Guidance system for pull-type equipment
First Claim
1. In combination with an implement and a towing vehicle having a towing vehicle drawbar, the improvement of an implement guidance system attaching the towing vehicle drawbar to the implement in a towing relationship, which system comprises:
- a mounting apparatus including a fastening assembly fixedly fastening the mounting apparatus on the towing vehicle drawbar;
an ancillary drawbar including a front end pivotally mounted on the mounting apparatus and a back end, said ancillary drawbar being pivotally movable between right and left side positions offset to either side of the mounting apparatus;
said ancillary drawbar back end being pivotally attached to the implement;
a signal generator generating a signal to move the ancillary drawbar position with respect to said mounting apparatus to a plurality of positions offset to either side of the mounting apparatus; and
an actuator including a first end connected to the mounting apparatus and a second end connected to the ancillary drawbar, said actuator responding to the signal for moving the drawbar to the plurality of offset positions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved equipment guidance system and assembly is described comprising a top plate in releasable engagement with a drawbar of a towing vehicle, a supplemental or ancillary drawbar pivotable about a forward location and movable to an offset position left or right of center by a pair of pistons, and a bottom plate for attachment to the ancillary drawbar and the top plate. The pistons are controlled by a control box that dictates in concert the extension and retraction of the left and right pistons. A signal from the control box is generated from a plurality of sources. One example of a signal source is a tilt sensor that measures inclination relative to gravity. Another example of a signal source is an automatic “whiskers” crop row sensing wand system. Yet another example of a signal source can be generated manually from an operator of the towing vehicle.
78 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In combination with an implement and a towing vehicle having a towing vehicle drawbar, the improvement of an implement guidance system attaching the towing vehicle drawbar to the implement in a towing relationship, which system comprises:
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a mounting apparatus including a fastening assembly fixedly fastening the mounting apparatus on the towing vehicle drawbar;
an ancillary drawbar including a front end pivotally mounted on the mounting apparatus and a back end, said ancillary drawbar being pivotally movable between right and left side positions offset to either side of the mounting apparatus;
said ancillary drawbar back end being pivotally attached to the implement;
a signal generator generating a signal to move the ancillary drawbar position with respect to said mounting apparatus to a plurality of positions offset to either side of the mounting apparatus; and
an actuator including a first end connected to the mounting apparatus and a second end connected to the ancillary drawbar, said actuator responding to the signal for moving the drawbar to the plurality of offset positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An implement guidance system for manipulating the angular positioning of a drawbar of a towing vehicle for towing an implement attached to the towing vehicle comprising:
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a mounting apparatus secured to the towing vehicle;
a drawbar mounted on the mounting apparatus for movement to a plurality of positions offset to either side of the mounting apparatus;
an automatic implement position-relative (“
AIPR”
) signal generator for generating a signal to manipulate the drawbar position;
an actuator connected to the mounting apparatus and the drawbar and responsive to the signal for moving the drawbar to the plurality of offset positions; and
a drawbar position feedback (“
DPF”
) signal generator, wherein the AIPR signal generator is in electronic communication with the actuator, and in further electronic communication with the DPF signal generator, comprising a system capable of automatically determining the position of an implement relative to its working environment and moving the drawbar relative thereto.- View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In combination with an implement and a towing vehicle having a towing vehicle drawbar, the improvement of an implement guidance system attaching the towing vehicle drawbar to the implement in a towing relationship, which system comprises:
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a mounting apparatus including;
a fastening assembly fixedly fastening the mounting apparatus on the towing vehicle drawbar;
a top plate mounting the fastening assembly; and
a bottom plate attached to and depending from said top plate in spaced relation below same;
an ancillary drawbar including a front end located between and pivotally mounted on said top and bottom plates and a back end, said ancillary drawbar being pivotally movable between right and left side positions offset to either side of the mounting apparatus;
said ancillary drawbar back end being pivotally attached to the implement;
a signal generator generating a signal to move the ancillary drawbar position with respect to said mounting apparatus to a plurality of positions offset to either side of the mounting apparatus; and
an actuator including a first end connected to the mounting apparatus and a second end connected to the ancillary drawbar, said actuator responding to the signal for moving the drawbar to the plurality of offset positions. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An implement guidance system for manipulating the angular positioning of a drawbar of a towing vehicle for towing an implement attached to the towing vehicle comprising:
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a mounting apparatus secured to the towing vehicle;
a drawbar mounted on the mounting apparatus for movement to a plurality of positions offset to either side of the mounting apparatus;
a signal generating means for generating a signal to manipulate the drawbar position;
an actuator responsive to the signal for moving the drawbar to the plurality of offset positions; and
a draw bar position feedback means, wherein the signal generating means is in electronic communication with the actuator, and in further electronic communication with the drawbar position feedback means, comprising a system capable of automatically determining the position of an implement relative to its working environment and moving the drawbar relative thereto. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification