Implement mounting system

• US 6,827,155 B1
• Filed: 07/18/2003
• Issued: 12/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald J. Hoffart
• Original Assignee: Ronald J. Hoffart
• Inventors: Hoffart, Ronald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzuto, Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pechhold, Alexandra K.
• Application Number:
  US10/622,961
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 172/810-834, 372/34--36
• US Class Current: 172/821
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 59/044 having pulling means arranged on the middle part of the tractor
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 59/06 for machines mounted on tractors
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/76 Graders, bulldozers, or the like with scraper plates or ploughshare-like elements soil-working A01B; Levelling scarifying devices street cleaning E01H; construction of roads E01C19/00, E01C23/00

Abstract

An implement mounting system for providing a lightweight structure capable of moving along 3 main axes for use upon small to mid-sized tractors. The implement mounting system includes a support frame having a pair of side supports and a rear support, a ball joint attached to the rear support, and a support arm movably attached to the ball joint for rotating about 3 main axes. A brace member is attached between the support frame and the support arm for reducing the amount of side-to-side movement of the support arm. The ball joint is comprised of a ball-and-socket structure for providing various pivoting movements of the support arm.

Claims

1. An implement mounting system, comprising:

a support frame;

a ball joint attached to said support frame;

a support arm having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is attached to said ball joint and wherein said second end receives an attachment structure for an implement; and

a brace member attached between said support frame and said support arm, wherein said brace member has an angle with respect to said support arm for reducing side-to-side movement of said support arm;

wherein said brace member is attached to a cross member, wherein said cross member is attached transversely to a central location upon said support arm.

2. The implement mounting system of claim 1, wherein said ball joint is comprised of a ball-and-socket structure for providing various pivoting movements of said support arm.

3. The implement mounting system of claim 1, wherein said angle between said support arm and said brace member is less than seventy-five degrees and greater than ten degrees.

4. The implement mounting system of claim 1, wherein said angle between said support arm and said brace member is less than fifty-five degrees and greater than ten degrees.

5. The implement mounting system of claim 1, wherein said brace member is attached to said support frame via a ball-and-socket joint.

6. The implement mounting system of claim 5, wherein said brace member is attached to said support arm via a ball-and-socket joint.

7. The implement mounting system of claim 1, wherein said cross member receives a pair of vertical actuators for allowing control of the lift and roll.

8. The implement mounting system of claim 1, wherein said brace member is attached near a distal end of said cross member.

9. The implement mounting system of claim 1, wherein said distal end of said cross member is on an opposite side of said support arm of where said brace member is attached to said support frame.

10. The implement mounting system of claim 1, wherein said brace member is attached to a rear support of said support frame.

11. The implement mounting system of claim 1, wherein said brace member is attached to a side support of said support frame.