U.S. patent application number 09/946052 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-14 for implement hitch.
Invention is credited to Mosdal, Brian Thomas, Noonan, James Thomas, Parker, Paul David, Payne, David Alan, Royer, Anthony Scott.
Application Number | 20020030348 09/946052 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24120429 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020030348 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mosdal, Brian Thomas ; et
al. |
March 14, 2002 |
IMPLEMENT HITCH
Abstract
A hitch link structure includes two hitch tubes angled with
respect to each other and having forward ends connected by upper
and lower hitch plates welded to the tubes. The plates include weld
cutouts designed so the same plates can be used with a variety of
different hitch tube angles, depending on the width of the
mainframe hitch mount-up. Three apertures in the forward end of
each of the plates receive bolts which connect the selected hitch
link to the plates. The apertures also act as weld fixturing
locators to speed hitch construction. The weld cutouts, in
generally a half moon configuration, facilitate low cost fillet
welds at easily accessible locations regardless of hitch tube angle
and facilitate fillet weld connections in relatively lowly stressed
areas. The lower plate is apertured to define an intermediate
support hole for the safety chain, and the central bolt connecting
the hitch link also attaches to the safety chain so the chain is
accommodated without additional parts.
Inventors: |
Mosdal, Brian Thomas;
(Ankeny, IA) ; Noonan, James Thomas; (Johnston,
IA) ; Parker, Paul David; (Ankeny, IA) ;
Payne, David Alan; (Urbandale, IA) ; Royer, Anthony
Scott; (Adel, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Deere & Company
One John Deere Place
Moline
IL
61265-8098
US
|
Family ID: |
24120429 |
Appl. No.: |
09/946052 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09946052 |
Aug 30, 2001 |
|
|
|
09532116 |
Mar 21, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/504 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60D 2001/008 20130101;
B60D 1/167 20130101; B60D 1/075 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/504 ;
280/507 |
International
Class: |
B60D 001/14 |
Claims
1. In a implement adapted for connection to a towing vehicle for
forward movement over the ground, hitch structure comprising: first
and second hitch tubes converging in the forward direction at an
angle relative to each other depending on implement size, the hitch
tubes having forward ends in close proximity to each other, the
forward ends including upper and lower surfaces extending generally
parallel to each other; an upper plate extending between the tubes
over the upper surfaces; a lower plate extending between the tubes
below the lower surfaces; the plates having preselected
configurations including notches with sides located adjacent the
upper and lower surfaces; and welds connecting the sides of the
notches with the upper and lower surfaces.
2. The hitch structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the notches
align with the surfaces over different preselected angles to
facilitate welded connections of the hitch tubes at the different
angles so that the preselected configurations can be utilized to
manufacture hitches for different implement sizes and types.
3. The hitch structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein the notches
open rearwardly and the sides extend generally in the direction of
the hitch tubes.
4. The hitch structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the plates
are apertured, and including a hitch link connected by bolts
extending through apertures in the plates, wherein the apertures
provide fixturing locations for the hitch structure during
manufacture of the hitch structure.
5. The hitch structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of the
plates includes an aperture, and further including a safety chain
received in the aperture.
6. The hitch structure as set forth in claim 5 including a hitch
link, a bolt connecting the hitch link to the plates, and wherein
the bolt also connects the safety chain to the plates so that the
safety chain is connected to the plates without need for additional
connecting hardware.
7. The hitch structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the plates
are connected to the forward ends exclusively by welds extending
between the plates and the top and bottom surfaces.
8. In an implement adapted for connection to a towing vehicle for
forward movement over the ground, hitch structure comprising: a
fore-and-aft extending hitch tube having a forward end, the forward
end having a hollow cross section with first and second sets of
opposed walls, the first walls spaced apart a first distance; a
first plate including first notched areas defining first notches
spaced the first distance apart; a second plate including second
notched areas defining second notches spaced the first distance
apart; wherein the first and second plates are partially inserted
into the forward end with the notches receiving the first walls;
and welds connecting the notched areas with the first walls.
9. The hitch structure as set forth in claim 8 including a hitch
link connected between the plates forwardly of the forward end of
the hitch tube.
10. The hitch structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein the first
and second plates are offset inwardly from the second set of
opposed walls.
11. The hitch structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein the notches
have a preselected notch length, and the welds extend along a
portion of the notch length, and wherein a substantial portion of
the notched areas is located within the hitch tube and remains
substantially unwelded.
12. The hitch structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein the second
plate includes an aperture, and further comprising a chain
extending through the aperture.
13. The hitch structure as set forth in claim 12 including a hitch
link, and wherein the first and second plates include
bolt-receiving holes, and bolts extending through the holes and the
hitch link to secure the hitch link between the plates, one of the
bolts connected to the chain to secure the chain to the hitch
structure independently of additional fasteners.
14. In an implement adapted for connection to a towing vehicle for
forward movement over the ground, hitch structure comprising: first
and second fore-and-aft extending hitch tubes converging in the
forward direction at an angle relative to each other depending on
implement size, the hitch tubes having forward ends in close
proximity to each other, the forward ends including surfaces
generally lying in a plane; a plate positioned against the surfaces
and extending between the hitch tubes, the plate including a
rearward portion having notches opening in the rearward direction
adjacent the surfaces, the notches including inner rounded portions
and generally parallel sidelegs extending rearwardly from the
rounded portions; and welds connecting the plate to the surfaces,
the welds extending generally in the fore-and-aft direction between
portions of the notches adjacent the parallel sidelegs and the
surface.
15. The hitch structure as set forth in claim 14 wherein the plate
includes an apertured portion, and a hitch link connected to the
plate by bolts extending through the apertured portion.
16. The hitch structure as set forth in claim 15 including a chain
connected to one of the bolts and extending through an opening in
the plate.
17. The hitch structure as set forth in claim 14 wherein areas of
the plate along the rounded portions of the notches comprise highly
stressed areas and are characterized by the absence of a weld in
the highly stressed areas.
18. The hitch structure as set forth in claim 15 wherein the
notches align with the surface over different preselected angles to
facilitate welded connections of the hitch tubes at the different
angles so that substantially identically configured plates can be
utilized to manufacture hitches having different hitch tube angles.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1) Field of the Invention:
[0002] The present invention relates generally to pull-type
agricultural implements and, more specifically, to a hitch for such
implements.
[0003] 2) Related Art:
[0004] Conventional hitch and hitch link structures presently used
on drawn implements such as chisel plows, field cultivators and
seeding equipment include numerous parts and require extensive
welding. As a result, these structures are relatively expensive to
manufacture and are more prone to reliability problems. Further,
different implements require different hitch frame angles and
therefore different parts. Different implement main frame widths on
one type of implement require hitch structures of different
dimension. The various fixturing and part requirements for the
varying hitch structures increase the number of parts as well as
the cost and complexity of the manufacturing process.
[0005] Hitch structures also include safety chain mounting
structure. Safety chains are usually attached using a separate set
of bolts and a separate plate for intermediate support, thereby
further increasing the time and number of necessary parts for the
manufacture of the hitch structure.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved hitch link structure. It is a further object to
provide such an improved structure that overcomes most or all of
the aforementioned problems.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an improved hitch link structure that is simpler and less expensive
to manufacture than at least most previously available hitch link
structures. It is a further object to provide such a hitch link
structure that requires a minimum number of parts and which is
higher in quality than at least most of the previous
structures.
[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide an improved hitch link structure wherein common components
can be used for a variety of different hitch tube angles and sizes.
It is yet another object to provide such a structure which
accommodates a safety chain without need for additional
components.
[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
an improved hitch link structure including plates for receiving
different hitch links, the plates including apertures utilized to
connect a link and which facilitate fixturing for hitch
manufacture. It is a further object to provide such structure
wherein one of the plates includes a safety chain intermediate
support hole and one of the bolts connecting the hitch link to the
plates attaches the safety chain to the hitch.
[0010] A hitch link structure constructed in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention includes two hitch tubes angled
with respect to each other and having forward ends connected by
upper and lower hitch plates welded to the tubes. The plates
include weld cutouts designed so the same plates can be used with a
variety of different hitch tube angles, depending on the width of
the mainframe hitch mount-up. Three apertures in the forward end of
each of the plates receive bolts which connect the selected hitch
link, clevis or standard to the plates. The apertures also act as
weld fixturing locators to speed hitch construction. The weld
cutouts, in generally a U-shaped configuration with a rounded inner
portion and parallel sidelegs embracing the sidewalls of the tubes,
facilitate low cost fillet welds at easily accessible and
relatively lowly stressed locations along the sidelegs, outside the
tube, regardless of hitch tube angle.
[0011] The lower plate is apertured to define an intermediate
support hole for the safety chain, and the central bolt connecting
the hitch link also attaches to the safety chain so the chain is
accommodated without additional parts. The hitch construction is
simpler yet stronger and more reliable than most previously
available constructions. In addition, the components are adaptable
to different hitch angles so the number of parts required for
different families of different hitch types is substantially
reduced.
[0012] In a second embodiment of the invention, a single hitch tube
includes a forward end with opposed sets of walls, and a pair of
plates are notched and received over one set of the walls. Welds
adjacent the notched areas connect the plates with the walls at
easily accessible locations. The hitch link and chain are connected
in a manner similar to that described above for the hitch which
includes two angled tubes, and the single tube structure has many
of the same advantages outlined above.
[0013] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art
upon reading the following detailed description in view of the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the link mounting plate
area of an implement hitch showing a first hitch tube angle (solid
lines) and a different hitch tube angle (broken lines).
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the link mounting plate
area of an implement hitch having a single hitch tube.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, therein is shown the forward
portion of an implement 10 such as a field cultivator or chisel
plow. The implement 10 includes hitch structure 12 for connection
to a towing vehicle (not shown) such as a tractor for forward
movement (F) over the ground.
[0017] The hitch structure 12 includes two forwardly converging
hitch tubes 16 and 18 with forward ends 26 and 28 having
rectangular cross sections including parallel top and bottom walls
30, 31 and 32, 33 connected by sidewalls 36, 37 and 38, 39. The
forward ends 26 and 28 are supported with the top walls 30 and 32
lying in a first plane and the bottom walls 31 and 33 lying in a
second plane offset from and parallel to the first plane. The aft
ends (not shown) of the hitch tubes 16 and 18 extend rearwardly to
connections with the implement frame, and the angle of the tubes 16
and 18 relative to each other is dependent on the implement size
and type.
[0018] The forward ends 26 and 28 are supported between first and
second plates 42 and 44 secured to the top and bottom surfaces,
respectively, of the walls 30, 32 and 31, 33. A hitch link 46 is
connected between the plates 42 and 44 at a central location
adjacent the forward ends 26 and 28.
[0019] The hitch plates 42 and 44 include identical notches 50 and
52 opening rearwardly in the direction of the length of the tubes
16 and 18 (only the notches for the plate 42 are shown but the
notches for the plate 44 are similarly shaped and located). The
notches 50 and 52 are U-shaped with the sidelegs of the U being
parallel and extending over the top walls 30 and 32 and under the
bottom walls 31 and 31 inwardly from the respective sidewalls. The
bight portion of the U-shaped configuration is generally
semicircular. The configuration and location of the notches 50 and
52 accommodates a variety of hitch tube angles (see, for example,
the broken lines of FIG. 1) while retaining the legs of the
U-shaped configurations adjacent the respective walls 30 - 33
without interruption. Edge portions 56 and 58 of the notches 50 and
52 are welded rearwardly of the semicircular portion of each notch
along the sidelegs. The resulting fillet welds are strong and in
easily accessible locations for improved manufacturability. High
stress areas around the semicircular portions remain unwelded to
reduce or eliminate incidences of stress cracks and improve
reliability. Because the notches 50 and 52 align properly with the
top and bottom walls of the hitch tubes for many different tube
angles, the same plates 42 and 44 can be utilized for a variety of
hitch types and implement sizes.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, forward central portions of the plates
42 and 44 are apertured to receive bolts 61, 62 and 63 which extend
through corresponding apertures in the hitch link 46 to secure the
link between the plates forwardly of the tubes 16 and 18. In
addition to receiving the bolts 61 - 63 which secure the hitch link
46, the apertures in the plates 42 and 44 provide fixturing
locations during manufacturing.
[0021] The lower plate 44 includes a rectangularly shaped opening
70 outwardly of the forward end 28 of the tube 18 to provide
intermediate support for a safety chain 72. One end 74 of the chain
is secured to the hitch structure by the bolt 61 and a nut 76 and
large washer (not shown). An opposite end 78 of the chain is
connected to the towing vehicle. Making the chain support integral
with the hitch plate and using the hitch link connecting bolt to
secure the chain reduces the number of necessary parts and the cost
of manufacturing.
[0022] In another embodiment of the invention (FIG. 2), a hitch
structure 82 includes a single fore-and-aft extending tube 86 of
rectangular cross section with top and bottom walls 90 connected by
sidewalls 92. The tube 86 has a leading end 96 opening in the
forward direction (F). The leading end 96 defines a tube edge 98
which generally lies in an upright plane. First and second plates
102 and 104 are secured to the leading end 96 and support a hitch
link 106 adapted for attachment to a towing vehicle. A safety chain
108 is supported by the hitch structure 82.
[0023] The first or upper plate 102 includes rearwardly opening
notches at 112 which are transversely spaced a distance
approximately equal to the distance between the sidewalls 92, and
the width of the notches is slightly larger than the width of the
sidewalls 92. The notches at 112 include sides which extend
parallel to each other and parallel to the sidewalls 92. The second
or lower plate 104 includes rearwardly opening notches at 114 which
are spaced and configured generally identically to those at 112 in
the plate 102.
[0024] The first plate 102 is positioned in the leading end 96 with
the sides of the notches at 112 embracing the inner and outer
surfaces of the sidewalls 92. Fillet welds at locations 118 and 120
between the upper portions of the outer sides of the notches at 112
and the outer surfaces of the sidewalls 92 secure the plate 102 to
the tube 86 in slightly offset, parallel relationship with the top
wall 90. The four weld locations are easily accessible and provide
a strong, reliable connection of the plate 102 with the tube 86.
Welds at extremely highly stressed areas of the plate 102 are
avoided. Similarly, the plate 104 is positioned in the leading end
96 below and parallel to the plate 102, offset slightly above the
bottom wall of the tube 86. The sides of the notches at 114 embrace
the sidewalls 92, and fillet welds are provided at locations 122
and 124 in a generally identical manner to the welds 118 and 120
for the plate 102. Again, the weld locations are easily accessible
and provide a strong, reliable connection between the plate 104 and
the tube 86.
[0025] Bolts 131,132 and 133 extending through aligned holes in the
plates 102 and 104 and through corresponding holes in the hitch
link 106 secure the hitch link in a central, forward position
relative to the leading end 96 of the tube 86. The leading side of
the lower plate 104 is apertured at 140 to provide an intermediate
support for the chain 108. One end of the chain 108 is connected to
the bolt 131 with a nut 146 and a large washer (not shown).
[0026] Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become
apparent that various modifications can be made without departing
from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *