US 11,944,028 B2
Systems and methods for monitoring the installation status of a shank attachment member of an agricultural implement
Scott Glovier, Pittsburgh, PA (US)
Assigned to CNH Industrial America LLC, New Holland, PA (US)
Filed by CNH Industrial America LLC, New Holland, PA (US)
Filed on Aug. 14, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/540,315.
Prior Publication US 2021/0045282 A1, Feb. 18, 2021
Int. Cl. A01B 76/00 (2006.01); A01B 15/04 (2006.01); A01B 35/22 (2006.01)
CPC A01B 76/00 (2013.01) [A01B 15/04 (2013.01); A01B 35/225 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for monitoring an installation status of shank attachment members of agricultural implements, the system comprising:
a shank assembly comprising:
a shank extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the shank having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion including the proximal end, the lower portion including the distal end; and
at least one mounting element configured to couple the proximal end of the shank to a frame of an agricultural implement;
a shank attachment member coupled to the distal end of the shank;
a biasing member configured to bias the shank assembly relative to the frame toward a working position such that the shank attachment member and the lower portion of the shank are positioned at least partially below a ground surface of a field and the upper portion of the shank is disposed above the ground surface when the shank assembly is in the working position;
a signal transmission device supported by the shank attachment member, the signal transmission device configured to transmit wireless signals;
an antenna configured to receive the wireless signals transmitted from the signal transmission device, the antenna being positioned on the upper portion of the shank such that the antenna is above the ground surface of the field when the shank assembly is in the working position; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the antenna, the controller configured to determine an installation status of the shank attachment member based at least in part on the wireless signals received by the antenna from the signal transmission device.