Row follower encoder support and method of mounting same onto an agricultural vehicle
AssigneeGar-Bar Corporation
InventorsRonny L. Barnes, H. Wayne Mathews
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An encoder is mounted upon a vehicle within a sealed, tubular housing. The encoder is mounted within the housing by a shock absorbing mount. Stub shafts extend from each end of the tubular housing which are co-axial and which are aligned with a direction of movement of the vehicle. The stub shafts are sturdy and carry a row follower upon them. The row follower contacts a path to be followed along the ground. At least one of the sturdy stub shafts are connected to the encoder by a shock absorbing, flexible coupling. The encoder translates signals by which the vehicle is guided along the path contacted by the row follower.
Claims9
An encoder support to be mounted upon
- a) an agricultural vehicle having a direction of travel, the support carrying
- b) an encoder, and
- c) a row follower,
- d) the encoder being
- i) detecting means for detecting relative movement between a row follower and vehicle, and
- ii) translating means for translating the relative movement into transmittable signals,
- wherein the improved support comprises:
- e) an elongated tubular encoder body having a longitudinal axis,
- f) a mounting bracket on the body forming a portion of means for mounting the body on a vehicle with the longitudinal axis aligned with the direction of travel,
- g) a stub encoder shaft aligned with the longitudinal axis extending from within the tubular body to outside the body,
- h) a bearing connecting the stub shaft to the body,
- j) an encoder arm connected to the shaft outside the body adapted to be connected to a row follower, and
- k) said encoder connected to the stub encoder shaft inside the body.
The method of mounting an encoder onto an agricultural vehicle which has a direction of travel, comprising:
- a) sealing and encapsulating an encoder inside of a tubular body,
- b) connecting said encoder to a stub shaft which extends from one end of an enclosed body,
- c) rigidly attaching the enclosed body onto the vehicle,
- d) aligning the stub shaft with the direction of travel,
- e) extending row follower arms from the stub shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.