FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention generally relates to an axle assembly for use with automotive vehicles, and more particularly a dead axle assembly provided with a telescopic beam structure arrangement. The invention further relates to a front axle assembly of agricultural vehicles such as tractors having provided with an elongated beam and extension pieces so as to adjust the length of the axle as per the requirement of the track width needed at front axle for diverse field applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

In general, a tractor is mainly designed and developed for various agricultural mechanizations; apart from that, nowadays tractors are also getting designed and developed to suit for small scale constructional equipment applications. When it comes to agricultural mechanization, tractor is equipped with diverse farm equipments for performing different farming operations such as plowing, tilling, shoveling, harrowing thereby to prepare suitable farm land for cultivation of respective crops. It is very important to note that the application of a tractor does not end once the farm land is ready; instead, till the harvesting of the crops, the tractor is being used for necessary applications required for the effective production of the cultivated crops. Also tractor design varies with farming requirements like row crops, high crops, farm land preparation and other utilities.

For row crops farming, one of the paramount design parameter needs to be considered while designing a tractor is flexible track width. In row crops farming, the lateral distance between two rows may vary depends on the requirement of the effective cultivation of each crops. Hence, it is very essential to provide a flexible track width to a row crops farm tractor for treading along the rows without damaging the plants. For this, an operator needs to adjust the track width of either rear axle or front axle or both as per the requirement of farming. In conventional method, the track width of the rear axle can be widened or narrowed by reversing the mounting position of the rear wheel rim on the wheel hub. Since, the construction of front wheel rim is unlike to rear wheel rim, reversing the mounting position of the front wheel rim will not effect any change in the front axel width. As such, there have been designed and developed a telescopic kind of arrangement in the front axle to vary the track width.

There have been various tests & trials carried out in the telescopic arrangement of front axle for adjusting the track width thereof. All these arrangements developed therein need manual intervention to perform the task. It is to be obviously understood that when manual intervention is involved in performing said task, the kind of effort an operator require, time consumption, risk factor and safety in handling the operation is very high. It is also to be noted that an operator has to perform the task in the field, may be single handedly or with additional man power which will further lead to cost of labor charge for efficient production. Aforesaid field problems were a major matter of concern or the cause that lead to the present invention which has successfully resolved the problems in the state of art.

Some of the prior inventions related to the art for which the present invention seek for patent are described herein below for better understanding of the existing solution for the track width adjustment and distinguish the present invention from the solution which is already known in the public domain and commonly used.

US patent 2604332 discloses an adjustable front axle for row crop tractors comprises a main frame for the pivotal support of axle housing, wherein the axle housing is hollow throughout the length thereof and having noncircular cross section. The axle housing is provided with flanged sections and formed with holes therein adjacent to the ends of axle housing. A pair of axle having cross section similar to the inner contour of the axle housing is slidably disposed from the ends of axle housing. Said axles are also provided with flanges which further formed with plurality of indents at pre defined axial distance so as to get engaged with the axle housing by means of bolt or other engaging mean. In this particular construction, it is very difficult to perform track width adjustment single handedly as removing the bolt and aligning the axle housing with the axle is a tedious task.

GB1499479 discloses an extendable front axle for agricultural tractors wherein the axle comprising an elongated beam and extension pieces at both ends of the elongated beam. Ridges or channels are provided adjacent to the ends of elongated beam and extension pieces at specified distance. A clamping device is used to engage the extension piece with the elongated beam. With this construction, the extension pieces shall be moved away from or towards to the elongated beam. In this construction also the time getting consumed for adjusting the track width is high because loosening the clamping device and aligning the extension pieces with the elongated beam required good amount of effort and time.

Hence, there exists a need in this field to develop a front axle assembly having incorporated with a telescopic arrangement of the axle beam structure and track width adjusting means for vehicle such as tractor and other agricultural vehicle for comfortably and conveniently adjusting the track width of the axle by the operator without much effort required for the above prior art and known system. The present inventors have attempted to provide a novel solution to the existing problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings associated with the background art and achieves other advantages over existing state of the art.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an extendable dead axle that will overcome the shortcomings or disadvantages of prior arts and commonly used system as aforesaid. Said extendable dead axle is incorporated with a telescopic beam structure arrangement comprising an elongated beam and extension pieces.

Another object of the present invention is to dispose a track width adjusting means comprising a pinion and a rack in the axle for facilitating the operator of vehicle to adjust the length of the axle with less effort and within short period of time. Further object of the present invention is to provide said telescopic beam structure arrangement and track width adjusting means to front axle of agricultural vehicles such as tractors and like, especially, tractors mainly intended for row crop farming so as to facilitate the tractor for applying in various row crop farming by suitably adjusting the track width of front axle.

Further object of the present invention is to provide track width adjusting means in front axle which can be performed by a single operator without much manual effort and any additional manpower in the field.

Further object of the present invention to increase the productivity of farm land by way of easy track width adjustment in short period of time as and when required in the field.

Further object of the present invention is to have continuously variable track width adjustment between a specified range of minimum and maximum track width which is not present in any prior knowledge in this art as all systems are designed based on predetermined track width value.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the dead axle assembly of automotive vehicles is incorporated with a telescopic beam structure arrangement and a track width adjusting means, wherein said telescopic beam structure comprises an elongated beam and atleast two extension pieces, and the track width adjusting means comprises a rack and a pinion arrangement for continuously and variably adjusting the track width between a predefined minimum value and maximum value.

In another aspect of the present invention, the front axle assembly of agricultural vehicles
such as tractors and like is incorporated with a telescopic beam structure arrangement and a track width adjusting means, wherein said telescopic beam structure comprises an substantially elongated beam and atleast two extension pieces, and the track width adjusting means comprises a rack and a pinion arrangement for adjusting the track width between a predefined minimum value and maximum value.

Said extension pieces are incorporated with said rack and formed with a longitudinal slot having length equal to the length of the rack for achieving maximum extension of the front axle.

Said pinion is adapted with the track width adjusting means for axially moving the extension pieces towards and away from the elongated beam with much less manual effort within short period of time.

Said track width adjusting means further comprising a pinion shaft, a coil spring, a first handle, a second handle, a lock pin and a woodruff key. Said pinion shaft is provided with a circular collar at first end for arresting the assembly of the coil spring and the first handle and further provided with a first through hole at first end thereof for inserting the second handle for performing the track width adjustment and a second through hole at second end for inserting a lock pin to restrict axial movement of the track width adjusting means across the width of the telescopic beam structure.

The pinion shaft is inserted through the elongated beam and engaged with the pinion that is already engaged with the rack inside the extension piece. Two projections and corresponding slots are provided in the first handle and the beam, respectively, for
locking the track adjusting means with the elongated beam during normal condition.
When the track width of the front axle is to be adjusted, operator unlock the track width adjusting means from the elongated beam by pulling the first handle towards him and rotate the pinion in desired direction with the help of the second handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front axle assembly of tractor incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of telescopic beam structure arrangement of the front axle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the front axle of FIG. 2 showing the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of an extension piece of FIG.2 & FIG. 3 showing rack position therein.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of track width adjusting means disposed at one end of the front axle of FIG.l & FIG.2.

FIG. 6 is perspective view of first handle of the track width adjusting means of FIG. 5 showing two projections.

FIG. 7 is perspective view of the elongated beam of the telescopic beam structure arrangement of FIG. 2 showing slot arrangement.

FIG. 8 is elevational view of the pinion of the track width adjusting means of FIG. 5 showing slot for engaging with pinion shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION;

While this invention is susceptible for embodiments in different forms, the detailed description of the specific embodiments and the corresponding drawings shown here are to be understood and deemed as an example of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described.

The present invention discloses a dead axle assembly of automotive vehicle incorporated with an extendable axle beam structure to adjust length of the axle as per the requirement of track width needed at dead axle for the diverse field application comprises an elongated beam, at least two extension pieces and at least one track width adjusting means, wherein the adjustment and extending of said dead axle beam is achieved by means of insertion of said extension pieces into both ends of said elongated beam to form telescopic arrangement of dead axle beam structure and by means of a rack being disposed at inner surface of said extension pieces longitudinally, wherein said track width adjusting means comprises a pinion, a pinion shaft, a coil spring and at least a handle, wherein the said pinion having plurality of tooth designed to engage with plurality of tooth of said rack and adapted with said pinion shaft for axially moving said extension pieces towards and away from said elongated beam, and the track width adjusting means is provided with a projection to lock with the elongated beam by engaging with a slot provided along circumference of a hole of elongated beam.

The elongated beam of the dead axle beam structure can be a tube, a pipe like structure having square cross section. The extension pieces are made hollow and are provided with cross section following inner contour of the elongated beam. At least one long strip of projection, having length equal to the length of the extension pieces and a hemispherical contour section are provided to the elongated beam to receive the extension pieces through the elongated beam. This ensures appropriate fit between the elongated beam and the extension pieces, where the point of contact between the projection and outer surface of the extension pieces facilitates frictionless and effortless movement of the extension pieces within the elongated beam. The projection is provided to properly fit the extension piece within the elongated beam for smooth telescopic arrangement and axial movement thereof.

The track width adjusting means includes at least a handle which consists of a first handle and a second handle for comfortably operating the track width adjusting means by the operator. A first through hole is provided adjacent to a first end of the pinion shaft and radially to a collar to insert the second handle for performing track width adjustment. In addition, a second hole is provided, radially, adjacent to second end of the pinion shaft for inserting a lock pin to restrict axial movement of the pinion shaft across the width of
the telescopic beam structure.

The first handle the track width adjusting means consists of a hollow cylindrical base portion, having outer diameter same as the circumference of the collar, inner diameter, which is adapted to receive the pinion shaft and plurality of handle bars, which are made of tube or rod. The plurality of handle bars are connected to circumferential face of a base portion projecting forward to elongated beam wall surface to hold the handle bar without fouling to the wall surface of the elongated beam while performing task of track width adjustment. A pinion is formed with a central hole to receive the pinion shaft, provided with a slot to engage with the pinion via a woodruff key.

A method to adjust track width of the dead axle assembly consisting of unlocking the track width adjusting means from the elongated beam by pulling the first handle towards the operator; rotating the pinion in desired direction using the second handle; and engaging at least one projection provided at base portion of the first handle with at least one slot provided on the elongated beam to lock the track width adjusting means with the dead axle assembly.

In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of FIG 1-5.

Referring to FIG.l, a front axle assembly(10) of agricultural vehicle such as tractor is pivoted on a support(11) which is being directly mounted on chassis (not shown) of tractor via bolt or with suitable mounting device. The front axle assembly (10) is pivoted onto the support(11) via a pivoting means (not shown) in such a way to sway up and down with respect to a pivot point(12) while moving the vehicle in the field. Both end of the front axle assembly (10) is provided with a sleeve(13) for disposing a king pin(14) which carry a wheel hub assembly(15) for mounting a front wheel(16) of the vehicle thereon. A wheel rim(17) of the front wheel(16) is provided with only one mounting position in the wheel hub assembly(15) unlike rear wheel rim mounting position in rear axle assembly of the vehicle.

An extendable front axle beam structure according to the present invention is referred by numeral(20) and described in detail herein below with reference to FIG.l and FIG.2. The perspective view of the front axle assembly(10) shown in FIG.l is to be considered as the view taken from the front side of the vehicle. Referring to FIG.2, the front axle beam structure(20) comprising an substantially elongated beam(21), atleast two extension pieces(22) having predetermined length and two track width adjusting means(23). The elongated beam(21) is a tube or pipe like structure having sufficiently large square cross section with sufficient wall thickness to afford maximum amount of load that any tractor may exert. The extension pieces(22) are also made as hollow and having provided with cross section that will follow the inner contour of the elongated beam(21). Both ends of the elongated beam(21) are inserted with each extension piece(22) so as to form a telescopic arrangement of axle beam structure(20) for extending the front axle beam as required within specified limit. However, it should be understood that a person skilled in the art can use any cross section for the elongated beam(21) and the extension pieces(22) with hollow structure to form a telescopic arrangement of axle beam structure without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, and with referring to FIG.2 & FIG.3, two long strips of projection(24) having length equal to the length of the extension pieces(22) and hemispherical contour section(27) are provided at inner surface(25) of all four walls(26) of the elongated beam(21) at specified distance laterally. The hemispherical contour section(27) of the projection(24) is being designed in such a way to receive the extension pieces(22) through the elongated beam(21) thereby to ensure appropriate fit between the elongated beam(21) and the extension pieces(22). The point contact between the projection(24) and outer surface of the extension pieces(22) will facilitate frictionless and effortless axial movement of the extension pieces(22) within the elongated beam(21). It is also to be understood that the purpose of projection(24) is to properly fit the extension piece(22) within the elongated beam(21) for smooth telescopic arrangement and axial movement thereof. Hence, a person skilled in the art can design an appropriate fit within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG.3 and FIG.4, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the extension pieces(22) of the front axle beam structure(20) is also made with square cross section adapted to insert through the elongated beam(21) from both end thereof. A rack(31) having predetermined length and desired width is disposed at the center of the inner surface(32) of the upper wall(33) of the extension pieces(22) longitudinally. The pitch defined between two teeth among a plurality of tooth(34) present in the rack(31) is being designed considering the effort required for axially moving of the extension pieces(22) towards or away from the elongated beam(21). It is to be understood from the preferred embodiment that the position of the rack(31) shall be anywhere at inner surface(32) of the upper wall(33) of the extension pieces(22). According to another embodiment of the present invention, the rack(31) shall be disposed at the inner surface(32) of bottom wall(33) of the extension pieces(22). In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of tooth(34) is formed as integral part of the upper wall(33) if the extension piece(22) is manufactured from casting. In another embodiment of the present invention, rack may be made as separate part and welded to the inner surface(32) of the upper or lower wall(33) if the extension piece(22) is manufactured from forging or by some other method. Side walls(33) of the extension piece(22) are provided with a longitudinal slot(35) having predetermined length equal to the length of the rack(31) for facilitating to and fro axial movement of the extension pieces(22) within the elongated beam(21).

As both the track width adjusting means are same, for better under standing of the present invention one of them is referred as numeral(23) and described in detail herein below with reference to FIG.3 and FIG.5. The track width adjusting means(23) comprising a pinion(41), a pinion shaft(42), a coil spring(43), a first handle(44) and a second handle(45). Plurality of tooth(46) of the pinion(41) is being designed to engage with the plurality of tooth(34) of the rack(31). The pinion shaft(42) is provided with a collar(47) adjacent to first end(48) thereof. The collar(47) is having circular perimeter. A first through hole(49) is provided adjacent to the first end(48) of the pinion shaft(42) and to the forward of the collar(47) radially. A second through hole(50) is provided adjacent to second end(51) of the pinion shaft(42) radially. The coil spring(43) is a compression spring. Referring to FIG.6, the first handle(44) comprises a hollow cylindrical base portion(52) having outer diameter(53) same as the circumference of the collar(47) and inner diameter(54) adapted to receive the pinion shaft(42). The bottom surface(55) of the base portion(52) is formed with two upright projections(56) radially at 180 degree apart. Each handle bar(57) made of tube or rod is connected to the circumferential face of the base portion(52) projecting forward to the elongated beam wall surface so as to hold the handle bar(57) without fouling to the wall surface of the elongated beam(21) while performing the task of track width adjustment by the operator. The second handle(45) is made of straight tube or rod and inserted through the first hole(49) for performing track width adjustment.

Referring to FIG.7, formed adjacent to both ends of the elongated beam(21) is a hole(61) through the side walls(26) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof. The diameter of the hole(61) is adapted to receive the pinion shaft(42) across the width of the elongated beam(21). Two slots(62) are provided along the circumference of the hole(61) adapted to engage with the projections(56) formed at bottom surface(55) of the base portion(52) of the first handle(44). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, one of the slots(62) is formed at upper circumferential point of the hole(61) and the other slot is formed at bottom circumferential point of the hole(61). However, it should be understood that the provision of the two slots(62) in the preferred embodiment should not limit the scope of the present invention as the slots are provided to engage the elongated beam(21) with the track width adjusting means(23) convenient to the operator comfort. Also, person skilled in the art may use single projection(56) in the base portion(52) of the first handle to engage with the elongated beam(21) without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, 7 & 8, the assembly of the track width adjusting means(23) is described in detail herein below. The extension pieces(22) are inserted at both end of the elongated beam(21) along with the pinion(41) in the engaged position with the rack(31).
The pinion is formed with a central hole(63) adapted to receive the pinion shaft(42) and provided with atleast a slot(64) at the circumference of the inner whole(63). The second end(51) of the pinion shaft(42) is then inserted through the coil spring(43) and through the first handle(44) as shown in the assembled elevational view of FIG. 3. The pinion shaft(42) is provided with a slot(65) at the center thereof to engage with the pinion(41) via a woodruff key(66). The whole assembly of the track width adjusting means(23) is then inserted through the hole(61) provided at the side wall(26) of the elongated beam(21) and the pinion(41) and extend through the other side wall(26). A lock pin(67) is then inserted through the hole(50) to arrest the axial movement of the track width adjusting means(23). The second handle(45) is inserted through the first hole(49) for performing the track width adjustment in the field.

During the operation, the operator disengage the track width adjusting means(23) from the elongated beam(21) by pulling the first handle(44) towards him and rotate the pinion(41) in desired direction as per the requirement with the help of the second handle(45). After the operation, the projection(56) provided on the base portion(52) is made to engage with the slot(62) provided on the elongated beam(21) to lock the track width adjusting means(23) with the front axle assembly(10).

We claim,

1. A dead axle assembly(10) of automotive vehicle incorporated with an extendable axle beam structure(20) to adjust length of the axle as per the requirement of track width needed at dead axle for the diverse field application comprises an elongated beam(21), at least two extension pieces(22) and at least one track width adjusting means(23),

wherein the adjustment and extending of said dead axle beam is achieved by means of insertion of said extension pieces(22) into both ends of said elongated beam(21) to form telescopic arrangement of dead axle beam structure(20) and by means of a rack(31) being disposed at inner surface(32) of said extension pieces(22) longitudinally,

wherein said track width adjusting means(23) comprises a pinion(41), a pinion shaft(42), a coil spring(43) and at least a handle,

wherein the said pinion(41) having plurality of tooth(46) designed to engage with plurality of tooth(34) of said rack(31) and adapted with said pinion shaft (42) for axially moving said extension pieces(22) towards and away from said elongated beam(21), and

the track width adjusting means (23) is provided with a projection (56) to lock with the elongated beam by engaging with a slot (62) provided along circumference of a hole(61) of elongated beam (21).

2. The dead axle assembly (10) of automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongated beam(21) is selected from a group comprising a tube, a pipe like structure having square cross section.

3. The dead axle assembly (10) of automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said extension pieces(22) are made hollow and having provided with cross section following inner contour of said elongated beam(21).

4. The dead axle assembly (10) of automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one long strip of projection(24), having length equal to length of said extension pieces(22), and a hemispherical contour section(27) being provided to said elongated beam(21) to receive said extension pieces through said elongated beam(21) ensuring appropriate fit between said elongated beam and said extension pieces, wherein point of contact between said projection(24) and outer surface of said extension pieces facilitating frictionless and effortless movement of said extension pieces within said elongated beam, and said projection(24) being provided to properly fit said extension piece within said elongated beam for smooth telescopic arrangement and axial movement thereof.

5. The dead axle assembly (10) of automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said track width adjusting means(23) comprises a first handle (44) and a second handle (45) for comfortably operating the track width adjusting means by operator.

6. The dead axle assembly (10) of automotive vehicle as claimed in claims 1 and 5, wherein a first through hole(49) being provided adjacent to a first end(48) of said pinion shaft(42) and to a collar(47) radially to insert said second handle(45) for performing track width adjustment, and a second hole(50) being provided adjacent to second end(51) of said pinion shaft(42) radially for inserting a lock pin(67) to restrict axial movement of said pinion shaft(42) across the width of said telescopic beam structure(20).

7. The dead axle assembly (10) of automotive vehicle as claimed in claims 1, 5 and 6, wherein said first handle(44) comprises a hollow cylindrical base portion(52) having outer diameter(53) same as the circumference of said collar(47), inner diameter(54) adapted to receive said pinion shaft(42) and plurality of handle bars(57), made of tube or rod, being connected to circumferential face of said base portion(52) projecting forward to elongated beam wall surface to hold said handle bar without fouling to said wall surface of said elongated beam(21) while performing task of track width adjustment.

8. The dead axle assembly(10) of automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pinion(41) being formed with a central hole(63) to receive said pinion shaft(42), provided with a slot(65) to engage with said pinion(41) via a woodruff key(66).

9. A method to adjust track width of said dead axle assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:

unlocking a track width adjusting means(23) from an elongated beam(21) by pulling the first handle(44) towards the operator;

rotating a pinion(41) in desired direction using the second handle(45);

engaging at least one projection(56) provided at base portion(52) of said first handle(44) with at least one slot(62) provided on said elongated beam(21) to lock said track width adjusting means(23) with a dead axle assembly(10).