Abstract:
An apparatus and method of installing a shank onto a ripper assembly of a tractor or crawler. A rotating shank installer (RSI) is welded onto a front face of a ripper assembly of a tractor, e.g., on the outside surface of a pocket beam. A portion of the RSI is allowed to rotate with respect to the pocket beam. With the shank in a substantially horizontal position with respect to the ground, the shank is secured between two plates of the RSI using pins wherein the plates can rotate with respect to the pocket beam. The shank is locked in place by two pins placed through the plates and the shank&#39;s weight is unbalanced with respect to the RSI. The ripper assembly is elevated causing the shank to rotate within the RSI to a substantially vertical position. The crawler is moved forward while lowering the ripper assembly in order to rip a groove into the ground with the bottom portion of the shank where the shank lowers into the ground. The RSI is disconnected from the shank wherein the shank is held in place by the grove. The bottom of the pocket is positioned over the top of the lowered shank and the pocket is lowered so that the shank is installed within the pocket and secured therein.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to heavy equipment operation and specifically to outfitting a tractor/crawler with a shank for ripping. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a prior art crawler  190  having a ripper assembly  195  in the rear. The ripper assembly includes hydraulic cylinders  197  and  198  that control the height and pitch of the ripper assembly. The ripper assembly  195  is also shown with a small length shank  120  installed therein. Shanks of small lengths, as shown in  FIG. 1A  are typically used for construction jobs. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates the ripper assembly  195  in more detail with shank  120  installed therein. Also shown in  FIG. 1B  is an extended length shank  125 . In general, a crawler  190  uses the extended shank  125  for farming purposes for planting or re-planting an orchard, e.g., to rip a groove several feet deep in a process called deep ripping, also called subsoiling. A pocket  130  within the ripper assembly  195  of the crawler (a large tractor with tracks) is used to hold the shank  125  vertically with a portion of the shank disposed under ground. The pocket  130  is a slot made through the pocket beam  135 . The crawler moves forward slowly while holding the shank  125  and thereby rips a groove in the dirt. 
     However, crawlers are not equipped with a mechanism to install the shank  125  into the pocket  130 . The problem with installing the extended length shank  125  is that the height of the shank  125  when positioned vertically, as shown in  FIG. 1B , is much higher than the height that the ripper assembly  195  can raise the pocket  130 . Installing an extended length shank  125  into the crawler&#39;s pocket  130  is a lengthy, manual, and very dangerous process involving several workers. Depending on the conditions in the field, the shank installation time may vary considerably making the process of shank installation very unpredictable. Also, the shank  125  may weigh thousands of pounds (e.g., 3,500 pounds) and installing the shank  125  into the crawler&#39;s pocket portion  130  may result in serious bodily injury if not done properly. 
     As stated above, the height of the shank  125  when positioned vertically, as shown in  FIG. 1B , is much higher than the height that the ripper assembly  195  can raise the pocket  130 . Therefore, when the ripper assembly  195  is fully raised, the shank  125  is taller than the height of the bottom of the pocket  130 . Therefore, it is not possible to install the shank within the pocket, unless the shank is somehow depressed into the ground or an uneven surface is located, e.g., a stair-stepped surface is present in the field. The problem of shank installation is exacerbated if the crawler needs to be transported often because the crawler cannot be transported with the extended length shank installed due to state law weight restrictions on transport low beds. In other words, when ripping services are contracted to farmers, etc., the crawler and shank need to be transported from job site to job site. Because the crawler cannot be transported with the shank installed, each time the crawler needs to be re-located, the extended length shank needs to be removed, transported on a separate smaller trailer and re-installed. This is typically not a problem with respect to the shorter shank of  FIG. 1A  because the shorter shank  120  can be left installed during transportation. Furthermore, construction jobs typically do not involve so much travel because the job lengths are longer when compared to ripping. 
     Today, there are several ways in which the extended length shank  125  can be depressed into the ground to lower its height for installation, but these methods are manual, time consuming, dangerous and often rely too heavily on conditions in the field which are unpredictable. In one method, the shank is removed from a trailer using the ripper assembly of the crawler. The shank is tied to the ripper assembly with two chains with the pointed end of the shank positioned lower and downward. The shank is then dropped so that its weight drives the pointed end in to the ground and the shank is left at an angle to the ground (not perpendicular) hoping that when the chains are removed it will stay in this position. The crawler then uses one of its tracks to climb up the length shank, thereby pushing it deeper into the ground. When it has been pushed enough, the crawler repositions itself in front of the top part of the shank and backs into it. Using the ripper beam touching the top of the shank which is at an approximate 45 degrees, the crawler applies pressure hydraulically as it moves backwards, causing the shank to go further down and more vertical, though not at the perfect angle. If process was successful at driving the shank deep enough, then the tractor will back into the shank to straighten it up. At this point the ripper assembly can be properly positioned over the top of the shank and inserted. This process is very labor intensive, dangerous, unpredictable and is rarely successful, depending on the conditions of the ground, etc. Moreover, if the shank is unable to be depressed into the ground a sufficient amount, then objects can be placed under the crawler&#39;s tracks to raise the ripper assembly by backing onto to them so that the pocket can be positioned over the shank&#39;s top to hammer and/or align the shank for proper installation. However, because of the weight of the tractor (approximately 115 tons), any objects used to elevate the machine are lost into the ground. This is usually only tried if it is believed that the ground is hard enough to withstand its weight. 
     Another method for installing the shank involves using a chain with a loop secured through the lowest hole in the shank and to a portion of the ripper assembly. The ripper assembly is then raised to raise the shank vertically. The bottom of the shank is then driven into the ground by lowering the ripper assembly and applying pressure to the chain loop pulling downward on the shank thereby depressing it into the ground. Again, much like the first method described above, this second method is also labor intensive, very dangerous (as the chain can give way) and is unpredictable. 
     Accordingly, the problem with installing an extended length shank within the ripper assembly of a crawler lies in the fact that the shank is taller in height than ripper assembly can raise the pocket. The conventional methods of installing a shank within the ripper assembly of a crawler are manual, time consuming, unpredictable (based on conditions in the field) and involve substantial risk of injury. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, a need has arisen to more efficiently, more speedily, more safely and more predictably install an extended length shank within a ripper assembly of a crawler. Moreover, a need has arisen to install an extended length shank onto the ripper assembly of a crawler that is not dependent on conditions of the field. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the detailed description of the present invention that the embodiments of the present invention satisfy the above mentioned needs. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a rotating shank installer (RSI) is welded onto a ripper assembly of a crawler to allow effective installation of an extended length shank within the pocket of the crawler. The ripper assembly is raised or lowered and its pitch is altered by actions of hydraulic cylinders. The ripper assembly includes a pocket beam with at least one pocket for holding the shank. The ripper assembly can be multi-shank or single-shank. 
     In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the RSI is welded to the rear surface of the pocket beam, at the center of the multi-shank beam. According to one embodiment, the RSI includes two brackets welded to the pocket beam, a first back plate welded to the brackets and a second back plate that is rotatively connected to the first back plate via a pin so that the second back plate can rotate with respect to the pocket beam. The second back plate is welded to two parallel plates that are spaced apart according to the thickness of the shank creating a rotating, open ended pocket. Each parallel plate comprises a hole aligned with the hole on the other plate. A shank may be securely held between the two parallel plates by inserting a pin through the holes of the parallel plates and a hole of the shank. A second set of aligned holes within the parallel plates can be used to prevent movement of the shank within the RSI by inserting another pin there through. Since the parallel plates are welded to the second back plate, they are free to rotate with respect to the pocket beam. 
     The RSI operates in the following manner to install an extended length shank within the pocket of the ripper assembly. First, a shank is positioned on the ground in a substantially horizontal position. The shank is laid over an article at one end such that its top portion is raised about one foot with respect to the ground. Since the RSI is attached to the pocket beam, it can be raised and lowered by the ripper assembly. Therefore, the ripper assembly lowers the RSI so that its parallel plates can be aligned with the shank, the crawler is moved backward in a fork-lift fashion so that the shank is positioned within the parallel plates. The shank is then secured within the RSI using two pins inserted within the holes of the parallel plates. The shank is attached at a position closer to its top so that the shank&#39;s bottom portion is heavier. 
     The ripper assembly with RSI is raised up which will rotate responsive to the weight imbalance of the shank. Accordingly, as the RSI is raised, the shank is moved from a horizontal position to a vertical position until the bottom of the shank lies just above the ground. 
     With the shank in a substantially vertical position within the RSI, the crawler is moved forward while the ripper assembly is lowered. This causes the bottom of the shank to be depressed into the ground and it rips a groove into the dirt. A stopper on the top of the RSI and a claw on the bottom of the RSI prevent the shank from exerting leverage on the pin holding the first and second back plates of the RSI. This prevents the RSI from being torn away from the pocket beam. 
     The shank is lowered by the ripper assembly until the top of the shank is below the maximum height that the ripper assembly can raise the pocket. At this point, the crawler stops moving forward and stops lowering the ripper assembly. The now vertical shank is disconnected from the RSI by removing the two pins, the machine then moves forward a couple feet, and advantageously, the shank is securely held in the ground by the groove that it ripped. The ripper assembly is now raised to accommodate the height of the factory pocket, backs up and then positions the pocket over the top of the shank and lowers the ripper assembly so that the shank can be properly inserted within the factory pocket. 
     Accordingly, using the RSI in the above method, an extended length shank is properly installed within a ripper assembly of a crawler in an efficient, safe and predictable fashion that does not rely on conditions of the field. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a prior art crawler with a shank installed within a ripper assembly. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates the ripper assembly of the prior art crawler with an extended length shank shown adjacent. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of the rotating shank installer of one embodiment of the present invention shown welded onto the front of a ripper assembly of a crawler. 
         FIGS. 2B and 2C  illustrate perspective views of the rotating shank installer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention so that the claw support member is shown. 
         FIG. 2D  illustrates side view of the rotating shank installer welded onto a pocket beam of a ripper assembly and also having installed therein a shank. 
         FIGS. 2E and 2F  show the rotating shank installer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2G  illustrates an exploded view of some of the component parts of the rotating shank installer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2H and 2I  illustrate assembled view of the rotating shank installer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B , show a rotating shank installer with a support component in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows an exemplary flow diagram of a method for installing a shank into a ripper assembly of a crawler in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  5 F,  5 G, and  5 H show diagrams of a system for installing a shank onto a ripper assembly of a crawler in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2A , a perspective view of the rotating shank installer  205  of one embodiment of the present invention is shown welded onto the front of a ripper assembly of a crawler. The term “crawler” is the same as the term “tractor” and is used interchangeably throughout this patent application. The front of the ripper assembly of the crawler comprises a pocket beam  203 . The pocket beam  203  is welded the rotating shank installer  205 . Also shown welded is a claw  209  and a stopper  207 . 
     It is appreciated that the pocket beam  203  may be raised or lowered and its pitch may be altered by actions of hydraulic cylinders that act on the pocket beam  203 . Accordingly, the rotating shank installer  205  is raised or lowered as the pocket beam  203  is raised or lowered. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the rotating shank installer is intended to hold a shank within parallel plates  230 . When a shank is installed, the claw  209  and the stopper  207  prevent the shank from exerting leverage within the installer  205 . 
       FIGS. 2B and 2C  are perspective views of the rotating shank installer  205  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention with the claw  209  support member shown. The claw  209  may be welded to the pocket beam  203  as well as being welded to a back plate of the rotating shank installer  205 , as shown by  FIG. 2C . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2D , side view of the rotating shank installer  205  is shown as welded onto the pocket beam  203  of a ripper assembly and also having installed therein an extended length shank. The pocket beam  203  comprises a pocket  597  for holding the shank. The rotating shank installer  205  is coupled to the pocket beam  203 , e.g., welded. The rotating shank installer  205  is operable to securely hold the shank within plates  230 . For example, the rotating shank installer  205  comprises two parallel plates  230  (described in  FIGS. 2E and 2F ) for holding the shank. The shank is held in place by (1) inserting a pin through the center holes of the parallel plates, through the shank and by (2) inserting another pin through the edge located holes of the parallel plates  230 . 
     The pocket beam  203  and the pocket  597  further include claw  209  and stopper  207 , as described above. The claw is welded to components of the rotating shank installer and also to the pocket  597 . The stopper  207  is welded to the pocket  597 . As presented above, the stopper  207  and the claw  209  prevent the shank from exerting leverage on pin  220  that holds the back plates of the rotating shank installer  205  when the crawler moves forward while holding the shank in place. Thus, the stopper  207  and the claw  209  prevent the rotating shank installer  205  from snapping away from the pocket  597  and the pocket beam  203 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2E and 2F , a rotating shank installer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown.  FIG. 2E  shows a side view of the rotating shank installer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2F  shows a front view of the rotating shank installer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to  FIGS. 2E and 2F , the plates  230  are free to rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise. 
     The rotating shank installer includes a first back plate  260  that is for connection to a crawler. For example, the first back plate  260  may be welded to the front of the pocket beam of a crawler. However, it is appreciated that the first back plate  260  may be coupled to the pocket beam  203 , via other fastening means, e.g., bolts, screws, etc. The rotating shank installer further includes a second back plate  210  that is rotatively coupled to the first back plate  260 . The second back plate  210  is coupled to the first back plate  260  via a fastening mechanism  220 , e.g., a bolt or a pin. The second back plate  210  is therefore rotatable with respect to the first back plate  260  while the first back plate  260  remains fixed. The second back plate  210  is connected to at least two parallel plates  230 . 
     The two parallel plates  230  are configured to sandwich a shank in between them. Each of the parallel plates  230  may include two holes  240  (center) and  250  (edge). The first holes  240  on each of the parallel plates  230  are structurally aligned with one another and, in operation, are to be manually aligned with a hole on the shank when the shank is positioned between the plates. The shank is secured by inserting a pin in the holes  240  of the parallel plates  230  through the hole of the shank. It is appreciated that the pin has an elongated portion to go through the holes of the respective parallel plates and the hole of the shank while its base has a larger diameter with respect to the holes in order to prevent the pin from falling through the holes, thereby securing the shank. Moreover, the pin may have a counterpart component to secure the shank from both sides, similar to a screw and nut counterpart. 
     It is appreciated that the second hole  250  on each of the respective parallel plates  230  can be used to secure the edge of the shank (as would the bottom edge of the rear side of the factory pocket) as shown in  FIG. 2E . For example, the hole  250  on each of the respective parallel plates  230  are structurally aligned with one another and they are positioned along the edge of the shank. In other words, each of the respective holes  250  is offset from the shank, where the shank is shown in the vertical position. When the shank is pinned using hole  240  and hole  250 , the shank is prevented from twisting counter-clockwise when the crawler is moved forward, e.g., to the left with respect to  FIG. 2E . In one embodiment, the rotating shank installer is manufactured from strong material, e.g., steel, operable to securely hold the heavy shank. 
       FIG. 2G  illustrates an exploded view of some of the component parts of the rotating shank installer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The second back plate  210  is coupled to the first back plate  260  via a pin  220  and a collar  211  that is welded to the pin to share the straight outward tension that comes from the shank. It is appreciated that the collar  211  is welded to the pin  220  when the pin  220  is inserted into the second back plate  210 , thereby preventing it from coming out and have movement. The first back plate  260  is welded to two plates  213  that are directly welded to pocket beam (not shown) vertically parallel to the existing pocket. The claw  209  is positioned under the first and the second back plates  210  and  260  in order to prevent the shank from exerting leverage on the pin  220  and/or plate  210 . The claw  209  is also welded to the existing pocket. It is appreciated that the first back plate  260  and the second back plate  210  are placed inside the claw  209 . Moreover, it is appreciated that the first back plate  260  may be welded to the two plates  213 , which is further welded to the circular beam to form a strong base. Referring now to  FIGS. 2H and 2I , assembled perspective of the rotating shank installer in accordance with one embodiment are shown. 
       FIG. 3A  shows a side view of a rotating shank installer with a support component in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3B  shows a front view of the rotating shank installer with a support component in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 3A and 3B  show a rotating shank installer substantially similar to that of  FIGS. 2E and 2F . The rotating shank installer in accordance with  FIGS. 3A and 3B , however, includes a first supporting component  360  and a second supporting component  370 . The first supporting component  360  and the second supporting component  370  provide further support to the parallel plates  230  to securely hold the heavy shank without bending or snapping away. In one embodiment, the first supporting component  360  and the second supporting component  370  comprise steel. The supporting components  360  and  370  may have any shape, e.g., triangular. As such, the shape of the supporting components  360  and  370  are exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring now to FIGS.  4  and  5 A- 5 H a method and apparatus for installing an extended length shank  580  onto a ripper assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention are shown. At step  410  of process  400 , the shank  580  is secured within the rotating installer. The shank  580  is laid down over an article at one end such that its top portion is raised about one foot with respect to the ground with respect to the ground with the end  580  (having holes  590 ) positioned off the ground as shown in  FIG. 5A . In one exemplary embodiment, the shank  580  can be placed over a block  505  in order to elevate one end of the shank  580  with respect to the ground. 
     According to one embodiment, the plates of the rotating shank installer are lowered and tilted to match the elevation of the shank and then positioned to sandwich the shank  580 . The holes  240  are aligned with a center hole  590  of the shank  580 . As shown in  FIGS. 5B and 5C , a pin  592  is inserted in the holes  240  once aligned with hole  590 , thereby securing the shank  580 . Furthermore, a pin  591  is inserted in the holes  250 , thereby securing the shank  580  further and preventing the shank  580  from rotating counter clockwise when the rotating shank installer is moved forward, e.g., to the left in  FIG. 5E . 
     It is appreciated that at step  410  the rotating shank installer secures the shank  580  at a position that is off of its center of gravity allowing the shank  580  to pivot when raised by the rotating shank installer. The lower half of the shank is selected to be the heavy side so that the shank rises with its bottom toward the ground. It is appreciated that the shank pivots when it is raised because the second back plate  210  is free to rotate. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5C , a side view of a system securing the shank  580  in accordance with one embodiment is shown. The first back plate  260  is connected to the front side of the pocket  597 . The first back plate  260  is first attached to two plates  213  which is further attached to the beam. The stopper and the claw may be attached to the pocket that is coupled to the pocket beam  203 . The pocket beam  203  is coupled to the crawler. The pocket beam  203  is raised or lowered using the hydraulic cylinders  197 ′ and  198 ′. 
     The pocket  597  of the crawler is the component that the shank  580  is ultimately intended for. The pocket  597  has a shaft  595  for receiving the shank  580 . For example, the hole  590  of the shank  580  is to be aligned with a hole  599  of the pocket  597 . As a result, the shank  580  may be secured and held vertically by the pocket  597 . A groove several feet deep may be created when the shank  580  is vertically secured by the pocket  597  and when moved by the crawler. 
     At step  420  of  FIG. 4 , the rotating shank installer outfitted with the shank is slowly elevated from the low level to its high level. For example, the hydraulics  197 ′ and  198 ′ cause the pocket beam  203  and attached the rotating shank installer to be raised, as shown by  FIG. 5D . Raising the rotating shank installer causes the second back plate  210  to rotate under the weight of the shank. The shank  580  pivots and causes the second back plate  210  to rotate because the shank  580  is secured somewhere off its center of gravity, thereby causing its weight to pivot as the pocket beam  203  is raised. Referring to  FIG. 5E , the rotation continues until the shank  580  is held substantially vertically with respect to the ground and lifted off the ground. 
     At step  430 , the crawler is moved forward while lowering the ripper assembly. For example, once the shank  580  is vertically held by the rotating shank installer, the crawler moves forward and the hydraulics  197 ′ and  198 ′ are lowered, thereby lowering the rotating shank installer, as shown by  FIG. 5F . A groove is created when the shank  580  engages the ground and is moved forward by the crawler. The crawler holding the shank  580  is moved and rips a groove until the top of the shank  580  is at a height above the ground that is below the maximum height to which the pocket  597  can be raised by the ripper assembly. The created groove secures the shank  580  in the ground in a vertical position, see  FIG. 5F . 
     As the shank rips the grove at step  430 , the stopper  207  and the claw  209  apply pressure to the shank  580  and the second back plate  210  in order to prevent the shank  580  from exerting leverage on the pin  220  holding the first and the second back plates. This prevents back plate separation. 
     At step  440 , the rotating shank installer is disconnected from the shank  580 . For example, pins  591  and  592  may be removed and the groove securely holds the shank  580  vertically in the ground. The pocket beam  203  is then raised by adjusting the hydraulics  197 ′ and  198 ′, thereby raising the rotating shank installer. At step  450 , the bottom of the pocket  597  is positioned over the top of the shank  580 , as shown by  FIG. 5G . 
     At step  460 , the ripper assembly is lowered so that the shank  580  enters the pocket  597 , as shown by  FIG. 5H . For example, the hydraulics  197 ′ and  198 ′ are adjusted to lower the pocket beam  203 , thereby lowering the pocket  597  and the shaft  595 . 
     At step  470 , the shank  580  is connected to the pocket  597 . For example, the pocket  597  may now engage the shank  580  and secure the shank  580  in place by inserting a pin the holes  599  and  590 , as shown by  FIG. 5H . At this point, the shank  580  is securely and safely installed on the pocket  597  of the crawler. 
     Accordingly, the crawler may now move and rip a groove several feet deep. The use of the rotating shank installer in accordance with embodiments of the present invention enables the shank to be efficiently loaded to the crawler without being dependent on the conditions of the field and while minimizing risk of worker injury. 
     It is appreciated that the shank can be removed from the crawler by following the steps of  FIG. 4  in reverse order. In one embodiment, after the pin is removed, the shank is pulled out of the ground with a chain and leaves it for transport to move it using the ripper beam to lift. 
     In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicator of what is, and is intended by the applicants to be, the invention is the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature, advantage or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim should limit the scope of such claim in any way. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.