US3716253A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tractor hitch apparatus
Assignee: METRO HYDRAULICS Inc
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Filing: 1971-01-27
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Granted: 1973-02-13
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Expires: 1991-01-27
Abstract
Abstract Tractor hitch apparatus including an automatic three-point hitch and a self-hooking draw-bar hitch is described. The hitch apparatus is adapted for attachment to a conventional three-point tractor hitch system.
Inventors
- 👤 G Gniffke
- 👤 H Fratzke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:46
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B59/00; A01B59/04; A01B59/042; A01B59/043; B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/14; B60D1/141; B62; B62D; B62D49/00; B62D49/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
Hitch apparatus, comprising: a. a frame attachable to a drive vehicle; b. three outwardly projecting, hook-shaped members attached to said frame in a generally triangular relationship, two of said hook-shaped members lying in a generally horizontal plane and being disposed below the third hook-shaped member and connectable to three-point type implements; and c. draw-bar means attached to said frame and positioned between said two lower hook-shaped members and lying generally within said horizontal plane, said draw-bar means including a member directed outwardly therefrom in Essentially the same direction as said three hook-shaped members, said member defining a hook-shaped recess therein engageable with a clevis connecting pin of pull-type implements and being attached to said frame so as to project outwardly therefrom to a point inward from said hook-like members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
Hitch apparatus, comprising: a. a frame attachable to a drive vehicle; b. three outwardly projecting, hook-shaped members attached to said frame in a generally triangular relationship, two of said hook-shaped members lying in a generally horizontal plane and being disposed below the third hook-shaped member and connectable to three-point type implements; and c. draw-bar means attached to said frame and positioned between said two lower hook-shaped members and lying generally within said horizontal plane, said draw-bar means including a member directed outwardly therefrom in Essentially the same direction as said three hook-shaped members, said member defining a hook-shaped recess therein engageable with a clevis connecting pin of pull-type implements and being attached to said frame so as to project outwardly therefrom to a point inward from said hook-like members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
129 words
Hitch apparatus, comprising: a. a frame attachable to a drive vehicle; b. three outwardly projecting, hook-shaped members attached to said frame in a generally triangular relationship, two of said hook-shaped members lying in a generally horizontal plane and being disposed below the third hook-shaped member and connectable to three-point type implements; and c. draw-bar means attached to said frame and positioned between said two lower hook-shaped members and lying generally within said horizontal plane, said draw-bar means including a member directed outwardly therefrom in Essentially the same direction as said three hook-shaped members, said member defining a hookshaped recess therein engageable with a clevis connecting pin of pull-type implements and being attached to said frame so as to project outwardly therefrom to a point inward from said hook-like members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
129 words
Hitch apparatus, comprising: a. a frame attachable to a drive vehicle; b. three outwardly projecting, hook-shaped members attached to said frame in a generally triangular relationship, two of said hook-shaped members lying in a generally horizontal plane and being disposed below the third hook-shaped member and connectable to three-point type implements; and c. draw-bar means attached to said frame and positioned between said two lower hook-shaped members and lying generally within said horizontal plane, said draw-bar means including a member directed outwardly therefrom in Essentially the same direction as said three hook-shaped members, said member defining a hookshaped recess therein engageable with a clevis connecting pin of pull-type implements and being attached to said frame so as to project outwardly therefrom to a point inward from said hook-like members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
129 words
The hitch apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a. said frame has a generally triangular shape and is attachable to a three-point hitch system of the drive vehicle, the base member of said triangular shaped frame extending angularly inward toward the three-point hitch system of the drive vehicle; b. said three hook-shaped members are each positioned adjacent a different one of the vertices of said triangular shaped frame and the hook-shaped recess defined by each of said members is upwardly facing; and c. said outwardly directed member of said draw-bar means is pivotally attached to the base member of said triangularly shaped frame for pivoting laterally outward to an open position to receive the clevis connecting pin within said recess and laterally inward to a closed position for engagement therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The hitch apparatus of claim 2 wherein at least one of said three hook-like members has a latch mechanism associated therewith including a latch bar pivotally attached to said frame and spring biasing means engaging said latch bar for urging an end portion thereof to a position above said hook-shaped recess to retain the connecting pin of the three-point type implement therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The hitch apparatus of claim 3 including two shoulder members attached to said base member for engaging a tractor draw-bar therebetween so as to reduce cross-sway of the hitch apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
The hitch apparatus of claim 4 wherein: a. said latch mechanism includes a pivotal latch bar and means for pivoting said latch bar to a position adjacent to and substantially above the recess defined by said hook-shaped member; and b. said draw-bar means includes: i. spring biasing means associated therewith for urging said outwardly extending member toward said closed position; and ii. cable means attached to said outwardly extending member and having a force applying end for providing movement of said member toward said open position on application of a force to said cable end.
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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) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |