Patent ID: 7975776
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: A01B

Abstract:
1. A hitch for towing an agricultural implement behind a vehicle licensed to navigate public roadways, the hitch comprising: a base member comprising: an elongated shank having a substantially rectangular cross section, to be at least partially inserted into a substantially rectangular interior passage defined by a receiver coupled to the vehicle to couple the hitch to the vehicle, and a lower portion disposed at a vertical elevation lower than a plane of the shank when the shank is at least partially received within the receiver coupled to the vehicle; a connector assembly comprising a transverse member supporting a first adjustable segment comprising a connector adjacent a first lateral end of the first adjustable segment and a second connector adjacent a second lateral end of the transverse member opposite the first lateral end, the first and second connectors each being adapted to cooperate with different portions of a three-point fastener configuration provided to the agricultural implement, wherein the first adjustable segment being adjustable relative to the transverse member to adjust a lateral distance separating the first and second connectors substantially in a plane of the transverse member; a hinge assembly for pivotally coupling the connector assembly to the base member; and an actuator coupled adjacent one end to the lower portion of the base member and adjacent another end to the connector assembly, the actuator being extendable to pivot the transverse member about the hinge assembly to selectively elevate the first and second connectors relative to the base member towards an upper travel limit and being retractable to pivot the transverse member about the hinge assembly to selectively lower the transverse member towards a lower travel limit, wherein the upper travel limit is vertically above the shank and the lower travel limit is vertically below the shank when the hitch is coupled to the vehicle.