COLUMN STORAGE SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURAL MACHINES

Abstract

A column storage system for agricultural machines comprises a ground support structure, a first machine which is supported on the ground support structure, at least a second machine which is arranged in a vertically higher position with respect to the first machine, a connection device which is interposed between the machines so as to support the second machine overlapping the first machine, and reversible connection means which are configured to removably fix the connection device to the machines.

Claims

1. A column storage system for agricultural machines, comprising: a ground support structure, a first machine which is supported on the ground support structure, at least a second machine which is arranged in a vertically higher position with respect to the first machine, a connection device which is interposed between the first and the second machines so as to support the second machine overlapping the first machine, and fastening elements which are configured to removably fix the connection device to the first and second machines, the connection device being fixed directly to the first machine, through which the connection device is fixed indirectly to the ground support structure.

2. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein the connection device comprises a plurality of connection elements which extend longitudinally from the first machine to the second machine.

3. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein each of the machines, when viewed from above, defines a perimeter, the connection device comprising a plurality of connection elements which are arranged at the vertices of the perimeter.

4. The storage system according to claim 3, wherein each of the machines, when viewed from above, extends longitudinally.

5. The storage system according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of connection elements comprises four connection elements.

6. The storage system according to claim 2, wherein the connection elements are spaced apart from each other.

7. The storage system according to claim 2, wherein each of the machines comprises a central body which extends longitudinally and a pair of plates which are arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal development of the central body, the plates being fixed to the opposing longitudinal ends of the central body, the connection elements being fixed to the plates.

8. The storage system according to claim 7, wherein the plates have first apertures facing second apertures formed in the connection elements in order to receive the fastening elements therein.

9. The storage system according to claim 8, wherein the connection elements are constituted by metal profiles having an L-shaped section in which there are defined a first side adhering to the plates and a second side transverse with respect to the first side, the second apertures being defined at the first side.

10. The storage system according to claim 7, wherein the plates have a vertical development and each have a lower longitudinal end and an upper longitudinal end which are opposite each other and at which there are defined at least a first lower aperture for fixing a connection element which is arranged below the plate and at least a first upper aperture for fixing a connection element which is arranged above the plate, respectively.

11. The storage system according to claim 10, wherein the connection elements have a vertical development and each have a lower longitudinal end and an upper longitudinal end which are opposite each other and at which there are defined at least a second lower aperture facing the at least one first upper aperture of a plate which is arranged below the connection element and at least a second upper aperture facing the at least one first lower aperture of a plate which is arranged above the connection element in order to receive the fastening elements therein, respectively.

12. The storage system according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the opposing longitudinal ends of each connection element and at least one of the opposing longitudinal ends of each plate have a pair of second apertures and a pair of first apertures, respectively, which face each other in order to receive the fastening elements therein so as to secure the connection elements to the plates without any capacity for relative rotation.

13. The storage system according to claim 1, comprising a third machine which is arranged in a vertically higher position with respect to the second machine, a second connection device which is interposed between the second machine and the third machine so as to support the third machine overlapping the second machine, and fastening elements between the second connection device and the second and third machines.

14. The storage system according to claim 2, wherein each of the machines, when viewed from above, defines a perimeter, wherein the connection elements are arranged at the vertices of the perimeter.

15. The storage system according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of connection elements comprises four connection elements.

16. The storage system according to claim 14, wherein the connection elements are spaced apart from each other.

17. A column storage system for agricultural machines, comprising: a ground support structure, a first machine which is supported on the ground support structure, at least a second machine which is arranged in a vertically higher position with respect to the first machine, a connection device which is interposed between the first and the second machines so as to support the second machine overlapping the first machine, and fastening elements which are configured to removably fix the connection device to the first and second machines, the connection device being fixed directly to the first machine, through which the connection device is fixed indirectly to the ground support structure, wherein the connection device comprises a plurality of connection elements which extend longitudinally from the first machine to the second machine, wherein each of the machines, when viewed from above, defines a perimeter, the connection elements being arranged at the vertices of the perimeter.

18. The storage system according to claim 17, wherein each of the machines comprises a central body which extends longitudinally and a pair of plates which are arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal development of the central body, the plates being fixed to the opposing longitudinal ends of the central body, the connection elements being fixed to the plates.

19. The storage system according to claim 18, wherein the plates have first apertures facing second apertures formed in the connection elements in order to receive the fastening elements therein.

20. A column storage system for agricultural machines, comprising: a ground support structure, a first machine which is supported on the ground support structure, at least a second machine which is arranged in a vertically higher position with respect to the first machine, a connection device which is interposed between the first and the second machines so as to support the second machine overlapping the first machine, and fastening elements which are configured to removably fix the connection device to the first and second machines, the connection device being fixed directly to the first machine, through which the connection device is fixed indirectly to the ground support structure, wherein the connection device comprises a plurality of connection elements which extend longitudinally from the first machine to the second machine, wherein each of the machines, when viewed from above, defines a perimeter, the connection elements being arranged at the vertices of the perimeter, wherein the plurality of connection elements comprises four connection elements which are spaced apart from each other, wherein each of the machines comprises a central body which extends longitudinally and a pair of plates which are arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal development of the central body, the plates being fixed to the opposing longitudinal ends of the central body, the connection elements being fixed to the plates.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a column storage system between agricultural machines according to the present invention; and

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a detail of FIG. 1.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0029] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, there is generally designated 1 a column storage system between agricultural machines, more particularly rotary tillers. Below, the concepts relating to the storage device 1 are therefore tendentially set out with reference to the structure of rotary tillers. However, the rotary tillers may be replaced by other types of machines, for example, shredders or rotary harrows, therefore the concepts of the invention are not limited to rotary tillers but also apply to other types of agricultural machines having different forms and dimensions.

[0030] In the present embodiment, the storage system 1 comprises a first, a second and a third machine 3, 3, 3 which are arranged in columns, that is to say, one above the other. Naturally, in some embodiments, there may be only two or four or five machines in accordance with the specific storage and shipping requirements thereof.

[0031] The machines 3, 3, 3 each comprise a central body 7, which preferably extends longitudinally, and which where applicable has flanges 70 which can configure an attachment for an agricultural tractor (not illustrated). A main gearbox 71 which is configured to draw the movement from a power take-off of the agricultural tractor can be mounted on the central body 7.

[0032] Furthermore, the machines preferably each comprise a pair of plates 8 which extend transversely relative to the longitudinal extent of the central body 7 and which are fixed to the opposing longitudinal ends 7L, 7R thereof. There can be mounted on at least one of the plates 8 a respective lateral gearbox 72 which draws the movement from the main gearbox 71 by means of a transmission shaft 73 which extends from the main gearbox 71 to the lateral gearbox 72.

[0033] In the present embodiment, each machine 3, 3, 3 further comprises a tool-holder shaft 74 which extends from one plate 8 to the other in a direction parallel with the development of the central body 7. The tool-holder shaft 74 is rotatably secured to the plates 8 at the individual opposing ends and draws movement from the lateral gearbox 72.

[0034] The first machine 3 is supported on a ground support structure 2 which preferably comprises a plurality of beams 21-24 which are connected to each other. More particularly, the structure 2 has a quadrangular plan at the vertices of which there are arranged respective carrier beams 21, 22 (four in the present example) which have a vertical development and which are connected to each other by means of secondary beams 23 which extend transversely to the carrier beams.

[0035] The first machine 3, in particular the central body 7 thereof, is preferably supported on a pair of horizontal beams 24 which project from a pair of first carrier beams 21 which are arranged at one of the sides of the support structure 2.

[0036] In order to maintain the first machine 3 in position, it is preferable for it to also be supported on a pair of second carrier beams 22 which are arranged at the side opposite the structure 2. It is further preferable for the flanges 70 of the first machine 3 to be fixed to the pair of second carrier beams 22 by means of a retaining pin 20.

[0037] The beams 21-24 preferably have a closed cross-section, for example, square or rectangular, which allows effective support of the weight of a plurality of machines.

[0038] The machines contribute to providing the individual storage system 1 as a result of the provision of a first column connection device 4 between the first and second machines 3, 3 and in the present embodiment also a second column connection device 4 between the second and third machines 3, 3.

[0039] In practice, the first machine 3 is interposed between the ground support structure 2 and the first connection device 4 which in turn is interposed between the first machine and the second machine 3, 3. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the second machine 3 is interposed between the first connection device 4 and the second connection device 4 which is in turn interposed between the second machine and the third machine 3, 3.

[0040] The concepts relating to the storage device 1 are set out below mainly with reference to the first and second machines 3, 3 and the first connection device 4. However, these concepts are not limited to the first and second machines and the first connection device, but instead also apply mutatis mutandis to the third machine 3 and the second connection device 4.

[0041] Each connection device 4, 4 preferably comprises a plurality of connection elements 6 (four in the present embodiment) which are constituted, for example, by metal profiles. The connection elements 6 extend from one machine to another in a preferably vertical direction and are arranged where applicable at the vertices of the perimeter P which is defined by the machines. Naturally, this example is not limiting. In embodiments, the connection device 4, 4 may comprise two connection elements 6 which are arranged, for example, at one-third and two-thirds of the longitudinal extent of the respective machine, respectively. In an additional embodiment, the connection device 4, 4 may comprise three connection elements 6 which are arranged, for example, at a quarter and three-quarters of the longitudinal extent of the respective machine. In order to prevent the occurrence of possible friction between one machine and another during transport, it is preferable for the connection elements 6 to keep the machines raised and with spacing from each other.

[0042] The connection elements 6 can be fixed to the machines, in particular to the plates 8, by reversible connection means 5, such as screws, bolts and/or retaining pins. More particularly, the connection elements 6 are fixed to pairs of vertically consecutive plates 8 between which they are interposed. There are preferably provided at least two connection elements 6 for each pair of vertically consecutive plates 8 and therefore preferably at least four connection elements for each pair of vertically consecutive machines 3, 3. Naturally, in order to ensure the structural stability of the system, it is preferable for the connection elements 6 which are fixed to the same pair of plates 8 to be spaced apart from each other, particularly in a horizontal direction transversely relative to the longitudinal extent of the central body 7 of the machines.

[0043] In order to fix the connection elements 6 to the plates 8, the latter preferably have first apertures 9a, 9b which face second apertures 10a, 10b which are formed in the connection elements 6 in order to receive the reversible connection means 5. In one preferred embodiment, the reversible connection means 5 are therefore inserted between the first and second mutually facing apertures of the plates 8 and the connection elements 6, respectively.

[0044] In some embodiments, the connection elements 6 have an L-shaped cross-section comprising a first side 61 which adheres to the plates 8 and a second side 62 which is transverse relative to the first side. The second apertures 10a, 10b are preferably defined at the first side 61 which adheres to the plates. Preferably, the plates 8 have a vertical development and each have a lower longitudinal end 8a and an upper longitudinal end 8b which are opposite and in the region of which a plurality of first lower apertures 9a and a plurality of first upper apertures 9b are defined, respectively.

[0045] Preferably, the connection elements 6 also have a vertical development and each have a lower longitudinal end 6a and an upper longitudinal end 6b which are opposite and in the region of which a pair of second lower apertures 10a and a pair of second upper apertures 10b are defined, respectively.

[0046] The lower longitudinal ends 6a of the connection elements can be connected to the upper longitudinal ends 8b of the plates of the first machine 3 with the addition of the reversible connection means 5 to be inserted in the first upper apertures 9b and in the second lower apertures 10a which face each other. Similarly, the upper longitudinal ends 6b of the connection elements can be connected to the lower longitudinal ends 8a of the corresponding plates (that is to say, vertically consecutive) of the second machine 3, still with the aid of reversible connection means 5 to be inserted in the first lower apertures 9a and in the second upper apertures 10b which face each other.

[0047] It is preferable for the first apertures 9a, 9b and/or the second apertures 10a, 10b to be in the form of holes, particularly through-holes. It is further preferable for the holes of the first and second apertures which face each other to be coaxial in order to receive therein a screw, bolt, retaining pin or other reversible connection means 5. In a preferred embodiment, the reversible connection means 5 are therefore inserted between mutually facing and coaxial holes of the plates and the connection elements, respectively,

[0048] The invention thereby solves the problem set out, achieving a number of advantages including a substantial saving of material and a greater flexibility in storage of the machines.