Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention relate to implement flotation and suspension systems typically utilized with agricultural equipment wherein an “implement” can be a brush, rake, broom, or any tool utilized to contact the ground surface; “flotation” refers to the ability of the systems to maintain a substantially consistent force applied by the implement on the ground surface it contacts and thus maintain a substantially consistent spacing between the ground surface being traversed (regardless of the regularity of the surface) and the implement section not in contact with the ground surface; and “suspension” refers to the suspension of some or all of the weight of the implement in relation to the surface being traversed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/187,714 filed Jun. 17, 2009. The contents of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/187,714 are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to implement flotation and suspension systems typically utilized with agricultural equipment wherein an “implement” can be a brush, rake, broom, or any tool utilized to contact the ground surface; “flotation” refers to the ability of the systems to maintain a substantially consistent force applied by the implement on the ground surface it contacts and thus maintain a substantially consistent spacing between the ground surface being traversed (regardless of the regularity of the surface) and the implement section not in contact with the ground surface; and “suspension” refers to the suspension of some or all of the weight of the implement in relation to the surface being traversed. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Agricultural equipment or machinery is typically operated on unpaved ground surfaces which have varying degrees of undulations. Various suspension systems have been developed for automobiles and some have been utilized in agricultural vehicles. None of the systems provide an opportunity to control the contact between an agricultural vehicle&#39;s implement(s) and the ground surface the agricultural vehicle travels across. Typical agricultural equipment implements are used in soil preparation or crop planting, cultivating or gathering and include, but are not limited to, brushes, rakes, tines, blades, containment devices, rollers and wheels. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Embodiments of the present invention provide an assembly of components (or system) that is mounted to a vehicle which is typically agricultural equipment. The agricultural equipment includes an implement to “work” the ground before or after planting and/or an implement to gather crops at harvest. The implement flotation and suspension system described herein can control the relative position of the implement with respect to the ground surface the implement (or a portion of the implement) comes in contact with. 
         [0005]    The implement flotation and suspension system described herein functions independently of the normal vehicle suspension system. The implement flotation and suspension system is typically an attachment for agricultural equipment but it can be integral to the agricultural equipment. 
         [0006]    The general operation of the device can be understood by explanation of the flotation and suspension system&#39;s use with a sweeper brush implement attached to nut harvesting machinery. The brush is used to sweep the crop on the ground to a desired location. The float assembly allows the brush to travel in a linear motion substantially perpendicular to the ground. This enhances the brush&#39;s sweeping performance by maintaining a consistent brush-to-ground contact patch as ground height varies. An additional benefit is a reduction in brush wear. The assembly also reduces the amount of force required for the brush to rise as it hits high spots or obstacles. In addition, the assembly allows the brush to freely travel downward in low spots. Two substantially parallel arms and a compression/tension component are used to suspend the brush. 
         [0007]    Variations in ground height are transferred from the brush, through the connecting brackets and support arms to the force translation member, which allows the brush to be raised from or lowered to the ground. A compression component (a spring for example) at least partially suspends the weight of the brush and allows it to freely raise and lower as ground height varies. 
         [0008]    The compression component could be a tension spring (capable of compression), compression spring, gas/hydraulic cylinder or any suitable compressive component. Sliding bearings on a linkage component can reduce friction as the brush floats upward or downward. The sliding bearings could be bearings, bushings, or low friction surface, such as, UHMW (ultra high molecular weight) polyethylene. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by reference to embodiments of its structural form, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the implement flotation and suspension system with a rotary brush utilized as the implement. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the system with the back bracket cutaway showing a spring component. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the slide mechanism connected to the rear shaft. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the implement flotation and suspension system. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side view of another alternative embodiment of the implement flotation and suspension system. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the implement flotation and suspension system utilized with a rotary brush. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the implement flotation and suspension system utilized with a rotary brush. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a side view of another embodiment of the implement flotation and suspension system with a rotary brush utilized as the implement. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , which best show the general features of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the implement flotation and suspension system  10  is the assembly contained approximately between points A and B. The implement flotation and suspension system includes at least one upper support arm  12  and at least one lower support arm  14  substantially parallel to the upper support arm. The upper and lower support arms are pivotally attached to at least one front bracket  16  and at least one back bracket  18 . Typically bracket assemblies are utilized. 
         [0019]    A first adjustment mechanism  15  can be attached to the lower arm, upper arm, or any other applicable component of the implement flotation and suspension system. The first adjustment mechanism  15  could also be attached to the implement itself. The first adjustment mechanism (or position adjustment mechanism) allows the implement (brush) to be positioned to affect the angle C between the implement and the ground. 
         [0020]    A force translation member  20  is connected to the upper or lower support arm. The force translation member shown in  FIG. 1  is pivotally connected to the lower support arm at the front end and to a slide mechanism  22  at the back end. The slide mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 2  contains a bearing member  36  which travels along upper and lower slide rails  38 . The slide mechanism is movable along a linear path and is connected at its back end to a shaft  24 . The shaft is substantially parallel to the linear path of the slide mechanism and the shaft comprises a second adjustment mechanism  26  to adjust the linear position of the slide mechanism. 
         [0021]    A compression component is attached to the force translation member  20  and, in some cases, to the shaft  24 . Typical compression components include, but are not limited to, a fluid-filled cylinder  30  or spring  34  or any combination of suitable compression devices. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a partial cutaway, top view of the connection between the force translation member  20  and the slide mechanism  22 , and between the slide mechanism and the shaft  24 . The force translation member  20  and shaft  24  can be connected to the slide mechanism through an eyelet or bushing  32 . The bearing  36  is positioned at approximately the midpoint of the slide rails  38  in  FIG. 3 . The adjustment mechanism  26  can be used to vary the position of the bearing  36  with respect to the rails  38 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the implement flotation and suspension system utilized in conjunction with a rotary brush. In this embodiment, the force translation member has a first section  120 A and a second section  120 B with the second section approximately parallel to the upper  112  and lower  114  arms. The second section of the force translation member is connected to a shaft which contains a compression or tension component, e.g. a spring. The shaft can also contain a second adjustment mechanism  126  to adjust the height of the implement and the force that the implement exerts on the ground. 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of another alternative embodiment of the implement flotation and suspension system utilized in conjunction with a rotary brush. In this embodiment, the force translation member is a two part member with the first part  220  pivotally connected to the second part  221  that is connected to a shaft. The shaft is approximately parallel to the upper  212  and lower  214  support arms. 
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the implement flotation and suspension system utilized with a rotary brush.  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the implement flotation and suspension system utilized with a rotary brush. 
         [0026]      FIG. 8  shows an alternative embodiment of the implement flotation and suspension system. In this embodiment, the upper and lower support arms can be nonadjustable and a position adjustment mechanism  17  is incorporated into the front bracket  16 . The position adjustment mechanism  17  allows the implement (brush) to be adjusted to affect the angle C between the implement and the ground. 
         [0027]    The function of the implement flotation and suspension system can be understood by analysis of the initial setup of the assembly attached to or integrated with agricultural equipment. When the system is attached to an implement on one end and a harvester or sweeper (for example) on the other end, the assembly system and implement can be suspended above the ground surface just before use. 
         [0028]    Initially the angle between the bottom of the implement and the ground (see angle C in  FIG. 1 ) can be set by utilizing the first adjustment mechanism  15 . The first adjustment mechanism  15  is shown on the upper support arm  12  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0029]    At this step, the weight of the implement and the majority of the assembly will compress the spring (when a spring is utilized). The second adjustment mechanism (or tension adjustment mechanism) slightly adjusts the height of the implement with respect to the ground while approximately maintaining the initial angle between the bottom of the implement and the ground (angle C in  FIG. 1  for example). When the implement is put in contact with the ground for initial setup or calibration, the spring decompresses in relation to the spring strength. The amount of force exerted on the ground by the implement (brush) can be adjusted by use of the second adjustment mechanism  26  which adjusts the length of shaft  24 . Shaft  24  has a threaded portion (not shown) that communicates with the second adjustment mechanism  26 . 
         [0030]    As the implement connected to the suspension system (the brush as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  for example) passes over an undulation (bump or small hill) in the ground surface, the force exerted on the implement by the ground will increase. This increase in ground force will thus lesson the tension on the force translation member and decompress the spring causing the front of the assembly and the implement to rise proportionally. 
         [0031]    As the implement passes over a depression in the ground (cavity, hole, trench, etc.), the force exerted on the implement by the ground will decrease. The decrease in force by the ground surface, and the weight of the implement will cause the spring to be compressed thereby lowering the implement. 
       CONCLUSIONS, OTHER EMBODIMENTS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION 
       [0032]    First adjustment mechanism  15  is shown in  FIG. 1  on the upper arm  12 . The first adjustment mechanism (or position adjustment mechanism) is utilized to set the angle between the bottom of the implement and the ground (see angle C in  FIG. 1 ). The first adjustment mechanism can be on the upper arm, lower arm or attached to the one of the brackets. Although the implement flotation and suspension system generally is within the boundaries of points A and B shown in  FIG. 1 , it is within the scope of the present invention to have the position adjustment mechanism attached to the implement and/or any other practical system component. Therefore the components of embodiments of the present invention are not constrained between the reference points A and Bin  FIG. 1 . 
         [0033]    Two additional embodiments of the implement flotation and suspension system are shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  includes a similar first adjustment mechanism  115  on the lower arm (shown) or upper arm. The force translation member  120  is comprised of two non-parallel sections, a first section  120 A and a second section  120 B. The second section is substantially parallel to the upper  112  and the lower  114  arm. 
         [0034]    The second adjustment mechanism  126  slightly adjusts the height of the implement with respect to the ground while approximately maintaining the initial angle between the bottom of the implement and the ground. When the implement is put in contact with the ground for initial setup or calibration, the spring decompresses in relation to the spring strength. The amount of force exerted on the ground by the implement (brush) can be adjusted by use of the second adjustment mechanism  126  which adjusts the length of shaft  124 . Shaft  124  has a threaded portion (not shown) that communicates with the second adjustment mechanism  126 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  includes a fixed support plate  140  for the spring. 
         [0035]    The embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  includes a similar first adjustment mechanism  215  on the lower arm (shown) or upper arm. The force translation member in this embodiment is a two part member with the rocker arm  221 , the second part, pivotally connected to the first part  220 . The rocker arm portion is pivotally connected at its other end to a shaft  224  and at its midpoint  242  to the second bracket. The shaft  224  is substantially parallel to the upper  212  and the lower  214  arm. The implement (brush) will be lowered when the rocker arm  221  rotates in a counterclockwise direction. The implement will be raised when the rocker arm rotates in a clockwise direction. 
         [0036]    The second adjustment mechanism  226  slightly adjusts the height of the implement with respect to the ground while approximately maintaining the initial angle between the bottom of the implement and the ground. When the implement is put in contact with the ground for initial setup or calibration, the spring decompresses in relation to the spring strength. The amount of force exerted on the ground by the implement (brush) can be adjusted by use of the second adjustment mechanism  226  which adjusts the length of shaft  224 . Shaft  224  has a threaded portion (not shown) that communicates with the second adjustment mechanism  226 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  includes a fixed support plate  240  for the spring. 
         [0037]    An embodiment shown in  FIG. 8  discloses an implement flotation and suspension system with the first adjustment mechanism  17  incorporated into the front bracket assembly. In such embodiments, the adjustability of one or more of the support arms is optional. 
         [0038]    Embodiments shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 8  have adjustment positions  19  to vary the position of the translation member  20 . This allows positioning of the implement with respect to the ground thus affecting the force that the implement exerts on the ground. 
         [0039]    It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention. Although the implement flotation and suspension system has been described in conjunction with agricultural equipment, its use is not constrained to the agricultural field. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims in the formal application and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.