Plural Interconnected Relatively Movable Wheels Patents (Class 172/288)
  • Patent number: 8342255
    Abstract: An agricultural implement is provided that includes a hitch assembly configured to couple the agricultural implement to a tow vehicle, and a carrier frame pivotally coupled to the hitch assembly. The agricultural implement also includes a pair of wheel assemblies each rotatably coupled to the carrier frame by a respective pivot joint. The agricultural implement further includes an actuator assembly configured to rotate each wheel assembly about the respective pivot joint in a first direction by applying a first torque, and to rotate each wheel assembly about the respective pivot joint in a second direction, opposite the first direction, by applying a second torque. A magnitude of the first torque and a magnitude of the second torque are substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Connors, Brian Anderson, Marvin A. Prickel, Leonard A. Bettin
  • Patent number: 8186449
    Abstract: An implement wheel assembly includes two individual wheel arms tied together by a linkage that pivots about a fore-and-aft extending axis at a location above the wheels and generally above the plane of the implement frame. The linkage constrains the wheel arms to pivot in opposite vertical directions as the implement moves over irregular ground surfaces to improve weight distribution on the wheels. Spring structure may be interposed between the ends of a pivoting linkage and the individual wheel arms to lower frame impact forces. The structure allows two wheels to be placed side-by-side with their axes generally aligned and reduces under-frame hardware to improve crop and soil and trash flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Ryan A. Hackert, Jarrod R. Ruckle, Shawn J. Becker, Roderick A. Healy, Garrett L. Goins
  • Patent number: 7971886
    Abstract: An implement includes a caster wheel pivotally attached to the implement to support the implement for movement. A steering link is engaged with the caster wheel, and an actuator is operative to move the steering link from a neutral position to a controlling position. When the steering link is in the neutral position, the caster wheel can pivot about the caster axis through a 360 degree pivot range. When the steering link is moved to the controlling position, the caster wheel is oriented to roll toward a first side of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Highline Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Blake Neudorf, Scott Fairbum
  • Patent number: 5044447
    Abstract: A guide and control device for an agricultural machine subjected in operation to a high lateral thrust in relation to its direction of traction, such as a disk-type stubble-plough includes a guide and control system having at the front, a set of freely oscillating twin wheels the orientation of which for a change from a road-travel position to a soil-working position is controlled from a bar for coupling to a tractor. A carrying wheel is arranged in a central part of the frame, and at the rear thereof are arranged freely oscillating twin carrying wheels and furrow wheels controllable simultaneously from their road-travel position to their working position, and vice versa. The multiplicity of carrying wheels guarantees that sufficient grip with the soil is maintained permanently, thus preventing any lateral slip of the machine during passage over a movable obstacle, this also being assisted by the automatic orientation of the twin wheels by means of their freely oscillating mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventor: Jacques F. Langeoire
  • Patent number: 4552375
    Abstract: An implement frame convertible between use and transport positions and pulled lengthwise for road transport has an improved hitch assembly and an improved transport steering mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon E. Kinzenbaw