GB2133267A

GB2133267A - Linkage

Info

Publication number: GB2133267A
Application number: GB08301115A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Edward Hobbs
Original assignee: Sisis Equipment; Sisis Equipment Macclesfield Ltd
Current assignee: Sisis Equipment; Sisis Equipment Macclesfield Ltd
Priority date: 1983-01-15
Filing date: 1983-01-15
Publication date: 1984-07-25
Also published as: GB8301115D0

Abstract

A linkage adapted for use with a hydraulically powered vehicle having a three part connector comprises a cable (8) extending between a pair of pivotally mounted levers, a first of said levers (2) engaging in use a hydraulically movable member (1) of said connector, the second of said levers (13) being arranged in use to actuate an attachment to the vehicle. The vehicle may comprise a tractor or excavator but preferably comprises a vehicle of the kind used for maintenance of areas of turf such as golf courses. The attachments may be selected from a roller, spreader, mower, aerator, spiker, trailer, sprayer or any other means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Linkage This invention relates to a mechanical linkage particularly, but not exclusively adapted for remote actuation of apparatus towed behind a vehicle having a conventional 3-point mechanical connector. The invention finds particular application with vehicles used for care and treatment of lawns, golf courses, gardens and the like.

According to the present invention a linkage adapted for use with a hydraulically powered vehicle having a three part connector comprises a cable extending between a pair of pivotally mounted levers, a first of said levers engaging in use a hydraulically movable member of said connector, the second of said levers being arranged in use to actuate an attachment to the vehicle.

The vehicle may comprise a tractor or excavator but preferably comprises a vehicle of the kind used for maintenance of areas of turf such as golf courses. The attachments may be selected from a roller, spreader, mower, aerator, spiker, trailer, sprayer or any other means. In the case of a spreader, for example, the linkage may serve to regulate the amount of fertiliser released from the spreader. Alternatively, the depth of penetration of a spiker or tipping of a trailer may be controlled.

The attachment is preferably secured in use to a drawbar or other fixture of the vehicle, thereby providing means for towing the attachment.

Conventional vehicles comprise a drawbar providing two lower points of connection disposed in a horizontal plane and a third, upper hydraulically movable point disposed centrally above the lower points. The third point preferably serves to engage the first said lever.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention a linkage adapted for use with a hydraulically powered vehicle having a three point connector comprises a pivotally mounted lever an end of which lever is arranged to engage a hydraulically movable member of the connector, the lever being arranged to pivot upon movement of the member, a cable being movable in use within a fixed coaxial sheath, one end of the cable engaging the said lever, another end of the cable engaging a second pivotally mounted lever arranged to actuate an attachment to the vehicle. The second lever is preferably secured to the attachment.

The pivot of each lever is preferably located intermediate the point of engagement with the cable and the point of engagement with the said movable member or attachment as the case may be. The mechanical advantage of the levers may be arranged to provide a large movement of the attachment for a small movement of the hydraulically movable member. Alternatively, a short but powerful movement may be obtained.

The first lever is preferably arranged so that the movable member is cleanly engaged without any cam action between the components. The lever may include a projection arranged to continuously engage the member.

The invention is further described by means of example with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of part of an apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side elevation of another part of the apparatus.

Figures 1 and 2 show part of a linkage in accordance with the invention in engagement with a hydraulically operable member 1, of a conventional three point connector. Figure 1 also shows the member in a second location 1 a, in which a hydraulic ram connected at 4 is fully extended. The lever 2 is (also shown in engagement 2a with the extended member 1 a) pivotally mounted by means of a collar 3 located on a pivot pin 5. The pin 5 comprises the centre top link of the three-point connection. The end 6, 6a of the lever 1 is perpendicular to the body of the lever and is arranged to permanently contact the member 1. The end of the member 1 remote from the projection 6 bears an aperture 7, 7a through which a cable 8 is threaded. The cable 8 passes through a coaxial sleeve 9 secured to a fixture 10 by means of a threaded adjustable connection 11.

Figure 3 shows an arrangement whereby movement of the cable 8 within the sleeve 9 is transmitted to a lever 1 3. The sleeve 9 is secured to a fixture 12 by means of a threaded adjustable attachment 14. The end of the cable is attached to a lug 1 5 which is secured into an aperture in the lever 13. The lever 13 is secured to the frame 1 6 of the attachment by means of a pin 17. The end of the lever 18 may be arranged in use to actuate the mechanism of the attachment, the latter comprising, for example, the control for releasing fertiliser from a spreader.

In use of the linkage, an attachment such as a spreader is secured at two locations to the drawbar of the vehicle and the lever 2 secured to the pin 5 of the upper connection. The end of the lever 6 is urged into contact with the hydraulically movable member 1 by means of a spring (not shown). Movement of the member 1 causes corresponding movement of the lever 13 and actuation of the mechanism of the spreader.

1. A linkage adapted for use with a hydraulically powered vehicle having a three part connector comprises a cable extending between a pair of pivotally mounted levers, a first of said levers engaging in use a hydraulically movable member of said connector, the second of said levers being arranged in use to actuate an attachment to the vehicle.

2. A linkage as claimed in claim 1, wherein said attachment is secured in use to a drawbar or other fixture of the vehicle.

3. A linkage as claimed in claim 2, wherein the drawbar comprises two parts of the three part

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Linkage This invention relates to a mechanical linkage particularly, but not exclusively adapted for remote actuation of apparatus towed behind a vehicle having a conventional 3-point mechanical connector. The invention finds particular application with vehicles used for care and treatment of lawns, golf courses, gardens and the like. According to the present invention a linkage adapted for use with a hydraulically powered vehicle having a three part connector comprises a cable extending between a pair of pivotally mounted levers, a first of said levers engaging in use a hydraulically movable member of said connector, the second of said levers being arranged in use to actuate an attachment to the vehicle. The vehicle may comprise a tractor or excavator but preferably comprises a vehicle of the kind used for maintenance of areas of turf such as golf courses. The attachments may be selected from a roller, spreader, mower, aerator, spiker, trailer, sprayer or any other means. In the case of a spreader, for example, the linkage may serve to regulate the amount of fertiliser released from the spreader. Alternatively, the depth of penetration of a spiker or tipping of a trailer may be controlled. The attachment is preferably secured in use to a drawbar or other fixture of the vehicle, thereby providing means for towing the attachment. Conventional vehicles comprise a drawbar providing two lower points of connection disposed in a horizontal plane and a third, upper hydraulically movable point disposed centrally above the lower points. The third point preferably serves to engage the first said lever. According to a preferred aspect of the invention a linkage adapted for use with a hydraulically powered vehicle having a three point connector comprises a pivotally mounted lever an end of which lever is arranged to engage a hydraulically movable member of the connector, the lever being arranged to pivot upon movement of the member, a cable being movable in use within a fixed coaxial sheath, one end of the cable engaging the said lever, another end of the cable engaging a second pivotally mounted lever arranged to actuate an attachment to the vehicle. The second lever is preferably secured to the attachment. The pivot of each lever is preferably located intermediate the point of engagement with the cable and the point of engagement with the said movable member or attachment as the case may be. The mechanical advantage of the levers may be arranged to provide a large movement of the attachment for a small movement of the hydraulically movable member. Alternatively, a short but powerful movement may be obtained. The first lever is preferably arranged so that the movable member is cleanly engaged without any cam action between the components. The lever may include a projection arranged to continuously engage the member. The invention is further described by means of example with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of part of an apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side elevation of another part of the apparatus. Figures 1 and 2 show part of a linkage in accordance with the invention in engagement with a hydraulically operable member 1, of a conventional three point connector. Figure 1 also shows the member in a second location 1 a, in which a hydraulic ram connected at 4 is fully extended. The lever 2 is (also shown in engagement 2a with the extended member 1 a) pivotally mounted by means of a collar 3 located on a pivot pin 5. The pin 5 comprises the centre top link of the three-point connection. The end 6, 6a of the lever 1 is perpendicular to the body of the lever and is arranged to permanently contact the member 1. The end of the member 1 remote from the projection 6 bears an aperture 7, 7a through which a cable 8 is threaded. The cable 8 passes through a coaxial sleeve 9 secured to a fixture 10 by means of a threaded adjustable connection 11. Figure 3 shows an arrangement whereby movement of the cable 8 within the sleeve 9 is transmitted to a lever 1 3. The sleeve 9 is secured to a fixture 12 by means of a threaded adjustable attachment 14. The end of the cable is attached to a lug 1 5 which is secured into an aperture in the lever 13. The lever 13 is secured to the frame 1 6 of the attachment by means of a pin 17. The end of the lever 18 may be arranged in use to actuate the mechanism of the attachment, the latter comprising, for example, the control for releasing fertiliser from a spreader. In use of the linkage, an attachment such as a spreader is secured at two locations to the drawbar of the vehicle and the lever 2 secured to the pin 5 of the upper connection. The end of the lever 6 is urged into contact with the hydraulically movable member 1 by means of a spring (not shown). Movement of the member 1 causes corresponding movement of the lever 13 and actuation of the mechanism of the spreader. CLAIMS

3. A linkage as claimed in claim 2, wherein the drawbar comprises two parts of the three part connector.

4. A linkage as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a pivotally mounted lever and end of which lever is arranged to engage a hydrauiically movable member of the connector, the lever being arranged to pivot upon movement of the member, a cable being movable in use within a fixed coaxial sleeve, one end of the cable engaging the said lever, another end of the cable engaging a second pivotally mounted lever arranged to actuate an attachment to the vehicle.

5. A linkage as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second lever is secured to the attachment.

6 A linkage as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the pivot of each lever is located intermediate the point of engagement with the cable and the point of engagement with either said movable member or attachment.

7. A linkage as claimed in any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the lever comprises a projection arranged to continuously engage the member.

8. A linkage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle comprises a turf maintenance vehicle.

9. A linkage as claimed in claim 8, wherein the attachment is selected from: a roller, spreader, mower, aerator, spiker, trailer or sprayer.

1 0. A linkage substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.