GB2295367A

GB2295367A - Hitch assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2295367A
Application number: GB9524198A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Mccormick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-11-25
Filing date: 1995-11-27
Publication date: 1996-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 2015-11-27
Also published as: IES940924A2; IES67534B2; GB9524198D0; GB2295367B

Abstract

A tractor hitch assembly for releasably securing a trailer to a tractor comprising a pick-up arm 1 with a hook 7, wherein the means for releasably securing the trailer comprises a pin-receiving orifice 9A located on the pick-up arm 1 and further comprises a spring-loaded pin 16 moveable between an extended position in which it is engaged through the pin-receiving orifice 9A to secure the pick-up arm 1 and a retracted position in which it is disengaged from the pin-receiving orifice and the pick-up arm 1 is disengaged from the hitch assembly 10. A pair of flanges 13, 14 are provided with pin-guiding apertures 19 located co-axially with the axis of the pin to guide the pin into the extended position. A pin stopper 20 is provided to block the passage of the pin 16 until the orifice 9A is lined up with the apertures 19 to ensure the pick-up arm is in the correct position. <IMAGE>

Description

HITCH ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a hitch assembly for securing trailer apparatus to a tractor.

The present invention accordingly provide a tractor hitch assembly for securing a trailer to a tractor, the hitch assembly having means for releasably securing a trailer, the hitch assembly comprising a pick-up arm, wherein the means for releasably securing the trailer comprises a pin-receiving orifice located on the pick-up arm and further comprises a pin moveable between an extended position in which it is engaged through the pin-receiving orifice and a retracted position in which it is disengaged from the pin-receiving orifice and the pick-up arm is disengaged from the hitch assembly.

Advantageously, a flange is provided with a pin-guiding aperture located co-axially with the axis of the pin to guide the pin into the extended position.

Ideally, the pin-receiving orifice is located on a lug provided on the pick-up arm.

Preferably, the means for releasably securing the trailer includes a pivotally mounted stop member for preventing penetration of the pin through the pin-receiving orifice so as to retain the pin in the retracted position until the lug is located in a pin-receiving position whereby, on retraction of the pin, the stop member is moveable into a blocking position preventing penetration of the pin.

Conveniently, the pivotally mounted stop member is pivoted at a point so that it tends to fall downwardly under the force of its own weight and includes means to prevent travel of the stop member beyond a certain location.

Ideally, the means to prevent travel of the stop member comprises a spur provided on the stop member which is engageable with a stud once the stop member falls downwards to a pre-determined location.

Advantageously, the stop member includes biasing means to assist downward travel thereof. The biasing means may include a tension spring.

The invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only, one embodiment of the hitch assembly according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the hitch assembly and an extendible tractor hook assembly; Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of a retaining pin in a closed position; Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation of the retaining pin in an open position; Figure 4 shows a pin receiving orifice of the tractor hook assembly in an engaged position within the hitch assembly; Figure 5 shows the pin receiving orifice in a disengaged position with a pin stopper flat in an engaged position; and Figure 6 shows a view similar to that of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1, the tractor hitch assembly of the invention is indicated generally by reference numeral 10. The hitch assembly 10 is used to receive a trailer hitch (not shown) and is pivotally mounted to the underside of a tractor (also not shown). The hitch assembly 10 includes a pick-up arm 1 which comprises a hook arm 3 mounted within supporting beams 5. At the free end of the hook arm 3, a hook 7 is provided to engage the orifice of the trailer hitch.

Mounted on the pick-up arm 1 is an upwardly extending lug 9 having a pin receiving orifice 9A. The lug 9 is engageable with the hitch assembly 10. The hitch assembly 10 includes a fixed bracket 30 fixed to the tractor. The fixed bracket 30 comprises a fixing plate 11 for connecting to the rear of the tractor and a pair of flanges 13,14 extending from the fixing plate 11. The flanges 13,14 are each provided with an aperture 19. The flanges 13,14 are for receiving the lug 9 in a manner so that the pin receiving orifice 9A is aligned with the apertures 19 in the flanges 13,14. When the pin receiving orifice 9A is thus aligned with the apertures 19 in the flanges 13,14, a spring-loaded pin 16 is biased in its extended position in which it is engaged with, and penetrating through, the apertures 19 and the pin-receiving orifice 9A, as shown in Figure 2.The pin 16 can be moved from the extended position into its retracted position as shown in Figure 1.

When the tractor hitch 10 is in use, the apertures 19 are aligned with the pin receiving orifice 9A and act as guides for the spring loaded pin 16 and the pin 16 is biased in the extended position. When the pin receiving orifice 9A is in position (i.e. located between the flanges 13,14 and aligned with the apertures 19), with the pin 16 penetrating the apertures 19 and the orifice 9A, the pick-up arm 1 is secured to the tractor hitch assembly 10. When the pin receiving orifice 9A is not in position, a pin stopper 20 which is pivotally mounted between the flanges 13,14 falls across the line of travel of the pin 16 retaining the pin in a retracted position as shown in Figure 5. Figures 4 to 6 illustrate the relationship between the pin receiving orifice 9A of the pick-up arm 1 and the pin stopper 20 of the hitch assembly 10.When the orifice 9A is aligned with the flange apertures 19, the pin stopper 20 is pivotally moved upwardly so that the pin 16 is free to penetrate the apertures 19 and the orifice 9A and the pin 16 can then be locked in its normally biased extended position. The pin stopper 20 may be biased by a spring so as to assist ease of downward movement thereof. When the pick-up arm 1 is elevated to engage the tractor hitch assembly 10, the pin engaging orifice 9 can either be vertically aligned as shown in Figure S or can be brought into horizontal alignment as shown in Figure 6. The pin stopper 20 is profiled to ensure that the orifice 9A is in a position suitable for alignment with the flange apertures 19 and that the line of travel of the pin is blocked until the pin receiving orifice 9A is in position. The pin stopper 20 is pivotable about a point 24 which is located so that the pin stopper 20 will fall downwardly under the force of its own weight. The pin stopper 20 has a spur 22 to engage a stud 25 which is provided to position the pin stopper 20 correctly. A cover 26 is provided over the flanges 13,14 to avoid entrapment of dirt and more importantly to avoid catching the fingers of an operator.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A tractor hitch assembly for securing a trailer to a tractor, the hitch assembly having means for releasably securing a trailer, the hitch assembly comprising a pick-up arm, wherein the means for releasably securing the trailer comprises a pin-receiving orifice located on the pick-up arm and further comprises a pin moveable between an extended position in which it is engaged through the pin-receiving orifice and a retracted position in which it is disengaged from the pin-receiving orifice and the pick-up arm is disengaged from the hitch assembly.

2. A hitch assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flange is provided with a pin-guiding aperture located co-axially with the axis of the pin to guide the pin into the extended position.

3. A hitch assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the pin-receiving orifice is located on a lug provided on the pick-up arm.

4. A hitch assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the means for releasably securing the trailer includes a pivotally mounted stop member for preventing penetration of the pin through the pin-receiving orifice so as to retain the pin in the retracted position until the lug is located in a pin-receiving position whereby, on retraction of the pin, the stop member i8 moveable into a blocking position preventing penetration of the pin.

5. A hitch assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pivotally mounted stop member is pivoted at a point so that it tends to fall downwardly under the force of its own weight and includes means to prevent travel of the stop member beyond a certain location.

6. A hitch assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the means to prevent travel of the stop member comprise. a spur provided on the stop member which is engageable with a stud once the stop member falls downwards to a pre-determined location.

7. A hitch assembly as claimed in claims 5 or 6, in which the stop member includes biasing means to assist downward travel thereof.

8. A hitch assembly as claimed in claim 7, in which the biasing means includes a tension spring.

9. A hitch assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.