Delivery system for a foldable agricultural implement

• US 5,515,795 A
• Filed: 07/08/1994
• Issued: 05/14/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.), CNH Industrial America LLC (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Case Corporation (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Stufflebeam, John F., Flamme, David D., Ledermann, Donald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BATSON, VICTOR D
• Application Number:
  US08/272,236
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 111/174, 111/175, 111/176, 406/191, 406/196, 406/38, 406/39, 406/40, 406/41, 406/184, 406/185, 285/137.1, 285/62, 239/655, 239/664, 239/689, 239/151
• US Class Current: 111/174
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 15/04 using blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 9/003 Pneumatic field dusters, e.g. self-propelled, drawn or tractor-mounted

Abstract

A system for delivering particulate material from a common hopper to row units mounted on each of first and second pivotally interconnected frame sections of an agricultural implement. The delivery system includes a first series of conduits for directing particulate material from the hopper to the row units mounted on the first frame section of the implement and a second series of conduits. Each conduit in the second series of conduits includes a first tube leading from the hopper, a second tube leading from a particular row unit on the second frame section of the implement, and a split manifold coupling for connecting free ends of the tubes in the second series of conduits thereby defining enclosed passages leading from the hopper to each row unit on the second frame section of the implement which is adapted to receive material from the hopper.

Claims

1. An agricultural implement comprising:

an elongated frame assembly including first and second frame sections, said frame sections being joined to each other for movement about a pivotal connection between an operational position whereat said frame sections are in general axial alignment relative to each other and a folded position wherein the frame sections are folded away from each other to promote transportation of the implement;

a material hopper mounted on at least one of said frame sections of the frame assembly;

a plurality of row units being mounted on said frame assembly, with at least one row unit being mounted on said first frame section and at least one row unit being mounted on said second frame section; and

a pneumatic system for delivering materials to each of said row units on the first and second frame sections, said system comprising a first one-piece conduit for pneumatically delivering materials from said hopper to said at least one row unit on the frame section on which said hopper is mounted and a second multipiece conduit for pneumatically delivering material from said hopper to said at least one row unit on the other frame section, said second conduit comprising a first tube leading from said hopper, a second tube leading from said at least one row unit on said other frame section, and a split manifold mounted proximate to the pivotal connection on the frame assembly and including a first and second manifolds which, when brought together, define an enclosed passage through which materials are transferred between said first and second tubes, said first manifold being fixedly connected to the frame section on which said hopper is mounted and having a free end of the first tube leading to an opening defining a portion of the passage of said split manifold, said second manifold being connected to the other frame section for movement therewith and having a free end of said second tube leading to an opening defining a remaining portion of the passage of said split manifold, said first and second manifolds further including cooperative cam surfaces for effecting alignment between said first and second openings when the frame sections are moved into an operative position relative to each other thereby facilitating the passage of materials from said hopper to said at least one row unit mounted on said second frame section and through said passage in the split manifold.

2. The agricultural implement according to claim 1 wherein, when the first and second manifolds are brought together, the passage defined by said split manifold extends generally parallel to the frame section on which said hopper is mounted.

3. The agricultural implement according to claim 1 wherein the cam surface on said second manifold at least partially surrounds the opening defined therein while the cam surface on said first manifold is arranged in axial alignment with the opening defined thereby.

4. An agricultural implement, comprising:

an elongated frame assembly including first and second frame sections that are interconnected such that the frame sections are movable relative to each other about a pivotal connection between an operational position whereat said frame sections are in general axial alignment relative to each other and a folded position wherein the frame sections are folded away from each other to promote transportation of the implement;

a material hopper mounted on one of said frame sections;

a plurality of row units mounted to each frame section of said frame assembly; and

a system for delivering materials to each of said row units mounted on the first and second frame sections, said system comprising a set of elongated one-piece conduits for delivering materials from said hopper individually to said row units on the frame section having said hopper mounted thereon and a set of multipiece conduits for delivering material from said hopper individually to said row units on the other frame section, said set of multipiece conduits comprising a first series of tubes of common length relative to each other leading from said hopper, a second series of tubes leading from the plurality of row units mounted on the other frame section, and a tube coupling apparatus for creating individual passages between free ends of the first series and second series of tubes as long as said frame sections are in an operational position relative to each other, said tube coupling apparatus including first and second manifolds, said first manifold being connected to the frame section of the frame assembly having said hopper mounted thereon and to the free ends of said first series of tubes, said second manifold being connected to the other frame section of the frame assembly for movement therewith and to the free ends of the second series of tubes, and wherein said first and second manifolds each define at least a portion of the individual passages between respective free ends of the tubes comprising the set of multipiece conduits leading to said plurality of row units mounted on said other frame section of the implement.

5. The agricultural implement according to claim 4 wherein the delivery of material through the conduits of the delivery system is facilitated by forced air flowing through the sets of conduits.

6. The agricultural implement according to claim 4 wherein the pivotal connection between said frame sections permits horizontal and forward movement of the frame sections relative to each other, and wherein said tube coupling apparatus is mounted laterally proximate to the pivotal connection between the frame sections.

7. The agricultural implement according to claim 4 wherein said first manifold includes front and side faces, said second manifold includes rear and side faces, with the front and side faces of said first manifold being arranged in mating and confronting relation relative to the rear and side faces of the second manifold when the frame sections are in an operational position relative to each other.

8. The agricultural implement according to claim 4 wherein each manifold defines at least one laterally extending opening which defines at least a part of the passage between the free ends of the tubes.

9. The agricultural implement according to claim 4 wherein at least one of the manifolds is mounted to its respective frame section for resilient fore-and-aft movement within a predetermined range of movements thereby allowing for misalignment between the manifolds while enhancing the mating relationship between the manifolds when the frame sections are in an operational position relative to each other.

10. An agricultural implement, comprising:

an elongated frame assembly including first and second frame sections that are interconnected such that the frame sections are movable relative to each other about a pivotal connection between an operational position whereat said frame sections are in general axial alignment relative to each other and a folded position wherein the frame sections are folded away from each other to promote transportation of the implement;

a material hopper mounted on one of said frame sections;

a plurality of row units mounted on said frame assembly, with at least one row unit being mounted on said first frame section and at least one row unit being mounted on said second frame section; and

a system for delivering materials to each of said row units mounted on the first and second frame sections, said system comprising a first elongated one-piece conduit for delivering materials from said hopper to said at least one row unit on the frame section having said hopper mounted thereon and a second multipiece conduit for delivering material from said hopper to said at least one row unit on the other frame section, said second multipiece conduit comprising a first tube leading from said hopper, a second tube leading from said at least one row unit mounted on the other frame section, and a tube coupling apparatus for creating a passage between free ends of the first and second tubes as long as said frame sections are in an operational position relative to each other, said tube coupling apparatus including first and second manifolds, said first manifold being connected to the frame section having said hopper mounted thereon and to the free end of said first tube, and with said first manifold including front and side faces, said second manifold being connected to the other frame section for movement therewith and to the free end of the second tube, with said second manifold including rear and side faces, with the front and side faces of said first manifold being arranged in mating and confronting relation relative to the rear and side faces of the second manifold when the frame sections of the frame assembly are in an operational position relative to each other, and wherein said first and second manifolds each define at least a portion of the passage between the free ends of the tubes comprising the conduit leading to said at least one row unit on said other frame section of the implement.

11. The agricultural implement according to claim 10 wherein the front face of the first manifold and the rear face of said second manifold define cooperative cam surfaces thereon for effecting alignment of said manifolds relative to each other.

12. An agricultural implement, comprising:

an elongated frame assembly including first and second frame sections that are interconnected such that the frame sections are movable relative to each other about a pivotal connection between an operational position whereat said frame sections are in general axial alignment relative to each other and a folded position wherein the frame sections are folded away from each other to promote transportation of the implement;

a material hopper mounted on one of said frame sections;

a plurality of row units mounted on said frame assembly, with at least one row unit being mounted on said first frame section and at least one row unit being mounted on said second frame section; and

a system for delivering materials to each of said row units mounted on the first and second frame sections, said system comprising a first elongated one-piece conduit for delivering materials from said hopper to said at least one row unit on the frame section having said hopper mounted thereon and a second multipiece conduit for delivering material from said hopper to said at least one row unit on the other frame section, said second multipiece conduit comprising a first tube leading from said hopper, a second tube leading from said at least one row unit mounted on the other frame section, and a robe coupling apparatus for creating a passage between free ends of the first and second tubes as long as said frame sections are in an operational position relative to each other, said tube coupling apparatus including first and second manifolds, said first manifold being connected to the frame section having said hopper mounted thereon and to the free end of said first tube, said second manifold being connected to the other frame section for movement therewith and to the free end of the second tube, and wherein each manifold defines at least one laterally extending opening which defines at least a part of the passage between the free ends of the tubes comprising the conduit leading to at least one row unit on said other frame section of the implement.

13. An agricultural implement, comprising:

an elongated frame assembly including first and second frame sections that are interconnected such that the frame sections are movable relative to each other about a pivotal connection between an operational position whereat said frame sections are in general axial alignment relative to each other and a folded position wherein the frame sections are folded away from each other to promote transportation of the implement;

a material hopper mounted on one of said frame sections;

a plurality of row units mounted on said frame assembly, with at least one row unit being mounted on said first frame section and at least one row unit being mounted on said second frame section; and

a system for delivering materials to each of said row units mounted on the first and second frame sections, said system comprising a first elongated one-piece conduit for delivering materials from said hopper to said at least one row unit on the frame section having said hopper mounted thereon and a second multipiece conduit for delivering material from said hopper to said at least one row unit on the other frame section, said second multipiece conduit comprising a first tube leading from said hopper, a second tube leading from said at least one row unit mounted on the other frame section, and a tube coupling apparatus for creating a passage between free ends of the first and second tubes as long as said frame sections are in an operational position relative to each other, said tube coupling apparatus including first and second manifolds, said first manifold being connected to the frame section having said hopper mounted thereon and to the free end of said first tube, said second manifold being connected to the other frame section for movement therewith and to the free end of the second tube, and wherein at least one of the manifolds is mounted to its respective frame section for resilient fore-and-aft movement within a predetermined range of movements thereby allowing for misalignment between the manifolds while enhancing the mating relationship between the manifolds when the frame sections are in an operational position relative to each other, and wherein said first and second manifolds each define at least a portion of the passage between the free ends of the tubes comprising the conduit leading to said at least one row unit on said other frame section of the implement.

14. An agricultural implement for distributing particulate material onto the ground as the implement is drawn thereacross, said implement comprising:

an elongated and wheeled frame assembly including a main section and at least one wing section, said sections being joined to each other to allow said wing section to move about a pivotal connection between an operational position whereat said sections are in general axial alignment relative to each other and a folded position wherein the wing section is folded relative to the main section to reduce the lateral width of the frame assembly and promote transportation of the implement;

a material hopper mounted on one of said sections of the frame assembly for holding particulate material therewithin;

a plurality of row units mounted on said frame assembly in side-by-side relation relative to each other, with a first set of row units mounted on and movable with said main section and a second set of row units mounted on and movable with said wing section, and wherein the pivotal movement of the wing section is such that the outermost row unit in the second set of row units mounted on the wing section is spaced a first predetermined distance from the hopper when the sections are arranged in an operational position relative to each other and a second predetermined distance from the hopper when the wing section is in a folded position relative to said main section; and

a system for delivering materials to each of the row units on both the main and wing sections of the implement, said system comprising a first set of fixed length one-piece conduits leading from and for individually directing particulate material from said hopper to one set of row units and a second set of conduits for individually directing particulate material from the hopper to the other set of row units, said second set of conduits comprising a first series of tubes of common length extending from the hopper, a second series of tubes of different lengths extending from said other set of row units, and a split coupling for releasably joining to each other free ends of the first series and the second series of tubes whereby a series of closed passages are defined between the hopper and each row unit of the other set of row units as long as the wing section is arranged in said operational position relative to said main section.

15. The agricultural implement according to claim 14 wherein said split coupling is arranged laterally proximate to the pivotal connection allowing the wing section to move between the operational and folded positions relative to said main section of the frame assembly.

16. The agricultural implement according to claim 14 wherein said split coupling comprises a first manifold mounted on the main section of the frame assembly, a second manifold mounted on and for movement with the wing section of the frame assembly, with each manifold comprising an elongated body defining a series of laterally extending openings which are aligned relative to each other to define a lengthwise portion of each closed passage between the hopper and each row unit of the other set of row units when the manifolds are brought together in response to the sections of the frame assembly being arranged in an operational position relative to each other.

17. An agricultural implement for distributing particulate material onto the ground as the implement is drawn thereacross, said implement comprising:

an elongated and wheeled frame assembly including a main section and at least one wing section, said sections being joined to each other to allow said wing section to move about a pivotal connection between an operational position whereat said sections are in general axial alignment relative to each other and a folded position wherein the wing section is folded relative to the main section to reduce the lateral width of the frame assembly and promote transportation of the implement;

a material hopper mounted on one of said sections of the frame assembly for holding particulate material therewithin;

a plurality of row units mounted on said frame assembly in side-by-side relation relative to each other, with a first set of row units mounted on and movable with said main section and a second set of row units mounted on and movable with said wing section; and

a system for delivering materials to each of the row units on both the main and wing sections of the implement, said system comprising a first set of one-piece conduits leading from said hopper to one set of row units and a second set of conduits leading from the hopper to the other set of row units, said second set of conduits comprising a plurality of first tubes extending from the hopper, a plurality of second tubes extending from said other set of row units, and a split coupling for releasably joining free ends of the first and second plurality of tubes to each other whereby a series of closed passages are defined between the hopper and each row unit of the other set of row units as long as the wing section is arranged in said operational position relative to said main section, and wherein said split coupling comprises a first manifold mounted on the main section of the frame assembly, a second manifold mounted on and for movement with the wing section of the frame assembly, with each manifold comprising an elongated body defining a series of openings which are aligned relative to each other when the manifolds are brought together in response to the sections of the frame assembly being arranged in an operational position relative to each other, and wherein at least one of said manifolds is resiliently mounted to a respective section on the frame assembly to enhance sealing of the manifolds relative to each other thereby preventing particulate material from inadvertently escaping from the split coupling as it passes enroute to the second set of row units.

18. An agricultural implement for distributing particulate material onto the ground as the implement is drawn thereacross, said implement comprising:

an elongated and wheeled frame assembly including a main section and at least one wing section, said sections being joined to each other to allow said wing section to move about a pivotal connection between an operational position whereat said sections are in general axial alignment relative to each other and a folded position wherein the wing section is folded relative to the main section to reduce the lateral width of the frame assembly and promote transportation of the implement;

a material hopper mounted on one of said sections of the frame assembly for holding particulate material therewithin;

a plurality of row units mounted on said frame assembly in side-by-side relation relative to each other, with a first set of row units mounted on and movable with said main section and a second set of row units mounted on and movable with said wing section; and

a system for delivering materials to each of the row units on both the main and wing sections of the implement, said system comprising a first set of one-piece conduits leading from said hopper to one set of row units and a second set of conduits leading from the hopper to the other set of row units, said second set of conduits comprising a plurality of first tubes extending from the hopper, a plurality of second tubes extending from said other set of row units, and a split coupling for releasably joining free ends of the first and second plurality of tubes to each other whereby a series of closed passages are defined between the hopper and each row unit of the other set of row units as long as the wing section is arranged in said operational position relative to said main section, and wherein said split coupling comprises a first manifold carried by the main section of the frame assembly, a second manifold carried by the wing section of the frame assembly, with each manifold comprising an elongated body having a series of openings extending therethrough, and wherein said split coupling further includes cooperative cam surfaces defined by said manifolds for effecting alignment of the openings in the manifolds when the sections of the frame assembly are brought together in an operating position.

19. A system for delivering particulate material to each of a plurality of row units on a wheeled frame assembly of an agricultural implement including two frame sections that are articulately connected to each other by a pivotal connection allowing one frame section to move horizontally relative to the other frame section between an operational position and a folded position, said delivery system including a hopper mounted on one frame section of the frame assembly for holding a supply of particulate material, a first series of one-piece conduits for delivering particulate material from said hopper to each of the row units mounted on that frame section of the frame assembly on which said hopper is mounted, and a second series of conduits for delivering particulate material from the hopper to the row units mounted on the other frame section of the frame assembly, said second series of conduits including a plurality of first fixed length tubes leading from the hopper and a plurality of tubes leading from each of the row units on the other frame section of the frame assembly that are adapted to receive particulate material from the hopper, and a split manifold including a first manifold connected to the plurality of first fixed length tubes and a second manifold connected to the plurality of tubes leading from the row units mounted on said other frame section of the frame assembly that receive particulate materials from the hopper, and wherein said first and second manifolds each include an elongated body connected to one of said frame sections of the implement, with each elongated body defining a series of passages therethrough such that each conduit in said second series of conduits defines an enclosed passage leading from the hopper to the row units on the other frame section of the frame assembly as long as said frame sections are disposed in a predetermined manner relative to each other and which allows the length of each conduit in said second series of conduits to be minimized without detracting from the ability of the frame sections to pivotally move horizontally relative to each other.

20. A system for delivering particulate material to each of a plurality of row units on a wheeled frame assembly of an agricultural implement including two frame sections that are articulately connected to each other by a pivotal connection allowing one frame section to move horizontally relative to the other frame section between an operational position and a folded position, said delivery system including a hopper mounted on one frame section of the frame assembly for holding a supply of particulate material, a first series of fixed length conduits for delivering particulate material from said hopper to each of the row units mounted on the frame section to which the hopper is mounted, and a second series of conduits for delivering particulate material from the hopper to the row units mounted on the other frame section of the frame assembly, said second series of conduits including a plurality of first fixed length tubes leading from the hopper and a plurality of tubes leading from each of the row units on the other frame section of the frame assembly that are adapted to receive particulate material from the hopper, and a split manifold including a first manifold connected to the plurality of first fixed length tubes and a second manifold connected to the plurality of tubes leading from the row units mounted on said other frame section of the frame assembly that receive particulate materials from the hopper, and wherein said first and second manifolds each define a series of passages therethrough such that each conduit in said second series of conduits defines an enclosed passage leading from the hopper to the row units on the other frame section of the frame assembly as long as said frame sections are disposed in a predetermined manner relative to each other and which allows the length of each conduit in said second series of conduits to be minimized without detracting from the ability of the frame sections to pivotally move horizontally relative to each other, and wherein each manifold comprises an elongated body adapted for connection to a respective section on the frame assembly, with a front side of the body of the first manifold being adapted to mate with a rear side of the body on the second manifold.

21. A system for delivering particulate material to each of a plurality of row units on a wheeled frame assembly of an agricultural implement including two frame sections that are articulately connected to each other by a pivotal connection allowing one frame section to move horizontally relative to the other frame section between an operational position and a folded position, said delivery system including a hopper mounted on one frame section of the frame assembly for holding a supply of particulate material, a first series of one-piece conduits for delivering particulate material from said hopper to each of the row units mounted on that frame section of the frame assembly on which the hopper is mounted, and a second series of conduits for delivering particulate material from the hopper to the row units mounted on the other frame section of the frame assembly, said second series of conduits including a plurality of first fixed length tubes leading from the hopper and a plurality of tubes leading from each of the row units on the other frame section of the frame assembly that are adapted to receive particulate material from the hopper, and a split manifold including a first manifold connected to the plurality of first fixed length tubes and a second manifold connected to the plurality of tubes leading from the row units mounted on said other frame section of the frame assembly that receive particulate materials from the hopper, and wherein said first and second manifolds each define a series of passages therethrough such that each conduit in said second series of conduits defines an enclosed passage leading from the hopper to the row units on the other frame section of the frame assembly as long as said frame sections are disposed in a predetermined manner relative to each other and which allows the length of each conduit in said second series of conduits to be minimized without detracting from the ability of the frame sections to pivotally, move horizontally relative to each other, and wherein said first and second manifolds define cooperative cam surfaces therebetween for facilitating alignment of the series of passages therein.

22. A system for delivering particulate material to each of a plurality of row units on a wheeled frame assembly of an agricultural implement including two frame sections that are articulately connected to each other by a pivotal connection allowing one frame section to move horizontally relative to the other frame section between an operational position and a folded position, said delivery system including a hopper mounted to one frame section of the frame assembly for holding a supply of particulate material, a first series of one-piece conduits for delivering particulate material from said hopper to each of the row units mounted on that frame section to which the hopper is mounted, and a second series of conduits for delivering particulate material from the hopper to the row units mounted on the other frame section of the frame assembly, said second series of conduits including a plurality of first fixed length tubes leading from the hopper and a plurality of tubes leading from each of the row units on the other frame section of the frame assembly that are adapted to receive particulate material from the hopper, and a split manifold including a first manifold connected to the plurality of first fixed length tubes and a second manifold connected to the plurality of tubes leading from the row units mounted on the frame section of the frame assembly that receive particulate materials from the hopper, and wherein said first and second manifolds each define a series of passages therethrough such that each conduit in said second series of conduits defines an enclosed passage leading from the hopper to the row units on the other frame section of the frame assembly as long as said frame sections are disposed in a predetermined manner relative to each other and which allows the length of each conduit in said second series of conduits to be minimized without detracting from the ability of the frame sections to pivotally move horizontally relative to each other, and wherein the split manifold further includes vertically elongated mounting members associated with each manifold, and wherein at least one of said manifolds is resiliently biased outwardly away from the respective mounting member associated therewith.