Abstract: A magneto-elastically-based active force sensor, used with a tow coupling between a towed and a towing vehicle or a coupling between a vehicle body and a suspension of the vehicle, which outputs a signal useful for determining forces acting on the coupling. The outputted force information may be provided by processor-enabled embedded software algorithms that take inputs from the force sensor and other sensors, may be used by one or more vehicle systems during operating of the vehicle, such as engine, braking, stability, safety, and informational systems. The force sensor includes directionally-sensitive magnetic field sensing elements inside the sensor, and shielding may be used around the sensors to reduce the influence of external magnetic fields on the sensing elements. The force sensor may be used with different tow and vehicle weight sensing coupling devices installed on different types of automobile cars and trucks.

Abstract: A vehicle hitch assembly is provided that includes an angled trailer tow bar configured to be supported at the rear of a vehicle, a hitch receiver movably coupled to the tow bar such that the receiver may move on the tow bar, and a locking mechanism for locking the receiver in a fixed position on the tow bar.

Abstract: A rear tow hitch assembly connectable to a work tool assembly on a first agricultural implement to tow a second agricultural implement behind the first agricultural implement is provided. The first agricultural implement can be transformable between an operating position and a transport position by pivoting the work tool assembly upwards around a first axis. The rear tow hitch assembly can be shaped to clear the work tool assembly when the first agricultural implement is transformed between the operating position and the transport position while a rear tow hitch assembly remains connected to the second agricultural implement during the transformation.

Abstract: A drawbar support assembly includes a rail member attached to a hitch frame, a slider member and a drawbar support. The slider member is slidable in the rail member. The drawbar support has rollers which rollingly engage the slider member so that the drawbar is swingable laterally. The rail member includes a forwardly facing curved slot which slidably receives the tabs which project from the slider member. A spring unit is coupled between the rail member and the slider member and operates to urge the slider member to a central position relative to the rail member.

Abstract: A rotary tow coupling. The rotary tow coupling changes the angular orientation of a trailer relative to a tow vehicle without moving the tow vehicle. The rotary tow coupling is fixedly secured to the tow vehicle. The rotary tow coupling includes a hitch connectable to a trailer coupling. The hitch is moveable from a home position along a circuit around a reference point defined by the rotary tow coupling. The hitch is moved a selected direction along the circuit, the trailer moves left and right and forward and backward. One complete circuit of the hitch incrementally changes the angular orientation of the trailer relative to the tow vehicle. Using multiple trips around the circuit, the rotary tow coupling is capable of adjusting the angular orientation of the trailer relative to the tow vehicle between 90° and 270° without moving the tow vehicle.

Abstract: A towing apparatus connected to a towing vehicle for connecting farm machinery having an off center hitch to be aligned with the towing vehicle having a first member connected to the towing vehicle and a second member connected to the first member and to the hitch on the farm machinery being towed. The first and second members position the farm machinery to be in alignment with the towing vehicle by compensating for the position of the off set hitch on the farm machinery relative to the center of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicle for carriage of children, comprising a frame and at least two wheels which are attached to the frame. The vehicle can be transformed between at least a first configuration as pushable buggy and a second configuration for use as a towed trailer, and in both first and second configurations provides room for at least one child. The vehicle can be transformed between the first and second configuration by adjusting the width of the frame and location of the center of gravity.

Abstract: A work platform capable of attachment to a hitch on a vehicle includes a substantially rectangular frame having a base extending along a plane and an extension arm coupling the frame to the hitch and configured to enable adjustment of the distance of the frame relative to the hitch. An elevation mechanism coupled to the frame and the attachment mechanism is configured to enable adjustment of the height of the frame relative to the plane of the hitch while an orientation mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to enable adjustment of the orientation of the frame relative to the hitch axis. The work platform may further include an angular adjustment mechanism coupled to the extension arm for modifying the angular adjustment of the work platform along an axis transverse to the vehicle centerline. The frame it may be covered on multiple sides to form an enclosed basket-like workspace.

Abstract: A variably adjustable trailer hitch assembly, comprising a horizontal tube assembly that is fixedly secured onto a vehicle. A journaling tube assembly is mounted upon and journals the horizontal tube assembly. A ball assembly is mounted onto the journaling tube assembly and receives a trailer's hitch ball coupler. Adjustable means laterally move the journaling tube assembly mounted upon the horizontal tube assembly. A torque equalizer assembly is fixed upon the journaling tube assembly.

Abstract: A towing apparatus connected to a towing vehicle for connecting farm machinery having an off center hitch to be aligned with the towing vehicle having a first member connected to the towing vehicle and a second member connected to the first member and to the hitch on the farm machinery being towed. The first and second members position the farm machinery to be in alignment with the towing vehicle by compensating for the position of the off set hitch on the farm machinery relative to the center of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A hand truck driving apparatus includes a dolly that has a frame having a bottom end, a top end and pair of lateral sides. A plate is attached to the frame adjacent to the bottom end and extends forward of the frame. A stabilizer is attached to and extends rearward of the frame. A pair of support wheels is rotatably attached to the stabilizer adjacent to the bottom end of the frame. A drive platform is removably attached to the dolly. A drive apparatus is mounted on the drive platform. The drive apparatus moves the drive platform and the dolly when the drive apparatus is actuated.

Abstract: A pivoting hitch mount assembly for interconnecting a towed vehicle with towing vehicles having hitch positions at varying elevations includes a pivot arm assembly having a hitching component for coupling with a the hitch position with the towing vehicle that is selectively connected to a support assembly on the towing vehicle at plural front and rear pivot connections enabling selective inclination and elevation of the hitching component with respect to the towing vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adjustable tongue assembly for a trailer including an elongate substantially enclosed housing with a lengthwise slot disposed horizontally at the front of the trailer bed. A guide carriage is movably seated in the housing, and the guide carriage is attached to a bracket attached exteriorly of the housing through the lengthwise slot. The guide carriage is journalled to a positioning screw that is rotatably seated lengthwise inside the housing. The positioning screw is coupled to a motor which drives the guide carriage laterally along the internal chamber. A trailer tongue is attached to the external bracket. Selective actuation of the drive motor causes the positioning screw to rotate, thereby moving the roller guide carriage laterally left or right, and thus carrying the bracket and trailer tongue therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and transporting one or more large bales of material, comprising a trailer to be towed by a towing device and hydraulically powered by an outside source, preferably incorporated in the towing vehicle. The apparatus has tines adapted to fit beneath a bale and cradle and lift the bale in the manner of a fork lift, which is done by exerting force downwards on the wheels of the trailer, thus lifting the frame and attached tines. Connection to the towing device's three-point hitch also affords a lifting device. A device may be provided for shifting the trailer between a transport position, where the trailer is generally aligned behind the towing device, and a working position where the trailer is aligned outwardly and behind the towing device. The tines are positioned generally horizontally and substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the trailer. Bales are lifted by the apparatus off the ground for transportation.

Abstract: A system is provided for guiding a tool assembly that extends forwardly from an automotive vehicle. The system comprises a connecting member (7) having one end connected to the tool assembly, and being pivotally mounted to the vehicle frame intermediate its length. The other end of the connecting member (7) is pivotally connected to one end of an auxiliary tie rod (10), and the other end of the tie rod (10) is pivotally connected to one of the arms of the pair of steering knuckles comprising the vehicle's conventional steering system. The tool assembly is thus directed along a trajectory exactly corresponding with the path of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for damping pendulum oscillations of a trailer hitched to a coupling of a motor vehicle. For this purpose, the coupling at the rear of the motor vehicle is horizontally adjustable at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and damping means serve for adjusting the coupling, in proportion to the deflection of the trailer drawbar, from a position lying on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle in the direction of the side of the motor vehicle into which the trailer is swerving.Transverse movements of the coupling relatively to the superstructure of the motor vehicle cause a continuous shifting in the instantaneous fulcrum or center of rotation of the trailer drawbar forwardly along the longitudinal vehicle axis, whereby interfering forces impairing the driving direction of the trailer are counteracted and driving stability is ensured.

Abstract: A dual implement hitch for pivotal connection to the drawbar of a towing vehicle whereby a pair of implements, such as rakes, tedders or the like may be selectively towed in one of several modes by a simple movement of an operator without disconnecting the implements from the hitch and reconnecting same in a different position. The hitch comprises an arched longitudinal frame having a clevis at its front end for connection to the towing vehicle. The rear of the longitudinal frame is rigidly supported upon an arched transverse from which is supported by dirigible wheels at its opposite ends. A first hitch element is provided at the front end of the longitudinal frame behind the clevis for pivotally connecting a first implement to the frame, beneath the arch. A second hitch element is provided at the rear of the longitudinal frame for pivotally connecting a second implement in trailing position behind the hitch. A tie rod maintains parallel relationship of the wheels.

Abstract: A centering mechanism for maintaining a tunnel structure equidistant from the two parts of an articulated vehicle. The mechanism includes a base plate pivoted to the tunnel structure and having a pair of vertical pins spaced apart on the base plate. Each of the pins accommodates a pair of levers which have toothed portions meshing with tooth portions on aligned levers on the other pin. The levers are connected in pairs to the adjacent chassis member by links so that upon movement of the chassis members about a horizontal axis, equal and opposite rotation of the links occurs to keep the tunnel centered.

Abstract: An oscillating rear axle assembly (30) and associated drawbar (40) which oscillates therewith. The rear axle (24) protrudes from an axle housing (32) which is joined to a support structure (34) extending forwardly therefrom. The support structure (34) is oscillatably joined to a rear frame (14) by two axially separated bearings (36,38) disposed therebetween. The drawbar (40) is laterally guided by the rear axle assembly (30) and a pivot support structure (84) and is axially fixed as well as oscillatably joined to the rear frame (14) by a spherical bearing (52) to permit drawbar oscillation with the rear axle assembly (30).

Abstract: A coupling mechanism adapted for attaching a draft vehicle to a drawn vehicle, so as to permit relative pivotal movement therebetween in a generally horizontal plane, and comprising an arcuate orientation of abutment means adapted to be supported by the draft vehicle and another abutment means adapted to be supported by the drawn vehicle, with at least one of the abutment means being selectively expandible or extendible by power means, for causing interlocking coaction between the first and second mentioned abutment means, so as to transmit force from the first mentioned abutment means to the second mentioned abutment means in a direction generally laterally of the longitudinal axis of the mechanism, whereby the drawn vehicle during a backing-up operation moves in the same general direction as the draft vehicle. The mechanism is useable with a fifth wheel type of truck-trailer combination as well as with trailer hitch drawn-bar type couplings for use in connection with automotive and truck-type vehicles.

Abstract: A hitch construction for connecting a push-type lawn mower for towing behind a riding mower on either side. The towing mower has a trunnion with a vertical axis for receiving the finger portion of an L-shaped rod, and a pair of releasable securing devices for the arm of the rod, one on either side of the trunnion. The towed mower is provided with an upstanding post, a block adjustably positioned on said post, and an adjustable connection between said block and the arm of said rod. The post is secured to the towed mower by one of a plurality of connectors, cooperating with the particular construction of the towed mower.

Abstract: A support member is pivotally connected to a baler and projects laterally thereof. A side delivery rake is secured to the projecting end of the support member.

Abstract: A device for connecting a rotary tiller unit, plow or like working implement directly to a tractor by three-point link system comprises connectors each including a connecting rod and a hitch pin to be inserted into a hitch hole at the rear end of the three-point link system. The connectors are mounted fixedly on a front portion of the working implement but are slidable laterally of the implement and mountable in their reversed position, whereby the working implement is connectable to the tractor in tandem or in offset arrangement, interchangeably between the tandem and offset positions.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle has a wheeled frame and a load-receiving chamber enclosed by a framework. A loading mechanism comprising upper and lower gripper members actuated by hydraulic pistons of a control system is mounted at one end of the chamber near an open side. The gripper members can include curved tines, with or without blades, that can be moved to pick up and load crop material in the chamber. A draw bar is pivoted to the frame laterally thereof. The draw bar can be a hydraulically actuated parallelogram linkage that is connected below the gripper members and pivoted to the frame via a connecting piece linkage so that upon actuation, the frame together with the gripper members can be raised and lowered. A conveyor floor can be located at the bottom of the chamber and one or more rotary spreaders located to distribute material from the chamber. The spreaders, conveyor floor and pump in the hydraulic system can be connected to the p.t.o. of a tractor when the latter is hitched to the vehicle's draw bar.

Abstract: An apparatus for turning a compost silo has a portal frame adapted to travel along the ground in a travel direction and a pair of side portions spaced sufficiently apart transverse to the direction to straddle the silo. A pair of oppositely handed augers extending transverse to the travel direction between the side portions are rotatable to turn the silo. At each end this double auger is connected to the output of a respective angle drive having an input directed forwardly and connectable via a rod to the power takeoff of a tractor in front of and to one side of the frame relative to the travel direction. A tow bar has a rear end pivoted on the frame midway between the side portions and a front end connectable to the hitch of the tractor. Thus, this apparatus may follow the tractor to either side of the tractor.