Abstract: A hitch pin comprising a cylindrical shaft portion, a head portion, a generally "C" shaped latch arm pivotally attached at one end to said head portion, said arm being rotatable between a closed position wherein the opposite end of said arm is positioned adjacent the bottom end of said shaft portion and an opened end wherein said other end has been swung away from the bottom of said shaft portion, and means positioned within said head portion for locking said arm in either of said opened position or said closed position, said means comprising a spring biased, spherical cam follower acting against a cam surface defined at the pivotal end of said arm and having a curved first portion and an outwardly extending, upwardly projecting planar second surface. The "C" shaped arms has means associated with it for remotely activicating said arm from a closed position to an opened position.

Abstract: A trailer safety device for use in conjunction with a trailer hitch is provided having a bracket assembly from which a free-swinging body assembly is suspended. The bracket assembly and body assembly are positioned in spaced relationship above the trailer hitch to prevent inadvertant or accidential opening of the trailer hitch. The free-swinging body assembly is permitted to swing freely between points of constraint defined by inhibitors such as a bracket shoulder or an inhibitor latch. In this manner, a substantial portion of the body assembly remains positioned directly above the trailer hitch to block its opening and the body assembly absorbs shocks and jolts by swinging to and fro. To open the trailer hitch, the body assembly is manually retracted to one side of its swinging arc thereby enabling the trailer hitch to open.

Abstract: A hitch for coupling the tongue of a drawn vehicle to a draw bar has a guiding member and a guided member mutually configured to assume a predetermined relative spatial relation upon engagement with each other. The members have bores which are vertically coaxial in the predetermined relation to receive a clevis pin. One of the members is mounted on the vehicle tongue and the other member is mounted on the draw bar. A power mechanism moves the pin between a first coupling position and a second release position. The power mechanism includes the draft links of a three-point hitch and a power driven winch.

Abstract: A hitch pin for securing a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle comprising an elongated pin member having first and second ends and a radially extending collar formed therebetween and a bail member attached to the pin proximate one end thereof. A toroidal case containing a magnet and having a magnetically permeable material as a base is disposed about the pin between the collar and the bail. A compression-type helical spring surrounds the pin intermediate the case and the bail for normally urging the magnet case against the collar but allowing the case to be displaced against the force of the spring.

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: An automatic hitch device for use on a tractor with a three-point hitch is disclosed. The device allows a tractor operator to engage or disengage a tow vehicle without leaving the tractor. Two fail-safe mechanisms are disclosed which prevent inadvertent disengagement of the tow vehicle. Structure for transmitting the towing load to the tractor drawbar is described. A hydraulic cylinder is used to operate a hitch pin. An alignment spring which helps direct the hitch pin into the tow vehicle hitch also relieves lateral force on the hydraulic cylinder. Co-operation between the fail-safe mechanisms and manual disengagement of the fail-safe mechanisms are also described.

Abstract: An adjustable drawbar, which is capable of longitudinal adjustment to accommodate implements having power lines of different lengths, having a hitch pin hole at one end to permit attachment of an implement and a plurality of bores through its other end. A bracket having aligned apertures is affixed to the tractor and supports the other end of the drawbar. A pin carried by a bell crank assembly mounted on the tractor is movable by means of a control rod between an adjust position in which the pin is extracted from at least one of said apertures and a hold position in which the pin extends through both apertures and an aligned one of the plurality of bores.

Abstract: To prevent personal injury and property damage by accidental displacement of a hitch tow-pin, an easily mountable unit has an arm horizontally swingable to and from a position above the upper end of the conventional tow-pin of a clevis-type hitch. The pivot pin for the swingable arm can also serve as part of the unit's mounting structure by extending through a bore in, and anchored to, a draw bar. Or the pivot pin can be fixed to a sleeve slidable over a draw bar. Each species employs a detent device to prevent accidental arm movement away from its draw-pin-retaining position.

Abstract: The hitch assembly of the present invention comprises a hitch frame which is adapted to be mounted to the three point lift of a conventional tractor. The hitch assembly includes a draw bar mounted to the hitch frame, and a hydraulically operated pin mounted above the draw bar. The pin is hydraulically movable downward into the pin receiving hole in the draw bar, and is also hydraulically movable upwardly into spaced relation above the draw bar. A coil spring interconnects the hydraulic cylinder and the pin, and this coil is sufficiently flexible to permit the pin to deflect laterally in response to encountering immovable objects during its reciprocating movement. A cable interconnects the pin and the hydraulic cylinder through the center of the coil so as to prevent the coil from becoming stretched beyond a predetermined point. An overrun mechanism is provided on the hitch frame, and engages the fixed draw bar of the tractor so as to limit upward movement of the hitch frame with respect to the tractor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pin construction for use in hitch assemblies such as those used to connect various types of trailers to a vehicle.

Abstract: A train of tandem arranged, wheeled, refuse receptacles, pulled by a prime mover along a path, are successively moved over a dump chute to drop their contents when their discharge doors are successively tripped, the contents falling downwardly through the chute and into the entrance opening of an underground compactor. The reciprocating ram of the compactor passes the contents sidewise into the awaiting container of a refuse collection vehicle, compacting the contents therein.

Abstract: A heavy duty drawbar features a Z-type brace which is accessible from the end of a vehicle which carries the drawbar. The Z-type brace provides significant strength for the overall drawbar while still allowing easy access to the hitch fastening bolts for easy changing. Also, the hitch can be placed very close to the vehicle when held by such a Z-type brace. Two of the Z-type braces are supported each between generally vertical frame members and the hitch of the drawbar is supported between the two Z-type braces.

Abstract: A device is disclosed which is securable to a vehicle with a single rear wheel comprising a cart which is ground-engaging, an attachment device securing the cart to the vehicle with a single rear wheel at a point above the single rear wheel, and a cart framework within the cart which is positioned above the center of gravity of the cart.

Abstract: An improved hitch adapter for connecting an implement to a tractor drawbar including an adapter bar having a hitch member extending rearwardly of the drawbar, a spring locking bar disposed on the adapter bar, and a lower support member having a bolt attached thereto and extending upwardly through the drawbar, adapter bar, and locking bar, a second bolt socketted in the lower support member and extending through the drawbar, adapter bar, and locking bar. When the nut on the first bolt is made finger tight, the nut on the second bolt may be torqued using a single wrench simultaneously tensioning the first bolt to lock the adapter bar on the drawbar.

Abstract: A coupler to connect rail-highway vehicles end to end including a female member at the end of one vehicle into which extends a sensing member, a male member at the end of an adjacent vehicle adapted to enter the female member, the male member including a vertical hole therethrough, and linkage connecting the sensing member with a vertical locking pin so that as the male member approaches its fully inserted position in the female member it contacts the sensing member and actuates the linkage to automatically urge the vertical locking pin through the vertical hole, the assembly being such that the weight of the vertical locking pin cannot retract from the vertical hole and cause an unlocking action to occur. In the uncoupling action, the vertical locking pin is first retracted and upon full withdrawal of the male member, the sensing member re-enters the female member, the entire assembly then being reset for automatic coupling when necessary.

Abstract: A draft vehicle including a first rearwardly projecting supportive tow bar having a first upstanding opening therethrough is provided and a towed apparatus including a second forwardly projecting tow bar horizontally lapped over and supported from the first tow bar is also provided. A second opening is formed through the second tow bar and registered with the first opening and an upstanding hitch pin is passed through the openings coupling the first and second tow bars together. The hitch pin includes an upper end portion projecting above the second tow bar and abutment structure is mounted on the upper end portion of the pin for vertical shifting relative thereto above a lower limit position on the pin. Further, strong spring structure is operatively connected between the abutment structure and the pin for yieldingly biasing the abutment structure downwardly along the pin toward its lower limit position thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling a tractor, a dump trailer and a dump truck wherein the dump trailer is adapted to be selectively towed by the tractor or by the dump truck. A draw bar having a trunnion and a hole at the leading end portion is pivotally mounted on the dump trailer. The trunnion is adapted to be engaged with a gripper mounted on an arm member of the tractor so as to enable the dump trailer to be towed by the tractor. The hole of the draw bar is adapted to be engageable with a coupler pivotally mounted on a rear axle of the dump truck thereby allowing the dump trailer to be drawn by the dump truck.

Abstract: A pair of opposite side arm assemblies each including upper and lower support arms having front and rear ends are provided. The front ends of the arms includes structure for attaching to upper and lower mounting portions of the rear of an all terrain vehicle and transverse bracing structure extends between and interconnects the arm assemblies adjacent the rear ends of at least one pair of corresponding upper and lower arms. A horizontal and forwardly opening rigid V-shaped tow bar including rearwardly convergent bars joined at their rear ends to define an apex is provided and the forward ends of the bars are rigidly anchored to the rear ends of the aforementioned one pair of support arms. The rear apex of the tow bar includes structure for attachment of a towed vehicle thereto and the upper portions of the opposite side arm assemblies, if desired, may include structure for supporting opposite end portions of an elongated transverse carrier extending between the arm assemblies.

Abstract: A hitch apparatus for a towed vehicle having a frame and steerable front wheels includes an elongated tongue connected to the frame for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. A coupling adapted for rigid connection to a towing vehicle is pivotally connected to the forward end of the tongue for pivotal turning movement about an upright axis. An elongated steering rod is pivotally connected at one end to the coupling and pivotally connected at the other end to a mechanism for steering the front wheels in unison in response to pivotal turning movement of the coupling. A load transfer mechanism includes spring bias means interconnecting the tongue and frame for biasing the tongue downwardly relative to the frame to transfer some of the load from the front wheels to the towing vehicle. The coupling includes a pin connection to the drawbar of a towing vehicle for fore and aft travel movement therewith and a clamp connection for securing the coupling and drawbar for pivotal steering movement in unison.

Abstract: A fastener assembly is disclosed for connecting an attachment to a frame. The fastener assembly is mounted to a frame portion of, for example, a garden-type tractor. The fastener includes a pin holder, latch pin, and torsion spring. The torsion spring includes two leg portions and a coil portion which is between and integral with the leg portions. The torsional spring secures the latch pin to the pin holder, and it is in constant tension when the latch pin is engaged and disengaged. The attachment is connected to the frame by aligning an opening in the attachment with the latch pin and pushing the latch pin to engage or pulling the latch pin to disengage. When the latch pin is disengaged, the spring coil is compressed and applies an outward force to keep the pin disengaged, and when the latch pin is pushed towards its engaged position, the spring coil resists until it snaps over-center and then it urges the latch pin into locking engagement.

Abstract: A coupler to connect convertible rail-highway vehicles end to end to achieve train configuration to carry vertical loads of about 25,000 pounds and at the same time provide limited rolling, pitching and yaw actions between the coupled vehicles. The coupler includes a male member extending from the front of a rear vehicle and a female member in the rear sill structure of a forward vehicle receiving the male member and a releasable locking means comprised of a vertical hole through the male member, a bushing in the vertical hole, the outer surface of which bushing is spherical, a spherical seat in the rear sill structure upon which the male member rests, a vertical locking pin, the vertical axis of the hole, spherical seat and locking pin being the same, and linkage means to selectively extend the locking pin through the vertical hole in the male member to effect coupling and uncoupling.

Abstract: A trailer hitch for mounting within the socket of a ripper assembly subsequent to ripper shank removal. A main body of the hitch defines a bite area for reception of a trailer tongue eye. A hitch pin is insertable through the bite area and is provided with a hitch ball to enable alternative towing of trailers equipped with a socket type coupler. Retention of the hitch pin against lengthwise movement is provided for by a shouldered retainer. The main body of the hitch is configured for cooperation with a socket carried locking pin.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor includes a rearwardly extending drawbar connected to a hitch member on the tongue of a trailing implement through a hitch adapter that includes a housing mounted on the rearward end of the drawbar and connected thereto by a vertical pin extending through a vertical bore in the housing and the drawbar, the rearward end of the adapter being pivotally connected to the implement tongue by a vertical pin, the axis of which is equidistant from the front and rear universal joints of a PTO hook-up assembly that connects the tractor power take-off to the implement driveshaft.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a lunette-type hitch ring to a ball-type trailer hitch is provided comprising an elongate, cylindrical post for receiving a hitch ring, the hitch ring being mounted therearound. The cylindrical post includes an axially extending aperture for receiving a trailer hitch ball. A pair of tubular members are oppositely disposed on the cylindrical post and extend radially outward therefrom. The tubular members define a radial aperture extending through the cylindrical post and a stop means for preventing axial removal of the hitch ring. A shaft extends through the radial aperture and the ball, the shaft pinning the cylindrical post to the ball. One or more tubular sleeves are concentrically mounted with the cylindrical post to vary the inside or outside diameter of the post and thereby accommodate various size balls and hitch rings. Telescoping of the sleeves and the cylindrical post also accommodates balls of varying height.

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.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for a vehicle having a rearwardly extended frame adapted to be contacted by a trailing vehicle and including brackets mounted on the frame operative when the vehicle is being pushed to provide a stop against overriding of the trailing vehicle relative to the frame. A connector member is removably associated with the frame and has releasable connection to the brackets thereon for converting the frame to a towing mode.

Abstract: A tractor of width acceptable for highway travel having a narrow rear body portion between the rear wheels, the width of the body portion being less than the width of each pneumatic tire mounted on the rear wheels. Four or six rear tires which are rotatable on the same axis have the narrow body portion disposed centrally and closely between them, such body portion extending forwardly relatively to the rear wheels with the forward portion of the body, which is substantially wider than the rear portion, mounting an engine near the front wheels. A power transmitting linkage connects the engine with the rear wheels through the rear body portion which, with lateral projections, houses a differential and the necessary shaft bearings. A lifting device extends rearwardly from the rear body portion to behind the rear wheels and then extends laterally where it functions to scrape mud or the like from the treads of the rear tires.

Abstract: A preassembled bearing element including a Teflon disc attachable directly to the trailer plates of existing fifth wheel rigs.

Abstract: Apparatus for hitching mobile equipment, such as a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, comprising a U-shaped locking member slidably mounted for lateral movement on the rearwardly extending draw bar of the towing vehicle. The draw bar is provided with a rearwardly opening slot that is adapted to receive therein a pin on the forward portion of the tongue connected to the vehicle to be towed. The rear leg of the U-shaped locking member is movable across the rearwardly opening slot in the draw bar to lock the tongue pin therein. The U-shaped locking member is biased to the closed or locking position by a spring, and a manually operable locking pin is movably mounted on the draw bar to releasably lock the U-shaped locking member in an open or a closed position.

Abstract: A C-shaped retaining handle is connected to a draft pin and has a cam on an end near the point of connection. A springed washer presses against the cam, thereby securing the handle to lock the draft pin in place, yet permitting the handle to be raised for uncoupling.

Abstract: A conical guide for mounting on a coupling pin of an implement or the like which can be coupled to a three-point connection of a tractor may comprise a semi-conical member or a complete conical member divided to form two semi-conical members. The single semi-conical member is positioned about the coupling pin and has a clamp also positioned about the coupling pin so that the clamp and semi-conical member completely enclose the pin and are secured against axial displacement on the coupling pin by radially inwardly directed projections received within a notch in the pin. With a full conical member one of the semi-conical guide members functions as a clamp.

Abstract: A towbar receiving assembly for large trucks, particularly useful for cab-over-engine trucks and other trucks wherein a radiator assembly is positioned directly above a generally flat front bumper, blocking access from above to the space behind the bumper. A towbar pin is inserted from below upwardly into a tow eye box directly behind an opening in the bumper, through which a towbar eye is received and is engaged by the pin. Projecting tabs on the pin and complementarily-shaped slots in a vertical opening associated with the tow eye box provide for receipt of the pin in a particular rotational orientation, and risers or boss areas around the slots provide for the retention of the pin in a locked-in position following its insertion and rotation from the boss areas.

Abstract: A hitch for connecting an agricultural implement to a tractor including an A-frame secured to the upper side of a transverse draw bar, the draw bar having a plurality of link-engaging brackets at its opposite ends for engaging the lateral lifting links of the tractor, and further having a clevis bracket at its central portion and on the opposite side of the draw bar from the link-engaging brackets for connecting the tongue of an agricultural implement thereto. The hitch further includes a cylinder-supporting plate projecting from a central crossbar of the A-frame to a position over the clevis bracket and supporting on the upper side thereof, a hydraulic cylinder which has its upper end pivotally connected through a suitable bracket to a plate secured to the apex of the A-frame.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor as a rearwardly extending drawbar and a rearward PTO output shaft connectible to an input drive shaft on a trailing PTO driven implement through a telescoping drive assembly, which includes front and rear universal joints. The drawbar is connected to the implement tongue through a hitch adapter which provides articulation between the tractor and the implement about a vertical axis that is equidistant from the two universal joints, so that the universal joints articulate at equal angles when the tractor is turned relative to the implement. The hitch adapter includes a housing having top and bottom walls, a vertical pin being insertable into vertically aligned bores in the top and bottom walls and into a vertical bore in the drawbar to connect the hitch adapter to the drawbar, the adapter having a vertical pivot element rearwardly of the pin for pivotal connection to the forward end of the implement tongue.

Abstract: The specification discloses a vehicular trailer hitch apparatus for converting ball-type trailer hitches to receive the hitch ring of a Lunette-eye trailer tongue. A pair of matching half cylinders are fitted around the ball member, rest on the support for the ball member, and form an inner cylinder. An outer cylinder, received on and releasably pinned to the inner cylinder, provides a receiving area for the pivotal mounting of the hitch ring. A contoured shoulder on the inside of the inner cylinder contacts the ball member to prevent removal of the cylinders from the ball member. At least one projection on the outer cylinder prevents removal of the hitch ring therefrom. Alternately, smaller hitch rings may be pivotally received around the inner cylinder with the outer cylinder secured in an inverted arrangement to retain the hitch ring on the inner cylinder.

Abstract: A pair of spaced parallel plates are affixed to and extend from a vehicle. The plates have bores formed therethrough in perpendicular alignment. A pin latch is affixed at one end thereof to the upper one of the plates in a manner whereby the pin latch extends parallel to and spaced from the one of the plates and is free from the one of the plates along its entire length except for the one end thereof. A pin device comprises a bar-like pin bar having first and second spaced opposite ends and a pin is affixed to the first end of the pin bar and removably extends from the one of the plates through the bores of both the plates in a manner whereby a ring coupled to another vehicle and positioned around the pin is secured on the pin by and between the plates. A spiral spring has first and second spaced opposite ends and is affixed at its first end to the second end of the pin bar.

Abstract: A hitch pin assembly for a tractor-scraper vehicle and the like in which the assembly serves as an articulation element in a location encumbered with many other pieces of equipment causing difficult access. The assembly comprises a pivot pin threaded on both ends and formed for fitting completely axially through a pair of machine elements mounted on the tractor and scraper respectively, a pair of adjusting nuts internally threaded to fit the threaded ends of the pivot pin, and a pair of locking elements in the form of retainer plates adapted to fit over the pair of adjusting nuts and restrain them against rotation with respect to the machine elements.