AU693255B2

AU693255B2 - Implement hitching device

Info

Publication number: AU693255B2
Application number: AU34312/95A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Harold John Harding
Original assignee: HAROLD J HARDING
Current assignee: HAROLD J HARDING
Priority date: 1995-02-22
Filing date: 1995-10-17
Publication date: 1998-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2015-10-17
Also published as: AU3431295A

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 HAROLD J HARDING

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Implement hitching device The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of perfonning it known to us:-

I

The present invention relates to an agricultural implement hitching device, that is to say, a device for engaging an agricultural implement with the normal three point linkage of a tractor.

The main object of the invention is to provide an implement hitching device which enables the hitching operation to be effected very easily and quickly, the device permitting the implement to be locked in position on the hitch while the driver is still seated on the tractor, An implement hitching device according to the invention consists in a frame adapted for attachment to the three point linkage of a tractor with the frame in a substantially vertical position extending laterally on each side of the central axis of the tractor, the frame having in its lower part two upwardly directed open ended sockets and at its upper part a single such socket on the centre line of the tractor the sockets being adapted to be engaged by similarly spaced horizontally extending pins of an agricultural implement, by operation of the three point linkage of the implement, there being associated with the upper socket a device operable manually or hydraulically actuable by the driver of a tractor to secure the upper pin of the implement in the upper socket of the device after engagement therewith to prevent displacement of the pin. Preferably, there is, in addition, a locking means for locking the said device in position.

In order that the nature of the invention may be better understood a preferred form thereof is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure I is a front elevation of a farm implement hitching device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof from one side; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the upper part of the device showing the construction in greater detail; Figure 4 is a front elevation of the operating handle of the device; Figure 4a is a side view of a detail of the construction shown in Figure 4; and Figure 5 is a side elevation of an alternative form of construction in which the upper pin is secured by hydraulic means.

The hitching device according to the invention shown in the drawings consists in a frame 10 fabricated from steel and of an inverted Ushape. The frame 10 is provided with means for permanent connection to

II

the normal three point linkage of a tractor. At the lower end of the frame are sockets 11 which are open at the top and which are adapted to receive horizontally extending pins which constitute a normal part of an agricultural implement to be hitched to the tractor. At the centre of the upper part of the frame is a third socket 12 constructed in the same manner as the two sockets An implement is hitched to a tractor simply by backing the tractor up to the implement so that the slots 11 and 12 lie beneath the corresponding horizontal pins (not shown) on the implement. The three point linkage of the tractor is then lifted by hydraulic power so that the three pins of the implement are engaged in the slots 11 and 12, It is necessary to ensure that, in use, the pins remain in the slots and this is achieved by means of the pivoted lock plate 13 which is connected by means of links 14 and 15 with the handle 16. In Figure 3 the locking plate 13 is shown in a position from which it may be rotated in a clockwise direction to permit entry of a pin on the implement into the socket 12 and, once the pin is in position, rotated anti-clockwise to hold the pin in that position and prevent it from rising in the socket 12, This effectively locks the implement to the hitch. The plate 13 is moved to the locking position by pressing down on the end of the handle 16 and is unlocked by raising the end of the handle 16 which is operable by the driver of the tractor when seated.

Figures 4 and 4a show details of the construction of the handle 16 which incorporates a locking mechanism consisting of the spring loaded pin 17 attached to a bar 18, The pin engages a hole in the member 19 and whilst so engaged the handle 16 cannot be moved. The pin 17 is removed from the hole by raising the bar 18. Figure 4a shows details of an anti-vibration safety device 21 which prevents movement of the bar 18 due to vibration and includes a release tab 22 which in use projects upwardly from the handle 16.

Lateral movement of this disengages the device and enables the bar 18 to be raised, Figure 5 shows an alternative form of construction in which links 14' and 15' are caused to rotate the lock plate 13' by means of the hydraulic ram 3 which is connected to the hydraulic system of the tractor and is operable from the tractor.

II r I e 4 In trials, the apparatus described above has been found to work very successfully and enables an agricultural implement to be hitched to a tractor very quickly and for the locking of the implement to the tractor to be effected very easily without the driver of the tractor leaving the seat of the tractor.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, s rl~C9eL

Claims

1. An implement hitching device according to the invention consists in a frame adapted for attachment to the three point linkage of a tractor with the frame in a substantially vertical position extending laterally on each side of the central axis of the tractor, the frame having in its lower part two upwardly directed open ended sockets and at its upper part a single such socket on the centre line of the tractor the sockets being adapted to be engaged by similarly spaced horizontally extending pins of an agricultural implement, by operation of the three point linkage of the implement, there being associated with the upper socket a device operable manually or hydraulically actuable by the driver of a tractor to secure the upper pin of the implement in the upper socket of the device after engagement therewith to prevent displacement of the pin. Preferably, there is, in addition, a locking means for locking the said device in position.

2. An implement hitching device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said device consists in a pivotally mounted locking plate constructed and arranged to be pivoted to and from a position in which it overlies the upper pin of the implement in the upper socket thereby preventing its disengagement from the socket.

3. An implement hitching device as claimed in claim 2 wherein movement of the lock plate can be effected manually.

4. An implement hitching device as claimed in claim 2 having hydraulic means for effecting movement of the lock plate.

An implement hitching device as claimed in claim 3 wherein movement of the lock plate can be effected through a handle accessible to a driver of the tractor.

6. An implement hitching device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the handle incorporates a safety device which must be actuated by the driver of the tractor before the handle can be moved.

7. An implement hitching device substantially as described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 4a of in the accompanying drawings. DATED this 17th day of October 1995 HAROLD J HARDING Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F.B. RICE CO. AB3STRACT An implement hitching device according to the invention consists in a frame adapted for attachment to the three point linkage of a tractor with the frame in a substantially vertical position extending laterally on each side of the central axis of the tractor, the frame having in its lower part two upwardly directed open ended sockets and at its upper part a single such socket on the centre line of the tractor the sockets being adapted to be engaged by similarly spaced horizontally extending pins of an agricultural implement, by operation of the three point linkage of the implement, there being associated with the upper socket a device operable manually or hydraulically actuable by the driver of a tractor to secure the upper pin of the implement in the upper socket of the device after engagement therewith to prevent displacement of the pin. Preferably, there is, in addition, a locking means for locking the said device in position.