ATV ball-hitch connected hay bale spike and hay bale suspension system

The present invention relates to a hitching apparatus for use with a vehicle that facilitates the coupling of equipment to a vehicle in a non-hinged manner so as to inhibit the lateral pivot of the equipment in relation to the vehicle. The present invention further relates to a novel hay bale suspension system that may be coupled to a vehicle through the hitching apparatus of the present invention and used to support and enable transportation of a round hay bale.

The present invention relates to a hitching apparatus for use with vehicles, and a hay bale suspension system, for use with a vehicle to transport bales of hay.

Equipment is typically hitched to a vehicle (such as, but not limited to, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV)) by means of a standard trailer-hitch, the combination of which (the tow vehicle and trailer or equipment) form an articulated (hinged) vehicle. This type of hitch presents loss-of-control concerns when traveling over uneven terrain or transporting heavy loads, as the trailer or equipment pivots in association with the rotation of the vehicle and, depending on the load, may tip or otherwise cause the vehicle to lose control or jack-knife. Maneuvering in reverse is also difficult with the standard trailer-hitch connection between the vehicle and the equipment. Therefore, there is a need in the art to hitch equipment to a vehicle in a non-hinged manner such that the loss of control concerns are eliminated or substantially precluded. The hitching apparatus of the present invention satisfies this need. This hitching apparatus is particularly useful in coupling a hay bale suspension system to a vehicle in a non-hinged manner such that a hay bale may be suspended and transported.

Referring to the figures, the present invention relates to a hitching apparatus50for use with a vehicle1that facilitates the coupling of equipment to a vehicle in a non-hinged manner so as to inhibit the lateral pivot of the equipment in relation to the vehicle. The present invention further relates to a novel hay bale suspension system10that may be coupled to a vehicle1through the hitching apparatus50of the present invention and used to support and enable transportation of, what is preferably, a round hay bale100.

The hitching apparatus50generally comprises a hitch bar51, means to secure the same to the rear of a vehicle1, and means by which equipment can be coupled to the hitch bar51, and thereby vehicle1, in a non-hinged manner. As shown inFIG. 1, the hitch bar51is configured sufficiently long to stably support connecting arms40of the coupling means in parallel form, as hereinafter described, but short enough so that when used in conjunction with the connecting arms40, neither the arms40nor the hitch bar51interferes with the operation of the remainder of the vehicle1(e.g., the wheels or suspension system).

As shown inFIG. 2, this hitch bar51may be secured to a vehicle1by means of one or more apertures there-through, said apertures being sized to receive the bolt of a ball hitch, preferably under the bottom plate3of the ball hitch. The securing means may also comprise bar clamps52, positioned on the hitch bar51to butt up against the sides of the hitching extension bottom plate3, so as to further stabilize the coupling of the hitch bar51to the ball hitch2and inhibit the lateral pivot of the hitch bar51about the ball hitch bolt. These bar clamps52may be adjustably secured to the hitch bar51by means of bolts and apertures or bolt slots through the bar clamps.

As depicted inFIG. 3, the means to secure the hitch bar51to the vehicle1may further comprise an extension block53when the ball hitch2of the vehicle1is higher off of the ground than desired (which may cause instability in the transport of heavier matters, such as a hay bale100or heavy equipment). In this embodiment, the extension block53is affixed to the top of the hitch bar51by welding, nuts and bolts securing the components together in corresponding apertures, or otherwise. When an extension block53is used with the hitching apparatus50, an aperture on the top plate53A of the block53receives the bolt of the ball hitch2, and bar clamps52may be positioned on said top plate53A to butt up against the sides of the hitching extension bottom plate3. Therefore, the use of the extension block53lowers the position of the hitch bar51in relation to the vehicle1such that the connecting arms may maintain a substantially horizontal orientation when coupling equipment to the hitch bar51.

Further, the hitch bar51may comprise at least one pin54, shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, that is secured to and extends from each end of the hitch bar51. This pin (or pins)54is configured to receive the connecting arms40through apertures in the terminal ends of the connecting arms40. Exposed ends of this pin (or pins)54may have apertures therein to receive a clevis pin, a bolt and nut system, or other similar means to secure a connecting arm40to a pin54.

Equipment, such as the hay bale suspension system10of the present invention, may be coupled to the hitch bar51, and, thus, to the vehicle1, through coupling means comprising two or more connecting arms40. These connecting arms40may be straight or have some corresponding curvature and, through the terminal end apertures, may be coupled to the extending pin or pins54of the hitch bar51. When coupled to the extending pin or pins54, the connecting arms40are generally parallel to each other, with sufficient distance existing between them to maintain the non-hinged coupling of the equipment to the vehicle1. Further, the connecting arms40preferably are coupled to the hitch bar51in a manner so as to maintain a substantially horizontal orientation.

Referring back toFIG. 1, the coupling means may further comprise one or more restrictive arms41that may be placed perpendicularly or diagonally from or near one connecting arm40to the other. Similar to the connecting arms40, the restrictive arm41may have apertures at each terminal end to allow the affixation of the restrictive arm41to a pin54of the hitch bar51. The restrictive arm41, however, may be otherwise coupled to the connecting arms40, the hitch bar51, and the equipment, or any combination thereof, with the purpose of restricting the connecting arms40to a parallel formation. Thereby, the restrictive arm41aids in inhibiting the lateral pivot of the equipment in relation to the vehicle1.

In some embodiments, one or more of the arms40,41may comprise two or more partially overlapping bars having bolt apertures and/or slots configured to allow the lengths of such arms40,41to be adjusted as may be necessary or desirable. Bushings may be used between the connecting arms40and the restrictive arm41, for example on the pin54or rod25, to prevent excessive wear and tear and to tighten the connectivity thereof.

The hay bale suspension system10, one embodiment of which is shown inFIGS. 4,5, and10, that may be coupled to the hitching apparatus50, and, thus, to a vehicle1, preferably comprises a hay spear system20and a pulley system60. The hay spear system20is configured to support a hay bale100during transport thereof. The pulley system60is configured to tilt the hay spear system20such that the pierced hay bale100can be suspended above a ground surface at an angle ranging from more than 1 degree to less than 90 degrees, although preferably between about 30 and 50 degrees, as shown inFIG. 10.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the hay spear system20of the present invention generally comprises at least one spike21, a vertical support22, and the base support23. The vertical support22is affixed to and extends upwardly from the base support23, at or near the center thereof. The spike21is affixed to, and extends perpendicularly from, the vertical support22. This spike21is positioned such that when it is in loading position (as hereinafter described), it can be used to pierce and travel along a cylindrical axis of a hay bale100. The base support23may comprise one or more support posts24projecting from the exterior face23B thereof, positioned on the base support23to support the bottom surface of a hay bale100. The base support23may further comprise base plates24that extend from its terminal sides23C. Rods25may extend through apertures in the base plates24that may couple the hay spear system20to the connecting arms40and, in some embodiments, the restrictive arm41, by passing through terminal apertures of the arms41,42. It should be noted that the hay spear system may be coupled to the connecting arms by coupling means other than the rods25. Readily available hay spear systems that are suitable for use in the present invention include (but are not limited to) a 3-point bale spear manufactured by Leinbach Machinery Company. While this embodiment has been described, other configurations of hay spear systems, varying from the description above, may be used in accordance with the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 6, the hay spear system20further comprises an axle30coupled to the base support23. The axle30may be secured to the base support23by means of the base plates24, using L-shaped brackets32having an aperture there-through configured to receive a rod25of the hay spear system20, and one or more muffler clamps33. These muffler clamps33can be secured around the axle30and extend through additional apertures on the top face of the L-shaped brackets32. The brackets32and clamps33may be secured to the hay spear system20as described above by means of bolts, nuts and/or washers. While this embodiment has been described, other means to secure the axle30to the base support23may be used. The wheels31may then be secured to the ends of this axle30by means such as 4 or 5 lug hubs or other similar means. The length of axle30is preferably configured in size to form a more stable suspension of the hay bale suspension system10. In addition, the hay bale suspension system10is configured such that the axle30and wheels31primarily bear the weight of a suspended hay bale100. This configuration of the hay bale suspension system10ensures that the ball hitch2and a rack4, if connected to the system10, of a vehicle1are not overloaded with the weight of a suspended hay bale100and prevents any undue stress both on these points of connection between the system10and the vehicle1and on the vehicle1itself.

Generally, the pulley system60, an embodiment of which is shown inFIG. 5, comprises two pulleys61A,61B, a winch70, and a cable80, and is configured such that a winding or unwinding of the cable80by the winch70adjusts the tilt of the hay spear system20. One of these pulleys61A may be mounted to a top end of the vertical support22of the hay spear system20. This pulley61A may be provided with a pulley protection assembly62that is configured to protect the rotation of the pulley61A and the winding or unwinding of the cable80about this pulley61A from interference from a pierced hay bale100tilted by the hay spear system20. Meanwhile, the second pulley61B provides additional support to the hay spear system20by applying a lateral opposition pull against the vehicle1, with little dependence on the countervailing weight of the vehicle1. Thus, the strength of the pulley system60is applied to the weight of the hay bale100as the pulley system60tilts the pierced hay bale100off of the ground surface. The configuration and placement of the second pulley61B, however, may depend on the suspension system of the vehicle1.

For a vehicle having a straight axle suspension system, the pulley system60further comprises a vertical post system63, an embodiment of which shown inFIG. 7. This vertical post system63may comprise a vertical post65and means to secure said post65to the system63. The second pulley61B may be affixed to this vertical post65through the use of brackets, nuts, and bolts, or other similar components. As shown inFIG. 7, the vertical post system63may be configured to secure to the ball hitch2of the vehicle1and to a rack4or to the top rear surface of the vehicle1. Securing the vertical post system63to two areas of the vehicle1provides greater stability to the hay bale suspension system10that may be desirable when the system10is applied to straight axle suspension vehicles.

Specific embodiments of the vertical post system63may vary depending on the structure of the vehicle1. For example, a horizontal beam64may be used to remove the vertical post65of the system63a distance from the ball hitch2such that the post65may rise higher than the rear of the vehicle1and secure to the vehicle rack4. Apertures along a length of this horizontal beam64allows for adjustments in the placement of the vertical post65in relation thereto. Alternatively, when the horizontal beam is not necessary, the vertical post65may be coupled to the ball hitch2by means of a ball hitch extension and a ball hitch coupler67, as shown inFIG. 8. This ball hitch coupler67may be configured to secure, with the aid of locking pins or other similar devices, over top of a ball hitch2and to the vertical post65, thereby conjoining the two.

The vertical post system63may be affixed to the rack4of the vehicle1by means of one or more rack brackets66. These rack brackets66are configured to secure the vertical post65to the vehicle rack4while allowing suspension movement of the vehicle1found in single axle vehicles. More specifically, these rack brackets66may be secured to the vertical post65in a manner that enables the brackets66to pivot along a vertical axis as the rack4rises or falls with changes in the stress placed on a vehicle's single axle suspension. The rack brackets66may comprise brackets, pins, nuts, and bolts, or other devices, and any combination thereof. To allow adjustment of the placement of the pulley61B and rack bracket66along the vertical post65, as may be required to accommodate different vehicle designs, the vertical post65may have multiple apertures along the length thereof to receive at varying heights securing means (such as bolts and nuts) for the bracket66and pulley61B.

Alternatively, for a vehicle having an independent suspension system, the pulley system60comprises a plate90, rather then vertical post system63described above. This plate90, shown inFIG. 9, comprises a plurality of apertures and is secured to the rear frame of the vehicle1through at least one of these apertures with any of the aforementioned securing means, preferably in a position above the hitching extension3but below the top rear of the vehicle1. This position of the plate90provides greater stabilization to the hay bale suspension system10when tilting and transporting a hay bale100. An eye bolt91or other similar device may be secured to the plate90to receive a snap hook or other securing device coupled to the second pulley61B such that the second pulley61B is bound to the plate90.

The winch70of the pulley system60, an embodiment of which is shown inFIG. 5, may be secured to the hay spear system20by means of an L-shaped plate73. The out-facing surface of the plate73is secured to both the base support23and the vertical support22of the hay spear system20such that a top of this out-facing surface may support and be secured to the winch70.

While a manually operated winch may be used, your inventors prefer to use a powered winch70having a torque of at least2,000pounds. The winch can easily be powered by the battery of the vehicle1. Preferably, the electrical connection71of the winch70is positioned such that the connection71is not damaged, pinched, or otherwise compromised by the operation of the hay bale suspension system10. This positioning of the electrical connection71, which may be bound by a flexible plastic tube to provide further protection, may be provided by a wire support74that is secured to the vertical support22of the hay spear system20. The wire support74comprises an aperture through which the electrical connection71may pass before traveling to the battery. This electrical connection71may be interrupted by a power switch72that controls the electrical output from the battery to the winch70. By way of example only, the winch70may be connected by a Quick-Connect power supply and, having its core rotation controlled by an in/out remote controller.

The cable80of the pulley system60generally is configured such that one end of the cable80is secured to and partially wound around the winch70, while a second end of the cable80, after passing about the pulleys61A and61B of the pulley system60, is secured to the vertical support22of the hay spear system20via a snap hook or other securing device. The winch70may then be used to wind additional cable around its core, thereby causing the hay spear system20to tilt along a vertical axis of rotation established by the axle30of the system20. Similarly, the winch70may be used to unwind the cable80, causing the hay spear system20to tilt along this vertical axis back toward the ground surface.

It is contemplated by the present invention that the vehicle1to which the hay bale suspension system10may be applied need not necessarily be an all-terrain vehicle. Rather, the vehicle1may be a tractor, truck, automobile, or any other similarly functioning device having a hitching device extending from the vehicle1. Use of the present invention with such alternative vehicles, however, may result in substantially more hitch weight and be more dependent on the countervailing weight of such vehicle. It is further contemplated by the present invention that equipment that may be secured to a vehicle1through the hitching apparatus50of the present invention is not limited to the hay bale suspension system10. Rather, equipment, such as, but not limited to, a rack, may be non-pivotally connected by the hitching apparatus50to a vehicle1.

For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention it is noted that the term “device” is utilized herein to represent a combination of components and individual components, regardless of whether the components are combined with other components.