US3795415A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-load tractor hitch system
Assignee: Deere and Co
•
Filing: 1972-09-29
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1992-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A tractor includes a hitch system comprising spaced lower draft links carrying draft hooks at their distal ends and an upper center link in the form of an extensible and retractable hydraulic actuator and a drawbar. An inverted U-shaped arch member has opposite legs respectively pivotally connected to the draft links at locations intermediate the ends thereof by means establishing a horizontal transverse axis about which the arch member is swingable fore and aft. A swivel bracket including rollers is mounted for rolling movement along the transverse bight portion of the arch member between a stored position on one of the legs of the arch member and an operative position on the transverse bight portion of the arch member. The hitch structure may be arranged in a three-point hitch mode by suspending the center link-forming hydraulic actuator from the bight portion of the arch member by spring means and by connecting a draft hook to the end of the piston rod of the center link-forming actuator. The hitch structure may be arranged in a weight transfer mode by placing the swivel bracket in its operative position, by connecting the end of the piston rod of the center link-forming actuator to the bracket and by connecting a force transmitting member or link between the swivel bracket and the implement to be towed. The hitch structure includes draft responsive means for initiating automatic draft and weight transfer control, the draft responsive means being, in one embodiment, responsive to forces imposed on the lower draft links or on the drawbar and being responsive in a second embodiment to draft forces imposed on the center link-forming actuator.
Inventors
- 👤 J Koch
- 👤 D Henderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:01
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B59/00; A01B59/04; A01B59/042; A01B63/00; A01B63/14; A01B63/145; B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/01; B60D1/07; B60D1/14; B60D1/141; B60D2001/001; B60D2001/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
In a tractor having a trailing vertically swingable threepoint hitch including a pair of spaced lower draft links having rear ends adapted for connection to a pair of lower hitch parts of an implement, and a central upper draft link having a rear end adapted for connection to an upper hitch part of the implement, the improvement comprising: an arch member having opposite legs connected to said lower draft links at locations spaced forwardly of their respective rear ends; and shiftable means connecting said center link to said arch member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
In a tractor having a trailing vertically swingable threepoint hitch including a pair of spaced lower draft links having rear ends adapted for connection to a pair of lower hitch parts of an implement, and a central upper draft link having a rear end adapted for connection to an upper hitch part of the implement, the improvement comprising: an arch member having opposite legs connected to said lower draft links at locations spaced forwardly of their respective rear ends; and shiftable means connecting said center link to said arch member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tractor defined in claim 1 wherein said center link extends beneath said arch member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said center link extends rearwardly beyond said arch member; and said shiftable means including resilient means biasing said center link toward a predetermined position relative to said arch member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The tractor defined in claim 3 wherein said receptacle opens upwardly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said center link includes a vertically opening receptacle at its rear end for receiving an upper hitch part of an implement and said resilient means acting on said center link so as to urge the receptacle into engagement with the upper hitch part.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention defined in claim 5 wherein the rear ends of said lower pair of draft links respectively comprise a pair of upwardly opening hooks, each having a bearing surface for supporting implement hitch parts; and each bearing surface being mounted for limited tilting about an axis extending fore-and-aft in the direction of movement of the tractor and for limited rotation about a vertical axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said center link is a power extendible and retractable member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention defined in claim 7 wherein said arch member is connected to said lower draft links for pivoting about a generally horizontal axis extending crosswise to the direction of travel of the tractor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said arch member is connected to said lower draft links for pivoting about a generally horizontal axis extending crosswise to the direction of travel of the tractor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a tractor having a trailing vertically swingable three-point hitch including a pair of spaced lower draft links having rear ends adapted for connection to a pair of lower hitch parts of an implement, and a central, upper draft link having a rear end adapted for connection to an upper hitch part of the implement spaced vertically a predetermined distance above said lower hitch parts, the improvement comprising: said upper draft link including a receptacle at its rear end defining a vertically oriented opening for receiving an implement upper hitch part; and supporting means normally holding said rear end of the upper link spaced vertically above said rear ends of the lower draft links a distance different than said predetermined distance; and said supporting means including resilient means permitting said upper link to be deflected an amount sufficient for receiving said implement upper hitch part in said receptacle, the resilient means acting in a direction tending to keep the upper hitch part received in the opening of the receptacle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a tractor having a trailing vertically swingable three-point hitch including a pair of spaced lower draft links having rear ends adapted for connection to a pair of lower hitch parts of an implement, and a central, upper draft link having a rear end adapted for connection to an upper hitch part of the implement spaced vertically a predetermined distance above said lower hitch parts, the improvement comprising: said upper draft link including a receptacle at its rear end defining a vertically oriented opening for receiving an implement upper hitch part; and supporting means normally holding said rear end of the upper link spaced vertically above said rear ends of the lower draft links a distance different than said predetermined distance; and said supporting means including resilient means permitting said upper link to be deflected an amount sufficient for receiving said implement upper hitch part in said receptacle, the resilient means acting in a direction tending to keep the upper hitch part received in the opening of the receptacle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The tractor defined in claim 10 wherein said receptacle opening is oriented upwardly; said upper link being spaced above the rear ends of the lower draft links a distance greater than said preselected distance and said resilient means acting upwardly on the upper link and permitting the latter to be deflected downwardly for receiving the implement upper hitch part.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention defined in claim 10 wherein said supporting means includes an inverted U-shaped arch member having its opposite legs connected to said lower links.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention defined in claim 12 wherein said upper link extends beneath said arch member and said resilient means comprises at least one compression spring connected between said arch member and said upper link.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention defined in claim 12 wherein the connections between the legs of said arch member and said lower draft links are ball-and-socket connections defining a pivot axis extending transversely to the direction of travel of the tractor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention defined in claim 10 wherein said upper draft link is a power extendible and retractable member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention defined in claim 10 wherein said rear ends of said pair of lower draft links respectively comprise a pair of upwardly opening hooks each having a bearing surface for supporting implement hitch parts; and each bearing surface being mounted for limited tilting about an axis extending fore-and-aft in the direction of movement of the tractor and for limited rotation about a vertical axis as the implement moves from side to side.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a tractor having hitch means adapted for connection to a trailing implement and including trailing transversely spaced lower draft links, a generally upright member pivotally connected to said lower draft links for fore-and-aft rocking movement and including an upper portion spaced above said lower draft links, an extensible and retractable upper draft link being connected to the member upper portion, and a force transmitting member having one end connected to the member upper portion and having another end adapted for connection to a trailing implement, the improvement wherein the connection between the member upper portion and the upper draft link and force transmitting member comprises connection means permitting transverse movement of the rear end of the upper draft link and the one end of the force transmitting member relative to the direction of travel of the tractor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a tractor having hitch means adapted for connection to a trailing implement and including trailing transversely spaced lower draft links, a generally upright member pivotally connected to said lower draft links for fore-and-aft rocking movement and including an upper portion spaced above said lower draft links, an extensible and retractable upper draft link being connected to the member upper portion, and a force transmitting member having one end connected to the member upper portion and having another end adapted for connection to a trailing implement, the improvement wherein the connection between the member upper portion and the upper draft link and force transmitting member comprises connection means permitting transverse movement of the rear end of the upper draft link and the one end of the force transmitting member relative to the direction of travel of the tractor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention defined in claim 17 wherein the member upper portion defines a transversely extending guide means and said connection means is mounted for movement along said guide means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention defined in claim 18 wherein said connection means includes a swivel bracket pivotally connected to said upper draft link and force transmitting member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
68 words
The invention defined in claim 19 wherein said upright member is of a generally inverted U-shape, the opposite legs of the U being connected to said lower draft link and the bight of the U extending transversely and defining said guide means; said bracket member including a pair of plates straddling said bight and roller means extending between the plates and engaging an upper surface of said bight.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention defined in claim 20 wherein the plates and roller means are dimensioned relative to the upright member so as to permit the bracket member to be moved along said upright member from a stored position at one of the legs of the upright member to a working position on the bighT of the upright member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention defined in claim 21 wherein said bracket member includes a first portion mounted for movement along said guide means, a second portion pivotally connected to said first portion for movement about an upwardly extending axis and said upper link and force transmitting member being pivotally connected to said second portion for movement about a generally horizontal axis.
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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) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |