Abstract:
A towable soil pulverizer having a center section and foldable wings mounted by hinges on opposite sides of the center section to fold upwardly or downwardly about substantially longitudinal hinge axes. Each hinge has a spaced ball joint and guide roller in roller slot. A wing float axis for each wing extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal hinge axis in a transverse direction, each wing also being pivotal about the float axis. The hinge design with the float axis prevents weight transfer between the center section and wing sections when the pulverizer operates over uneven soil, providing uniform soil conditioning over the width of the pulverizer. The center section rollers are positioned ahead of, behind, or co-linear with the wing rollers. Lockout kits are provided for mounting in the roller guide slots for restricting motion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/401,825 filed Feb. 21, 2012, which is a continuation of and claims priority in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/387,935, filed May 8, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,118,110, issued Feb. 21, 2012, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a float-restricting lockout kit for a towable agricultural implement, such as a soil pulverizer, which has a center section and foldable wing sections mounted on opposite sides of the center section. The wings of the towable agricultural implement are unfolded when working the ground and are folded when transporting the implement, e.g., between fields. The lockout maintains relatively constant depth across the entire implement width, especially in light and sandy soil conditions. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Pulverizers are used by farmers during planting season to help prepare an ideal seedbed. Since yield is a direct result of germination, which is dependent on soil conditions at planting time, having an ideal seedbed is desired. Pulverizers break up clods and insure good seed to soil contact, reducing germination time. Since the seedbed is firmed and air pockets are eliminated, capillary action in the soil is also increased, making more moisture available to the plants through their roots for enhanced growth and crop yields. 
     As fields become larger and individual farms cover more acres, equipment has become larger to cover more land in less time. One way to cover more land is to make machinery wider, but with that comes the problem of transporting it from field to field. Wide machinery is typically folded for transport on public roadways. Inherent to a folding piece of machinery is to have a hinge point, e.g., between the wings and the center section. 
       FIG. 1 , for example, shows a conventionally hinged pulverizer  10  having a drawbar  11  for attaching at one end  12  to a tractor (not shown) for towing the pulverizer. Drawbar  11  is attached at its other end to pulverizer center section  13 . Center section  13  includes ground engaging roller wheels  14  constituting the center roller, transport wheels/rockshaft assembly  15 , and hinge points  16 ,  17 . Wing roller assemblies  18  with ground engaging roller wheels  19  extend transversely on opposite sides of center section  13  and are fairly rigidly connected to center section  13  at the hinge points  16 ,  17  respectively. When the pulverizer  10  is to be transported, wing assemblies  18  are folded about hinge points  16 ,  17  to a position shown, for example, in  FIG. 2 . A double acting hydraulic cylinder (not shown) on the center section acts to initiate and carry out the folding. Wing hinges  24  at hinge points  16 ,  17  connect the wing assemblies  18  to the center section  13  of the pulverizer by conventional means of a hinge pin  20  and center section hinge plates and barrel  21 , shown in  FIG. 6  just prior to connection. 
     As described above, the pulverizer, parts and hinge connections for the wings are all well known in the prior art. However, a difficulty with this design is that when the pulverizer is operational and towed over fields that are not perfectly level, the height of drawbar  11  varies and weight distribution and the depth control of the ground engaging components are both affected by varying drawbar heights (due to ground contours), ground contours at the rollers, and ground obstructions (e.g., rock outcroppings, tree stumps, etc.) on the winged pulverizer. It is common in pulverizers for the wing rollers  19  to be set back from the center rollers  14  to provide some overlap, ensuring that over the total width of the pulverizer there are no strips of unconditioned soil. The varying drawbar heights come into consideration because the wing rollers are not in line with the center section rollers. More specifically,  FIGS. 3-5  illustrate the effects of this design. In  FIG. 3 , the conventionally hinged pulverizer (shown from the left side) is being towed toward the left, i.e., down from the top of a ground contour  25 . Shown in exaggerated form, the weight of the center section is transferred to the wing rollers  19  and the center section rollers  14  tend to be lifted off the ground. In  FIG. 4 , a view towards the rear of the conventionally hinged machine of  FIG. 3 , the weight of the center section transferred to the wings causes them to lift at their outer extremities. Since the wings are allowed to flex about the hinge points, the wing rollers closest to the hinge now have to carry both the weight of the center section and the weight of the wings lifted off the ground, resulting in a poorly conditioned seed bed. As again viewed from the left side of the pulverizer,  FIG. 5  shows what typically happens from the scenario of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The center section is heavier than the wings due to the weight of the transport wheels/rockshaft assembly and the drawbar causing a reaction resulting in the wings picking up at the extremity to a point where the weight carried by the center section is balanced by the weight carried on the wings. Ground contact is limited on the wing rollers  19 , the center section conditioning is limited due to the reduced weight on the center section rollers  14 , and the wing roller portions nearest the hinge are forced to carry extra weight that may cause a packed groove in the soil. 
     In short, with the current conventionally hinged design, weight from the wings is transferred to the center section or vice versa. When this happens, portions of the wings or center section are not engaging the soil, making for inconsistent conditioning. Also, since weight transfer takes place, the rollers in contact with the soil have to carry extra weight, which gives the possibility of those rollers sinking into the ground and pushing the soil rather than rolling over the top of the soil, or packing the soil making it more difficult for germinating seeds and plants to break through. The conventional hinge design of  FIG. 6  allows the wings to fold over the top of the center section, but does not allow any freedom for the wings to maintain uniform ground control as the drawbar height changes, causing the machine to rock about the center section rollers. 
     Attempts have been made in the past to deal with farm machines operating on uneven ground. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 93,959 involving the connection of two harrows operating side by side to form a double harrow. The side of a first harrow adjacent its longitudinal ends has two hoops, and the side of a second harrow adjacent its longitudinal ends has two arms to fit within the corresponding two hoops in the first harrow when the second harrow is positioned at a right angle to the first harrow. There is no center section between the two harrows which are positioned side by side, and no folding rotation between the two harrows. Each frame can move up and down or back and forth with respect to the other to a limited extent to provide a limited independent movement over uneven ground. There is no hinge or joint connection between the two frames. Each harrow frame has a separate chain draught connection for the protection and comfort of the towing horses. Among other deficiencies, the design of the &#39;959 patent does not lend itself to solving the above-described difficulties of the conventionally hinged pulverizer having a drawbar, a center section with rollers, and the center section rollers positioned forward of folding-wing rollers. 
     Further, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,155 involving a design having a center frame and opposing double wings of inner and outer wing sections which are intended to follow ground elevation. A linkage allows the inner wings to move perpendicular to the center section, and there is a draft cable to help distribute the draft load generated by the outer wings. A universal joint having three axes of freedom connects the inner wing sections to the center section. A differential control rod parallel to the center section is required and which controls the universal joint. An “L”-shaped linkage controls the movement of a pivot in a slot, the linkage being pivotally attached to the center frame and differential control bar. The center frame and universal joint are rotated ninety degrees in passing between the transport and field operational modes. The wings fold rearwardly into the transport mode. Altogether, this three-axis arrangement of parts and motions is overly complex for the needs satisfied by applicant&#39;s invention involving a considerably simpler structure and functioning. 
     In light or loose soil conditions, it can be difficult to maintain constant depth across the entire width of a towable soil pulverizer. In such conditions, the wings of the implement may sink or rise depending on the soil. What is desired is a float restricting lockout kit which may be installed in new or existing implements, and which prevents the wings of the implement from bowing or lifting, thereby establishing uniform depth throughout the soil being worked. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is intended to avoid the above-discussed difficulties of conventionally hinged pulverizers. The proposed new design focuses on the hinge area of the winged implement and allows the wings to act independently of the center section as if the center section and opposing wing sections were three separate implements being towed but integrated into a single machine. All three sections can follow the contour of the soil surface and uniform conditioning of the soil can thus be obtained, contours or not. The new design utilizes a similar pulverizer center section and foldable wings on opposite sides of the center section. The wing rollers are placed rearwardly of the center section rollers, and a new simple hinge design is applied. The center section rollers may also be placed behind or co-linear with the wing rollers. Folding is not affected with the new design, and the wings are still folded upwardly and over the top by the well-known double acting hydraulic cylinder and associated components. However, another degree of limited freedom is added to the machine to apply a limited floating action to the wings. 
     More specifically, the hinge between each wing and the center section includes a ball joint adjacent one end of the hinge, and a guide roller in a roller slot adjacent the other end of the hinge. Certain components of the hinge, i.e., the ball of the ball joint and the roller slot, are non-rotationally and fixedly attached to the center section. The hinge axis extends substantially in a longitudinal direction from front to rear of the center section and passes through the ball joint and the guide roller. The terms “longitudinal” and “longitudinal hinge axis” as used herein are intended to include a few degrees variation sideways from true longitudinal to allow folding of the wings without interfering with each other as shown in  FIG. 2 ; as well as a few degrees up and down from true longitudinal as the guide roller moves up or down in the guide roller slot. The ball joint and the roller in the roller slot allow the wing to be folded up over the center section. Further, the ball joint and guide roller in roller slot allow a floating action of the wing about a further “float” axis perpendicular to the hinge axis to a degree determined by the depth of the roller slot. The hinge pin and hinge plates/barrels of the conventionally hinged pulverizer are eliminated. The floating action provided prevents the undesirable weight transfer from the wing sections to the center section and vice versa, through the designated range of floating provided by the new hinge design. The pulverizer thus is now able to conform to the contour of the soil to ensure that uniform conditioning takes place across the entire width of the machine. A further feature of the design is that if an obstacle such as a stone is encountered while in use, the section that rolls over the stone does not affect the rest of the machine since there is no weight transfer between sections. 
     It should also be noted that the new hinge design allows the pulverizer to be backed up in a field without the wings interfering when in the operating position. 
     An alternative embodiment pulverizer includes a float-restricting lockout kit which may be installed where the floating wings are connected to the central portion of the pulverizer. This lockout kit prevents the wing or the central portion from sinking in loose or light soil conditions. Essentially, the separate pulverizer sections effectively stabilize the other sections. When the lockout kit is in place, the wings lose their ability to “float.” 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter illustrating various objects and features thereof. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventionally hinged pulverizer with a center section and unfolded wing sections. Parts not essential to a discussion of the background and substance of the present invention are not shown. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the conventionally hinged pulverizer of  FIG. 1 , but with the wings folded upward and over the center section for transport of the pulverizer. 
         FIG. 3  is a left side elevation of the pulverizer of  FIG. 1  showing a particular operating tendency with the conventional hinge and unfolded wings. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the conventionally hinged pulverizer of  FIG. 1  under the operating tendency of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a left side elevation of the pulverizer of  FIG. 1  showing the operating scenario that results from the  FIGS. 3 and 4  operating tendencies. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the conventional hinge components for the pulverizer of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 1  of a pulverizer utilizing the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the new design of the components of the present invention to provide the desired hinged and floating wings. 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the pulverizer of  FIG. 7  (but showing only one wing) and illustrating a first wing floating operational scenario. 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of the pulverizer of  FIG. 7  (but showing only one wing) and illustrating a second wing floating operational scenario. 
         FIG. 11  is a right side elevation of the pulverizer of the present invention, in operational position and illustrating the guide roller at the bottom of the guide roller slot. 
         FIG. 12  is a right side elevation of the pulverizer of the present invention, in operational position and illustrating the guide roller several inches up from the bottom of the guide roller slot. 
         FIG. 13  is a right side elevation of the pulverizer of the present invention, in operational position and illustrating the guide roller raised to the top of the guide roller slot. 
         FIG. 14  is an isometric perspective view of a float restricting lockout kit which may be installed on an implement embodying the previous embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded isometric perspective view showing the float restricting lockout kit of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a rear elevation of a pulverizer including a floating wing on an even surface. 
         FIG. 17  is a rear elevation of a pulverizer including a floating wing, wherein the wing is positioned on light or loose soil. 
         FIG. 18  is a rear elevation of a pulverizer including a floating wing, wherein the central portion of the pulverizer is positioned on light or loose soil. 
         FIG. 19  is a rear elevation of an alternative embodiment pulverizer utilizing the float restricting lockout kit of  FIGS. 14 and 15 . 
         FIG. 20  is a detailed front elevation taken generally within Circle  20  in  FIG. 19 , showing an embodiment of the float restricting lockout kit installed in a pulverizer wing joint. 
         FIG. 21  is a side elevation of the float restricting lockout kit. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a pulverizer comprising a modified aspect or embodiment of the present invention, shown in a field working configuration. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the modified aspect or embodiment pulverizer, shown in a folded transport configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
     As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects 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 how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     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. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning 
     II. Pulverizer with Floating Wings 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the pulverizer  30  is shown assembled with drawbar  31  for towing center section frame  32  having forwardly positioned center section rollers  33 , wings  34  and  35  with wing rollers  36  and the wings being unfolded and extended on opposite sides of center section  32 , the transport wheels and axle and rockshaft assembly  37 , and the new hinge joints  38  and  39 .  FIG. 8  illustrates the enlarged and exploded hinge joint  39  positioned on the side of the center section as shown in  FIG. 7 , there being a corresponding hinge joint  38  present on the opposite side of center section  32  to connect wing  35 . The following discussion, therefore, correspondingly applies to hinge joint  38  as well. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the hinge joint  39  is comprised of roller slot  50  which is part of center section  32  at the outside rear of that section, guide roller  51  attached to wing  34  at its inner rear portion for mounting in roller slot  50  for up and down motion therein, ball joint ball  52  mounted on center section  32  at the outside front of that section, and ball joint socket  53  attached to the wing at its inner front portion for joining with ball  52  to form an assembled ball joint  60 . The assembled ball joint, along with guide roller  51  inserted into roller slot  50 , allows the wing  34  to fold up over center section  32  in the same manner as in  FIG. 2 , but here about a hinge “folding” axis defined by the assembled ball joint and guide roller  51 . 
     In addition, by virtue of the combination of the ball joint and the guide roller-roller slot, wing  34  also can rotate about the ball joint to a limited degree (defined by the guide roller and roller slot) about a transverse axis through the assembled ball joint essentially perpendicular to the axis of folding. This allows the wing  34  to in effect “float” over obstacles, and this further axis is thus referred to as “float” axis  55 - 55 . These two perpendicular axes allow two degrees of freedom for the wing to move in, and prevent weight transfer from the wings to the center section and vice versa as previously discussed as long as guide roller  51  is free to move in the ambit of roller slot  50  and is not forced against the top or bottom of the slot. The pulverizer is now able to conform to the contour of the soil, ensuring that uniform conditioning takes place along the entire width of the machine. 
     Another feature of the present invention is that if an obstacle such as a stone is encountered while in use, the section rolling over the stone does not affect the rest of the machine because of the lack of weight transfer between the sections. See, for example  FIGS. 9 and 10 , views from the rear of the pulverizer (left wing eliminated for ease of depiction). In each case the right wing is “floating” over an obstacle while in operation due to the ability of the guide roller to move in the roller slot and wing  35  thus able to pivot about the float axis  55 - 55  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ). In  FIG. 9  the outer portion of the wing  35  is in contact with the soil surface due to the mass center of the wing being outboard of the stone S being passed over. In  FIG. 10  the inner portion of the wing  35  is in contact with the soil surface due to the mass center of the wing being inboard of the stone S being passed over. In neither case is there weight transfer from the wing  35  to the center section  32  nor vice versa. In  FIG. 9 , the guide roller  51  has moved toward the top of roller slot  50 ; in  FIG. 10 , the guide roller  51  has moved toward the bottom of roller slot  50 . 
       FIGS. 11-13  are right side elevational views of the pulverizer respectively showing guide roller  51  at the bottom of slot  50  ( FIG. 11 ), guide roller  51  in the middle of slot  50  ( FIG. 12 ) several inches from the slot bottom, and guide roller  51  at the top of slot  50  ( FIG. 13 ) several further inches from the slot bottom. In  FIGS. 11-13 , the various elevations of the wing rollers  36  can be noted for the different operating conditions. 
     When the wings are to be folded upwardly for transport, the folding action may begin with the guide roller at the bottom of the guide slot. As a safety measure, a cam or other retaining means may then be used to move into position to hold the guide roller at the bottom of the slot during and after the folding to stabilize the wing until unfolded. 
     III. Alternative Embodiment or Aspect Pulverizer  202  with Lockout Kit  102   
     A float restricting lockout kit  102  is shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . This kit is designed to fit between the guide roller  51  of the wings  35 ,  36  and the roller slot  50  connected to the center portion  32  of the pulverizer  10 . The purpose of the lockout kit is to restrict the wings  35 ,  36  from floating when the pulverizer  10  is working in loose or light soil  118 . In light soil, the wings or the central portion of the pulverizer  10  may sink as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , thereby limiting the surface area the pulverizer  10  can work. The float restricting lockout kit  102  causes the wings  34  and the center section  32  to support the other components, resulting in an evenly-worked field. 
       FIG. 15  shows the individual parts of the lockout kit  102  in more detail. The lockout kit  102  is comprised of a first plate  108 , a second plate  110 , a first wing stop  104 , a second wing stop  106 , and a plurality of bolts  112  and locking nuts  114 . Each of these elements includes bolt holes  116  which allow the bolts  112  to join the elements together, as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     The wing stops  104 ,  106  are designed to fit above the guide roller  51  and within the roller slot  50 .  FIGS. 20 and 21  show this in more detail. These stops include an apex curve  117 , which shape corresponds with the shape of the roller slot  50 , and a curved seat  115 , which corresponds with the shape of the guide roller  51 . The stops  104 ,  106  are placed on top of the guide roller  51  and physically prevent the roller from moving vertically within the roller slot  50 . The plates  108 ,  110  are affixed to the stops  104 ,  106 , thereby preventing the stops from falling out of the roller slot  50 . 
       FIGS. 16 through 19  show the pulverizer  10  in varying topsoil  118  conditions. The type of soil  118  beneath the pulverizer  10  will determine whether the lockout kit  102  is necessary.  FIG. 16  is a preferred soil condition wherein the wing  35  is allowed to float freely. There is no obstruction of the guide roller  51 . 
       FIG. 17  shows a condition where the soil beneath the wing  35  is soft or loose soil  118 . Here, the wing is sinking into the soil  118 . This causes the guide roller  51  to rise within the slot  50 . When this happens, some of the wing rollers  36  may not contact the earth at all. Alternatively, the rollers  36  which sink may go too deeply into the earth. 
     A similar situation is shown in  FIG. 18 . Here, the central portion  32  sinks into the loose soil  118 . Because the guide roller is unrestricted, the wings  35  cannot support the central portion  32  and prevent it from sinking. 
       FIG. 19  shows a situation where the pulverizer is operating over loose soil  118 . Here, a float-restricting lockout kit  102  is installed in the roller slot  50 . The wing  35  and the central portion  32  support each other, insuring uniform distribution of the rollers  33 ,  36 . The outer edges of the wings do not sink, and the wings  35  keep the center section  32  from sinking. 
     As stated above,  FIGS. 20 and 21  show more detail of the interaction between the lockout kit  102 , the guide roller  51 , and the roller slot  50 . The height of the stops  104 ,  106  depends on the soil. It is possible to fully lock the guide roller  51  using such a kit  102 . 
       FIGS. 22 ,  23  show another alternative embodiment or aspect pulverizer  202  with a center section  204  mounting left and right wing sections  206 ,  208  which are adapted for pivoting and converting the pulverizer  202  to a narrower transport configuration as shown in  FIG. 23 . The pulverizer  202  includes a main lift assembly  210  with an hydraulic piston-and-cylinder unit  212 . Wing lift assemblies  214  include respective piston-and-cylinder units  216 ,  218 , which are adapted for raising and lowering the wing sections  206 ,  208  between field operating configurations ( FIG. 22 ) and folded-wing, transport configurations ( FIG. 23 ). 
     IV. Conclusion 
     The present invention also may be used on other agricultural implements with a center section and foldable wing sections on opposite sides of the center section. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the ball joint may be mounted toward the rear (rather than the front) of the center section, and the guide roller in roller slot may be mounted towards the front (rather than rear) of the center section. Further, the ball of the ball joint may be mounted on the wing section (rather than the center section), and the socket of the ball joint may be mounted on the center section (rather than on the wing section). Additionally, the guide roller slot may be mounted on the wing section (rather than the center section) and the guide roller may be mounted on the center section (rather than the wing section). In these various permutations, the wing will still fold and unfold about a longitudinal hinge axis, and still float about an orthogonal float axis. 
     Still further, the ball joint could be replaced by an assembly of plates and tubes to act as part of the folding hinge and provide a float axis as well; and, the guide roller in guide slot could be replaced by a combination of rollers to achieve the limited ambit of travel of the wing about the orthogonal float axis. 
     It is to be understood that while certain aspects of the disclosed subject matter have been shown and described, the disclosed subject matter is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.