Agricultural apparatus with an automatic positioning mechanism and method
First Claim
1. In an agricultural apparatus having an automatic positioning mechanism, a framework supported in a position above the ground for movement over the ground, an arm connected to the framework at a predetermined angle, a ground-engaging member carried by the arm for following a predetermined path as the apparatus is moved over the ground, said arm being mounted to permit limited movement of the arm angularly relative to said framework in a direction lateral to said path to change said angle, actuator means for causing movement of the framework responsive to said limited movement, electrical circuit means responsive to the movement of said arm from said predetermined angle and connected to said actuator means for causing operation of the actuator means to automatically position the framework so that the framework travels along a path which is parallel to said predetermined path, the ground-engaging member being mounted to trail the mounting for the arm so as to minimize the load produced by said ground-engaging member;
- said apparatus including a self-propelled vehicle, and the framework being mounted on the vehicle extending forwardly from the front of the vehicle, the mounting for said arm being near the forward portion of the framework with the ground-engaging member extending rearwardly towards the forward end of the vehicle;
the electrical circuit means including a tracking unit which is responsive to the angular movement of said arm, and including means for transmitting electrical signals to cause the actuator to move the framework in a manner to return the arm to its predetermined angle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Automatic steering mechanism for use on apparatus for forming raised beds or ridges and furrows and lowered beds with uniform spacing with the apparatus being of a type comprising a self-propelled vehicle having a steering apparatus for steering the vehicle and a ground engaging implement carried by the vehicle for forming a guiding surface, such as provided by a ridge or furrow in the ground along the path of travel of the vehicle as the vehicle moves. The steering mechanism comprises a framework adapted to be secured to the vehicle. In one form, it also comprises a boom structure mounted on the framework for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle; and an arm, pivotally mounted on the outer extremity of the boom structure for pivotal movement. A follower carried by the arm follows the guide surface formed in the ground. An electrical circuit is provided responsive to movement of said arm from its generally vertical position to control the movement of a steering assembly whereby movement of said arm causes operation of the steering assembly to automatically steer the vehicle in accordance with the movement of the follower.
In another arrangement, the follower and arm are arranged so that the follower always trails its connection to the frame.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. In an agricultural apparatus having an automatic positioning mechanism, a framework supported in a position above the ground for movement over the ground, an arm connected to the framework at a predetermined angle, a ground-engaging member carried by the arm for following a predetermined path as the apparatus is moved over the ground, said arm being mounted to permit limited movement of the arm angularly relative to said framework in a direction lateral to said path to change said angle, actuator means for causing movement of the framework responsive to said limited movement, electrical circuit means responsive to the movement of said arm from said predetermined angle and connected to said actuator means for causing operation of the actuator means to automatically position the framework so that the framework travels along a path which is parallel to said predetermined path, the ground-engaging member being mounted to trail the mounting for the arm so as to minimize the load produced by said ground-engaging member;
- said apparatus including a self-propelled vehicle, and the framework being mounted on the vehicle extending forwardly from the front of the vehicle, the mounting for said arm being near the forward portion of the framework with the ground-engaging member extending rearwardly towards the forward end of the vehicle;
the electrical circuit means including a tracking unit which is responsive to the angular movement of said arm, and including means for transmitting electrical signals to cause the actuator to move the framework in a manner to return the arm to its predetermined angle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- said apparatus including a self-propelled vehicle, and the framework being mounted on the vehicle extending forwardly from the front of the vehicle, the mounting for said arm being near the forward portion of the framework with the ground-engaging member extending rearwardly towards the forward end of the vehicle;
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11. In an agricultural apparatus having an automatic positioning mechanism, a framework supported in a position above the ground for movement over the ground, an arm connected to the framework at a predetermined angle, a ground-engaging member carried by the arm for following a predetermined path as the apparatus is moved over the ground, said arm being mounted to permit limited movement of the arm angularly relative to said framework in a direction lateral to said path to change said angle, actuator means for causing movement of the framework responsive to said limited movement, electrical circuit means responsive to the movement of said arm from said predetermined angle and connected to said actuator means for causing operation of the actuator means to automatically position the framework so that the framework travels along a path which is parallel to said predetermined path, the ground-engaging member being mounted to trail the mounting for the arm so as to minimize the load produced by said ground-engaging member;
- said framework including a laterally extending boom with a support secured to the outer end of the boom and extending forwardly from the boom, and wherein the forward end of said arm is connected to the forward end of said support so that the ground-engaging member is trailing the forward end of the support.
- View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18)
- 17. In an agricultural apparatus with an automatic steering mechanism, a self-propelled vehicle having a framework, means for supporting the framework in a position above the ground for movement over the ground, said framework having first and second portions in which one portion can be shifted in position with respect to the other portion, an arm, means mounting said arm on said second portion of the framework permitting relative movement between the arm and the second portion, a member carried by the arm for following a predetermined path, actuator means coupled between the first and second portions of the framework for causing movement of one portion of the framework with respect to the other portion of the framework, electrical circuit means carried by said framework responsive to the movement of said arm and connected to said actuator means for causing operation of the actuator means to automatically position one portion of said framework with respect to the other portion of said framework so that the second portion of the framework travels along a path in accordance with said predetermined path, said electrical circuit means including a tracking unit secured to one portion of the framework and having a shaft rotatably mounted therein, a control linkage connecting said arm to said shaft whereby as said arm is moved said shaft will be rotated, an adjustable potentiometer carried by the tracking unit, means for adjusting said potentiometer responsive to rotation of said shaft in said tracking unit, a repeat back unit carried by the other portion of said framework, a rotatable shaft carried by said repeat back unit, means connecting said rotatable shaft of said repeat back unit to said first portion of said framework whereby relative movement between said first and second portions of said framework causes rotation of the shaft in the repeat back unit, an adjustable potentiometer carried by the repeat back unit, means for adjusting the potentiometer in the repeat back unit in response to rotation of the shaft in the repeat back unit, means for supplying a voltage to the potentiometers of the tracking unit and the repeat back unit and for receiving signals from the potentiometers of the tracking units and the repeat back units and means responsive to said signals for causing operation of the actuator means to cause it to move in accordance with the signal received from the tracking unit, said member being mounted in a manner such that it trails said arm.
Specification