Patent US4366867A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4366867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Horizonally folding agricultural implement and hinge
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1980-03-18
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Granted: 1983-01-04
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Expires: 2000-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A horizonally folding agricultural implement, such as a corn planter, comprising a main frame section with a hitch extending perpendicular therefrom for attachment to a vertically movable drawbar of a farm tractor, and a forwardly folding end wing section hinged to each outer end of the main frame section by a generally vertical pivot hinge, with the pivot hinge including a first and second set of pivot bushings rigidly attached to the abutting ends of the main frame section and the end wing sections respectively in vertical axial alignment with each other, the top end of the pivot pin having a mounting plate secured thereto, with a first hydraulic actuating assembly having one end operatively connected to the rigid plate and the other end operatively connected to the main frame section, and a second hydraulic actuating assembly having one end operatively connected to the rigid mounting plate and the other end thereof operatively connected to the folding wing section, thereby, upon actuation of the hydraulic actuating assembly in the wing sections are aligned with the main frame section in the operating, or planting position, the pivot pin is rotated approximately 90 degrees, thereby swinging the folding wing sections forward approximately 90 degrees, and, simultaneously therewith, the actuation of the second hydraulic actuating assembly rotates the folding end wing section forward an additional 90 degrees about the pivot pin to a position generally parallel to and adjacent the main frame section to reduce the overall width of the agricultural implement for transport purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald A. Filbrun
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:17
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B73/00; A01B73/02; A01B73/06; A01B73/065; A01C; A01C7/00; A01C7/20; A01C7/208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
409 words
A hydraulically actuable horizontally folding tool bar for an agricultural implement comprising a transversely elongated main frame section adapted to be operatively attached to a traction vehicle; a plurality of support wheels operatively attached to said main frame section; a pair of foldable outer wing sections, one disposed at each end of said main frame section; a generally vertical hinge assembly mounted at each end of said main frame section operative between said main frame section and the corresponding one of said outer wing sections, each said hinge assembly including at least one bushing rigidly attached to a forward edge of an end of said main frame section, said bushing defining an opening therethrough, at least one other bushing rigidly attached to a forward edge of said corresponding outer folding wing section defining a central opening therethrough positioned in axial alignment with said first bushing, a hinge pin movably positioned within and extending through said openings in said first and second bushings to allow rotation of said outer wing section about the central axis of said hinge pin and a mounting flange associated with one end of said hinge pin; hydraulic actuating means for each of said wing sections, each of said hydraulic actuating means associated with said main frame section, said corresponding outer wing section and said hinge assembly, each of said hydraulic actuating means including a first hydraulic cylinder aligned with said main frame section and connected at one end to said main frame section and said first hydraulic cylinder connected at the other end to said mounting flange and a second hydraulic cylinder aligned with said outer wing section and connected at one end to said outer wing section and said second hydraulic cylinder connected at the other end to said mounting flange, said other end of said first and second hydraulic cylinders being coupled together by said mounting flange, such that said hydraulic cylinders interact through said mounting flange whereby, upon energization of said hydraulic actuating means, said corresponding outer wing section is folded with respect to said main frame section from a first or operating position wherein said outer wing section extends laterally from said main frame section to a second or transport position wherein said outer wing section is folded forwardly and in general transverse alignment with said main frame section and whereby said first and second hydraulic cylinders maintain their alignment with said main frame section and said outer wing section respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
409 words
A hydraulically actuable horizontally folding tool bar for an agricultural implement comprising a transversely elongated main frame section adapted to be operatively attached to a traction vehicle; a plurality of support wheels operatively attached to said main frame section; a pair of foldable outer wing sections, one disposed at each end of said main frame section; a generally vertical hinge assembly mounted at each end of said main frame section operative between said main frame section and the corresponding one of said outer wing sections, each said hinge assembly including at least one bushing rigidly attached to a forward edge of an end of said main frame section, said bushing defining an opening therethrough, at least one other bushing rigidly attached to a forward edge of said corresponding outer folding wing section defining a central opening therethrough positioned in axial alignment with said first bushing, a hinge pin movably positioned within and extending through said openings in said first and second bushings to allow rotation of said outer wing section about the central axis of said hinge pin and a mounting flange associated with one end of said hinge pin; hydraulic actuating means for each of said wing sections, each of said hydraulic actuating means associated with said main frame section, said corresponding outer wing section and said hinge assembly, each of said hydraulic actuating means including a first hydraulic cylinder aligned with said main frame section and connected at one end to said main frame section and said first hydraulic cylinder connected at the other end to said mounting flange and a second hydraulic cylinder aligned with said outer wing section and connected at one end to said outer wing section and said second hydraulic cylinder connected at the other end to said mounting flange, said other end of said first and second hydraulic cylinders being coupled together by said mounting flange, such that said hydraulic cylinders interact through said mounting flange whereby, upon energization of said hydraulic actuating means, said corresponding outer wing section is folded with respect to said main frame section from a first or operating position wherein said outer wing section extends laterally from said main frame section to a second or transport position wherein said outer wing section is folded forwardly and in general transverse alignment with said main frame section and whereby said first and second hydraulic cylinders maintain their alignment with said main frame section and said outer wing section respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
A horizontally folding tool bar as in claim 1 wherein said mounting flange is rigidly attached to said hinge pin such that, upon actuation of said hydraulic actuating means, said bushings attached to said outer folding wing sections pivot about said hinge pin approximately 90° and said hinge pin rotates within said center bushing approximately 90° when said outer wing section moves from said first position to said second position, thereby reducing the amount of wear on said bushings and said hinge pin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A horizontally folding tool bar as in claim 1 in which said hinge pin is disposed at a slight angle to the vertical such that when said outer wing section is folded to the transport position, its then innermost end will be at a height above the main frame section to provide adequate clearance.
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) | 1986-01-03 | 1986-07-05 | 1987-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-03 | 1990-07-05 | 1991-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-03 | 1994-07-05 | 1995-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |