FR3107802A1 - Folding front tool holder device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) comprising at least one tool (15) and a tool holder device (10) intended to be secured to the front of an agricultural machine or a public works machine. According to the invention, such a device (100) comprises: - a frame (11) having a cradle (17) forming a support; and - at least one carrier arm (121,122) comprising means for securing to said tool (15), said arm (121,122) being mounted to pivot relative to said frame (11) of said device (10) between at least two positions in the frontal plane of said frame (11): - a deployed position, in which said arm (121,122) extends out of said frame (11); - a folded position, in which said arm (121, 122) is pivoted by 180 ° relative to the deployed position; the pivot axis of said carrier arm (121,122) relative to said frame (11) being oriented in a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said frame (11) at an angle of between 40 and 50 °, said device being configured so that said tool (15) rests on said support cradle (17) in said folded position. Figure to be published: 1.

Description

Folding front tool holder device

Field of invention

The field of the invention is that of agricultural tools and site tools.

More specifically, the invention relates to a device comprising at least one tool and one tool-carrying device, intended to be secured to the front of a machine, such as an agricultural machine or a public works machine, for example.

Prior art

It is known to provide a folding of the arms of a front tool carrier of an agricultural tractor, in order to allow transport on the road.

Techniques are known for tool holders for which the tools are oriented vertically in the folded position.

These techniques have the disadvantage that the center of gravity of the assembly formed by the tool carrier and the tools, when the tools are raised, is high, which unbalances the tractor.

Another drawback of these known techniques is that the tools arranged vertically obscure the view of the driver of the tractor.

Objectives of the invention

The object of the invention is therefore in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

More specifically, the invention aims to provide a folding tool carrier technique that does not unbalance the machine to which it is attached when it is folded.

An object of the invention is also to provide such a technique which is reliable.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a technique which is simple to implement, and has a reduced cost price.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding tool holder technique which does not obscure the view of the driver of the machine to which the tool holder is fixed.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved with the aid of a device comprising at least one tool and a tool holder device capable of receiving said tool, intended to be secured to the front of the a machine, in particular an agricultural machine or a public works machine.

According to the invention, said tool holder device comprises:

- a coupling head having at least one cradle forming a support extending in a transverse direction;

- a frame having means of articulation with said coupling head forming a ball joint; And

- at least one support arm comprising means for securing with said tool, said lateral tool, said arm being pivotally mounted relative to said frame of said device between at least two positions in the front plane of said frame:

- a deployed position, in which said arm extends out of said frame;

- a folded position, in which said arm is pivoted through 180° relative to the deployed position; the axis of pivoting of said support arm relative to said chassis being oriented in a direction inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of said chassis an angle between 40 and 50° and preferably substantially equal to 45°,

said device being configured so that said tool rests on said support cradle in said folded position.

Thus, in a new and clever way, the invention proposes a tool holder device which makes it possible to store the tool in the folded position so that it extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device. .

In addition, in the folded position, the tool can rest on a cradle, which makes it stable.

Advantageously, said means for securing with said tool comprise means for adjusting the locking position of said tool with respect to said support arm.

Thus, the tool can be oriented in relation to the direction of advance of the tool carrier, for example to allow lateral shifting and a greater grip of the tool in the ground.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the means for adjusting the position of said tool with respect to said support arm are configured so as to be able to tilt the longitudinal axis of the tools by an angle of between 0 and 30° with respect to to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chassis.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said tool holder device comprises a cylinder whose body is secured to said frame and the rod is secured to said support arm.

According to a preferred aspect, said jack is a hydraulic jack.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the means for securing said rod to said support arm comprise a connecting rod articulated in rotation at its ends relative to said carrier arm and to said frame and whose body is articulated in rotation relative to said cylinder head.

Preferably, said tool-carrying device has two carrying arms each having means for securing with a tool, said two carrying arms being pivotally mounted with respect to said frame along pivot axes symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of said frame.

It is thus possible to drive two tools symmetrically with respect to the direction of advance of the tool holder device.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said tool belongs to the group comprising at least:

- roller for destroying plant cover;

- smooth filling roller;

- crosskill roll;

- vibrocultivator;

- broom;

- snow plow blade;

- leveling blade.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, a device as described above comprises means for securing said frame to a central tool mounted or formed substantially on the longitudinal axis of said frame.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, in said folded position, the width of said device is less than 3.5 m.

The device, which respects the road gauge for agricultural machinery, can thus be transported on the road.

In another particular embodiment of the invention, in said folded position, the width of said device is less than 2.55 m.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, said means for securing said support arm to said tool comprise means for pivoting said tool relative to said support arm around a horizontal axis.

The position of the tool can thus be adapted according to variations in the height of the ground.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a device as described above is configured to be secured to an agricultural tractor.

List of Figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings, among which:

is a top view of an example of a tool holder device of a device according to the invention in the deployed position, secured to a coupling head;

is a detail view of the connection between the head of a jack of the device presented with reference to FIG. 1 and a carrier arm and the frame of this device;

is a top view of the tool holder device presented with reference to Figure 1, where the side tools and the front central rollers are offset by approximately 20° with respect to their deployed position illustrated in Figure 1 to allow sliding on floor ;

is a detail view of the connection between a carrier arm and a side roller;

illustrates the tool holder device shown with reference to Figure 1 in a deployed position;

illustrates the tool holder device shown with reference to Figure 1 in a first intermediate folded position;

illustrates the tool holder device shown with reference to Figure 1 in a second intermediate folded position;

illustrates the tool holder device shown with reference to Figure 1 in a folded position;

shows a top view and a front view of a lever for adjusting the relative position of a lateral or central tool with respect to the tool holder device shown with reference to FIG. 1;

is a view in partial section of the fastening zone of a carrying arm of the tool holder device presented with reference to FIG. 1 with a side tool;

is a partial top view of a side tool;

is a partial top view of a carrier arm of the tool holder device shown with reference to Figure 1;

is a top view of the area for securing a carrying arm of the tool holder device presented with reference to FIG. 1 with a side tool, in which the lever presented with reference to FIG. 6A is in a first locking position of the tool, where the tool is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame of the tool holder device shown with reference to Figure 1;

is a top view of the connection zone of a carrying arm of the tool holder device presented with reference to FIG. 1 with a side tool, in which the tool is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame of the tool holder device shown with reference to Figure 1 and the lever shown with reference to Figure 6A is in a first intermediate position for unlocking the tool;

is a top view of the area for securing a carrying arm of the tool holder device presented with reference to FIG. 1 with a side tool, in which the tool is inclined by 20° with respect to a direction perpendicular to the 'longitudinal axis of the frame of the tool holder device shown with reference to Figure 1 and the lever shown with reference to Figure 6A is in a second tool unlocking position;

is a top view of the area for securing a carrying arm of the tool holder device presented with reference to FIG. 1 with a side tool, in which the lever presented with reference to FIG. 6A is in a second locking position of the tool, where the tool is inclined by 20° with respect to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame of the tool holder device shown with reference to Figure 1.

Detailed description of the invention

There is illustrated in Figure 1, a first embodiment of a device 100 according to the invention, in a deployed position.

This device 100 comprises a tool holder device 10 comprising a hitching head 18 and a mechanically welded frame 11 on which are pivotally mounted, on each side of the longitudinal axis 14 of the frame 11, two support arms 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ around axes 13 ₁ and 13 _2.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the axes 13 ₁ and 13 ₂ form an angle of 45° with the longitudinal axis 14.

Cover destruction rollers 15 equipped with angle irons and formed from an assembly of several sections mounted on self-aligning bearings are secured to each of the carrying arms 12 ₁ and 12 _2.

In the deployed position shown in Figure 1, the side tools 15 are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame 11.

Two front central rollers 16 ₁ and a rear central roller 16 ₂ are fixed respectively to the front and to the rear of the frame 11, at the level of the longitudinal axis 14.

The frame 11 is mounted under the coupling head 18 and is connected to the latter by means of a ball joint which projects forwards (not shown in figure 1).

It should be noted that the implementation of a traction ball coupled to the coupling head 18 advantageously makes it possible to make the frame 11 self-directional and to allow automatic recentering.

The coupling head 18 has in its front part two cradles forming a support 17, which extend on each side of the longitudinal axis of the coupling head, perpendicular to the latter.

A double-acting hydraulic cylinder 19, with flow control, is mounted between the frame 11 and each of the carrying arms 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ . The body of these cylinders 19 is pivotally mounted relative to the front of the frame 11 and the end of the rod of these cylinders 19 is pivotally mounted (around the axis 23) relative to the body of a link 20, in the shape of a "V", the ends 21 and 22 of which are articulated in rotation relative to a support arm 12 ₁ or 12 ₂ and relative to the rear of the frame 11, as can be seen in Figure 2.

There is shown in Figure 3 the device 10 with side rollers 15 and central rollers 16 ₁ whose orientation has been offset by 20 ° relative to that shown in Figure 1 so as to form an "X", in order to to allow the rollers 15 and 16 ₁ to shift on the ground, when the rollers 15 are deployed.

This adjustment of the locking position of the rollers 15 and 16 ₁ with respect to the carrying arms 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ is made possible by actuating levers 32, which allow the rollers 15 and 16 ₁ to be pivoted around the vertical axes 31 respectively. and 33.

A single lever 32 has been shown in FIG. 6A, in a top view (on the left in FIG. 6A) and a side view (on the right in FIG. 6A). This lever 32 has, in the same alignment, a first arm 61 and a second arm 62 extending on either side of an axis 63. These two arms 61 and 62 are offset in height on the axis 63. A fixing plate 64 extends on either side of the axis 63, substantially halfway between the first arm 61 and the second arm 62.

As can be seen in FIG. 6B, in a partial cross-sectional view of the zone for securing the support arm 12 ₁ with a tool 15, the fixing plate 64 is fixed by two bolts 65 to two corners of a plate 66 equipping the tool 15, of square shape, shown alone in top view in Figure 6C. The fixing plate 64 is kept spaced from the plate 66 by spacer tubes 67. A circular opening 68 is drilled in the plate 66 to be able to house the lower end of the axis 63 there.

The tool 15 is pivotally mounted with respect to the support arm 12 ₁ around the axis 31. It can be seen in FIG. 6D which is a top view of the free end of the support arm 12 ₁ , that the latter has a circular plate 69 which is positioned opposite the plate 66, when the tool 15 is secured to the support arm 12 ₁ .

The circular plate 69 has a light 610 that is substantially triangular and symmetrical with respect to a radius of the circular plate 69 passing through the upper edge 614 of this light 610, the sides of which are in arcs of a circle. In this particular embodiment of the invention, the lower left edge 612 of the light 610, the axis 31 and the lower right edge 613 of the light form an angle of 20°, from apex the axis 31. This light 610 ensures the positioning of the second arm 62 with respect to the support arm 12 ₁ , during the pivoting of the lever 32.

The operation of the system for adjusting and locking the position of the tool relative to the support arm 12 ₁ is presented in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7D.

In Figure 7A, the first arm 61 of the lever 31 is pushed to the maximum to the right and is stored against the support arm 12₁, parallel to this one. In this position, the tool 15 extends in the extension of the carrier arm 12₁, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame 11. The distal end 611 of the second lever arm 62 being housed in the lower left corner 612 of the light 610 and the axis 63 being housed in the lower right corner 613 of the light 610, the tool is locked in this position.

When the lever arm 61 is pivoted to the left, the lever 32 pivots around the axis 63 and the distal end 611 of the second lever arm 62 describes an arc of a circle to position itself in the upper corner 614 light 610, as can be seen in Figure 7B, which releases the tool 15.

By continuing to pull or push the first lever arm 61 to the left, the lever 32 pivots around the distal end 611 of the second lever arm 62, which remains housed in the upper corner 614 of the lumen 610, and the axis 63 moves along an arc of a circle to the lower left corner 612 of slot 610, causing tool 15 to rotate around axis 31, as can be seen in FIG. 7C. In the position represented in FIG. 7C, the tool 15 has pivoted by 20° with respect to the position represented in FIGS. 7A and 7B and is therefore inclined at an angle of 20° with respect to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame 11.

To lock the tool 15 in this inclined position, simply pull or push again the first lever arm 61 to the left, until it is along the carrying arm 12₁, in a position at 180° with respect to that represented in FIG. 7A.

Indeed, by pulling or pushing the first lever arm 61 to the left, the lever 32 pivots around the axis 63, which remains housed in the lower left corner 612 of the slot 610, and the distal end 611 of the second lever arm 62 describes an arc of a circle to position itself in the lower right corner 613 of the light 610, as shown in FIG. 7D.

A substantially identical adjustment and locking system makes it possible to orient the central rollers 16 ₁ with respect to the frame 11.

It will also be noted that the rollers 15 are pivotally mounted with respect to the carrying arms 15 around a horizontal axis 41 in order to follow the variations in height from the ground, as can be seen in FIG. 4, in a detail view.

There is shown in Figures 5A to 5D different positions of the tool holder device 10 between an extended position (Figure 5A) and a folded position (Figure 5D).

From the deployed position represented in FIG. 5A, when the jacks 19 are actuated, these pull the carrying arms 12₁and 12₂and cause them to pivot. Arms 12₁and 12₂gradually tilt upwards until they reach a first substantially vertical position, represented in FIG. 5B. Arms 12₁and 12₂then tilt downwards by folding back on the frame 11. They reach a second intermediate position shown in Figure 5C then a folded position, shown in Figure 5D, in which the arms 12₁and 12₂are folded at 180° with respect to the deployed position represented in FIG. 5 and where the side tools 15 lie flat on the cradles 17, which gives stability and rigidity to the device in this position. In the folded position, the side tools 15 are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis 14. It can be seen in FIG. 5D that the side tools 15 are in alignment with the tractor and do not protrude on the sides, which allows movement on a road.

Claims (12)

Device (100) comprising at least one tool (15) and a tool holder device (10) capable of receiving said tool (15), intended to be secured to the front of a machine, in particular an agricultural machine or of a public works machine, characterized in that said tool-carrying device comprises:
- a coupling head (18) having at least one cradle (17) forming a support extending in a transverse direction;
- a frame (11) having means of articulation with said coupling head (18) forming a ball joint; And
- at least one carrying arm (12 ₁ ,12 ₂ ) comprising means for securing with said tool (15), said lateral tool, said arm (12 ₁ ,12 ₂ ) being pivotally mounted with respect to said frame (11) of said device between at least two positions in the front plane of said frame (11):
- A deployed position, in which said arm (12 ₁ , 12 ₂ ) extends out of said frame (11);
- A folded position, wherein said arm (12 ₁ , 12 ₂ ) is rotated 180 ° relative to the deployed position;
and in that the pivot axis of said support arm (12 ₁ , 12 ₂ ) relative to said frame (11) is oriented in a direction inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of said frame by an angle of between 40 and 50 ° and preferably substantially equal to 45°, and in that said device is configured so that said tool (15) rests on said cradle (17) forming a support in said folded position. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said means for securing with the said tool (15) comprise means for adjusting the locking position of the said tool (15) with respect to the said carrying arm (12 ₁ , 12 ₂ ). Device according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the said tool-carrying device (10) comprises a cylinder (19) whose body is secured to the said frame (11) and the rod is secured to the said support arm. (12 ₁ ,12 ₂ ). Device according to any one of Claims 3, characterized in that the said jack (19) is a hydraulic jack. Device according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the means for securing said rod to said support arm (12 ₁ ,12 ₂ ) comprise a rod (20) articulated in rotation at its ends (21, 22 ) relative to said carrier arm (12 ₁ , 12 ₂ ) and said frame (11) and whose body is rotatably articulated relative to said cylinder head. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the said tool holder device (10) has two support arms (12 ₁ , 12 ₂ ) each having means for securing to a tool (15), the said two supporting arms (12 ₁ , 12 ₂ ) being pivotally mounted with respect to said frame (11) along pivot axes symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of said frame (11). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the said tool (15) belongs to the group comprising at least:
- vegetative cover destruction roller;
- smooth filling roller;
- crosskill roll;
- vibrocultivator;
- broom;
- snow plow blade;
- leveling blade. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises means for securing said frame (11) with a central tool (16 ₁ , 16 ₂ ) mounted or formed substantially on the longitudinal axis of said frame (11). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, in the said folded position, the width of the said device (100) is less than 3.5 m. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the said means for securing the said support arm (12 ₁ , 12 ₂ ) with the said tool (15) comprise means for pivoting the said tool (15) with respect to the said arm carrier (12 ₁ , 12 ₂ ) around a horizontal axis. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is configured to be secured to an agricultural tractor. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the means for adjusting the position of the said tool (15) with respect to the said support arm (12 ₁ , 12 ₂ ) are configured so as to be able to tilt the axis longitudinal tools (15) at an angle between 0 and 30 ° relative to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame (11).