Rockable About Vertical Axis Patents (Class 172/447)
  • Publication number: 20130168113
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a multi-mode steerable 3-point hitch comprising: a pivotal hitch frame having a generally vertical pivot axis, the hitch frame coupled to first and second draft arms on each side of the hitch frame; and a hitch support structure affixed to a chassis, the hitch support structure coupled to a pair of opposable steering cylinders that are coupled to the hitch frame, the hitch frame and hitch support operably connected to enable concurrent rotation about the vertical pivot axis with draft arm sway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: AGCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan Gustafson
  • Patent number: 7926583
    Abstract: A tool carrier assembly of an earthworking implement is comprised of two components that contact a surface being worked; an earthworking tool and a depth guide. The tool carrier assembly is pivotably connected to a support structure. The support structure is removably attached to a lift arm assembly of a motive source. As the front wheels of the motive source are raised off the ground by downward force applied to the lift arm assembly, the depth guide assumes the function of bearing the load of the implement and a portion of the motive source. The vehicle steered and powered by the rear wheels may then move in any direction and the tool carrier assembly will articulate on a controllably variable vertical axis. As the earthworking tool moves material on the surface, the tool carrier pivots about a controllably variable horizontal axis to maintain contact with the surface as the tool carrier assembly pivots in response to uneven terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Patrick Newnam
  • Publication number: 20030085047
    Abstract: A coupling for coupling, for example, a trailer having a drawbar (2) to a tractor with a three-point linkage device, which has two height-adjustable lower steering arms (3, 4) of which one is laterally adjustable by a lateral strut (11). A first coupling element is mounted on the rear of the tractor. The drawbar (2) is provided with a second coupling element (13). The second coupling element (13) is connectable to the first coupling element (12). The coupling has a bar 14 with two ends. Each end includes a connection element (15) to connect with the lower steering arms (3, 4) of the tractor (1). A guiding mechanism comprises two guiding pins is arranged, distanced from each other, on the bar (14). The guiding bar (14) supports the drawbar (2). The drawbar (2) is guided between the guiding pins (17). The drawbar (2) is adjustable relative to the bar (14) in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Horst Ollefs
  • Patent number: 6352124
    Abstract: An all-purpose hitch assembly for connecting any one of a variety of implements to a working vehicle. The hitch assembly includes spaced apart arms which are moveable upwardly, downwardly and laterally. There is however, no middle or third link. Instead each arm has a pivotal coupling member, the coupling member having in turn two vertically spaced coupler elements. Each coupling member is attached to a mechanism extending from between the coupler elements to a point about midway of a respective arm. Each of the coupler elements receives coupler complementary elements attached to a coupling frame, which frame is connected to an implement. The coupler complementary elements are arranged on the coupling frame in a generally rectangular disposition. The hitch is safe, easy to use and does not require an additional working person to help make a connection between the working vehicle and the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventor: Juan Pio Mur Sancho
  • Patent number: 6089328
    Abstract: A hitch for a work machine such as an agricultural tractor permits controlled towing of an implement behind the work machine. The hitch is attached to the machine frame. The hitch includes first and second draft arms that are pivotally connected with and spaced apart on the frame by intermediate links. The intermediate links provide pivotal movement of the draft arms constrained about a first horizontal axis. The intermediate links also provide pivotal movement of the first draft arm constrained about a second axis, and of the second draft arm constrained about a third axis. At least one draft cylinder is connected to one of the intermediate links and to a respective draft arm. The hitch incorporates multiple degrees of movement in a compact package and is useful as a steerable component of the machine to provide positive steering force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Moore, Gregory K. Stuckey, Lynn A. Sutton
  • Patent number: 5697454
    Abstract: A hitch assembly is disclosed for use with endless track land vehicles that allows an implement mounted by a three-point hitch arrangement up to about 15 degrees arcing movement off the longitudinal axis oriented in the direction of travel of the land vehicle. A pivotal mounting means is connected to two horizontal arms which are joined at the rear by another member. The mounting means and connecting arms form a four-sided polygonal structure which can be raised or lowered by a hydraulic ram since the arms are pivotally connected at the corners. Finally, a telescoping linkage assembly, after the hitch assembly has been raised through 75 percent of its travel, urges the implement mounting means on the rear vertical connecting arm into a common, pre-selected travel position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Wilcox Brothers Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark Wilcox, Alan Wilcox, Juan M. Trujillo
  • Patent number: 5429196
    Abstract: A hitch for connecting and disconnecting implements to a tractor. A hitch with a tapered opening that can rotate in any direction is connected to a tractor's lift arms and stabilizer bars. When the hitch has made contact with the implement being used a retaining pin is inserted through the hitch to secure the implement while in use. To disconnect the implement, remove retaining pin from the hitch and store in the tab on the side of the hitch and drive away from the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: William C. Williams
  • Patent number: 5112161
    Abstract: An equipment for excavating and constructing straight or circular continuous monolithic structural walls, comprises a motor driven vehicle provided with a support structure for substaining a beam which is orientable about a vertical and horizontal axis, a slide on one side of the beam, an excavator mounted onto the slide and comprising a chain that is substantially vertical in an operative position, a framework provided with vibrators and carried by the slide following the excavator and a hose meant to convey concrete following the excavator inside the excavation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Trevi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Davide Trevisani
  • Patent number: 4944649
    Abstract: This is a swing-tower arrangement for coupling a back-hoe assembly to a tractor or the like. It features a rocker swingable in elevation on the swing tower. An actuator on the swing tower controls the position of the rocker, improving transport and control of the backhoe and making practical the adaptation of the arrangement to a wide range of tows. Detachable rockers are variously used to shift the backhoe assembly to transport and working positions and to tow and lift other types of subordinate machines. A power takeoff is mounted on the rocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventor: Cecil J. Stralow
  • Patent number: 4641491
    Abstract: A haymaking machine comprises a sub-assembly provided with two rake members, the sub-assembly being connected to a frame for pivotal movement about a pivotal axis that slopes upwardly to the rear. The center of gravity of the sub-assembly is ahead of such axis and a locking mechanism is provided for retaining the sub-assembly in a required working or transport position with respect to the frame. The disposition of the center of gravity and the pivotal axis is such that, when the locking mechanism is released, lifting machine above the ground causes the sub-assembly to swing automatically about the pivotal axis towards a transport position. If the machine is lifted more, the sub-assembly then swings automatically towards the working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: C. van der Lely, N.V.
    Inventors: Edwin van der Lely, Cornelis J. G. Bom
  • Patent number: 4518046
    Abstract: A two-wheeled trailer hitch supporting two three-point hitch mounted implements side-by-side for field operation. The implements are mounted on outriggers which are foldable forwardly to narrow the unit for transport. A pair of rigid diagonal drag links movable fore-and-aft by a cylinder-activated slide block is connected to the outriggers for pivoting them approximately ninety degrees between the field and transport positions. Lift frame structures selectively engage the three-point hitch linkages to raise the implements on the respective outriggers. The lift frame structure is disengaged from the linkages when the implements are lowered for greater flexibility in the field-working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Vernon E. Rettig, Marvin L. Bigbee, Ronald M. Steilen, Glenn D. Head, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4382473
    Abstract: A soil cultivating machine such as a plow comprises a share followed by a soil guide which is in the form of a moldboard made up of power driven rotary guide elements. The elements are elongated and are all driven from a common shaft which can include a change-speed device to enable the rotary speed of the elements to be changed. The form of the guide can be altered by adjusting the relative angularities of the elements and the elements can be rotated at different speeds. The elements preferably extend less horizontally from front to rear where they are substantially vertical. An overhead frame beam interconnects the rear of the guide to a pivot on a trestle coupling. Also, the rear of the machine can be supported by a furrow wheel and a ground wheel on one side of the trestle supports the front of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Assignee: C. Van der Lely N.V.
    Inventors: Ary Van der Lely, Arie Kuipers
  • Patent number: 4224995
    Abstract: A device for removing palmetto bushes which is adapted to be attached to a 3 point hitch and which is composed of a reinforced laterally extending or horizontally disposed frame having an attachment surface and a plurality of downwardly and forwardly extending equispaced fingers of tempered spring steel extending vertically downwardly and being forwardly tilted at an angle of between 5 and 20 degrees for use in digging, scraping, and raking palmetto bushes upon forward movement of a tractor to which the device is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Inventor: Richard C. Alberger
  • Patent number: 4173352
    Abstract: The invention relates to an articulated tractor with two engines in tandem, particularly an agricultural tractor having a three-point lifting device. A unit having a selectively positioned drawbar adapted to turn about an upright shaft carried between parallel supporting plates is detachably fastened to the lifting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1979
    Inventor: Cornelis van der Lely
  • Patent number: 4124080
    Abstract: A material handling assembly has a frame for attachment to the three point hitch of a tractor. A laterally swingable boom extends rearwardly from the frame and has an upright shaft at its rear end rotatable about an upright axis for suspending a reversible scraper blade whose angularity may be varied as the shaft is rotated. The blade is releasably attached to and tiltable relative to the shaft. All four functions of raising and lowering the frame, swinging the boom, varying the angularity of the blade and tilting the blade are hydraulically controlled. A special four bar linkage coupled with the shaft provides for wide blade angularity adjustment. A fluid bypass arrangement interconnects the swing and angularity functions to accommodate for excessive loads which may be encountered when the attitude of the blade is to be varied in accordance with desired grading operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Assignee: Hesston Corporation
    Inventor: James E. McCanse
  • Patent number: 4061194
    Abstract: A material handling assembly has a frame for attachment to the three point hitch of a tractor. A laterally swingable boom extends rearwardly from the frame and has an upright shaft at its rear end rotatable about an upright axis for suspending a reversible scraper blade whose angularity may be varied as the shaft is rotated. The blade is releasably attached to and tiltable relative to the shaft. All four functions of raising and lowering the frame, swinging the boom, varying the angularity of the blade and tilting the blade are hydraulically controlled. A special four bar linkage coupled with the shaft provides for wide blade angularity adjustment. A fluid bypass arrangement interconnects the swing and angularity functions to accommodate for excessive loads which may be encountered when the attitude of the blade is to be varied in accordance with desired grading operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1977
    Assignee: Hesston Corporation
    Inventor: James Edson McCanse