Duplex frame hinge for farm implement
First Claim
1. A hinge for a multi-sectional farm implement comprising first and second pivot points, said first pivot point for pivotally coupling a first section of the multi-sectional farm implement to said hinge, said second pivot point for pivotally coupling a second section of the multi-sectional farm implement to said hinge, wherein the hinge has a first slot formed therein that receives a movable pin, said first slot partially corresponding with a second slot formed in said second section when said hinge is coupled to said second section, wherein said first slot comprises:
- a first portion that is wider in width than a corresponding first portion of said second slot of said second section; and
a second portion that corresponds in width to a corresponding second portion of said second slot of said second section,wherein said movable pin is received in said wider first portion of said first slot and said corresponding first portion of said second slot of said second section when said second section is unfolded to allow said second section to pivot about said second pivot point, and said moveable pin is moved in said first and second slots to said corresponding second portions to prevent said second section from pivoting about said second pivot point when folding said second section relative to said first section such that said second section pivots only about said first pivot point to fold said second section relative to said first section and wherein said first section pivots about said first pivot point relative to said hinge and said second section pivots about said second pivot point relative to said hinge when said second section is unfolded relative to said first section.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A duplex hinge having two pivot points. In one embodiment, the hinge is used between sections of multi-sectional farm implements to allow flex during field operations as well as folding for road transport. One pivot point is active both when folding and during field operations. The other pivot point is active during field operations but rigid while folding for road transport.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A hinge for a multi-sectional farm implement comprising first and second pivot points, said first pivot point for pivotally coupling a first section of the multi-sectional farm implement to said hinge, said second pivot point for pivotally coupling a second section of the multi-sectional farm implement to said hinge, wherein the hinge has a first slot formed therein that receives a movable pin, said first slot partially corresponding with a second slot formed in said second section when said hinge is coupled to said second section, wherein said first slot comprises:
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a first portion that is wider in width than a corresponding first portion of said second slot of said second section; and a second portion that corresponds in width to a corresponding second portion of said second slot of said second section, wherein said movable pin is received in said wider first portion of said first slot and said corresponding first portion of said second slot of said second section when said second section is unfolded to allow said second section to pivot about said second pivot point, and said moveable pin is moved in said first and second slots to said corresponding second portions to prevent said second section from pivoting about said second pivot point when folding said second section relative to said first section such that said second section pivots only about said first pivot point to fold said second section relative to said first section and wherein said first section pivots about said first pivot point relative to said hinge and said second section pivots about said second pivot point relative to said hinge when said second section is unfolded relative to said first section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A foldable farm implement comprising:
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at least one hinge; a first section coupled to said hinge at a first pivot point; and a second section coupled to said hinge at a second pivot point, said first pivot point active to allow pivoting between said hinge and said first section when said second section is unfolded relative to said first section for field operations and when folding said second section relative to said first section, said second pivot point active when said second section is unfolded relative to said first section for field operations and rigid when folding said second section relative to said first section, wherein said second pivot point moves between a lower position and a higher position relative said first pivot point when said second section is moved from an unfolded position to a folded position. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of folding a multi-sectional farm implement comprising the steps of:
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pivoting a first section of the multi-sectional farm implement about a first pivot point of a hinge and pivoting a second section of the multi-sectional farm implement about a second pivot point of said hinge when said first and second sections are unfolded relative one another, wherein said second pivot point moves between a lower position and a higher position relative said first pivot point when said second section is moved from an unfolded position to a folded position; and pivoting only about said first pivot point when folding said second section into a folded position relative said first section. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of folding a multi-sectional farm implement, said method comprising the steps of:
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pivoting about a first pivot point between a hinge and a first section to fold said first section relative to a second section and to allow said first and second section to flex relative to one another during field operations; activating a second pivot point of said hinge and said second section to allow said first and second section to flex relative to one another during field operations; and fixing said second pivot point of said hinge and said second section for folding said first section relative to a second section, wherein said second pivot point moves between a lower position and a higher position relative said first pivot point when said second section is moved from the unfolded position for field operations to a folded position.
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Specification