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.
In apparatus of the character described, a vehicle, a device to be drawn thereby, a frame member for connecting the vehicle and the device to be drawn, said vehicle comprising means for propelling it which includes means for rotation in contact with the surface upon which it is moved and means for driving said propelling means, substantially vertical pivot means attached to said vehicle and located substantially at its center of draft, said device to be drawn comprising elongate means rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis with its arcuate periphery in contact with the surface upon which it is moved, means for mounting the forward end of said frame member for rotation about the axis of said substantially vertical pivot means, arcuate track means concentric with the axis of said substantially vertical pivot means for guiding at least the forward portion of said frame member in a plane which is substantially normal to the axis of said substantially vertical pivot means during rotation of said frame member about said substantially vertical pivot means, and means for rotating said frame member about said substantially vertical pivot means, whereby the vehicle may be steered without using the customary steering device of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
In apparatus of the character described, a vehicle, a device to be drawn thereby, a frame member for connecting the vehicle and the device to be drawn, said vehicle comprising means for propelling it which includes means for rotation in contact with the surface upon which it is moved and means for driving said propelling means, substantially vertical pivot means attached to said vehicle and located substantially at its center of draft, said device to be drawn comprising elongate means rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis with its arcuate periphery in contact with the surface upon which it is moved, means for mounting the forward end of said frame member for rotation about the axis of said substantially vertical pivot means, arcuate track means concentric with the axis of said substantially vertical pivot means for guiding at least the forward portion of said frame member in a plane which is substantially normal to the axis of said substantially vertical pivot means during rotation of said frame member about said substantially vertical pivot means, and means for rotating said frame member about said substantially vertical pivot means, whereby the vehicle may be steered without using the customary steering device of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said frame member comprises a hydraulic means coupled at one end to the frame member and at the other end to the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said frame member comprises a first hydraulic means coupled at one end to said frame member and at the other end to the vehicle at a locality adjacent to one side thereof and a second hydraulic means coupled at one end to said frame member and at the other end to the vehicle at a locality adjacent to the opposite side thereof.