US1590857A - Convertible safety and positive draft device - Google Patents

Description

June 29,1926. 1,590,857

M. A. SAGEN CONVERTIBLE SAFETY AND POSITIVE DRAFT DEVICE Filed Feb. 9, 1923 1 IflV-E/V ran. 1 mmruv /7. 5/16 EN.

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Patented June 29, 1926.

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MARTIN A. SAGEN, OF EDMOEE. NORTH DAKOTA,ASSIGNOR F ONE-THIRD TO HILBERT J. NYHUS, OF EDMORE, NORTH DAKOTA.

CONVERTIBLE SAFETY AND POSITIVE DRAFT. DEVICE.

Application filed. February 9, 1923. Serial No. 617,951.

This invention relates to a draft device or a traction coupling adapted to connect a tractor with some other member which is drawn thereby. Such devices are now commonly used on tractors pulling plows and other similar tools. It is desirable at times to have a positive coupling device and at other times to have a releasable coupling which will uncouple when a certain stress is placed thereon. Many attempts have been made to provide such coupling devices but the same have for the most part been unsuccessful, due to the fact that they were too complicated and expensive.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a coupling device which can be converted into either a positive coupler or releasable coupler and one which is extremely simple in construction.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a device comprising a casing having a pivoted latch therein and having a comparatively small flat bar mounted at one side of the casing having means at both sides adapted to co-operate with the latch, which plate is reversible to swing either means into operative position so as to form either a positive coupler or releasable coupler. I

It is a further object of the invention to provide a latch of such form that the coupler is automatically coupled by the members connected thereto.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views, and in which,

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the device, certain parts being shown in vertical section;

F i 2 is a view in vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l; as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View in side elevation of the coupling latch and reversible bar in one position;

F 5 is a fragmentary view of parts of the bar and latch in another position; and b Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the reversible Referring to the drawings, the device comprises a casing formed, preferably of two parallel plates 1 which are held in properly spaced relation by blocks 2 and 8 disposed respectively at the top and bottom portions and adjacent thelongitudinal edges of said plates and connected thereto by transverse rivets, the heads of which rivets arefiush with the exterior=.surface of the plates thus forming a smooth outside surface for the casing. The plates have a plurality of spaced apertures adjacent one end through which headed and nutted bolts 4 are adapted to pass. toconnect the casing to the draw bar 5 of the tractor, which draw bar 5 is illustrated as also provided with a plurality of apertures 6, thus affording adjustment of position for the casing. The plates 1 are also provided with alined holes 28 forward of the bolts 4. It is sometimes desired to use a long straight draw bar which can be connected by a bolt passing through the holes 28 and will extend between the bolts 4. At the forward end of the casing is pivotally mounted a latch member 7 mounted on a rivet extending through the plates 1 and lying flush therewith. The latch 7 isadapted to swing between the plates "1 and comprises a main or longer arm having a head portion 8 thereon, the rear side of which is adapted to engage with the inclined forward edge of the block 2, which block thus forms a stop for said latch member when the latter is in hitching position. The plates 1 are slitted a short distance from their front edge at their bottom portions and turned inwardly substantially at right angles to form a lip 27 projecting toward the other plate. These lips form astop member for the latch when it is in its open position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The said head 8 is formed with a substantially flat surface9 adjacent its upper end and above said surface is formed with a more rounded surface 10. Said latch also has a shorter armll projecting for a slight angle to. the main arm and at the rear thereof. The main arm of the latch is adapted to be embraced by a coupling member 12 which, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated is shown as a bar having an aperture adjacent its end through which said arm passes and the plates 1' have cutaway portions or notches 13 extending rearwardly therein substantially at their central portions to accommodate the coupling member 12. Disposed above the plates 1 and the block 2 and resting thereon is a bar 14, the forward end of which is adapted to cooperate with the head 8 on the latch member 7 and for which purpose the bar is provided on opposite sides with lip portions 15 and 16, said bar being reversible to bring either lip into position to engage the latch head 8. The lip 16 is formed with a forwardly and upwardly inclined surface (see Figure 5) and with a shorter rear surface 18 extending substantially normal to said inclined surface. The rear surface is adapted to be engaged by the surface 10 on the head Saudis disposed at such an angle that when sufficient pressure is exerted in the forward direction on the latch member the bar 14 will be cammed upwardly by engagement of the surface 10 with said surface 18. The lip 15 also has a forwardly inclined and curved surface and is provided with a reversely inclined rear surface 17. This sur face 17 is adapted to co-operate with the surface-9 on the latch head 8 and said surfaces are so'arranged as shown in Fig. 5, that they will positively interlock and the bar 14 cannot be cammed upwardly by any forward pressure on the latch 7 Thebar 14 is held in position by a rod or bolt member 19 formed with a head resting on said bar and extending through an aperture located in the longitudinal center line of said barv and substantiallycentrally thereof, said bolt also passing through an alining aperture in the block 2. Said'bolt is threaded at its lower end to receive a nut member '20 of angular shape and which is preferably square. Surrounding the bolt 19' between the block 2 and the nut 20 is apair of springs 21 and 22. The spring 21 is much heavier and stronger than the spring 22, which latter is disposed within the spring 21, and when in this normal extended position is somewhat longer than the Spring 21. The bar 14 can be swung laterally about the boltv 19 and to prevent this lateral swinging movement when desired a clip 23 formed of a small fiat substantially rectangular plate is pivoted at the side' of one of the plates 1 by a pivot screw 24 having a. coiled spring 25 thereon disposed between the inside of the plate 1 and the nut on said screw. The plates 1 are provided with alined apertures 26 above the slots 13 immediately infront of the arms of latch 7 and said plates are also provided with angular notches at their forward upper edges to accommodate the movements of the bar 14. WVhen the device is arranged to form a releasable draft or hitching device, the plate 14 will be disposed as shown in Fig. 1 with the lip 16 in position to engage the latch head 8. The casing 1 will be secured will strike the arm 11 and swing the latch toward block 2. As the latch engages the forward inclined surface of lip 16, it will cam said hp and bar 14 upwardly compressing the springs 21 and 22. After the latch arm has contacted with the block 2. the lip 16 and bar 14 will be pulled down by said springs so that the surface 18 will engage the surface 10 on the latch head 8. The device is now in operative position and the draw bar 12 and device attached thereto can be drawn by the tractor. If sufiicient stress is exerted between the coupling 12, and the latch 7, the springs 21 and 22 will be further compressed and the bar 14 will be cammed upwardly by'the surfaces 10 and 18 and the latch will then swing forwardly and release the coupling member.

Vith the arrangement of the parts described it is seen that the device constitutes an automatic coupler which is brought to coupling position merely by the relative movements of the coupled parts and which will be released when a certain predetermined stress is exerted thereon. The nut 20 can, of course, be adjusted to give the desired tensionon the springs 21 and 22 so that the device can be arrangedto release under different tensions. There is no particular tendency for the bar 14 to swivel. about the bolt 19 and such swivelling movement can be prevented, if desired; by swinging the plate 23 to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 to contact with the side of said bar. This plate is friction-ally held in position against the side of plate 1 by the spring 25-. The screw 24 is provided with a square nut disposed with one side sub stantially in engagement with the bottom of block 2 so that the nut cannot turn after the tension of spring 25 has been adjusted.

If it is desired to use the device as a positive hitch or draft device the bar 14 will be reversed by removing the bolt 19' and placing the bar 14 in position so that the lip 17 will be in position to co-act with the latch head 8. The device can be automatically coupled as before by relative movement of the casing and coupler 12. The latch willcam against the forward curved surfaces of the lip 15 and raise the bar 14 to permit the latch head to swing into hitch-- all) about the bolt 19.

ing position with the surface 9 in engagement with the surface 17. The surfaces .when thus in Contact are in looking engagement and the said surfaces will not act to cam the bar 1% upwardly, no matter what stress is placed thereon. When the device is so used, the nut 20 is adjusted so that it is at the extreme lower end of the bolt 19 and the spring 22 only is in operative position. The spring 21 thus does not have to be compressed when the latch 7 is swung to hitching position. The latch may be released by lifting the bar it with the parts in slack relation or by swinging the bar 14: When the device is be mg used as a releasable hitch, if it is momentarily desired to exert great stress thereon a pin can be passed through the holes 26, thus positively locking the latch 7 in position and preventing release of the same.

While the device is illustrated and described as operating with the plates in vertical position, it is obvious that the same would operate just as well if the plates occupy a horizontal position. Fig. 1 would then be considered a plan view of the device. The hitch can thus be usedand disposed in various planes.

From the above description it is seen that applicant has provided an extremely simple draft device and one which can quickly and easily be changed to form either an efficient releasable device or a positive hitch device. The parts used are very few and easily made and assembled. There is a very small nu1nber of moving parts and the casing has a smooth and substantially unobstructed exterior surface. There is no' chance for dirt or other foreign matter to accumulate and interfere with the operation of the device.

It will, of course, be understood that var ous changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which, generally stated, consists in the matter shown and described and set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A draft device comprising a casing, a latch pivoted at the front portion thereof and a reversible bar disposed at one side of said casing having means on one side adapted. to co-operate with said latch and be interlocked therewith to form a positive hitch,

and having means on its other side adapted.

to co-operate with said latch to form a releasable hitch, said bar being resiliently held in position.

2. A draft device comprising a casing and a spring-controlled member connected there to having spaced surfaces thereon. sa d memher being adapted to be disposed in either of two positions with one or the other of said surfaces, respectively, in operative position, said device forming a releasable hitch with said member in one position with one of said surfaces in operative position and forming a positive hitch when said member is in its other position with said other surface in operative position.

8. A draft device comprising space-d connected plates, a flat bar disposed over the edges of said plates, lips formed on said bar adjacent its end having forwardly inclined edges and beveled and inclined rear surfaces, respectively, a member secured to and between said plates beneath said bar, a bolt extending through said bar and member and between said plates, a nut on said bolt, a spring between said nut and said member. and a latch member swingable between said plates and formed to co-operate with either of said lips on said bar whereby said bar may be reversed and the device arranged to form either a positive hitch or a resiliently held and releasable hitch.

4. The structure setforth in claim 3, said bar being swingable laterally on said bolt,

and means for preventing such swinging movement.

5. A draft device comprising a narrow casing, a latch pivoted at the front portion thereof, a bar at one narrow side of said casing, a member in said casing beneath said bar, a bolt-like rod extending through said bar and said member, an adjustable means on said rod, springs surrounding said rod and adapted to be compressed between said member and said adjustable means and to hold said bar in normal position, said bar having lips on its opposite sides adapted to (ooperate with said latch and to engage releasably and positively respectively there with whereby said bar may be reversed and the device arranged as ither a positive hitch or a releasablehitch j 6. The structure set forth in claim 5, both of said lips having forwardly inclined surfaces adapted to be engaged by said latch when the same swings to hitching position whereby said bar will be raised and said lips will engage over the front vend of said latch whereby an automatic coupling device is formed.

7. A draft device comprising a narrow casing, a. latch pivoted at the front portion thereof, a bar at one narrow side of said casing, a member in said casing beneath said bar, a bolt-like rod extending through said bar and said member, an adjustable means on said rod, springs surrounding said rod and adapted to be compressed between said member and said adjustable means and to hold said bar in normal position, said bar having lips on its opposite sides adapted to co-operate with said latch and to engage releasably and positively respectively therewith whereby said bar may be reversed and the device arranged as either a positive hitch or a releasable hitch, both of said lips having forwardly inclined surfaces adapted to be engaged by said latch when the same swings to hitching positionwhereby said bar will be raised and said lips will engage over the front end of said latch whereby an automatic coupling device is formed, one of said springs being longer and lighter than the other, whereby said spring only will be compressed in the automatic coupling action 7 when said bar is turned to form a positive hitch. I

8. A draft device comprising a narrow casing, a latch pivotedrat the front portion thereof, a bar at one narrow side of said casing, a member in said casing beneath said bar, a. bolt-like rod extending through said bar and said member, an adjustable means on said rod, springs surrounding said rod andadaptedto be compressed between said member and said adjustable means and to hold said bar in normal position,'said bar having lips on its opposite sides adapted to cooperate with said latch and to engage releasably and positively respectively therewith whereby said bar may be reversed and the device arranged as either a positive hitch or a releasable hitch, both of said lips having forward-1y inclined surfaces adapted to be engaged by said latch when the same swings to hitching position whereby said bar will be raised and said lips will engage over the front end of said latch whereby an automatic coupling device is formed, and a coupling member engaging over said latch, said latch having a rearwardlyprojecting arm thereon adapted to be engaged by said coupler: to swing the latch to hitching position.

9. A draft device having in combination, a casing comprising spaced substantially parallel plates, a latch pivoted between and atthe front portion thereof, a block secured to and extending between said plates at their upper edges, a reversible bar having lips formed at its forward end and on its opposite sides adapted to co-operate with said latch when thebar is in its various positions, resilient means holding said bar in position, and said block having its front edge formed to constitute a stop member for said latch when the latter is in hitching position.

10. A draft device comprising a latch and a reversible plate having a pair of means thereon adapted to co-operate with said latch when the plate is in its various positions respectively to formeither a releasable draft device or a positive draft device.

11. A draft device comprising a casing, a latch pivoted at the front portion thereof, a retaining member for. said latch having a plurality of means thereon adapted to engage said latch, a spring acting on said member, said member being adapted to be disposed in one position with one of said means thereon in engagement with said atch to form a i 'eleasa'ble hitch and in another position with one of said'means (thereon engaged with said latch to form a positive hitch.

12. A draft device having in combination a casing, a latch pivoted at one end thereof having spaced arms, a member adapted to occupy different positions and having means thereon engageable with one of said arms when in either position and resilient means acting on vsaid member whereby the latch can be moved against the tension of said latter means'to permit coupling of the device.

InItest-imony whereof I aflix my signature.

MARTIN A. SAGEN.

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