ROLLER WITH SEMI-HOLLOW PNEUMATIC TYRES FOR AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY, NOTABLY A ROLLER THAT CAN BE COMBINED WITH A SEED DRILL OR A GROUND PREPARATION TOOL

• US 20080318747A1
• Filed: 06/05/2008
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otico
• Original Assignee: Otico
• Inventors: PHELY, Olivier
• Granted Patent: US 8,491,451 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 492/4
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 29/043 Tire-packers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4956 Fabricating and shaping roller work contacting surface element

Abstract

This roller (10) comprises a tubular support structure (14) of horizontal axis (X-X) adapted to be rotatably mounted on a tractor-drawn support frame. A series of semi-hollow tyres with a dome-shaped profile are threaded onto this tubular support structure and enable a series of parallel furrows to be formed in the earth. The tubular support structure (14) comprises a framework formed by a plurality of bars (30) joined together by two circular end cheeks (32) between which these bars extend axially. The tyres (12) are mounted on the bars of the framework, forming with the latter an assembly that is connected for rotation and translation.

Claims

1. Roller of an agricultural machine, notably a roller that can be combined with a seed drill or a ground preparation tool, this roller (10) comprising a tubular support structure (14) of horizontal axis (X-X) adapted to be rotatably mounted on a tractor-drawn support frame, with a series of semi-hollow tyres (12) having a profile of a selected shape, particularly a dome-shaped profile, which are threaded onto this tubular support structure, enabling a series of parallel furrows to be formed in the earth,

characterised in that the tubular support structure (14) comprises a framework made up of a plurality of bars (30) joined together by two circular end cheeks (32) between which these bars extend axially, and in that the tyres (12) are mounted on said bars of the framework, forming with the latter an assembly that is connected for rotation and translation.

2. Roller according to claim 1, characterised in that the tyres (12) comprise on their inner surface (20) axially oriented notches (40), the shape and position of which are matched to the bars (30) of the framework, so as to prevent the tyres from rotating relative to the tubular support structure.

4. Roller according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the bars (30) forming the tubular support structure (14) are bars curved in the shape of a helical arc.

5. Roller according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the bars (30) forming the tubular support structure (14) are hollow bars.

6. Roller according to claim 5, characterised in that the bars (30) are bars of circular or rectangular section.

7. Roller according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the bars (30) forming the tubular support structure (14) are flat bars.

9. Roller according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the bars (30) project radially relative to the circumference of the end cheeks (32).

10. Roller according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the bars (30) are also joined together by at least one intermediate cheek (34) arranged in a median region of the framework.

11. Roller according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that it further comprises end flanges (16) mounted on the respective cheeks, adapted to hold and axially grip the series of tyres threaded onto said tubular support structure (14).

12. Roller according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that at least some of the tyres (12) are mounted adjacent to one another.

13. Roller according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that it also comprises intercalary annular spacers (18) threaded on the framework between at least some of the tyres (12), so as to define a given interval that axially separates these tyres from one another.

14. Roller according to claim 13, characterised in that the intercalary annular spacers (18) comprise, on their inner side, notches the shape and position of which are matched to the bars of the framework.

15. Roller according to claim 13, characterised in that the intercalary annular spacers (18) have a continuous profile on their inner side.

3. Roller according to one of claims I and 2, characterised in that the bars (30) forming the tubular support structure (14) are straight bars.

8. Roller according to one of claims I to 7, characterised in that the bars (30) are uniformly distributed around the circumference of the circular end cheeks (32).