BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is top view of the ripper loop of the current invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the ripper loop of the current invention.
FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the ripper loop of the current invention illustrated attached to the tool frame of a tractor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the detailed description of the invention, like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout. Various items of equipment, such as fasteners, fittings, etc., may be omitted to simplify the description. However, those skilled in the art will realize that such conventional equipment can be employed as desired.
With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a root plow or ripper loop 10. Ripper loop 10 generally has a low silhouette, substantially flat, elongated panel or moldboard 12, two upwardly extending arms 14 attached to moldboard 12 and a support crossbar 16 extending between upper portions of arms 14. Moldboard 12 is further characterized by an upper surface 17, a first end 18, a second end 20, a front edge 22 and a trailing edge 24. Preferably moldboard 12 is v-shaped thereby forming a taper or peak 26 along front edge 22. An elongated blade 28 may be attached to said front edge 22 and coextensive therewith.
In one embodiment, elongated blade 28 is removably attached to front edge 22 with fasteners 30. In another embodiment, elongated blade 28 is an integrally formed portion of moldboard 12. In either case, elongated blade 28 may be single edged or multiple edged and sharpened, such as at 31 of FIG. 2, to further promote cutting. One or more upwardly extending fins 32 may be positioned along upper surface 17, and preferably angled toward said trailing edge 24.
Turning to FIGS. 2 and 3, an upwardly extending arm 14 is secured to the upper surface 17 of moldboard 12 at each end 18, 20. Each arm 14 is characterized by a first end 34 attached to moldboard 12 and a second end 36. Each arm 14 is shaped to have a downwardly extending, elongated first portion 38 terminating at said first end 34, a downwardly extending second portion 40 terminating at said second end 36 and a u-shaped transition portion 42 between said first and second ends 34, 36, such that arm 14 forms an overall upside down J-shape. Second end 36 may be shaped as desired for engagement with slots 46 of a tool attachment frame 48. In one embodiment, second end 36 is tapered such as at 48 to promote seating of end 36 in slot 46. Second end 46 may also include an aperture or similar engagement mechanism 49 for receipt of a securing fastener 50. While transition portion 42 has been described as unshaped and arms 14 overall have been described as being upside down J-shape, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing arms may take any shape so long as the ends 36 of arms 14 are downwardly extending so as to permit toploading as described herein.
As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, support crossbar 16 extends between the two arms 14, most preferably between corresponding transition portions 42 so as to be above the downward facing ends 46 of arms 14. Crossbar 16, moldboard 12 and arms 14 define a choke area 52.
The foregoing design has numerous benefits over prior art ripper-type tools. Most significantly, the downwardly extending ends 36 of arms 14 permit ripper loop 10 to be secured to frame 48 from the top of frame 48 by passing ends 36 down through slots 46. A toploading ripper loop such as this expedites attachment and eliminates many of the problems associated with bottom loading attachment of prior art tools.
Further, the arm shape of the ripper loop of the invention permits the throat area of the ripper loop to be expanded over that of prior art tools. Specifically, bottom loading tools necessitated that the support crossbar be located below the upwardly extending ends that engaged the attachment frame. By providing an arm that loops up and back down, the crossbar can be attached at the apex of the arms, above the ends of the arms that engage the frame. As such, the area of the throat is increased, decreasing the possibility of clogging therein.
While certain features and embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein, it will be readily understood that the invention encompasses all modifications and enhancements within the scope and spirit of the following claims.
Patent Application
20080053675
