GB2371198A

GB2371198A - Press ring

Info

Publication number: GB2371198A
Application number: GB0128233A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Coleman
Original assignee: DOWDESWELL ENG CO Ltd
Current assignee: DOWDESWELL ENG CO Ltd
Priority date: 2000-11-24
Filing date: 2001-11-26
Publication date: 2002-07-24
Also published as: GB0028671D0; GB0128233D0

Abstract

A press ring assembly 20 for an agricultural machine, comprises an outer ring 22 having a radially outer ground cutting rim 30, a hub 28 having a central bore for supporting the press ring on an axle of the agricultural machine and a respective disc-like member 24, 26 on each side of the ring 20. The ring 20 is supported on the hub 28 by a number of spokes (14, figure 1). Each the disc-like member 24, 26 has a central opening for receiving the axle of the agricultural machine. The outer ring 22 and the disc-like members 24, 26 have cooperating locating means 36, 38, 45, 47 such that when the disc-like members are mounted on the outer ring and the cooperating locating means engage, the disc-like members serve to inhibit ingress of soil and other material between the disc-like members and the spaces between the ring and the hub.

Description

Title : Press Ring The present invention relates to a press ring for an agricultural machine such as a press cultivator.

Conventional press rings have an outer rim which is supported on a central hub by several spokes. During use, the spaces between the spokes and the rim tend to become clogged with soil and stones which reduce the effectiveness of the press rings and, in the case of stones, can cause damage to the press rings. If the rim becomes damaged or worn then the whole press ring needs to be replaced.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved press ring.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a press ring assembly for an agricultural machine, comprising: an outer ring having a radially outer ground cutting rim; hub means having a central bore for supporting said press ring on an axle of said agricultural machine; and a respective disc-like member on each side of said ring; wherein: each said disc-like member has a central opening for receiving said axle of said agricultural machine; and said disc-like members serve to inhibit ingress of soil and other material into the space bounded by said outer ring, said hub means and said disc-like members.

Advantageously, said outer ring and said disc-like members have cooperating locating means engageable when said disc-like members are mounted on said outer ring.

In a preferred form of the invention said disc-like members are resilient such that when said disc-like members are subject to a compressive axial load said cooperating locating means are firmly engaged.

Advantageously, at least one said disc-like member is bowed such that increased compressive axial loading increases the pressure of engagement of said locating means.

Conveniently, at least one said disc-like member is of substantially convex shape such that increased compressive axial loading increases the pressure of engagement of said locating means.

In a further embodiment, at least one said disc-like member has a generally flat body portion with an annular peripheral flange which extends both radially outwardly of each disc-like member and inwardly towards the opposing disc-like member such that increased compressive axial loading increases the pressure of engagement of said locating means.

Advantageously, the locating means on each said disc-like member comprises a peripheral, annular rim of the disc-like member engageable with a cooperating groove in said outer ring.

The present invention is further described hereinafter by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a conventional furrow press ring; Figure 2 is a side elevation of a preferred form of press ring according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a section on the line AA of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 of a second embodiment of press ring according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 of a third embodiment of press ring according to the present invention; and Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 of an alternative embodiment of press ring according to the present invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 this shows a conventional furrow press ring 10 which has an outer, ground cutting rim 12 and several radially extending spokes 14 extending from a central hub 16 to the ground cutting rim 12.

In use, there is a tendency for the gaps between the spokes 14 to become clogged with soil and clay. In addition, when the ground cutting rim or the hub or any of the spokes wears the whole press ring has to be replaced.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, these show a preferred form of press ring 20 according to the present invention which has an outer ground cutting ring 22, two disc-like members 24, 26 and hub member 28. The ring 22 is annular and has a radially outwardly extending ground cutting rim 30. It also has axially opposed generally flat side walls 32,34 each of which is provided with an annular groove 36,38.

Each of the disc-like members 24,26 is shown as having a generally flat body portion 40, 42 with an annular peripheral flange 44,46 which extends both radially outwardly of each disc-like member 24,26 and inwardly towards the opposing disc-like member 24,26.

The disc-like members and the support ring have cooperating locating means which, in the embodiment of Figure 3 are formed by the rims 45,47 of the flanges 44,46 of the disc-like members and the grooves 36,38 of the support ring 22.

As can be seen from Figure 3, the rim of each disc-like member 24,26 engages in the associated groove 36,38 to retain the disc-like members in place.

Although the most convenient arrangement is for the rim of each flange 44,46 to engage in the associated groove, it will be appreciated that other forms of locating means may be used. For example, the annular grooves 36,38 may be broken up into discrete recesses or grooves which are engaged by cooperating projecting portions of the peripheral edges of the members 24,26 or the flanges 44,46.

Each cooperating locating means on the ring 22 may be formed by a simple step or shoulder formed in the side wall of the ring and which faces radially inwardly and against which the outer peripheral edge of each member 24,26 abuts.

In use, the body portions 40,42 of the disc-like members may be slightly bowed out so that when the hub member 28 is located on an axle of an agricultural machine and the locating nuts are tightened, the body portions 24,26 are flattened. Since these are conveniently of resilient material the resilience serves to retain the disc-like members in position and also acts to inhibit loosening of the locating nuts.

The shapes of the grooves 36,38 may be such that they allow entry of the rim of each disclike member whilst the members are unstressed and in their slightly bowed condition but when the body portions 40,42 are compressed axially this causes the rims of the flanges 44, 46 to press against the radially outer walls of the grooves 36,38 to assist in retaining the disc-like members in position and provide a good seal to the interior between the two members.

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 showing a modified form of press ring 50 according to the present invention.

Those parts which correspond to parts in Figures 2 and 3 are given the same reference numbers.

This embodiment has two disc-like members 52,54 which are generally convex. Again, in their unstressed form the radius of curvature of the disc-like members 52,54 is greater than when the assembled press ring is secured on an agricultural machine.

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of press ring 60 according to the present invention.

Like parts with those in Figure 3 are given like reference numbers.

As can be seen from Figure 5 the ground cutting ring 22 has a sharper cutting edge than that

of Figure 3 but the main difference between the two embodiments is that in the press ring of Figure 5 the central hub member 28 is formed integral with and connected to the cutting ring 22 by radial spokes 62. The hub member 28 is formed at each axial end with a radially outer shoulder 64 over which the respective disc-like member locates by way of its central bore.

The embodiment of Figure 6 is similar to that of Figure 5 but in this case the disc-like members abut against the axial end faces of the hub member 28.

The advantage of the preferred forms of press ring as shown in the drawings is that the disclike members 24,26 prevents the ingress of soil between the two members and between the spokes and provide support for the support ring 22. If the ring 22 wears more rapidly than the disc-like members as may be the case with hard ground then the ring can be replaced.

If the disc-like members 24,26 wear more rapidly as may be the case with soft ground then these can be replaced. In neither case does the whole press ring have to be replaced. The provision of the disc-like members 24,26 also assists in the action of the press ring in soft ground.

When operating the agricultural machine with just the ring 22 the latter could become blocked with stones or rocks caught between the ring and the hub and between the spokes.

By adding the disc-like members 24,26 the open centre section of the ring 22 is covered.

The design enables the ring 22 to be used with or without the disc-like members, enabling the press ring to be adapted to different soil conditions.

Although each of the embodiments is shown with two identical disc-like members it will be appreciated that the two disc-like members of one embodiment can be of different shapes.

Claims

Claims 1 A press ring assembly for an agricultural machine, comprising : an outer ring having a radially outer ground cutting rim; hub means having a central bore for supporting said press ring on an axle of said agricultural machine; and a respective disc-like member on each side of said ring; wherein: each said disc-like member has a central opening for receiving said axle of said agricultural machine; and said disc-like members serve to inhibit ingress of soil and other material into the space bounded by said outer ring, said hub means and said disc-like members.
2 A press ring assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outer ring and said disc-like members have cooperating locating means engageable when said disc-like members are mounted on said outer ring.
3 A press ring assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said disc-like members are resilient such that when said disc-like members are subject to a compressive axial load said cooperating locating means are firmly engaged.
4 A press ring assembly as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 wherein at least one said disc-like member is bowed such that increased compressive axial loading increases the pressure of engagement of said locating means.
5 A press ring assembly as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein at least one said disc-like member is of substantially convex shape such that increased compressive axial loading increases the pressure of engagement of said locating means.
6 A press ring assembly as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein at least one said disc-like member has a generally flat body portion with an annular peripheral flange which extends both radially outwardly of each disc-like member and inwardly towards the opposing disclike member such that increased compressive axial loading increases the pressure of engagement of said locating means.
7 A press ring assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the locating means on each said disc-like member comprises a peripheral, annular rim of the disc-like member engageable with a cooperating groove in said outer ring.
8 A press ring assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said cooperating groove is formed by a shoulder on said outer ring.
9 A press ring assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said hub means is a central boss or hub and said outer ring is supported on said hub by a number of spokes.
10 A press ring assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein each disc-like member abuts against a respective axial end face of the hub.
11 A press ring assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein each disc-like member locates over a shoulder on the respective axial end of the hub.
12 A press ring assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.