IPC분류정보
| 국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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| 국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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| 출원번호 |
US-0603686
(2012-09-05)
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| 등록번호 |
US-8511049
(2013-08-20)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Thompson, Kent L.
- Bollinger, Shane A.
- Bentzinger, Rustin V.
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| 출원인 / 주소 |
- Vermeer Manufacturing Co.
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| 대리인 / 주소 |
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| 인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
82 |
초록
▼
A suspension system for agricultural implements having at least one floating head using a four-bar linkage and permitting the floating head to accommodate variations in ground surface elevation in a lateral or transverse direction. By permitting the floating head to float, a more consistent cutting
A suspension system for agricultural implements having at least one floating head using a four-bar linkage and permitting the floating head to accommodate variations in ground surface elevation in a lateral or transverse direction. By permitting the floating head to float, a more consistent cutting height is realized when ground surface elevation varies in a transverse direction. A main frame is provided to which the ground engaging wheels are attached. A sub-frame is connected to the main frame via the four-bar linkage. The sub-frame is pivotally attached to the arms of the four-bar linkage by spherical bearings.
대표청구항
▼
1. A method of suspending a header from an agricultural implement to permit the header to float, the agricultural implement comprising a main frame, a sub-frame comprising a first side and a second side, and a four-bar linkage system comprising an upper link, a lower link, and an actuator, the metho
1. A method of suspending a header from an agricultural implement to permit the header to float, the agricultural implement comprising a main frame, a sub-frame comprising a first side and a second side, and a four-bar linkage system comprising an upper link, a lower link, and an actuator, the method comprising: (a) operatively, pivotally attaching a first end of the upper link of the four-bar linkage system to the main frame of the agricultural implement using a first spherical bearing;(b) operatively, pivotally attaching a second end of the upper link to the first side of the sub-frame using a second spherical bearing;(c) operatively, pivotally attaching a first end of the lower link of the four-bar linkage system to the main frame using a first cylindrical bearing;(d) operatively, using a third spherical bearing to pivotally attach a second end of the lower link to the first side of the sub-frame in an orientation so that the lower link and upper link are not parallel;(e) operatively, pivotally attaching the actuator to the first side of the sub-frame for raising and lowering the sub-frame; and(f) operatively attaching the header of the agricultural implement to the second side of the sub-frame. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein operatively, pivotally attaching the second end of the upper link to the first side of the sub-frame comprises operatively, pivotally attaching the second end of the upper link to the rear side of the sub-frame. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein operatively attaching the header of the agricultural implement to the second side of the sub-frame comprises operatively attaching the header of the agricultural implement to the front side of the sub-frame. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the lower link comprises a first lower link and the upper link comprises a first upper link, the agricultural implement additionally comprising a second lower link and a second upper link, the method additionally comprising: (a) operatively, pivotally attaching a first end of the second upper link to the main frame of the agricultural implement using a fourth spherical bearing;(b) operatively, pivotally attaching a second end of the second upper link to the sub-frame using a fifth spherical bearing;(c) operatively, pivotally attaching a first end of the second lower link to the main frame using a second cylindrical bearing; and(d) operatively, pivotally attaching a second end of the second lower link to the sub-frame using a sixth spherical bearing. 5. The method of claim 4 additionally comprising operatively, rigidly attaching the second end of the first lower link to the second end of the second lower link. 6. The method of claim 4 additionally comprising disposing the first end of the first upper link nearer the first end of the second upper link than the second end of the first upper link to the second end of the second upper link. 7. The method of claim 4 additionally comprising disposing the second end of the first lower link nearer the second end of the second lower link than the first end of the first lower link to the first end of the second lower link. 8. The method of claim 4 additionally comprising disposing the first end of the first lower link nearer the first end of the second lower link than the second end of the first lower link to the second end of the second lower link. 9. The method of claim 4 additionally comprising disposing the second end of the first upper link nearer the second end of the second upper link than the first end of the first upper link to the first end of the second upper link. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the header comprises a first header section and a second header section, the method comprising: (a) suspending the first header section from the first cylindrical bearing;(b) disposing an axis of rotation of the first cylindrical bearing substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the agricultural implement;(c) suspending the second header section from a second cylindrical bearing;(d) disposing an axis of rotation of the second cylindrical bearing substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the agricultural implement; and(e) permitting the first header section to pivot on the first cylindrical bearing independently of the pivoting of the second header section on the second cylindrical bearing. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the four bar linkage system is not an integral part of an agricultural tractor. 12. An agricultural implement comprising: (a) a left side;(b) a right side;(c) a main frame;(d) a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a forward direction;(e) a sub-frame;(f) a left upper link having a first end operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame by a first spherical bearing; and a second end operatively, pivotally connected to the sub-frame by a second spherical bearing;(g) a four-bar linkage comprising: a right upper link having a first end operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame by a third spherical bearing, and a second end operatively, pivotally connected to the sub-frame by a fourth spherical bearing;a lower link having a first end operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame by a cylindrical bearing, and a second end operatively pivotally connected to the sub-frame by a fifth spherical bearing, the lower link being non-parallel to the right and left upper links;(h) an actuator, operatively, pivotally connected to the sub-frame for raising and lowering the subframe; and(i) a work tool, operatively attached to the sub-frame that supports the work tool. 13. The agricultural implement of claim 12 wherein the lower link comprises a left lower link, the agricultural implement additionally comprising a right lower link having a first end operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame by a second cylindrical bearing, and a second end operatively, pivotally connected to the sub-frame by a sixth spherical bearing, both the left lower link and right lower link being non-parallel to both of the left and right upper links. 14. The agricultural implement of claim 13 wherein the second end of the left lower link is operatively, rigidly affixed to the second end of the right lower link. 15. The agricultural implement of claim 12 wherein the first end of the left upper link and the first end of the right upper link are disposed nearer to one another than the second end of the left upper link and the second end of the right upper link. 16. The agricultural implement of claim 12 wherein the first end of the left upper link and the first end of the right upper link are disposed farther apart relative to one another than the second end of the left upper link and the second end of the right upper link. 17. The agricultural implement of claim 13 wherein the first end of the left lower link and the first end of the right lower link are disposed nearer to one another than the second end of the left lower link and the second end of the right lower link. 18. The agricultural implement of claim 13 wherein the first end of the left lower link and the first end of the right lower link are disposed farther apart relative to one another than the second end of the left lower link and the second end of the right lower link. 19. The agricultural implement of claim 12 additionally comprising a tongue, operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame. 20. The agricultural implement of claim 12 wherein the sub-frame is disposed in front of the main frame. 21. The agricultural implement of claim 12 wherein the left upper link and lower link are substantially parallel when viewed from a transverse direction. 22. The agricultural implement of claim 12 additionally comprising: (a) an actuator attachment point disposed to a first side of the sub-frame and whereby the actuator is operatively, pivotally connected to the sub-frame; and(b) a work tool attachment point disposed to a second side of the sub-frame and whereby the work tool is operatively attached to the sub-frame. 23. The agricultural implement of claim 22 where in the first side of the sub-frame comprises the rear side of the sub-frame. 24. The agricultural implement of claim 22 where in the second side of the sub-frame comprises the front side of the sub-frame. 25. The agricultural implement of claim 12 wherein the four bar linkage is not an integral part of an agricultural tractor. 26. An agricultural implement comprising: (a) a main frame having a front, a left side, a right side and a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a forward direction;(b) a two-component sub-frame for supporting a work tool wherein a first component of the sub-frame is operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame via a four-bar linkage, and a second component of the sub-frame is operatively, pivotally connected to the work tool;(c) a left upper link having a first end operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame by a first spherical bearing; and a second end operatively, pivotally connected to the sub-frame by a second spherical bearing;(d) a right upper link having a first end operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame by a third spherical bearing, and a second end operatively, pivotally connected to the sub-frame by a fourth spherical bearing; and(e) a lower link having a first end operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame by a cylindrical bearing, and a second end operatively pivotally connected to the sub-frame by a fifth spherical bearing;(f) the left and right upper links being non-parallel to the lower link; and(g) an actuator connected to the sub-frame for raising and lowering the sub-frame. 27. The agricultural implement of claim 26 wherein the lower link comprises a left lower link, the agricultural implement additionally comprising a right lower link having a first end operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame by a second cylindrical bearing, and a second end operatively, pivotally connected to the sub-frame by a sixth spherical bearing. 28. The agricultural implement of claim 27 wherein the second end of the left lower link is operatively, rigidly affixed to the second end of the right lower link. 29. The agricultural implement of claim 26 wherein the four bar linkage is not an integral part of an agricultural tractor.
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