Abstract:
A tillage with an auto-reset mechanism and system adapted for tripping when a tool encounters an obstacle in the field, and automatically resetting when the obstacle is cleared. The mechanism is adapted for mounting various ground-working tools, such as shank-mounted chisels, which typically operate slightly below the ground surface and are thus susceptible to damage from submerged obstacles, such as rocks, buried timber and tree roots.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/824,531, filed May 17, 2013, which is incorporated herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to tillage equipment and in particular to a ganged, strip till tool with linkage for automatically resetting after encountering an obstacle in the field. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Tillage tools perform various cultivating tasks, including tilling and soil-loosening for better crop growing conditions and increased water holding capacity, firming and preparing seedbeds for optimum planting results and applying agricultural chemicals, such as fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides. Tillage tools also handle crop residues. Multipurpose tools can simultaneously open furrows, loosen soil, clear residue and close furrows over seed and field-applied chemicals. For example, tillage tools commonly include tillage shanks and knives, which operate below the field surface. Such shanks and knives are subjected to relatively extreme wear conditions, which can damage the knives and shanks themselves, as well as the equipment. Moreover, subsoil loosening of hardpan layers can improve water infiltration and absorption, encourage root development and allow for deeper fertilizer placement. The lifting action of subsoil loosening will generally not mix topsoil with subsoil, create clods, bury residue or require additional tillage operations. Conventional ripper-type plows, on the other hand, can require multi-pass field operations for effectiveness. Proper soil loosening with the appropriate equipment including properly-selected coulters, discs, knives and chisels can result in single-pass (per growing season) tilling operations, with resultant cost-savings and greater operating efficiencies. 
         [0006]    Effective tillage is best achieved by continuously maintaining the shanks, knives, coulters, discs and other field-working equipment in their soil-penetrating, operating positions. However, subsurface obstacles, such as rocks, debris and tree roots, can damage shanks and knives and otherwise interfere with equipment operation. Various systems have been devised for accommodating such obstacles and maintaining efficient operation. Moreover, the implements and systems should be protected from breakage and other damage when immovable objects are encountered in the field. 
         [0007]    Heretofore there has not been available a tillage tool including an auto-reset trip mechanism with the advantages and features of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In the practice of an aspect of the present invention, a tillage tool is provided with an auto-reset mechanism and system adapted for tripping when a tool encounters an obstacle in the field, and automatically resetting when the obstacle is cleared. The mechanism is adapted for mounting various ground-working tools, such as shank-mounted chisels, which typically operate slightly below the ground surface and are thus susceptible to damage from submerged obstacles, such as rocks, buried timber and tree roots. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an isometric diagram of an implement with multiple tillage tool gangs, each including an auto-reset mechanism embodying an aspect of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a partial, exploded, isometric diagram of the tillage tool gang. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a partial, isometric diagram of a tillage tool gang equipped with the auto-reset mechanism. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4-11  are side elevational views of the tillage tool and the auto-reset mechanism showing a sequence of operation wherein a submerged field obstacle is encountered, a ground-working tool (e.g., a shank/knife assembly) encounters the obstacle, the auto-reset mechanism is tripped to raise the tool over the obstacle and the mechanism automatically resets with the tool again submerged in its working position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
       [0013]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0014]    Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as oriented in the view being referred to. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning 
       II. Tillage Tool  2   
       [0015]    Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral  2  generally designates an implement, e.g., a multi-gang tillage tool, embodying an aspect of the present invention and generally including numerous tilling tool arm assemblies  4  with auto-reset mechanisms  8 . Without limitation on the generality of useful applications of the present invention, the implement  2  can comprise a tillage tool assembly  4  including coulters, discs, knives, chemical applicators and other ground-working equipment components  10 ,  12 , which can be chosen for particular tasks associated with factors such as field conditions, crops, ground moisture, field trash, debris, etc. The tillage tool generally includes a toolbar  22 , which can be connected to a tractor by a conventional three-point hitch, a drawbar or other suitable connection mechanisms. The toolbar  22  mounts one or more “gangs” of ground-working tool arm assemblies  4 . Without limitation, the multiple gangs correspond to the rows of crops in an agricultural field which are treated in a single pass. For example, eight-gang tillage tools are relatively common. Greater working widths corresponding to more crop rows can be accommodated with other aspects of the present invention, such as a stack-fold and flat-fold configurations, which can include a center section and two side sections configured for hydraulically folding up and over the center section. 
         [0016]    A tool arm assembly  4  includes an arm  18  with a first, proximal section  15  and a second, distal section  17 , which can be joined at a 90° elbow  19 . Other possible configurations of the arm  18  include different angles between the sections and different arm geometries. Various configurations and shapes of the arm  18  could be functional in the tool arm assembly  4 , provided similar connections to other components, geometries and ranges-of-motion are maintained. An auto-reset mechanism or system  8  includes a bracket subassembly  20  pivotally mounting the tool arm assembly proximal section  15  on the toolbar  22  for swinging upwardly to clear obstructions, and thereafter automatically resetting to a working, subsurface-engaging position. The bracket assembly  20  includes a bracket mount  26  with a pair of bracket mount plates  27 , which are positioned in spaced relation and notched to receive the toolbar  22 . The bracket mount  26  is mounted on the toolbar  22  by U bolts  28  for removal and reinstallation if needed. Alternatively, the bracket mounts  26  could be welded onto the toolbar  22  in fixed positions, or mounted using some other suitable attachment means. An upper linkage arm subassembly  30  includes a pair of linkage arms  31  pivotally connected at their front ends to the upper ends of the bracket mount plates  27  by a front pivot bolt  34 . The linkage arms  31  are pivotally connected at their back ends to the upper end of the arm proximate section  15  by a rear pivot bolt  36 . The tool arm  18  is thus adapted to pivot about a pivotal axis through the rear pivot bolt  36 . 
         [0017]    A reset spring assembly  24  includes a spring mounting bracket  32  pivotally attached to a lower end of the arm proximate section  15  by a bolt retainer  40 . The spring mounting bracket  32  includes a pair of coil springs  42  each mounted on a respective side of the arm proximal section  15 . The springs  42  are linked to the front bracket mount  26  by a pair of torsion rods  44 , which are pivotally connected at their front ends to the bracket mount  26  lower end and extend through respective spring guides  46  at their back ends, which threadably receive nuts  48  whereby spring tension is adjustable. Suitable pivot bushings  50  can be provided at the pivotal connections for reducing friction and wear on the moving parts. Alternatively, the pivotal connections could utilize other bearing devices, configurations and/or lubricants. 
         [0018]    A variety of tools can be mounted on the tool arm assemblies  4  for specific agricultural operations. Without limitation, knives  14  are mounted on shanks  13  extending through shank receivers  29  located on the arm distal sections  17 . Each arm proximal section  15  also mounts a depth gauge wheel  12  which extends forwardly and downwardly from a wheel mounting plate  58  on the elbow  19  formed by the arm sections  15  and  17 . The depth gauge wheel  12  can mount an optional coulter disk  62 . A pair of row cleaners  10  is mounted between the depth gauge wheels  12  and the shanks  13 . 
         [0019]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show a tool arm assembly  4  in exploded and constructed views, respectively. The elements are combined for easy disassembly for cleaning or modification, such as attaching different tool types. 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  shows the tillage tool arm assembly  4  in normal operation with the knife  14  embedded in the ground and the depth gauge wheel  12  maintaining the depth of the knife  14 . A subsurface obstacle  25 , shown in  FIGS. 5-10 , is located in front of the knife  14  and generally in its path.  FIG. 5  shows the depth gauge wheel  12  passing over the obstacle  25 .  FIG. 6  shows the row cleaners  10  clearing the obstacle  25 .  FIG. 7  shows the knife  14  hitting the obstacle  25 , causing the tool arm  18  to rotate counterclockwise, as shown further in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , and again in more detail in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0021]    An attachment bar receiver  52  is located at the proximal end of the proximal section  17  of the tool arm  18 . This receiver allows for connection of additional ground-working tools in the form of a secondary tool attachment  54 , such as shown in  FIG. 4 . A spring-loaded absorber  56  connects the main arm  66  of the secondary tool attachment  54  to a mounting bracket assembly  60  similar to bracket assembly  20  discussed above. In the example shown, a secondary coulter blade  62  and tilling tool  64  are connected via the secondary tool attachment  54 , and would be lifted by the reset spring assembly  24 . 
       III. Conclusion 
       [0022]    It is to be understood that the invention can be embodied in various forms, and is not to be limited to the examples discussed above. The range of components and configurations which can be utilized in the practice of the present invention is virtually unlimited.