Draft-sensing means for tractor hitches

Claim 2

In a tractor having pivotal draft means for attachment of an implement thereto said draft means includes a telescopic section having an expandable chamber therein, a power lift unit for vertically raising and lowering the draft means and an actuator unit for controlling the power lift unit in response to forces acting on said hitch means, an improved force-sensing device for measuring the forces imposed on the hitch means and for transmitting a quantitative signal thereof to the actuator means, said sensing device comprising: a. two-way force-resisting means carried by said draft means for resisting force imposed thereon in either direction parallel to said draft means, said two-way force-resisting means are disposed within said chamber for resiliently resisting telescopic movement of said element, and b. hydrostatic measuring means interconnecting said forceresisting means and said actuator unit and operable for transmitting the quantitative signal of the force to said actuator means as a function of deflection of said forceresisting means, said hydrostatic measuring means comprising: an expandable chamber containing hydraulic fluid disposed adjacent said resilient means for expanding and contracting upon telescopic movement of said drafT means for transmitting a quantitative signal of said expansion or contraction to the actuator means.

Claim 3

In a tractor having pivotal draft means for attachment of an implement thereto said draft means includes a telescopic section having an expandable chamber therein, a power lift unit for vertically raising and lowering the draft means and an actuator unit for controlling the power lift unit in response to forces acting on said hitch means, an improved force-sensing device for measuring the forces imposed on the hitch means and for transmitting a quantitative signal thereof to the actuator means, said sensing device comprising: a. two-way force-resisting means carried by said draft means for resisting force imposed thereon in either direction parallel to said draft means, said two-way force-resisting means are disposed within said chamber for resiliently resisting telescopic movement of said element, b. hydrostatic measuring means interconnecting said force-resisting means and said actuator unit and operable for transmitting the quantitative signal of the force to said actuator means as a function of deflection of said force resisting means, said hydrostatic measuring means comprising a resilient bellows unit.

Claim 4

In a tractor having pivotal draft means for attachment of an implement thereto said draft means includes a telescopic section having an expandable chamber therein, a power lift unit for vertically raising and lowering the draft means and an actuator unit for controlling the power lift unit in response to forces acting on said hitch means, an improved force-sensing device for measuring the forces imposed on the hitch means and for transmitting a quantitative signal thereof to the actuator means, said sensing device comprising: a. two-way force-resisting means carried by said draft means for resisting force imposed thereon in either direction parallel to said draft means, said two-way force-resisting means are disposed within said chamber for resiliently resisting telescopic movement of said element, b. hydrostatic measuring means interconnecting said force-resisting means and said actuator unit and operable for transmitting the quantitative signal of the force to said actuator means as a function of deflection of said force resisting means, said hydrostatic measuring means comprising a resilient bellows unit.

Claim 5

A draft link for an agricultural vehicle comprising: a. an elongated member, b. a force-resisting means interconnected intermediate the ends of said member for resiliently deflecting in response to a compressive or tensile force imposed upon said draft link, said force-resisting means comprises: a tubular member interconnected intermediate the ends of said elongated member permitting telescopic movement of the respective ends of said elongated member, and resilient means displaced in said tubular member for resiliently opposing any telescopic movement of said one end with respect to said tubular element, said telescopic connection is defined by: a fixed abutment within said tubular element, an anchoring means passing through said abutment and securely attached to one end of said draft link, and resilient members disposed upon either side of said abutment so as to resist telescopic movement in either direction due to external forces imposed upon said draft link, and c. hydraulic chamber means incorporated in said force resisting means being volumetrically responsive to movement thereof so as to measure the magnitude of a force imposed on said link.

Claim 6

A draft link for an agricultural vehicle comprising: a. an elongated member, b. a force-resisting means interconnected intermediate the ends of said member for resiliently deflecting in response to a compressive or tensile force imposed upon said draft link, said force-resisting means comprises: a tubular member interconnected intermediate the ends of said elongated member permitting telescopic movement of the respective ends of said elongated member, and resilient means displaced in said tubular member for resiliently opposing any telescopic movement of said one end with respect to said tubular element, said telescopic connection is defined by: a fixed abutment within said tubular element, an anchoring means passing through said abutment and securely attached to one end of said draft link, and resilient members disposed upon either side of said abutment so as to resist telescopic movement in either direction due to external forces imposed upon said draft link, and c. hydraulic chamber means incorporated in said force resisting means being volumetrically responsive to movement thereof so as to measure the magnitude of a force imposed on said link.

Claim 7

A draft link for an agricultural vehicle comprising: a. an elongated member, b. a force-resisting means interconnected intermediate the ends of said member for resiliently deflecting in response to a compressive or tensile force imposed upon said draft link, said force-resisting means comprises: a tubular member interconnected intermediate the ends of said elongated member permitting telescopic movement of the respective ends of said elongated member, and resilient means displaced in said tubular member for resiliently opposing any telescopic movement of said one end with respect to said tubular element, and c. hydraulic chamber means incorporated directly into the end of said elongated member and being volumetrically responsive to movement thereof so as to measure the magnitude of a force imposed on said link, said hydraulic chamber or means comprising a resilient bellows unit.

Claim 8

A draft link for an agricultural vehicle comprising: a. an elongated member, b. a force-resisting means interconnected intermediate the ends of said member for resiliently deflecting in response to a compressive or tensile force imposed upon said draft link, said force-resisting means comprises: a tubular member interconnected intermediate the ends of said elongated member permitting telescopic movement of the respective ends of said elongated member, and resilient means displaced in said tubular member for resiliently opposing any telescopic movement of said one end with respect to said tubular element, and c. hydraulic chamber means incorporated directly into the end of said elongated member and being volumetrically responsive to movement thereof so as to measure the magnitude of a force imposed on said link, said hydraulic chamber or means comprising a resilient bellows unit.

Claim 9

In a tractor having pivotal draft means for attachment of an implement thereto, a power lift unit for vertically raising and lowering the draft means and an actuator unit for controlling the power lift unit in response to forces acting on said draft means, said draft means includes a telescopic member having an expandable chamber therein, an improved force-sensing device for measuring the forces imposed on the draft means and for transmitting a quantitative signal thereof to the actuator means, said sensing device comprising: a. two-way force-resisting means incorporated directly into said draft means for resisting force imposed thereon in either direction parallel to said draft means, said two-way force-resisting means are disposed within said member chamber for resiliently resisting telescopic movement of said draft element, and b. hydrostatic measuring means interconnecting said force-resisting means and said actuator unit and operable for transmitting a quantitative signal of the force to said actuator means as a function of deflection of said force-resisting means, said hydrostatic measuring means comprises an expandable chamber containing hydraulic fluid disposed within said member chamber adjacent said two-way means for transmitting a quantitative signal of expansion or contraction to the actuator means.

Claim 10

In a tractor having pivotal draft means for attachment of an implement thereto, a power lift unit for vertically raising and lowering the draft means and an actuator unit for controlling the power lift unit in response to forces acting on said draft means, said draft means includes a telescopic member having an expandable chamber therein, an improved force-sensing device for measuring the forces imposed on the draft means and for transmitting a quantitative signal thereof to the actuator means, said sensing device comprising: a. two-way force-resisting means incorporated directly into said draft means for resisting force imposed thereon in either direction parallel to said draft means, said two-way force-resisting means are disposed within said member chamber for resiliently resisting telescopic movement of said draft element, and b. hydrostatic measuring means interconnecting said force-resisting means and said actuator unit and operable for transmitting a quantitative signal of the force to said actuator means as a function of deflection of said force-resisting means, said hydrostatic measuring means comprises an expandable chamber containing hydraulic fluid disposed within said member chamber adjacent said two-way means for transmitting a quantitative signal of expansion or contraction to the actuator means.

Claim 11

In a tractor having pivotal draft means for attachment of an implement thereto, a power lift unit for vertically raising and lowering the draft means and an actuator unit for controlling the power lift unit in response to forces acting on said draft means, an improved force-sensing device for measuring the forces imposed on the draft means and for transmitting a quantitative signal thereof to the actuator means, said sensing device comprising: a. two-way force-resisting means incorporated directly into said draft means for resisting force imposed thereon in either direction parallel to said draft means, and b. hydrostatic measuring means interconnecting said force-resisting means and said actuator unit and operable for transmitting a quantitative signal of the force to said actuator means as a function of deflection of said force-resisting means, said hydrostatic measuring means comprising a bellows unit.

Claim 12

In a tractor having pivotal draft means for attachment of an implement thereto, a power lift unit for vertically raising and lowering the draft means and an actuator unit for controlling the power lift unit in response to forces acting on said draft means, an improved force-sensing device for measuring the forces imposed on the draft means and for transmitting a quantitative signal thereof to the actuator means, said sensing device comprising: a. two-way force-resisting means incorporated directly into said draft means for resisting force imposed thereon in either direction parallel to said draft means, and b. hydrostatic measuring means interconnecting said force-resisting means and said actuator unit and operable for transmitting a quantitative signal of the force to said actuator means as a function of deflection of said force-resisting means, said hydrostatic measuring means comprising a bellows unit.

Claim 13

In a tractor having an elongated hitch means, a power lift unit for vertically raising and lowering the hitch means, an actuator unit for controlling the power lift unit in response to forces acting on the hitch means, an improved force-sensing device for measuring the forces imposed on the hitch means and for transmitting a quantitative signal thereof to the actuator means, said sensing device comprising: a. force-resisting resilient means incorporated directly into said hitch means, said force-resisting resilient means comprising: a tubular member incorporated directly into the end of an element of the hitch means, said incorporation permitting relative movement between the two ends of said hitch means, and resilient means within said tubular member arranged and adapted to resist relative movement of the hitch means in either direction, and b. a hydrostatic link interconnected between said resilient means and said actuator means for transmitting a quantitative signal of said force applied by an associated implement to the actuator means whereby the hitch means is vertically raised and lowered in response to the magnitude of the external force.

Claim 14

In a tractor having an elongated hitch means, a power lift unit for vertically raising and lowering the hitch means, an actuator unit for controlling the power lift unit in response to forces acting on the hitch means, an improved force-sensing device for measuring the forces imposed on the hitch means and for transmitting a quantitative signal thereof to the actuator means, said sensing device comprising: a. force-resisting resilient means incorporated directly into said hitch means, said force-resisting resilient means comprising: a tubular member incorporated directly into the end of an element of the hitch means, said incorporation permitting relative movement between the two ends of said hitch means, and resilient means within said tubular member arranged and adapted to resist relative movement of the hitch means in either direction, and b. a hydrostatic link interconnected between said resilient means and said actuator means for transmitting a quantitative signal of said force applied by an associated implement to the actuator means whereby the hitch means is vertically raised and lowered in response to the magnitude of the external force.

Claim 15

In a tractor having an elongated hitch means, a power lift unit for vertically raising and lowering the hitch means, an actuator unit for controlling the power lift unit in response to forces acting on the hitch means, an improved force-sensing device for measuring the forces imposed on the hitch means and for transmitting a quantitative signal thereof to the actuator means, said sensing device comprising: a. force-resisting resilient means incorporated directly into said hitch means, said force-resisting resilient means comprising: a tubular member incorporated directly into the end of an element of the hitch means, said incorporation permitting relative movement between the two ends of said hitch means, and resilient means within said tubular member arranged and adapted to resist relative movement of the hitch means in either direction, and b. a hydrostatic link interconnected between said resilient means and said actuator means for transmitting a quantitative signal of said force applied by an associated implement to the actuator means whereby the hitch means is vertically raised and lowered in response to the magnitude of the external force, said hydrostatic link means comprising: a chamber within said tubular element adapted to expand and contract in relaTion to relative movement between the two ends of the hitch elements, a chamber means connected with said actuator means which expands and contracts upon the opposite movement of said chamber within said tubular element, and a conduit interconnecting said tubular element chamber and actuator chambers for transmitting relative movement of the hitch.

Claim 16

In a tractor having an elongated hitch means, a power lift unit for vertically raising and lowering the hitch means, an actuator unit for controlling the power lift unit in response to forces acting on the hitch means, an improved force-sensing device for measuring the forces imposed on the hitch means and for transmitting a quantitative signal thereof to the actuator means, said sensing device comprising: a. force-resisting resilient means incorporated directly into said hitch means, said force-resisting resilient means comprising: a tubular member incorporated directly into the end of an element of the hitch means, said incorporation permitting relative movement between the two ends of said hitch means, and resilient means within said tubular member arranged and adapted to resist relative movement of the hitch means in either direction, and b. a hydrostatic link interconnected between said resilient means and said actuator means for transmitting a quantitative signal of said force applied by an associated implement to the actuator means whereby the hitch means is vertically raised and lowered in response to the magnitude of the external force, said hydrostatic link means comprising: a chamber within said tubular element adapted to expand and contract in relaTion to relative movement between the two ends of the hitch elements, a chamber means connected with said actuator means which expands and contracts upon the opposite movement of said chamber within said tubular element, and a conduit interconnecting said tubular element chamber and actuator chambers for transmitting relative movement of the hitch.

Claim 17

A draft link for an agricultural vehicle comprising: a. an elongated member, b. a two-way force-resisting means incorporated directly into the end of said elongated member for resiliently deflecting a compressive or tensile force imposed upon said elongated member, said force-resisting means comprising: a tubular member interconnected intermediate the ends of said elongated member accommodating telescopic movement of the respective ends of said elongated member, and resilient means displaced in said tubular member for resiliently opposing any telescopic movement of said elongated member with respect to said tubular element, and c. hydraulic chamber means incorporated directly into the end of said elongated member and being volumetrically responsive to movement thereof so as to measure the magnitude of a force imposed on said link.

Claim 18

A draft link for an agricultural vehicle comprising: a. an elongated member, b. a two-way force-resisting means incorporated directly into the end of said elongated member for resiliently deflecting a compressive or tensile force imposed upon said elongated member, said force-resisting means comprising: a tubular member interconnected intermediate the ends of said elongated member accommodating telescopic movement of the respective ends of said elongated member, and resilient means displaced in said tubular member for resiliently opposing any telescopic movement of said elongated member with respect to said tubular element, and c. hydraulic chamber means incorporated directly into the end of said elongated member and being volumetrically responsive to movement thereof so as to measure the magnitude of a force imposed on said link.

Claim 19

A draft link for an agricultural vehicle comprising: a. an elongated member, b. a two-way force-resisting means incorporated directly into the end of said elongated member for resiliently deflecting a compressive or tensile force imposed upon said elongated member, said force-resisting means comprising: a tubular member interconnected intermediate the ends of said elongated member accommodating telescopic movement of the respective ends of said elongated member, and resilient means displaced in said tubular member for resiliently opposing any telescopic movement of said elongated member with respect to said tubular element, said telescopic connection being defined by: being a fixed abutment within said tubular element, an anchoring means passing through said abutment and securely attached to one end of said draft link, and resilient members disposed upon either side of said abutment so as to resist telescopic movement in either direction due to external forces imposed upon said draft link, and c. hydraulic chamber means incorporated directly into the end of said elongated member and being volumetrically responsive to movement thereof so as to measure the magnitude of a force imposed on said link.

Claim 20

A draft link for an agricultural vehicle comprising: a. an elongated member, b. a two-way force-resisting means incorporated directly into the end of said elongated member for resiliently deflecting a compressive or tensile force imposed upon said elongated member, said force-resisting means comprising: a tubular member interconnected intermediate the ends of said elongated member accommodating telescopic movement of the respective ends of said elongated member, and resilient means displaced in said tubular member for resiliently opposing any telescopic movement of said elongated member with respect to said tubular element, said telescopic connection being defined by: being a fixed abutment within said tubular element, an anchoring means passing through said abutment and securely attached to one end of said draft link, and resilient members disposed upon either side of said abutment so as to resist telescopic movement in either direction due to external forces imposed upon said draft link, and c. hydraulic chamber means incorporated directly into the end of said elongated member and being volumetrically responsive to movement thereof so as to measure the magnitude of a force imposed on said link.

Claim 21

A draft link for an agricultural vehicle comprising: a. an elongated member, b. a two-way force-resisting means incorporated directly into the end of said elongated member for resiliently deflecting a compressive or tensile force imposed upon said elongated member, said force-resisting means comprising: a tubular member interconnected intermediate the ends of said elongated member accommodating telescopic movement of the respective ends of said elongated member, and resilient means displaced in said tubular member for resiliently opposing any telescopic movement of said elongated member with respect to said tubular element, and c. hydraulic chamber means incorporated directly into the end of said elongated member and being volumetrically responsive to movement thereof so as to measure the magnitude of a force imposed on said link, said hydraulic chamber means comprising a resilient bellows unit.

Claim 22

A draft link for an agricultural vehicle comprising: a. an elongated member, b. a two-way force-resisting means incorporated directly into the end of said elongated member for resiliently deflecting a compressive or tensile force imposed upon said elongated member, said force-resisting means comprising: a tubular member interconnected intermediate the ends of said elongated member accommodating telescopic movement of the respective ends of said elongated member, and resilient means displaced in said tubular member for resiliently opposing any telescopic movement of said elongated member with respect to said tubular element, and c. hydraulic chamber means incorporated directly into the end of said elongated member and being volumetrically responsive to movement thereof so as to measure the magnitude of a force imposed on said link, said hydraulic chamber means comprising a resilient bellows unit.