Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
386 words
An implement carrier shiftable between a ground conditioning position and a transport position including: a longitudinally extending, vertically swingable draft frame having the forward extremity thereof adapted to be drawn by a draft vehicle; an implement supporting frame pivotally connected to said draft frame for movement about a transverse axis between a lowered, generally horizontal ground conditioning position and a raised, generally horizontal transport position; wheel means; wheel frame means for rotatably carrying said wheel means on said supporting frame, said wheel frame means including a transversely extending, essentially horizontal support shaft journalled for rotation in said supporting frame; linkage means for shiftably mounting said wheel means on said supporting frame for movement of said wheel means into supporting engagement with the ground when the carrier is in its transport position and out of engagement with the ground when the carrier is in its ground conditioning position, said wheel frame means being pivotally mounted on said supporting frame and connected to said linkage means for control by the latter; an extendable motor assembly operably connected between said draft frame and said linkage means, said motor assembly being selectively actuatable for operating said linkage means to move said wheel means into engagement with the ground and to raise said supporting frame into its transport position, and to move said wheel means out of contact with the ground whereby to allow said supporting frame to descend to its said ground conditioning position, said linkage means including a link element connected to said shaft and to one extremity of said motor assembly, the other extremity of the latter being connected to said draft frame, said motor assembly functioning to rotate said shaft by shifting said link element, whereby to cause said wheel means to move into and out of engagement with the ground, there being a stop element secured to said shaft and rotatable along with the latter for engaging said supporting frame whereby to limit the rotation of said shaft; an implement tool section pivotally mounted on the rear of said supporting frame and spaced behind said wheel means; and structure secured to said shaft and rotatable along with the latter for engaging a portion of said tool section when said shaft is rotated during shifting of said carrier from its ground conditioning position to its transport position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
386 words
An implement carrier shiftable between a ground conditioning position and a transport position including: a longitudinally extending, vertically swingable draft frame having the forward extremity thereof adapted to be drawn by a draft vehicle; an implement supporting frame pivotally connected to said draft frame for movement about a transverse axis between a lowered, generally horizontal ground conditioning position and a raised, generally horizontal transport position; wheel means; wheel frame means for rotatably carrying said wheel means on said supporting frame, said wheel frame means including a transversely extending, essentially horizontal support shaft journalled for rotation in said supporting frame; linkage means for shiftably mounting said wheel means on said supporting frame for movement of said wheel means into supporting engagement with the ground when the carrier is in its transport position and out of engagement with the ground when the carrier is in its ground conditioning position, said wheel frame means being pivotally mounted on said supporting frame and connected to said linkage means for control by the latter; an extendable motor assembly operably connected between said draft frame and said linkage means, said motor assembly being selectively actuatable for operating said linkage means to move said wheel means into engagement with the ground and to raise said supporting frame into its transport position, and to move said wheel means out of contact with the ground whereby to allow said supporting frame to descend to its said ground conditioning position, said linkage means including a link element connected to said shaft and to one extremity of said motor assembly, the other extremity of the latter being connected to said draft frame, said motor assembly functioning to rotate said shaft by shifting said link element, whereby to cause said wheel means to move into and out of engagement with the ground, there being a stop element secured to said shaft and rotatable along with the latter for engaging said supporting frame whereby to limit the rotation of said shaft; an implement tool section pivotally mounted on the rear of said supporting frame and spaced behind said wheel means; and structure secured to said shaft and rotatable along with the latter for engaging a portion of said tool section when said shaft is rotated during shifting of said carrier from its ground conditioning position to its transport position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis of said shaft is spaced behind said transverse axis associated with said pivotal connection between said supporting frame and said draft frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said supporting frame comprises: a transversely extending front frame member, and a pair of parallel, longitudinally extending spaced apart side frame members joined to the extremities of said front frame member, said shaft being journalled in said side frame members and extending between each of the latter essentially parallel to said front frame member, said wheel means being generally disposed between said side frame members, said portion of said supporting frame being secured to said front frame member and extending perpendicularly forward from the latter and vertically parallel to said draft frame.