US3730435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Towable drive tower for center pivot irrigation systems
Assignee: Lindsay Corp
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Filing: 1971-06-03
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Granted: 1973-05-01
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Expires: 1991-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A towable drive tower for center pivot irrigation systems is disclosed herein which permits the system to be towed from one field location to another. A pair of gear boxes are selectively pivotally secured to opposite ends of the drive frame of each of the towers in the system. Each of the gear boxes has a drive wheel mounted on the output shaft thereof which may be selectively changed from a direct connection to a free-wheeling connection to permit the entire system, including the center pivot, to be towed longitudinally. A power means is connected to the input shafts of the gear boxes for driving the drive wheels. The gear boses and wheels connected thereto may be pivoted 90* from their normal operating position to a towable position. The drive wheels are then disengaged from their driving connection with the gear boxes. Each of the gear cases have an extended hub which supports the outer end of the output shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 A Zimmerer
- 👤 B Zimmerer
- 👤 P Zimmerer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:12
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/09; A01G25/092; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
296 words
In combination, an elongated water distribution pipe, at least two support towers supporting said pipe, each of said tower means comprising an elongated, horizontally disposed drive frame means which is disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis oF said pipe, a wheel assembly at each end of said drive frame means, a power means for driving at least one of said wheel assemblies, the rotational axis of each of said wheel assemblies being normally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, and means for selectively pivoting said wheel assemblies with respect to the drive frame means to a tow position so that the rotational axis of each of said wheel assemblies will be transversely disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said pipe to permit said pipe and said support towers to be towed, said driven wheel assembly comprising, a gear box having an output shaft, a drive wheel mounted on said output shaft for rotation therewith, and means for disengaging said drive wheel from driving connection with said output shaft so that said drive wheel may freely rotate with respect to said output shaft when said wheel assembly has been pitovted to said tow position, said means for disengaging said drive wheel comprising, a first plate means rigidly secured to said output shaft for rotation therewith, said drive wheel being freely rotatably mounted on said output shaft outwardly of said first plate means, and a removable pin means extending through said drive wheel and said first plate means whereby driving connected between said output shaft and rive wheel is provided when said removable pin means is in place and wherein said drive wheel is free to rotate with respect to said output shaft and said first plate means when said pin means is removed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
296 words
In combination, an elongated water distribution pipe, at least two support towers supporting said pipe, each of said tower means comprising an elongated, horizontally disposed drive frame means which is disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis oF said pipe, a wheel assembly at each end of said drive frame means, a power means for driving at least one of said wheel assemblies, the rotational axis of each of said wheel assemblies being normally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, and means for selectively pivoting said wheel assemblies with respect to the drive frame means to a tow position so that the rotational axis of each of said wheel assemblies will be transversely disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said pipe to permit said pipe and said support towers to be towed, said driven wheel assembly comprising, a gear box having an output shaft, a drive wheel mounted on said output shaft for rotation therewith, and means for disengaging said drive wheel from driving connection with said output shaft so that said drive wheel may freely rotate with respect to said output shaft when said wheel assembly has been pitovted to said tow position, said means for disengaging said drive wheel comprising, a first plate means rigidly secured to said output shaft for rotation therewith, said drive wheel being freely rotatably mounted on said output shaft outwardly of said first plate means, and a removable pin means extending through said drive wheel and said first plate means whereby driving connected between said output shaft and rive wheel is provided when said removable pin means is in place and wherein said drive wheel is free to rotate with respect to said output shaft and said first plate means when said pin means is removed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
298 words
In combination, an elongated water distribution pipe, at least two support towers supporting said pipe, each of said tower means comprising an elongated, horizontally disposed drive frame means which is disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, a wheel assembly at each end of said drive frame means, a power means for driving at least one of said wheel assemblies, the rotational axis of each of said wheel assemblies being normally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, and means for selectively pivoting said wheel assemblies with respect to the drive frame means to a tow position so that the rotational axis of each of said wheel assemblies will be transversely disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said pipe to permit said pipe and said support towers to be towed, said driven wheel assembly comprising a gear box secured to said drive frame adjacent the end thereof having an input shaft operatively connected to said power means, a worm gear in said gear box connected to said input shaft, an output shaft extending from said gear box having a gear mounted thereon in said gear box which is in mesh with said worm gear, a wheel mounting means on said output shaft, a wheel secured to said wheel mounting means, and means selectively interconnecting said wheel mounting means and said wheel so that rotation of said input shaft by said power means will normally cause said worm gear, said gear and said wheel to be rotated, said means selectively interconnecting said wheel mounting means and said wheel being operable to permit said wheel to freely rotate with respect to said wheel mounting means, said output shaft, said gear, said worm gear and said input shaft to permit the support tower to be towed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
298 words
In combination, an elongated water distribution pipe, at least two support towers supporting said pipe, each of said tower means comprising an elongated, horizontally disposed drive frame means which is disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, a wheel assembly at each end of said drive frame means, a power means for driving at least one of said wheel assemblies, the rotational axis of each of said wheel assemblies being normally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, and means for selectively pivoting said wheel assemblies with respect to the drive frame means to a tow position so that the rotational axis of each of said wheel assemblies will be transversely disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said pipe to permit said pipe and said support towers to be towed, said driven wheel assembly comprising a gear box secured to said drive frame adjacent the end thereof having an input shaft operatively connected to said power means, a worm gear in said gear box connected to said input shaft, an output shaft extending from said gear box having a gear mounted thereon in said gear box which is in mesh with said worm gear, a wheel mounting means on said output shaft, a wheel secured to said wheel mounting means, and means selectively interconnecting said wheel mounting means and said wheel so that rotation of said input shaft by said power means will normally cause said worm gear, said gear and said wheel to be rotated, said means selectively interconnecting said wheel mounting means and said wheel being operable to permit said wheel to freely rotate with respect to said wheel mounting means, said output shaft, said gear, said worm gear and said input shaft to permit the support tower to be towed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
290 words
In combination, an elongated water distribution pipe, at least two support towers supporting said pipe, each of said tower means comprising an elongated, horizontally disposed drive frame means which is disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, a wheel assembly at each end of said drive frame means, a power means for driving at least one of said wheel assemblies, the rotational axis of each of said wheel assemblies being normally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, and means for selectively pivoting said wheel assemblies with respect to the drive frame means to a tow position so that the rotational axIs of each of said wheel assemblies will be transversely disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said pipe to permit said pipe and said support towers to be towed, each of said wheel assemblies being driven by said power means, each of said wheel assemblies comprising, a gear box secured to said drive frame adjacent the end thereof having an input shaft normally rotatable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said drive frame and an output shaft normally rotatable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, a drive wheel connected to said output shaft whereby rotation of said output shaft will normally cause said drive wheel to be rotated, said output shaft having a length sufficient so that clearance exists between said drive wheel and said input shaft, means for supporting the outer end of said output shaft, and means for disengaging said drive wheel from driving connection with said output shaft so that said drive wheel may freely rotate with respect to said output shaft when said wheel assembly has been pivoted to said tow position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
290 words
In combination, an elongated water distribution pipe, at least two support towers supporting said pipe, each of said tower means comprising an elongated, horizontally disposed drive frame means which is disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, a wheel assembly at each end of said drive frame means, a power means for driving at least one of said wheel assemblies, the rotational axis of each of said wheel assemblies being normally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, and means for selectively pivoting said wheel assemblies with respect to the drive frame means to a tow position so that the rotational axIs of each of said wheel assemblies will be transversely disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said pipe to permit said pipe and said support towers to be towed, each of said wheel assemblies being driven by said power means, each of said wheel assemblies comprising, a gear box secured to said drive frame adjacent the end thereof having an input shaft normally rotatable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said drive frame and an output shaft normally rotatable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, a drive wheel connected to said output shaft whereby rotation of said output shaft will normally cause said drive wheel to be rotated, said output shaft having a length sufficient so that clearance exists between said drive wheel and said input shaft, means for supporting the outer end of said output shaft, and means for disengaging said drive wheel from driving connection with said output shaft so that said drive wheel may freely rotate with respect to said output shaft when said wheel assembly has been pivoted to said tow position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein said gear box comprises a housing and wherein said means for supporting said gear box comprises an extended hub which is secured to said gear box and which extends outwardly from the gear box housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein a bearing means is provided in said extended hub for rotatably supporting the outer end of said output shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said bearing means is positioned closely adjacent the vertical center line of said drive wheel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
197 words
In combination, an elongated water distribution pipe, at least two support towers supporting said pipe, each of said tower means comprising an elongated, horizontally disposed drive frame means which is disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, a wheel assembly at each end of said drive frame means, a power means for driving at least one of said wheel assemblies, the rotational axis of each of said wheel assemblies being normally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, and means for selectively pivoting said wheel assemblies with respect to the drive frame means to a tow position so that the rotational axis of each of said wheel assemblies will be transversely disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said pipe to permit said pipe and said support towers to be towed, said driven wheel assembly comprising a gear box having an output shaft, a drive wheel mounted on said output shaft for rotation therewith, and means for disengaging said drive wheel from driving connection with said output shaft so that said drive wheel may freely rotate with respect to said output shaft when said wheel assembly has been pivoted to said tow position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
197 words
In combination, an elongated water distribution pipe, at least two support towers supporting said pipe, each of said tower means comprising an elongated, horizontally disposed drive frame means which is disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, a wheel assembly at each end of said drive frame means, a power means for driving at least one of said wheel assemblies, the rotational axis of each of said wheel assemblies being normally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, and means for selectively pivoting said wheel assemblies with respect to the drive frame means to a tow position so that the rotational axis of each of said wheel assemblies will be transversely disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said pipe to permit said pipe and said support towers to be towed, said driven wheel assembly comprising a gear box having an output shaft, a drive wheel mounted on said output shaft for rotation therewith, and means for disengaging said drive wheel from driving connection with said output shaft so that said drive wheel may freely rotate with respect to said output shaft when said wheel assembly has been pivoted to said tow position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
176 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein a horizontally disposed plate means is secured to the underside of each end of said drive frame, at least a first pair of operation lugs secured to said plate means and extending downwardly therefrom in a spaced apart relationship, at least a second pair of tow lugs secured to said plate means and extending downwardly therefrom in a spaced apart relationship, a mounting box means below said plate means, said mounting box means being positioned between said tow lugs when said wheel assembly has been pivoted to said tow position, a gear box secured to said mounting box and being received between said operation lugs when said wheel assembly is in its normal operating position, a pivot bolt means extending through said mounting box means, said plate means and said drive frame to maintain said mounting box between said tow lugs when said wheel assembly is in its tow position, and to maintain said gear box between said operation lugs when said wheel assembly is in its normal operating position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-30 | 1976-10-30 | 1977-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-30 | 1980-10-30 | 1981-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-30 | 1984-10-30 | 1985-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |