Tool bar wing fold restraining mechanism

Claim 2

In a tool bar having a main section adapted for connection in draft relation to a tractor and a wing section pivoted to the main section for vertical swinging movement about a horizontal folding axis between a horizontal working position in which the sections are in alignment and an upright transport position, a restrain mechanism for limiting the vertical swinging movement of the wing section relative to the main section characterized by said horizontal axis being disposed above said sections when said wing section is in its working position, one of said sections being hollow, a link disposed within said one section having one of its opposite ends extending therefrom and pivotally connected to the adjacent end of the other of said sections on an axis parallel to and spaced from said folding axis, and a lost motion connection between the other end of said link and said one section including abutment surfaces on said link and said one section limiting withdrawal of said link from said one section when said wing section is swung to its upright transport position and guide means within the hollow interior of and carried by said one section operatively associated with said other end of said link so as to maintain the latter at the bottom portion of said hollow interior of said one section when said wing section is in its transport position.

Claim 3

The tool bar of claim 1 wherein said one section is said main section.

Claim 4

The tool bar of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said link has a hollow interior for a substantial portion of its length and further comprising hydraulic hoses extending between said sections by way of said hollow interior of said link whereby said hoses are protected against damage at said folding axis.

Claim 5

A tool bar comprising a hollow main tool bar section adapted for connection in draft relation to a tractor in horizontal transverse relation thereto, a hollow wing tool bar section, hinge means pivotally connecting adjacent ends of said sections to one another about a horizontal folding axis whereby said wing section may swing vertically about said folding axis between a working position in which said sections are in transverse horizontal alignment and a folded overhead transport position, said hinge means including a first hinge member having a central vertical part rigidly secured to said adjacent end of said main section, a pair of longitudinally spaced ears extending toward said wing section including portions disposed above said main section, a second hinge member having a central vertical part rigidly secured to said adjacent end of said wing section and a pair of longitudinally spaced ears in lapped relation to said ears on said first hinge member including portions extending above said wing section, pivot pin means pivotally interconnecting said portions of said ears on said folding axis and wall means defining a transverse opening in said vertical part secured to one of said sections, a restraining link extending through said transverse opening and pivotally connected at one of its ends of said vertical part on the other of said sections on a horizontal axis parallel to said folding axis, said restraining link including an interior passageway intermediate its opposite ends, wall means in said vertical part on said other section defining a transverse opening, flexible hydraulic conduit means extending between said sections which pass through said interior passageway and through said transverse opening in said vertical part on said other section and a lost motion connection between the other end of said link and said one section including abutment surfaces limiting withdrawal of said link from said transverse opening whereby said wing section is restrained from swinging about said folding axis beyond a predetermined folded condition.

Claim 6

A tool bar comprising a hollow main tool bar section adapted for connection in draft relation to a tractor in horizontal transverse relation thereto, a hollow wing tool bar section, hinge means pivotally connecting adjacent ends of said sections to one another about a horizontal folding axis whereby said wing section may swing vertically about said folding axis between a working position in which said sections are in transverse horizontal alignment and a folded overhead transport position, said hinge means including a first hinge member having a central vertical part rigidly secured to said adjacent end of said main section, a pair of longitudinally spaced ears extending toward said wing section including portions disposed above said main section, a second hinge member having a central vertical part rigidly secured to said adjacent end of said wing section and a pair of longitudinally spaced ears in lapped relation to said ears on said first hinge member including portions extending above said wing section, pivot pin means pivotally interconnecting said portions of said ears on said folding axis and wall means defining a transverse opening in said vertical part secured to one of said sections, a restraining link extending through said transverse opening and pivotally connected at one of its ends of said vertical part on the other of said sections on a horizontal axis parallel to said folding axis, said restraining link including an interior passageway intermediate its opposite ends, wall means in said vertical part on said other section defining a transverse opening, flexible hydraulic conduit means extending between said sections which pass through said interior passageway and through said transverse opening in said vertical part on said other section and a lost motion connection between the other end of said link and said one section including abutment surfaces limiting withdrawal of said link from said transverse opening whereby said wing section is restrained from swinging about said folding axis beyond a predetermined folded condition.

Claim 7

The tool bar of claim 4 and further comprising hydraulic actuating means for swinging said wing section about said folding axis including a pivot connection with said second hinge member on an axis spaced above and outboard of said folding axis when said wing section is in its working position.

Claim 8

The tool bar of claim 5 wherein a bracket is rigidly secured to said central vertical part of said second hinge member, in vertically spaced relation to said wing section, and is pivotally connected to said hydraulic actuating means.

Claim 9

The tool bar of claim 4 wherein said lost motion connection includes a guide member rigidly fixed to said central vertical part secured to said one section, said guide member having a horizontal portion extending into the hollow interior of said one section in vertically spaced relation to the bottom of the latter.

Claim 10

The tool bar of claim 7 wherein said other end of said restraining link includes a horizontally extending guide structure engageable with said guide member.

Claim 11

The tool bar of claim 8 wherein said guide structure includes a stud extending horizontally from said other end of said restraining link.

Claim 12

The tool bar of claim 4 and further comprising a land marker pivotally mounted on the outboard end of said wing section for vertical swinging movement, a hydraulic jack operatively interposed between said wing section and said marker and wherein said conduit means is connected in fluid supplying relationship to said hydraulic jack.

Claim 13

A tool bar comprising a main tool bar section adapted for connection in draft relation to a tractor in horizontal transverse relation thereto, a wing tool bar section, hinge means pivotally connecting adjacent ends of said sections to one another about a folding axis whereby said wing section may swing about said folding axis between a working position in which said sections are in transverse horizontal alignment and a folded transport position, one of said sections being hollow, a link disposed within said one section having one of its opposite ends extending therefrom and pivotally connected to the adjacent end of the other of said sections on an axis parallel to and spaced from said folding axis, said link having a hollow interior for a substantial portion of its length, hydraulic hoses extending between said sections by way of said hollow interior of said link whereby said hoses are protected against damage at said folding axis, and a lost motion connection between the other end of said link and said one section including abutment surfaces limiting withdrawal of said link from said one section whereby said wing section is restrained from swinging about said folding axis beyond a predetermined folded condition.

Claim 14

A tool bar comprising a main tool bar section adapted for connection in draft relation to a tractor in horizontal transverse relation thereto, a wing tool bar section, hinge means pivotally connecting adjacent ends of said sections to one another about a folding axis whereby said wing section may swing about said folding axis between a working position in which said sections are in transverse horizontal alignment and a folded transport position, one of said sections being hollow, a link disposed within said one section having one of its opposite ends extending therefrom and pivotally connected to the adjacent end of the other of said sections on an axis parallel to and spaced from said folding axis, said link having a hollow interior for a substantial portion of its length, hydraulic hoses extending between said sections by way of said hollow interior of said link whereby said hoses are protected against damage at said folding axis, and a lost motion connection between the other end of said link and said one section including abutment surfaces limiting withdrawal of said link from said one section whereby said wing section is restrained from swinging about said folding axis beyond a predetermined folded condition.

Claim 15

The tool bar of claim 11 wherein said lost motion connection includes a guide member rigidly fixed to said one section and presenting a guide portion in the hollow interior of said one section extending in the direction of said one section parallel to and spaced from said folding axis.

Claim 16

The tool bar of claim 12 wherein said other end of said link includes a guide structure engageable with said guide member.

Claim 17

The tool bar of claim 13 wherein said guide structure includes a stud extending from said other end of said link.

Claim 18

The tool bar of claim 11 wherein said other section is hollow and said hoses extend from the hollow interior of said one section to the hollow interior of said other section by way of said link.

Claim 19

The tool bar of claim 15 and further comprising a land marker pivotally mounted on the outboard end of said wing section for vertical swinging movement, a hydraulic jack operatively interposed between said wing section and said marker and wherein said hoses are operatively connected to said hydraulic jack.