US 11,980,123 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 Aug. 25, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/002,084.
Application 17/002,084 is a continuation of application No. 14/835,553, filed on Aug. 25, 2015, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/041,551, filed on Aug. 25, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2021/0168994 A1, Jun. 10, 2021
Int. Cl. A01B 23/04 (2006.01); A01B 23/06 (2006.01); A01B 29/04 (2006.01); A01C 5/06 (2006.01); A01C 7/20 (2006.01); A01B 39/08 (2006.01)
CPC A01C 7/208 (2013.01) [A01B 23/04 (2013.01); A01B 23/06 (2013.01); A01B 29/04 (2013.01); A01C 5/068 (2013.01); A01B 39/08 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A trailing arm assembly configured for mounting behind an agricultural planter towing frame, the trailing arm assembly comprising
a first frame bracket attachable to the planter towing frame and having a first connection portion configured for fixed attachment to the planter towing frame and a second connection portion;
a first frame configured for mounting one or more discs thereto for rotation with respect to the first frame;
a first parallel linkage pivotably connecting the frame bracket and the first frame via a first pivot and a second pivot on the second connection portion of the frame bracket and a third pivot and a fourth pivot on the first frame;
an adjustable biasing member pivotably connected to the frame bracket at a first end and pivotably connected to the first parallel linkage at a second end, wherein the adjustable biasing member is configured to provide a downward force on the first frame;
a second frame bracket coupled to the first frame at a lower pivot; and
a second frame that supports a closer assembly having one or more closing-wheels, wherein the first frame and the second frame bracket are connected to one another via a second parallel linkage such that they operatively move independently with respect to each other in the vertical direction, wherein:
the second parallel linkage is pivotally connected to the second frame bracket at the lower pivot and at an upper pivot, the second frame bracket extending upward from the lower pivot to the upper pivot;
the second parallel linkage includes a second biasing member configured to provide a second downward force on the second frame and that is adjustable with respect to a magnitude of the second downward force exerted on the second frame;
the second frame bracket extends below the lower pivot; and
the second biasing member is connected to the second frame bracket below the lower pivot.