Lever connect PTO module for three-point hitch quick coupler

• US 7,575,077 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: CNH America Llc (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Fitzkee, Douglas S., Priepke, Edward H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Will; Thomas B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Troutman; Matthew D
• Application Number:
  US11/562,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20080115983A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 172/47, 172/272, 172/439, 180/53.6, 180/53.61, 180/53.62, 180/53.3, 180/53.7, 180/14.4
• US Class Current: 180/53.3
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 71/063 for enabling transmission coupling and connection between tractor and implements to be controlled from the driver's seat
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7033 including a lock or retainer

Abstract

A lever-operated PTO shaft connection mechanism for use with a three-point hitch quick coupler that aligns and engages the PTO driveline between a tractor and a powered implement.

Claims

1. A PTO connection module adapted to be affixed to a quick coupler hitch which is in turn adapted to connect a PTO-powered hitch-connected implement to a tractor having a three-point hitch and a PTO, the PTO connection module comprising:

a transverse frame connected to said quick coupler hitch;

a telescoping shaft having first and second opposing ends, said first end connectable to the tractor PTO;

an axis of rotation;

a PTO engagement mechanism connecting said transverse frame and said second end of said telescoping shaft, said engagement mechanism having an engaged position and a disengaged position corresponding to respective forward and rearward positions along said axis of rotational of said second end between said engaged and disengaged positions, said engagement mechanism connected to said transverse frame in a manner allowing rotational, axial, and limited radial movement of said second end; and

a torque coupler having separable drive and driven members, said drive member connected to said engagement mechanism for movement between said engaged and disengaged positions, said driven portion connected to the hitch-connected implement to allow rotational motion while constraining axial and radial movement, both said members having interlocking alignment structures to radially align said drive member along said axis of rotation during movement toward said engaged position; and

said PTO engagement mechanism further comprises a lever for rotating a shaft, at least one elongate spring guide connected to said shaft at one end and containing at least one spring, at least one toggle link connected to said at least one spring guide, at least one positioning fork connected to said at least one toggle link, and a thrust bearing housing having at least one positioning tab for moving said housing between said engaged and disengaged positions, connection of said at least one spring guide to said at least one toggle link allowing variation in spacing between said shaft and said toggle link, said at least one spring being disposed between said shaft and said at least one toggle link whereby said spring length varies with said variation in spacing and a spring force caused by compressing said at least one spring urges said thrust bearing housing toward said engaged position, wherein the coupler drive and driven members are moved into contact by the spring force and maintained in contact, the spring force moves the coupler members into full engagement when the drive member and driven member are rotated into alignment by the telescoping shaft.

2. The connection module of claim 1, wherein said engagement mechanism is a locking mechanism which, when in a locked position urges said drive member of said torque coupler toward alignment along said axis of rotation before said torque coupler reaches said engaged position.

3. The connection module of claim 1, wherein said drive and driven members of said torque coupler include a friction face which, when in said engaged position, transmits torque through said torque coupler.

4. The connection module of claim 1, wherein said drive and driven members include at least one interlocking drive groove and drive rib, respectively, which, when in said engaged position, prevent relative rotation between said drive and driven members.

5. The connection module of claim 1, wherein said torque coupler interlocking alignment structures comprise an alignment pin having an exterior profile aligned, when fully engaged, on said axis of rotation of said driven member, and an alignment receiver structure on said drive member, said alignment receiver structure having an interior contour matching said exterior profile of said alignment pin.

6. The connection module of claim 1, wherein said PTO engagement mechanism further comprises a hollow bearing guide channel connected to said transverse frame and a thrust bearing housing disposed within said guide channel, said bearing having at least one positioning tab, said bearing guide channel having at least one slotted guide which interacts with said positioning tab thereby guiding movement of said thrust bearing housing in generally linear directions between said engaged and said disengaged positions, said channel guide allowing radial movement of said thrust bearing housing thereby enabling said torque coupler portions to align when engaged.

7. The connection module of claim 1 wherein said PTO engagement mechanism further comprises a hollow bearing guide channel connected to said transverse frame and a thrust bearing housing disposed within said guide channel, said bearing having at least one positioning tab, said bearing guide channel having at least one slotted guide which interacts with said positioning tab thereby guiding movement of said thrust bearing housing in generally linear directions between said engaged and said disengaged positions, said channel guide further constraining said thrust bearing housing thereby accepting thrust forces applied on said thrust bearing housing by said telescoping shaft, said channel guide allowing radial movement of said thrust bearing housing thereby enabling said torque coupler portions to align when engaged.

8. A PTO connection module for a quick coupler hitch having a frame used for connecting a PTO-powered hitch-connected implement to a tractor having a three-point hitch and a PTO, the PTO connection module comprising:

a telescoping shaft having first and second opposing ends, said first end connected to said tractor PTO;

an axis of rotation;

a PTO engagement mechanism connecting said hitch frame and said second end of said telescoping shaft, said engagement mechanism having an engaged position and a disengaged position corresponding to respective forward and rearward positions along said axis of rotational between said engaged and disengaged positions, the said engagement mechanism connected to a transverse frame in a manner allowing rotational, axial, and limited radial movement of said second end; and

a torque coupler having separable drive and driven members, said drive member connected to said engagement mechanism for movement between said engaged and disengaged positions, said driven portion connected to the hitch-connected implement to allow rotational motion while constraining axial and radial movement, both said members having interlocking alignment structures to radially align said drive member along said axis of rotation during movement toward said engaged position; and

wherein said PTO engagement mechanism further comprises a lever for rotating a shaft, at least one elongate spring guide connected to said shaft at one end and containing at least one spring, at least one toggle link connected to said at least one spring guide, at least one positioning fork connected to said at least one toggle link, and a thrust bearing housing having at least one positioning tab for moving said housing between said engaged and disengaged positions, connection of said at least one spring guide to said at least one toggle link allowing variation in spacing between said shaft and said toggle link, said at least one spring being disposed between said shaft and said at least one toggle link whereby said spring length varies with said variation in spacing and a spring force caused by compressing said at least one spring urges said thrust bearing housing toward said engaged position, wherein the coupler drive and driven members are moved into contact by the spring force and maintained in contact, the spring force moves the coupler members into full engagement when the drive member and driven member are rotated into alignment by the telescoping shaft.

9. The connection module of claim 8, wherein said engagement mechanism is a locking mechanism which, when in a locked position urges said drive member of said torque coupler toward alignment along said axis of rotation before said torque coupler reaches said engaged position.

10. The connection module of claim 8, wherein said drive and driven members of said torque coupler include a friction face which, when in said engaged position, transmits torque through said torque coupler.

11. The connection module of claim 8, wherein said drive and driven members include at least one interlocking drive groove and drive rib, respectively, which, when in said engaged position, prevent relative rotation between said drive and driven members.

12. The connection module of claim 9, wherein said drive and driven members include at least one interlocking drive groove and drive rib, respectively, which, when in said engaged position, prevent relative rotation between said drive and driven members.

13. The connection module of claim 9, wherein said PTO engagement mechanism further comprises a hollow bearing guide channel connected to said transverse frame and a thrust bearing housing disposed within said guide channel, said bearing having at least one positioning tab, said bearing guide channel having at least one slotted guide which interacts with said positioning tab thereby guiding movement of said thrust bearing housing in generally linear directions between said engaged and said disengaged positions, said channel guide further constraining said thrust bearing housing thereby accepting thrust forces applied on said thrust bearing housing by said telescoping shaft, said channel guide allowing radial movement of said thrust bearing housing thereby enabling said torque coupler portions to align when engaged.

14. The connection module of claim 8, wherein said PTO engagement mechanism further comprises a hollow bearing guide channel connected to said transverse frame and a thrust bearing housing disposed within said guide channel, said bearing having at least one positioning tab, said bearing guide channel having at least one slotted guide which interacts with said positioning tab thereby guiding movement of said thrust bearing housing in generally linear directions between said engaged and said disengaged positions, said channel guide further constraining said thrust bearing housing thereby accepting thrust forces applied on said thrust bearing housing by said telescoping shaft, said channel guide allowing radial movement of said thrust bearing housing thereby enabling said torque coupler portions to align when engaged.

15. The connection module of claim 14, wherein said drive and driven members of said torque coupler include a friction face which, when in said engaged position, transmits torque through said torque coupler.

16. The connection module of claim 15, wherein said drive and driven members include at least one interlocking drive groove and drive rib, respectively, which, when in said engaged position, prevent relative rotation between said drive and driven members.