US3817333A — Plow system with plurality of plow units and mean…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 340 words

In a plow system adapted to be pulled behind a traction vehicle and including a plurality of plow units each provided with a ground-working implement, and a main frame including a main horizontal beam inclined relative to the direction of travel of said plow system, and connected to said tractor for rotation about a vertical axis, the combination comprising: means for mounting said plow units to said inclined beam for rotation in a continuous manner about respective vertical axes; a real tail section mounted to the distal end of said inclined mean beam for rotation about a vertical axis and including a steering wheel; a guide beam pivotally mounted to each of said plow units and to said tail section and extending generally parallel to said inclined beam; hydraulic power actuated means controllable from the operator''s position while said vehicle is in motion and connected between said guide beam and said frame for rotating said plow units together about their respective axes over a continuous range, such that the cut lines of all plow units remain parallel and define a predetermined angular relationship to said main beam to thereby provide an adjustable spacing between furrows formed by said plow units when pulled by said tractor; means for attaching said main frame to a traction vehicle for rotation about a vertical axis; and steering means connected between said vehicle and said steering wheel and responsive to the turning of said vehicle for turning said steering wheel in a direction opposite to the turning of said tractor, said steering means including compensating means for maintaining said steering wheel parallel to said plow units under normal operation for all settings of the spacing between said plow units, whereby the tail end of said plow system is caused to track the movement of said tractor during turning and said steering wheel is steered in the direction of travel of said vehicle to cause said tail section to align with the direction of travel of said vehicle for all lateral settings of said plow units.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 340 words

In a plow system adapted to be pulled behind a traction vehicle and including a plurality of plow units each provided with a ground-working implement, and a main frame including a main horizontal beam inclined relative to the direction of travel of said plow system, and connected to said tractor for rotation about a vertical axis, the combination comprising: means for mounting said plow units to said inclined beam for rotation in a continuous manner about respective vertical axes; a real tail section mounted to the distal end of said inclined mean beam for rotation about a vertical axis and including a steering wheel; a guide beam pivotally mounted to each of said plow units and to said tail section and extending generally parallel to said inclined beam; hydraulic power actuated means controllable from the operator''s position while said vehicle is in motion and connected between said guide beam and said frame for rotating said plow units together about their respective axes over a continuous range, such that the cut lines of all plow units remain parallel and define a predetermined angular relationship to said main beam to thereby provide an adjustable spacing between furrows formed by said plow units when pulled by said tractor; means for attaching said main frame to a traction vehicle for rotation about a vertical axis; and steering means connected between said vehicle and said steering wheel and responsive to the turning of said vehicle for turning said steering wheel in a direction opposite to the turning of said tractor, said steering means including compensating means for maintaining said steering wheel parallel to said plow units under normal operation for all settings of the spacing between said plow units, whereby the tail end of said plow system is caused to track the movement of said tractor during turning and said steering wheel is steered in the direction of travel of said vehicle to cause said tail section to align with the direction of travel of said vehicle for all lateral settings of said plow units.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 57 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said tail section is pivotally mounted to the distal end of said inclined beam for rotation about a vertical axis and including a rearmost plow unit rotatable therewith, a rearwardly-extending frame, and said steering wheel is rotatably mounted to the end of said section frame and behind the rearmost plow unit.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 137 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said plow system has a first and a second side and wherein said steering means comprises a first arm connected to rotate as said tractor turns and extending to a first side of said plow system; a tie rod pivotally connected to the distal end of said first arm and extending generally rearwardly thereof; a second arm pivotally connected at one end and to said inclined beam and extending to said first side of said plow system and pivotally connected at the other end to the distal end of said tie rod; a third arm connected to said steering wheel and extending to the second side of said plow system; and a link pivotally connected to said third arm at one end and to said second arm at the other end.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 89 words

The system of claim 3 wherein the proximal end of said second arm is mounted to said inclined beam for rotation about the axis of rotation of the rearmost plow unit and wherein said compensation means of said steering means is characterized in that a parallelogram is formed by the axes of the pivotal connections between said tie rod and said first and second arms, the pivotal axis of said first arm relative to said plow system, and the pivotal axis of said second arm on said inclined beam.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 38 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the rearmost plow unit is mounted to said tail section and adapted to turn therewith, and said trailing wheel is mounted to follow in the furrow formed by said rearmost plow unit.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 43 words

The system of claim 1 further comprising power-actuated means carried by said tail section for lifting the distal end of said inclined beam aNd the forward end of said tail section relative to said steering wheel to adjust the height of said plows.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 39 words

The system of claim 6 wherein said last-named power-actuated means includes a parallel linkage mechanism interconnecting said trailing wheel with said tail section and adapted to move said trailing section upwardly in adjusting the height of said plow units.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 333 words

In a plow system adapted to be pulled behind a traction vehicle and including a plurality of plow units each provided with a ground-working implement, and a main frame including a main horizontal beam inclined relative to the direction of travel of said plow system, the combination comprising: hitch means for connecting said main beam to a traction vehicle for rotation about a vertical axis; means for mounting said plow units to said inclined beam for rotation about their respective vertical axes to adjust the lateral spacing of said units, the trailing plow unit including a rearwardly extending tail beam pivotally connected to the rear end of said inclined beam and a trailing steering wheel mounted to said tail beam to follow behind the rear ground-working implement for supporting the rear end thereof; an elongated guide beam pivotally mounted to each of said plow units and extending generally parallel to said inclined beam; power actuated means controllable from the operator''s position while said vehicle is in motion for forcing said guide beam longitudinally to adjust the angular disposition of said plow units in unison; and steering means connected between said vehicle and said steering wheel and responsive to the turning of said traction vehicle for steering said trailing steering wheel to follow behind said traction vehicle during turns and including compensation means for correcting the disposition of said trailing wheel for proper alignment with said rear ground-working implement to follow therebehind for all lateral adjustments of said units; said hitch means being the only support of the forward end of said plow system, and said axes of rotation of all of said units being located relative to the vertical axis of said hitch means whereby the leading plow unit will shift a given distance sideways relative to the rear furrow wheel of said vehicle when said power actuated means is adjusted and all other plow units will move a multiple of said given distance sideways from said rear furrow wheel of said vehicle.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 333 words

In a plow system adapted to be pulled behind a traction vehicle and including a plurality of plow units each provided with a ground-working implement, and a main frame including a main horizontal beam inclined relative to the direction of travel of said plow system, the combination comprising: hitch means for connecting said main beam to a traction vehicle for rotation about a vertical axis; means for mounting said plow units to said inclined beam for rotation about their respective vertical axes to adjust the lateral spacing of said units, the trailing plow unit including a rearwardly extending tail beam pivotally connected to the rear end of said inclined beam and a trailing steering wheel mounted to said tail beam to follow behind the rear ground-working implement for supporting the rear end thereof; an elongated guide beam pivotally mounted to each of said plow units and extending generally parallel to said inclined beam; power actuated means controllable from the operator''s position while said vehicle is in motion for forcing said guide beam longitudinally to adjust the angular disposition of said plow units in unison; and steering means connected between said vehicle and said steering wheel and responsive to the turning of said traction vehicle for steering said trailing steering wheel to follow behind said traction vehicle during turns and including compensation means for correcting the disposition of said trailing wheel for proper alignment with said rear ground-working implement to follow therebehind for all lateral adjustments of said units; said hitch means being the only support of the forward end of said plow system, and said axes of rotation of all of said units being located relative to the vertical axis of said hitch means whereby the leading plow unit will shift a given distance sideways relative to the rear furrow wheel of said vehicle when said power actuated means is adjusted and all other plow units will move a multiple of said given distance sideways from said rear furrow wheel of said vehicle.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 209 words

The system of claim 8 wherein said steering means comprises a link mechanism including a laterally extending first arm secured to turn with said tractor; a first elongated tie rod pivotally connected at its forward end to the distal end of said first arm; a link pivotally connected at one end for rotation about the pivotal axis between said inclined beam and said tail beam and extending laterally thereof in the same general direction as said first arm, the rear end of said first tie rod being pivotally connected to the distal end of said link; the corners of a parallelogram being defined respectively by the axis of rotation of said first arm, the pivotal connection of said first arm to said first tie rod, the pivotal connection of said tie rod to said link, and the axis of rotation of said link; said mechanism further including a second lateral arm attached to steer said steering wheel and extending to the side of said steering wheel generally opposite of the side to which said link and said first arm extend; and a second tie rod pivotally connected at a forward end to said link and pivotally connected at a rear end to the distal end of said second arm.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-06-17	1977-12-17	1978-06-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-06-17	1981-12-17	1982-06-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-06-17	1985-12-17	1986-06-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Plow system with plurality of plow units and means for adjusting spacing between units in a continuous manner

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