US3738682A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Close coupled pulling hitch assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-30
•
Granted: 1973-06-12
•
Expires: 1991-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A close coupled pulling hitch assembly including a horizontally extending, transverse draw bar, hitch means on one side of the draw bar for connecting a self-propelled vehicle thereto and coupling means on the opposite side of the draw bar for connecting a first agricultural implement to the draw bar. Pivotally connected to one or both end portions of the transverse draw bar is at least one side bar which is connected for pivotation about a substantially horizontal axis. A generally horizontally extending coupling bar is connected to each of the side bars, and is horizontally spaced from the transverse draw bar to accommodate the first described agricultural implement. Coupling means is provided on each coupling bar for coupling thereto, an agricultural implement disposed on the opposite side of the respective coupling bar from the transverse draw bar. Means is provided for pivoting each side bar and its associated coupling bar about a substantially vertical axis and relative to the transverse draw bar to laterally displace the agricultural implements coupled to the coupling bars relative to the agricultural implement coupled to the draw bar. Ground engaging wheels are mounted on at least one of the described bars.
Inventors
- 👤 O Ritter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:59
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B73/00; A01B73/02; A01B73/06; A01B73/067; B; B62; B62D; B62D49/00; B62D49/06; B62D49/065; B62D53/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A close coupled pulling hitch assembly comprising: elongated, substantially horizontally extending transverse draw bar means; hitch means on said draw bar means for connecting said draw bar means to a self-propelled vehicle; first coupling means on said draw bar means for connecting an agricultural implement to said draw bar means; at least one elongated, substantially horizontally extending side bar means pivotally connected to said transverse draw bar means at a point spaced longitudinally along said elongated draw bar means from said coupling means for pivotation about a vertical axis; elongated, substantially horizontally extending coupling bar means connected to and movable with each of said side bar means, said coupling bar means being connected to said side bar means at a point spaced longitudinally along said side bar means from said transverse draw bar means; additional coupling means on each of said coupling bar means for coupling an agricultural implement to the respective coupling bar means; means for automatically pivoting each of said side bar means about a vertical axis at its point of pivotal connection to said transverse draw bar means for varying the angle between said draw bar means and the respective side bar means; and wheel means connected to at least one of said bar means for supporting said hitch assembly above the ground.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A close coupled pulling hitch assembly comprising: elongated, substantially horizontally extending transverse draw bar means; hitch means on said draw bar means for connecting said draw bar means to a self-propelled vehicle; first coupling means on said draw bar means for connecting an agricultural implement to said draw bar means; at least one elongated, substantially horizontally extending side bar means pivotally connected to said transverse draw bar means at a point spaced longitudinally along said elongated draw bar means from said coupling means for pivotation about a vertical axis; elongated, substantially horizontally extending coupling bar means connected to and movable with each of said side bar means, said coupling bar means being connected to said side bar means at a point spaced longitudinally along said side bar means from said transverse draw bar means; additional coupling means on each of said coupling bar means for coupling an agricultural implement to the respective coupling bar means; means for automatically pivoting each of said side bar means about a vertical axis at its point of pivotal connection to said transverse draw bar means for varying the angle between said draw bar means and the respective side bar means; and wheel means connected to at least one of said bar means for supporting said hitch assembly above the ground.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said hitch means is pivotally connected to said draw bar means for pivotation about a vertical axis; and wherein said hitch assembly is further characterized in including means for automatically pivoting said hitch means whereby the point of connection of said self-propelled vehicle in relation to said draw bar means may be selectively and automatically varied.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said wheel means includes a wheel secured to said hitch means and movable in pivotation therewith about said vertical axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said pulling hitch assembly is characterized in having a pair of sapced elongated side bar means, each of said side bar means being pivotally connected at one of its ends to one end of said draw bar means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein one of said side bar means is substantially longer than the other of said side bar means whereby a first agricultural implement can be positioned between said draw bar means and the coupling bar means connected to said other of side bar means, and a second agricultural implement can be positioned between the coupling bar means connected to said pair of side bar means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said hitch means comprises a Y-shaped yoke member pivotally connected at two horizontally spaced points to said transverse draw bar means for pivotation about horizontal axes at said horizontally spaced points.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein one of said elongated side bar means includes a pair of rigid structural members slidably engaging each other for altering the overall length of said one elongated side bar means; and piston and cylinder means for automatically moving one of said rigid structural members relative to the other of said rigid structural members to selectively adjust the length of said one elongated side bar means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 7 and further characterized as including conduit means extending along said one side bar means to said piston and cylinder means for supplying hydraulic fluid to said piston and cylinder means for the actuation thereof; and means for automatically continuously preventing the occurrence of slack in said hydraulic conduits as said first structural member is moved relativEly to said second structural member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said side bar means comprises a tubular end portion slidably receiving a portion of said coupling bar means, whereby the distance between said draw bar means and said coupling bar means can be selectively varied.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said draw bar means comprises: a first beam having an end portion pivotally connected to one of said side bar means; and a second beam aligned with said first beam and having an end rotatably connected to said first beam for relative rotational movement of said first and second beams relative to each other about aligned longitudinal axes thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said draw bar means comprises: first beam means having said hitch means connected thereto; and second beam means slidably engaging said first beam means and extensible therefrom for selectively varying the length of said draw bar means, said second beam means having said coupling means connected thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
68 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said hitch means comprises: a hitch arm pivotally connected to said draw bar means for pivotation about a vertical axis; a hitch bracket pivotally connected to said hitch arm for pivotation about a horizontal axis; and means connected between said hitch arm and said draw bar means for pivoting said hitch arm and hitch bracket in a horizontal direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 12 and further characterized as including a cantilevered wheel supporting arm secured to said hitch arm for movement therewith; and a caster wheel mounted on said cantilevered wheel support arm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein said wheel means is further characterized in including a second caster wheel connected to said transverse draw bar means; and a wheel pivotally mounted on each of said coupling bar means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said wheel means comprises a caster wheel cantilevered from said hitch means and movable with said hitch means relative to said draw bar means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said wheel means comprises: a pair of wheels mounted on said draw bar means; and a wheel swivelly connected to each of said coupling bar means for swivelling movement in a horizontal direction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said coupling bar means comprises: a coupling bar; and a coupling bar extension slidably engaging said coupling bar and aligned therewith for selective adjustment of the length of said elongated coupling bar means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said coupling bar means comprises: a coupling bar; and a coupling bar projection secured to, and extending substantially normal to, said coupling bar, said coupling bar projection slidably engaging one of said side bar means to facilitate selective adjustment of the distance between said draw bar means and said coupling bar.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A hitch assembly as defined in claim 1 and further characterized as including an elongated stabilizer bar connected to said draw bar means and adapted for securement to an agricultural implement connected to said draw bar means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1877650A
Cited
US2515016A
Cited
US2709085A
Cited
US3008732A
Cited
US3343849A
Cited
US3522860A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |