Joint for portable agricultural machinery

Abstract

Joint (100) for portable agricultural machinery (1), such as dispensers or suction machinery, comprising a first tubular body (101) defining a respective duct (102) extending along a first extension axis (X1), and a second tubular body (103) defining a respective duct (104) extending along a second extension axis (X2). The first tubular body (101) and the second tubular body (103) are rotatably connected by means of their respective connection flanges (105, 106), which extend on an abutment plane (P). The abutment plane (P) is transverse to the first extension axis (X1) and the second extension axis (X2) so that the first tubular body (101) and the second tubular body (103) can define a plurality of operating configurations between an aligned configuration and a maximum deviation configuration.

Description

[0001] JOINT FOR PORTABLE AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY DESCRIPTION

[0002] The present invention falls within the agricultural sector and relates to a joint for portable agricultural machinery as well as portable agricultural machinery comprising such a joint.

[0003] The term “portable agricultural machinery” refers to agricultural devices of the dispensing type, such as blowers, sprayers or atomisers.

[0004] The term “portable agricultural machinery” also refers to agricultural devices of the suction type.

[0005] In the field of the present invention, agricultural machinery is known to comprise a machine body and a dispensing or suction nozzle, connected to the machine body by means of joints, the purpose of which is to allow a deviation of the nozzle's action from a main extension direction of the machine body.

[0006] The Applicant has noted that, even in their most modern implementations, such joints have functional and / or structural disadvantages that make them improvable. It has been noted that such joints are not very versatile and do not allow for optimal adjustment of the nozzle's action direction. It has also been noted that such joints have a complex structure and laborious adjustment.

[0007] In this context, the technical task of the present invention is therefore to make available a joint for portable agricultural machinery as well as portable agricultural machinery comprising such a joint that are free from the drawbacks complained of in the prior art.

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a joint for portable agricultural machinery as well as portable agricultural machinery including such a joint that are extremely versatile and allow optimum adjustment of the nozzle's action direction.

[0009] A further object of this invention is to make available a joint for portable agricultural machinery as well as portable agricultural machinery comprising such a joint that have a simplified structure and are easy to use.

[0010] The objects are substantially achieved by joint and portable agricultural machinery in accordance with the characteristics set forth in the appended claims 1 and 10 and / or one or more of the claims dependent thereon, respectively.

[0011] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a joint for portable agricultural machinery as well as portable agricultural machinery comprising the same joint, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

[0012] - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred, illustrative and therefore non-limiting embodiment of a detail of portable agricultural machinery in a first operating configuration;

[0013] - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the machinery in Figure 1 in a second operating configuration;

[0014] - Figure 3 is a side view of a detail of the embodiment of the machinery in Figure 1 in the first operating configuration;

[0015] - Figure 4 is a side view of a detail of the embodiment of the machinery in Figure 1 in the second operating configuration;

[0016] - Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a detail of the embodiment of the machinery in Figure 1 in the first operating configuration;

[0017] - Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a detail of the embodiment of the machinery in Figure 1 in the second operating configuration.

[0018] The invention has particular, though not limited, application in the agricultural sector and can be used advantageously for portable agricultural machinery.

[0019] Therefore, in the remainder of the present description reference will be made to a joint for portable agricultural machinery, such as dispensers (blowers, sprayers, atomisers) or suction machinery.

[0020] It should be noted, however, that the same joint can be used on devices and dispensing or suction machines that are not part of the agricultural sector, in accordance with the generality of the invention.

[0021] With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2, a portable agricultural machine has been indicated by numerical reference 1 . The machine 1 comprises a machine body 2 and a dispensing or suction nozzle 3 connected to machine body 2 by a joint 100.

[0022] The machine body 2 comprises a motor, not shown, and a main tubular delivery or suction body 4 emerging from the machine body 2, connected to the motor and defining a main conduit for the passage of a fluid.

[0023] The main tubular body 4 comprises a connection end 5 configured to define a stable mechanical connection with the joint 100.

[0024] Structurally, with reference to the accompanying figures, the joint 100 comprises a first tubular body 101 defining a respective duct 102 extending along a first extension axis “X1”. The first tubular body 101 has a first end 101 a connectable to the machine 1 (in particular to the connection end 5 of the main tubular body 4) and a second end 101 b, opposite the first end 101 a.

[0025] In use, the duct 102 of the first tubular body 101 is aligned with the main duct of the main tubular body 4 of the machine 1 . In other words, the first extension axis “X1” of the first tubular body 101 is aligned with an extension axis of the main tubular body 4 of the machine 1 .

[0026] The joint 100 comprises a second tubular body 103, which is connected by a respective first end 103a to the second end 101 b of the first tubular body 101.

[0027] The second tubular body 103 defines a respective duct 104 extending along a second extension axis “X2”.

[0028] The second tubular body 103 also has a second end 103b, opposite the first end 103a, which is connected or connectable to the dispensing or suction nozzle 3.

[0029] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the first tubular body 101 and the second tubular body 103 are rotatably connected by means of respective connection flanges 105, 106, which extend on an abutment plane “P”. In particular, the abutment plane “P” is transverse to the first extension axis “X1” and to the second extension axis “X2” so that the first tubular body 101 and the second tubular body 103 can assume a plurality of operating configurations between an aligned configuration, in which the extension axes “X1”, “X2” of the tubular bodies 101 , 103 are aligned, and a maximum deviation configuration, in which the extension axes “X1 ”, “X2” of the tubular bodies 101 , 103 are misaligned.

[0030] In other words, by rotating the second tubular body 103 with respect to the first tubular body 101 , it is possible to switch the arrangement of the joint 100, obtaining a plurality of distinct operating configurations, between the two limit configurations, i.e. the aligned configuration and the maximum deviation configuration.

[0031] Figures 1 , 3 and 5 show the alignment configuration.

[0032] Figures 2, 4 and 6 show the maximum deviation configuration.

[0033] Preferably, the connection flanges 105, 106 are circular in shape.

[0034] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the connection flanges 105, 106 have respective and reciprocal engagement means 107, 108.

[0035] Preferably, the engagement means 107, 108 are of the snap-on type.

[0036] In accordance with the preferred embodiment, as can be seen from Figures 5 and 6, the engagement means 107, 108 comprise a shoulder 107 formed on the connection flange 105 of the first tubular body 101 , which extends transversely away from the first tubular body 101 itself, and a folded lip 108 formed on the connection flange 106 of the second tubular body 103, which is configured to stably engage the shoulder 107 of the first tubular body 101 .

[0037] Preferably, the shoulder 107 and the folded lip 108 are mutually countershaped.

[0038] Even more preferably, the shoulder 107 and the folded lip 108 are mutually shaped so as to achieve frictional contact between the two tubular bodies 101 , 103. Advantageously, in this way, due to the frictional forces in the tangential direction generated between the two tubular bodies 101 , 103, the operating configurations assumed by the two tubular bodies 101 , 103 are stable.

[0039] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, in the aligned configuration the extension axes “X1 ”, “X2” of the tubular bodies 101 , 103 define a deviation angle a essentially equal to 0°. Also, in the maximum deviation configuration, the extension axes “X1 ”, “X2” of the tubular bodies 101 , 103 define an angle of deviation a comprised between 70° and 1 10°.

[0040] In the preferred embodiment, in the maximum deviation configuration, the extension axes “X1 ”, “X2” of the tubular bodies 101 , 103 define an angle of deviation a of 80°.

[0041] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, in the maximum deviation configuration, the first tubular body 101 and the second tubular body 103 are rotated by an angle of 180° with respect to the alignment configuration. In other words, to achieve the maximum deviation configuration, starting from the aligned configuration, the second tubular body 103 must be rotated with respect to the first tubular body 101 by an angle of 180°.

[0042] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the connection flanges 105, 106 are configured in such a way that the abutment plane “P” is transverse to the first extension axis “X1 ” of the first tubular body 101 with an angle of inclination [3 comprised between 30° and 60°.

[0043] In the preferred embodiment, the abutment plane “P” is transverse to the first extension axis “X1 ” of the first tubular body 101 preferably with an angle of inclination [3 of 45°.

[0044] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the first end 101 a of the first tubular body 101 has coupling means 1 10 configured to rotatably connect the first tubular body 101 to the connection end 5 of the machine 1. Also, the connection end 5 of the machine 1 has respective coupling means 1 11 configured to cooperate with the coupling means 1 10 of the first end 101 a of the tubular body 101 . Preferably, the coupling means 110 being of the snap-on type.

[0045] In other words, the connection end 5 of the machine 1 and the first end 101 a of the first tubular body 101 have respective and reciprocal coupling means 110, 111 configured to rotatably connect the first tubular body 101 to the machine 1 .

[0046] In use, the first tubular body 101 is rotatable with respect to the machine 1 about the first extension axis “X1” of the first tubular body 101 itself so that it can assume a plurality of operating configurations.

[0047] Preferably, the first end 101 a of the first tubular body 101 is configured to at least partially receive the connection end 5 of the machine 1 , which is counter-shaped to an inner wall of the first end 101a of the first tubular body 101. In other words, in use, the connection end 5 of the machine 1 is interpenetrated into the first end 101 a of the first tubular body 101 .

[0048] Even more preferably, the connection end 5 of the machine 1 is countershaped to the inner wall of the first end 101a of the first tubular body 101 so as to achieve frictional contact between the two bodies 100, 1. Advantageously, in this way, due to the frictional forces in the tangential direction generated between the machine 1 and the joint 100, the operating configurations assumed by the joint 100 with respect to the machine 1 are stable.

[0049] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the dispensing or suction nozzle 3 can be mounted to the second tubular body 103 in an integral or rotatable manner. Preferably, the second end 103b of the second tubular body 103 and the nozzle 3 have respective coupling means, preferably of the snap-on type.

[0050] In accordance with an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the delivery or suction nozzle 3 can be integral with the second tubular body 103.

[0051] Figure 3 shows a method of adjusting the preferred embodiment of the joint 100 in order to adjust the action direction of the nozzle 3.

[0052] Firstly, the second tubular body 103 is rotated with respect to the first tubular body 101 in such a way that the extension axes “X1”, “X2” of the two tubular bodies 101 , 103 are misaligned, resulting in a desired angle of deviation a. Secondly, the first tubular body 101 is rotated with respect to the machine 1 so as to correctly direct the action of the nozzle 3. Naturally, during the rotation of the first tubular body 101 with respect to the machine 1 , the reciprocal positioning between the first tubular body 101 and the second tubular body 103 is essentially unchanged.

[0053] The present invention achieves its intended purpose by eliminating the drawbacks highlighted by the prior art. In this regard, it should first be noted that the joint 100 as described and / or claimed allows for optimal and versatile adjustment of the action direction of the nozzle 3. This is achieved thanks to the conformation of the two tubular bodies 101 , 103, and especially thanks to the conformation of the connection flanges 105, 106 of the two tubular bodies 101 , 103. It should also be noted that the possibility of being able to rotate the joint 100 with respect to the machine 1 provides an additional degree of freedom in adjusting the action direction of the nozzle 3 with respect to the machine 1 itself. In addition, the simplified design of the joint 100 allows easy adjustment of the nozzle's action direction.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Joint (100) for portable agricultural machinery (1 ) such as dispensers or suction machinery, comprising:- a first tubular body (101 ) defining a respective duct (102) extending along a first extension axis (X1), having a first end (101a) connectable to said machine (1 ) and a second end (101 b), opposite said first end (101 a);- a second tubular body (103) defining a respective duct (104) extending along a second extension axis (X2); said second tubular body (103) having a first end (103a) connected to the second end (101 b) of the first tubular body (101 ), and a second end (103b) operatively connected to a dispensing or suction nozzle (3); said first tubular body (101 ) and said second tubular body (103) being rotatably connected by means of their respective connection flanges (105, 106) which extend on an abutment plane (P); characterised in that said abutment plane (P) is transverse to the first extension axis (X1 ) and to the second extension axis (X2) so that the first tubular body (101 ) and the second tubular body (103) can define a plurality of operating configurations between an aligned configuration, in which the extension axes (X1 , X2) of the tubular bodies (101 , 103) are aligned, and a maximum deviation configuration, in which the extension axes (X1 , X2) of the tubular bodies (101 , 103) are misaligned.

2. Joint (100) according to claim 1 , wherein said connection flanges (105, 106) are circular in shape.

3. Joint (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said connection flanges (105, 106) have reciprocal engagement means (107, 108), preferably said engagement means (107, 108) being of the snap-on type.

4. Joint (100) according to claim 3, wherein said engagement means (107, 108) comprise:- a shoulder (107) formed on the connection flange (105) of the first tubular body (101 ) and extending transversally away from the first tubular body (101 ) itself;- a folded lip (108) formed on the connection flange (106) of the second tubular body (103) and configured to stably engage said shoulder (107); said shoulder (107) and said folded lip (108) being counter-shaped.

5. Joint (100) accordance to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in said maximum deviation configuration, the extension axes (X1 , X2) of the tubular bodies (101 , 103) define a deviation angle (a) comprised between 70° and 90°, preferably 80°.

6. Joint (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in said maximum deviation configuration, the first tubular body (101 ) and the second tubular body (103) are rotated by an angle of rotation of 180° with respect to said alignment configuration.

7. Joint (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said abutment plane (P) is transverse to the first extension axis (X1 ) of the first tubular body (101 ) at an angle of inclination ( ) comprised between 30° and 60°, preferably 45°.

8. Joint (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end (101 a) of the first tubular body (101 ) has coupling means (110) configured to rotatably connect the first tubular body (101 ) to a connection end (5) of the machinery (1 ); preferably, said coupling means (110) being of the snap-on type; in use, the first tubular body (101 ) being rotatable with respect to said machine (1 ) about the first extension axis (X1 ) so that it can assume a plurality of operating configurations.

9. Joint (100) according to claim 8, wherein the first end (101 a) of the first tubular body (101 ) is configured to receive, in use, said connection end (5) of said machine (1 ), which is counter-shaped to an inner wall of said first end (101 a) of the first tubular body (101 ).

10. Portable agricultural machine (1 ), such as a dispenser or suction machine, comprising a machine body (2) and a dispensing or suction nozzle (3), connected to said machine body (2) by means of a joint (100) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9.

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