Automatically setting draw pin assembly

Abstract: A draw pin assembly (10) includes a hammer strap (14) that mounts on the drawbar (12) and a draw pin (40) that extends through aligned draw pin holes (32,34) in the hammer strap (14) and drawbar (12). A latch mechanism supports the draw pin (40) in a retracted position while a trigger (56) in the hitch-receiving space (39) of the assembly releases the latch when a towed implement hitch comes into the proper alignment with the draw pin. An automatic locking mechanism is used to lock the draw pin (40) against inadvertent release. In one embodiment, the draw pin is fully recessed into the hammer strap when set and the latch and locking functions are provided by a loop type handle (44) connected to the draw pin. This eliminates any elements projecting above the hammer strap (14) to maximize the clearance for a tractor power takeoff.

Description: The present invention relates to vehicle couplings, especially of the agricultural draw pin type. Conventional practice in coupling an implement hitch to a draw bar using a draw pin has been to align the draw bar of the towing vehicle with the towed implement hitch, and then to couple the two with the draw pin. While certain practical power-operated devices have been introduced recently, manual hook-up is still the norm. One form of automated draw pin assembly comprises: a draw bar assembly with a draw bar and a hammer strap with respective draw pin holes and a hitch-receiving space between the draw bar and the hammer strap; a draw pin movable between a retracted position engaged in the draw pin hole in the hammer strap and clear of the hitch-receiving space between the draw bar and the hammer strap, and a set position with the draw pin extending through the aligned draw pin holes in the draw bar and the hammer strap; latch means having a supporting position for latching the draw pin in the retracted position, and a released position releasing the draw pin to move into the set position; and trigger means projecting into the hitch-receiving space between the draw bar and the hammer strap for engaging an implement hitch entering the space, the trigger means including means responsive to engagement of the hitch with the trigger means for releasing the latch means to allow the draw pin to fall into the set position in engagement with the hitch, the draw bar and the hammer strap. An assembly of this type is disclosed in US 2,442,439. In that assembly, the latch means is an elaborate spring-loaded linkage mounted on top of the upper hitch plate. This is more complex than what is desired for the harsh and demanding conditions of modem agricultural uses. This assembly will interfere with the use of a power take off (PTO) on a tractor with which it is used. This interference is further augmented by the current trend in draw bar design to use a hammer strap on the draw bar to provide a clevis type connection to the hitch of the towed implement. This further raises the height of the basic draw bar assembly to the extent that, when the draw pin is installed, there may be insufficient clearance for the tractor PTO. This effect is augmented with any draw pin setting mechanism like that described above which extends above the hammer strap. According to the present invention a draw pin assembly of the above type is characterised in that: when the draw pin is in the set position, the top end of the draw pin is recessed fully into the hammer strap, and the latch means are below the top end of the draw pin. Thus, when the draw pin is set, no part of the assembly extends above the top of the hammer strap. This provides the maximum clearance for the tractor PTO. Preferably, the assembly includes a lock that is engaged automatically when the draw pin has set to prevent the inadvertent release of the draw pin. Preferred embodiments are characterised in that: the assembly includes a loop handle pivotally mounted on the draw pin; the hammer strap includes a recess for receiving a portion of the handle adjacent to the draw pin when the draw pin is in the set position; and the hammer strap has a lock seat with which the handle may be engaged to prevent the draw pin being forced out of the set position. In a preferred embodiment of the assembly, the latch means comprises the loop handle and a cradle in the top of the hammer strap, the handle has a latching position engaged with the cradle and supporting the draw pin in the retracted position. In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention; Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a view along line 2-2 of Figure 1. Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a draw pin assembly 10 including a draw bar 12 of conventional form and a hammer strap 14 mounted on the draw bar. The hammer strap 14 has a base section 16 that is fixed to the draw bar 12 using two bolts 18 and 20. The bolt 20 is also used to fasten a C-shaped chain support 22 to the draw bar 12. An offset section 24 of the hammer strap 14 projects upwardly from the base section 16. It includes two side plates 26 separated by an open centre zone 28. Extending from the offset section rearwardly over the draw bar 12 is an arm 30 of the hammer strap 14 that has a draw pin hole 32 aligned with a draw pin hole 34 of the draw bar 12. Across the top of the hammer strap 14, intersecting the draw pin hole 34 of the draw bar 12. Across the top of the hammer strap 14, intersecting the draw pin hole 32, is a slot 36, the function of which will be described more fully in the following. Front faces 38 of the side plates 26 converge towards the centre to provide a "cup" for centring an implement hitch (not shown) entering into a space 39 between the draw bar 12 and the hammer strap 14. A draw pin 40 fits into the two draw pin holes 32 and 34. In the set position illustrated in solid lines in Figure 1, the draw pin is recessed fully into the hammer strap so that there is no projection above the top face of the hammer strap. The draw pin is equipped with a loop type handle 44 with lateral sections 46 projecting diametrically from the draw pin, near the top end. The lateral sections merge into two arms 48 which in turn merge into opposite ends of a cross arm 50. The handle pivots freely on the draw pin, about the axis of the two lateral sections 46. A cradle 52 is formed in the top of the hammer strap, forwardly from the draw pin hole. In the retracted position of the draw pin, shown in ghost lines in Figure 1, the cross arm 50 engages in the cradle 52 so that the handle 44 will act as a latch member supporting the draw pin in the retracted position. Immediately forwardly from the cradle 52, the side plates of the hammer strap have surfaces 53 that slope downwardly and to the front. Below the sloping face 53 and above the base 14, each side plate has a lateral stop notch 54. When the draw pin is in the set position, as illustrated in solid lines in Figure 1, the handle falls into the stop notch 54. The lateral sections 46 of the handle engage in the slot 36 and support the draw pin in the set position. Any force tending to urge the draw pin up will pull the handle into the stop notch 54, preventing movement of the draw pin. To release the draw pin, the handle 44 is simply pivoted upwardly out of the stop notch and used to raise the draw pin. The assembly 10 is equipped with a trigger 56. This is an inverted, T-shaped component with two base pins 58 extending across the top of the drawbar and retained in place by two grooves 60 immediately in front of the hitch-receiving space 39. The upright arm 62 slopes upwardly and into the hitch-receiving space 39 and extends up to the top of the hammer strap where it is seated between the two side plates 26, against the front of the arm 30. The top end of the trigger arm 62 extends into the cradle 52. When an implement hitch engages the trigger 56, it is pivoted to the front, dislodging the handle 44 from the cradle 52, so that the handle no longer supports the draw pin. The draw pin will then drop into place and the handle will slide down the front of the hammer strap into the stop notch 54. In some instances it may be desired to ensure against inadvertent release of the handle from the stop notch. In such a case, a retainer 64 (Figure 1) may be mounted on the hammer strap using lateral bores 66 in the side plates 26. When desired, this may be positioned to retain the handle in the stop notch. The retainer can be used if it is desired to mount the hammer strap on the bottom side of the drawbar. To hook up, the tractor is backed up until the implement hitch aligns with the tractor hammer strap. This is facilitated by a cupped section 68 at the back end of the hammer strap which guides the implement hitch into proper alignment. The implement hitch will push back on the unlocking trigger 62, releasing the draw pin. The draw pin then drops into the space between the hammer strap and the draw bar. Depending on the size of the hole in the implement hitch, the draw pin will pass through the hitch and into the draw pin hole 34 in the draw bar, or it will remain partway set until the implement hitch is drawn slightly to the rear so that the implement hitch is fully aligned with the draw pin. When the draw pin sets fully, the handle 44 assumes the locked position, thus automatically locking the coupling. While one particular embodiment of the invention has been described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. The invention is to be construed as limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: A draw pin assembly comprising: a draw bar assembly with a draw bar (12) and a hammer strap (14) with respective draw pin holes (34, 32) and a hitch-receiving space (39) between the draw bar and the hammer strap; a draw pin (40) movable between a retracted position engaged in the draw pin hole (32) in the hammer strap and clear of the hitch-receiving space (39) between the draw bar and the hammer strap, and a set position with the draw pin extending through the aligned draw pin holes in the draw bar and the hammer strap; latch means (44) having a supporting position for latching the draw pin in the retracted position, and a released position releasing the draw pin to move into the set position; and trigger means (56) projecting into the hitch-receiving space between the draw bar and the hammer strap for engaging an implement hitch entering the space, the trigger means including means responsive to engagement of the hitch with the trigger means for releasing the latch means to allow the draw pin to fall into the set position in engagement with the hitch, the draw bar and the hammer strap, characterised in that: when the draw pin (40) is in the set position, the top end of the draw pin (40) is recessed into the hammer strap (14), and the latch means (44) are below the top end of the draw pin (40). An assembly according to claim 1, further comprising lock means (64) for locking the draw pin (40) in the set position in response to movement of the draw pin to the set position. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the latch means comprise a latch member (44) with supporting and locking positions for retaining the draw pin (40) in the retracted and set positions respectively. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein the hammer strap (14) includes a lock seat (54) for engaging the latch member (64) in the locking position thereof, and for preventing movement of the draw pin (40) from the set position. An assembly according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the latch member (44) is pivotally connected to the draw pin (40) adjacent to an upper end thereof, and the latch means further comprises a cradle (52) in the hammer strap (14) for engaging the latch member in the supporting position of the latch member to support the draw pin in the retracted position. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the trigger means (56) comprise means (62) for displacing the latch member (44) from engagement with the cradle (52). An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein, in the set position of the draw pin (40), the draw pin is recessed fully into the hammer strap (14). An assembly according to claim 7, wherein the latch member (44) projects laterally from the draw pin (40), and the hammer strap (14) includes a recess (36) for receiving the latch member (44) in the set position of the draw pin. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein the recess (36) in the hammer strap (14) receives a portion of the handle. An assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the latch member (44) is freely pivotable from engagement with the lock seat (54). An assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the latch member comprises a loop handle (44) pivotally mounted on the draw pin (40).

Inventors: OLSON BRIAN R, OLSON, BRIAN, R.
Applicants: OLSON BRIAN R, OLSON, BRIAN, R.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B60D1
IPC codes: B60D1