US3797580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foldable agricultural implement
Assignee: Deere and Co
•
Filing: 1972-02-28
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A wheeled spring tooth harrow has pivoted wing frames, each of which is movable between operating and transport positions by a hydraulic wing fold mechanism which folds the wings through 155* or more from a position in alignment with the main frame. The wing fold mechanism includes a pair of links having a lost-motion connection which, as the wing is being folded to the transport position, permits the wing to free-fall from a balanced position at approximately 110* closed through approximately 15* and, as the wing is being opened to an operating position, permits the wing to free-fall from the balanced position through approximately 20*. When the wing is in the operating position, the lost-motion connection permits the wing to float through approximately 35* to follow ground contour.
Inventors
- 👤 R Roth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:46
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B73/00; A01B73/02; A01B73/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
278 words
An agricultural implement comprising: a main frame adjustably supported on wheel for vertical movement between a raised transport position and any one of a plurality of working positions; said wheels supporting the main frame generally parallel to the ground surface beneath the frame; a wing frame connected to one end of the main frame for vertical pivotal movement about a generally fore-and-aft extending axis between working and transport positions; a pair of generally aligned brackets secured to the main and wing frames; a first rigid link having one end pivotally connected to the bracket on the main frame and a second rigid link having one end pivotally connected to the bracket on the wing frame; the first and second links extending upwardly and toward each other when the wing frame is in general alignment with the main frame; an elongated slot provided in the second link with its major dimension extending along the major dimension of the second link; a pivot pin carried by the first link and extending through the slot to provide a lost-motion connection between the links; and an extensible and retRactable hydraulic cylinder connected between the main frame and first link; the links, slot, pivot pin and hydraulic cylinder being so arranged and constructed that when the wing frame passes through a balanced position in its movement about the fore-andaft extending axis between the working and transport positions it continues its movement independently of any movement of the hydraulic cylinder within the limits of the lost-motion connection, and when the wing frame is in its working position it is free to move relative to the main frame within the limits of the lost-motion connection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
278 words
An agricultural implement comprising: a main frame adjustably supported on wheel for vertical movement between a raised transport position and any one of a plurality of working positions; said wheels supporting the main frame generally parallel to the ground surface beneath the frame; a wing frame connected to one end of the main frame for vertical pivotal movement about a generally fore-and-aft extending axis between working and transport positions; a pair of generally aligned brackets secured to the main and wing frames; a first rigid link having one end pivotally connected to the bracket on the main frame and a second rigid link having one end pivotally connected to the bracket on the wing frame; the first and second links extending upwardly and toward each other when the wing frame is in general alignment with the main frame; an elongated slot provided in the second link with its major dimension extending along the major dimension of the second link; a pivot pin carried by the first link and extending through the slot to provide a lost-motion connection between the links; and an extensible and retRactable hydraulic cylinder connected between the main frame and first link; the links, slot, pivot pin and hydraulic cylinder being so arranged and constructed that when the wing frame passes through a balanced position in its movement about the fore-andaft extending axis between the working and transport positions it continues its movement independently of any movement of the hydraulic cylinder within the limits of the lost-motion connection, and when the wing frame is in its working position it is free to move relative to the main frame within the limits of the lost-motion connection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An agricultural implement as set forth in claim 1 wherein abutment means acting between the two frames limit downward pivotal movement of the wing frame to a position in transverse alignment with the main frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An agricultural implement as set forth in claim 2 wherein runner means carried by the wing frame limits the minimum distance between the outer end of the wing frame and the ground surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
216 words
An implement frame adapted to be moved forwardly over the ground comprising: a pair of frame sections; one of the frame sections being adjustable supported on wheels in general parallelism with the ground surface thereunder; means pivotally connecting said frame sections together in side-by-side relationship for movement of the other of said frame sections about the one between a working position in generally horizontal alignment with the one frame section and a transport position overlying the one frame section; a rigid link having one end pivotally connected to the other of the frame sections; an arm pivotally mounted at one end on the one of the frame sections; means pivotally interconnecting the free ends of the rigid link and arm; an extensible and retractable hydraulic cylinder operatively connected between the one frame section and the arm to pivotally move the free end of the arm toward and away from the pivotal connection between the frame sections whereby the other frame section is pivoted between the working and transport positions; and the pivotal interconnecting means including lost-motion means affording pivotal movement of the other frame section through a limited arc independent of any movement of the hydraulic cylinder whenever the other frame section passes through a balanced position in its movement between the working and transport positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
216 words
An implement frame adapted to be moved forwardly over the ground comprising: a pair of frame sections; one of the frame sections being adjustable supported on wheels in general parallelism with the ground surface thereunder; means pivotally connecting said frame sections together in side-by-side relationship for movement of the other of said frame sections about the one between a working position in generally horizontal alignment with the one frame section and a transport position overlying the one frame section; a rigid link having one end pivotally connected to the other of the frame sections; an arm pivotally mounted at one end on the one of the frame sections; means pivotally interconnecting the free ends of the rigid link and arm; an extensible and retractable hydraulic cylinder operatively connected between the one frame section and the arm to pivotally move the free end of the arm toward and away from the pivotal connection between the frame sections whereby the other frame section is pivoted between the working and transport positions; and the pivotal interconnecting means including lost-motion means affording pivotal movement of the other frame section through a limited arc independent of any movement of the hydraulic cylinder whenever the other frame section passes through a balanced position in its movement between the working and transport positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
An implement frame as set forth in claim 4 wherein the means pivotally connecting the frame sections together includes a pair of hinge sections secured to the pair of frame sections and pivotally connected together above the frame sections, and cooperating stop means on the lower portions of the hinge sections limit downward pivotal movement of the one frame section to a position in transverse alignment with the other frame section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
An implement frame as set forth in claim 5 wherein a plurality of earth-working tools are secured to and depend from the frame sections, and depth limiting means on the one frame limits the maximum working depth of the tools thereon by pivoting the one frame section about the other frame section within the limits of the lost-motion connection between the arm and link.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An implement as set forth in claim 5 wherein the lost-motion connection includes an elongated slot provided in the rigid link and a pin carried by the arm and extending through the slot.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |