IP Library Granted Patent US 9,003,984
Granted Patent B2
US 9,003,984 · App. 13/604,757 · Granted Apr 14, 2015

Storage tank mounting arrangement for an agricultural implement

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,003,984
App. No.
13/604,757
Granted
Apr 14, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An agricultural implement includes a frame assembly configured to support a storage tank. The frame assembly includes a pair of longitudinal beams positioned on opposite lateral sides of the storage tank, and multiple cross members extending between the pair of longitudinal beams. A substantially flat upper surface of each cross member is secured to a lower surface of each longitudinal beam, and each cross member is configured to support the storage tank via contact between the substantially flat upper surface of the cross member and a substantially flat lower surface of the storage tank such that the substantially flat lower surface of the storage tank is positioned vertically below an upper surface of each longitudinal beam.

Claims (19)

1. An agricultural implement, comprising:

a frame assembly configured to support a storage tank, wherein the frame assembly comprises a pair of longitudinal beams positioned on opposite lateral sides of the storage tank, and a plurality of cross members extending between the pair of longitudinal beams, wherein each cross member includes a continuous substantially flat upper surface, the continuous substantially flat upper surface of each cross member is directly coupled to a lower surface of each longitudinal beam, and each cross member is configured to support the storage tank via contact between the continuous substantially flat upper surface of the cross member and a substantially flat lower surface of the storage tank such that the substantially flat lower surface of the storage tank is positioned vertically below an upper surface of each longitudinal beam.

2. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , wherein the continuous substantially flat upper surface of each cross member is directly coupled to the lower surface of each longitudinal beam by a welded connection.

3. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , wherein each cross member is oriented substantially perpendicular to the pair of longitudinal beams.

4. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cross members is configured to position the substantially flat lower surface of the storage tank substantially vertically level with the lower surface of each longitudinal beam.

5. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of mounting straps configured to secure the storage tank to the plurality of cross members, wherein each mounting strap includes a first end secured to a respective cross member, a second end secured to the respective cross member, and a body that extends around an upper portion of the storage tank from the first end to the second end.

6. The agricultural implement of claim 5 , wherein the first end and the second end of each mounting strap are secured to the continuous substantially flat upper surface of the respective cross member.

7. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , wherein the storage tank comprises a plurality of substantially flat lower surfaces, and each substantially flat lower surface is configured to align with a respective cross member.

8. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , comprising a central longitudinal support assembly coupled to a lower surface of each cross member, and configured to support the plurality of cross members.

9. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , wherein the storage tank is configured to hold flowable agricultural product, and to provide the flowable agricultural product to a plurality of row units.

10. An agricultural implement, comprising:

a storage tank configured to hold flowable agricultural product;

a frame assembly configured to support the storage tank, wherein the frame assembly comprises:

a first longitudinal beam positioned outwardly from a first lateral side of the storage tank;

a second longitudinal beam positioned outwardly from a second lateral side of the storage tank, opposite the first lateral side; and

a plurality of cross members extending substantially perpendicularly between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam, wherein each cross member includes a continuous substantially flat upper surface, the continuous substantially flat upper surface of each cross member is directly coupled to a lower surface of each longitudinal beam, and each cross member is configured to support the storage tank via contact between the continuous substantially flat upper surface of the cross member and a substantially flat lower surface of the storage tank such that the substantially flat lower surface of the storage tank is positioned vertically below an upper surface of each longitudinal beam.

11. The agricultural implement of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of cross members is configured to position the substantially flat lower surface of the storage tank substantially vertically level with the lower surface of each longitudinal beam.

12. The agricultural implement of claim 10 , comprising a plurality of mounting straps configured to secure the storage tank to the plurality of cross members, wherein each mounting strap includes a first end secured to a respective cross member, a second end secured to the respective cross member, and a body that extends around an upper portion of the storage tank from the first end to the second end.

13. The agricultural implement of claim 10 , comprising a central longitudinal support assembly coupled to a lower surface of each cross member, and configured to support the plurality of cross members.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2015
From: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICAL LLC
To: BLUE LEAF I.P., INC.
Reel/Frame 036238/0229 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 23, 2014
From: CNH AMERICA LLC
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
Reel/Frame 033014/0923 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 6, 2012
From: BLUNIER, TIMOTHY R.; MCMAHON, BRIAN
To: CNH AMERICA LLC
Reel/Frame 028906/0127 →