AU603982B2 - Mounting of ploughshares - Google Patents

Description

Rev82 C0 M MO0N WE AL T j OP' A US TR ALI PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION K (original) FOR OFFICE USE Class Int. Class Application Number: 11 Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: 0.1Priority: g06 0*0 Related Art: 0 0 This document contaidns the 1 amendments made under Section 49 an'd is corrtct iui "N'ame of Applicant: a 04 t~lddress of Applicant: Do$: AUSTIN TIMOTHY RYAN 19 Hewitt Str-oet, Warracknabeal 3393, in the State of Victcria, Commonwealth of Australia *t:ctual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Applicant DAVIES COLLISON, Patent Attorneys, 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

Complete specification for the iiivention entitled: "MOUNTING OF PLOUGI:.HARES" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to mTe -1I-

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la "MOUNTING OF PLOUGHSHARES" This invention relates to a -peugh-hare--suppe--e-nd4 oo-a -asc-i-a-ed- ploughshare, and to a ploughshare assembly incorporating -te- support and 4 ploughshare.

.o Recent interest among some farmers in minimum 06 5 tillage cultivation and seeding has been met in part by 0"o 0 athe development of cultivators employing wide, nearly flat chisel ploughshares, known as sweep shares. Each share is mounted to a respective depending tyne or strap oj o *a and will typically be one of a large number carried by a 10 single machine. Shares of any kind regularly require replacement because of wear or other damage and it is r important that this oper.tion can be carried out speedily and with minimum effort without compromising the sacurity of the individual share mountings.

15 Ploughshares are typically either bolted to their tynes or straps, or secured by a firm press fit which may be set or broken by several good blows with a hammer.

Shares fastened by the latter method are known as "knock-on" shares; arrangements of this general class are shown, in Australian patent 533505 and patent applications 91056/82 and 20249/83.

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2 In a more recent mounting arrangement for the sweep shares of minimum tillage cultivators, an upstanding U-section socket welded to the share receives and is fastened to the depending tyne. In practice, however, the share can be subjected in use to strong torsional forces about the tyne, especially because of its width: these forces are occasionally sufficient to splay out the socket and the loosened share subsequently falls off the tyne. The farmer may be unaware of this for some time: a serious disadvantage if the cultivator is being operated as a simultaneous seeder.

0o Other prior disclosed arrangements include the "provision of an intermediate adaptor separate from both o°o othe share and the depending tyne, for securing shares to 15 a variety of mountings, and the use of a horizontal wedged engagement between adaptor and share. The latter concept is shown, in U.S. patent 3104724 to oo Pollock and both concepts are disclosed in U.S. patents o 00, 3752236, 4078866 and 4333536. The Pollock reference also shows a lever able to be pivoted by a nut and czo* thread device to clamp the share on the depending tyne.

The lever engages a rear inside edge of the share.

Another locking device comprising a transverse tie fixed 900:: to the share behind its support is shown in U.S. patent 3752236 to Foster.

The aforementioned U.S. patent 4333536 to J.W. Ryan discloses a vertical dovetail engagement between the share and the adaptor in addition to the horizontal wedged engagement.

U.S. patents 2117461 and 1499531 show forward upstanding faces the former on an intermediate "duck L_ 1 1 -3foot" supporting an earthworking blade, the latter on an elongate integral socket of a sweep share which are divided by a ridge into two rearwardly outwardly trailing surfaces.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel ploughshare assembly which affords a reliable mounting for the share but is nevertheless suited to easy replacement of the share when worn.

More particularly, the invention provides a ploughshare assembly comprising: 0 a ploughshare having a body portion and one or more forward groundworking edges; 0 o a support for the ploughshare; o 0 0 a recess in said body portion, said recess being defined by a pair of 0o¢) opposed internal edges on said ploughshare; a holder formation on said support including a foot and a pair of grooves adjacent said foot to receive said internal edges of the ploughshare so that when the ploughshare is in it- working position on the support the foot engages the 0 ploughshare and retains it in place; and an aperture in said body portion of said ploughshare behind said internal S edges, which aperture is wider than the separation of said edges, said aperture and said recess being so dimensioned and shaped relative to said foot that said ploughshare must be rotated-a-predetermied -mouit-from its working position to allow said foot to pass through the aperture and recess and thereby allow detachment of the ploughshare from the support.

The foot and aperture advantageously comprise complementary substantially circular segments.

The holder formation may include a tail segment which locates under the ploughshare adjacent said aperture, even when the ploughshare is moved from said working position to a foremost position on the holder formation.

a 3,GJNDAT.012,55797.res,3 j~ The support may be a unitary shank of a tyne or strap, or an adapter arranged to be separately fastened to a tyne or strap.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of ploughshare assembly in accordance with the invention, in which the support is an adapter for securing a sweep share to an existing depending tyne; Figures 2 and 3 are a rear elevation and underneath view respectively of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an underneath view of the ploughshare as it is being mounted, in a reversed disposition, to the adapter; Figures 5 and 6 are side and front elevations of the adapter; Figure 7 is a sequence of somewhat schematic views showing how the ploughshare is mounted to the adapter; and 15 Figures 8 and 9 are top and bottom perspective views of a second embodiment of ploughshare assembly accordir," to the invention, Figure 9 being cut away to show rear latch means.

t 4 4 4 4 t(4 4i: P4 a4L~ n ~es -tr k EC)Ff -espectiv vi s of a-third be4-imen-t-e-f--h-e-- -a-nwe--t-i-e n-- The ploughshare assembly 10 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 includes a sweep share 12 and an adaptor 14 by which the share is mounted in use to a depending tyne (not shown) of a cultivator frame. The assembly will typically be one of a substantial number of such assemblies spaced across the frame, perhaps in two or 10 more offset rows. The tyne would generally depend somewhat forwardly and be provided with a pair of bolt holes which are traditionally employed for securing a conventional ploughshare directly to the tyne.

o* The share 12 is detachably mounted to adaptor 14 by 15 means of a wedge-like engagement between a recess 18 est (Figures 3 and 4) in the share, defined by a pair of forwardly convergent internal edges 20, 21, and a holder formation 25 (Figures 5 and 6) on the adaptor comprising a pair of lateral grooves 22, 23 also forwardly convergent to seat edges 20, 21. Grooves 22, 23 are o1 arranged to either side of a land 24 integrally bridging the body of the adaptor to a foot 16 which is wider and longer than land 24, and relatively thinner so as to have minimal depth under the share.

Share 12 is a wide angled chisel ploughshare which is nearly flat but slightly upwardly convex, as best seen in Figures 1 and 2. This configuration is of a known type and is especially suitable for minimum tillage cultivation. The share has a broadly triangular flat centre 11 with an outwardly downwardly inclined margin 13 to a pair of ground working edges 13a, 13b.

*1 r~V~s ci Edges 13a, 13b trail outwardly and rearwardly from a rounded strengthened tip 26. Recess 18 is part of an aperture 17 through the centre 11 which is closed about its whole periphery, and in particular at its rear by a v-shaped co-planar projection 19.

Adaptor 14 includes a rearwardly concave shank portion 30 which is rearwardly integrally upstanding from holder formation 25 so that its rear surface 31 is complementary to the forward surface of the tyne. A bolt aperture 32 is formed in shank portion 30 for attaching the adaptor to a tyne. The forward face 35 of c the adaptor is convexedly shaped to form a ridge 36 SCO0, which divides this face into a pair of surfaces 35a, which trail rearwardly outwardly from the ridge. The 15 ridge 36 and surfaces 35a, 35b serve to divide the material stream thrown up by the share and substantially smoothly deflect this stream over surfaces 35a, 35b past a5 4the adaptor.

Separation of the share from the adaptor during normal use is substantially prevented by engagement of a r°r" tail segment 16a of foot 16 under projection 19, even when the adaptor is at its relatively foremost position.

In the relatively most rearward position of the adaptor, ,oi land 24 locates in a notch 17a at the rear of aperture 17 and thereby holds the two against relative rotation.

For facilitating mounting of the share to the adaptor, and then subsequent disengagement for replacement of the share when worn, foot 16 is dimensioned to fit through aperture 17 when the share is turned through 1800 to a reversed disposition. In particular, tail segment 16a is tapered to complement and pass through tapered recess b 0 00 04 00 00*0 o 0 4 o.04 00 4 0 0 0 0 44 00~ 4 0*04 0 01 4,4' .044 04.44 o 44 04 4 portion 18 of aperture 17 (Figures 4 and 7A). The centre segment 17b of aperture 17 between recess 18 and notch 17a is of circular profile and of slightly greater diameter than a complementary circular front segment 16b of adaptor foot 16.

For use of the inventive shares with an existing cultivator frame with multiple tynes, the farmer initially and substantially permanently mounts adaptors 14 to the respective tyne shanks 8 with bolts 33. As 10already foreshadowed, each share 12 is fitted by bringing each share up to its adaptor in a reversed disposition (Figure 7A) and passing recess 18 about foot 16 (Figure 7B). The share is then rotated through 1800 and moved rearwardly so as to clamp edges 20, 21 into 22, 23 (Figure 7C). A few blows with a hammer secure the fitting.

When it is desired to replace a worn share, which in some conditions may be a quite frequent requirement, each share is easily disengaged from its wedged seat 20 with a suitable hammer, turned back through 180° and lifted off the adaptor.

The length of adaptor foot tail segment 16a is arranged relative to aperture 17 so that when the share is rearmost and locked by wedging onto the adaptor, the tail segment is under the v-shaped projection 19 behind the aperture. Thus, if the share is knocked even slightly forwardly the combined engagement of the tail under projection 19 and the front foot part 16b under the margins of the aperture prevent any unintended separation of the share: indeed the share can only be separated if rotated through substantially 1800. When N T 0 the share is foremost, and the front part 16b of foot 16 is in register with aperture centre part 17b, the tight fit of projection 19 between tail segment 16a and a trailing flange 14a of adaptor body prevents any tilting of the share adequate to disengage it from the adaptor.

In this position, also, notch 17a substantially prevents rotation of the share on the adaptor.

In operation of a cultivator fitted with multiple ploughshare assemblies 10, each share is advantageously p. 10 preceded by a coulter disc. The share assembly and disc ^o^o may be mounted as a single unit on an individual B" stump-jump mechanism after the manner described in 0 applicant's prior patent application PG 7454. The disc makes an initial cut of say 10cm in the ground. The o 15 share 12 slices through the ground about 5cm below ground level, successfully achieving separation and tillage without the wholesale turning over of large clods as occurs in conventional ploughing, and without Io,' burying straw, grass or stubble on top. A subsurface of soil passes smoothly over the top surface of Dr*4 the share and about the adaptor and tyne. The result tends to be a narrow furrow behind the assembly and it is into this furrow that seed may be directed from a *994 4* trailing sowing tube. If desired, a depending spout or element may then follow, extending to about the depth of the disc cut, that is to about 10cm, and the Eertilizer laid below the seed at this depth. Because of the minimum tillage and turning, the soil tends to fall back over the seed and fertilizer after the has passed.

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I k It will be appreciated that the share is positively engaged on the tyne and is not susceptible to falling off due to twisting or other forces. On the other hand, it is a simple, quick operation to remove a worn share with a few hammer strikes for replacement by a new share. It will also be noted that the shares are well suited to storage and transport in stacks as they have no protruding lugs or sockets. When stacked, apertures 17 can be put to separate advantage by, e.g.

tying the shares together with wire passed through the apertures.

Figures 8 and 9, depict a second, embodiment of assembly which differs from the; first primarily in the absence of projection 19 and in the provision of a latch 40. The share 12' is also integrally provided with a raised shoulder 42 in its top surface defining a curved seat for the land 44 of adapter 14; just above grooves 22', 23' and with an underside internal rim 46 defining a curved seat for o foot 16'. Latch 40 is provided to guard against separation of the parts in certain soil conditions and comprises a length of wire bent (Figure 9) to define a hook S 15 47 secured by bolt 48 and a rearwardly extending portion in the form of an eye 49 that lies within aperture 17'. The back edge 17a' of this aperture then constitutes a detent face engageable by latch 40 to prevent excessive forward movement of the ploughshare during use .thereof.

In modified embodiment, the ground working edges 13a, 13b may be t 20 formed on respective replaceable marginal strips welded to a distinct centrepiece 1 portion of the share. These strips would typically be welded to complementary peripheral edge segments of the centrepiece and be thereby replaceable by cutting the respective welds.

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Claims (14)

1. A ploughshare assembly comprising: a ploughshare having a body portion and one or more forward ground- working edges; a support for the ploughshare; a recess in said body portion, said recess being defined by a pair of .opposed internal edges on said ploughshare; o a holder formation on said support including a foot and a pair of grooves adjacent said foot to receive said internal edges of the ploughshare so that when the ploughshare is in its working position on the support the foot engages the o dO 0co ploughshare and retains it in place; and 0- an aperture in said body portion of said ploughshare behind said internal edges, which aperture is wider than the separation of said edges, said aperture and said recess being so dimensioned and shaped relative to said foot that said a 004 ploughshare must be rotated a predetermined amount from its working position °a to allow said foot to pass through the aperture and recess and thereby allow detachment of the ploughshare from the support.

2. A ploughshare assembly according to claim 1, wherein said aperture is dimensioned to pass said foot when the ploughshare is rotated through substantially 180 relative to the support from said working position on the support.

3. A ploughshare assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said support comprises a discrete adapter having means for securing the adapter to a depending tyne.

4. A ploughshare assembly according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said ploughshare has a raised shoulder in its top surface defining a curved seat for a complementary land of said support located above said grooves.

AU 0903,GJNDAT,012,55797.res,10 O t 11 A ploughshare assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said ploughshare has an underside internal rim defining a curved seat for said foot.

6. A ploughshare assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said foot and said aperture comprise complementary substantially circular segments.

7. A ploughshare assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said foot further comprises a tail segment which locates under the ploughshare adjacent said aperture, even when the ploughshare is moved from said working position to a foremost position on the holder formation. 0 o

8. A ploughshare assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said 00 0 internal edges and grooves are configured to provide a vertical dovetail engagement between the ploughshare and the support. o

9. A ploughshare assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said S" t internal edges and said grooves are respectively convergent so as to provide a horizontal wedge engagement between the ploughshare and the support.

10. A ploughshare assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising: a detent face on said ploughshare; and resilient latch means detachably mounted to said support releasably positionable to engage said detent face to prevent excessive forward movement of the ploughshare with respect to the support during use thereof.

11. A ploughshare assembly according to claim 10, wherein said resilient latch means comprises a bent length of wire or rod.

12. A ploughshare assembly according to claim 10 'r id latch means is releasable from its engagement position f the latch means. /m^ Ml 00903,GJNDAT.012,55797.res,ll i F i r r 12

13. A ploughshare assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said support has a forward face which is divided at a ridge into a pair of surfaces which trail rearwardly outwardly from said ridge, said ridge and surfaces serving to divide the material stream thrown up by the share and substantially smoothly deflecting this stream over said surfaces and past said support.

14. A ploughshare assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said ground-working edges are provided on replaceable marginal strips of the ploughshare. .0 A ploughshare assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. I 0~ 0 0 00 0B Dated this 3rd day of September 1990 AUSTIN TIMOTHY RYAN by his Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON A v 0, D V (Q093,GJNDAT.012,55797.r6,12 J