US3536141A - Over center toggle mounting of plow - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent [111 3,53

[72] lnventor Roger W. Woelfel 3,032,122 5/1962 Geurts 172/264 3780 S. Woelfel Rd., New Berlin, Wisconsin 3,191,688 6/1965 Morkoski et a1 172/269 53157 2,411,072 11/1946 Washburn 172/234X PP; 33 1 1967 FOREIGN PATENTS [221 File 557 433 11/1943 Great Britain 172/267 [45] Paemed 1970 635,406 1/1962 Canada 172/264 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey 54 OVER CENTER TOGGLE MOUNTING 0F PLOW Assisi! Examiner-Alan Kopecki 15 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs. Att0rneyWheeler, Wheeler, House and Clemency [52] [1.8. CI 172/234, m

Z/2 172/266 ABSTRACT: Disclosed herein is a self-restoring plow having a 1111- Cl a a 61/04 'tool standard pivotally mounted on a bracket which is [50] Field ofSearch 42 moumed f pivotal motion on a plow frame with a hydraulic 74/520, 521 cylinder connected to return or bias the bracket to an opera- I tive position. A linkage system in the form of a strap is con- [56] References cued nected between the tool standard and the plow frame to pivot UNITED STATES PATENTS the tool standard independently of the bracket as the bracket 2,109,385 2/1938 Garrison et a1. H 172/267 moves toward an inoperative position. The linkage system can 2,544,815 3/1951 Weaver 172/166X also include a pair of links or straps forming a toggle element 3,302,728 2/1967 Sullivan et a1, 172/265 connected between the bracket and the frame with the 3,321,027 5/1967 Johnson et al. 172/266 hydraulic cylinder connected to bias the toggle elements to an 3,321,031 5/1967 Evans 172/605 oncenter position with the tool standard strap connected to 3,420,315 1/1969 Roth 1 172/265 the toggle element so that the initial motion of the tool stanl,892,978 l/l933 Burch 172/264 dard will move the toggle elements off center.

OVER CENTER TOGGLE MOUNTING OF PLOW BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When the moldboard on a plow strikes an object in the ground, it must move rapidly to a position clear of the object or the moldboard will be damaged. A number of spring actuated and hydraulic release arrangements are presently available which can produce this result but have not been readily accepted because of the relatively horizontal motion of the moldboard in moving to the inoperative position and the fast return motion. Most of these arrangements merely allow for a pivotal motion of the tool standard for the moldboard against a return force of a spring or hydraulic cylinder. If a spring is used, the return forces exerted by the spring will often snap the tool standard back so fast that the moldboard throws stones past the operator. Where toggle elements have been used to provide a snap-type release of the bracket for the tool standard for the moldboard, the initial motion of the moldboard in both leaving and entering the ground is substantially horizontal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The self-restoring plow of the present invention operates either on an accelerated motion or a snap release motion in order to clear the moldboard from the ground after engaging an object. The plow in either instance includes a tool standard having a moldboard secured to the lower end of the standard with the standard pivotally mounted on a bracket that is free to pivot about a pin on the plow frame. A link or strap is connected to the upper end of the tool standard and to the frame to hold the upper end of the tool standard substantially in a fixed position whenever the bracket pivots about the pin in the frame. The tool standard rotates or pivots at a faster rate than the motion of the bracket, pulling the moldboard rapidly from the ground. The motion of the bracket is resisted by a hydraulic system that allows for fast release of pressure when the.

moldboard engages an object and a gradual return of the bracket to an operating position. In the snap release system a linkage which includes toggle elements is connected between the frame, the bracket and the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is used to restore the toggle elements to an oncenter position as soon as the pressure is relieved from the end of the moldboard. The strap or link for the tool standard is connected to the toggle elements to provide an initial pull on the toggle elements toward an off-center position so that the bracket is free to pivot upward upon engagement with an immovable object. The colter for the plow can also be pivotally mounted on the plow frame and connected by a release bar to the toggle elements in the linkage to provide an initial offcenter motion for the toggle elements in the event the colter engages a stone or other immovable object.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent when the following detailed description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view partly in section of a dual pivot plow.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the dual pivot plow with a snap release linkage.

FIG. 3 is a view of the plow of FIG. 2 with the plow in the tripped position.

FIG. 4 is a view ofa modified snap release linkage.

Although only a few embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, it should be apparent that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the following description of the invention.

Referring to FIG. I of the drawings, the supporting frame 10 for a multipletype plow is shown with a double beam 12 extending rearward to support a plow 14. Generally in a multiple plow arrangement, there are as many as five beams extending rearward from the supporting framelO. A channel member 11 extends across the rear of the beams 12 to hold the beams in a spaced relation. A support bracket 15 is pivotally mounted on a pin 16 between beams 12 with a tool standard 18 pivotally mounted on pin 20 on the lower end 22 of the bracket. A working tool moldboard 21 is secured to the end of the tool standard. Means in the form of a link or strap 26 is connected to the upper end of the tool standard 18 by a pin 28 and to the inside of one of the beams 12 by a pin 30 to pivot the tool standard relative to the bracket. As seen dotted in FIG. 1, when bracket 15 pivots upward about pin 16, the tool standard 18 will pivot rapidly about pin 20 due to the force applied by strap 26 against the upper end of the tool standard. The end of the moldboard will swing rapidly in an arc rearward relative to the beam of the plow. This means that relativeto the ground the forward motion of the plow has stopped while the moldboard is being raised out of the ground.

The upward pivotal motion of bracket 15 is restricted by means of a hydraulic piston assembly 32 having cylinder 33 connected to an upstanding frame member 34 by a pin 35 and piston rod 36 connected to support bracket 15 by pin 37. The piston 38 in cylinder 33 operates in a manner as disclosed in my copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 669,497, filed September 21, I967, which yieldably affords pivotal movement of the moldboard or working tool by the fast release of pressure from cylinder 33 through pressure line 29 on the application of force to piston rod 36 by the upward motion of the bracket when the moldboard engages an object. The bracket 15 is biased to return to its original or operative position by the buildup of pressure behind piston 38 in cylinder 33 as soon as the moldboard clears an object and the pressure on the moldboard is reduced. It should be noted that on the return motion of the bracket 15 to its original or operative position, the point of the moldboard will enter the ground at an angle rather than being horizontal. This means that penetration of the point of the moldboard will occur immediately. The link or strap 26 will cause the tool standard to move simultaneously with the motion of the bracket 15 and at a faster rate in moving back to its original position. A limit stop 13 is secured to the beams to limit the downward position of the bracket.

The self-restoring plow of FIGS. 2 and 3 also includes a pair of beams 12 extending rearward from frame 10. Support bracket 15 is mounted to pivot between the beams on pin 16 and tool standard 18 is pivotally mounted on pin 20 as described in FIG. 1. Means are provided to hold the bracket 15 in a fixed position when the moldboard is in the operative or plow position in the form ofa linkage assembly 39 which includes toggle elements 40 and 42. Toggle element 40 is con nected to bracket 15 by pin 41 and toggle element 42 is connected to fixed frame members 44 and 46 by pin 43. The toggle elements are connected together by pin 48 and in the oncenter position will prevent upward movement of the bracket 15. Piston rod 36 in hydraulic assembly 32 is also connected to pin 48 and holds the toggle elements 40 and 42 in the oncenter position by the engagement of piston 38 with the front of cylinder 33.

Means are provided to move the toggle elements 40 and 42 off center when the moldboard 21 on tool standard 18 engages an object, such as a stone or log allowing the tool standard to pivot about pin 20. Such means is in the form of the strap 26 which is connected to the pin 48 on the toggle elements. This initial motion of the toggle elements 40 and 42 will allow for a small amount of play in the motion of the tool standard before the bracket moves. As soon as the toggle elements 40 and 42 are moved off center, the bracket is substantially free to pivot upward on pin 16 until the moldboard clears the object as seen in FIG. 3. When the pressure is released from the tool standard, pressure will build up in-hydraulic cylinder 33 pushing the piston rod toward the on-center position of the toggle elements. The moldboard will again enter the ground at an angle sufficient to penetrate the ground. The motion of the mold board will be substantially the same as in FIG. 1; that is, the moldboard will swing in an arc rearward relative to the plow.

If an object is lying on or near the top of the ground, it is desirable to have the bracket ready to move freely around pivot pin 16 prior to themoldboard engaging the object. This is accomplished by using colter 50 as a means to move the toggle elements off center before the moldboard engages the object. The support 51 for colter 50 is clamped to a bracket 52 by clamps 54 and bolts 56. The bracket is mounted to pivot about pin 58 in beams '12. A link or release bar 62 is connected to bracket 52 by pin 64 and to pin 48 of the toggle elements. When the colter engages the object and pivots about pin 58, link 62 will be pulled forward, moving the toggle elements off center. A slot 66 is provided in link 62 to allow the bracket to pivot independently of the colter.

In a multiple-type plow, it often becomes necessary to raise one or more of the plows out of the ground because the ground is too heavy or wet for the tractor topull the five plows. A notch 55 is provided on the top of beams 12 behind bracket 15 and on raising thebracket, a pin (not shown) can be placed in the notch to engage shoulder 59 on the bracket preventing its return to an operative position. The pin and notch 55 can also be used to hold the bracket up when the moldboard is changed on the tool standard. If the depth of 1 penetration of the plow has to be changed at any time, an eccentric pin may be used in place of pins 43 and 41, and on' rotation of the eccentric pin the toggle elements can be shifted up or down with respect to the frame with a corresponding 7 change in the location of the moldboard.

in the modificationshown in H0. 4, the bracket 80 is pivotally mounted on pin 82 on beams 12. Tool standard 18 is mounted on pin 20 on the bracket and supports a moldboard connected to lever arm 84 by pin 98. Slot 85 in lever arm 84 allows for limited amount of lost motion between the lever arm and piston rod. The pivotal motion of the bracket is limited by meansof a linkage assembly 39 which includes a toggle element 40 connected to the bracket 80 by pin 41 and a toggle'element 42 connected to the frame 88 by pin 43 and to the toggle element 40 by pin 48. A connecting link 102 is connected to lever arm 84 by pin [04 and toggle element 42 by pin 106. When lever arm 84 is pivoted toward frame 88, link 102 will push toggle elements 40 and 42 off center which allows bracket 80 to pivot freely about pin 82. A slot 100 is pro- .vided in connecting link 102 to allow the tool standard to move initially against the piston without moving the toggleelement off center. A colter release arrangement can also be used with this modification to move the toggleelements off center.

It should be obvious that the above described arrangement can be used with any earth working implement.

If the strap 26 is secured to the frame in F IG. 2, the toggle elements should be in an off center relation in order to allow the bracket to pivot. This can be accomplished by moving pin 35- in cylinder-33 to one of the alternate holes 25 in frame member 34 to pull piston rod 36 and pin 48 away from the oncenter position.

lclaim:

1. A self-restoring plow comprising a support frame, a

' bracket directly pivotally connected to said support frame for a movement from an operative to an inoperative position, a.

moldboard standard pivotally supported on said bracket, a moldboard connected to said standard, linking means pivotally connected to said standard and to said support frame to afford rearward displacement of said moldboard about said pivotal connection of said bracket and said support frame and about said pivotal connection of said bracket and said standardupon tripping of said plow, and means connected to said frame and to one of said bracket and said standard, said lastnamed means being yieldable under force for biasing said bracket to the operative position on said frame.

2. A self-restoring plow according to claim 1 including a linkage assembly having first and second toggle elements, said toggle elements having adjacent ends, means connecting said adjacent ends of said toggle elements, the opposite ends of said toggle elements being connected between said frame and said bracket, said toggle elements being movable between off center and on-center positions to afford tripping of said moldboard, said biasing means being connected to bias said toggle elements toward said on-center position.

3. A plow according to claim 2 including a colter pivotally mounted on said frame and a colter-release bar pivotally connected to said colter and pivotally connected to said toggle elements to move said toggle elements off center when said colter strikes an object.

4. A plow according to claim 2 wherein said biasing means comprises a hydraulic piston assembly connected between said frame and said toggle elements.

5. A self-restoring plow comprising a support frame, a bracket pivotally connected to said support frame for movement from an operative to an inoperative position, a moldboard standard pivotally supported on said bracket, and means yieldable under force for biasing said bracket to the operative position on said frame, a linkage assembly having first and second toggle elements connected between said frame and said bracket, said toggle elements being movable between off center and on-center positions, said biasing means being connected to bias said toggle elements toward said oncenter position, and linking means connecting said standard to said toggle elements so that the motion of the moldboard supporting standard on engaging an objectwill move said toggle elements off center against the bias of said bias means.

6. A self-restoring plow according to claim 1 wherein said linking means for connecting said standard to said support frame includes two commonly connected links. one of said links being connected to said standard and the other of said links being connected to said frame, and wherein said means yieldable under force is connected to one of said links.

7. A self-restoring plow comprising:

a frame;

a support bracket pivotally mounted on said frame and movable from an operative position to an inoperative position; a

a linkage assembly including toggle elements movable between on-center and off center positions connected between said frame and said bracket:

means for hydraulically biasing said toggle elements toward an on-center position to move said bracket to an operatlve position;

a tool standard pivotally mounted on the bracket; and

means for connecting said tool standard to said toggle elements to move said toggle elements off center on pivotal movement of said standard relative to said bracket.

8. A plow according to claim 7 wherein said means for connecting includes:

a lever arm pivotally connected to said frame;

a link connected to said standard and to said lever arm; and

a connecting link connected between said lever arm and said toggle elements.

9. A self-restoring working tool comprising:

a support frame;

a bracket pivotally mounted on said frame;

a tool-carrying standard pivotally connected to said bracket;

a linkage assembly connected between said frame and said bracket, said linkage assembly including:

a pair of toggle elements movable between off center and on-center positions;

hydraulic means for biasing said toggle elements to an oncenter position to prevent pivotal motion of said bracket; and

a link connected between said standard and said toggle elements wherein pivotal motion of said standard will move said toggle elements off center to allowpivotal motion of said bracket.

10. A self-restoring plow according to claim 9 including:

a colter pivotally mounted on said frame; and

a release strap connected between said colter and said toggle elements whereby said colter will move said toggle elements off center when said colter engages an object.

11. A self-restoring type plow comprising a frame, a bracket pivotally mounted on said frame, a plow-carrying standard pivotally connected to said bracket, a pair of toggle elements connected between said bracket and said frame and movable between off center and on-center positions to pivot said bracket between operative an inoperative positions, means for biasing said toggle element toward an on-center position, a lever arm connected to said frame, a link connecting said standard to said lever arm, and means connecting said lever arm to said toggle elements to move said toggle elements off center when said standard pivots on said frame.

12. A self-restoring type plow according to claim 11 wherein said means connecting said lever arm to said toggle elements includes a connecting link, a slot in said connecting link and a pin extending through said slot and connected to said toggle elements.

13. An agricultural implement comprising a frame, a bracket, means for pivotally connecting said bracket to said frame, a standard, a working tool connected to said standard, means for pivotally connecting said standard to said bracket at a point intermediate the ends of said standard, a rigid link having one end connected to said standard at a point spaced from said pivotal connection of said standard and said bracket, the other end of said link being connected to said frame at a point spaced rearwardly of the pivotal connection between said standard and said bracket to afford rearward pivotal movement of said working tool relative to said bracket upon pivotal movement of said bracket relative to said frame as said working tool encounters severe draft pressure.

14. A self-restoring plow comprising a support frame. a

bracket pivotally connected to said support frame for movement from an operative to an inoperative position, a moldboard standard pivotally supported on said bracket, means for connecting said standard to said support frame, means yieldable under force for biasing said bracket to the operative position on said frame, a linkage assembly having toggle elements connected between said frame and said bracket, said toggle elements being movable between off center and on-center positions, said biasing means being connected to bias said toggle elements toward said on-center position, said biasing means comprising a hydraulic piston assembly connected between said frame and said toggle elements, and means for moving the connection of said hydraulic piston assembly to said frame whereby said toggle elements are maintained in an off center position.

15. An agricultural implement comprising a frame, a working tool, means for supporting said working tool on said frame, said means including a bracket and a standard, said working tool being connected to said standard, means for directly pivotally connecting said bracket to said frame to form a first pivotal axis for said working tool, means for pivotally connecting said standard to said bracket to form a second pivotal axis for said working tool means connected to said frame and pivotally connected to said means for supporting said working tool for yieldably biasing said working tool to the operative position from the tripped position to afford pivotal movement of said working tool about said first and second pivotal axes as said working tool encounters severe draft pressures, and linking means pivotally connected to said standard and pivotally connected to said frame to afford rearward angular displacement of said working tool relative to said bracket upon tripping of said working tool from the operative position.

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