Irrigation system propulsion wheels and methods of making
AssigneeMatthew E. Welsh
InventorMatthew E. Welsh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Wheels adapted to roll on and across surfaces of fields, for example, as part of irrigation systems of types used in agricultural applications. Such a wheel has an axis of rotation, a center portion comprising a central hub concentrically disposed on the axis of the wheel and multiple spokes radiating from the central hub, and a tread portion circumscribing the center portion. A radially outermost extent of each spoke terminates at a spade that is oriented parallel to the axis of the wheel. The tread portion includes tread plates, each located between and attached to adjacent pairs of the spokes. The spades protrude radially outward between and beyond adjacent pairs of the tread plates.
Claims20
A wheel comprising:
- an axis of rotation;
- a center portion comprising a central hub concentrically disposed on the axis of the wheel and multiple spokes radiating from the central hub, a radially outermost extent of each spoke terminating at a spade that is oriented parallel to the axis of the wheel;
- and
- a tread portion circumscribing the center portion, the tread portion comprising tread plates each having a tread surface region, each of the tread plates being between and attached to adjacent pairs of the spokes, the spades of the center portion protruding radially outward between and beyond adjacent pairs of the tread plates.
A method of fabricating a wheel, the method comprising:
- providing a one-piece flat pattern having a hub portion from which radiating arms emanate relative to an axis of the flat pattern located within the hub portion;
- twisting each of the radiating arms so that each radiating arm forms one spoke of a center portion of the wheel and an outer radial end of the radiating arm forms a spade of the spoke;
- and
- individually attaching tread plates between adjacent pairs of the spades.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.