis substantially perpendicular to the travel direction. The wing sections include a first wing section and a second wing section. The articulated portion of the first wing section pivoting independent of the articulated portion of the second wing section.

## Background
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/914,601 entitled “FLEXIBLE WING SECTIONS FOR A FIELD CULTIVATOR”, filed Dec. 11, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to agricultural implements, and, more particularly, to agricultural tillage implements.
2. Description of the Related Art
Farmers utilize a wide variety of tillage implements to prepare soil for planting. Some such implements include two or more sections coupled together to perform multiple functions as they are pulled through fields by a tractor. For example, a field cultivator is capable of simultaneously tilling soil and leveling the tilled soil in preparation for planting. A field cultivator has a frame that carries a number of cultivator shanks with shovels at their lower ends for tilling the soil. The field cultivator converts compacted soil into a level seedbed with a consistent depth for providing excellent conditions for planting of a crop. Grass or residual crop material disposed on top of the soil is also worked into the seedbed so that it does not interfere with a seeding implement subsequently passing through the seedbed.
A field cultivator as described above may also include an optional rear auxiliary implement for finishing the seedbed for seeding. For example, a rear auxiliary implement may include a spike tooth harrow, spring tooth harrow, rolling (aka. crumbler) basket, etc., or any combination thereof. The rolling basket has a reel with a plurality of blades for breaking clods into smaller sizes and chopping up the debris still remaining on the top of the soil.
Often field cultivators have a substantial width with multiple sections running parallel with each other. These wide cultivators can cover a ground contour or profile that varies considerably over the cultivator width. It is not unusual for the width of the cultivator to significantly exceed the operational length of the cultivator.
What is needed in the art is an easy to use mechanism for following the varying terrain of a field with an agricultural tillage implement as the implement traverses a field.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a tillage implement with multiple wing sections that independently articulate about axes perpendicular to the direction of travel of the implement.
The invention in one form is directed to an agricultural tillage implement for use in a field. The agricultural tillage implement including a frame section and a plurality of wing sections. The frame section has a pull hitch extending in a travel direction. Each of the plurality of wing sections are coupled to the frame section and/or a wing section. The wing sections each have an articulated portion pivotal about an axis substantially perpendicular to the travel direction. The wing sections include a first wing section and a second wing section. The articulated portion of the first wing section pivoting independent of the articulated portion of the second wing section.
The invention in another form is directed to a series of wing sections coupleable to an agricultural tillage implement having a frame section including a pull hitch extending in a travel direction. Each wing section includes an aft portion, and an articulated fore portion being pivotally coupled to the aft portion about an axis substantially perpendicular with the travel direction. The wing sections include a first wing section and a second wing section. The articulated fore portion of the first wing section pivoting independent of the articulated fore portion of the second wing section.
The invention in yet another form is directed to a method of following a ground contour with multiple wing sections of an agricultural implement. The method includes the steps of providing a travel direction for the implement in a field, and pivotally coupling an articulated portion of each wing section about an axis to an aft portion of each corresponding wing section. Each axis being substantially perpendicular to the travel direction. The wing sections include a first wing section and a second wing section. The articulated portion of the first wing section pivoting independent of the articulated portion of the second wing section.
An advantage of the present invention is that the multiple sections of the cultivator can fold for transport, yet each section has a portion that can move up and down to independently follow the ground terrain.
Another advantage is that the down pressure of the rolling baskets is not affected by the pivoting of the fore shank portion of each section.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of an agricultural tillage implement, in the form of a field cultivator of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is the same top perspective view shown in FIG. 1, with the center shank frame folded to a transport position;
FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the center frame section with the center shank frame in the operating position;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the rolling basket assemblies used with the tillage implement shown in FIGS. 1-3;
FIG. 5 is a partial side view of the agricultural tillage implement of FIGS. 1-4 illustrating an articulated portion of a wing section;
FIG. 6 is another partial side view of the agricultural tillage implement of FIGS. 1-5 illustrating an articulated portion of a wing section in another position than that illustrated in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is yet another partial side view of the agricultural tillage implement of FIGS. 1-6 illustrating parts of two articulated portions of adjacent wing sections;
FIG. 8 is a closer side view of the agricultural tillage implement of FIGS. 1-7, highlighting a slotted pivotal connection; and
FIG. 9 is a perspective view further illustrating the slotted pivotal connection of FIG. 8.



Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate some embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown an embodiment of a tillage implement of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the tillage implement is in the form of a field cultivator 10 for tilling and finishing soil prior to seeding. The invention title uses the word “flexible” and although a pivoting system is shown and claimed, other ways of following the ground terrain independently section-by-section are also contemplated.
Field cultivator 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured as a multi-section field cultivator, and includes a main frame section 12 and a plurality of wing sections 14, 16 and 18. The left wings sections are designated 14A, 16A and 18A, and the right wing sections are designated 14B, 16B and 18B. Wing sections 14A and 14B are each inner wing sections, wing sections 16A and 16B are each middle wing sections, and wing sections 18A and 18B are each outer wing sections.
Main frame section 12 is the center section that is directly towed by a traction unit, such as an agricultural tractor (not shown). Main frame section 12 includes a pull hitch tube 20 extending in a travel direction 22, and a tool bar 24 which is coupled with and extends transverse to pull hitch tube 20. Reinforcing gusset plates 26 may be used to strengthen the connection between pull hitch tube 20 and tool bar 24. Main frame section 12 generally functions to carry a shank frame 28 for tilling the soil, and a rear auxiliary implement 30 for finishing the soil. Rear auxiliary implement 30 includes a spring tooth drag 32 and a rolling (aka, crumbler) basket assemblies 34 which coact with each other to finish the soil.
Shank frame 28 generally functions to carry cultivator shanks 36 with shovels 38 at their lower ends for tilling the soil. Shank frame 28 is pivotally coupled with tool bar 24, preferably at the top of tool bar 24, such as with couplings 40. Shank frame 28 is positioned in front of the tool bar 24 when in an operating position (FIGS. 1 and 3), and is foldable up and over the tool bar 24 to a position rearward of tool bar 24 when in a transport position (FIG. 2). Shank frame 28 includes a pair of longitudinal frame members 42 which are pivotally coupled with tool bar 24 at one end thereof using couplings 40. A plurality of cross frame members 44 are coupled with the longitudinal frame members 42. Each of the cross frame members 44 have a pair of opposite outboard ends 46 which extend horizontally past longitudinal frame members 42, then in a downwardly angled direction, whereby the outboard ends 46 are positioned on opposite lateral sides of the pull hitch tube 20 when in an operating position. The outboard ends 46 of cross frame members 44 are coupled with a pair of respective shank sub-frames 48. Shank sub-frames 48 are spaced apart from each other in a direction transverse to pull hitch tube 20 and are positioned on respective opposite lateral sides of pull hitch tube 20 when in an operating position.
A center shank sub-frame 50 is attached to and positioned below pull hitch tube 20. Since shank sub-frames 48 are spaced apart on either side of pull hitch tube 20, center shank sub-frame 50 functions to till the soil in the intermediate open space between the two shank sub-frames 48. Center shank sub-frame 50 includes a number of cultivator shanks and corresponding shovels; three in the illustrated embodiment. Center shank sub-frame 50 is raised up and down with the raising and lowering of rear lift wheels 52 using hydraulic cylinder 54.
Shank frame 28 also includes one or more gauge wheel assemblies 56 which function to set a tillage depth of shank sub-frames 48. In the illustrated embodiment, shank frame 28 includes two gauge wheel assemblies 56 which are respectively coupled with a front of a respective shank sub-frame 48. A hydraulic cylinder 58 is used to fold shank frame 28 from the operating position to the transport position, and vice versa. Hydraulic cylinder 58 may be placed in a “float mode” such that gauge wheel assemblies 56 are operable to float up and down as they traverse across a field and thereby set the operating depth at the front edge of shank frame 28.
Shank frame 28 may also include additional support frame members 60 and 62 which provide structural rigidity. Support frame members 60 extend diagonally across the top of shank frame 28, and support frame members 62 extend diagonally between the outboard ends 46 of cross frame members 44.
A hydraulic cylinder 54 is provided to lift the frame using rear lift wheels 52 to configure cultivator 10 for transport. Hydraulic cylinder 58 is provided to fold shank frame 28 up and over tool bar 24 to an inverted position rearward of tool bar 24. Shank sections 66 of the wing sections 14, 16 and 18 are configured to be folded upwards to a position at or near vertical using hydraulic cylinders 68 (hydraulic cylinder 68 or second actuator 68 illustrated in FIGS. 5-8). Diagonally angled boom arms 72 extend between a forward end of pull hitch tube 20 and a respective tool bar 24 associated with the pair of middle wing sections 16A and 16B. Gauge wheel assemblies 56 at the front of center shank frame 28 and gauge wheel assemblies 70 at the front of wing sections 14, 16 and 18 are all configured as caster wheels so that they can pivot to a travel direction when field cultivator 10 is moved in travel direction 22 when in the folded or transport state.
Now additionally referring to FIG. 4 there is shown an additional view of a portion of the rear of implement 10, here with rolling basket assemblies 34 with secondary frame 76 coupled to structural elements of implement 10. Rolling basket assemblies 34 include at least one rolling basket 90. In FIG. 1 there is shown a specific rolling basket assembly 78 and a rolling basket assembly 80. Here rolling basket assembly 78 has an effective length 82, which is the total length of the rolling baskets which make up rolling basket assembly 78. In a similar fashion rolling basket assembly 80 has an effective length 84. A pressure control system 86 is used to alter the pressure applied to rolling basket assemblies 78 and 80 proportional to effective lengths 82 and 84 so that a substantially equal down pressure per linear unit of measure is established.
Rolling basket assemblies 34 include a set of rolling baskets 90, a sub-frame 92, pivoting arms 94, brackets 96 and actuators 98. Pressure control system 86 provides the selected pressures to actuators 98 to provide equalized down pressure, as modified by the geographic position determining device 88, for rolling baskets 90 even though rolling baskets 90 may have differing lengths as 82 and 84.
Now additionally referring to FIGS. 5-7, there is illustrated a wing section 100, which can be any one of the sections 12, 14, 16 or 18. Each of sections 12, 14, 16 and 18 can have the inventive construct discussed herein, which is generically referred to hereafter as wing section 100, and includes even center main frame section 12. Wing section 100 has an articulated portion 102, pivotally coupled to an aft portion 104 about an axis 106. The articulated portion 102 and the aft portion 104 are pivotably coupled about an axis which is substantially perpendicular with the travel direction. Each articulated portion 102 of each wing section 12, 14, 16, or 18 is configured to pivot independently. Each articulated portion 102 is operably coupled to: a forward mechanism or forward articulated frame section 103 positioned near a first end or fore end 105 of each articulated portion 102, an aft articulated frame section 107 positioned near a second end or aft end 09 of each articulated portion 102, and a center section or center 111. Axis 106 is generally parallel to the ground G beneath the particular section. Axis 106 on one wing section 100 does not have to be coaxially related to the axis 106 of another wing section 100, but the axes are generally or substantially coplanar. It is also contemplated that the rear shank frame can be configured to pivot about axis 106 or pivot about some other axis.
As can be seen in FIG. 5 ground G is rising in travel direction 22 and gauge wheel 70 follows the ground contour by raising articulated portion 102 with aft portion 104 being not yet affected by the ground contour encountered by articulated portion 102. Now looking to FIG. 6 ground G is not rising in travel direction 22 and gauge wheel 70 follows the ground contour by lowering articulated portion 102, as compared to FIG. 5, with aft portion 104 being not yet affected by the ground contour encountered by articulated portion 102.
As can be seen in FIG. 7 an adjacent wing section 100′ is shown with an articulated portion 102′ being raised relative to articulated portion 102. Here gauge wheel 70′ is shown following ground G′ to illustrate the independence of each wing section 102. Since each wing section 100 is also pivotally connected to adjacent wing sections, axis 106 of each wing section will generally be parallel with the ground beneath that particular wing section, but not necessarily parallel with the axis 106 of any other wing section 100. This pivotal coupling between adjacent wing sections 100 allows a side-to-side flexure and the present invention allows an additional fore/aft flexure to ensure that the shank engagement with the ground is generally independent of the ground contour as implement 10 traverses the ground.
Although the illustrated embodiment of the invention shows the rear section as basically rigid because of the down pressure applied to rolling baskets 90, it is also contemplated that the rear section could also pivot up and down with a different leveling attachment. This would provide another degree of flex to each wing section.
Articulated portions 102 have an angular limit of movement, but otherwise are free to follow the profile of the terrain encountered by gauge wheel 70. Advantageously, the present invention divides the shank frame into a fore section 102 and an aft section 104 with a pivot between them about axis 106. This allows the shank frames to be folded into a narrow profile for transport and provides the pivot feature for the frames to flex upward and downward for uneven ground terrain. Advantageously the present invention serves to help maintain a generally uniform shank working depth over uneven ground contours.
Now looking further to FIGS. 8 and 9, there are shown further details of a bracket or second bracket 110 and a bracket or first bracket 112, each of the brackets 112, 110 or first and second brackets 112, 110, are operably coupled at or near a center 111 which is operably coupled to each articulated portion 102, and each first and second brackets 112, 110 have a slot 114 therein. Slot 114 allows for a pivoting sliding connection with an end of hydraulic cylinder or second actuator 68, which is operably coupled at an opposite end to a portion of the aft articulated frame section 107. The length of slot 114 allows for the independent movement of the articulated portion 102 relative to adjacent articulated portion 102′. Bracket or first bracket 112 is also operably coupled to an end of actuator or first actuator 108 and an opposite end of first actuator 108 is operably connected to a forward mechanism or forward articulated frame section 103 that controls guide wheel 70 and thereby the depth that the shanks engage the ground. It is also contemplated that the rear frame could also have a similar slotted bracket or another arrangement to allow a flexing of the rear frame.
While a seven section implement with only wing pivots parallel to the direction of travel have seven different degrees of flex. However, an advantage of the present invention is that the adding of wing pivots perpendicular to the direction of travel increases the total flex with the front and rear frames to 21 degrees of flex.
While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

## Claims

1. An agricultural tillage implement for use in a field, the agricultural tillage implement comprising:
a center main frame section including a pull hitch extending in a travel direction; and
a plurality of wing sections, each being coupled to at least one of the center main frame section or one of the plurality of wing sections, the center main frame and each wing section of the plurality of wing sections including shanks;
at least each wing section of the plurality of wing sections including
an articulated portion and an aft portion, the articulated portion and the aft portion pivotably coupled about an axis substantially perpendicular with the travel direction, each articulated portion of each wing section of the plurality of wing sections configured to pivot independently, the articulated portion operably connected to: a forward articulated frame section positioned near a first end of the articulated portion, an aft articulated frame section positioned near a second end of the articulated portion, and a center;
a first actuator operably coupled at one end to the forward articulated frame section, the first actuator operably coupled at an opposite end near the center of the articulated portion; and
a second actuator including a hydraulic cylinder operably coupled at one end to the aft articulated frame section, the second actuator operably coupled at its opposite end near the center of the articulated portion to a bracket and slideably movable within the bracket, and

wherein the pivotable coupling of the articulated portion to the aft portion, along with a position of the first actuator, and the second actuator as well as slideable movement thereof relative to the articulated portion permits each articulated portion and its respective wing section to move independently relative to a position of the ground, such that when the shanks of each wing section are positioned in the ground, the shanks are maintained in engagement with the ground regardless of ground contour under each wing section.

2. The agricultural tillage implement of claim 1, wherein said axis of said first wing section and said axis of said second wing section are substantially coplanar.

3. The agricultural tillage implement of claim 1, wherein each of said axes are generally parallel with a ground surface beneath each of said articulated portions.

4. The agricultural tillage implement of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is operably coupled at its opposite end near the center of the articulated portion to another bracket and slideably movable within the bracket.

5. The agricultural tillage implement of claim 1, wherein each said wing section includes:
a lift wheel coupled to said wing section; and
a gauge wheel coupled to said wing section.

6. The agricultural tillage implement of claim 5, wherein said lift wheel of each wing section is coupled to said wing section aft of said articulated portion.

7. The agricultural tillage implement of claim 6, wherein said gauge wheel is coupled near to a fore portion of said articulated portion.

8. The agricultural tillage implement of claim 7, further comprising a rear auxiliary implement coupled to each wing section of the tillage implement aft of said lift wheel.

9. A series of wing sections coupleable to an agricultural tillage implement having a frame section including a pull hitch extending in a travel direction, the series of wing sections comprising:
a first wing section; and
a second wing section pivotally coupled to the first wing section, each of the series of wing sections including:
one or more shanks;
an aft portion; and
an articulated fore portion pivotally coupled to the aft portion about an axis substantially perpendicular relative to the travel direction, the articulated fore portion of the first wing section configured to pivot independently relative to the articulated fore portion of the second wing section, the articulated portion operably connected to: a forward articulated frame section positioned near a first end of the articulated portion, an aft articulated frame section positioned near a second end of the articulated portion, and a center;
a first actuator operably coupled at one end to the forward articulated frame section, the first actuator operably coupled at an opposite end near the center of the articulated fore portion to a first bracket and slideably movable within the first bracket; and
a second actuator including a hydraulic cylinder operably coupled at one end to the aft articulated frame section, the second actuator coupled at an opposite end near the center of the articulated fore portion to a second bracket and slideably movable within the second bracket,

wherein the pivotable connection of the articulated fore portion to the aft portion, along with a position of the first actuator and a position of the second actuator as well as slideable movement thereof relative to the articulated fore portion permits each articulated fore portion to move relative to a position of the ground, such that when the shanks on each wing section are positioned in the ground, the shanks are maintained in engagement with the ground regardless of ground contour under each wing section.

10. The series of wing sections of claim 9, wherein said axis of said first wing section and said axis of said second wing section are substantially coplanar.

11. The series of wing sections of claim 10, wherein each of said axes are generally parallel with a ground surface beneath each of said articulated portions.

12. The series of wing sections of claim 9, wherein each wing section further includes:
a lift wheel coupled to each said wing section; and
a gauge wheel coupled to each said wing section.

13. The series of wing sections of claim 12, wherein said lift wheel is coupled near to the wing section aft of said articulated fore portion.

14. The series of wing sections of claim 13, wherein said gauge wheel is coupled near to a fore portion of said articulated fore portion.

15. The series of wing sections of claim 14, further comprising a rear auxiliary implement coupled to each wing section aft of said lift wheel.