System and method for a disc opener with gauge wheel depth adjustment assembly
First Claim
1. A method for adjusting a gauge wheel about a pivot axis to change a position of the gauge wheel relative to a disc opener of a disc opener assembly, the method comprising:
- providing a depth adjustment assembly including an adjustment link, said adjustment link including a link mating surface and a link camming surface;
an adjustment coupling configured to selectively engage the adjustment link, said adjustment coupling including a yoke, a channel configured to receive the adjustment link, and a coupling mating surface configured to mate with the link mating surface, the adjustment link positioned within the channel and the coupling mating surface positioned adjacent to the link mating surface;
a handle configured to rotate the gauge wheel about the pivot axis and selectively place the adjustment link into engagement with the adjustment coupling, said handle includes a plurality of ratchet teeth and a cam configured to engage the link camming surface to force the link mating surface to mate with the coupling mating surface; and
a spring clip configured positively lock depth adjustment assembly by engaging the handle;
said spring clip configured to engage at least one of the plurality of ratchet teeth, said spring clip includes a mounting plate, a pair of leaf springs, a bridge and a pair of clip handles;
said leaf springs bend from said mounting plate to extend generally perpendicular from said mounting plate;
said clip handles each include a tab for actuation of spring clip;
a ratchet opening is formed between leaf springs and bridge;
said clip handles extend upwards from said bridge and are inclined towards adjustment coupler;
rotating the gauge wheel to a selected position;
actuating the handle to place the adjustment link into engagement with the adjustment coupling; and
positively locking the depth adjustment assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A disc opener system for attachment to an agricultural vehicle for opening a seed trench. The system includes a main arm, a disc opener mounted to the main arm, a gauge wheel mounted about a pivot axis to the main arm, a gauge wheel mounted for rotation on the gauge arm, and a depth adjustment assembly for adjusting and positively locking a position of the gauge wheel relative to disc opener. The depth adjustment assembly includes an adjustment link mounted to the main arm, an adjustment coupling attached to the gauge arm, a handle pivotably attached to the adjustment coupling and a clip attached to the adjustment coupling. The clip locks the handle in a position where it mates the adjustment link and adjustment coupling to fix the position of the gauge wheel relative to the disc opener.
57 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for adjusting a gauge wheel about a pivot axis to change a position of the gauge wheel relative to a disc opener of a disc opener assembly, the method comprising:
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providing a depth adjustment assembly including an adjustment link, said adjustment link including a link mating surface and a link camming surface;
an adjustment coupling configured to selectively engage the adjustment link, said adjustment coupling including a yoke, a channel configured to receive the adjustment link, and a coupling mating surface configured to mate with the link mating surface, the adjustment link positioned within the channel and the coupling mating surface positioned adjacent to the link mating surface;
a handle configured to rotate the gauge wheel about the pivot axis and selectively place the adjustment link into engagement with the adjustment coupling, said handle includes a plurality of ratchet teeth and a cam configured to engage the link camming surface to force the link mating surface to mate with the coupling mating surface; and
a spring clip configured positively lock depth adjustment assembly by engaging the handle;
said spring clip configured to engage at least one of the plurality of ratchet teeth, said spring clip includes a mounting plate, a pair of leaf springs, a bridge and a pair of clip handles;
said leaf springs bend from said mounting plate to extend generally perpendicular from said mounting plate;
said clip handles each include a tab for actuation of spring clip;
a ratchet opening is formed between leaf springs and bridge;
said clip handles extend upwards from said bridge and are inclined towards adjustment coupler;rotating the gauge wheel to a selected position; actuating the handle to place the adjustment link into engagement with the adjustment coupling; and positively locking the depth adjustment assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A disc opener assembly for attachment to an agricultural vehicle, comprising:
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a main arm; a disc opener mounted to the main arm; a gauge arm mounted about a pivot axis to the main arm; a gauge wheel mounted for rotation on the gauge arm; and a depth adjustment assembly for adjusting a position of the gauge wheel relative to the disc opener, the depth wheel adjustment assembly comprising; an adjustment link;
said adjustment link includes an annular section defined by an outer arc wall and an inner arc wall;
said annular section includes a plurality of link teeth and a plurality of depth adjustment marks;
said depth adjustment marks are positioned on a camming surface of annular section;an adjustment coupling configured to selectively engage the adjustment link; a handle configured to rotate the gauge arm about the pivot axis and selectively place the adjustment link into engagement with the adjustment coupling;
said handle includes a lever arm, a ratchet arm and a cam;
said ratchet arm includes a plurality of ratchet teeth that are positioned beneath lever arm; anda spring clip configured to engage the handle to positively lock the depth adjustment assembly;
said spring clip includes a mounting plate, a pair of leaf springs, a bridge and a pair of clip handles;
said leaf springs bend from said mounting plate to extend generally perpendicular from said mounting plate;
said clip handles each include a tab for actuation of spring clip;
a ratchet opening is formed between leaf springs and bridge;
said clip handles extend upwards from said bridge and are inclined towards adjustment coupler;wherein ratchet arm of adjustment handle is positioned within ratchet arm opening with ratchet teeth and adjacent to bridge; wherein ratchet teeth are oriented such that ratchet teeth can deflect and slide over bridge when lever arm of adjustment handle is rotated towards pivot axis; wherein spring clip is biased to engage bridge with ratchet teeth. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A disc opener assembly for attachment to an agricultural vehicle, comprising:
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a main arm; a disc opener mounted to the main arm; a gauge arm mounted about a pivot axis to the main arm; a gauge wheel mounted for rotation on the gauge arm; and a depth adjustment assembly for adjusting a position of the gauge wheel relative to the disc opener, the depth wheel adjustment assembly comprising; an adjustment link mounted to the main arm, the adjustment link including a link mating surface and a link camming surface;
said adjustment link includes an annular section defined by an outer arc wall and an inner arc wall;
said annular section includes a plurality of link teeth and a plurality of depth adjustment marks;
said depth adjustment marks are positioned on said camming surface of annular section;an adjustment coupling attached to the gauge arm, the adjustment coupling including a yoke, a channel configured to receive the adjustment link, and a coupling mating surface configured to mate with the link mating surface, the adjustment link positioned within the channel and the coupling mating surface positioned adjacent to the link mating surface; a handle pivotably attached to the yoke, the handle including a plurality of ratchet teeth and a cam configured to engage the link camming surface to force the link mating surface to mate with the coupling mating surface; and a spring clip attached to the adjustment coupling, the spring clip configured to engage at least one of the plurality of ratchet teeth, said spring clip includes a mounting plate, a pair of leaf springs, a bridge and a pair of clip handles;
said leaf springs bend from said mounting plate to extend generally perpendicular from said mounting plate;
said clip handles each include a tab for actuation of spring clip;
a ratchet opening is formed between leaf springs and bridge;
said clip handles extend upwards from said bridge and are inclined towards adjustment coupler. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification