GAUGE ARM

Abstract

A gauge arm (and concomitant method of retrofitting an existing gauge arm) comprising an arm portion, a receptacle portion for receiving two or more sealed bearings, and two or more sealed bearings inserted into the receptacle portion. The receptacle portion is smooth bore, with the sealed bearings being press fit into same. The sealed bearings can be of different dimensions, such as one being a gauge wheel and closing wheel bearing, and one a round bore grain drill bearing. The receptacle portion then comprises a stop within the bore thereof.

Claims

1. A gauge arm comprising: an arm portion; a receptacle portion for receiving two or more sealed bearings; and two or more sealed bearings inserted into said receptacle portion.

2. The gauge arm of claim 1 wherein said receptacle portion is smooth bore.

3. The gauge arm of claim 2 wherein said two or more sealed bearings are press fit into said receptacle portion.

4. The gauge arm of claim 1 wherein said two or more sealed bearings consists of two sealed bearings.

5. The gauge arm of claim 4 wherein said two sealed bearings are of different dimensions.

6. The gauge arm of claim 5 wherein one of said sealed bearings is a gauge wheel and closing wheel bearing.

7. The gauge arm of claim 6 wherein one of said sealed bearings is a round bore grain drill bearing.

8. The gauge arm of claim 5 wherein one of said sealed bearings is a round bore grain drill bearing.

9. The gauge arm of claim 4 wherein said receptacle portion comprises a stop within a bore of said receptacle portion.

10. A gauge arm comprising: an arm portion; and a receptacle portion for receiving two or more sealed bearings.

11. The gauge arm of claim 10 wherein said receptacle portion is smooth bore.

12. The gauge arm of claim 11 wherein two or more sealed bearings are press fittable into said receptacle portion.

13. The gauge arm of claim 12 wherein two sealed bearings are press fittable into said receptacle portion.

14. The gauge arm of claim 10 wherein said receptacle portion comprises a stop within a bore of said receptacle portion.

15. A method of retrofitting a gauge arm with a threaded receptacle portion, the method comprising the steps of: milling the receptacle portion to make it smooth bore; and inserting two or more sealed bearings into the milled receptacle portion.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the inserting step comprises press fitting.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein inserting comprises inserting two sealed bearings.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein one of the sealed bearings is a gauge wheel and closing wheel bearing.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein one of the sealed bearings is a round bore grain drill bearing.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein milling comprises milling from both ends of the receptacle portion to form a stop within a bore of the receptacle portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:

[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded top view of a prior art gauge arm;

[0015] FIG. 2(a) is an exploded top perspective view of another prior art gauge arm;

[0016] FIG. 2(b) is an exploded top perspective view of a gauge arm according to the invention;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an assembled gauge arm of FIG. 2(b);

[0018] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of another assembled gauge arm of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a top exploded view of the gauge arm of FIG. 4;

[0020] FIGS. 6(a)-(c) provide top, side, and section views of the arm portion of the gauge arm of FIG. 2(b).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention is of new improved gauge arms, which are preferably milled to take two or more (preferably two different) sealed bearings, with no threading required or desired. The gauge arms of the invention have sealed bearings so that they do not require greasing and will not in ordinary operation get full of dust or dirt. Furthermore, the bearings stay tight and in adjustment under normal use.

[0022] FIG. 2(b) shows an illustrative gauge arm 10 according to the invention as disassembled. In this case the receptacle portion 12 of the gauge arm has been milled to accept two sealed bearings 14,16. Arm portion 18 can be of any of a number of shapes, depending on the requirements of the particular machine employing the gauge arm. FIG. 3 shows the gauge arm as assembled.

[0023] FIGS. 4-5 illustrate another gauge arm 20 according to the invention, having a differently shaped arm portion.

[0024] FIGS. 6(a)-(c) provide top, side, and section views of the gauge arm of FIG. 3 prior to insertion of bearings. Receptacle portion 12 comprises receptacle 44 for bearing 14, receptacle 42 for bearing 16. Stops 46 are inserted where appropriate against which one end of each bearing will rest upon insertion. Receptacles 42,44 are preferably bored for press fit for the accompanying sealed bearings 14,16.

[0025] The preferred larger sealed bearing 14 is a gauge wheel and closing wheel bearing, most preferably with bore of about 0.640, overall length of about 1.725, length of body about 1.535, and width about 1.575, such as John Deere part number AN212132 (or Timken part number 5203KYY2). The preferred smaller sealed bearing 16 is a round bore grain drill bearing, most preferably with bore of about 0.64 round, O.D. of about 1.57 flat, IR width of about 0.72, and OR width of about 0.47, such as John Deere part number AN281357 (or Timken part number 203KRR2). However, other sealed bearings may be used as needs dictate, and could include two identical bearings.

[0026] The two above bearings are presently preferred for a few reasons. The AN212132 or equivalent bearing is a double row bearing. This type of bearing is very strong and field proven in other farm applications. The AN281357 or equivalent bearing is also field proven in farm applications. So, there are actually three rows of bearings inside the gauge arm that work together. The two different bearings together make a very strong set that can withstand a lot of side pressure while in motion. By using the two different bearings they collectively fill the inside cavity all the way across from one side to the other, making a good and secure fit when placed on the planter machinery. By leaving a stop inside the cavity of the gauge arm, these two different bearings, one on each side of the stop, work well together and cannot come out or move out of adjustment after being installed on the planter machinery. There are no snap rings or retainers necessary. In all, this embodiment of the present invention makes for a well working gauge arm that is nearly trouble free.

[0027] There are at least five different styles of the prior art gauge arms, each of which can be improved according to the invention. The most commonly used prior art version is the gauge arm of FIG. 2(a).

[0028] Note that in the specification and claims, about or approximately means within ten percent (10%) of the numerical amount cited.

[0029] Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above and/or in the attachments, and of the corresponding application(s), are hereby incorporated by reference.