Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a conduit for a spray bar assembly and, more particularly, to a pipe having a connecting area.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In the state of the art, spray bar assemblies are known which comprise pipe conduits. The pipes feature connecting areas equipped with connections often referred to as quick-coupling unions. The quick-coupling unions include, for example, a hose nozzle or a connecting piece pushed onto a coupling piece that is connected by gluing or the like with the pipe. The coupling piece features a snap ring groove, which can receive a plug or a cotter pin. The hose nozzle is secured axially to the coupling piece by the plug or cotter pin. Such spray bar assemblies are used for instance on agricultural sprayers of Deere &amp; Company as shown in the brochure “John Deere Trailed Field Sprayers [translated], 824-832-840”; page 18, printing ID: YY0314750D, dated October 2003.  
         [0003]     The connection of the coupling piece to the pipe by gluing or welding or the like presents a problem since the procedure is time-consuming and requires a high degree of manufacturing effort.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The challenge constituting the basis for the invention is providing an improved conduit for a spray bar assembly of the type mentioned above which overcomes the problems cited above.  
         [0005]     A spray assembly conduit of the type mentioned above is so designed that the connecting area of the pipe is formed at least with a first bead. The bead may be in the form of a shaped dimple which is preferably formed over the entire circumference of the pipe and which represents a ring-shaped bulge or indentation towards the exterior or interior respectively. The pipes may be thin-walled and can be shaped by simple pressing or deformation processes. Plastic pipes may also be used which include a bead provided by an appropriate deformation process or in an injection molding process. The formed beads provide a bulge on the outside of the pipe with an indentation on the inside of the pipe, or vice versa. The shape of the first bead may have contours that are similar to the grooves or rings applied to the connecting pieces known in the state of the art, so that the connecting area of the pipe may take the shape of a coupling piece over a certain area. Because the bead in the connecting area of the pipe, expensive connections with coupling pieces can be avoided. A connecting piece can be fastened directly to the connecting area. Consequently, parts can be saved and the assembly or the manufacturing effort for the conduit can be simplified.  
         [0006]     The bead represents a raised area in the form of a ring-shaped bulge which extends over the entire circumference of the connecting area of the pipe. Preferably the bead is formed on a side away from an aperture of the pipe in such a way that it has a surface area or that it presents an abrupt change of diameter on the outside of the pipe. The bead which is shaped by transforming the connecting area of the pipe may, for instance, also be in the form of a ring-shaped step on the outside of the connecting area.  
         [0007]     The bead is preferably incorporated radially in an outward direction to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. It is also possible to incorporate the bead radially in an inward direction to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, so that a channel or snap-ring groove is formed on the outside of the pipe which also has a surface area.  
         [0008]     The connecting area may be provided with one or several additional beads which are preferably arranged between the first bead and an aperture of the pipe and that are orientated towards the inside. The additional beads are shaped so that a snap-ring groove is formed on the outside of the pipe. It is also possible to orientate one or several of these beads toward the outside. Also, a snap-ring groove may be formed through two beads that are orientated towards the outside.  
         [0009]     A bead placed between the first bead and the aperture can receive a gasket. Here it may be helpful to arrange several beads with gaskets, in order to increase the imperviousness of the connecting area.  
         [0010]     The connecting area of the pipe is preferably received by a connecting piece which encompasses the connecting area over its entire circumference and which can engage the first bead. Through the engagement with the first bead, the connecting piece can be fixed axially and possibly also radially. An interior diameter of the connecting piece and an exterior diameter of the bead can be matched to each other to provide a press fit and form a seal over a circumference of the connecting area. An interior surface of the connecting piece may also be shaped such that it enters into contact with a gasket provided in an additional bead so that a seal is formed between the connecting piece and the connecting area of the pipe. Introducing the second or additional bead between the aperture and the first bead creates a particularly simple and inexpensive sealing arrangement for the connecting area.  
         [0011]     The connecting piece may, for instance, be a hose or an elastically deformable conduit which is pushed over the connecting area and forms a press fit with the first bead. A tension ring or a hose clamp or similar device may be provided for securing this connection whereby the hose can be further secured axially on the pipe, preferably behind the first bead (starting from the opening of the pipe).  
         [0012]     The connecting piece may also be in the form of a hose nozzle, for instance similar to that provided for state of the art quick-couplings. However, other possibilities include hose nozzles with a cylindrical inner surface and which receive the connecting area of the pipe, where the inner surface can enter into contact with the first bead or with a seal.  
         [0013]     The hose nozzles may be equipped with connectors which can be attached, for example, to a hose. The connectors may be straight or angular. Several side by side connectors are also conceivable, for instance as a T-piece forming a branching or a switch.  
         [0014]     A connecting piece may also be shaped as a connecting element of two connecting areas, so that both exits and entrances of the connecting piece are shaped alike. Furthermore the connecting piece may also be in the form of a switch, a multi-coupling or distributor, so that several connecting areas of different pipes can be connected with each other.  
         [0015]     The connecting piece may also be in the form of an end piece so that a conduit as per the invention can be closed off with such a connecting piece. Such end pieces may for example be used as the end of a sprayer line in a spray bar assembly.  
         [0016]     The connecting piece is preferably equipped with a connecting plug or locking device. The connecting plug may be used to secure the connecting piece axially in the connecting area, with the connecting plug engaging with the first bead.  
         [0017]     The connecting plug may be in the shape of a socket pin, a cotter pin or a clip. For example, a wire or a plastic plug or plastic loop may be guided or kept on the connecting piece by drilled holes. The device can contact the bead as soon as the connecting piece is pushed into the connecting area. The connecting plug may be made of metal, plastic or another suitable material. The connecting plug locks the connecting piece on the connecting area by being seated at the first bead. The connecting piece can be moved axially or can be pulled off the connecting area only after the connecting plug has been detached.  
         [0018]     The design of the connecting area and the multiple design possibilities of connecting pieces, a conduit in accordance with the invention makes it possible to produce a modular design of the complete conduit apparatus of a sprayer.  
         [0019]     A conduit as per the invention may be provided with output apertures or outlets for egress of a liquid to be sprayed such as for distribution over the plantings of a field. The output apertures may be distributed over the width of a spray bar assembly along the conduit. Preferably the output apertures are in the form of nozzles or are equipped with nozzles so that atomization, spray patterns and output rate can be changed, such as by adjusting or changing nozzles.  
         [0020]     A conduit according to the invention is used for example as an agricultural sprayer for the purpose of distributing a liquid over a spray bar assembly or sprayer boom. Such a sprayer arrangement can be pulled by a tractor, or a sprayer attachment can be mounted on the tractor. Agricultural sprayers may also be designed as self-propelled vehicles. Also conceivable is the design of a conduit according to the invention in the form of an agricultural sprayer as a distributing machine for fertilizer.  
         [0021]     The drawings show an embodiment of the invention on the basis of which the invention as well as further advantages and advantageous further developments and embodiments of the invention shall be explained and described in greater detail in the following. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an agricultural sprayer with a spray bar assembly featuring a conduit according to invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a cross section of a connection of a connecting area of conduit with a hose.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a cross section of a connection of a connecting area of conduit according to invention in an additional example of the design with a connecting piece in the form of a hose nozzle.  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the connection shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the connecting piece shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ,  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a cross section of a connection of two connecting areas of a conduit according to invention in an additional example of the design with a connecting piece in the form of a connecting plug.  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is a cross section of a connection of a connecting area of conduit according to invention in an additional example of the design with a connecting piece in the form of an end piece. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0029]      FIG. 1  shows an agricultural sprayer  10  in the form of a trailed sprayer pulled by a tractor  12 . The sprayer  10  features a frame  14  with wheels  16 . On the frame  14  an assembly of parallel bars  18  is mounted which supports a sprayer bar assembly or boom  20 . The sprayer frame  14  also supports a tank  22 .  
         [0030]     The sprayer bar assembly  20  features upper and lower supports  24 ,  26  which are interconnected by numerous braces  28  forming a trelliswork. The sprayer bar assembly  20  includes several sections  29 ,  30  which are interconnected via hinges  31  and extend on both sides of the sprayer  10 . The hinges  31  facilitate folding of the sprayer bar assembly  20  into a position suitable for transportation (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) and unfolding of the assembly into an operating position.  
         [0031]     The sprayer bar assembly  20  supports conduits  32  extending on both sides of the sprayer  10  along its length. The conduits  32  feature pipes  34  which have output openings  38  in the form of nozzles. The pipes  34  are connected to supply and return hoses (not shown) which supply the liquid to be sprayed from the tank  22  to the pipes  34 , and from the pipes  34  to the tank  22  respectively.  
         [0032]     The pipes  34  feature connecting areas  40  where the pipes  34  are connected with each other and/or with the supply and return hoses, as shown in detail in FIGS.  2  to  7 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a design example according to invention for a connection of pipe  34  or of the connecting area  40  with a connecting piece  42  in the form of a hose. The connecting area  40  of the pipe  34  features a first bead  44  extending towards the exterior radially to the longitudinal axis of the pipe  34  over the entire circumference of the connecting area  40 , and an opening  46 . Between the opening  46  and the first bead  44  a second bead  48  is formed which extends over the entire circumference of the connecting area  40 . The connecting piece  42  has an inside diameter which corresponds essentially to the outside diameter of the opening  46 . The first bead  44  is slanted or tapered on the side toward the opening so that the outside diameter slowly increases within a transition area. The opposite side the bead  44  features a steep transition, thereby creating a ring area  52  extending radially to the longitudinal axis of the pipe  34 . The second bead  48 , in contrast to the first bead  44 , is directed towards the inside and extends radially to the longitudinal axis of the pipe  34  and features a symmetrical course, thereby creating on the outer surface of the connecting area  40  a uniform ring groove  54  which extends radially toward the inside. Furthermore the connecting piece  42 , looking from the opening  46  behind the first bead  44 , is provided with a hose clamp  56 . The connection is made by pushing the connecting piece  42  over the connecting area  40  and by establishing its contact with the first bead  44 , because the piece  42  is expanded by the bead  44 , thereby exerting a corresponding contact pressure on the bead  44 . The connecting piece  42  is fixed on the connecting area by this contact pressure. Additionally the connecting piece  42  is secured by the hose clamp  56 .  
         [0034]     FIGS.  3  to  5  show another design example, representing a connection between the connecting area  40  and a connecting piece  58  in the form of a hose nozzle. The shape of the connecting area  40  and, respectively, the form and location of the beads  44 ,  48  is similar to that of the above  FIG. 2  design example. Furthermore a gasket  60  is provided here which is seated in the ring groove created by the second bead  48 . The connecting piece  58  features a connecting end  62  where a hose (not shown) or the like can be attached. The connecting piece  58  has an opening  64  with a first diameter  66  on the outside that corresponds approximately to the outside diameter of the first bead  44 . Adjacent thereto the opening  64  decreases to a second diameter  68  which is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the gasket  60 . Then the opening decreases to a third diameter  70  which is approximately equal to the inside diameter of the connecting end  62 .  
         [0035]     Within the area of the first diameter  66 , on both sides of the opening  64 , opposing drilled holes  72  are made which extend perpendicularly and tangentially to the longitudinal axis of the pipe through a wall  74  of the opening  64 . Also, a connecting plug or lock  76  in the form of wire or plastic U-clamp with two parallel limbs or legs  78  is provided. The connecting piece  58  is pushed onto the connecting area  40 , and thereby the inside of the connecting piece  58  enters into contact with the gasket in the area of the second diameter  68  and seals the connecting area  40  to the outside. The connecting piece  58  is pushed onto the connecting area until the drilled holes  72  reach behind the first bead  44 , so that that the connecting plug  76  with its legs  78  can be pushed through the drilled holes  72  and to contact the first bead  44 . Contact between the connecting plug  76  and the bead  44  is made so that the limbs  78  rest against the ring area  52  formed at the first bead  44 , as soon as the connecting piece  58  and the connecting area  40  are pushed apart. The contact of the limbs  78  on the ring area  52  serves to axially secure the connecting piece  58 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 6  shows another design example, representing a connection between the connecting areas  40  of two pipes  34  and a connecting piece  80  formed as a connecting piece or union. The shape of the connecting areas  40  and the shape and location of the beads  44 ,  48  and of the gaskets  60  respectively, are similar to that of the preceding design example (FIGS.  3  to  5 ). The connecting piece  80  is shaped so that in comparison to the preceding design example no connecting end is provided. The connecting piece  80  has instead a connecting pipe  82 , which connects two laterally reversed openings  84 ,  86  with each other. The openings  84 ,  86  are shaped similarly to the opening  64  of the preceding design example. The connecting piece  80  thus connects two pipes each having a shaped connecting area  40 . The pipes are sealed to the outside by the gaskets  60 . The connecting plugs  76  serve to secure the connection.  
         [0037]      FIG. 7  shows another design example, representing a connection between the connecting area  40  of a pipe  34  and a connecting piece  88  shaped as an end piece. The design of the connecting area  40  and the shapes and locations of the beads  44 ,  48  and of the gaskets  60  respectively, are similar to the preceding design examples (FIGS.  3  to  6 ). The connecting piece  88  is shaped so that in comparison to the preceding design examples of FIGS.  3  to  5 , the connecting end  62  is closed by an end plate  90 . In this manner it is possible to seal the pipe  34  or the end area  40  respectively, to the outside by means of the gasket  60  and the end plate  90  and to close them with the connecting plug  76 .  
         [0038]     Even though the invention has been described only by means of four design examples, the expert will be able to see, in light of the preceding description as well as the drawing figures, many different alternatives, modifications and variants which fall under the present invention.  
       Assignment  
       [0039]     The entire right, title and interest in and to this application and all subject matter disclosed and/or claimed therein, including any and all divisions, continuations, reissues, etc., thereof are, effective as of the date of execution of this application, assigned, transferred, sold and set over by the applicant(s) named herein to Deere &amp; Company, a Delaware corporation having offices at Moline, Ill. 61265, U.S.A., together with all rights to file, and to claim priorities in connection with, corresponding patent applications in any and all foreign countries in the name of Deere &amp; Company or otherwise.

Technology Category: 2