US 11,723,301 B2
Trailing arm device and assembly with parallel linkage
Paul E. Schaffert, Indianola, NE (US); Kris Schaffert, Indianola, NE (US); and Matthew Hornung, Dodge City, KS (US)
Assigned to SCHAFFERT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC., Indianola, NE (US)
Filed by SCHAFFERT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC., Indianola, NE (US)
Filed on Oct. 12, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/68,652.
Application 17/068,652 is a continuation of application No. 15/415,755, filed on Jan. 25, 2017, granted, now 10,798,870.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/395,265, filed on Sep. 15, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/326,489, filed on Apr. 22, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/286,906, filed on Jan. 25, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0161063 A1, Jun. 3, 2021
Int. Cl. A01C 7/06 (2006.01); A01C 5/06 (2006.01); A01C 7/20 (2006.01)
CPC A01C 7/06 (2013.01) [A01C 5/068 (2013.01); A01C 7/208 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A trailing arm assembly for connection with a row unit of an agricultural planter, the trailing arm assembly comprising:
a closer frame configured for mounting one or more closing wheels thereto for rotation with respect to the closer frame and further comprising a connection portion;
a parallel linkage configured to pivotably connect the closer frame to a planter frame bracket of the row unit via a first pivot and a second pivot on a first end of the parallel linkage and to pivotably connect with the connection portion of the closer frame via a third pivot and a fourth pivot on a second end of the parallel linkage; and
an adjustable hydraulic cylinder or air cylinder pivotably connected to the closer frame at a first end and pivotably connected to the parallel linkage at a second end, wherein the adjustable hydraulic cylinder or air cylinder is configured to provide a downward force on the closer frame;
a walking arm assembly pivotally connected to the closing frame, wherein the walking arm assembly includes a first closing wheel rotationally mounted toward a first end of the walking arm assembly and a second closing wheel rotationally mounted toward a second end of the walking arm assembly such that as the first closing wheel lifts, the second closing wheel drops and vice versa;
wherein:
a first end of the hydraulic cylinder or air cylinder is configured to be fixed with respect to the planter frame bracket and a second end of the hydraulic cylinder or air cylinder is configured to move with respect to the planter frame bracket;
the first end of the hydraulic cylinder or air cylinder is configured to be pivotably mounted to the closer frame at a position above a plane containing the first pivot and the second pivot; and.
the first end of the hydraulic cylinder or air cylinder is configured to be pivotably mounted in double shear with respect to the closer frame.