US4930801A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Front mounted implement
Assignee: MATHEWS COMPANY A CORP OF
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Filing: 1987-09-18
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Granted: 1990-06-05
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Expires: 2007-09-18
Abstract
Abstract An implement adapted for connection to a vehicle three point hitch on the front of a pushing vehicle wherein the implement is provided with at least one forward ground contacting rolling support means mounted to a forward portion of the implement frame, at least one rear ground contacting rolling support means mounted to a rear portion of the implement frame, and a rear upper implement hitch connection which provides a vertically pivotal and longitudinally floating link means. The implement and hitch connection of this invention provides an implement capable of being pushed by a vehicle over uneven terrain while providing implement treatment at a predetermined even distance above the uneven terrain.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald D. Gillund
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:42
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B59/00; A01B59/04; A01B59/048; B; B62; B62D; B62D49/00; B62D49/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S56/00; Y10S56/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
An implement adapted for connection to a front of a pushing vehicle comprising: the pushing vehicle having a vehicle three point hitch with two horizontally spaced forwardly extending vehicle lower hitch brackets defining two lower hitch points and a vehicle upper hitch bracket defining an upper hitch point, the implement comprising: an implement frame; at least one forward ground contacting rolling support means mounted to a forward portion of said implement frame; at least one rear ground contacting rolling support means mounted to a rear portion of said implement frame; two horizontally spaced implement lower hitch brackets rigidly mounted on a rear portion of said implement frame; each said implement lower hitch bracket mounted to a forward portion of a corresponding said vehicle lower hitch bracket; an implement upper hitch bracket secured to said implement frame at a rear portion of the implement, an adjustable link means having one end attached to said implement upper hitch bracket and an opposite end pivotally attached to said vehicle upper hitch bracket, and said adjustable link means allowing longitudinal floating displacement of said implement upper hitch bracket along an axis of said adjustable link means for maintaining said at least one rear ground contacting rolling support means in continuous contact with the terrain while the pushing vehicle is in operation; and an implement hoisting hydraulic cylinder having one cylinder end pivotally secured to one of said vehicle lower hitch brackets and an opposite cylinder end secured to said vehicle upper hitch bracket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
An implement adapted for connection to a front of a pushing vehicle comprising: the pushing vehicle having a vehicle three point hitch with two horizontally spaced forwardly extending vehicle lower hitch brackets defining two lower hitch points and a vehicle upper hitch bracket defining an upper hitch point, the implement comprising: an implement frame; at least one forward ground contacting rolling support means mounted to a forward portion of said implement frame; at least one rear ground contacting rolling support means mounted to a rear portion of said implement frame; two horizontally spaced implement lower hitch brackets rigidly mounted on a rear portion of said implement frame; each said implement lower hitch bracket mounted to a forward portion of a corresponding said vehicle lower hitch bracket; an implement upper hitch bracket secured to said implement frame at a rear portion of the implement, an adjustable link means having one end attached to said implement upper hitch bracket and an opposite end pivotally attached to said vehicle upper hitch bracket, and said adjustable link means allowing longitudinal floating displacement of said implement upper hitch bracket along an axis of said adjustable link means for maintaining said at least one rear ground contacting rolling support means in continuous contact with the terrain while the pushing vehicle is in operation; and an implement hoisting hydraulic cylinder having one cylinder end pivotally secured to one of said vehicle lower hitch brackets and an opposite cylinder end secured to said vehicle upper hitch bracket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An implement according to claim 1 wherein said forward ground contacting rolling support means comprises at least one caster.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An implement according to claim 1 wherein said forward ground contacting rolling support means comprises two horizontally spaced casters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An implement according to claim 1 wherein said rear ground contacting support means comprises at least one caster.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An implement according to claim 1 wherein said rear ground contacting support means comprises two horizontally spaced casters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An implement according to claim 1 wherein said adjustable link means comprises a hydraulic cylinder/piston assembly operating on low hydraulic pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An implement according to claim 1 wherein said forward ground contacting rolling support means comprises at least one caster and said rear ground contacting support means comprises at least one caster.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An implement according to claim 1 wherein said forward ground contacting rolling support means comprises two horizontally spaced casters and said rear ground contacting support means comprises two horizontally spaced casters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An implement according to claim 8 wherein said adjustable link means comprises a hydraulic cylinder/piston operating on low hydraulic pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An implement according to claim 1 wherein said lower vehicle hitch brackets and said lower implement hitch brackets are connected by floating link means allowing vertical movement therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
An implement according to claim 1 wherein said forward ground contacting rolling support means comprises two horizontally spaced forward casters, said rear ground contacting support means comprises two horizontally spaced rear casters, and said adjustable link means comprises a hydraulic cylinder/piston assembly operating on low hydraulic pressure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
212 words
In an implement for attachment to the front of a pushing vehicle, the improvement comprising: said implement having at least one forward ground contacting rolling support means mounted to a forward portion of an implement frame and at least one rear ground contacting rolling support means mounted to a rear portion of said implement frame; two horizontally spaced implement lower hitch brackets rigidly mounted on a rear portion of said implement frame; each said implement lower hitch bracket mounted to a forward portion of a corresponding vehicle lower hitch bracket; an implement upper hitch bracket secured to said implement frame at a rear portion of the implement, an adjustable link means having one end attached to said implement upper hitch bracket and an opposite end pivotally attached to said vehicle upper hitch bracket, said adjustable link means allowing longitudinal floating displacement of said implement upper hitch bracket along an axis of said adjustable link means for maintaining said at least one rear ground contacting rolling support means in continuous contact with a terrain while the pushing vehicle is in operation; and an implement hoisting hydraulic cylinder having one cylinder end pivotally secured to one of said vehicle lower hitch brackets and an opposite cylinder end secured to said vehicle upper hitch bracket.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
212 words
In an implement for attachment to the front of a pushing vehicle, the improvement comprising: said implement having at least one forward ground contacting rolling support means mounted to a forward portion of an implement frame and at least one rear ground contacting rolling support means mounted to a rear portion of said implement frame; two horizontally spaced implement lower hitch brackets rigidly mounted on a rear portion of said implement frame; each said implement lower hitch bracket mounted to a forward portion of a corresponding vehicle lower hitch bracket; an implement upper hitch bracket secured to said implement frame at a rear portion of the implement, an adjustable link means having one end attached to said implement upper hitch bracket and an opposite end pivotally attached to said vehicle upper hitch bracket, said adjustable link means allowing longitudinal floating displacement of said implement upper hitch bracket along an axis of said adjustable link means for maintaining said at least one rear ground contacting rolling support means in continuous contact with a terrain while the pushing vehicle is in operation; and an implement hoisting hydraulic cylinder having one cylinder end pivotally secured to one of said vehicle lower hitch brackets and an opposite cylinder end secured to said vehicle upper hitch bracket.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An implement according to claim 1 wherein said at least one rear ground contacting rolling support means comprises a roller.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
An implement according to claim 1 wherein said adjustable link means comprises a spring rod pivotally mounted at a central portion to said implement upper hitch bracket and having a spring mounted on each end portion and adapted to apply force to each side of said implement upper hitch bracket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
An implement according to claim 1 wherein said at least one forward ground contacting rolling support means comprises at least one caster mounted to said implement frame and said rear ground contacting support means comprises a roller mounted to said implement frame.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
An implement according to claim 1 wherein said at least one forward ground contacting rolling support means comprises two horizontally spaced casters mounted to said implement frame and said rear ground contacting support means comprises a roller mounted to said implement frame.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
An implement according to claim 16, wherein said adjustable link means comprises a hydraulic cylinder/piston assembly operating on low hydraulic pressure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
An implement according to claim 16 wherein said adjustable link means comprises a spring rod pivotally mounted at a central portion to said implement upper hitch bracket and having a spring mounted on each end portion and adapted to apply force to each side of said implement upper hitch bracket.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-04 | 1993-12-04 | 1994-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-04 | 1997-12-04 | 1998-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-04 | 2001-12-04 | 2002-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |