Abstract
The object of the invention is a groove depth-leveling wheel used in planting groups to ensure that all the seeds stand at the same depth. The wheel has blades on its outer side to prevent reeds, stubble, straws etc. from sticking between this wheel and the planting disc and, therefore, affecting planting efficiency. Such elements may block the wheel or the planting disc itself and consequently, prevent planting. In addition, its design features minimize downtime for not only maintenance and greasing of the bearings but also for tyre and bearing replacement, due to wear, as it is not necessary to remove the wheel from its mounting arm.
Claims
1.-7. (canceled)
8. A detachable depth gauge leveling wheel with stubble sweeper applicable in planting units mounted to the structure of an agricultural seeder machine and used to define the depth of the furrow opened by the planting disc to achieve uniform planting, with one or two wheels per unit, the detachable depth gauge leveling wheel with stubble sweeper comprising: a rim with multiple curved blades, projecting from one of its sides towards the outer vertical plane of the wheel and extending between the center of the wheel and its periphery and spaced equidistant from each other, leaving multiple curved, open and equal spaces and linked through multiple screws or bolts to a quick-change ring that links the rim with a tire and its eyelets and different lateral profiles, since on one side it rests on the rim and, on the other, it is related to the ring of a quick-change ring, which in turn has a bushing that relates the wheel to the shaft of the mounting arm, with multiple lubrication channels on its inner side while on its outer side it has a slightly conical shape, which can be rotated 90° counterclockwise, showing wedges or ramps on one of its ends that interact with similar wedges or ramps on the rim and, at the other end, it has four grooves that can be related to the four upper ribs engraved on the cap, which, in turn, has multiple lateral ribs and one of them is linked to the bolt mounted in the housing.
9. The detachable depth gauge leveling wheel with stubble sweeper according to claim 8, wherein a rim made of aluminum, steel, gray cast iron, nodular cast iron or plastic, in any of its alloys or combinations.
10. The detachable depth gauge leveling wheel with stubble sweeper according to claim 8, wherein screws or bolts inserted in the eyelets of the tire and in the nuts mounted in the corresponding nut-lock housing of the rim.
11. The detachable depth gauge leveling wheel with stubble sweeper according to claim 8, wherein a cap that can be removed after unscrewing the bolt mounted in the housing.
12. The detachable depth gauge leveling wheel with stubble sweeper according to claim 8, wherein a bushing that can be rotated 90° counterclockwise by inserting the upper ribs of the cap into its grooves.
13. The detachable depth gauge leveling wheel with stubble sweeper according to claim 8, wherein the interaction between the wedges or ramps which axially extracts the bushing from inside the rim.
14. The detachable depth gauge leveling wheel with stubble sweeper according to claim 8, wherein the bushing and its housing in the rim which, if threaded, can serve as their linkage.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a side view of the object of the present invention mounted on a seeder.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a front view of the seeder with the object of the present invention assembled.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a side view of the object of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the object of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a front view of the object of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 6 shows the object of the present invention with stubble in the field.
[0032] FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6, but in detail.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tire of the object of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the assembly of the object of the present invention showing the components involved in tire replacement.
[0035] FIG. 10 is a front view of the rim of the object of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rim of the object of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 12 is a view of the object of the present invention, from the inner side of the wheel.
[0038] FIG. 13 is a perspective and sectional view of the tire of the object of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the tire that forms part of the object of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional view of the object of the present invention with all its components
[0041] FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the object of the present invention that shows all the components related to the replacement of bearings.
[0042] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the cap that houses the bushing with the bearings.
[0043] FIG. 18 is a view of the bushing that houses the bearings.
[0044] FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the bushing and bearings.
[0045] FIG. 20 is another view of the bushing with the bearings inside.
[0046] FIG. 21 is a detailed side view of the ejection ramps on the rim for replacement of the bearings.
[0047] FIG. 22 is a vertical section view of the rim where the ejection ramps of the outer bushing are shown in detail.
[0048] FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the lubrication system for the replacement of bearings, with cap included.
[0049] FIG. 24 sectional view of the lubrication system for the change of bearings, without the cap.
[0050] FIG. 25 shows the bearing cap used as a wrench to remove the outer bushing and bearings.
[0051] FIG. 26a and FIG. 26b are rendered images of the object of the present invention for a better appraisal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0052] FIG. 1 is a side view of a seeder with its planting disk (1), which opens the soil to form the furrows where the seeds are deposited. Also, the leveling wheel (2) that estimates the depth of the furrow opened by the planting disc (1), which is the object of the invention. Besides, there is the capping wheel (3) which ensures that the seeds, once deposited and fertilized, are covered by the soil to allow the plant to germinate adequately. In turn, the arrow indicates the direction of the forward motion of the planting unit, mounted on the tool-holder bar of a seed seeder, and pulled by a tractor. Unlike most equipment currently used, the leveling wheel (2) is not solid. Instead, it has a number of arc-shaped, curved blades (4), five in this figure, which link the center of the wheel with its periphery. The mounting arm (9) of the leveling wheel is also shown. It links it to the planting unit.
[0053] FIG. 2 is a front view of the planting unit showing the planting disc (1); as shown, there are two discs close to each other and to both leveling wheels (2); one on either side of the planting disc and very close to it. The leveling wheels have a tire (5), made of either rubber or plastic. Also note how the curved blades (4), shown in the previous figure, project outwards from the vertical plane of the leveling wheels, which are a key feature of the object of the invention, as explained in the following drawings.
[0054] FIG. 3 is a side view of the object of the invention, the leveling wheel (2), showing the tire (5), the quick-change rim (6) linked by many screws or bolts (7) to the wheel rim; five in this figure, the arc-shaped curved blades (4) and a cap (8) over the bearings. They link the wheel with the mounting arm (9) of the leveling wheel to the planting unit frame. In addition, the arrow indicates the direction of the forward movement of the wheel while the machine is in operation. It is worth highlighting that the curved blades (4) are essential to prevent the entry of agricultural debris (reeds, logs, straw and other elements) towards the inner part of the wheel, next to the planting disc, as explained in the following drawings.
[0055] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the object of the invention, showing segments with a shape like curved blades (4) on the outer part of the wheel.
[0056] FIG. 5 is a front view of the object of the invention depicting the curved blades (4) that project from the vertical plane of the wheel. They are designed to clear the stubble and other agricultural debris, thus preventing jamming of the open spaces between the blades, which may block the rotation of the leveling wheel and even of the planting disc itself.
[0057] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the object of the invention operating in a field with corn stubble, where the stalks (10) failed to jam the leveling wheel (2) and the planting disc thanks to the curved blades (4) that hit them and prevent their entry during the forward movement of the seeder in the direction of the arrow. This situation is better shown in the following drawing.
[0058] FIG. 7 allows a close-up view of the moment when one of the curved blades (4) hits a corn stalk (10), shaking it off from the outer side of the leveling wheel (2), preventing it from jamming the leveling wheel itself (2) or the planting disc. In other words, thanks to the curved shape of the blades (4) projecting from the external vertical plane of the wheel, while the machine moves forward in the direction of the arrow, different sections of the tilted blades shake off the stubble from the planting unit. This design is a major breakthrough compared to current leveling wheel design with spokes, which fail to avoid entry of said debris.
[0059] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tire (5), the object of the invention, in which five eyelets (11) evenly spaced apart, will be used to adjust the tire on the rim by means of the quick-change ring, as best shown in the following drawing.
[0060] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting of the tire (5) against the body of the rim (12), object of the invention. The openings in the quick-change ring (6) match the tire (5) eyelets (11) with screws or bolts (7) that secure the quick-change ring (6) and tire (5) assembly against the body of the rim (12); thus, ensuring sufficient tire anchoring and preventing the tire from coming off the rim when the machine is in operation. Then, it is evident that tire replacement only requires a very simple, effortless task and no specific tools; it only requires removal of the bolts (7) and detachment of the tire from the rim, thanks to its design that allows the tire to rest on the rim, as best shown in the following drawings.
[0061] FIG. 10 is a front view of the rim (12), object of the invention, that shows a cone-shaped profile (A) on the right side of the drawing, where the tire is mounted. It is followed by a horizontal segment (B) which ends in a vertical segment, rounded at the top (C), and perpendicular to the previous one. Therefore, by matching the design of the tire and the rim (12), it is possible to assemble and disassemble it in a very quick, simple manner without having to stretch the tire to mount it on the rim or having to use special tools. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rim (12) from a different angle; it shows the singularity of the shape of the rim that facilitates tire mounting. Also shown, there are five screws or bolts (7) used to secure the quick-change ring (6) and the tire (5) against the rim structure (12). In addition, in the center of the wheel, the straight alemite (13) for the lubrication of the bearing system. The rim (12) may be manufactured with any high tensile strength materials, such as aluminum, steel, gray or nodular cast iron, or plastic, in any alloys or combinations.
[0062] FIG. 12 is a view of the object of the invention from the inner side of the wheel; it shows a detailed view of the nut-lock housing (14) for the nuts and bolts (7) used to tighten the quick-change ring (6), (not shown in this drawing). In this way, the quick-change ring (6) can be removed with a pipe wrench or a simple combined open-end wrench, to proceed to tire replacement (5), as shown more clearly in the following drawings. Additionally, having the nut-lock housings (14) saves time and simplifies maintenance tasks by avoiding the removal of the wheel to adjust the bolts (7) that tighten the quick-change ring (6) against the rim (12).
[0063] FIG. 13 is a perspective and sectional view of the tire (5), that shows the asymmetrical design of the tyre, as shown on the left of the drawing, as it rests against the rim (12), embedding into the shape of the rim to facilitate mounting, as shown in drawings 10 and 11. It allows visualization of the eyelets (11) through which the bolts (7) secure the tire (5) against the rim (12).
[0064] FIG. 14 is another front sectional, partial view of the tire (5) and the eyelets (11) used to secure the tire (5) against the rim (12). It also shows that its left lateral edge differs from its right edge, since while the left side is mounted on the rim (12), the right side is fitted by means of the quick-change ring (6) (not shown in this drawing; it can be viewed in the next drawing).
[0065] FIG. 15 is a vertical section view of the object of the invention that allows viewing the tire (5), mounted on the rim (12), secured by the quick-change ring (6), which is adjusted by one of the screws or bolts (7) against the rim structure (12). Both the tire (5) and rim diameters (12) are identical all along sector (A), except in the final section, sector (B), where there is a small difference between said diameters. It is evident that the replacement of the tire becomes a very simple and fast operation since it is enough to remove the screws or bolts (7) that adjust the quick-change ring (6) on the tire (5) and push it out of the rim (12), since it is almost leaning against it. Also shown, are the curved blades (4) that prevent agricultural debris from entering the wheel. Besides, the mounting arm (9) that links the leveling wheel with the structure of the seed seeder and the screw cap (8) that covers the bushing (16) and the bearings (17) that link the wheel with the shaft (18) of the mounting arm (9) of the leveling wheel. Also shown in this drawing are: the inner adjustment bushing (15) of the bearings, the bearing adjustment nut (20) and the straight alemite (13). It is also worth highlighting in the drawing the particular curved shape of the blades (4) that allow to “push” out the stubble that might get into said blades. In FIG. 26 you can also see a rendered image of the object of the invention illustrating the functional design of the blades (4).
[0066] FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the components that allow the exchange of the bearings. First, the axis (18) of the mounting arm (9) of the leveling wheel can be seen and the bushing (16) that houses the bearings (17) inside. The bushing can vary from a single bushing with a double track or two single-track bushings. Also shown are: the inner adjustment bushing (15) of the bearings (17), to the nut (20) for the internal adjustment of the bearings (17), and finally the screw cap (8) that covers the bushing (16).
[0067] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the cap (8) with the straight alemite (13) which allows greasing the bearings from outside, without even removing the cap (8). It also shows five lateral ribs (19) in the periphery of the cap, and four upper ribs (21) whose function will be further explained in drawings 24 and 25 respectively.
[0068] FIG. 18 provides a more detailed view of the bushing (16) that contains the bearings (17). The bushing has four grooves (23) towards the outer side of the wheel, as shown in drawing (16) and multiple channels (22), to lubricate both bearings (17); four channels are used in this design. These channels (22) were designed to allow ready access and complete lubrication of even the opposite side of the bearings and the greasing chamber comprising the cap (8) and the bearings (17). In order to gain access to the lubrication channels (22), it is enough to insert the grease gun into the straight alemite (13), (not shown in this drawing) that allows the chamber space (D) to be filled with grease. This chamber space comprises the volume formed by the bearing (17), the lateral edges of the bushing (16) and the screw cap itself (8) (not displayed in this drawing). All this ensures that the lubrication process is very fast and effective.
[0069] FIG. 19 is a side section view of the bushing (16) that contains the bearings (17). It shows two of the lubrication channels (22) and, mainly, the bushing with a taper on its outer part; thus, the left side of the drawing is slightly smaller in diameter than its right counterpart, which stands in the direction of the cap (8) (not shown in the drawing). This facilitates easy removal or replacement of the bearings (17) together with the bushing (16) without causing any impact on any parts; it is only enough to turn it 90° in counter-clockwise direction to be able to remove the entire set. This will be clearer with the action of the ejection ramps (24) and the three drawings that follow.
[0070] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the bushing (16), which shows two of the grooves (23) and the four ejection ramps (24) of said bushing. The ramps and the rim (12) share the same wedge-shaped design, as shown in the two drawings that follow.
[0071] FIG. 21 is a side view of the rim (12), object of the invention, depicting in detail an exploded image (right) the base of the bushing housing (16). It has a similar ramp design or wedges (25) to the ramps or wedges (24) in the bushing (16). This is best shown in the following drawing.
[0072] FIG. 22 is a vertical section view of the rim (12), object of the invention, showing the space that houses the bushing (16) with its ramps or wedges (25) at its base. They match in shape and size the ramps or wedges (24) of the bushing (16). Thus, whenever the bushing (16) is rotated 90° counterclockwise, both sets of ramps (24) and (25), the bushing and the rim ramps or wedges respectively, work alongside each other, expelling in an axial direction the bushing-bearing assembly out of the wheel. Depending on the height of the ramps (24) and (25), a minor displacement may be achieved; however, just a few millimeters may be enough to allow removal of and replacement with a new set of bushing and bearings.
[0073] Thanks to the fact the bearings (17) are nailed to the bushing (16), that their external conical shape and the wedges or ramps (24) on one of their sides rest on identical wedges or ramps (25) of the rim (12) allows quick, easy and effective removal of the bushing-bearings set. Undoubtedly, an efficient design of the object of the invention minimizes time and effort in removing the wheel from the machine without damaging any part or requiring the use of any special tools. Further explanations will be provided in the following drawings.
[0074] However, as shown in FIGS. 19 to 22 although the use of wedges or ramps (24) and (25) for extraction of the wheel is the preferred embodiment, it is possible to adopt other ways for easy removal of the bushing (16) from the rim (12). For instance, instead of using the wedge or ramp system (24), at the base of the bushing, a threaded surface inside the bushing bushing (16) and the rim (12) could be used. Thus, it could simply require unscrewing them once the cap (8) is removed.
[0075] FIG. 23 is a perspective and sectional view of the system used by the object of the invention to link the leveling wheel with the mounting arm (9) and its shaft (18) (not shown in the drawing). Also shown are: the bearings (17), the bushing (16), two of the lubrication channels (22), the inner bushing lock (15), the inner fastening nut (20) of the bearings (17), the cap (8) with its upper ribs (21), the straight alemite (13), and finally the chamber (D) that is filled with lubricant for the bearings. The above description provides a better understanding of the best embodiment of the system used to link the leveling wheel to the mounting arm (9).
[0076] FIG. 24 is similar to the previous one but without the cap (8). This clearly shows the housing (26), which allows inserting a bolt to secure the cap once it is in place and thus, preventing it from unscrewing itself while the machine is in operation in the field. The functional role of the lateral ribs (19) shown in FIG. 17 can now be fully understood. Once the cap and the bolt are in place, one of the locks (19) will rest against it, preventing the cap (8) from unscrewing itself while the machine is in operation. Although it seems a very simple safeguard system, it succeeds in preventing incoming soil, grass, etc. from entering into the bearing system. In turn, the drawing also allows clear viewing of the lubrication chamber (D) mentioned in FIG. 18; also, three out of the four lubrication channels (22) and two of the four grooves (23), whose functional validity will be described in the following drawing.
[0077] FIG. 25 allows us to understand the function of the upper ribs (21) of the cap (8) shown in FIG. 17. They match the grooves (23) of the bushing (16) both in size and distribution. After unscrewing the cap (8) from the rim (12), and removing the nut (20) acting as the inner fastening of the bushing (15), the cap (8), once opened, may serve as a cross wrench and the ribs (21) on its outer part fit into the grooves (23) of the bushing (16). Even if the system of wedges or ramps (24) and (25) were replaced by the above-mentioned threaded system, the use of the cap (8) as a cross wrench to remove the bushing (16) also applies. In short, this drawing is a vertical section view of the object of the invention that allows the cap (8) to be seen with its ribs (21) embedding into those (23) of the bushings (16), exactly in the same position in which the bushing-bearings assembly can be removed from the rim (12). In addition, it is worth highlighting that the rim (12), the conicity of the concavity that houses the bushing (16) can be easily seen upon removal of the bushing.
[0078] Finally, FIGS. 26a and 26b are a rendered image of the object of the invention, added to gain a better view of its outer structure, on both sides of the wheel.
[0079] In short, the object of the invention, the leveling wheel of the planting unit of an agricultural seeder machine, is precisely what prevents the entry of stubble into it. Thus, avoiding the jamming of the planting disc or the leveling wheel itself. It also facilitates the replacement operation of the tire thanks to the design structure and its coupling with the wheel rim and its adjustment by means of a quick-change ring and some bolts. Finally, it facilitates lubrication and replacement of the bearings, without having to remove the wheel from the machine and avoiding the potential risk of damaging its components. All these innovative features do assure a more efficient operation of the planting process and a very significant reduction in maintenance downtime of the planting unit as it compares most favourably to other systems in the current state of the art.
