US3652106A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load transferring hitch for a vehicle
Assignee: VALLEY ENGINEERING
•
Filing: 1969-09-22
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Granted: 1972-03-28
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Expires: 1989-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A hitch for a vehicle such as a track tractor, wheeled tractor or the like for attachment to a device to be drawn by the vehicle such as a snow roller, harrow or other drawn implement or towed load which does not interfere with manual or power steering of the vehicle by the customary steering devices and which, at the option of the operator, may be used to assist him in steering and also to steer the vehicle without using the customary manual or power steering devices. The preferred embodiment of the hitch also includes means by which the pressure of the device which is being drawn upon the surface of the earth, a snow surface or the like, may be varied to increase or decrease the effectiveness of the device in assisting in steering the vehicle with the manual or power steering devices or in steering the vehicle without using the customary steering devices. The hitch is also designed to accommodate power driven shafts to transmit power from the vehicle transmission to drive the device which is being drawn, which are so positioned relative to the vehicle and to the elements of the hitch that the need for universal joints and the like are eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald H Waterman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:10
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01H; E01H4/00; E01H4/02; A; A01; A01B; A01B59/00; A01B59/06; B; B62; B62D; B62D11/00; B62D49/00; B62D49/06; B62D49/065; B62D55/00; B62D55/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
354 words
A hitch for a vehicle which includes means for rotation in contact with the surface upon which the vehicle is moved, said hitch comprising substantially vertical pivot means on the vehicle located substantially at its center of draft, and near the longitudinal center of gravity of the vehicle, a forward hitch frame member having its forward end mounted for rotation about the axis of said vertical pivot means, means for guiding said forward hitch frame member for rotation about said vertical pivot means in a plane which is substantially normal to the axis of said vertical pivot means and is above the uppermost parts of said means for rotation in contact with the surface upon which the vehicle is moved, said means for guiding said forward hitch frame member comprising at least one arcuate track member concentric with the axis of the vertical pivot means and mounted on one of said forward hitch frame member and said vehicle, means on one of said forward hitch frame member and said vehicle for engaging said arcuate track member and for preventing any substantial vertical movement between the forward hitch member and the vehicle; substantially horizontal pivot means associated with said forward hitch frame member near its rear end with its axis in a plane which is substantially normal to the longitudinal centerline of the forward hitch frame member when viewed from the top, rear frame member means having its forward end mounted on said substantially horizontal pivot means, said rear frame member means extending downwardly and rearwardly from said horizontal pivot means, means for attaching the device to be drawn to the rear frame member means for rotation about an axis which is in a plane which is generally transverse to the longitudinal centerline of the forward hitch frame member when viewed from the top and means attached to said forward hitch frame member and to said rear frame member means for rotating said rear frame member means about said substantially horizontal pivot means, whereby the pressure of said device to be drawn against the surface in contact with which it is moved may be varied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
354 words
A hitch for a vehicle which includes means for rotation in contact with the surface upon which the vehicle is moved, said hitch comprising substantially vertical pivot means on the vehicle located substantially at its center of draft, and near the longitudinal center of gravity of the vehicle, a forward hitch frame member having its forward end mounted for rotation about the axis of said vertical pivot means, means for guiding said forward hitch frame member for rotation about said vertical pivot means in a plane which is substantially normal to the axis of said vertical pivot means and is above the uppermost parts of said means for rotation in contact with the surface upon which the vehicle is moved, said means for guiding said forward hitch frame member comprising at least one arcuate track member concentric with the axis of the vertical pivot means and mounted on one of said forward hitch frame member and said vehicle, means on one of said forward hitch frame member and said vehicle for engaging said arcuate track member and for preventing any substantial vertical movement between the forward hitch member and the vehicle; substantially horizontal pivot means associated with said forward hitch frame member near its rear end with its axis in a plane which is substantially normal to the longitudinal centerline of the forward hitch frame member when viewed from the top, rear frame member means having its forward end mounted on said substantially horizontal pivot means, said rear frame member means extending downwardly and rearwardly from said horizontal pivot means, means for attaching the device to be drawn to the rear frame member means for rotation about an axis which is in a plane which is generally transverse to the longitudinal centerline of the forward hitch frame member when viewed from the top and means attached to said forward hitch frame member and to said rear frame member means for rotating said rear frame member means about said substantially horizontal pivot means, whereby the pressure of said device to be drawn against the surface in contact with which it is moved may be varied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A hitch according to claim 1 wherein said forward hitch frame member comprises a pair of arms which diverge from the vertical pivot towards the rear of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
A hitch according to claim 1 wherein said means for guiding said forward hitch frame member comprises at least one arcuate track member, U-shaped in cross section, concentric with the axis Of the vertical pivot means and mounted on one of the forward hitch frame member and the vehicle, and means on one of the forward hitch frame member and the vehicle for engaging said arcuate track member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A hitch according to claim 3 wherein said means for engaging said arcuate track member comprises spaced rollers operating in said U-shaped track member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A hitch according to claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said rear frame member comprises a double acting hydraulic ram and cylinder.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-28 | 1975-09-27 | 1976-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-28 | 1979-09-27 | 1980-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-28 | 1983-09-27 | 1984-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |