Interlocked Or Interfitted Parts Patents (Class 172/753)
  • Patent number: 11447937
    Abstract: Wear caps protect the wearable surfaces of an adapter for an earth working equipment. These wear caps are subjected to erosion and wear by contact with abrasive material, such as experienced in an excavating operation. The wear caps can be attached to upper and lower legs of the adapter and protect them from wear. Each wear cap is secured to a retention feature on an independent mounting structure. The independent mounting structures are aligned and staggered such that installation of a wear cap onto the rearward independent mounting structure is conducted first. The independent mounting structures on an upper leg may be situated one above the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: ESCO GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Abram Hernandez, Yesenia Meraz-Torres, Christopher A. Johnston
  • Patent number: 11234352
    Abstract: A blade tip, and a tool combination having a blade tip, for an agricultural soil cultivation machine. The blade tip has a base part including a cutter, a cutter carrier, a guiding element and a receptacle for fastening the blade tip to a tine of the agricultural soil cultivation machine. The base part has a receptacle covered by covering portion. The guiding element has a plug attachment held in the receptacle, and a form-fitting connection preventing movement of the guiding element out of the receptacle, provided between the blade tip and the guiding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventors: Wolfgang Essig, Ulrich Kraemer, Florian Smeets, Fabian Seifried, Ruth Huber
  • Patent number: 10993362
    Abstract: A consumable shin for a tillage shank includes an integral U-shaped shin having a first side, a second side, and a bottom; the first side and the second side being spaced apart to form a volume therebetween; the first side having a first side surface having first side length and a first side width; the second side having a second side surface having a second side length and a second side width; the first side length being from a rear edge of a guard of a shoe engaging the tillage shank to a forward edge of a first side shield engaging the tillage shank; the second side length being from the rear edge of the guard of the shoe engaging the tillage shank to a forward edge of a second side shield engaging the tillage shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffery M. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 10721852
    Abstract: A cultivator for an agricultural soil processing machine, which includes a base part which has a cutting element on a cutter support. The base part has at least one screw receiving area for securing to a support, in particular a tine of the agricultural soil processing machine. The screw receiving area is designed as a blind hole with an inner thread and is recessed into a cultivator support surface aligned opposite the tool advancing direction of the cultivator, or the screw receiving area is designed as a through-bore with an inner thread and is covered by at least one wear protection element in the tool advancing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Betek GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Fabian Seifried, Uwe Schneider, Stefan Ruggaber, Wolfgang Essig
  • Patent number: 10378178
    Abstract: A system and a method configured to produce a precisely fitted attachment blade and a corresponding excavator scoop and templates configured to produce a precisely fitted attachment blade and a corresponding excavator scoop. Thus a transportation requirements to a construction site can be significantly reduced. Furthermore attachment blades for particular excavator scoops can be produced quickly for particular excavator scoops and excavator scoops can be configured with tooth holders. Furthermore existing attachment blades and excavator scoops can be regenerated quickly when service is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Franz Kassecker GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Andritzky
  • Patent number: 10143122
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool system for an agricultural ground cultivating machine having a base part which communicates, by means of a releasable connection, with a carrier element, in particular with a tine of the agricultural ground cultivating machine, wherein the base part comprises a cutter and, adjoining the cutter, at least one hard material element, and wherein the carrier element comprises, in its end region pointing in the operating direction, laterally arranged wing shares which are fitted with hard metal plates. In this case, it is provided that the edge of the wing share which is fitted with hard metal plates runs up to a lateral surface of the carrier element. The present invention additionally relates to an associated wing coulter. The tool system has reduced wear and tear and consequently extended changing intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Betek GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Florian Smeets, Ulrich Kraemer, Fabian Seifried
  • Patent number: 9820421
    Abstract: An earth working tool (20), in particular a cultivator bar for agriculture, has a mounting segment (21) and a working part (22) directly or indirectly adjoining it. A wear-optimized design for the earth working tool (20) is achieved according to the present invention by the fact the mounting segment (21) comprises two support surfaces (21.6, 21.8), spaced apart from one another, that are part of a hook-in connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: BETEK GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Florian Smeets, Heiko Friederichs
  • Patent number: 9736973
    Abstract: A soil working tool, such as a cultivator tip, having a carrier which bears a primary cutting element and at least two secondary cutting elements on a cutter holder, wherein both the primary cutting element and the secondary cutting elements include a cutting edge. To optimize the penetration to achieve better cutting results, the cutting edges of the secondary cutting elements are arranged offset with respect to the cutting edges of the primary cutting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Betek GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Widmaier, Florian Smeets
  • Patent number: 9605416
    Abstract: A spacer shim for locating between adjacent ground engaging tools of a work implement for an earth working machine includes a shim body, a shim upper protrusion, and a shim retention surface. The shim body includes a shim first leg and a shim second leg spaced apart to form a shim slot for receiving a lip of the work implement. The shim upper protrusion extends from the shim body and is adjacent to the shim first leg. The shim retention surface extends between the forward end and the shim upper protrusion and is configured to contact a bottom surface of a portion of an adjacent ground engaging tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Simon Campomanes
  • Patent number: 8037944
    Abstract: Fastening device for coupling ploughing elements in agricultural cultivation machines, the ploughing elements including ploughshares, points, blades or any similar type of tool, the fastening device including an intermediate fastening element, formed by a solid body, which joins the ploughing element to the support arm; the intermediate fastening element being equipped with a fastening arrangement for linking thereof to the support arm; a guiding arrangement for insertion of the former inside the ploughing element; and an aperture, passable transversely with respect to the direction of the guiding arrangement and intended for insertion of a retractable pin which, in an insertion position for the pin, acts as a retaining element for the ploughing element with respect to the intermediate fastening element such that the fastening device enables the user/operator to manually replace or reposition the ploughing element, avoiding any need for accessory tools for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Digger Tools, S.L.
    Inventor: Carles Arnabat Castellvi
  • Patent number: 8037943
    Abstract: Fastening device for coupling of blades in agricultural cultivation machines, in particular, tilling machines such as rotary tillers, including an intermediate fastening element, formed by a solid body, which joins the blade to the rotary plate; the intermediate fastening element being equipped with a fastening arrangement for linking the fastening arrangement to the rotary plate; a guiding arrangement for insertion of the blade into the intermediate fastening element; and at least one through hole, extending transversely with respect to the direction of the guiding arrangement and intended for insertion of a retractable pin which, when the pin is inserted, acts as a retaining element for the blade with respect to the intermediate fastening element such that the arrangement enables the user/operator to manually replace and/or reset the tilling blade, avoiding any need for accessory tools commonly used for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Digger Tools, S.L.
    Inventor: Carles Arnabat Castellvi
  • Patent number: 7891436
    Abstract: A furrow opener comprises an opener body including a shank mount arranged to support the opener body on an agricultural implement shank for movement in a forward working direction and a tip body readily separable from the opener body and arranged for forming a furrow in the ground in the working direction. The tip body includes a furrowing portion extending downwardly and forwardly beyond the opener body so as to be arranged to form the furrow in the ground. A retainer member is supported on the opener body to retain a portion of the tip body adjacent the top end thereof on the opener body to provide support to the tip body against a moment acting on the tip body from the rearward force on the furrowing portion during furrow formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Brian Cruson
  • Patent number: 7874086
    Abstract: A locking assembly for retaining a wear member to excavating equipment has a locking element that is received into an opening in the assembly and is movable about a pivot axis in the opening between a hold position and a release position. The locking element has an outer edge that is generally opposite the pivot axis that opposes a base surface of the opening when the locking element is in the hold position. The outer edge is configured to pull away from the base surface when the locking element is rotated from the hold position toward the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Esco Corporation
    Inventors: Terry L. Briscoe, Christopher M. Carpenter, Aaron B. Lian
  • Patent number: 7862277
    Abstract: There is disclosed a pair of components which, in the embodiment described, are a tooth (2) and adaptor (3) for earth-moving apparatus (1). The adaptor is for mounting the tooth on an earth-moving bucket, this mounting being releasable to allow replacement of the tooth when worn. The components define aligned passages (11) through which a locking pin (12) extends to retain the components together. The locking pin has formations (22) for engaging formations (20) on the first component when the pin is rotated from a free position into a locked position. The pin has an insertion recess (27) which is aligned with the formations (20) allowing the pin, in the free position, to be inserted into, or removed from, the aligned passages. The formations (20) are resiliently movable to stably engage the pin when in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventors: David Dingwall, Wayne Brinkley, Bruce Gale
  • Publication number: 20100175901
    Abstract: Fastening device for coupling of blades in agricultural cultivation machines, in particular, tilling machines such as rotary tillers, including an intermediate fastening element, formed by a solid body, which joins the blade to the rotary plate; the intermediate fastening element being equipped with a fastening arrangement for linking the fastening arrangement to the rotary plate; a guiding arrangement for insertion of the blade into the intermediate fastening element; and at least one through hole, extending transversely with respect to the direction of the guiding arrangement and intended for insertion of a retractable pin which, when the pin is inserted, acts as a retaining element for the blade with respect to the intermediate fastening element such that the arrangement enables the user/operator to manually replace and/or reset the tilling blade, avoiding any need for accessory tools commonly used for this purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: DIGGER TOOLS, S.L.
    Inventor: Carles Arnabat Castellvi
  • Patent number: 7743534
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The plow blade includes a two piece mold board, the mold board preferably being an aluminum extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 7640684
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a releasable locking assembly for attaching a wear member to a support structure. It may be used with excavating equipment for attaching ground-engaging teeth to adaptors, lip shrouds to bucket lips, or other analogous uses. The wear member includes at least one pin-retainer-receiving opening in one side. The opening is tapered, being narrower at its outer surface and wider at its inner surface. The support structure includes at least one pin-receiving recess which generally aligns with the opening in the wear member when the wear member and the support structure are operatively coupled. The pin retainer is a frustoconically shaped cylinder which is threaded internally. It is inserted into the opening in the wear member. The wear member is slidably mounted onto the support structure. The pin is an elongate body which is externally threaded. It is screwed into the pin retainer by the application of torque force from a standard ratchet tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Esco Corporation
    Inventors: Dwight L. Adamic, Murray Smith
  • Patent number: 7478490
    Abstract: A device is provided for attaching a first part in the form of an instrument or tool to a second part in the form of a beam or such on a working machine having, on each of the parts, one engagement member fixed thereto, which are designed to be driven into engagement with each other so that the force of gravity on the first part holds the parts attached to one another. A first (17) of the engagement members is of the male-type having external surfaces converging towards each other and a second of the engagement members is of the female-type having internal surfaces converging towards each other in a corresponding way to said surfaces of the first engagement means for receiving and holding the first engagement means in the second engagement means under the influence of the force of gravity on the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Stock of Sweden AB
    Inventor: Max Segerljung
  • Patent number: 7331402
    Abstract: A device for attaching blades to rings which are integrally connected to a rotating shaft for an agricultural machine. Each ring has several cutouts which can receive, by nesting support feet of flat segments, each segment bearing one or several blades, for mounting the segments to the ring adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction and for configuring the segments into a blade support disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: SAS Dairon
    Inventors: Michel Maurice Dairon, José Alain Loyer
  • Patent number: 7255179
    Abstract: A cultivator sweep assembly having a sweep adapted for releasable attachment to a shank of a mobile agricultural apparatus. The sweep assembly includes a sweep having a more narrow profile, and a coupling attached to a tapered end portion of the shank and disposed between the sweep and the supporting shank. The sweep includes a stem portion that defines a housing configured to frictionally receive and engage the tapered end portion of the shank. The end portion of the shank having the coupling attached thereto is slidably received within the housing until a projection of the coupling is received through a top opening of the housing. The projection received through the top opening indicating that the end portion of the shank is sufficiently received within the housing of the sweep, and that the sweep is mounted to the shank with sufficient force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Lorne R. Pollard
  • Patent number: 7240741
    Abstract: Sweep retaining structure includes a spring wire retainer with a base supported in a groove on the underside of the wedge support which mates with a stem portion of the sweep. The wedge support is apertured, and a central curved portion of the retainer passes through the aperture and supports a sweep-contacting end above the surface of the wedge support. The end is biased toward a contact area on the sweep to engage the area and eliminate sweep loss problems by preventing the sweep from slipping downwardly from the mounted position. To remove the sweep, a tool is inserted through the slot to depress the retainer end, and the sweep is forced off the wedge support. A raised area on the sweep directs soil away from the retainer and contact area to reduce wear and eliminate depression of the end during operation. The underside of the raised area positions the wire end and provides bend-resisting support for the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard David Zaun, Benoit Poutré, Donald Ray Peck, Mark Beeck, Richard Wayne Hook, James Michael VanAuwelaer, Jarrod Ray Ruckle
  • Patent number: 7219454
    Abstract: An attachment system for connecting a first member such as a lip plate (12) of a mechanical digging device to a second member such as a ground engaging tool (10). The first member has a lug portion (22) attached thereto the second member has a recess (50) arranged, in use, about the lug portion. A clamping member (60) is disposed between the lug portion (22) and the second member (10) such that the supply of pressure to the clamping member (60) acts to restrain disengagement of the second member (10) from the lug portion (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Shark Abrasion Systems Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Patrick Gerard Maher
  • Patent number: 7210540
    Abstract: A securing arrangement for a tool (7) of an agricultural tillage implement of a type having a tapered interconnection between a socket (5) on the tool and an adaptor piece (3) adapted for mounting onto a tine (1) of the tillage implement. The adaptor piece (3) has a recess (9) which can be an aperture or a pair of transverse arcuate slots (31) for receiving a retaining pin(11). The socket (5) on the tool has notches (15) on its opposed sides and a portion (13) on the retaining pin in use engages into at least one of the notches (15) to prevent disengagement of the socket (5) from the adaptor piece (3). The adaptor piece can be integral with the tine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Osmundson Australia Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Graeme Stanley Ward, Thomas George Chapman
  • Patent number: 7124836
    Abstract: Sweep retaining structure includes a retainer having a contact end biased towards the sweep. The sweep includes two or more spaced end-receiving areas to accommodate changes in the mounted sweep position. In one embodiment, the retainer is a wire made of spring steel having a contact end biased against the underside of the sweep. In one embodiment, the underside of the sweep includes a series of stepped portions. As the sweep is forced on the adapter on the shank, the contact end springs into retaining position on the stepped portion that aligns with the spring end when the sweep is in the mounted position. The sweep can be attached loosely by hand in an initial position with operating forces moving the sweep to a wedge locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Benoit Jocelyn Poutre, Richard Wayne Hook, James Thomas Noonan, Donald Ray Peck, Michael Sieben Egert
  • Patent number: 7086185
    Abstract: In a device for coupling a tooth onto an adaptor nose with a key, the tooth includes a skirt shrouding the adapter nose beyond the key passage zone and having a configuration connected to a return wall, comprising a bordering ridge. The wall is provided in the width of the skirt and corresponds to the passage and positioning of the key. Proximate the ends of the wall, and in the thickness of the skirt, are provided passage openings for the key devoid of abutting function in operation and ensuring a guiding and stopping function only when the key is inserted or removed. The key comprises two components transversely mobile relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: AFE Metal
    Inventors: Charles Pasqualini, Jean Marc Noailly
  • Patent number: 7070007
    Abstract: Sweep retaining structure includes a retainer having a contact end biased towards the sweep. The sweep includes two or more spaced end-receiving areas to accommodate changes in the mounted sweep position. In one embodiment, the retainer is a wire made of spring steel having a contact end biased against the underside of the sweep. In one embodiment, the underside of the sweep includes a series of stepped portions. As the sweep is forced on the adapter on the shank, the contact end springs into retaining position on the stepped portion that aligns with the spring end when the sweep is in the mounted position. The sweep can be attached loosely by hand in an initial position with operating forces moving the sweep to a wedge locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Benoit Jocelyn Poutre, Richard Wayne Hook, James Thomas Noonan, Donald Ray Peck, Michael Sieben Egert
  • Patent number: 6993861
    Abstract: A wear assembly provided with a tapered opening and a complementary tapered lock wherein the lock can be pried into and from the opening to thereby eliminate the need for hammering. The lock is formed with a body and a latch that is movable between a hold position where the latch is engageable with a stop in the opening to releasably retain the lock in the opening and a release position where the latch disengages the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Esco Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Carpenter, David M. Graf
  • Patent number: 6959506
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a releasable locking assembly for attaching a wear member to a support structure. It may be used with excavating equipment for attaching ground-engaging teeth to adaptors, lip shrouds to bucket lips, or other analogous uses. The wear member includes at least one pin-retainer-receiving opening in one side. The opening is tapered, being narrower at its outer surface and wider at its inner surface. The support structure includes at least one pin-receiving recess which generally aligns with the opening in the wear member when the wear member and the support structure are operatively coupled. The pin retainer is a frustoconically shaped cylinder which is threaded internally. It is inserted into the opening in the wear member. The wear member is slidably mounted onto the support structure. The pin is an elongate body which is externally threaded. It is screwed into the pin retainer by the application of torque force from a standard ratchet tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Quality Steel Foundries Ltd.
    Inventors: Dwight L. Adamic, Murray Smith
  • Patent number: 6938700
    Abstract: Sweep retaining structure includes a spring wire retainer with a base supported in a groove on the underside of the wedge support which mates with a stem portion of the sweep. The wedge support is apertured, and a central curved portion of the retainer passes through the aperture and supports a sweep-contacting end above the surface of the wedge support. The end is biased toward a contact area on the sweep to engage the area and eliminate sweep loss problems by preventing the sweep from slipping downwardly from the mounted position. To remove the sweep, a tool is inserted through the slot to depress the retainer end, and the sweep is forced off the wedge support. A raised area on the sweep directs soil away from the retainer and contact area to reduce wear and eliminate depression of the end during operation. The underside of the raised area positions the wire end and provides bend-resisting support for the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard David Zaun, Benoit Poutré , Donald Ray Peck, Mark Beeck, Richard Wayne Hook, James Michael VanAuwelaer, Jarrod Ray Ruckle
  • Patent number: 6757995
    Abstract: A system for coupling excavation equipment components is provided. The system includes a retainer pin having first and second detents which are extendable axially from a surface of the retainer pin, in response to rotation of a valve seated at least partially within a cylindrical bore which extends at least partially through the retainer pin. In accordance with the particular embodiment, the valve includes at least one slotted portion configured to receive the detents at least partially therein, when the detents are in a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: TRN Business Trust
    Inventor: Sherlock K. Pippins
  • Patent number: 6735890
    Abstract: A wear assembly includes an adapter with a nose, a wear member with a socket to receive the nose, and a lock to secure the wear member to the adapter. The nose and socket include complementary rails and grooves that vertically diverge as they extend from the front of the nose. The lock can have a tapered construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: ESCO Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Carpenter, Robert S. Fleck, Terry L. Briscoe, Daniel R. Danks, Venkat R. Gaurav, Larren F. Jones
  • Patent number: 6684963
    Abstract: Sweep retaining structure includes a retainer having a contact end biased towards the sweep. The sweep includes two or more spaced end-receiving areas to accommodate changes in the mounted sweep position. In one embodiment, the retainer is a wire made of spring steel having a contact end biased against the underside of the sweep. In one embodiment, the underside of the sweep includes a series of stepped portions. As the sweep is forced on the adapter on the shank, the contact end springs into retaining position on the stepped portion that aligns with the spring end when the sweep is in the mounted position. The sweep can be attached loosely by hand in an initial position with operating forces moving the sweep to a wedge locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Benoit Jocelyn Poutre, Richard Wayne Hook, James Thomas Noonan, Donald Ray Peck, Michael Sieben Egert
  • Publication number: 20040016153
    Abstract: A system for coupling excavation equipment components is provided. The system includes a retainer pin having first and second detents which are extendable axially from a surface of the retainer pin, in response to rotation of a valve seated at least partially within a cylindrical bore which extends at least partially through the retainer pin. In accordance with the particular embodiment, the valve includes at least one slotted portion configured to receive the detents at least partially therein, when the detents are in a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: TRN BUSINESS TRUST
    Inventor: Sherlock K. Pippins
  • Patent number: 6668940
    Abstract: A cultivator point assembly includes an adaptor having a front and a rear end, and intended to be mounted to a cultivator machine at an upper end and having a foot projecting from a lower end. A cultivator point is adapted to be engaged with the adaptor and has a mounting section and a forward ground-working edge. An aperture in the mounting section is adapted to receive the foot of the adaptor in a first reversed position, whereafter the cultivator point is rotated 180° relative to the adaptor into an intermediate position in which the ground working edge is in a forward facing position relative to the adaptor, and is then moved rearwardly relative to the adaptor into a working position. A stop in use prevents unintentional detachment of the cultivator point from the adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Austin Timothy Ryan
  • Patent number: 6607040
    Abstract: A replaceable wear part for mounting on a leading edge of a working tool, the leading edge and the wear part having co-operative guide formations extending generally perpendicular to the leading edge and which provide a socket and projection type of slidable inter-fit whereby the wear part can be driven by a force extending generally perpendicular to the leading edge in order to take-up a working position in which it is secured against displacement from the working position by frictional interengagement between the guide formations on the wear part and the leading edge, and without need for threaded or other separate removable fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Kverneland Klepp AS
    Inventor: Magne Skjaeveland
  • Publication number: 20030150628
    Abstract: Sweep retaining structure includes a spring wire retainer with a base supported in a groove on the underside of the wedge support which mates with a stem portion of the sweep. The wedge support is apertured, and a central curved portion of the retainer passes through the aperture and supports a sweep-contacting end above the surface of the wedge support. The end is biased toward a contact area on the sweep to engage the area and eliminate sweep loss problems by preventing the sweep from slipping downwardly from the mounted position. To remove the sweep, a tool is inserted through the slot to depress the retainer end, and the sweep is forced off the wedge support. A raised area on the sweep directs soil away from the retainer and contact area to reduce wear and eliminate depression of the end during operation. The underside of the raised area positions the wire end and provides bend-resisting support for the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Richard David Zaun, Benoit Poutre, Donald Ray Peck, Mark Beeck, Richard Wayne Hook, James Michael VanAuwelaer, Jarrod Ray Ruckle
  • Patent number: 6585058
    Abstract: Sweep retaining structure includes a spring wire retainer with a base supported in a groove on the underside of the wedge support which mates with a stem portion of the sweep. The wedge support is apertured, and a central curved portion of the retainer passes through the aperture and supports a sweep-contacting end above the surface of the wedge support. The end is biased toward a contact area on the sweep to engage the area and eliminate sweep loss problems by preventing the sweep from slipping downwardly from the mounted position. To remove the sweep, a tool is inserted through the slot to depress the retainer end, and the sweep is forced off the wedge support. A raised area on the sweep directs soil away from the retainer and contact area to reduce wear and eliminate depression of the end during operation. The underside of the raised area positions the wire end and provides bend-resisting support for the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard David Zaun, Benoit Poutré, Donald Ray Peck, Mark Beeck, Richard Wayne Hook, James Michael VanAuwelaer, Jarrod Ray Ruckle
  • Publication number: 20030037936
    Abstract: A replaceable wear part (13, 22, 22a, 32, 41) for mounting on a leading edge (12, 27) of a working tool (10, 27, 30), said leading edge and said wear part having co-operative guide formations (16, 18) extending generally perpendicular to the leading edge and which provide a socket and projection type of slidable inter-fit whereby the wear part can be driven by a force extending generally perpendicular to the leading edge in order to take-up a working position in which it is secured against displacement from the working position by frictional inter-engagement between the guide formations (16, 18) on the wear part and the leading edge, and without need for threaded or other separate removable fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Magne Skjaeveland
  • Patent number: 6490816
    Abstract: A tooth cap for construction machinery having a chisel-shaped body formed with a socket and a wedge-shaped portion extending from the socket and having a pair of mutually converging working flanks, at least one of the working flanks being formed with a plurality of ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Intertractor GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Ketting
  • Patent number: 6460319
    Abstract: A vegetation trimming and edging device has an adjustable head that permits selective positioning between trimming and edging orientations. A shaft extends between the head and a handle. The head receives one end of the shaft. A coupling mechanism couples the head and shaft, and locks the head against rotational movement about the shaft. In particular, the coupling mechanism includes a locking structure and a bias mechanism. The bias mechanism urges the locking structure into engagement to prevent rotational movement of the head. Downward pressure applied to the head overcomes the bias, however, and disengages the locking mechanism for rotation of the head between trimming and edging modes. When the downward pressure is released, the locking mechanism is again engaged to lock the head in position for the desired operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Marshall, Michael Milligan, Iulian Bejan
  • Patent number: 6457269
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ground-engaging tool which is connected or connectable to a lip on an excavation bucket. The ground-engaging tool includes a tool body which is formed from a material having a hardness of approximately 40 Rockwell C hardness and which defines a contact surface at one end for receiving impacts in use. Extending through a substantial portion of the tool body from the contact surface is a hardened core formed from a material having a hardness which is at least 20% greater than the hardness of the material of the tool body for transferring impacts through the tool body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Sarl
    Inventors: Schalk Willem Petrus Esterhuyse, Louw Kriel
  • Patent number: 6378622
    Abstract: A tool for agricultural labors such as tilling, cultivating, cutting, chopping haulm and soil, fertilizing works, closing and opening furrows, the tool comprising a disc member having a center portion thereof shaped into a housing integrally forming one piece with the disc member, the housing having an inner wall for tightly receiving a bearing, the housing comprising a tubular portion formed in the disc member by stamping or by forging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Ingersoll Argentina S.A.
    Inventor: Bruno Romeo Kostrun
  • Patent number: 6315057
    Abstract: Sweep apparatus may be easily secured to and removed from a tine by a pair of flex pins. The sweep includes a plate and a pair of side flanges extending downwardly from the plate through which the flex pins extend. An adapter shoe is used to secure the sweep to a tine, or a tine may directly include a pair of laterally extending bores against which the flanges of the sweep are disposed and through which the flex pins extend to secure the sweep to the tine without the adapter shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas W. Borter
  • Patent number: 6315058
    Abstract: An improved soil-working implement. The implement comprises a shank having a free-end portion; a one-piece adapter defining a recess, wherein the adapter is removably affixed to the shank free-end portion; a one-piece shovel; and an elastomeric element frictionally removably retained within the recess of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Eugen J. Birkenbach, Donald J. Sanderson
  • Patent number: 6301866
    Abstract: A vegetation trimming and edging device has an adjustable head that permits selective positioning between trimming and edging orientations. A shaft extends between the head and a handle. The head receives one end of the shaft. A coupling mechanism couples the head and shaft, and locks the head against rotational movement about the shaft. In particular, the coupling mechanism includes a locking structure and a bias mechanism. The bias mechanism urges the locking structure into engagement to prevent rotational movement of the head. Downward pressure applied to the head overcomes the bias, however, and disengages the locking mechanism for rotation of the head between trimming and edging modes. When the downward pressure is released, the locking mechanism is again engaged to lock the head in position for the desired operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Marshall, Michael Milligan, Iulian Bejan
  • Patent number: 6209466
    Abstract: A two piece seed boot for a seeding machine has a upper cast portion and a lower cast portion. Both the upper and lower portions are provided with aligned seed passages which received metered seed from the seed tube and discharge the metered seed to the planting furrow. The upper cast portion is mounted to the planting unit frame and the seed tube by an integral mounting clevis. The lower cast portion is provided with first and second upward extending mounting lugs. The first mounting lug is received in a recess formed in the upper portion. The second mounting lug engages the planting furrow side of the upper portion. The rear of the upper and lower portions are provided with aligned mounting holes through which a mounting bolt passes securing the lower portion to the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Timothy Dirk Wodrich
  • Patent number: 6158524
    Abstract: A cultivator component clamping assembly for attaching a component to an implement crossbar having a plurality of faces includes a pair of generally C-shaped members each having a throat opposing a first face of the implement bar. Each C-shaped member also include a first leg and a second leg attached to and extending from the throat for placement about the implement crossbar. A retaining member is attached near the distal ends of the first and second legs and opposite a second face of the implement crossbar. The clamping assembly also includes a wedge inserted between the inclined face of the retaining member and a second face of the of the implement crossbar. A first keeper member attached between the first legs and a second keeper member attached between the second legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Phillip W. Geertson
  • Patent number: 6131670
    Abstract: An attachment kit with swiveling wheel for converting a self-propelled rotary tiller with rear tines and motor driven wheels into a towing machine. The attachment kit is secured to the tiller in place of the drag stake. A mounting bracket (8) allows for the assembly to be easily mounted to the rotary tiller without removing either tines (11) or the tine guard (12). The attachment kit with swiveling wheel (9) adds versatility and stability to the rotary tiller by converting it into a towing machine which can be used to tow many different types of trailers, nut harvesters, garden carts, etc. A towing tower (10a) and (10b) to facilitate towing a nut harvester easily connects to the attachment kit. The attachment kit also accepts ball-type hitches and drop-pin hitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: John Travis Johnson
  • Patent number: 6095255
    Abstract: A cultivator component part clamping assembly for removably attaching a component part to an implement crossbar having a plurality of faces. The clamping assembly includes a generally C-shaped brace having a throat, a first leg and a second leg attached to and extending from the throat for placement about the implement crossbar. The clamping assembly includes a first keeper and a second keeper each attached near the distal end of the first leg and the second leg respectively for retaining a member of the clamping assembly near the distal ends of the first and second legs and opposite a face of the implement crossbar. The clamping assembly also includes an retaining member attached to the C-brace including an inclined face opposing the implement crossbar and a wedge pin removably insertable between the inclined face of the retaining member and the face of the implement crossbar. The clamping assembly may also include a removably insertable tool shank attached to a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Phillip W. Geertson
  • Patent number: 6030143
    Abstract: An improved locking pin for locking together two pieces of equipment through aligned locking apertures. The pin comprises a steel casing, a steel insert and an elastomer member. The two steel parts assemble together in a particular sequence and are adjusted so that when completely assembled, the insert is locked into the casing with the body of the casing and the insert being parallel and spaced from one another. The elastomer member is interposed in the space defined between the casing and insert, and fills the space between the steel parts. The assembled steel parts are firmly locked together by introduction of the elastomer member into that space. There is no adhesive joining the steel and elastomer members which makes the pin more amenable for use in corrosive environments and also eases manufacture of the pin components. A tightly constructed locking pin also avoids the problems of the components becoming loose or lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Esco Corporation
    Inventor: John S. Kreitzberg