Handheld Tool for Detaching and Attaching Agricultural Chain Link

Abstract

The present invention relates to an agricultural chain detacher device designed for detaching or attaching chain links in an agricultural chain. The device features a base with a pair of adjustable clamps to securely hold chains of varying sizes. A vertical wall extends from the base to support a chain link in a vertical orientation. The device includes a screw mechanism with a die hand crank to enable linear movement of a die to interact with the chain link for removal or attachment of the chain link. A center stopper on the base maintains a minimum gap between the clamps for smooth movement of the chain. For attaching a new link, a link connection die is used for fastening flat edge of the new link with curved edge of another link. For removing a link from the chain, a link removing die is used for detaching the link.

Claims

1. An agricultural square chain detacher device comprising: a base; a first clamp and a second clamp positioned on the base, the first clamp and the second clamp configured to maintain a gap therebetween for holding a chain; a vertical wall extending transversally from a lateral edge of the base, wherein the vertical wall supports a chain link in a vertical position; a first rotatable bolt and a second rotatable bolt coupled to the first clamp and to the second clamp; and a handle connected to the base.

2. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 1 further comprised of a stopper.

3. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 1, wherein the handle is comprised of a telescopic handle.

4. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 1 further comprised of a die hand crank connected to the base.

5. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 4, wherein the die hand crank is used to move a screw along the base.

6. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 5, wherein the screw engages a square link remover die.

7. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 5, wherein the screw engages a chain connecting die.

8. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 1, wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are symmetrical.

9. An agricultural square chain detacher device comprising: a base; a pair of opposing clamps comprised of a first clamp and a second clamp mounted on the base, the pair of opposing clamps being adjustable to hold an agricultural chain; a stopper positioned on the base to maintain a minimum gap between the first clamp and the second clamp; a screw movable along the base; a die hand crank operatively connected to the screw for linear movement of the screw; and a remover die or chain connecting die attachable to the screw.

10. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 9, wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are symmetrical.

11. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 9, wherein the base is comprised of a telescopic handle.

12. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 9, wherein the stopper is positioned between the clamps.

13. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 9, wherein the link remover die is comprised of a groove.

14. An agricultural square chain detacher device comprising: a base; a pair of adjustable clamps mounted on the base, the clamps comprised of a first adjustable clamp and a second adjustable clamp configured to secure an agricultural chain between them; a screw operatively connected to the base, the screw being movable along a linear path; a die hand crank operatively connected to the screw for moving the screw along the base; a die, wherein the die is configured to engage a chain link for detaching or attaching the link to the chain; and a handle, wherein rotation of the die hand crank moves the screw to manipulate the chain link.

15. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 14 further comprised of a first pair of bolts coupled to the first adjustable clamp and a second pair of bolts coupled to the second adjustable clamp.

16. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 14, wherein the die is comprised of a groove.

17. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 14, wherein the screw is connected to the base.

18. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 17, wherein the screw is connected to the base via a crank holding aperture.

19. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 14, wherein the die is comprised of a curved end.

20. The agricultural square chain detacher device of claim 14, wherein the die is comprised of a square link remover die.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of agricultural square chain detacher device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure;

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing a user operating the agricultural square chain detacher device of the present invention for detaching a link from the chain in accordance with the disclosed structure;

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a close view showing position of the chain and the square link remover in the device when the link is detached in accordance with the disclosed structure;

[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing a new link being attached to the chain using the device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing how an agricultural chain can be placed on the device for detaching or attaching links in accordance with the disclosed structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0022] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0023] As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an agricultural chain detacher device that allows farmers and operators to efficiently separate and reattach square chain links on agricultural machinery. Additionally, there is a long-felt need for a device that eliminates the reliance on tools like hammers and vices, which can be impractical and challenging to use, particularly in field conditions. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need for a portable and user-friendly tool that can be easily operated by a single person. Moreover, there is a long-felt need for a device that can accommodate chains of various link sizes, providing versatility and convenience for different types of agricultural equipment. Finally, there is a long-felt need for a tool that simplifies chain maintenance, minimizes equipment downtime, and enhances operational efficiency directly in the field.

[0024] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a handheld agricultural chain link manipulator device. The device includes a base having a rear lateral edge, a first clamp and a second clamp mounted on the base and positioned parallel to each other with a gap therebetween, a vertical wall extends transversely from the rear lateral edge of the base to support a chain link in a vertical orientation during manipulation. A center stopper is disposed on the base between the clamps to maintain a minimum gap for smooth movement of the agricultural chain. A screw mechanism is disposed of through a crank holding aperture in the base, the screw adapted to move along the base. A die is removably connected to the screw and is adapted to engage with the flat end of a chain link for attaching or detaching the chain link to the chain.

[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0026] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of agricultural chain link manipulator device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure. The agricultural square chain detacher device 100 of the present invention is designed for separating agricultural chain links on farm equipment. More specifically, the device 100 is a handheld device and includes a pair of clamps including a first clamp 102 and a preferably symmetrical and identical second clamp 104. The clamps 102,104 are configured to maintain a gap 106 therebetween to hold an agricultural chain, as described more fully below. A chain holder base 108 supports the clamps 102,104, wherein the clamps 102,104 are positioned on the base 108. At least one vertical wall 110 extends transversally from the rear lateral edge 112 of the base 108 which enables a chain link to be placed vertically within the device 100, as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the present disclosure.

[0027] The first clamp 102 may include a first nut 114 and a corresponding second nut 116, wherein a bolt 118 is adapted to pass through the nuts 114,116 and rotate to laterally move the first clamp 102 to increase and/or decrease the gap 106 between the first clamp 102 and the second clamp 104. The second clamp 104 also includes corresponding nuts 120,122 through which a second bolt 124 passes through. The second bolt 124 is adapted to rotatably move along the nuts 120,122 to laterally move the second clamp 104 to increase and/or decrease the gap 106 between the clamps 102,104. The lateral movement of the clamps 102,104 allows the device 100 to be used with agricultural chains of different link sizes.

[0028] At least one center stopper 109 is disposed on the base 108 which provides a minimum gap between the clamps 102,104 and further helps in smooth movement of the agricultural chain with the device 100. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the clamps 102,104 function as chain holders and secure a chain therebetween.

[0029] The device 100 includes a handle 126 for easy handling and transportation of the device 100. The handle 126 can be telescopic and may be made from a lightweight and durable material such as stainless steel or any other metal. In the preferred embodiment, the handle 126 and the base 108 are integrated for preventing any movement in the base 108 when a square chain link is detached from or attached to an agricultural chain.

[0030] At least one die hand crank 128 is operatively and removably connected to a crank holding aperture 130 and is used for driving at least one screw 132 disposed through the aperture 130. The screw 132 is adapted to move along the base 108 and allows a user to use one or more square link remover dies 134 and one or more chain connecting dies 136 with the device 100. It should be noted that the device 100 can be used with conventional dies used for attaching and detaching the agricultural chain links easily.

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing a user operating the agricultural square chain detacher device of the present invention for detaching a link from the chain in accordance with the disclosed structure. As illustrated, for detaching a link 202 from the chain 204 using the device 100 the chain 204 is positioned on the device 100 and secured between the clamps 102,104. The link 202 which is to be detached from the chain 204 is positioned vertically and supported by the wall 110. For securing the chain 204, the clamps 102,104 are positioned by rotating the bolts 118,124 to snugly fit the chain 204. A square link remover die 134 is positioned between the flat end 206 of the link 202 and the screw 132 such that the groove 208 of the die 134 operatively connects with the flat end 206 of the link 202. For detaching the link 202, the die hand crank 128 is rotated to linearly move the screw 132 to push the die 134 and the link 202, thereby detaching the link 202 from the chain 204. Once the link 202 is detached, the link 202 can be pulled and the die 134 can be removed from the device 100. The operation can be performed by holding the handheld agricultural chain link separator and attacher tool 100 in a hand by a user using the handle 126.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a close view showing the position of the chain 404 and the square link remover in the device 100 when the link is detached in accordance with the disclosed structure. As illustrated and described in FIG. 2, the square link remover die 134 may be comprised of a groove 208 to facilitate detachment of the link 202 from the chain 204. Specifically, the groove 208 accommodates a portion of the flat end 206 of the link 202 which is accommodated in the curved end 302 of the subsequent link 304. When the die 134 is pushed using the screw 132 and the crank 128 as illustrated in FIG. 2, the flat end 206 is pushed away from the curved end 302 to detach the link 202 from the chain 204.

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing a new link 402 being attached to a chain using the device 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. For attaching a new link to a chain 404, the new link 402 is placed along the wall 110 with the curved end 406 at top and the flat end 408 is placed on the base 108. The other link 410 to which the link 402 is to be operatively connected is positioned on the stopper 109 with the curved end 412 of the other link 410 positioned adjacent to the flat end 408 of the new link 402.

[0034] A chain connecting die 136 is placed on the base 108 and is moved using the using the screw 132 and the crank 128 to push the flat end 408 of the new link 402 into the curved end 412 of the other link 410. Once the engagement between the flat end 408 of the new link 402 and the curved end 412 of the other link 410 is complete, then, the chain connecting die 136 is removed and the link 402 gets added to the chain 204.

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing how an agricultural chain 404 can be placed on the device for detaching or attaching links in accordance with the disclosed structure. As illustrated, the chain 404 can be placed on the base 108 and the link to be removed or where a new link is to be added is placed along the wall 110. The chain 404 is supported by the stopper 109 and the clamps 102,104 which snugly hold the chain 404. Based on user preferences, any of the dies 134,136 can be used for easily modifying the chain 404.

[0036] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein handheld agricultural chain link separator and attacher tool, agricultural chain link manipulator device, agricultural square chain detacher device, and device are interchangeable and refer to the handheld agricultural chain link separator and attacher tool 100 of the present invention.

[0037] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the handheld agricultural chain link separator and attacher tool 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the handheld agricultural chain link separator and attacher tool 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the handheld agricultural chain link separator and attacher tool 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the handheld agricultural chain link separator and attacher tool 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the handheld agricultural chain link separator and attacher tool 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0038] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0039] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.