Abstract:
A suspension system for agricultural implements having at least one floating head using a four-bar linkage and permitting the floating head to accommodate variations in ground surface elevation in a lateral or transverse direction. By permitting the floating head to float, a more consistent cutting height is realized when ground surface elevation varies in a transverse direction. A main frame is provided to which the ground engaging wheels are attached. A sub-frame is connected to the main frame via the four-bar linkage. The sub-frame is pivotally attached to the arms of the four-bar linkage by spherical bearings.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates generally to an agricultural implement, including a floating work tool. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved suspension system for agricultural implements having one or more floating work tools. 
         [0006]    2. Background Art 
         [0007]    Ground on which forage crops or other foliage needing mowing is grown is rarely smooth. Such ground essentially always varies in level both in a direction of travel of the mowing machine or harvester, and in a transverse or lateral direction. 
         [0008]    Mowing machines having a variable height cutter have been available for decades. Mounted sickle mowers used in the mid-twentieth century could be raised and lowered using the tractor lift system. Towed mowers, by necessity, were made so the header could be raised and lowered, at least between an operating position and a transport position. 
         [0009]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,055, a mower header suspension system is disclosed. The suspension system comprises a pair of lower linkage arms and a single upper suspension arm. Provision for changes in ground elevation in the direction of travel is disclosed. Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,800 is a mower header suspension system providing a variable header angle compared to the longitudinal direction. The disclosed mechanism comprises two lower linkage arms and a single upper linkage arms. The above described header suspension systems provide for changing the height of cut relative to the ground surface supporting the ground engaging wheels of the tractor or towed mower, but do not provide for a consistent cut height on ground that varies in level both in the direction of travel and in the lateral direction. 
         [0010]    There is, therefore, a need for a method and apparatus for providing flexibility in header position to permit the header to raise and lower as ground elevation changes, and to rotate to adjust to lateral variations in ground surface levels. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    An object of the present invention is to provide a suspension system that enables a header or work tool of a towed implement to be raised and lowered, and also permit the header or work tool to follow the variable ground contour, resulting in a consistent cut height despite the variability of the ground elevation. 
         [0012]    For the purposes of this document, including the claims, a towed implement is an implement with ground engaging means, for example wheels, independent of the source of motive power, for example a farm tractor; additionally, the towed implement has a frame or other component that may be raised and lowered relative to the ground engaging means independent of a lift, such as a standard three-point or two-point lift system of the source of motive power. Therefore, a towed vehicle is pulled by the source of motive power and my use the source of motive power&#39;s hydraulic system for raising and lowering, but does not make use of lift arms usually attached to a farm tractor. 
         [0013]    The mower comprises two integrated frames connected by two sets of linkages to create a four-bar linkage. The two sets of linkages are maintained parallel to one another, so that the two frames are maintained at a known orientation to one another as the header is raised and lowered. 
         [0014]    The upper linkage set comprises two “bars,” oriented at angles with respect to a longitudinal axis of the mower such that they connect to the sub-frame at points nearer the longitudinal axis than those points at which they connect to the main frame. 
         [0015]    In contrast, the lower links are angled such that they connect to the sub-frame at points farther from the longitudinal axis than those points at which the lower links connect to the main frame. 
         [0016]    Spherical bearings are used to connect each independent bar of the lower linkage set to the main frame and to the sub-frame. As well, spherical bearings are also used to connect the upper linkage bars to the sub-frame. The upper linkage bars are pivotally attached to the main frame by cylindrical bearings. 
         [0017]    In a first embodiment, the upper linkage bars are permanently connected to one another where the upper linkage bars converge at the sub-frame, and are subsequently connected to the sub-frame using a single spherical bearing. In an alternative embodiment, the two bars are not directly connected to one another, but are pivotally connected to the sub-frame by independent spherical bearings in the same manner as the lower linkage bars. 
         [0018]    The linkage arrangement herein described allows the sub-frame the ability to rotate about an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mower. This ability is called “float” and refers to the capability of the mower to adjust itself automatically to a ground slope perpendicular to the direction of travel. 
         [0019]    Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1   a  is a side elevation of a mower machine in a transport configuration; 
           [0021]      FIG. 1   b  is a side elevation of the mower machine in an operating configuration; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of the mower showing a four-bar linkage system arrangement; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a left side elevation view of the rear of the mower showing the main frame mounted on wheels and indicating the parallelism of the two linkage levels; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a left side elevation view of the rear of the mower showing the pivot point in the sub-frame about which the cutter bar pitch is controlled; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5   a  is a top plan view of the sub-frame in a transport configuration showing both arms rotated inward toward the longitudinal axis; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5   b  is a top plan view of the sub-frame in an operating configuration showing both arms  8  rotated outward from the longitudinal axis; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6   a  is an isometric view of the mower in transport configuration; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6   b  is an isometric view of the mower in operational configuration; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a rear elevation view of the mower in a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a rear elevation view of the mower in a second embodiment having individual links at a top of the four-bar linkage system; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a rear elevation view of the mower presenting a third embodiment of the four-bar linkage system in which the orientations of the upper and lower linkage sets are opposite of those in the first embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a rear elevation view of the mower presenting a fourth embodiment of the four-bar linkage system in which the orientations of the upper and lower linkage sets are opposite of those in the second embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 11   a  is a top plan view of the mower with its header in an operating position illustrating a leveling mechanism; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11   b  is a side elevation view of the mower with its header in an operating position illustrating the leveling mechanism; 
           [0035]      FIG. 12   a  is a top plan view of the mower with its header in a transport position illustrating the leveling mechanism; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 12   b  is a side elevation view of the mower with its header in a transport position illustrating the leveling mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, the present invention comprises a suspension system for an agricultural mower  1 , shown in its entirety in  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b ,  6   a , and  6   b . The mower  1  comprises two integrated frames  10 ,  15 . A tongue  2  extending over the machine is pivotally connected to a top of a main frame  15 , positioned at the extreme rear of the agricultural mower  1 . The main frame  15  has left and right legs mounted atop axles between two ground engaging wheels for supporting the agricultural mower  1  on the ground  65 . The axis of rotation of these wheels is substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel. A sub-frame  10  is pivotally connected to the main frame  15 , forward of the main frame  15  by means of a four-bar linkage system. The sub-frame  10  is a two part frame, suspending the work tool or cutter bar  9 . 
         [0038]    The tongue  2  is preferably connected to an agricultural tractor (not shown). The mower  1  is normally drawn in a direction toward the tongue  2 , which direction is hereby defined as the forward direction. Based on this, the rearward direction is hereby defined for the purposes of this document, including the claims as opposite the forward direction. 
         [0039]    A front of the mower  1  is likewise hereby defined as the general portion of the mower  1  in the lead as the mower  1  is drawn in the forward direction. A rear of the mower  1  is hereby defined as the general portion of the mower  1  seen when viewed from a side of the mower  1  opposite the tongue and facing in the forward direction. 
         [0040]    A longitudinal direction is hereby defined as a direction parallel to the forward direction. A transverse direction is hereby defined as a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and parallel to an appropriate average of a slope of the ground surface in the vicinity of a header  6 . 
         [0041]    The above definitions are defined for the purposes of this document, including the claims. 
         [0042]    The present invention comprises a four-bar linkage system including an upper set of linkages  12  and a lower set of linkages  11 , each comprising two bars as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4  and  7 - 10 . The upper linkage set  12  and the lower linkage set  11  are substantially parallel to one another when considering a side elevation view such as those featured in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b . As shown in the plan views of  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , and the rear elevation view,  FIG. 7 , the bars belonging to the upper linkage set  12  are oriented in such a way as to be angled with respect to a longitudinal axis  52  of the mower  1 . More precisely, the upper links  12  are angled such that they connect to the sub-frame  10  at points nearer the longitudinal axis  52  than those points at which the upper links  12  connect to the main frame  15 . The lower links  11  are angled such that they connect to the sub-frame  10  at points farther from the longitudinal axis  52  than those points at which the lower links  11  connect to the main frame  15 . 
         [0043]    Each independent bar of the lower linkage set  11  is pivotally connected to the main frame  15  by a spherical bearing, also known as a ball joint, at a first point and is pivotally connected to the sub-frame  10  by a spherical bearing, also known as a ball joint, at a second point. 
         [0044]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 7-10 , each bar of the upper linkage  12  is pivotally connected to the main frame  15  by a cylindrical bearing at a first point and pivotally connected to the sub-frame  10  by a spherical bearing, also known as a ball joint, at a second point. In a first embodiment, the upper linkage bars  12  are rigidly affixed to one another where the upper linkage bars  12  converge at the sub-frame  10 , and are connected to the sub-frame  10  with a single spherical bearing, as shown in  FIG. 7 . In a second embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the two bars upper linkage bars  12  are not directly connected to one another, but are pivotally connected to the sub-frame  10  by independent spherical bearings in the same manner as the lower linkage bars  11 . In this second embodiment, the ends of the upper linkage bars  12  nearest the sub-frame  10  are disposed closer together than their ends nearest the main frame  15 . In either of the first and second embodiment, the lower linkage bars  11  diverge from one another as they extend from the main frame  15  to the sub-frame  10 . 
         [0045]    In a third embodiment, the lower link arms  11  are rigidly affixed to one another where the lower linkage bars  11  converge at the sub-frame  10 , and are connected to the sub-frame  10  with a single spherical bearing, as shown in  FIG. 9 . In a fourth embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the two lower linkage bars  11  are not directly connected to one another, but are pivotally connected to the sub-frame  10  by independent spherical bearings in the same manner as the upper linkage bars  12 . In this fourth embodiment, the ends of the lower linkage bars  11  nearest the sub-frame  10  are disposed closer together than their ends nearest the main frame  15 . In either of the first and second embodiment, the upper linkage bars  12  diverge from one another as they extend from the main frame  15  to the sub-frame  10 . 
         [0046]    The linkage arrangement described above allows the sub-frame  10  to rotate about an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis  52 . This ability is hereby defined as float for the purposed of this document, including the claims, and implies the capability of the mower  1  to adjust itself automatically to a ground slope perpendicular to the direction of travel. As illustrated especially in  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b ,  6   a , and  6   b , the two independent headers  6  are supported independently by their respective arms  8  on cylindrical bearings, allowing each cutter bar  9  to float independently. Therefore, the undersides of the cutter bars  9  engage the ground surface  65  with greater consistency due to their floating ability. 
         [0047]    The two arms  8 , pivotally mounted to the top of the forward portion of the sub-frame  10 , have a vertical axis of rotation. The cutter bars  9  mounted from these arms  8  are then allowed to pivot toward or away from the longitudinal axis  52 . As shown in  FIGS. 1   a ,  5   a , and  6   a , in a transport position, the arms  8  are rotated forward, thereby decreasing a width of the mower  1 . In an operating mode, illustrated in  FIGS. 1   b ,  5   b  and  6   b , the arms  8  are rotated toward the rear of the mower  1  such that the two separate cutter bars  9  form a single row perpendicular to the direction of travel. The sub-frame lift cylinder  14  is used to raise the sub-frame  10  off the ground  65  for transport. The sub-frame  10  is provided with a locking arrangement for the transport position to eliminate the risk of the sub-frame  10  dropping to the ground  65  during transport. 
         [0048]    The present invention realizes significant benefit in that the suspension system mounts the sub-frame  10  in such a way as to give the sub-frame  10  multi-directional motion freedoms such that the underside of the cutter bar  9  is allowed to more consistently engage the ground surface  65  as the ground surface  65  varies. This results in the benefit of a more consistent cut height. 
         [0049]    Another significant benefit is realized by the converging and diverging arrangements of the lower linkage bars  11  and the upper linkage bars  12 , in combination with the illustrated orientation sub-frame lift cylinder  14 . Due to the lower linkage bars  11  being in tension whenever the sub-frame lift cylinder  14  is retracted, the header  6  is self-leveling when in the transport position, while the header  6  is permitted to be parallel to the ground when in the operating position. Further, due to the tension in the lower linkage bars  11 , the header will tend to center itself relative to the main frame  15  on retraction of the sub-frame lift cylinder  14 . 
         [0050]    An additional leveling feature is illustrated in  FIGS. 11   a - 12   b . As the header is raised from the operating position ( FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b ), to the transport position ( FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b ), and the upper linkage bars  12  reach an extreme raised position, they make contact with a leveling bracket  75 , causing the sub-frame  10 ,  62  to become parallel to the ground contour in the transverse direction. A benefit is that if one side of the header becomes heavy due to accumulation of crop material, etc., it will still become level. This also keeps the sub-frame  10  from swaying while the agricultural mower  1  is in its transport position. 
         [0051]    The embodiments of the novel suspension system herein described may be utilized for any implement making use of a floating work tool. The invention is not intended to be limited to agricultural mowers. 
         [0052]    The above embodiments are the preferred embodiments, but this invention is not limited thereto. It is, therefore, apparent that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.