Patent US309689A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3889979A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3889979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic hitching device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-11-21
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1993-11-21
Abstract
Abstract Hitch mechanism as used for example in agricultural machinery where a selected piece of work performing equipment, representing a towed vehicle, is selectively coupled to and uncoupled from a tractor or harvesting machine representing a towing vehicle. The coupling and uncoupling operations are effected under remote control, as by an operator seated in the towing vehicle. An extensible and retractable hitch pin is made remotely actuable and concepts of automation are present in that a relative approaching motion of the vehicles is used to activate the movement of the pin to effect, at the proper moment, a connecting or coupling of the vehicles. In different illustrated forms of the invention embodiment the hitch pin responds to hydraulic and electromechanical actuation. Appropriate controls are provided, including manual means, to selectively condition the hitch pin for its required movements. The hitch pin becomes a power operated device, the movements of which are under remote and automatic control.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory E Schmiesing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:01
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B59/00; A01B59/04; A01B59/042; B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A hitch mechanism for use in the releasable connection of one mobile unit to another comprising coupling means in connection with said one mobile unit having at least two positions of adjustment in one of which said coupling means is adapted to positively engage a portion of the other of said mobile units so that movement of one unit will induce the movement of the other, means for effecting a powered operation of said coupling means, and control means for said powered operating means including triggering means, remote from said coupling means, operable to induce a selected position of adjustment of said coupling means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A hitch mechanism for use in the releasable connection of one mobile unit to another comprising coupling means in connection with said one mobile unit having at least two positions of adjustment in one of which said coupling means is adapted to positively engage a portion of the other of said mobile units so that movement of one unit will induce the movement of the other, means for effecting a powered operation of said coupling means, and control means for said powered operating means including triggering means, remote from said coupling means, operable to induce a selected position of adjustment of said coupling means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein switch means provides an operative connection between at least a portion of said triggering means and said powered operating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
Hitch mechanism as in claim 1 characterized by said control means including a plurality of triggering means providing optional means for inducing movement of said coupling means to one position of adjustment or another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein at least one of said triggering means includes means for electrically activating said control means from a position on one mobile unit remote from said coupling means to induce movement of said coupling means to selective positions of adjustment including said position in which said coupling means is adapted to physically engage said other mobile unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
Hitch mechanism as in claim 1 characterized by said triggering means including one portion responsive to physical contact by a portion of said other unit and other portions positioned for immediate access to an operator seated on one of said mobile units remote from said coupling means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 including hydraulic valve means for directing fluid under pressure to and from said coupling means to induce a selective adjustment of said coupling means under the influence of said triggering means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
Hitch mechanism as in claim 1 wherein said triggering means includes a movable member positioned exterior to said one mobile unit having means in connection therewith to signal a predetermined relative position of said units operating in response to physical contact thereof by a portion of said other unit to activate said powered operating means to induce movement of said coupling means to a position of adjustment to engage said other unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
Hitch mechanism as in claim 7 wherein said means connected to said movable member is a switch device the function or non-function of which is determined by the position of said movable member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said coupling means is a hitch pin mounted on said one mobile unit and arranged to have a projected coupling position and a retracted uncoupling position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
Hitch mechanism as in claim 9 wherein said control means includes a reciprocable member operatively connected with said powered operating means to move said hitch pin to its respective positions of adjustment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 characterized by said control means including a movable arm operably related to said powered operating means the position of which arm determines the position of said coupling means, said arm being connected for actuation by at least a portion of said triggering means through the medium of a reciprocable member the direction and degree of movement of which determines the position of said coupling means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said powered operating means is arranged to direct fluid under pressure to actuate said coupling means, said arm is pivotally conected to said reciprocable member and to a valving means, the latter of which controls the flow of fluid under pressure to said coupling means to provide for placement of said coupling means in a selected position of adjustment in correspondence with the movement of said reciprocable member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said triggering means includes a pivoted arm exterior to said one mobile unit, said coupling means is a hitch pin, and said control means is arranged to respond to a predetermined movement of said pivoted arm to actuate said powered means to move said hitch pin to effect a coupling of said mobile units.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said triggering means includes an arm moved and held in a moved position by a predetermined positioning of one of said units relative the other, said operating means includes valve means for directing fluid under pressure to effect projecting and retracting movements of said coupling means to respective coupling and uncoupling positions, a movable valve control arm and means including a lost motion connection providing for interconnection of said arms and for selective operation of said valve means in response to movements of said first mentioned arm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 14 characterized by a plurality of triggering means for optionally effecting a remotely initiated movement of said valve control arm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of said triggering means selectively actuable to responsively indcue a selected position of adjustment of said coupling means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
143 words
A hitch mechanism for use in the releasable connection of one mobile unit to another comprising coupling means in connection with said one mobile unit having at least two positions of adjustment in one of which said coupling means is adapted to positively engage a portion of the other of said mobile units, so that movement of one unit will induce the movement of the other, and control means for said coupling means including a triggering portion which is displaced from and operable at a location remote from said coupling means, to induce a selected position of adjustment thereof, and said control means further including a pair of electrically energized devices operatively related to said triggering portion and said coupling means, the energizing of one or the other of said devices being arranged to dictate the position of adjustment of said coupling means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
143 words
A hitch mechanism for use in the releasable connection of one mobile unit to another comprising coupling means in connection with said one mobile unit having at least two positions of adjustment in one of which said coupling means is adapted to positively engage a portion of the other of said mobile units, so that movement of one unit will induce the movement of the other, and control means for said coupling means including a triggering portion which is displaced from and operable at a location remote from said coupling means, to induce a selected position of adjustment thereof, and said control means further including a pair of electrically energized devices operatively related to said triggering portion and said coupling means, the energizing of one or the other of said devices being arranged to dictate the position of adjustment of said coupling means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
144 words
A hitch mechanism for use in the releasable connection of one mobile unit to another comprising a hitch pin in connection witH said one mobile unit having at least two positions of adjustment in one of the other of said mobile units so that movement of one unit will induce the movement of the other, and control means for said hitch pin including a pivoted arm exterior to said mobile unit, said control means responding to a predetermined movement of said pivoted arm to move said hitch pin to effect a coupling of said mobile units, said hitch pin forming part of a hydraulic cylinder unit and being actuable to its various positions of adjustment by the selective application of hydraulic fluid in said cylinder, and valve means for controlling said application of hydraulic fluid under the influence of movement of said pivoted arm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
144 words
A hitch mechanism for use in the releasable connection of one mobile unit to another comprising a hitch pin in connection witH said one mobile unit having at least two positions of adjustment in one of the other of said mobile units so that movement of one unit will induce the movement of the other, and control means for said hitch pin including a pivoted arm exterior to said mobile unit, said control means responding to a predetermined movement of said pivoted arm to move said hitch pin to effect a coupling of said mobile units, said hitch pin forming part of a hydraulic cylinder unit and being actuable to its various positions of adjustment by the selective application of hydraulic fluid in said cylinder, and valve means for controlling said application of hydraulic fluid under the influence of movement of said pivoted arm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus as in claim 18 wherein a second pivoted arm is interposed between said first mentioned arm and said valve means and connected to said first arm for movement conjointly with and/or relative to said first arm, means providing the connection between said arms being adapted to extend and contract, in a longitudinal sense, to accommodate the relative movement of said arms as and when required.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as in claim 19 wherein said second pivoted arm is under the control of a reciprocable member responsive to the actuation of alternate triggering means included for control of the position of said hitch pin.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
137 words
A hitch mechanism for use in the releasable connection of one mobile unit to another comprising a hitch pin mounted on said one mobile unit and arranged to have a projected coupling position and a retracted uncoupling position with respect to the other of said mobile units, control means for said hitch pin displaced from and operable at location remote from said hitch pin to induce a selected positon of adjustment thereof, and means to furnish motive power to move said hitch pin to its respective positions of adjustment under control of a reciprocable member actuable under the influence of said control means, said reciprocable member being in coupled relation to a pair of spaced solenoids the selective energization of which induces a selected direction of movement thereof and determines the resultant position of said hitch pin.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
137 words
A hitch mechanism for use in the releasable connection of one mobile unit to another comprising a hitch pin mounted on said one mobile unit and arranged to have a projected coupling position and a retracted uncoupling position with respect to the other of said mobile units, control means for said hitch pin displaced from and operable at location remote from said hitch pin to induce a selected positon of adjustment thereof, and means to furnish motive power to move said hitch pin to its respective positions of adjustment under control of a reciprocable member actuable under the influence of said control means, said reciprocable member being in coupled relation to a pair of spaced solenoids the selective energization of which induces a selected direction of movement thereof and determines the resultant position of said hitch pin.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
175 words
A hitch mechanism for use in the releasable connection of one mobile unit to another comprising coupling means in connection with said one mobile unit having at least two positions of adjustment in one of which said coupling means is adapted to positively engage a portion of the other of said mobile units so that movement of one unit will induce the movement of the other, and control means for said coupling means including a plurality of selectively actuable triggering portions displaced from and operable at a location remote from said coupling means to induce a selected position of adjustment thereof, one of said triggering portions being a movable member exterior to said one of said mobile units actuable by a predetermined contact of the other of said units, and another of said triggering portions including a switch means, located adjacent the seat of the operator of said one unit, connected to supply power to responsively actuate said control means to selectively move said coupling means to a coupling or an uncoupling position of adjustment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
175 words
A hitch mechanism for use in the releasable connection of one mobile unit to another comprising coupling means in connection with said one mobile unit having at least two positions of adjustment in one of which said coupling means is adapted to positively engage a portion of the other of said mobile units so that movement of one unit will induce the movement of the other, and control means for said coupling means including a plurality of selectively actuable triggering portions displaced from and operable at a location remote from said coupling means to induce a selected position of adjustment thereof, one of said triggering portions being a movable member exterior to said one of said mobile units actuable by a predetermined contact of the other of said units, and another of said triggering portions including a switch means, located adjacent the seat of the operator of said one unit, connected to supply power to responsively actuate said control means to selectively move said coupling means to a coupling or an uncoupling position of adjustment.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as in claim 22 wherein said one of said triggering portions is operatively connected with a further switch means which responds to said predetermined contact to induce said coupling means to positively engage the other mobile unit and said first mentioned switch means is connected to trigger an uncoupling action.
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) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |