US3901327A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for supporting farm implements for working and towing
Assignee: Midland Manufacturing Corp
•
Filing: 1974-03-25
•
Granted: 1975-08-26
•
Expires: 1994-03-25
Abstract
Abstract An elongated frame supports farm implements in a working position with the longer dimension of the frame extending transverse to the direction of travel. An elongated rock shaft is mounted on the elongated frame for transverse pivotal movement in a vertical plane. Depending caster wheel units are mounted adjacent each end of the rock shaft for lateral pivotal movement. The rock shaft is held at selected pivoted positions to vary the elevation at which the frame and the implements carried thereby are supported. A stabilizer spaced laterally from the wheel units engages the ground as the frame is towed lengthwise by a towing tongue operatively connected to one end of the frame. Lateral oscillation of each wheel unit is limited by a releasable lock between the wheel unit and the rock shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 James L Mitchell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:29
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B21/00; A01B21/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
334 words
Apparatus for supporting farm implements selectively for working and towing: a. an elongated frame disposed to support farm implements in a working position with the longer dimentions of said elongated frame extending transverse to the direction of travel for working, b. a working tongue connected to and projecting laterally from a side of said elongated frame for drawing said frame in said direction of travel for working, c. at least one elongated rock shaft carried by said elongated frame with said rock shaft extending longitudinally of said elongated frame, d. means connecting said rock shaft to said elongated frame for pivotal movement in a vertical plane extending transversely of said elongated frame, e. a depending leg member mounted adjacent each end of said rock shaft for lateral pivotal movement relative thereto, f. at least one wheel unit carried by each said leg member and adapted for lateral pivotal movement relative thereto about a pivot axis located forwardly of the axis of rotation of a wheel carried by said wheel unit and being movable selectively with said depending leg member to a first position with the pivotal axis of said wheel unit being generally vertical and to a second position with the pivot axis of said wheel unit being in a non-vertical position so that said wheel unit is free to pivot laterally relative to said supporting frame while in said first position and is held against lateral pivotal movement while in said second position whereby said wheel unit supports said elongated frame for movement selectively in said direction of travel for working and in other selected directions including a direction perpendicular to said direction of travel for working with said elongated frame traveling lengthwise, g. means retaining said rock shaft at selected pivotal positions relative to said elongated frame do that said elongated frame and the implements carried thereby are supported at selected elevations, and h. means operatively connecting a towing tongue to one end of said elongated frame for towing said frame lengthwise.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
334 words
Apparatus for supporting farm implements selectively for working and towing: a. an elongated frame disposed to support farm implements in a working position with the longer dimentions of said elongated frame extending transverse to the direction of travel for working, b. a working tongue connected to and projecting laterally from a side of said elongated frame for drawing said frame in said direction of travel for working, c. at least one elongated rock shaft carried by said elongated frame with said rock shaft extending longitudinally of said elongated frame, d. means connecting said rock shaft to said elongated frame for pivotal movement in a vertical plane extending transversely of said elongated frame, e. a depending leg member mounted adjacent each end of said rock shaft for lateral pivotal movement relative thereto, f. at least one wheel unit carried by each said leg member and adapted for lateral pivotal movement relative thereto about a pivot axis located forwardly of the axis of rotation of a wheel carried by said wheel unit and being movable selectively with said depending leg member to a first position with the pivotal axis of said wheel unit being generally vertical and to a second position with the pivot axis of said wheel unit being in a non-vertical position so that said wheel unit is free to pivot laterally relative to said supporting frame while in said first position and is held against lateral pivotal movement while in said second position whereby said wheel unit supports said elongated frame for movement selectively in said direction of travel for working and in other selected directions including a direction perpendicular to said direction of travel for working with said elongated frame traveling lengthwise, g. means retaining said rock shaft at selected pivotal positions relative to said elongated frame do that said elongated frame and the implements carried thereby are supported at selected elevations, and h. means operatively connecting a towing tongue to one end of said elongated frame for towing said frame lengthwise.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said elongated frame comprises: a. a centrally disposed main frame, and b. a wing frame pivotally connected to each end of said main frame with each said wing frame being pivotally connected to a rock shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said working tongue is pivotally connected to said elongated frame and is movable selectively to a generally horizontal operative position and to an upstanding inoperative position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which each said rock shaft comprises: a. an elongated member, b. longitudinally spaced brackets carried by said elongated member and pivotally connected to said elongated frame, and c. depending, longitudinally spaced support members carried by said elongated member with each said support member being operatively connected to a depending wheel unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said means retaining said rock shaft at selected positions comprises a power operated unit interposed between and operatively connected to said rock shaft and said elongated frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which stabilizer means is carried by said elongated frame in laterally spaced relation to the wheel units and is movable selectively to a ground engaging position and to a position out of engagement with the ground.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said stabilizer means comprises: a. a depending stabilizer frame, b. means pivotally connecting the upper end of said stabilizer frame to said elongated frame, c. a wheel carried by the lower end of said stabilizer frame and movable therewith selectively to said ground engaging position and said position out of engagement with the ground, and d. lock means detachably connectIng said stabilizer frame to said elongated frame to retain said wheel in said ground engaging position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said towing tongue is operatively connected to a depending wheel unit carried by the outermost end of a rock shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
289 words
Apparatus for supporting farm implements selectively for working and towing: a. en elongated frame disposed to support farm implements in a working position with the longer dimension of said elongated frame extending transverse to the direction of travel for working, b. a working tongue connected to and projecting laterally from a side of said elongated frame for drawing said frame in said direction of travel for working, c. at least one elongated rock shaft carried by said elongated frame with said rock shaft extending longitudinally of said elongated frame, d. means connecting said rock shaft to said elongated frame for pivotal movement in a vertical plane extending transversely of said elongated frame, e. a depending shaft-like member mounted adjacent each end of said rock shaft and movable therewith, f. a trunnion mounted for rotation on said shaft-like member, g. at least one laterally projecting spindle carried by said trunnion and supporting a wheel unit with the center line of said spindle being rearwardly of said shaft-like member so that said wheel unit casters to selected trail positions and supports said elongated frame for movement selectively in said direction of travel for working and in other selected directions including a direction perpendicular to said direction of travel for working with said elongated frame traveling lengthwise, h. a releasable lock member interposed between said trunnion and a lateral projection carried by said rock shaft to limit oscillation of said wheel unit, i. means retaining said rock shaft at selected pivotal positions relative to said elongated frame so that said elongated frame and the implements carried thereby are supported at selected elevations, and j. means operatively connecting a towing tongue to one end of said elongated frame for towing said frame lengthwise.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
289 words
Apparatus for supporting farm implements selectively for working and towing: a. en elongated frame disposed to support farm implements in a working position with the longer dimension of said elongated frame extending transverse to the direction of travel for working, b. a working tongue connected to and projecting laterally from a side of said elongated frame for drawing said frame in said direction of travel for working, c. at least one elongated rock shaft carried by said elongated frame with said rock shaft extending longitudinally of said elongated frame, d. means connecting said rock shaft to said elongated frame for pivotal movement in a vertical plane extending transversely of said elongated frame, e. a depending shaft-like member mounted adjacent each end of said rock shaft and movable therewith, f. a trunnion mounted for rotation on said shaft-like member, g. at least one laterally projecting spindle carried by said trunnion and supporting a wheel unit with the center line of said spindle being rearwardly of said shaft-like member so that said wheel unit casters to selected trail positions and supports said elongated frame for movement selectively in said direction of travel for working and in other selected directions including a direction perpendicular to said direction of travel for working with said elongated frame traveling lengthwise, h. a releasable lock member interposed between said trunnion and a lateral projection carried by said rock shaft to limit oscillation of said wheel unit, i. means retaining said rock shaft at selected pivotal positions relative to said elongated frame so that said elongated frame and the implements carried thereby are supported at selected elevations, and j. means operatively connecting a towing tongue to one end of said elongated frame for towing said frame lengthwise.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which said means operatively connecting a towing tongue to a wheel unit comprises: a. spaced apart, lateral projections carried by said trunnion, b. an elongated connector member having one end thereof extending between said lateral projections carried by said trunnion, c. there being aligned openings through said lateral projections and said one end of said connector member, d. a pin extending through said aligned openings pivotally connecting said connector member to said lateral projections, e. there being another opening through said connector member extending generally perpendicular to said aligned openings, f. a clevis-like member carried by one end of a towing tongue, and g. a clevis pin extending through said clevis-like member and said another opening through said connector member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which the end of said connector member opposite the end thereof connected to said lateral projections is provided with spaced apart extensions disposed to move along opposite sides of a lateral projection carried by said rock shaft to limit lateral oscillation of the wheel unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2696772A
Cited
US2900031A
Cited
US3288480A
Cited
US3240005A
Cited
US3460631A
Cited
US3487882A
Cited
US3525537A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |