Hinge structure for an implement

• US 6,382,327 B1
• Filed: 04/03/2000
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Mosdal, Brian Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FLORIO, KRISTINE
• Application Number:
  US09/541,219
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 172/311, 172/457, 172/452, 172/456, 172/776, 111/54, 111/55, 111/56, 111/57
• US Class Current: 172/311
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 73/02 Folding frames
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 73/044 the axis being oriented in a longitudinal direction A01B73/042 takes precedence

Abstract

A hinge structure for a folding implement frame includes a reversible mounting bracket on the wing side of the hinge to accommodate positioning of the mounting around obstructions such as the tool mounting brackets for certain tool spacing arrangements on the implement frame. A wing bump stop integrated into the mounting bracket on the main or inner frame side of the hinge reduces the number of parts and eliminates another potential obstruction on the frame. The stop includes a mounting hole for the base end of the hydraulic folding cylinder to further reduce parts, obstructions and cost.

Claims

1. A folding agricultural implement including a transversely extending, tool supporting first frame with a frame end, and a second tool supporting frame pivotally connected to the first frame for movement of the second frame between an extended field-working position and a folded transport position, folding hinge structure comprising:

a hinge connected between the first and second frames and including a hinge member attached to the frame end, the hinge member having an inward end extending inwardly from the frame end;

an upright stop having a lower end and an upper end adapted for contacting the second frame and providing support for the second frame when the second frame is in the transport position;

mounting structure releasably securing the inward end of the hinge member to the first frame and supporting the lower end of the upright stop from the first frame, wherein the mounting structure eliminates need for separate structures attaching the stop and the hinge member to the first frame.

2. The implement as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a hinge linkage connected between the first and second frames, a cylinder having a first end connected to the upright stop and a second end connected to the hinge linkage and moving the second frame between the field-working and transport positions.

3. The implement as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inward end of the hinge member includes first and second spaced connecting portions, and the mounting structure comprises a bottom portion of the upright stop which extends between the spaced connecting portions.

4. The implement as set forth in claim 3 wherein the hinge comprises first and second bent metal plates defining generally complimentary hinge halves connected by bolts to the upright stop, and wherein the upright stop spaces the inward end portion of the hinge member above the first frame to provide an accommodation space for mounting tools on the first frame between the stop and the frame end.

5. The implement as set forth in claim 3 wherein the upright stop comprises a planar member having an upper end which tapers to define a narrow contact area for contacting the second frame when the second frame is in the transport position so that interference between the stop member and tools on the second frame is minimized.

6. The implement as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hinge includes a second hinge member connected to the second frame and having a hinge end with spaced walls, and further comprising a reversible mounting member including a plate selectively attachable in first and second positions between the walls, the mounting member supported at one location on the second frame when the plate is attached in the first position and at a second location on the second frame when the plate is attached in the second position so that the mounting member can be positioned to avoid interference with mounting of tools on the second frame.

7. In a folding agricultural implement having transversely extending, tool supporting first and second frames, a hinge structure pivotally connecting the frames for movement of the second frame relative to the first frame about a folding axis between an extended field-working position and a folded transport position, the hinge structure comprising:

a first hinge member attached to the first frame;

a second hinge member pivotally connected to the first hinge member and including an apertured leg portion; and

attaching structure connecting the second hinge member to a planar surface of the second frame and including an apertured plate having opposite sides, the apertured plate attachable to the apertured leg portion in a first mounting position, the attaching structure rotatable 180 degrees about an axis generally perpendicular to the planar surface from the first mounting position to a second mounting position wherein the opposite sides are reversed relative to the apertured leg portion, and bolts insertable through the apertured portion and apertured plate and connecting the plate to the apertured leg portion in a selected one of the mounting positions, the attaching structure further comprising an attaching plate abutting a first location on the planar surface when the first position of the apertured plate is selected and abutting a second location on the planar surface offset from the first location when in the second position of the apertured plate is selected, and wherein the attaching structure includes bolt structure fixing the attaching plate to the second frame, whereby the position of the apertured plate can be selected to eliminate interference between the attaching structure and tools mounted on the first and second frames.

8. The implement as set forth in claim 7 wherein the apertured leg portion includes first and second spaced legs and the attaching plate is sandwiched between the legs and secured to the legs by the bolts.

9. The implement as set forth in claim 7 wherein the attaching plate offsets the second hinge member relative to the second frame to provide an accommodation space for mounting tools adjacent the bracket structure.

10. A folding agricultural implement including:

a first frame having an elongated tubular frame member supporting an element at different support locations along the tubular frame member;

a second frame;

hinge structure connected to an end of the frame member and connecting the first and second frames for pivoting about a hinge axis;

a folding cylinder connected between the first and second frames for moving the second frame about the hinge axis between an extended field-working position and a folded transport position;

an elongated stop extending from the frame member towards the second frame at a location offset from the hinge axis and providing support for the second frame when the second frame is in the transport position;

mounting structure releasably securing the stop to the tubular frame member and facilitating mounting of the bracket to accommodate the support of the element at the different support locations;

the hinge structure including an elongated leg extending to a connection with the elongated stop; and

wherein the stop includes a cylinder support supporting the cylinder and thereby eliminating a need for separate cylinder mounting structure.

11. The implement as set forth in claim 10 wherein the leg extends generally parallel to the tubular frame member and offset therefrom, the leg having a first end connected to the hinge structure and a second end connected to the stop adjacent the cylinder support to define an integrated hinge support and cylinder support which facilitates mounting of the element between the ends of the leg on the tubular frame member.

12. The implement as set forth in claim 10 wherein the hinge structure includes a reversible bracket having a first position connecting the hinge to a first location on the second frame and a reversed position connecting the hinge at a second location on the second frame.

13. The implement as set forth in claim 11 wherein the hinge structure includes a channel shaped member connected to the first frame, and wherein the first end of the leg is connected to the channel shaped member.

14. The implement as set forth in claim 13 wherein the hinge structure is integral with the elongated leg.

15. The implement as set forth in claim 14 wherein the hinge structure includes complimentary bent metal sections bolted together to define the channel shaped configuration.

16. The implement as set forth in claim 15 wherein the stop comprises a plate connected between the bent metal sections.