Rockshaft end cap

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10428867-B2
Application number	US-201615239362-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 17, 2016
Priority date	Jan 6, 2016
Publication date	Oct 1, 2019
Grant date	Oct 1, 2019

Abstract

An agricultural vehicle includes a frame, a wheel supporting the frame, and a rockshaft coupled to the frame and operable to pivot with respect to the frame. The rockshaft has an outer surface, an inner surface and an open end. An internal end cap is positioned on the open end of the rockshaft. The internal end cap has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the internal end cap contacts the outer surface of the rockshaft. An external end cap is positioned on the open end of the rockshaft and contacts the outer surface of the internal end cap. A fastener connects the external end cap to the frame to retain the external end cap on the rockshaft.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An agricultural vehicle comprising:
a frame;
a wheel supporting the frame;
a rockshaft coupled to the frame and operable to pivot with respect to the frame, the rockshaft having an outer surface and an open end;
an internal end cap positioned on the open end of the rockshaft, the internal end cap having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the internal end cap contacting the outer surface of the rockshaft;
an external end cap positioned on the open end of the rockshaft, the external end cap contacting the outer surface of the internal end cap; and
a fastener coupling the external end cap to the frame to retain the external end cap on the rockshaft.

2. The agricultural vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising at least one implement coupled to the frame, the at least one implement positioned to engage a ground surface when the rockshaft is in a first rotational position and positioned to not engage the ground surface when the rockshaft is in a second rotational position.

3. The agricultural vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the frame is positioned a first distance from the ground surface when the rockshaft is in the first rotational position and the frame is positioned a second distance from the ground surface when the rockshaft is in the second rotational position, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.

4. The agricultural vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the end cap includes a protrusion that surrounds a first portion of a frame section and the fastener surrounds a second portion of the frame section to couple the end cap to the frame.

5. The agricultural vehicle of claim 4 , wherein the end cap protrusion and the fastener substantially encircle the frame section.

6. The agricultural vehicle of claim 4 , wherein the protrusion of the end cap inhibits rotation of the external end cap about the frame section.

7. The agricultural vehicle of claim 4 , wherein the inhibits rotation of the external end cap about the frame section.

8. The agricultural vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the internal end cap has a first end having a first diameter and a second end having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, such that the internal end cap is tapered between the first end and the second end.

9. The agricultural vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the coefficient of friction between the external end cap and the rockshaft is 0.2 or less.

10. The agricultural vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the external end cap is rotatable with respect to the internal end cap.

11. An industrial task machine comprising:
a frame;
a wheel supporting the frame;
a rockshaft coupled to the frame and operable to pivot with respect to the frame, the rockshaft having an outer surface, a first open end, and a second open end;
a first internal end cap positioned on the first open end of the rockshaft, the internal end cap having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the internal end cap contacting the outer surface of the rockshaft;
a first external end cap positioned on the outer surface of the internal end cap;
a first fastener coupling the external end cap to the frame to retain the external end cap on the rockshaft;
a second internal end cap having an inner surface and an outer surface, the second internal end cap positioned on the second open end of the rockshaft and contacting the outer surface of the rockshaft;
a second external end cap positioned on the second open end of the rockshaft and contacting the outer surface of the second internal end cap; and
a second fastener coupling the second external end cap to the frame to retain the second external end cap on the rockshaft.

12. The industrial task machine of claim 11 , further comprising at least one implement coupled to the frame, the at least one implement positioned to engage a ground surface when the rockshaft is in a first rotational position and positioned to not engage the ground surface when the rockshaft is in a second rotational position.

13. The industrial task machine of claim 12 , wherein the frame is positioned a first distance from the ground surface when the rockshaft is in the first rotational position and the frame is positioned a second distance from the ground surface when the rockshaft is in the second rotational position, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.

14. The industrial task machine of claim 12 , wherein the first external end cap includes a first protrusion that surrounds a first portion of a frame section and the first fastener surrounds a second portion of the frame section to couple the first end cap to the frame.

15. The industrial task machine of claim 14 , wherein the first external end cap protrusion and the first fastener substantially encircle the frame section.

16. The industrial task machine of claim 15 , wherein the first external end cap protrusion inhibits rotation of the first external end cap about the frame section.

17. The industrial task machine of claim 15 , wherein the first fastener inhibits rotation of the first external end cap about the frame section.

18. The industrial task machine of claim 11 , wherein the first internal end cap has a first axial length and the second internal end cap has a second axial length, wherein the first axial length is greater than the second axial length.

19. The industrial task machine of claim 11 , wherein the first external end cap is rotatable with respect to the first internal end cap, and wherein the second external end cap is rotatable with respect to the second internal end cap.

20. A rockshaft end cap assembly coupled to a rockshaft having an outer surface, an inner surface and an open end, the rockshaft end cap assembly comprising:
an internal end cap positioned on the open end of the rockshaft, the internal end cap having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the internal end cap contacting the outer surface of the rockshaft;
an external end cap positioned on the open end of the rockshaft, the external end cap contacting the outer surface of the internal end cap; and
a fastener coupling the external end cap to a vehicle frame to retain the external end cap on the rockshaft.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Steinlage David L
• Nefzger Jeremy
• Hargude Ritesh S

Classifications

• F16C11/04

  Pivotal connections (hinges for doors, windows or wings E05D) · CPC title

• F16C33/20

  Sliding surface consisting mainly of plastics (F16C33/22 - F16C33/28 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16C2310/00

  Agricultural machines · CPC title

• F16C19/00 Primary

  Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement (adjustable bearings F16C23/00, F16C25/00 {; electrically insulating bearings H02K5/173}) · CPC title

• A01B71/04 Primary

  Bearings of rotating parts, e.g. for soil-working discs · CPC title