Stem deflector mount

Abstract

A method and apparatus for rotatably mounting a stem deflector to a toolbar. The apparatus includes a base that attaches to the toolbar. The apparatus also includes a rotatable member that attaches to the stem deflector. A position of the rotatable member is adjustable relative to the base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for rotatably mounting a stem deflector to a toolbar, the apparatus comprising:
 a base configured to attach to the toolbar; and   a rotatable member configured to attach to the stem deflector, wherein a position of the rotatable member is adjustable relative to the base.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  and further comprising an adjustment means coupled to the base and wherein the rotatable member is pivotally rotatably coupled to the adjustment means. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  and wherein the rotatable member comprises a mounting bar having a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end of the mounting bar is pivotally coupled to the adjustment means about a pivot axis, and wherein the mounting bar is pivotal in a plane that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  and wherein the mounting bar includes aligned mounting holes, proximate the second end, that are configured to receive a fastener that couples the stem deflector to the mounting bar. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  and wherein the adjustment means comprises:
 a pair of opposing flanges comprising an array of aligned pairs of adjustment holes, the adjustment holes being parallel to the plane perpendicular to the pivot axis; 
 a bore that extends through the mounting bar, wherein the bore is substantially parallel to the pivot axis, and wherein the bore is in a portion of the mounting bar that is between the opposing flanges; and 
 a pin that extends through the bore and through any aligned pair of adjustment holes of the array of aligned pairs of adjustment holes. 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  and wherein the pin that extends through the any aligned pair of adjustment holes of the array of aligned pairs of adjustment holes is a hitch pin, and wherein the hitch pin is secured by a lynch pin. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  and wherein the adjustment means further comprises a connection piece, between the opposing flanges, that holds the opposing flanges in a spaced apart position and limits a range of pivotal travel of the mounting bar. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5  and wherein the base comprises a pair slots into which edges of the pair of flanges are inserted. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  and wherein the base comprises a plurality of holes that are configured to receive fasteners that attach the base to the toolbar. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2  and wherein the mounting bar is pivotally coupled to the adjustment means along a pivot axis with a bolt and a lock nut. 
     
     
         11 . A method of attaching a stem deflector to a toolbar, the method comprising:
 rotatably coupling the stem deflector to the toolbar through a rotatable member; and   providing a plurality of adjustment positions for the rotatable member.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein rotatably coupling the stem deflector to the toolbar through the rotatable member comprises:
 coupling a first end of the rotatable member to an adjustment mechanism; 
 coupling a second end of the rotatable member to the stem deflector; and 
 coupling the adjustment mechanism to the toolbar. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  and wherein the plurality of adjustment positions are provided by the adjustment mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  and wherein coupling the first end of the rotatable member to the adjustment mechanism comprises pivotally coupling the first end of the rotatable member to the adjustment mechanism about a pivot axis that is parallel to the toolbar. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  and wherein the rotatable member is pivotal in a plane that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  and wherein features of the adjustment mechanism that enable the provision of the plurality of adjustment positions comprise:
 a pair of opposing flanges comprising an array of aligned pairs of adjustment holes, the adjustment holes being parallel to the plane perpendicular to the pivot axis; 
 a pair of aligned holes in opposing sides of the rotatable member and in a portion of the rotatable member that is between the opposing flanges; and 
 a pin that extends through the aligned holes in the rotatable member and through any aligned pair of adjustment holes of the array of aligned pairs of adjustment holes. 
 
     
     
         17 . A stem deflector mount for rotatably mounting a stem deflector to a toolbar, the stem deflector mount comprising:
 a base configured to attach to the toolbar;   an adjustment mechanism attached to the base; and   a mounting arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the mounting arm is pivotally coupled to the adjustment mechanism about a pivot axis and the second end of the mounting arm is configured to attach to the stem deflector.   
     
     
         18 . The stem deflector mount of  claim 17  and wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises:
 a pair of opposing flanges comprising an array of aligned pairs of adjustment holes, the adjustment holes being parallel to a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis; 
 a bore that extends through the mounting bar, wherein the bore is substantially parallel to the pivot axis, and wherein the bore is in a portion of the mounting bar that is between the opposing flanges; and 
 a pin that extends through the bore and through any aligned pair of adjustment holes of the array of aligned pairs of adjustment holes. 
 
     
     
         19 . The stem deflector mount of  claim 18  and wherein the pin that extends through the any aligned pair of adjustment holes of the array of aligned pairs of adjustment holes is a hitch pin, and wherein the hitch pin is secured by a lynch pin. 
     
     
         20 . The stem deflector mount of  claim 18  and wherein the adjustment means further comprises a connection piece, between the opposing flanges, that holds the opposing flanges in a spaced apart position and limits a range of pivotal travel of the mounting bar.