GB2024739A - Improvements in and relating to tractors - Google Patents

Abstract

A sub-frame for mounting on the front end of a tractor so as to provide a mounting for tools, essentially consists of two forwardly directed side cheeks (12, 14) between which extends a transverse support bar 22 on which tractor weights (24) can be located. Adjustable clamps (34, 36) sandwich the tractor weights in position and an eccentrically mounted circular section bar (38) is mounted forwardly of the tractor weights (24) and is carried in captive slots (44, 46) and is rotatable by a torque lever (42) so as to engage and clamp the tractor weights (24) in position on the transverse bar (22). A shoe (50) retains the end of the torque lever (42). The circular section closure bar (38) includes at least one removable eccentrically mounted stub axle (40) which is integrally formed with the torque lever (42), and the circular section bar (38) provides a mounting for one end of a tractor chain (52). A region behind the transverse bar (22) between the cheeks (12, 14) provides a well into which other tools and implements can be located. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to tractors Field ofinvention This invention concerns tractors and other land vehicles used on farms and in forestry work. In particular the invention concerns the mounting of ancillary apparatus and equipment on such vehicles.

Background to the invention The recent trencl to fit tractors and other land vehicles with cabs has increased the tendency of farmers and the like to use the cab to store various equipment and tools commonly required when working with the vehicle. Most of this ancillary equipment is of metal and tends to be heavy and massive so that in the event of the vehicle turning over the protection afforded the driver by the safety frame and cab would be somewhat counteracted by the large number of loose objects which might well fall on the driver causing injury or even death because these things have not been stowed safely on the vehicle but simply left on the floor of the cab.

Object of the invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting assembly on a tractor or like land vehicle on and to which implements and apparatus can be attached in a secure manner so as to obviate the need to carry loose implements and tools in the cab where they can cause damage to the driver in the event of an accident.

The invention According to the present invention a sub-frame is provided at the front end of a tractor which extends in a forward direction between the front wheels of the tractor to provide at least a transverse mounting bar on which weights can be hooked and the sub-frame includes slots on opposite sides thereof into which can be fitted the ends of a closure member which when secured in place abuts firmly against the tractor weights to prevent the latter from vibrating and falling offthe said transverse bar.

Preferably the closure member is in the form of a circular section bar having eccentric stub axles which engage in the said slots and means is provided for rotating the bar about the eccentric axis of the two stub axles so as to rotate the outside surface of the bar into contact with the weights and means is provided for resiliently locking the bar in position to hold it in contact with the weights.

Typically the means for rotating the bar comprises an elongate radial extension in the form of a torque lever extending from or integrally formed with a stub axle at one end of the bar apd the torque arm not only provides the necessary leverage to allow the bar to be rotated into contact with the weights but can also serve as a locking means by providing a shoe or bracket on the sub-frame under which the remote end of the torque bar can be pushed, its natural resilience causing itto spring up under the shoe or bracket and tension the circular section bar against the weights.

The stub axles from the circular section bar may be integrally formed therewith or one or both may be removable therefrom. Where the stub axle which is to be rotated by the torque bar is removable from the end of the circular section bar, the torque arm is preferably formed integrally with the removable stub axle.

Where one or both of the axles are removable they are preferably keyed as for example by sliding into the offset hole in the ends of the bar so that rotation of a stub axle will in turn produce a rotation of the bar albeit about an eccentric axis.

Preferably each of the weights is of generally similar configuration and size and is in the form of a generally flat member which is cut away to form an aperture adjoining one edge so as to form a handle and is likewise cut away along an adjoining edge to form a mouth which can be fitted over and around the transverse barto support the weight on the sub-frame.

Preferably adjustable clamps are provided for positioning along the length of the transverse bar to squeeze the weights located thereon laterally into contact with one another to prevent them rattling and moving laterally along the transverse bar.

According to a preferred feature the slots into which the opposite ends of the closure member are fitted are in the form of so-called re-entrance slots or keyhole slots and include an opening into which a stub axle can be received and a retaining section into which the stub axle drops and from which it cannot escape except by being lifted.

The closure member conveniently provides support for the end of a chain which can be hooked thereover before the closure member is fitted into its retaining slots on the sub-frame so that the chain is locked thereon.

To prevent any possibility of the torque arm becoming dislodged, a locking means incorporating a padlock or the like may be provided for securing the shank of the toque arm to an eye or ring mounted on the sub-frame so that any tendency for the end of the torque arm to vibrate from under its retaining shoe or bracket is eliminated.

By providing a space between the rear of the transverse bar on which the weights are located and front of the tractor or other vehicle from which the sub-frame extends, so other equipment may be located behind the transverse bar and supported by the sub-frame.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a tractor which includes a forwardly extending sub-frame on which tractor weights can be mounted, Figure 2 is a side view of a tractor weight of the type adapted to be fitted to the sub-frame shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view from the opposite side of the sub-frame assembly shown in Figure 1 and shows how the separate weights can be removed from or added to the transverse bar of the sub-frame, Figure 4 is a side view of the sub-frame shown in Figure 1 and illustrates how a closure member can be fitted in front oi the weights to retain the latter in position.

Detailed description of drawings In Figure 1 the front end of a tractor generally designated 10 is shown fitted with a forwardly extending sub-frame formed from two channel members 12 and 14 which are bolted or otherwise secured to the lower chassis members at the front of the engine compartment of the tractor 10 and which provide lateral supports for a generally rectangular tray 16 having reinfocing cheeks 18 and 20 at the front and rear ends thereof and which extends between and below the two forwardly extendly side channel members 12 and 14.

Across the two channel members extends a transverse support bar 22 which is secured at opposite ends to the two channel members 12 and 14 and provides a support for tractor weights 24.

One such weight is shown in Figure 2 as comprising a generally flat plate member having a slot 26 which is cut completely through the member to provide a hand hold and a mouth-like aperture 28 which is dimensioned so as to fit snugly over the rectangular cross-section transverse bar 22.

The dimensions of the weight 24 are such that when the mouth 28 is received on the transverse bar 22 the lower corner 30 of the weight just rests on the floor 32 of the tray member 16.

As shown in Figure 1, three (or more) such weights can be located on the transverse bar and two G clamps 34 and 36 (see Figure 3) are provided on the transverse bar adjustable in position therealong so as to form a tight sandwich of the weights 24 when located on the bar.

Although the total weight of the plurality of tractor weights 24 would be far more than a man could lift, each individual weight can be lifted by one man and as shown in Figure 3, they can be lifted from the ground and rested on the inside surface 32 of the tray 16 before being slid towards the transverse bar 22, to be located thereon between the G clamps 34 and 36.

When all the weights are on the bar, they can be retained in position both safely and securely by means of a front closure member which is shown in position in Figure 1 and is shown being inserted in position in Figure 4.

The closure member comprises a circular section bar 38 having two eccentric stub axles one of which can be seen at 40 extending from the near end of the bar 38 in Figure 1. A similar stub axle (not shown) extends from the opposite end of the bar 38 and the two stub axles are co-axial although eccentric rela tire to the axis of the bar 38.

Whilst the stub axle which canot be seen in the drawings is just a short length of shaft, the stub axle 40 is extended and includes an integral radius or torque arm 42 typically welded to the end of the stub axle 40.

Figure 4 shows how the closure bar can be fitted in position.

First the stub axle at the far end of the bar (i.e. the one which cannot be seen in Figure 1) is inserted into the opening 44 of the left-hand keyhole slot.

Next the stub axle 40 at the other end of the bar 38 is offered up and inserted into the aperture 46 on the right-hand side of the frame as shown in Figure 1.

The stub axles are then allowed to drop into the keyhole slots behind the apertures 44 and 46, the shape of the two slots being similar and best being illustrated by the side view in Figure 4 where the keyhold slot 48 is clearly visible.

Lastly the locking bar is rotated by turning the torque arm 42 about the axis of the eccentric stub axles thereby causing the eccentric bar 38 to be moved bodily towards the front edges of the weights 24to make contact therewith and securely hold them in position on the bar 22. When the locking bar 38 has been fully rotated a final downward pressure on the torque arm 42 allows it to be slipped below a bracket 50 (see Figure 4), the natural resilience of the arm 42 causing it to spring up under the bracket to hold it in place and prevent it from jerking or jumping from under the bracket.

Thee weights are now firmly secure in position.

In the event that a chain is to be stowed on the front carrier, either the ring or the hook 52 of the chain is threaded onto the retaining bar 38 before the latter is secured in position. This secures one end of the chain and the latter can be dropped into the tray 16 and the other end secured to some other convenient part of the frame.

Between the rear of the transverse bar 22 and the front end of the tractor 10 there is a space (best seen in Figure 4) by which other equipment can be mounted on the sub-frame assembly.

It is to be noted that no spanners are required for securing the weights in position or removing them from the frame.

Claims (15)

1. A sub-frame mounted on the front end of a tractor which extends in a forward direction between the front wheels of the tractor to provide at least a transverse mounting bar on which weights can be hooked, the sub-frame including slots on opposite sides thereof into which can be fitted the ends of a closure member which when secured in plate abuts firmly against the tractor weights to prevent the latter from vibrating and falling offthe said transverse mounting bar.

2. A sub-frame as claimed in claim 1 in which the closure member is in the form of a circular section bar havi ig eccentric stub axles which engage in the said slots and means is provided for rotating the bar about the eccentric axis of the two stub axles so as to rotate the outside surface of the bar into contact with the weights and means is provided for resiliently locking the bar in position to hold it in contact with the weight.

3. A sub-frame as claimed in claim 2 is which the means lor rotating the bar comprises an elongate radial extension in the form of a torque lever extending from or integrally formed with a stub axle at one end ofthe bar.

4. A sub-frame as claims in claim 3 to which the torque arm end is adapted to be sprung under a shoe or bracket on the sub-frame the nature resilience of the toque arm causing it to spring up under the shoe or bracket and tension the circular section bar against the weights.

5. A sub-frame as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4 which the stub axles are integrally formed with the circular section bar or one or both may be removable therefrom.

6. A sub-frame as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4 which at least one of the stub axles is removable from the circular section bar.

7. A sub-frame as claimed in claim 6 which the torque arm is formed integrally with the removable stub axle.

8. A sub-frame as claimed in claim 6 in which each removable stub axle is keyed into an ofset hole in the ends of the bar so that rotation of a stub axle will in turn produce a rotation of the bar about an eccentric axis.

9. A sub-frame as claimed in any of the preceeding claims in which each of the weights is of generally similar configuration and size and is in the form of a generally flat member which is cut away to form an aperture adjoining one edge so as to form a handle and is likewise cut away along an adjoining edge to form a mouth which can be fitted over and around the transverse bar to support the weight on the sub-frame.

10. A sub-frame as claimed in any of the preceeding claims in which adjustable clamps are positioned along the length of the transverse bar to squeeze the weights located thereon laterally into contact with one another to prevent them rattling and moving laterally along the transverse bar.

11. A sub-frame as claimed in any of the preceeding claims in which the slots into which the opposite ends of the closure members are fitted are so called re-entrance or keyhole slots and include an opening into which a stub axle can be received and a retaining section into which the stub axle drops and from which it cannot escape except by being lifted.

12. A sub-frame as claimed in any ofthe preceeding claims in which the closure provides sup portforthe end of a chain booked thereover before the closure member is fitted into its retaining slots on the sub-frame so that the chain is locked thereon.

13. A sub-frame as claimed in any of claims 3 to 12 further comprising locking means for securing the shank of the torque lever to an eye or ring on the sub-frame so that any tendency for the end of the torque lever to vibrate from under its retaining shoe or bracket is eliminated.

14. A sub-frame as claimed in any of the preceeding claims in which there is a space between the rear of the transverse bar on which the weights are located and front of the tractor from which the sub-frame extends, for carrying other equipment on the sub-frame.

15. A sub-frame mounted on the front end of a tractor, constructed and arranged substansially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.