Patent Description:
Press wheels are commonly used in mobile agricultural equipment to press distributed agricultural product (e.g., seed) into a furrow. However, many conventional press wheels suffer from certain drawbacks and limitations. For example, when the ground being seeded is muddy, mud sticking to the press wheel may actually pull seed out of the furrow. For these reasons among others, there remains a need for further improvements in this technological field.

As an example, <CIT> discloses a press-wheel assembly of the kind used with seed planting machines and which includes a press-wheel formed by a pair of mating wheel halves, the inner wheel half being provided with an integrally formed hub which projects through a central bore formed in the outer wheel half, the projecting hub portion being constructed and arranged so as to permit the fitment of a protective end cap within its open outer end. The cap when fitted to the hub has its skirt surrounded and thereby protected by the walls of the projecting hub portion. Openings in the projecting hub portion are provided to allow the insertion of a hand tool for manually removing the end cap from the wheel hub.

Document <CIT> discloses a method for manufacturing a press wheel in which a wheel body is over-moulded onto an annular bearing.

The invention proposes an improved press wheel for agricultural equipment according to claim <NUM>, the press wheel comprising: an annular inner rim extending along a rotational axis and defining a central opening; and a wheel body circumferentially surrounding the inner rim; wherein the inner rim comprises a plurality of axially-extending recesses.

The inner rim has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The plurality of axially-extending recesses comprise a plurality of first axially-extending recesses and a plurality of second axially-extending recesses; wherein each of the first axially-extending recesses extends from the first side toward the second side; and wherein each of the second axially-extending recesses extends from the second side toward the first side.

The first axially-extending recesses and the second axially-extending recesses may alternate about a circumference of the inner rim.

The inner rim may comprise a serpentine shape defined at least in part by the plurality of axially-extending recesses. The wheel body may comprises a plurality of ridges; and wherein the plurality of ridges are received in and engaged with the plurality of axially-extending recesses.

The inner rim might be chemically bonded to the wheel body. Alternatively, each of the axially-extending recesses may be formed as an axially-extending slot. In certain embodiments, the wheel body may comprise an elastomeric material.

Further, the press wheel may comprise a bearing positioned in the central opening and forming a press fit with the inner rim.

Further, the press wheel may comprise an outer rim circumferentially surrounding the wheel body; wherein the outer rim comprises urethane and/or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The invention further proposes a method of manufacturing a press wheel according to claim <NUM>, the method comprising: over-molding a wheel body onto at least one additional component, wherein the at least one additional component comprises an outer rim; wherein the outer rim comprises a plastic material; and wherein the wheel body comprises an elastomeric material. The plastic material may comprise urethane and/or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The at least one additional component may further comprise an inner rim; wherein the inner rim comprises a plurality of recesses; and wherein the over-molding forms the wheel body with a plurality of ridges received in and engaged with the plurality of recesses. The outer rim may comprise: a rim body; and a plurality of flanges projecting inward from the rim body.

One or more of the flanges may comprise one or more openings; and wherein the over-molding forms the wheel body with one or more projections received in the one or more openings.

In certain embodiments, one or more of the flanges extends axially, and partially defines a face of the press wheel.

The method may further comprise, prior to over-molding the wheel body onto the at least one additional component, forming the outer rim of a plurality of modular segments. Forming the outer rim may comprise interlocking one or more of the modular segments with an adjacent one of the modular segments. The at least one additional component may comprise an inner rim; and wherein forming the outer rim comprises interlocking one or more of the modular segments with the inner rim. The method may further comprise: inserting a bearing into a central aperture of the wheel body; and capturing an outer portion of the bearing and an inner portion of the wheel body between a pair of interlocking pieces, thereby coupling the bearing with the wheel body.

Further embodiments, forms, features, and aspects of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

Although the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described herein in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the scope of the appended claims.

It should further be appreciated that although reference to a "preferred" component or feature may indicate the desirability of a particular component or feature with respect to an embodiment, the disclosure is not so limiting with respect to other embodiments, which may omit such a component or feature. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

Additionally, it should be appreciated that items included in a list in the form of "at least one of A, B, and C" can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed in the form of "at least one of A, B, or C" can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Items listed in the form of "A, B, and/or C" can also mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Further, with respect to the claims, the use of words and phrases such as "a," "an," "at least one," and/or "at least one portion" should not be interpreted so as to be limiting to only one such element unless specifically stated to the contrary, and the use of phrases such as "at least a portion" and/or "a portion" should be interpreted as encompassing both embodiments including only a portion of such element and embodiments including the entirety of such element unless specifically stated to the contrary.

In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown in certain specific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should be appreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not necessarily be required. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged in a different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures unless indicated to the contrary. Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in a particular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required in all embodiments and, in some embodiments, may be omitted or may be combined with other features.

With reference to <FIG>, illustrated therein is mobile agricultural equipment in the form of a seeder <NUM> according to certain embodiments. The seeder <NUM> generally includes a frame <NUM>, one or more reservoirs <NUM> operable to hold an agricultural product (e.g., seed), and a plurality of row units <NUM> mounted to the frame <NUM>. As described herein, the seeder <NUM> is configured to form furrows <NUM> in the ground, each furrow <NUM> being provided with agricultural product from the reservoir <NUM> via the row units <NUM>.

Each row unit <NUM> includes one or more components to perform corresponding operations for the process of forming and seeding the furrows <NUM>. In the illustrated form, each row unit <NUM> generally includes an opening disk <NUM> that opens the furrow <NUM>, a distribution unit <NUM> that distributes seed into the opened furrow <NUM>, a press wheel <NUM> that presses the seed into the furrow <NUM>, and a closing wheel <NUM> that covers the seed and closes the furrow <NUM>.

With additional reference to <FIG>, illustrated therein is a press wheel assembly <NUM> according to certain embodiments. The press wheel assembly <NUM> may, for example, be provided in one or more of the row units <NUM> of the above-described seeder <NUM>. The press wheel assembly <NUM> generally includes a frame <NUM> and a press wheel <NUM> rotatably mounted to the frame <NUM>. In the illustrated arrangement, the press wheel assembly <NUM> is provided in a retracted configuration, in which the press wheel <NUM> is retracted to a position adjacent the frame <NUM>. From this configuration, the press wheel assembly <NUM> may be moved to a deployed configuration, in which the press wheel <NUM> is positioned generally below and/or behind the frame <NUM>.

With additional reference to <FIG>, illustrated therein is a press wheel <NUM> according to certain embodiments. The press wheel <NUM> may, for example, be utilized in the press wheel assembly <NUM> and/or as the press wheel <NUM> of the above-described row units <NUM>. The press wheel <NUM> is rotatable about a rotational axis <NUM>, and generally includes an outer rim <NUM>, an inner rim <NUM>, and a body portion <NUM> extending between and connecting the outer rim <NUM> and the inner rim <NUM>. In the illustrated form, the press wheel <NUM> further includes a bearing <NUM> that facilitates the rotational coupling of the wheel <NUM> to a frame (e.g., the frame <NUM>).

In the illustrated embodiment, the outer rim <NUM> and the wheel body <NUM> are integrally formed as a monolithic or single-piece construction. As described herein, it is also contemplated that the outer rim <NUM> may be one or more distinct components to which the wheel body <NUM> is attached.

With additional reference to <FIG>, the inner rim <NUM> of the illustrated press wheel <NUM> is generally annular, and has a serpentine configuration about its circumference. The inner rim <NUM> has a central opening <NUM>, a first axial side <NUM> and an axially-opposite second side <NUM>, and recesses in the form of slots <NUM>, <NUM>' alternatingly extend from the two sides <NUM>, <NUM> to at least partially define the serpentine structure of the inner rim <NUM>. More particularly, first slots <NUM> extend axially from the first axial side <NUM> toward the second axial side <NUM>, and second slots <NUM> extend axially from the second axial side <NUM> toward the first axial side <NUM>. As described herein, this serpentine configuration may serve one or more functions for the press wheel <NUM>, such as providing greater tolerances and/or reducing relative axial movement of the inner rim <NUM> and wheel body <NUM>. In certain forms, the inner rim <NUM> may be formed of a metal material, such as steel.

The wheel body <NUM> is somewhat flexible, and may, for example, be formed of an elastomeric material. In certain embodiments, the wheel body <NUM> is over-molded onto the outer rim <NUM> and/or the inner rim <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the wheel body <NUM> may be connected to the outer rim <NUM> and/or the inner rim <NUM> via mechanical and/or chemical fasteners. As one example, a bonding agent may provide a chemical adhesion between the wheel body <NUM> and at the outer rim <NUM> and/or the inner rim <NUM>. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the wheel body <NUM> may be hollow. In certain embodiments, the wheel body <NUM> may be solid and substantially without hollow portions.

In certain embodiments, such as those in which the wheel body <NUM> is over-molded onto the inner rim <NUM>, the wheel body <NUM> may be provided with ridges <NUM> corresponding to the slots <NUM> of the inner rim <NUM>. These ridges <NUM> engage the slots <NUM> and discourage relative axial shifting of the inner rim <NUM> and wheel body <NUM>. The slots <NUM> also render the inner rim <NUM> more flexible than a truly annular inner rim would be, which may provide for increased tolerances for press-fitting the bearing <NUM> into the central opening of the inner rim <NUM>.

As noted above, in the illustrated form, the outer rim <NUM> and the wheel body <NUM> are provided as a single-piece construction. In certain embodiments, this single-piece construction may, for example, be formed by injecting a liquid elastomeric composition into an appropriately-shaped mold. Moreover, the liquid composition may be mixed with a plastic powder that renders the resulting outer rim <NUM> and/or wheel body <NUM> less susceptible to having mud and other debris stick thereon. For example, at least some of the elastomeric composition may be mixed with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) powder. In certain embodiments, the UHMWPE powder may be at least <NUM>% of the total weight of the mixture, at least <NUM>% of the total weight of the mixture, at least <NUM>% of the total weight of the mixture, at least <NUM>% of the total weight of the mixture, at least <NUM>% of the total weight of the mixture, at least <NUM>% of the total weight of the mixture, or at least <NUM>% of the total weight of the mixture. Additionally, it is also contemplated that such a mixture may be utilized to form the wheel bodies of other embodiments described herein.

With additional reference to <FIG>, illustrated therein is a press wheel <NUM> according to certain embodiments. The press wheel <NUM> may, for example, be utilized in the press wheel assembly <NUM> and/or as the press wheel <NUM> of the above-described row units <NUM>. The press wheel <NUM> is substantially similar to the press wheel <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and similar reference characters are used to indicate similar elements and features. For example, the press wheel <NUM> generally includes an outer rim <NUM>, an inner rim <NUM>, and a body portion <NUM>, which respectively correspond to the outer rim <NUM>, the inner rim <NUM>, and the body portion <NUM> of the above-described press wheel <NUM>. In the interest of conciseness, the following description of the press wheel <NUM> focuses primarily on elements and features that are different from those described above with reference to the press wheel <NUM>.

With additional reference to <FIG>, the outer rim <NUM> is defined by at least one discrete component to which the wheel body <NUM> is attached, for example by over-molding. In certain embodiments, the outer rim <NUM> is formed of a material different from that utilized for the wheel body <NUM>. In certain forms, the outer rim <NUM> may be formed of a material that is harder than the relatively softer material utilized for the wheel body <NUM>. The outer rim <NUM> may, for example, be provided with a Shore A hardness rating of between <NUM> and <NUM>, such as a hardness of about <NUM> Shore A (e.g., between <NUM> Shore A and <NUM> Shore A). The outer rim <NUM> may be formed of a plastic material, such as urethane, polyurethane, polyethylene, and/or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

The outer rim <NUM> generally includes a rim body <NUM> and a plurality of flanges <NUM> projecting radially inward from the rim body <NUM>. The rim body <NUM> is generally annular, and has a smooth and curved outer surface <NUM>. One or more of the flanges <NUM> may include an aperture or opening <NUM> into which material of the wheel body <NUM> may flow during the over-molding process to mechanically secure the wheel body <NUM> to the outer rim <NUM>. In certain forms, the wheel body <NUM> may be formed of a mixture including an elastomeric material and UHMWPE powder as described above.

With additional reference to <FIG>, the outer rim <NUM> generally includes a rim body <NUM> and a plurality of flanges <NUM> projecting radially inward from the rim body <NUM>. In the illustrated form, the flanges <NUM> are generally T-shaped, which may aid in mechanically securing the wheel body <NUM> to the outer rim <NUM>.

With additional reference to <FIG>, the outer rim <NUM> generally includes a rim body <NUM> and a plurality of flanges <NUM> projecting radially inward from the rim body <NUM>. In the illustrated form, each of the flanges <NUM> includes a pair of apertures <NUM>, which may aid in mechanically securing the wheel body <NUM> to the outer rim <NUM>. For example, material may flow into the apertures <NUM> during the over-molding process to thereby form projections within the wheel body <NUM>.

With additional reference to <FIG>, the outer rim <NUM> generally includes a rim body <NUM> and a plurality of flanges <NUM> projecting radially inward from the rim body <NUM>. Each flange <NUM> includes a pair of axially-projecting lobes <NUM> that project to the axially-outer surface of the press wheel <NUM> and partially define a face of the press wheel <NUM>. In addition to aiding the mechanical coupling of the wheel body <NUM> with the outer rim <NUM>, these lobes <NUM> may discourage detritus (e.g., mud) from sticking to the sidewalls of the press wheel <NUM>.

With additional reference to <FIG>, illustrated therein is an outer rim <NUM> according to certain embodiments. The outer rim <NUM> includes a rim body <NUM> and may, for example, be utilized in a press wheel along the lines described above. As one example, the outer rim <NUM> may be utilized in the press wheel <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> in place of the outer rim <NUM>. As described herein, the illustrated outer rim <NUM> is formed of a plurality of discrete modular segments <NUM>.

With additional reference to <FIG>, illustrated therein is one of the modular segments <NUM> of which the outer rim <NUM> is formed. The modular segment <NUM> includes a rim body segment <NUM> and a flange <NUM> projecting inward from the rim body segment <NUM>. The flange <NUM> includes one or more recesses <NUM> that may aid in mechanically coupling the segment <NUM> to a wheel body that is over-molded onto the outer rim <NUM>, and in the illustrated form further includes a tongue <NUM> and a groove <NUM> having a shape complementary to that of the tongue <NUM>.

The outer rim <NUM> may, for example, be assembled by arranging a plurality of the modular segments <NUM> such that the arcuate body segments <NUM> form a generally annular outer rim body while interlocking the tongue <NUM> of each segment <NUM> with the groove <NUM> of an adjacent segment <NUM>. The outer rim <NUM>, and optionally an inner rim along the lines of the inner rim <NUM>, may then be over-molded with an elastomeric material to form the wheel body of a press wheel.

With additional reference to <FIG>, illustrated therein is one of the modular segments <NUM> of which the outer rim <NUM> is formed. The modular segment <NUM> includes a rim body segment <NUM> and a flange <NUM> projecting inward from the rim body segment <NUM>. The flange <NUM> includes one or more recesses <NUM> that may aid in mechanically coupling the segment <NUM> to a wheel body that is over-molded onto the outer rim <NUM>, and in the illustrated form further includes a neck <NUM> that extends to a head <NUM> including a pair of shoulders <NUM>.

The outer rim <NUM> may, for example, be assembled by arranging a plurality of the modular segments <NUM> such that the body segments <NUM> form a generally annular outer rim body while interlocking the flange <NUM> of each segment <NUM> with the inner rim <NUM>. For example, the neck <NUM> of each segment <NUM> may be inserted into a corresponding slot <NUM>, <NUM>' of the inner rim <NUM> such that the shoulders <NUM> restrict movement of the segment <NUM> relative to the inner rim <NUM>. The outer rim <NUM> and the inner rim <NUM> may then be over-molded with an elastomeric material (which may include UHMWPE powder) to form at least a portion of a press wheel. After the over-molding process is complete such that the wheel body secures the segments <NUM> in place, the heads <NUM> may be trimmed from the inner perimeter to provide space for insertion of a bearing.

With additional reference to <FIG>, illustrated therein is a press wheel <NUM> according to certain embodiments. The press wheel <NUM> may, for example, be utilized in the press wheel assembly <NUM> and/or as the press wheel <NUM> of the above-described row units <NUM>. The press wheel <NUM> generally includes an outer rim <NUM>, an inner rim <NUM>, and a wheel body <NUM>. In the illustrated form, the outer rim <NUM> is integrally formed with the wheel body <NUM>. It is also contemplated that the outer rim <NUM> may be formed as a separate component, and that the wheel body <NUM> may be over-molded onto such a separate component. The outer rim <NUM> may, by way of example, be provided in any of the forms described above with reference to <FIG>.

In the illustrated form, the inner rim <NUM> is annular, and projects axially beyond the faces of the wheel body <NUM>, which may be over-molded onto the inner rim <NUM>. A bearing <NUM> may then be inserted into the central opening <NUM> of the inner rim <NUM>, and the edges of the inner rim <NUM> may be deformed radially inward to capture the outer race <NUM> of the bearing <NUM> between two lips <NUM>.

With additional reference to <FIG>, illustrated therein is a press wheel <NUM> according to certain embodiments. The press wheel <NUM> may, for example, be utilized in the press wheel assembly <NUM> and/or as the press wheel <NUM> of the above-described row units <NUM>. The press wheel <NUM> generally includes an outer rim <NUM>, an inner rim <NUM>, and a wheel body <NUM>. In the illustrated form, the outer rim <NUM> is integrally formed with the wheel body <NUM>. It is also contemplated that the outer rim <NUM> may be formed as a separate component, and that the wheel body <NUM> may be over-molded onto such a separate component. By way of example, the outer rim <NUM> may be provided in any of the forms described above with reference to <FIG>.

In the illustrated form, the inner rim <NUM> comprises a pair of interlocked components. The interlocked components include a first component <NUM> and a second component <NUM>, which interlock with one another via an interlock mechanism <NUM>. The first component <NUM> includes an annular projection <NUM> that is received in an annular groove <NUM> of the wheel body <NUM> to discourage relative radial shifting of the first component <NUM> and the wheel body <NUM>. Similarly, the second component <NUM> may include an annular projection <NUM> that is received in an annular groove <NUM> of the wheel body <NUM> to discourage relative radial shifting of the second component <NUM> and the wheel body <NUM>.

The first component <NUM> includes a female boss <NUM>, and the second component <NUM> includes a male boss <NUM> sized and shaped to be received in the female boss <NUM>. The outer side of the female boss <NUM> generally conforms to the inner periphery of the wheel body <NUM>, and the inner side of the male boss <NUM> generally conforms to the outer periphery of a bearing <NUM>. The inner side of the female boss <NUM> includes one or more first engagement features <NUM> of the interlock mechanism <NUM>, and the outer side of the male boss <NUM> includes one or more second engagement features <NUM> of the interlock mechanism <NUM>.

The interlock mechanism <NUM> is configured to at least selectively interlock the first component <NUM> with the second component <NUM> to thereby capture the bearing <NUM> within the inner rim <NUM>. In the illustrated form, the engagement features <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to snap into engagement with one another as the male boss <NUM> is inserted into the female boss <NUM>. It is also contemplated that the interlock mechanism <NUM> may be configured to interlock the components <NUM>, <NUM> in another manner. As one example, the engagement features <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided in the form of threads, and the male boss <NUM> may screw into the female boss <NUM>. In certain forms, one or more of the engagement features on each side of the interlock mechanism <NUM> may include gaps <NUM>' which, when aligned, reduce the force required to axially separate the two components <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the interlock mechanism <NUM> may be provided in a form in which a quarter turn aligns the gaps <NUM>' to facilitate separation of the two components <NUM>, <NUM>.

With additional reference to <FIG>, illustrated therein is a press wheel <NUM> according to certain embodiments. The press wheel <NUM> may, for example, be utilized in the press wheel assembly <NUM> and/or as the press wheel <NUM> of the above-described row units <NUM>. While not specifically illustrated in <FIG>, it should be appreciated that the outer rim <NUM> of the press wheel <NUM> may be provided along the lines of the outer rims described with reference to <FIG>, or may be integrally formed with the wheel body <NUM>.

The press wheel <NUM> generally includes a wheel body <NUM> and a bearing <NUM> seated in a central opening <NUM> of the wheel body <NUM>. The wheel body <NUM> is provided with (e.g., integrally formed with) a plurality of lips <NUM>, each of which projects beyond the outer periphery of the central opening <NUM> to partially enclose the central opening <NUM>. The bearing <NUM> may be inserted into the central opening <NUM> such that the lips <NUM> axially retain the bearing <NUM> within the opening <NUM>.

With additional reference to <FIG>, illustrated therein is an exemplary process <NUM> that may be performed to produce a press wheel. Blocks illustrated for the processes in the present application are understood to be examples only, and blocks may be combined or divided, and added or removed, as well as re-ordered in whole or in part, unless explicitly stated to the contrary. Additionally, while the blocks are illustrated in a relatively serial fashion, it is to be understood that two or more of the blocks may be performed concurrently or in parallel with one another. The process <NUM> may begin with block <NUM>, which generally involves forming an outer rim of a press wheel. The outer rim may, for example, be formed of a plastic material, such as UHMWPE or a material comprising UHMWPE. In certain embodiments, block <NUM> may involve forming the outer rim as a single-piece construction, for example by molding the outer rim. It is also contemplated that block <NUM> may involve forming the outer rim from a plurality of modular segments.

By way of example, block <NUM> may include block <NUM>, which generally involves forming a plurality of discrete modular segments. In certain embodiments, block <NUM> may involve forming each modular segment with a rim body segment and a flange projecting inward from the rim body segment. Block <NUM> may further involve block <NUM>, which generally involves interlocking each modular segment with another component to form the outer rim.

In certain embodiments, the component with which the modular segment is interlocked in block <NUM> may be another modular component. For example, when forming the outer rim <NUM> of the modular segments <NUM>, each modular segment <NUM> may be interlocked with adjacent modular segments via engagement of the tongues <NUM> and grooves <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the component with which the modular segment is interlocked may be an inner rim. For example, when forming the outer rim <NUM> of the modular segments <NUM>, the heads <NUM> may be positioned in the central opening <NUM> of the inner rim <NUM> such that the neck <NUM> extends through one of the slots <NUM>, <NUM>'.

The process <NUM> may include block <NUM>, which generally involves over-molding a wheel body onto at least one additional component. In certain embodiments, the at least one additional component comprises an outer rim, such as the outer rim formed in block <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one additional component may comprise an inner rim, such as the inner rim <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In certain forms, the inner rim includes a plurality of recesses (e.g., slots <NUM>, <NUM>') such that the over-molding process results in one or more ridges <NUM> received in and engaged with the recesses.

In certain embodiments, the outer rim onto which the wheel body is over-molded may include a rim body and a plurality of flanges projecting inward from the rim body. In some such forms, one or more of the flanges may include openings (e.g., the openings <NUM> in the outer rim <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>) such that the over-molding forms the wheel body with one or more projections that extend into the openings. In certain forms, one or more of the flanges may extend axially and partially define a face of the press wheel, for example as illustrated in <FIG>.

The process <NUM> may include block <NUM>, which generally involves installing a bearing to the press wheel. For example, block <NUM> may include block <NUM>, which generally involves inserting the bearing into a central aperture of the wheel body. Block <NUM> may also include block <NUM>, which generally involves capturing a radially outer portion of the bearing and a radially inner portion of the wheel body between a pair of interlocking pieces, thereby coupling the bearing with the wheel body. For example, block <NUM> may involve capturing the outer race of the bearing <NUM> and a portion of the wheel body <NUM> between the interlocking components <NUM>, <NUM> of the inner rim <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A press wheel (<NUM>) for agricultural equipment (<NUM>), the press wheel (<NUM>) comprising:
an annular inner rim (<NUM>) extending along a rotational axis (<NUM>) and defining a central opening (<NUM>); and
a wheel body (<NUM>) circumferentially surrounding the inner rim (<NUM>);
wherein the inner rim (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of axially-extending recesses (<NUM>, <NUM>'), characterized in that
the inner rim (<NUM>) has a first side (<NUM>) and a second side (<NUM>) opposite the first side (<NUM>);
wherein the plurality of axially-extending recesses (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprises a plurality of first axially-extending recesses (<NUM>) and a plurality of second axially-extending recesses (<NUM>');
wherein each of the first axially-extending recesses (<NUM>) extends from the first side (<NUM>) toward the second side (<NUM>); and
wherein each of the second axially-extending recesses (<NUM>') extends from the second side (<NUM>) toward the first side (<NUM>).