Hinge assembly

• US 4,400,994 A
• Filed: 12/30/1981
• Issued: 08/30/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kverneland Group Danmark A/S (Kubota Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kverneland Group Danmark A/S (Kubota Corporation)
• Inventors: Skjaeveland, Magne
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Leslie A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McKenzie, Jr., Frank H.
• Application Number:
  US06/335,834
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 74/520, 74/527, 212/188, 414/723
• US Class Current: 74/520
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 73/04 foldable about a horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/53 for swinging wings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20588 toggle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20636 Detents

Abstract

A first segment usually attached to a tractor is pivotally linked by a first bolt to a second pivotal segment. For example, which may be moved between an extended outward working position and a retracted, non-working inward position. A hydraulic cylinder and piston are mounted on the fixed segment and the free end of the piston is pivotally linked to the base of a substantially U-shaped member. One arm of the U-shaped member is pivotally linked to the fixed segment, and the other arm of the U-shaped member is pivotally linked to one end of a coupling member. The other end of the coupling member is pivotally linked to the pivotal segment. In the extended position, the arms of the U-shaped member pivot down wardly, and the end of the coupling member connected to the pivotal segment comes to rest between the arms of the U-shaped member in horizontal alignment with the links connecting the U-shaped member to the fixed segment and pivotal segment. Arms of the U-shaped member come to rest in a position substantially surrounding the bolt connecting the fixed segment to the pivotal segment, and the two segments are thereby locked in the extended position.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly for use with extendable implements and the comprising:

(a) a fixed segment,

(b) a pivotal segment,

(c) first link means pivotally connecting said fixed segment to said pivotal segment,

(d) extending means mounted on said fixed segment,

(e) a substantially U-shaped member having two legs and a bight portion,

(f) second linking means pivotally connecting said bight portion to said extending means,

(g) third linking means pivotally connecting one leg of said substantially U-shaped member to said fixed segment,

(h) a coupling member having first and second ends,

(i) fourth linking means pivotally connecting the other leg of said substantially U-shaped member to said first end of said coupling member,

(j) Fifth linking means connecting said second end of said coupling member to said pivotalsegment;

whereby when said pivotal segment is extended in line with said fixed segment, said second end of said coupling means is aligned intermediate to the legs of said substantially U-shaped member, and said first linking means is aligned substantially intermediate said bight portion of said substantially U-shaped member and said second end of said coupling means.

2. The apparatus of in claim 1, wherein said extending means is a hydraulic cylinder and piston, said piston being pivotally connected by said second link means to said bight portion of said substantially U-shaped member and said cylinder mounted on said fixed segment.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein each of said link means is a bolt.