US5040613A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Counterbalanced sensing wand assembly
Assignee: Sukup Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1990-08-23
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Granted: 1991-08-20
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Expires: 2010-08-23
Abstract
Abstract An agricultural implement guidance control system has a counterbalanced sensing wand assembly. The wand position sensing assembly is designed to compensate for the adverse effects of operations on a field which has a side slope, i.e., slopes to the left or right of the implement as it travels in the field. Without the counterbalanced wand position sensing assembly, the wands would pivot toward the downhill side of the implement as a result of gravity acting upon the wands. Specifically, the wand position sensing assembly is designed so that the weight of the wand bracket assembly counterbalances the weight of the wands on the pivot point which is established by the rotating shaft. The wand position sensing assembly can also include a variable compensation assembly which permits the operator to adjust the counterbalance effect. The variable compensation assembly includes a shaft, a counterweight and a retention unit. The shaft is attached to the center of the U-shaped rod support. The shaft extends forward and away from the rod support to establish a moment arm through which the counterweight counterbalances the turning moment effect of the weight of the wands. The counterweight is movably attached to the shaft. The operator adjusts the effect of the counterweight by adjusting the position of the counterweight on the shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale R. Dodd
- 👤 Michael L. Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:14
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B13/00; A01B13/04; A01B13/06; A01B39/00; A01B39/20; A01B39/26; A01B69/00; A01B69/003; A01B69/004; G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/264
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A guidance system for an agricultural implement comprising a sensing means for sensing the position of plants or other ground reference indicia, sensing support means for supporting the sensing means, a pivoting means for allowing relative horizontal pivotal movement between the sensing means and the sensing support means, said pivoting means defining a generally vertical pivot axis about which such horizontal pivotal movement occurs, a weight member for counterbalancing said sensing means, and means for adjusting the length of the effective counterbalance moment arm of said weight member relative to said pivot axis whereby the effect of gravity on the pivotal positioning of the sensing means when the guidance system is used in a sloping field is minimized.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A guidance system for an agricultural implement comprising a sensing means for sensing the position of plants or other ground reference indicia, sensing support means for supporting the sensing means, a pivoting means for allowing relative horizontal pivotal movement between the sensing means and the sensing support means, said pivoting means defining a generally vertical pivot axis about which such horizontal pivotal movement occurs, a weight member for counterbalancing said sensing means, and means for adjusting the length of the effective counterbalance moment arm of said weight member relative to said pivot axis whereby the effect of gravity on the pivotal positioning of the sensing means when the guidance system is used in a sloping field is minimized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as in claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes at least one sensing wand.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as in claim 2 and including a wand support structure for attaching said at least one sensing wand to said pivoting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention of claim 3 and including at least a portion of said support structure being so disposed on said opposite side of said pivot axis, and a weight member affixed to said support structure, whereby said at least one wand member is counterbalanced.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention as in claim 3 wherein said wand support structure comprises a wand support rod which is attached to at least one sensing wand, a rod support which is connected to the wand support rod, and a top plate which is attached to the rod support and the pivoting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as in claim 1 wherein said sensing support means is said agricultural implement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as in claim 1 wherein said sensing support means is a bracket assembly attached to said agricultural implement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention as in claim 7 wherein said bracket assembly comprises a first horizontal bracket which attaches to said agricultural implement, a second horizontal bracket which attaches to and is perpendicular to said first horizontal bracket, a vertical bracket which attaches to and is perpendicular to said second horizontal bracket and supports said pivoting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as in claim 1 wherein said pivoting means comprises a collar and shaft wherein a portion of said shaft is located in said collar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as in claim 9 wherein said collar is attached to said sensing means and said shaft is attached to said sensing support means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as in claim 9 wherein said collar is attached to said sensing support means and said shaft is attached to said sensing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
153 words
A guidance system for an agricultural implement comprising a sensing means for sensing the position of plants or other ground reference indicia, sensing support means for supporting the sensing means, a pivoting means for allowing relative horizontal pivotal movement between the sensing means and the sensing support means, said pivoting means defines a generally vertical pivot axis about which such horizontal pivotal movement occurs, said sensing means comprising at least one sensing wand extending generally in a direction radially away from said pivot axis on one said thereof, a want support structure for attaching said at least one sensing wand to said pivoting means, at least a portion of said support structure being so disposed on said opposite side of said pivot axis, and a weight member affixed to said support structure, and means for adjusting the length of the effective counterbalance moment arm of said weight member relative to said pivot axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
153 words
A guidance system for an agricultural implement comprising a sensing means for sensing the position of plants or other ground reference indicia, sensing support means for supporting the sensing means, a pivoting means for allowing relative horizontal pivotal movement between the sensing means and the sensing support means, said pivoting means defines a generally vertical pivot axis about which such horizontal pivotal movement occurs, said sensing means comprising at least one sensing wand extending generally in a direction radially away from said pivot axis on one said thereof, a want support structure for attaching said at least one sensing wand to said pivoting means, at least a portion of said support structure being so disposed on said opposite side of said pivot axis, and a weight member affixed to said support structure, and means for adjusting the length of the effective counterbalance moment arm of said weight member relative to said pivot axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention as in claim 12 wherein said wand support structure comprises a wand support rod which is attached to said at least one sensing wand, a rod support which is connected to the want support rod, and a top plate which is attached to the rod support and the pivoting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as in claim 12 wherein said sensing support means is said agricultural implement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as in claim 12 wherein said sensing support means is a bracket assembly attached to said agricultural implement.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention as in claim 15 wherein said bracket assembly comprises a first horizontal bracket which attaches to said agricultural implement, a second horizontal bracket which attaches to and is perpendicular to said first horizontal bracket, a vertical bracket which attaches to and is perpendicular to said second horizontal bracket and supports said pivoting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as in claim 12 wherein said pivoting means comprises a collar and shaft wherein a portion of said shaft is located in said collar.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as in claim 17 wherein said collar is attached to said sensing means and said shaft is attached to said sensing support means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as in claim 17 wherein said collar is attached to said sensing support means and said shaft is attached to said sensing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
111 words
A guidance system for an agricultural implement comprising a sensing means for sensing the position of plants or other ground reference indicia, sensing support means for supporting the sensing means, a pivoting means for allowing relative horizontal pivotal movement between the sensing means and the sensing support means, and a counterbalance means for counterbalancing the sensing means about said pivoting means when the guidance system is used in a sloping field wherein said counterbalance means comprises a support arm which is attached to said sensing means and a weight member which is attached to said support arm and said weight member can be moved to various locations along said support arm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
111 words
A guidance system for an agricultural implement comprising a sensing means for sensing the position of plants or other ground reference indicia, sensing support means for supporting the sensing means, a pivoting means for allowing relative horizontal pivotal movement between the sensing means and the sensing support means, and a counterbalance means for counterbalancing the sensing means about said pivoting means when the guidance system is used in a sloping field wherein said counterbalance means comprises a support arm which is attached to said sensing means and a weight member which is attached to said support arm and said weight member can be moved to various locations along said support arm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
81 words
A guidance system for an agricultural implement comprising a sensing means for sensing the position of plants or other ground reference indicia, sensing support means for supporting the sensing means, a pivoting means for allowing relative horizontal pivotal movement between the sensing means and the sensing support means, and a counterbalance means for counterbalancing the sensing means when the guidance system is used in a sloping field wherein said counterbalance means can be adjusted to change the counterbalancing moment provided thereby.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
81 words
A guidance system for an agricultural implement comprising a sensing means for sensing the position of plants or other ground reference indicia, sensing support means for supporting the sensing means, a pivoting means for allowing relative horizontal pivotal movement between the sensing means and the sensing support means, and a counterbalance means for counterbalancing the sensing means when the guidance system is used in a sloping field wherein said counterbalance means can be adjusted to change the counterbalancing moment provided thereby.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as in claim 21 wherein said counterbalance means comprises a weight member which is attached to the sensing means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as in claim 21 wherein said counterbalance means comprises a threaded shaft which is attached to the sensing means and a weight member which threadably engages said threaded shaft.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as in claim 21 wherein said sensing support means is also the counterbalance means for counterbalancing the sensing means about said pivoting means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
75 words
The invention as in claim 21 wherein said pivoting means defines a generally vertical pivot axis about which such horizontal pivotal movement occurs, said sensing means comprising at least one sensing wand extending generally in a direction radially away from said pivot axis on one side thereof, and components joined to said at least one sensing wand and disposed on the opposite side of said pivot axis for counterbalancing said at least one sensing wand.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention as in claim 25 and including a wand support structure for attaching said at least one sensing wand to said pivoting means, at least a portion of said support structure being so disposed on said opposite side of said pivot axis for counterbalancing said at least one wand.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 26 and including a weight member affixed to said wand support structure, whereby said at least one wand member is counterbalanced.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 27 and including means for adjusting the length of the effective counterbalance moment arm of said weight member relative to said pivot axis.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as in claim 21 wherein said sensing means includes at least one sensing wand.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as in claim 21 wherein said sensing means comprises at least one sensing wand and a wand support structure for attaching at least one sensing wand to said pivoting means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention as in claim 30 wherein said wand support structure comprises a wand support rod which is attached to said at least one sensing wand, a rod support which is connected to the wand support rod, and a top plate which is attached to the rod support and the pivoting means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as in claim 21 wherein said sensing support means is said agricultural implement.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as in claim 21 wherein said sensing support means is a bracket assembly attached to said agricultural implement.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention as in claim 33 wherein said bracket assembly comprises a first horizontal bracket which attaches to said agricultural implement, a second horizontal bracket which attaches to and is perpendicular to said first horizontal bracket, a vertical bracket which attaches to and is perpendicular to said second horizontal bracket and supports said pivoting means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as in claim 21 wherein said pivoting means comprises a collar and shaft wherein a portion of said shaft is located in said collar.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as in claim 35 wherein said collar is attached to said sensing means and said shaft is attached to said sensing support means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as in claim 35 wherein said collar is attached to said sensing support means and said shaft is attached to said sensing means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
92 words
A guidance system for an agricultural implement comprising a sensing means for sensing the position of plants or other ground reference indicia, sensing support means for supporting the sensing means, a pivoting means for allowing relative horizontal pivotal movement between the sensing means and the sensing support means, and a counterbalance means for counterbalancing the sensing means when the guidance system is used in a sloping field wherein said counterbalance means comprises a threaded shaft which is attached to the sensing means and a weight member which threadably engages said threaded shaft.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
92 words
A guidance system for an agricultural implement comprising a sensing means for sensing the position of plants or other ground reference indicia, sensing support means for supporting the sensing means, a pivoting means for allowing relative horizontal pivotal movement between the sensing means and the sensing support means, and a counterbalance means for counterbalancing the sensing means when the guidance system is used in a sloping field wherein said counterbalance means comprises a threaded shaft which is attached to the sensing means and a weight member which threadably engages said threaded shaft.
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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) | 1994-08-19 | 1995-02-18 | 1995-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-19 | 1999-02-18 | 1999-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-19 | 2003-02-18 | 2003-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |