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US 2003/0192961 A1Published application
Dynamic counterweight mechanism for one-sided sprayers
AssigneeMaquinas Agricolas Jacto S.A.
InventorAirton Hiroto Tango
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AssigneeMaquinas Agricolas Jacto S.A.
InventorAirton Hiroto Tango
Estimating the term…
A dynamic counterweight mechanism for one-sided sprayers is vertically fastened to a chassis of a conventional sprayer with a fixed frame (3) so as to move up and down in relation to the frame (3). The mechanism includes a sliding frame (20) that laterally sustains a counterweight module (30). A swinging module (40) is pivotally assembled on the opposite side (23) of the sliding frame (20) and rotates around a bearing (24, 43) and in relation to the sliding frame (20). The upper end of the swinging module (40) is connected to the counterweight module (30) by a steel cable (33), which, in turn, has a counterweight block (32) that moves up and down, due to displacement of the swinging module (40). The steel cable (33) extends through a set of sheaves (50, 51, 52, 53) between the swinging module (40) and the sliding frame (20).
Dynamic counterweight mechanism for one-sided sprayers, wherein said one-sided sprayer is balanced by a counterweight, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Mounting of the spraybooms: with active regulation of the boom position
Special arrangements or adaptations of the spraying or distributing parts, e.g. adaptations or mounting of the spray booms, mounting of the…:…
Catching, trapping or scaring of animals
Term end not estimated
The present invention relates generally to a dynamic counterweight mechanism for one-sided sprayers and, more particularly, relates to a dynamic counterweight mechanism for such one-sided sprayers used with air assistance on creeping, vine plants, or creepers, such as potatoes, pumpkins, melons, and vegetable in general, where it is not possible to enter the plant rows due to the crop's characteristics, for example, crops on flooded ground.
As is known in the current state of the art, tractors that must pass through the tracks for vehicles in general pull the one-sided boom sprayers. In this manner, these spray booms must have a length equivalent to two consecutive tracks, which generates a balance problem on the tractor and spray-boom assembly.
Because this one-sided sprayer lacks a spray boom on the opposite side of the sprayer, in order to obtain a counterbalancing of the assembly, a nonadjustable block-shaped counterweight is typically provided on the opposite side of the sprayer. This counterweight is positioned oppositely to the spray boom to eliminate the unbalance and minimize the moment force between the boom and the vehicle that pulls the boom.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a one-sided sprayer employing the dynamic counterweight mechanism of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged and detailed perspective view of the dynamic counterweight mechanism of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of isolated parts of the dynamic counterweight mechanism of the present invention;
As shown in the accompanying figures, the dynamic counterweight mechanism for one-sided sprayers, according to the present invention, is applied to a convention sprayer (FIG. 1), which consists of a chemical tank (not shown), a pump 1 for the circulation of the chemical mixture stored in the tank, a hydraulic pump (also not shown) for actuating a structural system formed by a fixed vertical frame 3, and the spray boom 4, which must be balanced by the counterweight mechanism. All of the above-described components are disposed on a chassis 2.
As shown in FIG. 2, the fixed frame 3 includes a pair of rigid columns 3a vertically fastened to the chassis 2. On an upper end of the columns 3a, an upper fixed crossbeam 3b is assembled, so that the dynamic counterweight mechanism 100 for one-sided sprayers is able to move up and down on this fixed frame 3.
The dynamic counterweight mechanism 100 includes a sliding frame 20, having an upper crossbeam 21 longer than its lower crossbeam 22. On an end of the mechanism 100, a counterweight module 30 is defined by a pair of vertical guides 31 arranged parallel to one another and spaced from one another. A counterweight 32 is disposed slidingly in the space between the vertical guides 31, the counterweight 32 sustained by a steel cable 33, which will be described in greater detail below.