Trailer, labeling system, control system, and program for field implementation of computerized hole selection for layflat irrigation pipe

• US 10,443,760 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2017
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas (University of Arkansas System)
• Original Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas (University of Arkansas System)
• Inventors: Henry, Christopher G., Kline, Henry Earl
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams, Gregory W
• Application Number:
  US15/628,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20170363227A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• Field of Search: 13735519, 172310, 172441, 172455, 2425338, 242550, 242557, 280404, 2804412, 280493, 37367, 405174, 405178, 405179, 405180, 405181, 405182, 405183, 414458, 414460, 414482, 414910, 414911
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/02 Watering arrangements located above the soil which make use of perforated pipe-lines or pipe-lines with dispensing fittings, e.g. for drip irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/09 Watering arrangements making use of movable installations on wheels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/035 for transporting reel units
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/066 specially adapted for carrying bulky agricultural material, e.g. combines
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 13/00 Irrigation ditches, i.e. gravity flow, open channel water distribution systems retaining waterborne material in irrigation canals E02B5/085; other distribution systems for watering or spraying gardens, fields, sports grounds, or the like, A01G25/00; built-in irrigation means for sports grounds E01C13/083
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/101 forming during digging, e.g. underground canalisations or conduits, by bending or twisting a strip of pliable material; by extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/102 operatively associated with mole-ploughs, coulters rippers E02F5/32
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 1/0243 above ground F16L1/026 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 1/028 in the ground F16L1/026 takes precedence

Abstract

A system for installing and labeling lay flat irrigation pipe in flooded rice and furrow irrigated fields, and a trailer for laying a roll of pipe in an irrigated field. The trailer includes a flexible hitch assembly positioned at a first end of the trailer, wherein the hitch assembly couples the trailer to a vehicle. The trailer also includes a distribution assembly positioned at a second end of the trailer, wherein the distribution assembly includes a spindle and wherein the distribution assembly couples the roll of pipe to the trailer; and a gooseneck frame including a first end coupled to the hitch assembly and a second end coupled to the distribution assembly, with an upper member between the first end and the second end of the gooseneck, wherein the upper member of the gooseneck is elevated relative to the hitch assembly. The trailer may also include offset tandem wheels with a furrow assembly to facilitate the creation of a furrow ditch and for traversing flood irrigated levees for the purposes of installing lay-flat polyethylene pipe for irrigation. The trailer may also include an adjustable telescoping hitch to adjust to various vehicle hitch heights. The system includes a labeling system for indicating the punch size needed along the pipeline during installation. A computerized hole selection plan is developed and transferred to a microprocessor device, where sensors or a global positioning system is co-locate the device so the punch label can be applied along the pipe during installation.

Claims

1. A trailer for laying a roll of pipe in a field, the trailer comprising:

a first member including a first end and a second end and defining a lower axis (D);

a second member connected to the second end of the first member and oriented at a first obtuse angle relative to the first member;

a third member connected to the second member and oriented at a second obtuse angle relative to the second member, the third member defining an upper axis (E);

a fourth member connected to the third member and orientated at a third obtuse angle relative to the third member;

a cross bar connected to the fourth member and oriented perpendicular to the fourth member;

a first axle coupled to the cross bar, the first axle supporting a first set of wheels;

a hitch assembly coupled to the first end of the first member, the hitch assembly coupleable to a vehicle; and

a first arm and a second arm each coupled to the cross bar and extending upward from the cross bar, the first arm and the second arm together configured to support a spindle supporting a roll of lay-flat irrigation pipe to be laid on top of the field;

wherein the third member is vertically offset from both the first member and the first axle, such that the upper axis (E) is spaced above the lower axis (D), and such that when the trailer is being pulled over the field an open space is configured to be disposed directly below the entire third member and the field so that an elevated clearance of the trailer is maintained when the trailer is pulled over a levee in the field, to avoid contact of the trailer with the levee;

wherein the trailer further includes a frame extending from the cross bar, and a second axle coupled to the frame, the second axle supporting a second set of wheels, and wherein the first set of wheels are positioned lower than the second set of wheels.

2. The trailer according to claim 1, wherein the first axle is lower to the ground than the second axle.

3. The trailer according to claim 1, further comprising a furrow assembly coupled to the frame and positioned between the first set of wheels and the second set of wheels, and wherein the furrow assembly is configured to form a furrow in the field to receive the pipe.

4. The trailer according to claim 1, further comprising a frame extending from the cross bar, and a furrow assembly coupled to the frame, and wherein the furrow assembly is configured to form a furrow in the field to receive the pipe.

5. The trailer according to claim 4, wherein the furrow assembly includes a disk configured to be rotated about an axis such that the disk is retractable when not in use, wherein the furrow assembly further includes a pin configured to hold the disk in a retracted position.

6. The trailer according to claim 4, wherein the hitch assembly includes a hinge joint configured to allow pivotable movement of the first, second, third, and fourth members about an axis that is parallel to an axis of rotation of the first set of wheels.

7. The trailer according to claim 1, wherein the hitch assembly provides for about 140 degrees of movement relative to a horizontal plane running through the hitch assembly.

8. The trailer according to claim 1, wherein the hitch assembly pivots about 70 degrees and about −

70 degrees relative to a horizontal plane running through the hitch assembly.

9. The trailer according to claim 1, wherein the first obtuse angle, the second obtuse angle, and the third obtuse angle are each approximately 135 degrees.

10. The trailer according to claim 1, wherein the first member extends parallel to the third member.

11. The trailer according to claim 1, wherein the cross bar is an axle housing for the first axle.

12. The trailer according to claim 1, wherein the first and second arms each extend perpendicular relative to the third member.

13. The trailer according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth members are all aligned along a common plane.

14. The trailer according to claim 1, further comprising a spindle coupled to the first and second arms, and a roll of lay-flat irrigation pipe wound about the spindle to be laid on top of the field.

15. A trailer for laying a roll of pipe in a field, the trailer comprising:

a first member including a first end and a second end and defining a lower axis (D);

a second member connected to the second end of the first member and oriented at a first obtuse angle relative to the first member;

a third member connected to the second member and oriented at a second obtuse angle relative to the second member, the third member defining an upper axis (E);

a fourth member connected to the third member and orientated at a third obtuse angle relative to the third member;

a cross bar connected to the fourth member and oriented perpendicular to the fourth member;

a first axle coupled to the cross bar, the first axle supporting a first set of wheels;

a hitch assembly coupled to the first end of the first member, the hitch assembly coupleable to a vehicle; and

a first arm and a second arm each coupled to the cross bar and extending upward from the cross bar, the first arm and the second arm together configured to support a spindle supporting a roll of lay-flat irrigation pipe to be laid on top of the field;

wherein the third member is vertically offset from both the first member and the first axle, such that the upper axis (E) is spaced above the lower axis (D), and such that when the trailer is being pulled over the field an open space is configured to be disposed directly below the entire third member and the field so that an elevated clearance of the trailer is maintained when the trailer is pulled over a levee in the field, to avoid contact of the trailer with the levee;

wherein the trailer further includes a frame extending from the cross bar, and a furrow assembly coupled to the frame, and wherein the furrow assembly is configured to form a furrow in the field to receive the pipe.

16. The trailer according to claim 15, further comprising a second axle coupled to the frame, the second axle supporting a second set of wheels, wherein the furrow assembly is positioned between the first set of wheels and the second set of wheels.

17. The trailer according to claim 15, wherein the furrow assembly includes a disk configured to be rotated about an axis such that the disk is retractable when not in use, wherein the furrow assembly further includes a pin configured to hold the disk in a retracted position.

18. The trailer according to claim 15, wherein the hitch assembly includes a hinge joint configured to allow pivotable movement of the first, second, third, and fourth members about an axis that is parallel to an axis of rotation of the first set of wheels.

19. A trailer for laying a roll of pipe in a field, the trailer comprising:

a first member including a first end and a second end and defining a lower axis (D);

a second member connected to the second end of the first member and oriented at a first obtuse angle relative to the first member;

a third member connected to the second member and oriented at a second obtuse angle relative to the second member, the third member defining an upper axis (E);

a fourth member connected to the third member and orientated at a third obtuse angle relative to the third member;

a cross bar connected to the fourth member and oriented perpendicular to the fourth member;

a first axle coupled to the cross bar, the first axle supporting a first set of wheels;

a hitch assembly coupled to the first end of the first member, the hitch assembly coupleable to a vehicle; and

a first arm and a second arm each coupled to the cross bar and extending upward from the cross bar, the first arm and the second arm together configured to support a spindle supporting a roll of lay-flat irrigation pipe to be laid on top of the field;

wherein the third member is vertically offset from both the first member and the first axle, such that the upper axis (E) is spaced above the lower axis (D), and such that when the trailer is being pulled over the field an open space is configured to be disposed directly below the entire third member and the field so that an elevated clearance of the trailer is maintained when the trailer is pulled over a levee in the field, to avoid contact of the trailer with the levee;

wherein the trailer further includes a spindle coupled to the first and second arms, and a roll of lay-flat irrigation pipe wound about the spindle to be laid on top of the field.