Rock collecting implement

• US 5,450,907 A
• Filed: 07/21/1993
• Issued: 09/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paladin Brands LLC (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Glenmac, Inc. (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: McPherson, Michael G., McPherson, Mac E., Parkos, Gary A., Innocent, Kenneth L., Noskas, Roger D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reese, Randolph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Novosad, Christopher J.
• Application Number:
  US08/096,164
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 171/128, 172/63, 172/65, 172/19, 172/67, 172/143, 172/128
• US Class Current: 171/128
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 43/005 Windrower-type machines

Abstract

An implement for gathering objectionable rocks and debris from the ground including a positive stop for limiting the range of displacement of the gathering mechanism relative to the ground. In the embodiment described, the gathering mechanism comprises a first roller to engage the ground to dislocate rocks and debris therefrom; and a second roller forming a gap above the first roller through which only selected rocks and debris may pass. The height of the first and second rollers in reference to the ground is vertically adjustable. The first and second roller are displaced upward by large forces placed upon the first roller.

Claims

1. A field implement for gathering debris on the ground, the field implement comprising:

a frame supported for movement over the ground;

gathering means for gathering debris at a selected angle relative to movement over the ground, the gathering means including a support frame pivotally connected to the frame; and

adjusting means for adjusting the gathering means relative to the ground, the adjusting means comprising;

an actuator pivotally joined at a first end to the support frame;

a lever pivotally joined to a second end of the actuator and pivotally joined to the frame, the lever having a maximum range of pivotal motion; and

a positive stop for selectively limiting pivotal motion of the lever to a range of pivotal motion less than the maximum range of pivotal motion.

2. The field implement of claim 1 wherein the frame includes an aperture located in the rotational path of the lever, and the positive stop comprises a pin placed ill the aperture to limit pivotal rotation of the lever.

3. The field implement of claim 2 wherein the gathering means further comprises:

a ground-engaging roller rotationally mounted to the support frame, the ground-engaging roller rotating to gather debris from the ground; and

deflecting means connected to the support frame above the ground-engaging roller for deflecting debris.

4. The field implement of claim 3 wherein the deflecting means comprises a deflecting roller rotating about an axis generally parallel to the ground-engaging roller.

5. The windrower assembly as specified in claim 4 wherein the deflecting roller rotates in the same rotational direction as the ground-engaging roller.

6. A field implement for gathering debris on the ground, the field implement comprising:

a frame supported for movement over the ground;

a support frame connected to the frame for movement relative to the frame;

a ground-engaging roller rotatably connected to the support frame;

an actuator joined at a first end to the support frame;

a lever pivotally joined to a second end of the actuator and pivotally joined to the frame, the lever having a maximum range of pivotal motion over a rotational path;

a positive stop selectively positionable in the rotational path to limit pivotal motion of the lever to a range of pivotal motion less than the maximum range of pivotal motion.

7. The field implement of claim 6 wherein the frame includes an aperture located in the rotational path of the lever, and the positive stop comprises a pin placed in the aperture to limit pivotal rotation of the lever.

8. The field implement of claim 6 and further comprising a deflecting roller rotating about an axis generally parallel to the ground-engaging roller.

9. The field implement of claim 8 wherein the deflecting roller rotates in the same rotational direction as the ground-engaging roller.

10. The field implement of claim 6 wherein the frame includes a wheel support frame extending over the ground-engaging roller, and a pair of wheels pivotally connected to the wheel support frame, the wheels contacting the ground to support the implement.

11. The field implement of claim 10 wherein the lever is pivotally connected to the wheel support frame.

12. The field implement of claim 11 wherein the wheel support frame comprises a support arm for each wheel and a cross support joined at opposite ends to each support arm, the lever being pivotally connected to the cross support.

13. A field implement for gathering debris on the ground, the field implement comprising:

a frame supported for movement over the ground;

a support frame connected to the frame with a pivot connection for pivotal movement relative to the frame;

a ground-engaging roller rotatably connected to the support frame;

an actuator having a cylinder with an extendable rod therein joined to the support frame between the pivot connection and the ground engaging-roller, wherein extension of the extendable rod out of the cylinder engages the ground-engaging roller with the ground and retraction of the extendable rod within the cylinder lifts the ground-engaging roller away from the ground;

a lever pivotally joined to the cylinder and pivotally joined to the frame;

a pin selectively locatable in an aperture of the frame to limit pivotal motion of the lever when the pin is located in the aperture.