Center pivot hitch assembly
First Claim
1. An agricultural implement hitch assembly and stabilization arrangement, comprising:
- a tool bar adapted to receive associated ground-working tools, said tool bar being provided with means for effecting vertical movement of the tool bar between raised and lowered positions;
a wheeled implement including a pair of laterally spaced wheels defining a transverse wheel axis;
frame means rigidly connected to and extending forwardly of said tool bar;
means pivotally connecting a forward end portion of said frame means to a backside of said wheeled implement whereby said tool bar is laterally pivotable relative to said wheeled implement, said frame means including first lower linking means and second upper linking means arranged in non-parallel relation, said second upper linking means being positioned to direct an overhung load created on said tool bar in said raised position thereof substantially along said transverse axis of said sheeled implement; and
hydraulic stabilization means extending between and connected with said wheeled implement and said frame means, said stabilization means comprising extensible hydraulic fluid actuator means, and means for controlling fluid flow into and from said actuator means for selectively (1) fixing the effective length of said actuator means to maintain said tool bar in a fixed, generally perpendicular disposition relative to the longitudinal axis of said wheeled implement, and (2) controlling said actuator means to stabilize movement of said tool bar relative to said wheeled implement;
wherein in said raised position of said tool bar, said upper and lower linking means of said frame means are arranged in forwardly converging relation to each other, with the upper and lower linking means respectively defining lines of action which intersect generally at said transverse wheel axis of said wheeled implement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A novel center pivot hitch assembly mechanism is disclosed. The mechanism of the present invention is preferably carried by a wheeled tool bar and a wheeled agricultural implement. The wheeled agricultural implement or cart is typically moved along a path by a tractor. The mechanism of the present invention pivotally connects the wheeled tool bar to the backside of the cart. The mechanism of the present invention comprises a center pivot hitch assembly and a stabilization assembly. The center pivot hitch assembly selectively allows the wheeled tool bar to pivot transversely and vertically in relation to the path along which the wheeled agricultural implement is being moved. The stabilization assembly includes hydraulic fluid actuator means for selectively maintaining tool bar disposition relative to the agricultural implement backside, when the wheeled tool bar is oriented substantially parallel to the backside of the wheeled agricultural implement. An additional feature of the present invention, which causes overhung load on the wheeled tool bar to be centered substantially along the axle of the wheeled agricultural implement when the tool bar is also disclosed.
35 Citations
3 Claims
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1. An agricultural implement hitch assembly and stabilization arrangement, comprising:
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a tool bar adapted to receive associated ground-working tools, said tool bar being provided with means for effecting vertical movement of the tool bar between raised and lowered positions; a wheeled implement including a pair of laterally spaced wheels defining a transverse wheel axis; frame means rigidly connected to and extending forwardly of said tool bar; means pivotally connecting a forward end portion of said frame means to a backside of said wheeled implement whereby said tool bar is laterally pivotable relative to said wheeled implement, said frame means including first lower linking means and second upper linking means arranged in non-parallel relation, said second upper linking means being positioned to direct an overhung load created on said tool bar in said raised position thereof substantially along said transverse axis of said sheeled implement; and hydraulic stabilization means extending between and connected with said wheeled implement and said frame means, said stabilization means comprising extensible hydraulic fluid actuator means, and means for controlling fluid flow into and from said actuator means for selectively (1) fixing the effective length of said actuator means to maintain said tool bar in a fixed, generally perpendicular disposition relative to the longitudinal axis of said wheeled implement, and (2) controlling said actuator means to stabilize movement of said tool bar relative to said wheeled implement; wherein in said raised position of said tool bar, said upper and lower linking means of said frame means are arranged in forwardly converging relation to each other, with the upper and lower linking means respectively defining lines of action which intersect generally at said transverse wheel axis of said wheeled implement.
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2. An agricultural implement hitch assembly and stabilization arrangement, comprising:
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an elongated tool bar adapted to receive associated ground-working tools, said tool bar being provided with means for vertically moving the tool bar between raised and lowered positions; a wheeled implement having a pair of laterally spaced wheels defining a transverse wheel axis; frame means connected to said tool bar and extending forwardly thereof, said frame means including upper and lower linking means arranged in non-parallel, forwardly converging relation to each other, said upper linking means being oriented to direct an overhung load substantially along said transverse wheel axis of said implement; universal means for connecting a forward end portion of said frame means to the backside of said wheeled implement for allowing said frame means to pivot both vertically and laterally relative to said wheeled implement; and means for selectively maintaining said tool bar in a substantially parallel disposition to the backside of said wheeled implement; wherein in said raised position of said tool bar, said upper and lower linking means of said frame means are arranged in forwardly converging relation to each other, with the upper and lower linking means respectively defining lines of action which intersect generally at said transverse wheel axis of said wheeled implement. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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Specification