Abstract:
A stalk stomper adapted for adjustable attachment to a tool bar or a corn head of a combine. The stalk stomper including a skid shoe member operatively and pivotally connected to an upper support member. The upper support member being adapted for mounting with the tool bar. The upper support member further adapted to adjustably select the angle of the upper support member relative to the tool bar. A torsion spring assembly is provided to bias the skid shoe member to exert a downward force on field stubble.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/827,625, which was filed on Mar. 14, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/493,078, which was filed on Jun. 11, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/135,944, which was filed on Jul. 19, 2011. The entirety of the disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/827,625, Ser. No. 13/493,078 and Ser. No. 13/135,944 are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to a stalk stomper with a means for adjusting the angle of the stalk stomper relative to the corn head of a combine, and more particularly, to stalk stomper that utilizes a torsion spring as wells as a means for adjusting the angle of a stalk stomper relative to the corn head of a combine. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Stalk stompers are used to protect the tires of combines and tractors against damage from corn stalks, bean stubble, and the like, while working in the field. The stalk stomper is generally formed from a skid shoe or plate that is adapted to force the stubble to the ground before it has an opportunity to puncture the tire of the tractor or combine when harvesting crops such as corn and soy beans. The skid shoe is secured to support member, such as a bracket, that is in turn affixed to the tool bar of the tractor or combine by a rigid connection that usually includes nut and bolt fasteners. This requires the use of a wrench or like tool. A spring is positioned between an upper support of the stalk stomper and the skid shoe that is biased in a manner to apply a downward pressure to the skid shoe to force it toward the ground in use. A chain connected between the skid shoe and the upper support member maintains the spring in the assembled working position when the tool bar assembly is raised to raise the skid shoe from operating position against the stubble on the ground. 
     There is a need for a connection apparatus that will enable the stalk stomper to be easily affixed to a tool bar assembly without the need for tools. Thus, an object of some embodiments of the present invention is to provide a quick connect/disconnect apparatus for securing a stalk stomper or like implement to a tool bar assembly on a tractor or combine without the need for tools. 
     Another object of certain embodiments of the invention is to provide a means by which the angle of the stalk stomper or other implement relative to the tool bar assembly may be easily adjusted without the need for separate tools. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made more apparent hereinafter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There has been provided by certain aspects of the present invention a quick connect/disconnect coupling for securing an agricultural implement assembly to a tool bar assembly of a corn head of a combine. In one embodiment, the tool bar assembly includes a bracket having a pair of spaced-apart arm members. Each arm member has a recess therein. The recesses are generally transversely aligned. A pair of holes are also provided in the arm members of the bracket and are spaced longitudinally from the recesses. The pair of holes are generally transversely aligned. A pin is adapted to be received in the holes. The implement assembly includes a plate member having formed thereon a transverse bar or cross bar adapted to be received in the recesses, and a detent such as a retention stop. In certain embodiments, to connect the agricultural implement assembly to the tool bar assembly, the cross bar is engaged in the recesses and the agricultural implement assembly is pivoted so that the upper support member or plate member is above the pair of holes and the pin can be inserted into the transversely aligned holes to connect the agricultural implement to the tool bar assembly. In this embodiment, the pin will engage the stop member to prevent the transverse bar from disengaging from the recesses in use. The pin may be held in place by way of a cotter pin or the like. To disconnect the agricultural implement assembly from the tool bar assembly, one manually removes the pin from the transversely aligned holes and disengages the transverse bar from the recesses. The assembly/disassembly of the agricultural implement from the tool bar assembly is quick and easy and can be done manually without the need for any tools. 
     The use of the novel quick connect/disconnect coupling of the present invention for connecting an implement assembly including an implement, such as a stalk stomper or skid shoe, to a tool bar assembly is especially advantageous. The implement is provided with a upper support or plate member having a cross bar adapted to be received in the recesses in the depending arm members on the tool bar assembly. In one embodiment retention means in the form of a retention stop are provided on the plate member. To connect the implement assembly including the implement, such as a stalk stomper, to the tool bar assembly, the cross bar is engaged in the recesses and the stalk stomper is pivoted so that the upper support or plate member is above the pair of holes and the pin can be inserted into the transversely aligned holes to connect the stalk stomper to the tool bar assembly. The pin will abut the retention stop to prevent the transverse bar from moving longitudinally and disengaging from the recesses when in use. To disconnect the stalk stomper from the tool bar assembly, the pin is removed from the transversely aligned holes and the cross bar is disengaged from the recesses in the depending arm members. The assembly/disassembly of the stalk stomper from the tool bar assembly is quick and easy and can be done manually without the need for any tools. 
     In some embodiments, it may be desired to provide a means for adjusting the angle of the implement assembly including the stalk stomper relative to the tool bar assembly. In this embodiment, the tool bar assembly may include a bracket having a pair of spaced-apart arm members. Each arm member has a distal end and a recess formed therein. The recesses are generally transversely aligned, and are generally arcuate in shape. A pair of transversely aligned holes are provided in the arm members and spaced longitudinally from the recesses. The stalk stomper implement includes an upper support or plate member having formed at a distal end thereof a transverse bar or cross bar adapted to be received in the recesses. The plate member further includes a pair of sidewalls having a plurality of pairs of transversely aligned holes. The plate member and the sidewalls are preferably configured to fit between the arm members. The plurality of transversely aligned holes in the sidewalls are formed along an arcuate path and are of a similar size to the passages formed in the arm members. To connect the agricultural implement to the tool bar assembly the cross bar is engaged in the recesses, and the agricultural implement is pivoted so that the pair of holes in the bracket arm members are aligned with one of the plurality of pairs of holes in the sidewalls. A pin is then inserted into the transversely aligned holes to connect the agricultural implement to the tool bar assembly. The desired angle of the plate member relative to the tool bar assembly may be selected by adjusting the particular pair of holes in the sidewall that are engaged with the holes in the bracket. To disconnect the agricultural implement assembly from the tool bar assembly, one manually removes the pin from the transversely aligned holes and disengages the transverse bar from the recesses. The assembly/disassembly of the agricultural implement from the tool bar assembly is quick and easy and can be done manually without the need for any tools. 
     In some embodiments, the implement, such as the stalk stomper, is connected to the upper support or plate member at a first end by a pivotable connection, such as a pin, bolt, or the like. A second end of the implement is permitted to rotate relative to the plate member. In a preferred form, the second end is urged away from the plate member by way of a spring member or the like. The spring member can take the form of a compression spring, between the plate member and the implement, or in a further preferred embodiment, a torsion spring operatively connects the plate member and the implement, such as a stalk stomper. 
     The implementation of a torsion spring rather than the conventional coil spring affords several advantages. One advantage is that a torsion spring provides a more consistent linear load as compared with a coil spring. When a coil spring starts to compress the initial loads are fairly linear, however, when the spring nears its mechanical limits, the loads increase in a non-linear manner. Use of a torsion spring also allows for a much greater range of movement of the skid shoe as compared to the coil spring commonly found in stalk stompers. The torsion spring will compress, but will not be mechanically limited out as compared to a coil spring. In many cases, this enables one to mount the stalk stompers directly under the corn head and not behind it. This allow farmer to more easily transport the head on a header cart with stalk stompers attached from location to location, e.g., farm to farm. 
     Use of a torsion spring also provides for greater flexibility in attaching the stalk stompers to different corn heads. Corn heads from different manufacturers have a variety of bracings that interfere with coil springs. Because the torsion spring is located at the pivot point between an upper support member and the skid shoe, different bracing presents no interference problems. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       There is shown in the drawing presently preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a tractor showing a pair of stalk stompers affixed to a tool bar by means of the quick connect/disconnect apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a stalk stomper in elevated position with respect to stubble on the ground; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of a stalk stomper in elevated position with respect to stubble on the ground; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a stalk stomper in lowered position engaging and forcing stubble to the ground; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view of a stalk stomper in lowered position engaging and forcing stubble to the ground; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the novel quick connect/disconnect connection of a stalk stomper to a tool bar; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the novel quick connect/disconnect connection; 
         FIG. 8  is a partially assembled perspective view of the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of assembled portions of the quick connect/disconnect connection; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternative implement assembly with a torsion spring; and 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of preferred bushing. 
     
    
    
     It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. The invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. In the drawings like numbering represents like elements between the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     There is shown in  FIG. 1  of the drawing a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein an implement assembly, including an implement such as a stalk stomper assembly  10 , is secured to a tool bar assembly  12  on a combine corn head  14 . The combine includes corn head  14  and tires  16  mounted on the combine in conventional manner. 
     The stalk stomper assembly  10  includes a skid shoe  18  secured to a bracket  19  which has a cylindrical housing  20  at one end. The cylindrical housing  20  has a through hole (not shown) for receiving a pivot pin  22  for connecting an end of the skid shoe bracket  19  to the spaced-apart arms  24  depending or extending downward from bracket  26 . 
     A spring member, such as coil spring  28 , is secured between a tubular projection  30  affixed to the angled plate member  26  and a tubular projection  32  affixed to the skid shoe bracket  19 . Several coils of the upper end of spring  28  overlap and surround the projection  30  and are engaged thereby. Likewise, several coils of the lower end of the spring  28  overlap and surround the projection  32  and are engaged thereby. 
     As will be explained more fully hereinafter, a transverse member or cross bar  29  on the upper plate member  26  is adapted engage recesses in the arm members  24 , and a pin  31  is adapted to be inserted into aligned holes or openings in the arm members  24  for connecting and retaining implement assembly, including the stalk stomper  10 , on the tool bar assembly  12 . In this embodiment the pin  31  is preferably adapted to engage a detent on the plate member  26  for restricting longitudinal movement and preventing the cross bar from disengaging from the recesses in use. The width of the upper plate member or angled plate member  26  is less than the spacing between the arm members  24  so that the angled plate member  26  will fit between the arm members  24  in assembled relationship. 
     Rearwardly of the spring  28  as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 6  for example, there is a limiting member, such as chain  34 , connected between the angled plate member  26  and the skid shoe bracket  19  for limiting the extent to which the spring  28  can urge rotation of the stalk stomper  10  away from the plate member  26 , and maintaining the spring  28  in place on the tubular projections  30  and  32 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the stalk stomper assembly  10  is in the raised position away from the stubble on the ground, indicated generally by the number  36 . The spring  28  is urging the skid shoe  18  downwardly about the pivot pin  22  that connects the front end of the bracket  19  to the depending arms  24  on the tool bar assembly  12 . The chain  34  retains the spring  28  in assembled relationship with the projections  30  and  32  when the stalk stomper  10  is in an inoperative position away from the ground. 
     In  FIGS. 4 and 5  there is shown the stalk stomper assembly  10  in the operative position engaging and pressing down upon the stubble  36  so as to prevent damage to the tires  16  of the tractor or combine 14. The stubble  36  tends to pivot the skid shoe  18  counterclockwise as seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and the spring  28  is compressed to effectively provide a force operating in the opposite direction to push the skid shoe  18  against the stubble  36  to flatten the stubble and prevent tire damage. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , it is seen that the tool bar assembly  12  includes a tool bar  40  and bracket means  42  secured thereto by suitable fastening means  44 , for example, U-bolt and nut fasteners. The spaced-apart arms  24  may be integrally formed with the bracket  42  or suitably connected thereto by welding or other fastening means. As shown, the recesses  46  are formed in the arm members  24  in front of the holes  48 . The recesses  46  are transversely aligned and the holes  48  are transversely aligned. Provided on the angled plate member  26  is a detent such as stop member  27 . Formed at a distal end of the plate member  26  is a pair of transverse sidewalls  25 . A pin  31  is adapted to be inserted into the aligned holes  48  when the stalk stomper  10  is properly positioned with the cross bar  29  in the recesses  46 . The thickness of the plate member  26  is less than the spacing between the top of the holes  48  and the bottom of bracket  42  so that with the pin  31  in the holes  48 , the plate member  26  is adapted to be secured between the bracket  42  and the pin  31 . Further, the rear of the pin  31  will engage the retention block  27  to preclude longitudinal movement of the stalk stomper  10  with respect to the depending arms  24  to prevent the cross bar or transverse bar  29  from disengaging from the recesses  46  in operation. 
     In summary, to connect the stalk stomper  10  to the tool bar assembly  12 , the cross bar  29  is engaged in the recesses  46  and the stalk stomper  10  is pivoted so that the angled plate member  26  of the stalk stomper  10  is above the top of the pair of holes  48  and the pin  31  can be inserted into the transversely aligned holes  48  to connect the stalk stomper  10  to the tool bar assembly  12 . Although not shown, a cotter pin can be engaged with the pin  31  when installed to prevent disengagement of pin  31 . The pin  31  will engage the retention stop  27  to preclude longitudinal movement of the stalk stomper  10  with respect to the depending arms  24  to prevent the cross bar or transverse bar  29  from disengaging from the recesses  46  in use. Because recesses  46  are generally arcuate in shape, pivoting of the cross bar  29  within the recesses is readily accomplished. The stalk stomper  10  can be disconnected from the tool bar assembly  12  by removing the pin  31  from the transversely aligned holes  48  and removing the cross bar  29  from engagement with the recesses  46  in the depending arms  24 . The tasks of connecting and disconnecting the implement, such as the stalk stomper, from the tool bar assembly  12  are accomplished quickly and easily without the necessity for tools. 
     It will be apparent that the lateral spacing of the skid shoes  18  ( FIG. 1 ) can be adjusted by loosening a fastening means  44  and sliding the associated bracket  42  on the tool bar  12  the desired distance from an adjacent bracket  42  affixed to the tool bar  12 . Fastening means  44  can then be tightened in order to secure the associated bracket  42  in position to fix the desired width between adjacent skid shoes  18 . 
     Further, persons skilled in the art will recognize that the upper support or plate member may be an angled member or a planar member, depending upon application. 
     While the recesses  46  have been shown in front of the holes  48  in relation to the movement of the tractor, it will be understood that this arrangement can be reversed without departing from the present invention. For example, the holes  48  could be in front of the recesses  46 . In such case the stalk stomper could be readily modified to position the cross bar on the plate member spaced from the front thereof, rather than at the front thereof, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 6 , and the function of such modified device would essentially be the same as that of the disclosed embodiment. 
     An alternate embodiment of the novel quick connect/disconnect connection of an implement assembly including an implement, such as a stalk stomper, to a tool bar assembly is discussed with respect to  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 . 
     The tool bar assembly  112  includes a tool bar  140  and bracket means  142  secured thereto by suitable fastening means  144 , for example, U-bolt and nut fasteners. The spaced-apart arms  124  may be integrally formed with the bracket  142  or suitably connected thereto by welding or other fastening means. As shown, the recesses  146  are formed in the arm members  124  in front of the holes  148 . The recesses  146  are transversely aligned and the holes  148  are transversely aligned. 
     The implement assembly, such as stalk stomper  110 , includes an angled plate member  126 . Formed at a distal end of the angled plate member  126  is a cross bar member  129  and a pair of sidewall members  125 . Cross bar member  129  and sidewall members  125  may be unitarily formed with the plate member  126 , or may be integrally joined by way of welding or the like. Sidewall members  125  define a first pair of transverse holes  151  for attachment to skid shoe  118 . Such attachment may be done in the same manner as discussed in the previous embodiment, or any other means as would be recognized by persons skilled in the art. Sidewall members  125  further define a plurality of pairs of transverse holes  150 ,  152 ,  154  formed along an arcuate path. 
     When assembled, holes  148  are aligned with any of the pairs of holes  150 ,  152  or  154 . A pin  131  is adapted to be inserted through aligned holes  148  and the pair of holes  151  in the sidewall member  125 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the pin  131  is passed through holes  148  and holes  150 . Cross bar  129  is positioned within recesses  146 . Longitudinal movement of the stalk stomper  110  relative to arm members  24  is prevented by a detent in the form of the engagement of the sidewalls  125 , the arm members  124  and pin  131 . The particular desired angle of the stalk stomper  110  relative to the tool bar assembly  112  may be obtained by selecting from the pairs of holes  150 ,  152 , or  154 . Fewer or greater numbers of pairs of holes may be incorporated in the sidewall member as desired. 
     In summary, to connect the stalk stomper to the tool bar assembly, the cross bar  129  is engaged in the recesses  146  and the plate member  126  of stalk stomper  110  is pivoted to align holes  148  with the one of the pairs of holes  150 ,  152  or  154  in the sidewall  125 . The pin  131  is inserted when the desired holes are aligned to connect the angled plate member  126  to the tool bar assembly  112 . The angled plate member  126  can be disconnected from the tool bar assembly  112  by removing the pin  131  and removing the cross bar  129  from engagement with the recesses  146  in the depending arms  124 . The connect and disconnect of the stalk stomper from the tool bar assembly  112  are accomplished quickly and easily without the necessity for tools. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , another embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, tool bar assembly  212  (shown partially) includes a tool bar  240  and a mount, such as bracket means  242  (shown partially) secured thereto by suitable fastening means  244 , for example, U-bolt and nut fasteners. The spaced-apart arms  224  may be integrally formed with the bracket  242  or suitably connected thereto by welding or other fastening means. As shown, the recesses  246 , only one of which is shown, are formed in the arm members  224  in front of the holes  248 . The recesses  246  are transversely aligned and the holes  248  are transversely aligned. 
     The implement assembly, such as stalk stomper  210 , includes an upper support member  215  which may include a plate member  226 , a cross bar member  229  and a pair of sidewall members  225 . The cross bar member  229  is preferably formed at a first end of the plate member  226 . A pair of sidewall members  225  are secured to or may be formed as part of the plate member  226 . Cross bar member  229  and sidewall members  225  may be unitarily formed with the plate member  226 , or may be integrally joined by way of welding or the like. Sidewall members  225  define a first pair of transverse holes  251  for attachment to skid shoe  218 . Such attachment may be done in the same manner as discussed in the previous embodiment, or any other means as would be recognized by persons skilled in the art. Sidewall members  225  further define a plurality of pairs of transverse holes  250 ,  252 ,  254  preferably formed along an arcuate path. 
     When assembled, holes  248  are aligned with any of the pairs of holes  250 ,  252  or  254 . A pin  231  is adapted to be inserted through aligned holes  248  and the pair of holes  251  in the sidewall member  225 . The particular desired angle of the stalk stomper  210  relative to the tool bar assembly  212  may be obtained by selecting from the pairs of holes  250 ,  252 , or  254 . Fewer or greater numbers of pairs of holes may be incorporated in the sidewall member as desired. 
     In this embodiment, a torsion spring assembly  228  connects the plate member  226  and the stalk stomper  210 . In a preferred form, torsion spring assembly  228  comprises torsion spring  260 , a bushing  262 , a pivot bushing  264 , and a bolt, nut and washer assembly  227 . Referring to  FIG. 10A , bushing  262  may be a keyed bushing and may include a notch  263  or other configuration to restrict rotation of the bushing relative to the plate member  226  and upper support member  215 . Stalk stomper  210  is connected at a first end  211  to the sidewalls  225  by way of a bolt, nut and washer assembly  227  (shown in exploded view). The second end  213  of the stalk stomper  210  is vertically movable relative to the plate member  226 . Torsion spring assembly  228  (shown in exploded view) is configured to bias the second end  213  away from the plate member  226 . The extent to which the second end  213  may be moved away from the plate member  226  may be controlled by a limiting member such as chain  234 . 
     While a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims.