US3818995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two way plow with articulated center wheel and automatically lockable rear wheel
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-06-08
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Granted: 1974-06-25
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Expires: 1993-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A two way plow capable of being drawn by a power vehicle having a vertically movable hitch. The plow includes an elongate rearwardly extending draft member that pivotally supports a plow bottom supporting assembly that by hydraulically operated means may be placed on either side of the draft member for plowing purposes. A first vertically movable, hydraulically controlled wheel assembly is located at a position intermediate the ends of the draft member, with the wheel assembly capable of being moved upwardly relative to the draft member as the latter is lowered by manipulation of the hitch to maintain the draft member in a horizontal position. The first wheel assembly when in an elevated position is free to pivot relative thereto, but when lowered relative to the draft member to maintain the plow bottom supporting assembly in a non-plowing position, such as is necessary when the plow is being transported or turned around in the headland, the wheel assembly interlocks with articulate means and the wheel assembly thereafter pivots in a direction to cause the wheel assembly to track with the path of the power vehicle. A second wheel assembly is so movably supported from the rear of the draft member that the second wheel assembly automatically assumes a locked angular position relative to the draft member to compensate for side thrust developed by the bottom in moving through the soil when the plow bottom supporting assembly is pivoted from one side of the draft member to the other side thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 W Mellen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:42
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B3/00; A01B3/46; A01B3/464; A01B3/24; A01B3/28; A01B3/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
423 words
In combination with a power vehicle having a rearwardly disposed vertically movable hitch extending rearwardly therefrom, a two way plow of the type that includes an elongate draft member extending rearwardly from said hitch and pivotally connected thereto, said draft member pivotally supporting a two way plow bottom supporting assembly that may be disposed on either side of said draft member for plowing purposes, first power means for pivoting said plow bottoms supporting assembly from one side of said draft member to the othEr side thereof for plowing purposes, the improvement for permitting said power vehicle and two way plow to turn and reverse their direction of travel in a minimum of space, said improvement comprising: a. at least first wheel assembly adjacently disposed to said draft member and located intermediate the ends thereof, said wheel assembly including a vertically disposed shaft that has a lower end portion and a wheel rotatably supported from said lower end portion in a plane of rotation substantially parallel to said shaft; b. first means mounted on said draft member for supporting said shaft for vertical and horizontal rotational movement relative to said draft member; c. second means that are power operated for raising and lowering said first wheel assembly relative to said draft member in a direction opposite to that of said hitch to maintain said draft member in a substantially horizontal position; d. articulated means so operatively associated with said power vehicle, first means and shaft that said shaft and wheel are pivoted for said wheel to track with the path of movement of said power vehicle when said shaft and wheel have been moved downwardly relative to said draft member to the extent said plow bottoms supporting assembly is disposed in a non plowing position and said wheel supports a substantial portion of the weight of said two way plow, with said wheel as it so pivots to track with said power vehicle permitting said power vehicle and two way plow to turn in a minimum of space; and e. third means that automatically release said shaft from control by said articulated means to permit free rotation of said shaft and wheel when said hitch is moved downwardly to dispose said two way plow bottom supporting assembly in a plowing position and said first wheel assembly is moved upwardly relative to said draft member to a position where said wheel does not bear any of the load of said two way plow, and said wheel assembly is no longer controlled by said articulated means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
423 words
In combination with a power vehicle having a rearwardly disposed vertically movable hitch extending rearwardly therefrom, a two way plow of the type that includes an elongate draft member extending rearwardly from said hitch and pivotally connected thereto, said draft member pivotally supporting a two way plow bottom supporting assembly that may be disposed on either side of said draft member for plowing purposes, first power means for pivoting said plow bottoms supporting assembly from one side of said draft member to the othEr side thereof for plowing purposes, the improvement for permitting said power vehicle and two way plow to turn and reverse their direction of travel in a minimum of space, said improvement comprising: a. at least first wheel assembly adjacently disposed to said draft member and located intermediate the ends thereof, said wheel assembly including a vertically disposed shaft that has a lower end portion and a wheel rotatably supported from said lower end portion in a plane of rotation substantially parallel to said shaft; b. first means mounted on said draft member for supporting said shaft for vertical and horizontal rotational movement relative to said draft member; c. second means that are power operated for raising and lowering said first wheel assembly relative to said draft member in a direction opposite to that of said hitch to maintain said draft member in a substantially horizontal position; d. articulated means so operatively associated with said power vehicle, first means and shaft that said shaft and wheel are pivoted for said wheel to track with the path of movement of said power vehicle when said shaft and wheel have been moved downwardly relative to said draft member to the extent said plow bottoms supporting assembly is disposed in a non plowing position and said wheel supports a substantial portion of the weight of said two way plow, with said wheel as it so pivots to track with said power vehicle permitting said power vehicle and two way plow to turn in a minimum of space; and e. third means that automatically release said shaft from control by said articulated means to permit free rotation of said shaft and wheel when said hitch is moved downwardly to dispose said two way plow bottom supporting assembly in a plowing position and said first wheel assembly is moved upwardly relative to said draft member to a position where said wheel does not bear any of the load of said two way plow, and said wheel assembly is no longer controlled by said articulated means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 in which said two way plow bottom supporting assembly includes two longitudinally spaced sleeves rotatably mounted on said draft member and said first wheel assembly is located between said first and second sleeves and supported from said draft member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
176 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 which in addition includes: e. second wheel assembly pivotally supported from said two way plow bottoms supporting assembly and rearward of said first wheel assembly, said second wheel assembly capable of being disposed in either first or second angular positions relative to the vertical for said second wheel to engage a portion of plowed ground to counteract the side thrust exerted on said two way plow as the plow bottoms of said plow bottoms supporting assembly are drawn through the earth; f. fourth means actuated by the movement of said two waY plow bottoms supporting assembly as the latter is pivoted from one side of said draft member to the other side thereof, with said fourth means when so actuated automatically pivoting said second wheel assembly to either said first or second angular position; and g. fifth means for automatically locking said second wheel assembly in said first or second angular position as said draft member is lowered to dispose said plow bottoms supporting assembly in a plowing position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The combination as defined in claim 3 which in addition includes: h. a pin secured to said second wheel assembly that slidably engages said fourth means and is longitudinally movable relative to the latter, said pin serving to maintain said second wheel assembly in a connected position to said fourth means when said draft member is moved upwardly to dispose said plow bottoms supporting assembly in a non-plowing position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combination as defined in claim 4 in which said fifth means are supported from said fourth means, with said fifth means being disengaged from said second wheel assembLy to allow the latter and said pin to pivot freely on said fourth means when said draft member is raised to dispose said plow bottoms supporting assembly in a non plowing position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
The combination as defined in claim 5 which in addition includes: i. sixth means for being removably positioned between said fourth means and the portion of said wheel assembly below said pin to maintain said fifth means out of locking engagement with said second wheel assembly and permit the latter to pivot freely when said draft member is so disposed that said plow bottoms supporting assembly is in a non plowing position and said first and second wheel assemblies bear a substantial portion of the weight of said two way plow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 in which two of said first wheel assemblies are provided that are disposed side by side and move vertically and pivot in unison, with one of said first and third means being provided for each of said first wheel assemblies, and both of said first wheel assemblies being moved vertically in unison by said second means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
171 words
The combination as defined in claim 3 in which said fourth means is: h. a first horizontal tube that extends rearwardly from said plow bottoms supporting assembly and pivots concurrently therewith; i. a lug rigidly secured to the interior surface of said first tube; j. a second tube rotatably supported on said first tube; k. a rigid support secured to said second tube rearwardly of said first tube, said support supporting said second wheel assembly; and l. a rectangular plate secured to said support and that extends into said first tube below the center line thereof, said plate being engaged by said lug to pivot said second tube, support and second wheel assembly to first or second angular positions when said plow bottoms supporting assembly pivots from one side of said draft member to the other thereof, when said second wheel assembly being in said first or second angular position when the longitudinal edge most adjacent said lug is forced into binding contact with the interior surface of said first tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
The combination as defined in claim 8 in which said second wheel assembly is supported for pivotal and vertical movement relative to said support, and said fifth means are a pair of spaced stops that project downwardly from said support and engage a portion of said second wheel assembly therebetween when said draft member is lowered to dispose said plow bottoms supporting assembly in a plowing position.
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) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-12-24 | 1978-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-24 | 1981-12-24 | 1982-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-24 | 1985-12-24 | 1986-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |