Patent Application
20130264785
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1. Field of the Invention
This present invention relates to work vehicles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art by the present inventor, Ser. No. 13/199,968 Bullis 2011, and Bullis filed Mar. 14, 2012 relied on a cylindrically shaped rigid wheel concept that enables a stable narrow vehicle, when used in context of a low center of gravity configuration. The low center of gravity was a natural accomplishment where the original vehicle was specifically directed to enabling low to ground access to crops by farm workers. Implementing a low center of gravity was also eased by availability of electrical apparatus. The rigid wheel concept leads to particularly energy efficient operation due to it tendency to not sink much into the ground. This vehicle was designed to be light weight and low cost to manufacture. I achieved its functional objectives using a fairly long configuration suitable for large scale farming on large fields where rows are long. The turning mechanism was simple and adequate, but agility was limited and for some foreseeable loads it could have limitations.
Articulated work vehicles are long known. In the earth moving and road building worlds, drum rollers are used in articulated configurations and some models seek to limit the width, though this is not done even close to the extent of the Bullis, filed 2011, and Mar. 14, 2012 inventions. The drum roller apparatus generally involves a high seated operator and highly positioned engine and equipment. Ferrari Tractor Company is an Italian company that manufacturers narrow, articulated tractors that are said to be suitable for work in European vineyards, though their concept of narrow includes the standard four wheeled set of pneumatic tires, with differential apparatus between wheels. The Goldoni and Fort lines of tractors meets the vineyard row space standard that is traditionally defined as the width of the rear end of a mule. The Carrera line of tractors is also narrow, and includes many models, some including capability to run on separate crawler type tracks on each side of the vehicle.
An important factor in development of articulated work vehicles is the large weights generally involved in this typically large machinery. This weight prevents the unstable condition that could arise when center parts of the vehicle are shifted to the outside of a turn without balancing shift of weight in the end parts.
Garden tractors, including single axle types, meet the vineyard row space standard. Most single axle types do not enable a worker to ride. None have been found that involve a wide wheel, instead, these involve dual rubber pneumatic wheels on an axle, with the exception of very old versions that used steel wheels. Even these old tractors involved a steel wheel on each side.
References are specifically incorporated in the present application.
The present invention relates particularly to the previous narrow vehicle invention of U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,968 Bullis 2011, and another by Bullis filed Mar. 14, 2012 which are incorporated here by reference.
The vehicle is narrow such that it can pass through narrow space. The overall vehicle is approximately the same width as a seated worker. Stabilization is provided by wheel rigidity of a front and a rear wheel set that is configured to give a stable vehicle stance, even though it is exceptionally narrow. Energy efficient operation is achieved by the use of the rigid wheel sets that provide approximately continuous ground contact from edge to edge of a wheel, thus maximizing ground contact area.
The narrow vehicle is enhanced with an articulated configuration that enables agile turning. This articulated turning capability is especially suited for load carrying situations.
This vehicle stands apart from the traditional work vehicles with its particularly narrow width. It is intended for use in every way now done with work vehicles and with every vehicle attachment known, though such would be adapted for narrow access situations.
Much of the detail of the vehicle is well known in the fields of tractor design and broader work vehicle design. Special features are emphasized in the following discussion. Construction details that are within the art are only suggested or left without detailing.
Rigidity of wheels is such that the outer edges of wheels define horizontal lines that are the axes of a roll-over situation, to either side as the case may be. Wheel base widths 60,61 are the lateral distances between these roll over axes. The rigidity also provides for continuous load bearing contact over the width of wheels.
Preferred wheels are hollow cylinders, like drums, with rolling surfaces made of material and shaped according to application. The previous invention, U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,968 Bullis 2011, disclosed slats that have a rubber surface being attached to the drum running surface to provide strength at the surface and a slightly soft ground contract surface. Presently, track pads from the heavy track vehicle industry are being utilized as the slats wheels 2,3; these having been acquired from McLaren Industries, as part Hybrid Rubber Shoes 350 MM. The fact of generally low center of gravity, low operating speed makes it possible that the wide and firm drum wheel system provides the needed stability. And of course, the large area footprint of such a wheel system 2 means the whole vehicle will operate much more efficiently than vehicles with wheels having a smaller footprint.
The described embodiment is an agricultural vehicle for work in narrow row spaces of planted fields. However, work vehicles in general can be implemented using the invented concept.
Representative vehicle components include seat apparatus 12 that includes seat tongue and swing seat longitudinal bearing 22. A winch 24 enables elevating the seat apparatus 12. Gearing means 23 enables appropriate work vehicle speeds. Battery pack 25 enables electric operation, including a hybrid mode for sustained operation over lengthy periods without charging. A load platform 26 is shown attached to the front frame. Proper weight distribution involving frames and heavy items such as battery pack 25 and apparatus in engine compartment 9, together with load on load platform 26 and other attached weight enables stability to be maintained in carrying loads through turning actions.
The plan view of
The scope of the invention is to be defined by the appended claims.
