Abstract:
A method and apparatus for use with an agricultural implement assembly that includes a support frame, a wing frame and a cylinder assembly that includes a cylinder and a rod, each of the support frame, wing frame, cylinder and rod being an assembly component, the rod moving relative to the cylinder between an unlatched position and a latched position as the support and wing frames move from an operating position toward a transport position, the apparatus comprising a first coupler supported by one of the assembly components and moving along a pathway as the wing frame moves from the operating position toward the transport position, a second coupler supported at least in part within the pathway by at least another of the assembly components, the second coupler operable to couple with the first coupler when the rod is in the latched position and a latch inhibiting member that is manually moveable between a latch inhibiting position and a latch enabling position, when in the inhibiting position, the inhibiting member inhibiting coupling between the first and second couplers so that rod movement with respect to the cylinder along the pathway is unrestricted by the couplers.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     This invention relates to apparatus for use on mobile machines with laterally extending devices and more specifically to mobile agricultural machines that have wing frame tool bars arranged in pivotally connected sections wherein one or more of the sections can be pivoted upward away from the ground to an elevated transport position.  
         [0004]     Various mobile machines, especially mobile agricultural machines, include earth working implements arranged on laterally extending tool bars or wing frames. To accommodate transportation of such a machine along a highway, means are provided for pivotally swinging or folding one or more of the wing frames upwardly from a lowered ground-engaging operating position to a raised, inactive transport position.  
         [0005]     Various conventional or non-conventional actuators may be employed to raise the wing frames. Once the wing frames are raised to the inactive transport position, mechanical or hydraulic locking systems are engaged to prevent the inadvertent lowering of the wing frames. For example, wing frames are typically raised with hydraulic actuators. In such a situation hydraulic fluid leakage in the valves, seals, lines, fittings or other places have been known to permit the weight of the wing frames, or other imposed forces, to cause the wing frames to be lowered in the absence of locking systems.  
         [0006]     Mechanical wing frame locking systems typically require that the operator raise the wing frame by operating the controls on the machine, dismount the machine and walk to the wing frame, insert a locking pin to secure each wing frame to a portion of the main frame, and then mount the machine again.  
         [0007]     In addition to the disadvantages inherent in this labor intensive process, it is possible for the operator to forget or purposefully decide not to carry out the wing frame locking process altogether to save time. Further, even if the wing frames are properly locked in the raised positions, it is possible for the operator to forget to remove the locking pins before operating the actuators to lower the wing frames. This can cause damage to the machinery.  
         [0008]     Attempts to overcome the disadvantages of mechanical locking pin systems for maintaining wing frames in the raised transport positions have involved the use of automatically operated lock-up systems employing hydraulic actuators. Such lock-up systems are expensive, requiring the use of additional hydraulic piston-cylinder actuators, valves, and hoses.  
         [0009]     Other attempts to overcome the disadvantages of mechanical locking pin systems for maintaining wing frames in the raised transport positions and for automatically decoupling wing frames when the frames are to be lowered have involved modifying several of the system components including, for instance, adding features to the wing frames, adding complex linkage components between the cylinders and the wing frames, etc. While these solutions work in theory, these solutions often increase overall costs as modifications to several components and additional components are required.  
         [0010]     In addition, in at least some cases, these solutions require relatively complex linkages that require additional maintenance and are prone to malfunction. For instance, in at least some of these cases mechanical interaction between relatively small components is required to transfer forces along specific trajectories where the relative movements of components can be hampered or even blocked by field debris that becomes lodged between adjacent components.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     At least some inventive embodiments include an apparatus for use with an agricultural implement assembly that includes a trailer frame, a wing frame and a cylinder assembly that includes a cylinder and a rod, each of the trailer frame, wing frame, cylinder and rod being an assembly component, the cylinder linked to a first of the trailer frame and the wing frame and the rod linked to a second of the trailer fame and the wing frame, the rod moving relative to the cylinder between an unlatched position and a latched position as the first component moves with respect to the second component between an operating position and a transport position, the apparatus for selectively limiting rod movement when the rod is in the latched position. Here, in some cases the apparatus includes a first coupler supported by one of the assembly components and moving along a pathway as the wing frame moves from the operating position toward the transport position;, a second coupler supported at least in part within the pathway by at least another of the assembly components, the second coupler operable to couple with the first coupler when the rod is in the latched position and a latch inhibiting member mounted to one of the assembly components, the inhibiting member proximate at least one of the first and second couplers when the rod is in the latched position and manually moveable between a latch inhibiting position and a latch enabling position, when in the inhibiting position, the inhibiting member inhibiting coupling between the first and second couplers so that rod movement with respect to the cylinder along the pathway is unrestricted by the couplers.  
         [0012]     In some embodiments the at least one of the first and second couplers includes a latch member and the other of the first and second couplers includes a catch member, the latch member mounted for movement between a latching position and an unlatching position, the latch and catch couplers coupled when the rod is in the latched position and the latch member is in the latching position and decoupled when the latch member is in the unlatched position, the inhibiting member manually operable to support the latch member in the unlatched position when the inhibiting member is in the inhibiting position.  
         [0013]     In some cases the latch member includes proximal and distal ends and is mounted at the proximal end for pivotal movement, the distal end forming a cavity, when the rod is in the latching position and the inhibiting member is in the enabling position, a first catch member section is received within the cavity to limit extension of the cylinder assembly. In some cases the distal end of the latch member also forms a ramp surface and, as the rod moves toward the latched position, the catch member contacts the ramp surface and forces the latch member toward the unlatching position until the catch member is aligned with the cavity. In some cases the latch member is mounted for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal first axis and the cavity opens downwardly so that gravity tends to force the latch member into the latching position.  
         [0014]     In some embodiments the inhibiting member includes a rigid member that is mounted to the distal end of the latch member proximate the cavity for pivotal movement between the inhibiting and enabling positions and the inhibiting member forms a bearing surface that bears against the catch member to maintain the inhibiting member in the inhibiting position when the rod is in the latched position. In some embodiments the inhibiting member also forms a second ramp surface that resides in the pathway as the rod member moves toward the latched position, the catch member contacting the second ramp surface as the rod moves toward the latched position and forcing the inhibiting member toward the enabling position.  
         [0015]     In some cases the first and second ramp surfaces include lower distal ends and wherein the lower distal end of the second ramp surface extends below the lower distal end of the first ramp surface. In some cases the at least one of the bearing surface and the catch member forms a recess for receiving the other of the bearing surface and the catch member.  
         [0016]     In some other embodiments the first and second couplers are supported by opposite ends of the rod and the cylinder, respectively. In some cases the first coupler includes a first pin member that links a distal end of the rod member to the wing frame and the second coupler includes a latch member mounted via a second pin to the cylinder for pivotal movement between a latching position and an unlatching position, a distal end of the latch member forming a cavity for receiving a portion of the first pin when the rod is in the latched position.  
         [0017]     In some cases the at least one of the first and second couplers includes a latch member moveable between a latching position and an unlatching position and the inhibiter member includes a rigid member supported by one of the first and second couplers for pivotal movement between the inhibiting and enabling positions. In some cases the inhibiting member includes a ramp surface located within the pathway when the rod is moving toward the latched position, the first coupler contacting the ramp surface and forcing the inhibitor toward the enabling position as the rod moves toward the latched position.  
         [0018]     In some embodiments the second member is a latch member that is pivotally mounted for movement between a latching position and an unlatching position and wherein gravity tends to force the latch member into the latching position and the inhibiting member is useable to maintain the latch member in the unlatching position.  
         [0019]     Some embodiments include an apparatus for use with an agricultural assembly that includes a wing frame that moves with respect to a support frame, the apparatus for selectively limiting relative movement of the wing frame with respect to the support frame and comprising a cylinder assembly including a cylinder and a rod where the rod moves with respect to the cylinder between an unlatched extended position and a latched retracted position, the cylinder assembly including opposite first and second ends at opposite ends of the rod and cylinder, respectively, a catch member supported at the first end of the cylinder assembly that moves along a pathway as the rod moves toward the retracted position, the catch member forming a first bearing surface, a latch member including proximal and distal ends, the distal end forming a cavity along a first edge, the latch member linked at the proximal end to the second end of the cylinder assembly for pivotal movement between a latching position and an unlatching position and an inhibiting member including a rigid member forming a second bearing surface, the inhibiting member mounted for pivotal movement to the distal end of the latch member proximate the cavity for movement between an inhibiting position and an enabling position such that, with the rod in the latched position, when the inhibiting member is in the enabling position, at least a portion of the catch member is received in the cavity and when the inhibiting member is in the enabling position, the second bearing surface bears against the first bearing surface and maintains the catch member outside the cavity.  
         [0020]     In some cases the latch member also forms a first ramp surface and wherein, when the rod is in the extended position, the first ramp surface is located at least in part in the pathway such that as the rod moves toward the retracted position along at least a portion of the pathway, the catch member contacts the ramp surface and forces the latch member toward the unlatching position until the catch member is aligned with the cavity. In some cases the inhibiting member includes a second ramp surface and wherein, when the rod is in the extended position, the second ramp surface is located at least in part in the pathway such that as the rod moves toward the latched position along at least a portion of the pathway, the catch member contacts the second ramp surface and forces the inhibiting member toward the enabling position such that, once the catch member is received within the cavity, the inhibiting member is in the enabling position. In some cases the latch member is manually rotatable from the latching position to the unlatching position.  
         [0021]     In some cases, when the latch member is moved to the unlatching position, the inhibiting member pivots into the inhibiting position to maintain the latch member in the unlatching position until the rod is moved from the latched position.  
         [0022]     Still other embodiments include a method for use with an agricultural implement assembly that includes a trailer frame, a wing frame and a cylinder assembly that includes a cylinder and a rod, each of the trailer frame, wing frame, cylinder and rod being an assembly component, the cylinder linked to a first of the trailer frame and the wing frame and the rod linked to a second of the trailer fame and the wing frame, the rod moving relative to the cylinder between an unlatched position and a latched position as the first component moves with respect to the second component between an operating position and a transport position, the method for selectively limiting rod movement when the rod is in the latched position, the method comprising the steps of providing a first coupler supported by one of the assembly components and moving along a pathway as the wing frame moves from the operating position toward the transport position, providing a second coupler supported at least in part within the pathway by at least another of the assembly components, the second coupler operable to couple with the first coupler when the rod is in the latched position and providing a latch inhibiting member mounted to one of the assembly components, the inhibiting member proximate at least one of the first and second couplers when the rod is in the latched position and manually moveable between a latch inhibiting position and a latch enabling position, when in the inhibiting position, the inhibiting member inhibiting coupling between the first and second couplers so that rod movement with respect to the cylinder along the pathway is unrestricted by the couplers.  
         [0023]     In addition, at least some embodiments include an apparatus for use with an agricultural implement assembly that includes first and second members and a cylinder assembly that includes a cylinder and a rod, each of the first member, second member, cylinder and rod being an assembly component, the cylinder linked to one of the first and second members and the rod linked to the other of the first and second members, the rod moving relative to the cylinder between an unlatched position and a latched position as the one of the members moves with respect to the other of the members between first and second positions, the apparatus for selectively limiting rod movement when the rod is in the second position, the apparatus comprising a first coupler supported by one of the assembly components and moving along a pathway as the second member moves from the second position toward the first position, a second coupler supported at least in part within the pathway by at least another of the assembly components, the second coupler operable to couple with the first coupler when the rod is in the latched position and a latch inhibiting member mounted to one of the assembly components, the inhibiting member proximate at least one of the first and second couplers when the rod is in the latched position and manually moveable between a latch inhibiting position and a latch enabling position, when in the inhibiting position, the inhibiting member inhibiting coupling between the first and second couplers so that rod movement with respect to the cylinder along the pathway is unrestricted by the couplers.  
         [0024]     In some cases at least one of the first and second couplers includes a latch member and the other of the first and second couplers includes a catch member, the latch member mounted for movement between a latching position and an unlatching position, the latch and catch couplers coupled when the rod is in the latched position and the latch member is in the latching position and decoupled when the latch member is in the unlatching position, the inhibiting member manually operable to support the latch member in the unlatched position when the inhibiting member is in the inhibiting position.  
         [0025]     In some embodiments the latch member includes proximal and distal ends and is mounted at the proximal end for pivotal movement, the distal end forming a cavity, when the rod is in the latching position and the inhibiting member is in the enabling position, a first catch member section is received within the cavity to limit extension of the cylinder assembly. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]      FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of an agricultural implement attached to a tractor where the implement includes cylinder/latch assemblies for raising and lowering wing frames and for locking the wing frames in transport positions;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a is schematic diagram of a side view of one of the cylinder/latch assemblies of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the cylinder/latch assembly of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a latch member of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a latch inhibiting member of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a similar to  FIG. 2 , albeit illustrating the cylinder/latch assembly where a rod is in an extended position;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the assembly of  FIG. 6  where the rod is in the extended position;  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 2 , albeit illustrating the cylinder/latch assembly in an intermediate state;  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  is a an enlarged view of a distal end of the latch member and latch inhibiting member of  FIG. 6  where the latch inhibiting member is shown in phantom;  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  is similar to  FIG. 6 , albeit illustrating another intermediate state;  
         [0036]      FIG. 11  is similar to  FIG. 2 , albeit illustrating a latch in an unlatching position and a latch inhibiting member in a deactivating position; and  
         [0037]      FIG. 12  is similar to  FIG. 9 , albeit illustrating the latch member and latch inhibiting member in the positions shown in  FIG. 11  where the latch inhibiting member is shown in phantom. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0038]     One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39;specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.  
         [0039]     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to similar elements throughout the several views and, more specifically, referring to  FIG. 1 , the present invention will be described in the context of a multi-section implement which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a field cultivator. Cultivator  10  includes an elongated transverse support or trailer frame  11  located on two pairs of laterally offset bogie type ground wheels  12  and  13 . Support frame  11  has a long forwardly extending draft tongue (not labeled or illustrated) for connection to a prime mover (e.g., a tractor) by any suitable means. Also mounted on support frame  11  are laterally spaced downwardly depending spring loaded tooth cultivator shanks  17 .  
         [0040]     Pivotally mounted via suitable hinges to each end of the support frame  11  (when standing to the rear of the implement and looking toward the tractor) is right wing section or frame  18  on pivot axis  18 a having a pair of bogie type ground wheels  20  and tools  17  and left wing section or frame  19  on pivot axis  19 a having bogie wheels  21  and tools  17 . Double acting hydraulic cylinder/latch assembly  22  is pivotally connected to the rear of support frame  11  at the base end and pivotally connected to the right wing frame  18  at the rod end via upwardly extending slotted hole  23  in wing structure  24 . Similar cylinder/latch assembly  26  is pivotally connected to support frame  11  at the base end and pivotally connected to left wing frame  19  at the rod end via slotted hole  27  in similar wing structure  28 . In the working or operating position of the implement (not shown), the cylinders are extended and each wing frame, due to the slot orientation, can float over ground irregularities via the pivot axes without affecting the cylinders. In the folded or transport position of approximately  900  shown in  FIG. 1 , the rod end remains at the end of the slot.  
         [0041]     Referring still to  FIG. 1 , each of cylinder/latch assemblies  22  and  26  is similarly constructed and operates in a similar fashion and therefore, in the interest of simplifying this explanation, only cylinder/latch assembly  26  will be described here in detail. It should suffice to say that automatic and manual operation of cylinder/latch assembly  22  for moving wing frame  18  between the transport position and operating position and for locking frame  18  in the transport position will be similar to that described below.  
         [0042]     Referring still to  FIG. 1  and also to  FIGS. 2 through 6 , cylinder/latch assembly  26  includes a cylinder assembly including cylinder  40  and rod  56 , a cylinder support  50 , first and second cylinder assembly pins  53  and  48 , respectively, a latch or latch member  42 , a latch inhibiting member  44 , a stop pin  64  and a pivot pin  62 . Cylinder support  50  includes rigid extension members that are mounted to a top surface  21  of support frame  11  and extend upward therefrom in a spaced apart fashion as illustrated. In top ends of the extension members that form support  50 , each of the extension members forms a hole and the holes are aligned along a first generally horizontal axis  53  (see  FIG. 3 ).  
         [0043]     The cylinder assembly including cylinder  40  and rod  56  is mounted via pins  52  and  48  between cylinder support  50  and wing frame  28 . To this end, cylinder  40  includes a proximal end  46  that forms a hole (not labeled or illustrated) that is aligned with the holes formed by cylinder support  50  and pin  52  is received therethrough such that proximal end  46  of cylinder  40  can rotate about horizontal axis  53 . Similarly, rod  56  includes a distal end  54  that forms a hole that is aligned with slotted hole  27  formed by wing frame  28 . Pin  48  is received through the hole formed at distal end  54  and the aligned slot  27  so that wing frame  28  can rotate about a second generally horizontal axis  57 .  
         [0044]     As illustrated best in  FIG. 3 , each of pins  52  and  48  is relatively long and extends to one side of the cylinder assembly. When rod  56  is retracted, distal end  54  pulls wing frame  28  inward until the assembly mounted to frame  28  is generally horizontal as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . When in a fully retracted position, hereinafter, unless indicated otherwise, the position of the rod will be referred to as a “latched” position. Referring specifically to  FIG. 6 , when rod  56  is extended, wing frame  28  rotates through approximately  900  and the subassembly attached thereto is in a lowered operating position. Hereinafter, unless indicated otherwise, when rod  56  is fully extended, the position of rod  56  will be referred to as an “unlatched” position.  
         [0045]     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 3  and  4 , latch member  42  is an elongated rigid member having a proximal end  82 , a distal end  84  and generally straight upper and lower parallel edges  93  and  95 , respectively, that extend substantially along the length of member  42  between the proximal and distal ends  82  and  84 , respectively. At proximal end  82 , member  42  forms a hole sized to receive pin  52  (see  FIG. 3 ). In addition, adjacent proximal end  82 , a restricting member  69  extends downward from lower edge  95 . The function of member  69  is described below. At distal end  84 , member  42  includes three features that are of interest. First, member  42  forms a generally downwardly facing angled first ramp surface  90  at distal end  84 . In the illustrated embodiment, when member  42  is installed as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , ramp surface  90  forms an approximately 45° angle with horizontal where edges  93  and  95  are generally horizontally aligned.  
         [0046]     Second, member  42  forms a generally downwardly opening cavity at distal end  84  between first ramp surface  90  and the lower straight edge  95 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , latch member  42  has a length dimension such that the distance between hole  86  and cavity  88  is similar to the dimension between axis  53  and  57  when rod  56  is in the latched position (i.e., rod  56  is in the retracted position).  
         [0047]     Third, latch member  42  forms a hole  99  at distal end  84  generally between first ramp surface  90  and a distal end of upper edge  93 . In the illustrated embodiment, hole  99  has a diameter that is less than hole  86 . The center of hole  99  forms a third axis  49  (see  FIG. 3 ).  
         [0048]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2, 3  and  5 , latch inhibiting member  44  is a rigid flat component having first and second flat and parallel surfaces  43  and  45 , respectively. Member  44  includes a shoulder member  70  and an integrally formed arm member  74  that extends therefrom. More specifically, shoulder member  70  has oppositely directed proximal and distal ends  81  and  83  and first and second generally oppositely facing edges  73  and  75  that extend between proximal end  81  and distal end  83 . Arm member  74  extends from first edge  73  about mid-way therealong and is substantially perpendicular thereto. Arm member  74  includes a distal end  80  opposite should member  70  and stop pin  64  extends perpendicular to arm member  74  proximate distal end  80  and away from first surface  43  (see specifically  FIG. 3 ).  
         [0049]     Second edge  75  includes a generally straight second ramp surface  76  at proximal end  81  that extends toward distal end  83 . About mid-way along second edge  75  and adjacent second ramp surface  76 , edge  75  forms a recess that extends toward first edge  73  where the recess forms a bearing surface labeled  78 . At proximal end  81 , should member  70  forms a hole  59  that has a diameter similar to the diameter of hole  99  formed by latch member  42 .  
         [0050]     Referring still to FIGS.  2  though  5 , when assembled, pin  62  is passed through holes  59  and  99  in members  44  and  42 , respectively, to secure latch inhibiting member  44  proximate distal end  84  of latch member  42  and to be pivotable about third axis  49 . Here, member  44  is juxtaposed with respect to latch member  42  such that surface  43  faces and is adjacent to latch member  42  and so that stop pin  64  resides next to and can rest upon upper edge  93  of latch member  42  (see  FIG. 3 ). C-type clamping washers (not illustrated) may be secured to opposite ends of pin  62  to maintain members  42  and  44  together. Next, the proximal end  82  of latch member  42  is mounted to pin  52  by sliding an end of pin  52  through hole  86 . Again, a C-type clamping washer may be received on the distal end of pin  52  to ensure that proximal end  82  of latch member  42  remains journaled thereto. When so mounted, latch member  42  can rotate generally about axis  53  until mechanically restricted by other components (e.g., member  69  contacting surface  21 , etc.).  
         [0051]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , with wing frame  28  in the lowered and operating position, rod  56  is in the extended or unlatched position as illustrated. Here, latch member  42  extends from proximal end  82  and cylinder support  50  along cylinder  40  and toward pin  48  while member  69  rests on top surface  21  of support frame  11 . In addition, at this point, referring also to  FIGS. 3 and 9 , latch inhibiting member  44  is supported by pin  62  and a lower surface of pin  64  that is received on upper edge  93  of latch member  42 . When so supported, as best illustrated in  FIG. 9 , ramp surface  76  is exposed at least slightly in front of the ramp surface  90  formed by latch member  42 .  
         [0052]     Referring still to  FIGS. 6, 7  and  9 , to move wing frame  28  into the transport position as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , rod  56  is retracted such that pin  48  moves along the trajectory or pathway indicated by arrow  92  and frame  28  moves in the direction indicated by arrow  91 . When pin  48  moves along pathway  92 , each of latch member  42  and the latch inhibiting member  44  are aligned along the pathway  92  and ramp surfaces  76  and  90  are within the pathway.  
         [0053]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , near the end of a retracting movement of rod  56 , pin  48  contacts ramp surfaces  76  and  90  and forces associated members  44  and  42  to rotate upward as indicated by arrows  94  and  98 , respectively. More specifically, first, because ramp surface  76  is exposed in front of ramp surface  90 , ramp surface  76  is contacted and member  44  rotates through a small angle about axis  49 . Second, pin  48  contacts ramp surface  90  and slides therealong forcing latch member  42  to rotate about axis  53  as indicated by arrow  98 .  
         [0054]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , eventually, pin  48  reaches the lower distal end  91  of ramp surface  90 . Note that, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , ramp surface  76  of member  44  extends at least slightly lower than ramp surface  90  and therefore, pin  48  reaches the distal lower end  91  of ramp surface  90  prior to reaching the end of ramp surface  76 . Eventually, as rod  56  is further retracted, pin  48  becomes aligned with cavity  88  and latch member  42 , under the force of gravity, rotates downwardly such that pin  48  is received within cavity  88  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . At this point, pin  48  and latch member  42  act as first and second couplers that lock wing frame  28  in a transport position so that rod  56  cannot be extended.  
         [0055]     Once implement assembly  10  has been moved to a field or other location where wing frame  28  should be lowered into the operating position, an implement user can dismount the tractor or other primary mover and walk back to cylinder/latch assembly  26 . To unlock the cylinder, as illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the operator can simply lift the distal end  84  of latch member  42  upward thereby allowing latch inhibiting member  44  to rotate about axis  49  in the direction indicated by arrow  101 . As member  44  rotates in the direction indicated by arrow  101 , pin  48  slides along ramp surface  76  until pin  48  reaches the end thereof at which point a bearing surface of pin  48  is received on bearing surface  78 . At this point, member  44  becomes lodged between pin  62  and pin  48  and holds latch member  42  in the unlatched position shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . When rod  56  is next extended, pin  48  slips off bearing surface  78  at which point member  42 , under the force of gravity, moves back down into the position (i.e., the latching position) illustrated in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0056]     While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. For example, while the invention described above is one in which a cylinder assembly rod extends and retracts when a wing frame is in the operating and transport positions, respectively, it should be appreciated that other inventive embodiments are contemplated wherein the rod retracts and extends when the wing frame is in the operating and transport positions, respectively. Similarly, while the embodiment described above includes a latch member mounted to a proximal end of a cylinder that latches with a pin  48  at the distal end of a rod, it should be appreciated that other latching configurations are contemplated such as, for example, where the latch member may be mounted to the distal end of a rod and may latch with the pin mounted to the proximal end of a cylinder, where one or both of the latch member and pin or other couplers are directly supported by the support frame  11  and/or the wing frame  28 , etc. In addition, latch inhibiting members having other general designs and configurations are contemplated.  
         [0057]     Thus, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims. To apprise the public of the scope of this invention, the following claims are made: