Self-centering device for quick hooking and release of farm tools provided with a hydraulic hoister

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-centering device for quick hooking and release of farm tools, having the tractor provided with a hydraulic hoister, comprising a first substantially triangular male element (2), preferably coupled to said tractor, a second substantially triangular female element (1), preferably coupled to said farm tool to be hooked, said first (2) and second (1) substantially triangular elements being coupable each other by fixed joint by the effect of the weight of the same tool to be hooked, coupling and releasing means (9) of said two elements (2, 1) being provided, operable directly from the tractor.

Description: The present invention relates to a self-centering device for quick hooking and release of farm tools, having the tractor provided with a hydraulic hoister (see US-A-2 888 995). More particularly, the invention relates to a device of the above kind that allows to remarkably improve the hooking and the release of farm tools to the tractor provided with a hydraulic hoister. Today, for this kind of work rather complex apparatuses exist, said apparatuses don't allowing a one shot hooking. At present, the main drawback is due to the fact that the tractor driver in order to hook the tool on the three usual hooking points is obliged, if alone, to get on and to get off more than once from the driving seat and to make numerous adjustment of the coupling devices. Further, the worker must perform a certain number of operations in order to put the tractor and the toll along the same axis, said tool having previously being left (at the moment of releasing after the previous use) conveniently in a flat position, otherwise it is necessary to manually arrange the same with consequent drawbacks due to the remarkable weights and to the often asymmetrical constructive shapes. Thus, summarising, the present solutions require for the hooking the presence of two workers, with the risk of injures, a remarkable waste of time (four or five minutes or even more), and the tool horizontally of vertically aligned with the tractor. The device proposed according to the present invention allows to eliminate the above drawbacks, provoking the coupling of the tool by the simple lifting of the tractor hydraulic hoister, even if the two elements are not perfectly aligned on the same plane (the solution allows a misalignment up to 11 degrees) and out of alignment (even of an angle of 18 degrees). Further, the solution according to the invention, employing a third hooking hydraulically adjustable point, allows to reach an out of plane angle, acceptable for the hooking operation, up to 30 degrees or more. It is therefore specific object of the present invention to provide a device for quick hooking and release of farm tools, according to claim 1 Particular embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. The present invention will be now described for illustrative, but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference of the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a top view of the second element of the device according to the invention; figure 2 is a top view of the first element of the device according to the invention; figure 3 is a section view along line A-A of figure 1; figure 4 is a view from the direction of line B-B of figure 2; figure 5 is a section view along the line C-C of figure 1; figure 6 is a section view along line D-D of figure 2; and figure 7 is a section view along the line D-D- of figure 4. Observing now the figures of the enclosed drawings, it can be noted the device according to the invention made up of two coupling triangular elements 1 (figure 1) and 2 (figure 2), realized employing "C" shaped section bars having opened wings (see sections C-C and D-D - respectively figures 5 and 6), of 510 type steel, coupled by electrowelding. The triangular element 2 provided with male section bars is previously mounted on three points of the tractor hoister (not shown) by fixing plates 3, 4 and 5. In view of the reduced dimensions, the triangular element 1 must not be removed in order to allow the coupling of fittings not employing the hoister (for example the trailer or the transport trolley). The triangular element 1 having receiving or female section bars must be suitably prearranged on the tool couplings 6, 7 and 8, by suitable adapter bolted plates and/or pins (not shown); in order to obtain the maximum functionality in view of the low costs and the simplicity, each tool (plow, harrow, etc.) can be provided with a fixed female 1, permanently mounted. At the moment of the use of the device, it is sufficient to approach the tractor to the tool, to lift the hoister until provoking the fixed coupling of the two triangular elements 1 and 2 and the lifting from the ground of the same tool, which in view of the particular shape of the section bars, will be self-centering on the male triangular element 2 coupled to the tractor. IN order to complete the hooking, the tractor driver, without getting off from the vehicle, will couple a latch pin 9 (see figures 4 and 7) provided above on the triangular male element 2, and that will block the female triangular element 1 on the male 2, until when making the opposite operation on the latch 9 and making the contrary operations previously described, the tool will be released from the tractor. The particular shape of the section bars of the elements 1 and 2 (section C-C and D-D, figures 5 and 6) guarantees the stiffness and the strength of the coupling. To complete the full functionality of the device according to the invention, on purpose studied and provided with the same, there is a series of adapter plates (not shown), allowing to the finding the universal use with all the kind of tractors and of tools. The present invention has been described for illustrative, but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims: Device for quick hooking and release of farm tools, having the tractor provided with a hydraulic hoister, comprising a first substantially triangular male element (2), a second substantially triangular female element (1), coupling and releasing means (9) for said two elements (1,2), operable directly from the tractor, whereby said first substantially triangular male element (2) is coupled to the tractor and said second substantially triangular female element (1) is coupled to the farm tool, characterized in that said first element (2) has an hexagonal cross-section and said second element (1) has a cross-section with opened wings, said first (2) and second (1) elements being coupable each other by the effect of the weight of the same tool and being self-centering during their coupling. Device according to claims 1 characterized in that said first substantially triangular element (2) is coupled to the tractor by three fixing plates (3,4,5). Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said second substantially triangular element (1) is coupled to the tool to be hooked and released by three couplings (6,7,8). Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said coupling is realized by bolted plates and/or pins. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling and releasing means is ma de up of a latch pin (9) provided on said first substantially triangular element (2). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided a series of adapter universal plates and/or bolted extensions, on purpose studied, allowing the use of the device with any brand, king and size of tractor, having any power, and the application to any farm tool having standard couplings of the different sizes.

Inventors: BOBBI ALFREDO, BOBBI ARMANDO, BOBBI, ALFREDO, BOBBI, ARMANDO
Applicants: BOBBI ALFREDO, BOBBI ARMANDO, BOBBI, ALFREDO, BOBBI, ARMANDO
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A01B59
IPC codes: A01B59