MXPA99003247A - Mechanism of engan - Google Patents

Abstract

The latching mechanism includes a coupler frame that supports a plurality of coupler devices to engage with an implement. A joint of fixed length and three joints of variable length are attached to the coupler frame. This has a first end coupled in the form of a pivot to the vehicle and a second end coupled in the form of a pivot to a central part of the coupling frame. Three articulations of variable length, each articulation of variable length has a first end coupled in the form of a pivot to the vehicle and a second end coupled in the form of a pivot to the coupling frame. Three articulations of variable length preferably extend generally parallel to each other and are spaced apart in a triangular array and the fixed joint is positioned near the center of the array. Three joints of variable length include an upper joint and the left and right joints. The three variable length joints are preferably hydraulic cylinders, which can be extended and retracted

Description

COUPLING MECHANISM Background of the Invention This invention relates to a coupling assembly for coupling between an implement and a vehicle, and in particular an agricultural vehicle for placing a footprint.

Several attachment mechanisms are available to connect an agricultural implement to an agricultural vehicle. One such known latching mechanism is the conventional three-point latching mechanism. However, the conventional three-point hitch does not provide an implement direction function. There are hiler guidance mechanisms (Accu-Track) that provide an implement direction function, but such mechanisms do not provide a lateral change capability. An ilcox mechanism includes a set e which pivots about a vertical bolt and thus n provides a lateral shifting capability. This mechanism is described in United States of America Patent No. 5,697,454 granted on December 16, 1997 to Wilcox et al. There are also row guidance mechanisms, such as the "Navigator", which provides a lateral shift function, but not an implement direction function. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a latch mechanism which both has an implement direction function and a lateral shift capability. It is believed that an agricultural vehicle with belts is especially beneficial to have a hitch which can both direct laterally change an implement, as to reduce the lateral forces that the implement otherwise transmits to vehicle.

Synthesis of the Invention Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a latch mechanism which both has an implement direction function and a lateral shift capability.

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention wherein a latch mechanism includes a coupler frame that supports a plurality of coupling devices for coupling with an implement. A fixed length joint has a first end coupled in the form of a pivot to the vehicle and a second end coupled in the form of a pivot to the vehicle and a second end coupled in the form of a pivot to the coupling frame. Preferably three articulations of variable length, each articulation of variable length has a first extremity coupled in the form of a pivot to the vehicle and a second extremity coupled in the form of a pivot to the coupling frame. The joints of variable length preferably extend generally parallel to one another and are spaced apart in a triangular array, and the fixed length joint is positioned near the center of the array. The three joints of variable length include a superior articulation and the lower left and right joints. The three variable length joints are preferably hydraulic cylinders which can be extended retracted.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a latching mechanism according to the present invention.

Description of the Preferred Incorporation Referring to Figure 1, the latching mechanism 10 includes a coupler frame 12 which includes frame members 14, 16 and 18 which are fixed to and extend outward from a central hub 20. The outer end of the frame member 14 it supports a central upper coupling device 22. The outer end of the arm member 16 supports a lower left coupling device 24. The outer end of the member 18 supports a lower right coupling device 26. The coupling devices 22-26 are preferably conventional coupling devices such as are found in commercially available and conventional three-point hitch mechanisms. A base 28 is provided for mounting on the rear end of the vehicle (not shown). A fixed-length articulation 30 has a first end d-mated to the base 28 through a conventional spherical pivot 32 and a second end pivotally coupled to the hub 20 through a spherical pivot that is hidden from view in figure 1.

A first variable length joint 3 and a first end pivotally coupled to the base 28 through a spherical pivot 38 and a second end pivoted to the outer end of the joint through a ball pivot and socket 40. A second variable length hydraulic cylinder hinge 42 has a prime end pivotally engaged to the base 28 through a spherical pivot 44 and a second end pivoted d to the outer end of the hinge 16 through of a spherical pivot 46. A third variable length hydraulic cylinder hinge 48 has a first end pivotally engaged to the base 28 through a spherical pivot 50 and a second end pivotally engaged to the outer end of the spindle. articulation 18 through a spherical pivot 52. By controlling the lengths of the cylinders 36, 42 and 48 the coupler frame 12 can be changed and moved s In rotating, it can be rotated around an axis, or it can both be rotated and changed and moved. The fixed length joint 30 operated primarily to absorb the pulling forces so that the smaller pull forces will be carried by the cylinder joints 36, 42 and 48. Preferably, the joints 36, 42 and 48 are hydraulic cylinders, without However, other types of articulations of variable length can also be used. For example, other variable-length actuators include the pneumatic actuators, the ball and screw actuators, commercially available, as they are made by Motion Systems Corporatio (see the web site www. Motionsystem.com / addbal.htm) , or the reluctance line actuators as described in http: // www. elec-eng leeds.ac.uk / emd / lsrd / lsrd. html Other articulations of variable length are described on the world wide web site http: //www.rn powertransmissio .com / prod / linear.htm.

Although the present description has been made in relation to a specific embodiment, it is understood that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. For example, the coupler frame can be formed from a solid triangular plan instead of a plurality of frame members. Therefore, this invention is intended to encompass all those alternatives, modifications and variations, which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (8)

R E I V I ND I CA C I O N S

1. A coupling mechanism for coupling between an implement and an agricultural vehicle, the coupling mechanism comprises: a coupler frame that supports a plurality of coupling devices for coupling with an implement; a fixed-length joint having a first end coupled in the form of a pivot to the vehicle and a second end coupled in the form of a pivot to the coupling frame; Y At least three joints of variable length, each variable length joint has a first end coupled in the form of a pivot to the vehicle and an end second coupled in a pivot to the coupler frame.

2. The coupling mechanism as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that: said three joints of variable length s extend generally parallel to each other and are spaced in a triangular array; and the fixed-length joint is placed near the center of the array.

3. The coupling mechanism as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that: the three articulations of variable length comprise an upper joint and the lower articulations left and right.

4. The coupling mechanism as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that: said three articulations of variable length comprise hydraulic cylinders which may extend to retract.

5. The coupling mechanism as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that: the coupler frame comprises a central hub a plurality of frame members which extend outwardly from the hub.

6. The coupling mechanism as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that: each frame member has an outer end coupled in the form of a pivot to a corresponding one of the variable length joints.

7. The coupling mechanism as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that: each frame member has an outer end that supports a corresponding coupling device.

8. The coupling mechanism as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that: the hub is coupled in a pivot to the fixed length joint. SUMMARY The latching mechanism includes a coupler assembly that supports a plurality of coupling devices for coupling with an implement. A joint of fixed length and three articulations of variable length are attached to coupler frame. This has a first end coupled in the form of a pivot to the vehicle and a second end coupled d pivoted to a central part of the coupling frame. With variable length joints, each variable length joint d has a first end coupled d pivoted to the vehicle and a second end coupled d pivoted to the coupling frame. Three articulations of variable length preferably extend generally parallel to one another and are spaced apart in a triangular arrangement and the fixed joint is positioned near the center of the array. Three articulations of varying length include an upper joint and the left and right joints. The three joints of variable length are preferably hydraulic cylinders, which can be extended and retracted.