Patent Application
20250108432
The present invention generally relates to the field of agricultural machinery maintenance. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an agricultural chain detacher device designed to facilitate the separation and reattachment of square chain links on farming equipment. The invention includes a handheld tool equipped with adjustable clamps to securely hold the chain and a vertical wall for supporting chain links in a vertical orientation. The device also features a screw mechanism operated by a die hand crank, enabling precise linear movement for detaching or attaching chain links without removing the chain from the equipment. Accordingly, this disclosure makes specific reference thereto the present invention. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, agricultural machinery commonly utilizes square chain links in various applications, such as in tractors, harvesters, and other farming equipment. Agricultural chains often require periodic maintenance, including the removal and reattachment of links to accommodate repairs, adjustments, or replacements. However, separating and reattaching square agricultural chain links can be a challenging and frustrating task, particularly when performed in the field. Traditionally, the entire chain from the machine is removed which is a labor-intensive and time-consuming effort.
In the conventional method, the chain is positioned in a vice and a hammer is used to detach the links. The procedure requires specific tools such as a vice and hammer and needs a stable work environment that is often not available when performing repairs in the field. Additionally, the process demands significant manual effort and dexterity, increasing the risk of damage to the chain or injury to the user. Many farmers and field operators lack the proper means to separate chains efficiently in such conditions, leading to downtime and operational inefficiency. People desire a device to simplify the process of separating and reattaching square agricultural chain links.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an agricultural chain detacher device that allows farmers and operators to efficiently separate and reattach square chain links on agricultural machinery. Additionally, there is a long-felt need for a device that eliminates the reliance on tools like hammers and vices, which can be impractical and challenging to use, particularly in field conditions. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need for a portable and user-friendly tool that can be easily operated by a single person. Moreover, there is a long-felt need for a device that can accommodate chains of various link sizes, providing versatility and convenience for different types of agricultural equipment. Finally, there is a long-felt need for a tool that simplifies chain maintenance, minimizes equipment downtime, and enhances operational efficiency directly in the field.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an agricultural chain manipulator device designed to address the difficulties associated with separating and reattaching square chain links on agricultural machinery. The device is a handheld tool featuring a base with a pair of adjustable clamps that secure the chain in place. A vertical wall extends from the base to support the chain link in a vertical orientation, while a screw mechanism with a die hand crank allows precise linear movement of a die to interact with the chain link for attachment or detachment. The device is equipped with a handle for easy transport and use, making it suitable for field operations. The adjustable clamps can accommodate chains of various link sizes, offering versatility and ease of use across different agricultural equipment.
In this manner, the agricultural chain manipulator device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides a novel device that enables quick and efficient maintenance of agricultural chains directly in the field. The device eliminates the need for tools like hammers and vices, allowing operators to separate and reattach chain links with minimal effort and reduced risk of injury. By securing the chain and providing precise control through its screw mechanism and die system, the device simplifies the process and enhances safety. The device allows users to quickly and easily separate equipment chain links while in the field and saves extensive time and effort when operating different types of farm equipment.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an agricultural chain detacher device. The device comprises a base, and a pair of clamps disposed on the base, the clamps are configured to laterally adjust to define a gap therebetween for securely holding an agricultural chain, a vertical wall extends transversely from a lateral edge of the base and is configured to support a chain link in a vertical orientation, a screw is disposed through the base and adapted to move along the base, a die hand crank is operatively connected to the screw for linear movement of the screw, and a die is operatively and removably connected to the screw and configured to interact with a chain link for detaching the chain link from the agricultural chain.
In another embodiment, the device includes a first bolt and a second bolt, each bolt passes through the respective nuts on the first clamp and the second clamp to laterally move the clamps and adjust the gap for different chain link sizes.
In another embodiment, a handheld agricultural chain link manipulator device is disclosed. The device includes a base having a rear lateral edge, a first clamp and a second clamp mounted on the base and positioned parallel to each other with a gap therebetween, a vertical wall extends transversely from the rear lateral edge of the base to support a chain link in a vertical orientation during manipulation. A center stopper is disposed on the base between the clamps to maintain a minimum gap for smooth movement of the agricultural chain. A screw mechanism is disposed of through a crank holding aperture in the base, the screw adapted to move along the base. A die is removably connected to the screw and is adapted to engage with the flat end of a chain link for attaching or detaching the chain link to the chain.
In still another embodiment, a method for removing a chain link from an agricultural chain using an agricultural chain detacher device is described. The method includes the steps of positioning an agricultural chain between a pair of adjustable clamps on a base of the device, wherein the clamps are laterally adjustable to snugly fit the chain, positioning a chain link to be removed in a vertical orientation along a vertical wall extending transversely from the base, placing a square link remover die between a flat end of the chain link and a screw disposed of through the base, rotating a die hand crank operatively connected to the screw to linearly move the screw and the die toward the chain link, and engaging the die with the flat end of the chain link to push the chain link to detach the chain link from a curved end of a subsequent chain link of the agricultural chain.
In still another aspect, a method for attaching a chain link to an agricultural chain using an agricultural chain link manipulator device is described. The method includes the steps of placing a new chain link along a vertical wall extending transversely from a base of the device, with a flat end of the new link resting on the base and a curved end positioned at the top, positioning an existing chain link of the agricultural chain on a center stopper disposed on the base, such that a curved end of the existing link is adjacent to the flat end of the new link, placing a chain connecting die on the base, the die is operatively connected to a screw disposed through the base, rotating a die hand crank operatively connected to the screw to linearly move the screw and the die toward the new link, and pushing the flat end of the new link into engagement with the curved end of the existing link to attach the new link to the agricultural chain.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an agricultural chain detacher device that allows farmers and operators to efficiently separate and reattach square chain links on agricultural machinery. Additionally, there is a long-felt need for a device that eliminates the reliance on tools like hammers and vices, which can be impractical and challenging to use, particularly in field conditions. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need for a portable and user-friendly tool that can be easily operated by a single person. Moreover, there is a long-felt need for a device that can accommodate chains of various link sizes, providing versatility and convenience for different types of agricultural equipment. Finally, there is a long-felt need for a tool that simplifies chain maintenance, minimizes equipment downtime, and enhances operational efficiency directly in the field.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a handheld agricultural chain link manipulator device. The device includes a base having a rear lateral edge, a first clamp and a second clamp mounted on the base and positioned parallel to each other with a gap therebetween, a vertical wall extends transversely from the rear lateral edge of the base to support a chain link in a vertical orientation during manipulation. A center stopper is disposed on the base between the clamps to maintain a minimum gap for smooth movement of the agricultural chain. A screw mechanism is disposed of through a crank holding aperture in the base, the screw adapted to move along the base. A die is removably connected to the screw and is adapted to engage with the flat end of a chain link for attaching or detaching the chain link to the chain.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The first clamp 102 may include a first nut 114 and a corresponding second nut 116, wherein a bolt 118 is adapted to pass through the nuts 114,116 and rotate to laterally move the first clamp 102 to increase and/or decrease the gap 106 between the first clamp 102 and the second clamp 104. The second clamp 104 also includes corresponding nuts 120,122 through which a second bolt 124 passes through. The second bolt 124 is adapted to rotatably move along the nuts 120,122 to laterally move the second clamp 104 to increase and/or decrease the gap 106 between the clamps 102,104. The lateral movement of the clamps 102,104 allows the device 100 to be used with agricultural chains of different link sizes.
At least one center stopper 109 is disposed on the base 108 which provides a minimum gap between the clamps 102,104 and further helps in smooth movement of the agricultural chain with the device 100. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the clamps 102,104 function as chain holders and secure a chain therebetween.
The device 100 includes a handle 126 for easy handling and transportation of the device 100. The handle 126 can be telescopic and may be made from a lightweight and durable material such as stainless steel or any other metal. In the preferred embodiment, the handle 126 and the base 108 are integrated for preventing any movement in the base 108 when a square chain link is detached from or attached to an agricultural chain.
At least one die hand crank 128 is operatively and removably connected to a crank holding aperture 130 and is used for driving at least one screw 132 disposed through the aperture 130. The screw 132 is adapted to move along the base 108 and allows a user to use one or more square link remover dies 134 and one or more chain connecting dies 136 with the device 100. It should be noted that the device 100 can be used with conventional dies used for attaching and detaching the agricultural chain links easily.
A chain connecting die 136 is placed on the base 108 and is moved using the using the screw 132 and the crank 128 to push the flat end 408 of the new link 402 into the curved end 412 of the other link 410. Once the engagement between the flat end 408 of the new link 402 and the curved end 412 of the other link 410 is complete, then, the chain connecting die 136 is removed and the link 402 gets added to the chain 204.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “handheld agricultural chain link separator and attacher tool”, “agricultural chain link manipulator device”, “agricultural square chain detacher device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the handheld agricultural chain link separator and attacher tool 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the handheld agricultural chain link separator and attacher tool 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the handheld agricultural chain link separator and attacher tool 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the handheld agricultural chain link separator and attacher tool 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the handheld agricultural chain link separator and attacher tool 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the handheld agricultural chain link separator and attacher tool 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/587,170, which was filed on Oct. 2, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63587170 | Oct 2023 | US |
