US 5,511,498 A · Eccentric cam locking assembly

Abstract

An eccentric cam locking assembly includes an elongated locking bar having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion, a first fastening arrangement defined on the first end portion of the bar for mounting the bar on a stationary member of a seed planting implement and a second fastening arrangement defined on the opposite second end portion of the bar for clamping the bar on an eccentric cam that is mounted to the implement so as to rotate relative thereto to align the position of furrow closing wheels mounted on a swing arm extending from the rear of the seed planting implement. When installed, the locking assembly inhibits misalignment of the furrow closing wheels by providing additional resistance against unintended rotation of the eccentric cam. The second fastening arrangement is releasable so that the eccentric cam may be turned when the furrow closing wheels need to be aligned. The locking assembly also includes a sleeve which fits over the eccentric cam to prevent the locking bar from contacting the swing arm. The locking assembly further includes a hexagonal nut attached to the outer end of the eccentric cam for facilitating engagement of a tool with the eccentric cam to assist in turning the eccentric cam when aligning the furrow closing wheels.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An eccentric cam locking assembly for use with a planting apparatus including a stationary member, an eccentric cam rotatably mounted to the stationary member, and a movable member movably mounted to the stationary member and coupled to the eccentric cam and being disposed in a position adjustable relative to the stationary member in response to rotation of the eccentric cam, said eccentric cam locking assembly comprising:

(a) an elongated locking bar having a first end portion and an second end portion opposite said first end portion;
(b) first means defined on said first end portion of said locking bar for mounting said locking bar on the stationary member of the apparatus, said first means being a first fastening arrangement preset relative to the stationary member so as to allow longitudinal and pivotal movements of said locking bar relative to the stationary member in order to correspondingly permit adjusting of the position of the movable member relative to the stationary member;
and
(c) second means defined on said second end portion of said locking bar for clamping said locking bar on the eccentric cam so as to inhibit rotation of the eccentric cam relative to said locking bar.

1 more element

An eccentric cam locking assembly for use with an apparatus including a stationary member, an eccentric cam rotatably mounted to the stationary member, and a movable member movably mounted to the stationary member and coupled to the eccentric cam and being disposed in a position adjustable relative to the stationary member in response to rotation of the eccentric cam, said eccentric cam locking assembly comprising:

(a) an elongated locking bar having a first end portion and an second end portion opposite said first end portion;
(b) first means defined on said first end portion of said locking bar for mounting said locking bar on the stationary member of the apparatus;
and
(c) second means defined on said second end portion of said locking bar for clamping said locking bar on the eccentric cam so as to inhibit rotation of the eccentric cam relative to said locking bar, said second means being a second fastening arrangement adjustable between tightened and released conditions relative to the eccentric cam so as to respectively inhibit and allow rotation of the eccentric cam relative to the movable member in order to correspondingly prevent and permit adjusting of the position of the movable member relative to the stationary member.

1 more element

In combination with a seed planting implement including a stationary member, an eccentric cam rotatably mounted to said stationary member, a swing arm mounted to said stationary member and coupled to said eccentric cam, and furrow closing wheels mounted on said swing arm, said swing arm being movably mounted to said stationary member and disposed in a position adjustable relative to said stationary member in response to rotation of said eccentric cam to allow for proper alignment of said closing wheels over a seed furrow formed by said seed planting implement, an eccentric cam locking assembly for mounting on said seed planting implement, said eccentric cam locking assembly comprising:

(a) an elongated locking bar having a first end portion and an second end portion opposite said first end portion;
(b) first means defined on said first end portion of said locking bar for mounting said locking bar on said stationary member of said implement so as to inhibit movement of said locking bar relative to said stationary member;
and
(c) second means defined on said second end portion of said locking bar for clamping said locking bar on said eccentric cam so as to inhibit rotation of said eccentric cam relative to said locking bar.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Eccentric cam locking assembly

Life of this patent

Eccentric cam locking assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20