Abstract: An improved coupler or hitch assembly of the latch plate type. Angled jaws on the coupler act together with ramps or angled arms on the equipment secured by the coupler to forgive vertical or horizontal misalignment during the coupling operation. The assembly has an automatically engaging latch plate which is held in a closed position by a lock pin. The lock pin also provides frictional restraint for holding the plate in an open position. A lock pin holding mechanism allows relatively unresisted movement of the latch plate from an open to a closed position. Movement of the latch plate is also controlled by a limit tab on the coupler to prevent the lock pin from interfering with the coupler operation.

Abstract: An automatic trailer hitch assembly mounts a shank unit on the trailer and a receiving unit on the towing vehicle. The shank unit provides an elongated shank member which mounts a trailer ball at one end coupled to a conventional trailer hitch ball socket housing secured to the trailer and at the opposite end is formed to slide on funnel-like guide passages into the receiving unit. A spring leveler assembly is detachably secured as a subassembly to the trailing end of the shank unit, releasably grasps the ball socket housing and retains the shank unit properly positioned for coupling. The receiving unit has a locking pin which can be latched into a position allowing entry of the shank member into the receiving unit and when the shank unit is properly positioned therein is automatically unlatched and moved into a position for locking the shank unit and receiving unit together. The locking pin can also be restored to a latched position which enables the shank unit to be withdrawn from the receiving unit.

Abstract: An automatic trailer hitch assembly mounts a shank unit on the trailer and a receiving unit on the towing vehicle. The shank unit provides an elongated shank member which mounts a trailer ball at one end coupled to a conventional trailer hitch ball socket housing secured to the trailer and at the opposite end is formed to slide on funnel-like guide passages into the receiving unit. A leveler assembly is mounted on the trailing end of the shank unit, releasably grasps the ball socket housing utilizing unsupported weight of the shank unit to establishing the grasping force and retains the shank unit properly positioned for coupling. The leveler assembly automatically releases as the shank unit enters or becomes fully coupled to the receiving unit.

Abstract: In a trailer coupling having two independently effective securing arrangements, of which the one is formed by an opener lever and the other by a securing bolt, the opener lever engages in an upwardly partially open slot of the coupling bolt and is reinforced by a disengaging cam which emerges upwards from the slot and co-operates with the securing bolt in the direction of its disengagement.

Abstract: A trailer coupling is proposed which, after transference of the coupling bolt into the non-coupling position, is insensitive to small relative movements of the towing eye, still situated in the coupling body, in relation to the coupling body, that is to say does not drop back into the coupling position, and in which, on the other hand, the coupling bolt can be caused by the entry of the towing eye to return into the coupling position, without a repeated manual action upon the automatic coupling system being necessary.

Abstract: An automatic trailer hitch assembly mounts a shank unit on the trailer and a receiving unit on the towing vehicle. The shank unit provides an elongated shank member which mounts a trailer ball at one end coupled to a conventional trailer hitch ball socket housing secured to the trailer and at the opposite end is formed to slide on funnel-like guide passages into the receiving unit. The receiving unit has a locking pin which can be latched into a position allowing entry of the shank member into the receiving unit and when the shank unit is properly positioned therein is automatically unlatched and moved into a position for locking the shank unit and receiving unit together. The locking pin when restored to the latched position enables the shank unit to be withdrawn from the receiving unit.

Abstract: A coupler for a trailer reach ball, comprising a housing to be mounted on a vehicle, a pair of pivotally mounted coupling plates; mounted within the housing and extending out of the housing; the plates pivot within a limited arc on counter rotating axis; ball receiving cups are mounted on the coupling plates, spring biasing of the coupling plates holds the cups apart; the ball receiving cups have extending projections to engage a trailer reach; a deadbolt within the housing locks the coupler around the reach ball when the coupler is closed by the insertion of a trailer reach ball.

Abstract: A hitching guide including a guide block movable between a lowered hitching position and a raised hitched position. The guide block includes forwardly converging sides disposed to contact and laterally align the draft tongue in aligned relationship with a hitch pin. As the draft tongue moves to the hitching position, the forward end of the draft tongue contacts the converging sides and the aperture of the draft tongue is disposed immediately adjacent the hitch pin. As the hitch pin engages the aperture in the draft tongue and the draft tongue moves to the hitched position, the forward end of the draft tongue moves to a spaced relationship with respect to the converging sides. The forwardly converging sides are vertically spaced from the hitch pin such that the draft tongue is free to pivot laterally beyond the converging sides when the draft tongue is in the hitched position.

Abstract: In the case of the adjustable upper link in a three-point suspension device for a tractor, comprising a locking device in the form of a line fitted with a shut-off device and connecting together the two end-faces of the hydraulic cylinder, the invention simplifies the operation of the device in that it may be adjusted effortlessly from the tractor-seat. This is achieved in that the shut-off device is in the form of a ball-valve having an axis secured to a forked actuating lever, and in that springs are provided to urge the said actuating lever towards the shut-off position. A scale provides the tractor-driver with an accurate indication of the setting of the link. The design of a tube accommodating one end of the piston-rod as a compressed-air chamber ensures automatic displacement of the piston in the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A hitch adaptor assembly is provided which converts a manual hitch to an automatic hitch and which rapidly connects to the existing hitch. The hitch assembly includes a frame having angled guides to guide the trailer hitch pin on a trailer tongue and to the trailer hitch. The frame is attached with threaded bolts using the existing trailer hitch, trailer pin opening and a pair of existing openings therein. A spring loaded hitch locking bolt is mounted to the frame and spring biased to close behind a trailer hitch bolt. A spring loaded catch is utilized for holding the locking bolt in a cocked position until the trailer pin drives the catch back to release the locking bolt.

Abstract: A claw hitch for a lower link of a three point tractor linkage comprising a self-locking mechanism with over-center spring biased lever lockingly engageable with a ball of an implement coupling rod.

Abstract: Towing attachments for attaching trailers to the end of various vehicles are disclosed, including a tubular sleeve attached to the vehicle, an extension bar having one end rotatably attached to the tow bar of the trailer while the other end is adapted to be releasably attached to the tubular sleeve and having a cross-sectional shape which is complementary to that of the tubular sleeve so that it may slide smoothly into same for attachment thereto, and a clamp for releasably clamping the end of the extension bar to the tubular sleeve, the clamp including a fixed trunnion extending from the tubular sleeve and a resilient clamp affixed to the extension bar so that the resilient clamp can be releasably clamped to the fixed trunnion when the extension bar slides into the tubular sleeve, the resilient clamp being pivotable between a first position in which it does not interfere with the sliding of the extension bar into the tubular sleeve and a second position in which it prevents the extension bar from being slida

Abstract: A ball coupler assembly for a gooseneck hitch is described for attachment to a truck having an upstanding coupler ball mounted thereon which extends upwardly from the bed of the truck. The hitch assembly of this invention is secured to the lower end of an adjustable jack at the forward end of the trailer or the like. The hitch comprises a support member having a ramp-like guide at the forward end thereof adapted to guide the coupler ball into coupling position. A coupler is mounted on the support member and extends upwardly therefrom and has an open lower end adapted to receive the coupler ball therein. A slide member is slidably mounted on the support member below the coupler opening and is movable between forward, intermediate and rearward positions. A locking mechanism is mounted on the support member and permits the slide to be moved rearwardly with respect to the hitch so that the coupler ball may be received within the coupling.

Abstract: In a coupling hook for the lower links of a three-point linkage for connecting an agricultural implement to a tractor, side walls define the lateral confines of a pocket. The side walls are shaped to form a jaw into which a coupling element is seated. A latch within the pocket secures the coupling member in the jaw. A bottom wall extends across the lower ends of the side walls and forms a closure for the pocket. One of the side walls has an opening just above the bottom wall for removing dirt from the lower end of the pocket.

Abstract: An automatic hitch with safety lock may be mounted on a tractor or the like and has two laterally opposed jaws and a hook member pivotally connected therebetween and provides completely automatic latching and unlatching to an upstanding pin provided on a wagon or trailer. The latch has a combination release and spring operator for remotely retracting the hook member and unlatching the pin from the hitch. A safety lock has a lock shaft which rides a shoulder on the hook member and prevents the hook member from being retracted to an open position until the lock shaft is retracted from a position adjacent the shoulder. The safety lock may be remotely operated and has a spring biasing it into the locked position. A manual lock pin may be inserted to effectively disable the automatic operation of the hitch. A mounting plate is used to attach the hitch to a tractor or other vehicle and shock absorber springs are provided between the hitch portion and the mounting plate.

Abstract: A trailer hitch latching assembly which employs the use of a housing which has an access opening to accommodate a trailer hitch. Extending across the opening and attached to the housing and pivotly attached to the housing is a latch plate. The latch plate is to be contacted by the trailer hitch and is to be movable to a rear position. With the latch plate in the rear position, a locking pawl is caused to slide across the forward portion of the opening thereby connecting the trailer hitch to the housing. The locking pawl is to be moved between the retracted and extended position by means of a manually operable gear assembly.

Abstract: A forwardly projecting hitch pole including a coupling member on its free forward end and a rearwardly opening receiver for the coupling member and for mounting on a towing vehicle. The coupling member includes a horizontal forwardly bowed arcuate hitch portion generally cylindrical in cross section and the receiver defines a rearwardly opening horizontally transversely elongated recess in which to receive the hitch portion. The forward portion of the recess defines a horizontal generally arcuate seat curving rearwardly at its opposite ends. A vertically swingable latch is oscillatably supported from the receiver and includes a rear forwardly opening hook portion and the latch is angularly displaceable relative to the receiver between an operative position with the hook portion horizontally registered with the central rear portion of the recess and an inoperative position with the hook portion vertically displaced out of horizontal registry with the recess.

Abstract: A delimber attachment for a tractor comprises an elongate drum mounted transversely and rotatably within a downwardly opening enlosure. The drum has a plurality of chains connected at one thereto. A frame extends forwardly from the enclosure. A hinge connector near a forward end of the frame hingedly connects the delimber to the tractor for upward and downward pivoting. A cable receiver is located near a top portion of the enclosure. A hydraulic damping cylinder is connected near a first end to the delimber and extends upwardly and forwardly therefrom. The cylinder has a clasp near a second end of the cylinder for connecting the cylinder to the tractor above the hinge connector.

Abstract: A standard ball and socket type of trailer hitch assembly is modified so as to provide means for automatically and positively locking the trailer hitch each time the trailer hitch ball is inserted into the trailer hitch socket. The socket receptacle of the trailer hitch is modified to receive a push rod which is actuated by contact with the ball of the hitch and in turn causes the latch to positively lock in place without requiring the operator to remember to move the latch into a positive locking position.

Abstract: A tractor unit for wheeled vehicles having fixed draft tongues, the tractor unit including a frame supported at its front end by a pair of laterally spaced steerable drive wheels, and having a supporting leg at its rear end movable between an operative frame supporting position and an inoperative raised position. A support arm extends rearwardly from the frame and is disposed to underlie and support the draft tongue of a vehicle. A locking pin releasably locks the draft tongue to the support arm. The support wheels have generally vertically extending pivot shafts and a generally vertical steering shaft is rotatably carried by the frame intermediate the pivot shafts on a fixed axis. Power transmission mechanism operatively connects the steering shaft with the pivot shafts, and is responsive to rotation of one of the pivot shafts in either direction of steering movement away from a neutral position to rotate the other pivot shaft in the same direction but to a different angular extent.

Abstract: A coupling hook for a three-point linkage on a farm tractor includes a coupling jaw or opening for receiving in locking engagement a coupling bolt secured on a piece of farm equipment. Associated with the jaw is a locking bolt mechanism which includes an elongated locking bolt pivotally mounted on a lever with a spring biasing the mechanism into the locking position. In the locking position, the lever mounting the locking bolt is held between a fulcrum and a rear wall on the coupling hook. The locking bolt has a nose-like projection at one end which secures the coupling bolt in locking engagement. Removing the lever from between the fulcrum and the rear wall releases the locking bolt so that the coupling can be removed from the coupling hook jaw.

Abstract: A latch member is affixed near one end of a vehicle body and may be in the form of a rigidly supported horizontal rod spaced from the body. A latch is attached to a loading dock in position for registration with the rod as the vehicle body approaches the dock. The latch automatically releasably engages the latch rod to releasably hold the vehicle body to the dock to prevent relative movement between the body and the dock during load transfer between the dock and the body. The latch may be pivoted or otherwise movably adjustable relative the dock to receive rods at different rod positions relative the dock. Signal lights are provided to indicate the latch condition. A remote latch control is provided for operation from the vehicle operator station.

Abstract: A coupling hook has a latch element extending from a pocket through a passage to block a coupling pin in the hook opening in the locked position. The latch element is arcuate and has opposed curvilinear surfaces one of which is engageable with a fulcrum in the vicinity of an opening in the pocket through which an actuating lever of the latch element extends. The other curvilinear surface is engageable with a fulcrum in the vicinity of the passage and has a notch engageable with a bolt in the pocket in the locked position of the latch element. The latch element may be displaced to a release position either by lifting and then pulling the actuating lever or by a coupling pin engaging the curved end of the latch element to urge the latch element to a released position.

Abstract: Coupling apparatus for coupling first and second objects together and including first and second coupling means carried by respective ones of said objects. The first coupling means comprises a latch carrying member and latch control means telescopic therewith. A guide means is carried by the latch carrying member and first latch means are slidably mounted on the guide means. The first latch means are movable along one path from a first latch position to a second latch position, whereby they automatically engage second latch means on the second coupling means, upon movement of the latch control means along another path transverse to that of the first latch means. The apparatus also comprises an improved universal joint control assembly for selectively locking or freeing an associated universal joint.

Abstract: A coupling hook for lockingly engaging a coupling pin on an implement or the like has a pocket having a slot in which a pivot element is slidably received and an operating lever is pivotally mounted to the pivot element. A latch is pivotally connected to the operating lever and has one end extending through a passage toward the hook opening. The latch is pivotable and slidable upon a supporting or guiding pin such that when a coupling pin acts upon an unlocking surface on the nose-portion of the latch during a coupling operation, the latch will slide back into the pocket to permit the coupling pin to be received within the hook opening. When the coupling pin is locked within the hook opening, the pin will bear against a locking surface on the nose-portion of the latch to urge the supporting surface of the latch against an edge of the passage through which the latch extends so that a moment is produced acting upon the latch and operating lever to urge the latch into the hook opening.

Abstract: A coupling hook has a latch which is displaceable into the hook opening in its locked position to block a coupling pin received in a slot formed in a partially spherical member pivotally mounted in the opening. The latch is provided with a surface which engages a coacting surface on the partially spherical member to maintain the latch in its open position. When a coupling pin is received in the slot of the partially spherical member the member will be urged downwardly against a spring and the latch will be disengaged from the partially spherical member. A second spring then urges the latch into its locked position.

Abstract: A coupling hook has a latch bolt slidable in a bore in the hook so as to be displaceable into the hook opening. A locking bolt is pivotally attached to the latch bolt and is acted upon by a locking spring in a direction so as to intersect the axis of the locking bolt and the bore. The locking bolt has a locking surface which under the force of the locking spring is engaged with an abutment surface when the latch bolt is in the locked position.

Abstract: A coupling hook for lockingly engaging a coupling pin on an implement or the like has a pocket within which is pivoted an operating lever and a latch has one end pivotally connected to the operating lever and its other end projecting toward the jaw opening in which is received the coupling pin. The latch is pivotable and slidable upon a supporting pin such that when a coupling pin acts upon an unlocking surface on the latch during the coupling operation the latch will slide back into the pocket to permit the coupling pin to be received within the hook jaw. When the coupling pin is locked within the jaw the pin will bear against the locking surface of the latch to urge the supporting surface of the latch against an edge of an opening in the pocket through which the latch protrudes so that a moment is produced acting upon the latch and operating lever which urges the latch into the jaw opening.

Abstract: A catch bar is pivotally mounted on the rear end of a tractor and an alignment roller is mounted on the catch bar. A coupling plate is mounted on the implement to be connected. An aligning hook is secured on the coupling plate and has an opening engageable with the catch bar alignment roller so as to align vertically and horizontally the plate and its transmission shaft with the power take-off shaft on the tractor. The tractor power take-off shaft and the coupling plate power transmission shaft are provided with mutually engageable means for coupling the shafts in the vicinity of the coupling plate.