Coupling assembly for multiple implements

Claim 2

A coupling assembly for connecting adjacent implements in end-to-end relation for towing, comprising: coupling means interconnecting the adjacent ends of adjacent implements for limited relative movement of the implements; and means locking said coupling means against movement in response to movement of the implements away from each other to retain the adjacent implements in fixed spaced-apart relation.

Claim 3

A coupling assembly for connecting adjacent implements in end-to-end relation for towing, comprising: a bar having one end secured to an end of an implement; connection means slidably connecting the opposite end of said bar to an adjacent end of an adjacent implement to permit longitudinal movement of the implements relative to each other; and latch means selectively positionable to effect locking of said connection means in response to movement of an implement longitudinally away from the adjacent implement thereby preventing further longitudinal movement of the implements relative to each other.

Claim 4

A coupling assembly for connecting adjacent implements in end-to-end relation for towing, comprising: a bar having one end secured to an end of an implement; connection means slidably connecting the opposite end of said bar to an adjacent end of an adjacent implement to permit longitudinal movement of the implements relative to each other; and latch means selectively positionable to effect locking of said connection means in response to movement of an implement longitudinally away from the adjacent implement thereby preventing further longitudinal movement of the implements relative to each other.

Claim 5

A coupling assembly for connecting adjacent implements in end-to-end relation for towing in an endwise direction for transport and a direction lateral to the endwise direction for operation, said coupling assembly comprising: an elongated bar coupled at one end to a first implement and extending in an endwise direction across the space between the first implement and a second implement, said bar including an elongated slot defined therethrough in an end thereof disposed adjacent to said second implement; a bolt secured to said second implement and projecting in the lateral direction through said slot thereby permitting endwise movement between said implements during towing in the lateral direction; a latch member pivotally mounted on said bolt, said latch member having a laterally extending lip portion on an end thereof, said latch member being movable to a position wherein said lip portion engages said end of said bar adjacent to said second implement to lock said bar against movement relative to said second implement whereby said implements are retained in fixed spaced relation for endwise towing.

Claim 6

A coupling assembly for connecting adjacent implements in end-to-end relation for towing in an endwise direction for transport and a direction lateral to the endwise direction for operation, said coupling assembly comprising: an elongated bar coupled at one end to a first implement and extending in an endwise direction across the space between the first implement and a second implement, said bar including an elongated slot defined therethrough in an end thereof disposed adjacent to said second implement; a bolt secured to said second implement and projecting in the lateral direction through said slot thereby permitting endwise movement between said implements during towing in the lateral direction; a latch member pivotally mounted on said bolt, said latch member having a laterally extending lip portion on an end thereof, said latch member being movable to a position wherein said lip portion engages said end of said bar adjacent to said second implement to lock said bar against movement relative to said second implement whereby said implements are retained in fixed spaced relation for endwise towing.

Claim 7

The subject matter of claim 3, including means for biasing said latch member to said position.

Claim 8

The subject matter of claim 3, wherein said bar includes a pair of edges flanking said slot in parallel relation, said lip portion of said latch member being spaced from said bolt a distance sufficient to flank either of said edges to thereby permit relative movement between said implements.

Claim 9

A coupling assembly for a pair of implements coupled in end-to-end relation for towing in transport in an endwise direction and for towing in operation in a direction lateral with respect to the endwise direction, comprising: an elongated bar interconnecting the implements means slidably interconnecting said bar to one of said implements to facilitate towing in operation; and latch means selectively positionable to lock said bar against sliding movement relative to said one implement to maintain said implements in fixed spaced apart relation to facilitate towing in transport, said latch means including a latch member having a laterally disposed lip portion on an end thereof, said latch member being pivotable between a position wherein said lip portion engages an end of said bar to lock the same and a position wherein said lip portion is disposed in flanking relation to said bar to permit said sliding movement.

Claim 10

A coupling assembly for a pair of implements coupled in end-to-end relation for towing in transport in an endwise direction and for towing in operation in a direction lateral with respect to the endwise direction, comprising: an elongated bar interconnecting the implements means slidably interconnecting said bar to one of said implements to facilitate towing in operation; and latch means selectively positionable to lock said bar against sliding movement relative to said one implement to maintain said implements in fixed spaced apart relation to facilitate towing in transport, said latch means including a latch member having a laterally disposed lip portion on an end thereof, said latch member being pivotable between a position wherein said lip portion engages an end of said bar to lock the same and a position wherein said lip portion is disposed in flanking relation to said bar to permit said sliding movement.