Draft vehicle and hitch structure for connecting the vehicle to an implement

Claim 2

In a hitch device for hitching an implement to a draft vehicle which has an axle and a frame spring mounted on the axle; said hitch device comprising; a generally horizontal upper link having one end pivoted to the vehicle frame, and the other end adapted for a pivotal connection to the implement, laterally spaced generally horizontal lower links each having one end adapted for pivotal connection to the implement, generally horizontal connecting links each having one end pivoted to the vehicle axle and the other end pivoted to the other end of a respective said lower link, lift means pivotally connected at the lower end to each said lower link between the ends thereof and extending upwardly therefrom and adapted for pivotal connection at the upper end to the vehicle frame, and further means connected between the vehicle frame and said connecting links and transmitting vertical movement of said frame on said axle to the pivotal interconnection of said lower links with said connecting links.

Claim 3

A hitch device according to claim 1 in which saiD further means comprises a pair of generally vertical further links each having the lower end pivotally connected to one of a respective connecting link and the pertaining lower link near the pivotal interconnection thereof and the upper end adapted for pivotal connection to the vehicle frame.

Claim 4

A hitch device according to claim 1 in which each connecting link and said further means forms a three bar linkage which includes said connecting link, a second link of each linkage having one end fixed to the vehicle frame, the third link of each linkage having the ends pivotally connected to the other ends of said connecting link and said second link.

Claim 5

A hitch device according to claim 3 in which the point of pivotal interconnection of said third link with said connecting link coincides with the pivotal connection of said connecting link with the pertaining lower link.

Claim 6

A hitch device according to claim 3 in which the said third link of each three bar linkage is substantially vertical while the said connecting link of each three bar linkage is substantially horizontal.

Claim 7

In combination; a draft vehicle having an axle and a frame resiliently supported on the axle, and a hitch device for connecting an implement to said vehicle, said hitch device including a generally horizontal upper link pivoted at one end to the frame and at the other end adapted pivotally to engage an implement, a pair of generally horizontal laterally spaced lower links adapted at one end for pivotal connection to the implement and having the other ends near said axle, a pair of expansible and contractable lift means each connected at the lower end to a respective lower link between the ends thereof and extending upwardly therefrom and pivoted at the upper end to said frame, and a pair of linkage means each connecting the said other end of a respective lower link to said axle and frame, each said linkage means comprising a first horizontal link having one end pivoted to the axle and the other end pivoted to the said other end of the respective lower link, each linkage also comprising a second vertical link pivoted at the lower end to said other ends of a respective first link and the pertaining lower link, and each linkage comprising a third link fixed at one end to said frame and at the other end to the upper end of the respective second link.

Claim 8

In combination; a draft vehicle having an axle and a frame resiliently supported on the axle, and a hitch device for connecting an implement to said vehicle, said hitch device including a generally horizontal upper link pivoted at one end to the frame and at the other end adapted pivotally to engage an implement, a pair of generally horizontal laterally spaced lower links adapted at one end for pivotal connection to the implement and having the other ends near said axle, a pair of expansible and contractable lift means each connected at the lower end to a respective lower link between the ends thereof and extending upwardly therefrom and pivoted at the upper end to said frame, and a pair of linkage means each connecting the said other end of a respective lower link to said axle and frame, each said linkage means comprising a first horizontal link having one end pivoted to the axle and the other end pivoted to the said other end of the respective lower link, each linkage also comprising a second vertical link pivoted at the lower end to said other ends of a respective first link and the pertaining lower link, and each linkage comprising a third link fixed at one end to said frame and at the other end to the upper end of the respective second link.