Caster wheel assembly for an agricultural implement system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10638653-B2
Application number	US-201615286197-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 5, 2016
Priority date	Oct 5, 2016
Publication date	May 5, 2020
Grant date	May 5, 2020

Abstract

A caster wheel assembly includes a frame configured to pivotally couple to a tool bar, a sub-frame rotatably coupled to the frame, and a connecting linkage configured to control movement of the frame relative to the tool bar. The caster wheel assembly also includes a locking assembly, which includes a lock lever movably coupled to the frame, wherein the lock lever includes a locking element and a release element, a locking structure fixedly coupled to the sub-frame, and a driving element fixedly coupled to the connecting linkage. The locking element is configured to block rotation of the sub-frame relative to the frame while the locking element is engaged with the locking structure, and the driving element is configured to contact the release element as the connecting linkage moves the frame downwardly relative to the tool bar to drive the locking element to disengage the locking structure.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A caster wheel assembly for an agricultural implement system, comprising:
a frame configured to pivotally couple to a tool bar of the agricultural implement system via a mount;
a sub-frame rotatably coupled to the frame;
at least one connecting linkage configured to control movement of the frame relative to the tool bar;
a locking assembly, comprising:
a lock lever movably coupled to the frame, wherein the lock lever comprises a locking element and a release element;
a locking structure fixedly coupled to the sub-frame; and
a driver fixedly and non-movably coupled to the at least one connecting linkage, such that the driver moves with the at least one connecting linkage, wherein the locking element is configured to block rotation of the sub-frame relative to the frame while the locking element is engaged with the locking structure, and the driver is configured to contact the release element as the at least one connecting linkage moves the frame downwardly relative to the tool bar to drive the locking element to disengage the locking structure; and

at least one actuator configured to drive the at least one connecting linkage to move the frame and the driver relative to the tool bar.

2. The caster wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one connecting linkage comprises a pair of connecting linkages, and the driver comprises a first driver fixedly and non-movably coupled to a first connecting linkage of the pair of connecting linkages and a second driver fixedly and non-movably coupled to a second connecting linkage of the pair of connecting linkages.

3. The caster wheel assembly of claim 2 , wherein the lock lever extends between the pair of connecting linkages.

4. The caster wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lock lever is pivotally coupled to the frame about a shaft assembly.

5. The caster wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the locking structure comprises a locking plate, and the locking plate has a slot configured to receive the locking element of the lock lever to block rotation of the sub-frame relative to the frame.

6. The caster wheel assembly of claim 5 , comprising a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of substantial alignment of the locking element with the slot.

7. The caster wheel assembly of claim 1 , comprising a biasing member configured to urge the locking element of the lock lever into engagement with the locking structure.

8. The caster wheel assembly of claim 7 , wherein the biasing member comprises a spring having a first distal end and a second distal end, wherein the first distal end is coupled to the frame, and the second distal end is coupled to the release element of the lock lever.

9. A caster wheel assembly for an agricultural implement system, comprising:
a frame configured to pivotally couple to a tool bar of the agricultural implement system via a mount;
a sub-frame rotatably coupled to the frame;
a locking assembly, comprising:
a lock lever pivotally and directly coupled to the frame by a shaft assembly, wherein the lock lever comprises a locking element;
a locking structure fixedly coupled to the sub-frame; and
an actuator assembly comprising an actuator non-translatably and directly coupled to the frame by a flange that is separate from the shaft assembly, wherein the actuator is non-translatably and directly coupled to the lock lever by an additional mount that is separate from the shaft assembly and the flange, the locking element is configured to block rotation of the sub-frame relative to the frame while the locking element is engaged with the locking structure, and the actuator is configured to drive the lock lever in a first direction to engage the locking element with the locking structure and to drive the lock lever in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to disengage the locking element from the locking structure.

10. The caster wheel assembly of claim 9 , comprising at least one connecting linkage configured to control movement of the frame relative to the tool bar.

11. The caster wheel assembly of claim 9 , wherein the locking structure comprises a locking plate, and the locking plate has a slot configured to receive the locking element of the lock lever to block rotation of the sub-frame relative to the frame.

12. The caster wheel assembly of claim 11 , comprising a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of substantial alignment of the locking element with the slot.

13. The caster wheel assembly of claim 9 , wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

14. The caster wheel assembly of claim 9 , wherein the actuator assembly comprises a controller configured to instruct the actuator to move the lock lever.

15. The caster wheel assembly of claim 14 , wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder coupled to a valve assembly controlled by the controller.

16. A caster wheel assembly for an agricultural implement system, comprising:
a frame configured to pivotally couple to a tool bar of the agricultural implement system via a mount;
a sub-frame rotatably coupled to the frame;
at least one connecting linkage configured to control movement of the frame relative to the tool bar;
a locking assembly, comprising:
a lock lever pivotally coupled to the frame about a shaft assembly, wherein the lock lever comprises a locking element and a release element;
a locking structure fixedly coupled to the sub-frame, wherein the locking structure comprises a locking plate, and the locking plate has a slot configured to receive the locking element of the lock lever to block rotation of the sub-frame relative to the frame;
a driver fixedly and non-movably coupled to the at least one connecting linkage, such that the driver moves with the at least one connecting linkage, wherein the driver is configured to contact the release element as the at least one connecting linkage moves the frame downwardly relative to the tool bar to drive the locking element to disengage the locking structure;
a biasing member configured to urge the locking element of the lock lever into engagement with the locking structure; and

at least one actuator configured to drive the at least one connecting linkage to move the frame and the driver relative to the tool bar.

17. The caster wheel assembly of claim 16 , wherein the biasing member has a first distal end and a second distal end, wherein the first distal end is coupled to the frame, and the second distal end is coupled to the release element of the lock lever.

18. The caster wheel assembly of claim 16 , wherein the biasing member comprises a spring.

Assignees

• Cnh Ind America Llc

Inventors

• Anderson Brian John
• Pederson Nicholas Ryan
• Schroeder William
• Prickel Marvin A

Classifications

• B60B33/02

  with disengageable swivel action {, i.e. comprising a swivel locking mechanism} · CPC title

• A01B63/16 Primary

  with wheels adjustable relatively to the frame · CPC title

• B60B33/026

  being actuated remotely, e.g. by cable or electrically · CPC title

• B60B33/066

  by use of a hinge and lever mechanism to swing wheel upwards relative to wheel mount · CPC title

• A01B73/04 Primary

  foldable about a horizontal axis · CPC title