US3973639A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupler for detachable connecting two single axle driven tractors as a single four wheel drive vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-01-13
•
Granted: 1976-08-10
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Expires: 1995-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A coupler for detachably connecting two back axle power driven front wheelless tractors together in series to form a single four wheel drive vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Solomon Lan Stewart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:34
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D49/00; B62D49/06; B62D49/0621; B62D49/0642; B62D53/00; B62D53/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
Coupling means for detachably connecting the rear of a first front wheelless rear axle driven tractor with the front of a second front wheelless rear axle driven tractor for forming a four wheel drive vehicle comprising: an elongated shaft for mounting laterally of the longitudinal axis of the rear of a first front wheelless rear axle driven tractor, said shaft being provided with bearing surfaces at each end thereof for being supported by the ends of a pair of spacedly arranged tie bars mounted on the rear of said first tractor and extending rearwardly therefrom, said shaft having an arm mounted thereon a first portion of which extends laterally thereof in substantially a vertical plane when the coupler interconnects two tractors and a second portion integral with the end of said first portion and extending laterally therefrom for attachment to the rear tractor along its longitudinal axis, said first portion supporting in pivoted relationship therewith a collar mounted around its outer periphery, and a connecting arm extending laterally of the longitudinal axis of said collar for fixedly connecting to the wheel mounting of the second tractor, means for limiting the longitudinal movement of said collar along said first portion of said arm, said second portion of said arm and said connecting arm are arranged in parallel planes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
Coupling means for detachably connecting the rear of a first front wheelless rear axle driven tractor with the front of a second front wheelless rear axle driven tractor for forming a four wheel drive vehicle comprising: an elongated shaft for mounting laterally of the longitudinal axis of the rear of a first front wheelless rear axle driven tractor, said shaft being provided with bearing surfaces at each end thereof for being supported by the ends of a pair of spacedly arranged tie bars mounted on the rear of said first tractor and extending rearwardly therefrom, said shaft having an arm mounted thereon a first portion of which extends laterally thereof in substantially a vertical plane when the coupler interconnects two tractors and a second portion integral with the end of said first portion and extending laterally therefrom for attachment to the rear tractor along its longitudinal axis, said first portion supporting in pivoted relationship therewith a collar mounted around its outer periphery, and a connecting arm extending laterally of the longitudinal axis of said collar for fixedly connecting to the wheel mounting of the second tractor, means for limiting the longitudinal movement of said collar along said first portion of said arm, said second portion of said arm and said connecting arm are arranged in parallel planes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The coupling means set forth in claim 1 in further combination with: actuating means connected to said coupling means for pivotally moving said connecting arm relative to said arm for moving the front of said second tractor relative to the rear of said first tractor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
200 words
Coupling means for detachably connecting the rear of a first front wheelless rear axle driven tractor with the front of a second front wheelless rear axle driven tractor for forming a four wheel drive vehicle comprising: an elongated shaft for mounting laterally of the longitudinal axis of the rear of a first front wheelless rear axle driven tractor, said shaft being provided with bearing surfaces at each end thereof for being supported by the ends of a pair of spacedly arranged side arms mounted on the rear of the first tractor and extending rearwardly therefrom, said shaft having an arm mounted thereon comprising a first portion extending laterally thereof in substantially the same plane as said shaft, a second portion integral with the free end of said first portion and extending laterally thereof, and a third portion attached to and extending from the free end of said second portion and laterally thereof in the same direction as said first portion, said second portion supporting in pivoted relationship therewith a collar mounted around its outer periphery, and a connecting arm extending laterally of the longitudinal axis of said collar for fixedly connecting to the front wheel mounting of the second tractor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
200 words
Coupling means for detachably connecting the rear of a first front wheelless rear axle driven tractor with the front of a second front wheelless rear axle driven tractor for forming a four wheel drive vehicle comprising: an elongated shaft for mounting laterally of the longitudinal axis of the rear of a first front wheelless rear axle driven tractor, said shaft being provided with bearing surfaces at each end thereof for being supported by the ends of a pair of spacedly arranged side arms mounted on the rear of the first tractor and extending rearwardly therefrom, said shaft having an arm mounted thereon comprising a first portion extending laterally thereof in substantially the same plane as said shaft, a second portion integral with the free end of said first portion and extending laterally thereof, and a third portion attached to and extending from the free end of said second portion and laterally thereof in the same direction as said first portion, said second portion supporting in pivoted relationship therewith a collar mounted around its outer periphery, and a connecting arm extending laterally of the longitudinal axis of said collar for fixedly connecting to the front wheel mounting of the second tractor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The coupling means set forth in claim 3 wherein: said connecting arm extends laterally of the longitudinal axis of said collar in a plane substantially parallel with the planes of said first and third portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The coupling means set forth in claim 3 wherein: said third portion extends from the free end of said second portion and laterally thereof in a second plane substantially parallel with plane of said first portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coupling means set forth in claim 3 wherein: said first, second and third portions of said arm are formed integral with each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coupling means set forth in claim 5 wherein: said second portion of said arm extends substantially perpendicular to said first and third portions of said arm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The coupling means set forth in claim 7 in further combination with: actuating means connected to said coupling means for pivotally moving said connecting arm relative to said arm for moving the front of said second tractor relative to the rear of said first tractor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
The coupling means set forth in claim 8 wherein: said actuating means comprises a pair of fluid operated cylinders, one of said cylinders being pivotally connected with one end of said shaft and connectable with a first point on the front of the second tractor and the other of said cylinders being pivotally connected with the other end of said shaft and connectable with a second point spaced from the first point on the front of the second tractor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coupling means set forth in claim 9 wherein: said fluid cylinders comprise hydraulically operated motors comprising a cylinder and movable piston operable therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The coupling means set forth in claim 7 wherein: said actuating means comprises a centrifugal motor means mounted on said second portion of said arm for pivoting said connecting arm relative to said arm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coupling means set forth in claim 11 wherein: said centrifugal motor comprises a part of said second portion of said arm.
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) | 1979-08-10 | 1980-02-09 | 1980-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-10 | 1984-02-09 | 1984-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-10 | 1988-02-09 | 1988-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |